The effect of probiotics on gastric mucosal permeability in humans administered with aspirin

Abstract

Objective. To examine whether a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 (LG21), can protect the gastric mucosal integrity from aspirin using urinary sucrose excretion (USE) test. Materials and methods. In the study using high-dose aspirin, the USE tests were carried out in 29 volunteers before and after LG21 treatment for 4 weeks. In the study using patients undergoing low-dose aspirin therapy, USE tests were performed in 37 subjects who took LG21 for 16 weeks. Stool occult blood was examined by the guaiac method. Results. In the former study, the elevation in the USE value after aspirin loading significantly decreased after LG21 treatment (Median ± SD; 0.244 ± 0.237 vs. 0.208 ± 0.112%, p = 0.018). In the latter study, the USE value significantly decreased in the period with LG21 treatment (p = 0.033), while no significant difference was found in the period without LG21 (p = 0.113). The number of positive occult blood tests decreased during LG21 treatment. Conclusions. The regular ingestion of LG21 may protect the integrity of the gastric mucosal permeability against aspirin.

Key Words::

• Aspirin
• LG21
• permeability
• stomach
• stool occult blood

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Toshiyuki Matsubara (Matsuzaki Clinic), Dr. Masamitsu Mitani (Yagi Hospital), Dr. Satoshi Terai (Hara-Doi Hospital), and Dr. Takashi Matsuoka (Furente International Co. Ltd.) for their valuable contributions in recruiting the subjects and providing technical assistance. This study was financially supported by the Research Fund of Tokai University School of Medicine. The funding source had no role in study design, data collection, or the writing of the report.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.