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Probiotics for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  • Gastrointestinal Infections (W Coyle, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Probiotics are organisms which provide a desired and beneficial effect on human health. With recent evidence implicating a disruption in the balance of the gastrointestinal microbiome and intestinal immunity as a potential trigger for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there has been growing interest in using probiotics as an adjunct to standard anti-inflammatory and immune suppressing therapy. Animal models describe potential and plausible mechanisms of action for probiotics to counter inflammation of colonic mucosa. Although there are insufficient data to recommend probiotics in ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, good evidence supports the use of specific probiotics for maintenance of remission in pouchitis. Although there are limited regulatory standards for the agents, probiotics are relatively safe with minimal reported side effects or contraindications. More rigorous studies need to be published supporting efficacy and safety of these agents before they become a mainstay of IBD medical treatment.

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The opinions are solely those of the authors and do not represent an endorsement by the Department of Defense. This is a U.S. Government work. There are no restrictions on its use

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  1. Gastroenterology Service, Department of Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20889-0001, USA

    Ganesh R. Veerappan, John Betteridge & Patrick E. Young

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  1. Ganesh R. Veerappan
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  2. John Betteridge
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Correspondence to Patrick E. Young.

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Veerappan, G.R., Betteridge, J. & Young, P.E. Probiotics for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 14, 324–333 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-012-0265-5

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