Yogurt Containing Lactobacillus gasseri Mitigates Aspirin-Induced Small Bowel Injuries: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

• Published in: Digestion Vol. 95; no. 1; pp. 49 - 54
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Takayoshi, Masui, Aya, Nakamura, Jun, Shiozawa, Hirokazu, Aoki, Jun, Nakae, Hirohiko, Tsuda, Shingo, Imai, Jin, Hideki, Ozawa, Matsushima, Masashi, Mine, Tetsuya, Tamura, Akira, Ohtsu, Toshihiro, Asami, Yukio, Takagi, Atsushi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Aspirin - adverse effects; Capsule Endoscopy; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Humans; Intestinal Diseases - chemically induced; Intestinal Diseases - microbiology; Intestinal Diseases - prevention & control; Intestinal Mucosa - drug effects; Intestinal Mucosa - injuries; Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology; Intestine, Small - drug effects; Intestine, Small - injuries; Intestine, Small - microbiology; Lactobacillus gasseri; Male; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies; Yogurt - microbiology; Small bowel injuries; Low-dose aspirin; Lactobacillus gasseri
• ISBN: 9783318059946; 3318059943
• ISSN: 0012-2823; 1421-9867
• DOI: 10.1159/000452361

Background: Although there is evidence about the beneficial effects of probiotics, their effects on aspirin-induced small bowel injuries have not been well examined. We evaluated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 (LG) on aspirin-induced small intestinal lesions, such as ulcers, erosions, reddened lesions, and bleeding. Summary: This study enrolled 64 patients who received aspirin for more than 1 month and provided written informed consent to be part of the study. The patients received 112 ml of yogurt containing LG or placebo twice daily for 6 weeks. Small bowel injuries were evaluated by capsule endoscopy before and after consuming the yogurt. The effect of LG on patient symptoms was also assessed using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (FSSG) and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires before and after 6 weeks of treatment. There was no significant difference in any baseline characteristics and the number of small bowel mucosal breaks between the 2 groups. In contrast with the placebo group, the LG group had significantly fewer small bowel mucosal breaks and reddened lesions after 6 weeks (p < 0.01). The FSSG and GSRS scores were also significantly improved in the LG group but not in the placebo group. Key Messages: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that LG may be useful in reducing aspirin-induced small bowel injuries and in mitigating gastrointestinal symptoms.