[Improvement of Intestinal Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Using Probiotics]

Introduction: In some cases, cystic fibrosis may include intestinal inflammation and bacterial overgrowth. Probiotics are considered as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and microbiotic regulator substances. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of bacterial overgrowth in cystic fibrosis patients and try to improve the intestinal function with the administration of probiotics.

Patients And Method: We examined 20 patients with cystic fibrosis (mean age 10.33, range 5 to 17 years). The expired hydrogen test with a 2 g/kg of 20% dextrose overload was performed on 10 patients. After the test, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG 10(11) CFU was administered twice daily for four weeks. Faecal near infrared spectroscopy (FENIR) of water, fat, nitrogen and sugar content in faeces was performed before and after probiotics administration.

Results: Five patients (50%) showed bacterial overgrowth. We obtained a positive correlation between the hydrogen test and steatorrhea (R = 0.57) and sugar in faeces (R = 0.52). The FENIR results pre-treatment vs post-treatment were: fat 6.2 g +/- 3.3 g vs. 4.9 g +/- 2.1 g (p < 0.05), sugar 6.7 +/- g 3.6 g vs. 5 g +/- 2.6 g (p < 0.05) and nitrogen 0.87 g +/- 0.27 g vs. 0.91 g +/- 0.14 g (NS) respectively. Thirteen patients (81.25%) had improved stool appearance and intestinal comfort and nine (56.25%) decreased the number of daily stools.

Conclusions: Probiotics improved not only clinical but also biochemical intestinal function in cystic fibrosis patients. These could be given as a regular treatment in this type of patients and in those with bacterial overgrowth.