Probiotics for inflammatory bowel diseases: a promising adjuvant treatment

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) encompass ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD) and indeterminate colitis (IC), characterising chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, associated with changes in the immune system and in the intestinal microbiota. Thus, probiotics may offer an alternative or adjuvant approach to conventional therapy. The present review aims to summarise the mechanisms of action of probiotics in IBD and their therapeutic effects. Most of the studies suggest that probiotics are effective in the treatment of UC, especially when several strains are concomitantly administered. Species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genres are the most commonly used, and some studies even indicate that it is possible to replace medical therapy with probiotic supplementation. Regarding CD, the results of clinical trials are controversial and do not support the use of probiotics in this disease. In conclusion, probiotic supplementation is a promising adjuvant treatment in UC, but not in CD.

Keywords:

• Probiotics
• inflammatory bowel diseases
• ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, 2012/21087-4), the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the financial support.