Mesalazine plus somatostatin and bifid triple viable capsules can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with ulcerative colitis, according to a study in BMC Gastroenterology.
Investigators sought to determine the effect of mesalazine plus somatostatin and bifid triple viable capsules on plasma inflammatory factors and T cell frequency in patients with ulcerative colitis. They enrolled 130 patients who were admitted to their hospital in China from August 2018 to March 2020.
A total of 65 patients were in the experimental group (mesalazine plus somatostatin and bifid triple viable capsules for treatment), and 65 were in the control group (mesalazine plus somatostatin for treatment). Experimental group participants were aged 27 to 55 years (mean age, 40.83±3.21 years; 33 men). Control group participants were aged 28 to 54 years (mean age, 40.79±3.19 years; 34 men).The bifid triple viable bacteria capsules were given orally at a dose of 420 mg, 3 times a day. The treatments were continued for 2 months.
Before treatment, the levels of plasma inflammatory factors in the 2 groups were similar (all P >.05). After treatment, the interleukin-6, interleukin-8, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels of both groups decreased and were significantly lower in the experimental group vs those in the control group (all P <.05).
The levels of CD4+, CD8+, and CD4/CD8 were also comparable in the 2 groups before treatment (all P >.05). After treatment, the levels of CD4+ and the CD4/CD8 ratio increased and were significantly higher in the experimental group compared with those in the control group (P <.05). Additionally, the CD8+ levels were lower and significantly reduced in the experimental group vs those in the control group (P <.05).
No significant difference was observed regarding plasma D-lactic acid, endotoxin, and diamine oxidase levels in the 2 groups before treatment (all P >.05). After treatment, the plasma D-lactic acid, endotoxin, and diamine oxidase levels were decreased and were lower in the experimental group compared with those in the control group (all P <.05).
In the experimental group, 2 patients had abdominal discomfort and 1 patient developed a rash, with an adverse event (AE) rate of 4.62% (3/65 patients). In the control group, 3 cases of abdominal discomfort and 2 cases of rash occurred, with an AE rate of 7.69% (5/65 patients). No significant difference was found in the occurrence rate of AEs between the 2 groups (χ2 = 0.533; P =.718).
Study limitations include the small sample size taken from a single center. Additionally, there was no placebo for the bifid triple viable capsules, which could affect the findings.
“[M]esalazine plus somatostatin and bifid triple viable capsules can … reduce plasma inflammatory factors, regulate T cell frequency, restore markers for intestinal mucosal barrier function, and improve [quality of life], with high safety,” the study authors concluded.
Reference
Li S, Yin Y, Xiao D, Zou Y. Supplemental bifid triple viable capsule treatment improves inflammatory response and T cell frequency in ulcerative colitis patients. BMC Gastroenterol. 2021;21(1):314. doi: 10.1186/s12876-021-01887-2