DuPont probiotics reduce antibiotic side effects

KANTVIK, Finland – DuPont Nutrition & Health, in collaboration with the Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China, conducted a study to determine the ability of a probiotic formulation in reducing the potential gastrointestinal side effects of antibiotic treatment.  Their findings have been published in Vaccine Journal under the title “Clinical Dose Response Study Examines Use of Probiotics to Reduce Symptoms of Antibiotic Use.”

The triple-blind, dose-response study concludes that the four-strain probiotic combination in HOWARU Restore appears to lower the risk and duration of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). A decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms – fever, bloating and abdominal pain – also was observed compared to the placebo.

The 503 adult subjects who participated in the study were recruited at Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China, and divided into three groups: a placebo group and two groups that received either a low dose or high dose of HOWARU Restore (guaranteed to a minimum dose of 2.5×10⁹ and 10×10⁹ colony forming units (CFU), respectively, at end of shelf-life). Both probiotic treatments and the placebo were administered daily in the form of capsules during and for seven days following antibiotic treatment.

High probiotic dose shows most significant results

Whilst the low-dose group clearly experienced fewer antibiotic side effects than the placebo group, the incidence of AAD in the high-dose group was, at 12.5 per cent, close to half that of the placebo group (24.6 per cent).

The high-dose group similarly had a considerably lower rate of fever and gastrointestinal discomfort. In addition, the study indicates a tendency toward reduced Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) – Clostridium difficile being the pathogen responsible for 10-25 per cent of AAD episodes and almost all episodes of antibiotic-induced pseudo-membranous colitis.

Rare proof of symptom reduction

NIKE