Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2005; 11(47): 7520-7524
Published online Dec 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i47.7520
Effect of Clostridium butyricum on fecal flora in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy
Izumi Shimbo, Taketo Yamaguchi, Takeo Odaka, Kenichi Nakajima, Akinori Koide, Hidehiko Koyama, Hiromitsu Saisho
Izumi Shimbo, Taketo Yamaguchi, Takeo Odaka, Hiromitsu Saisho, Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-City, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan
Kenichi Nakajima, Tako Chuo Hospital, Tako-machi Katori-Country, Chiba, 289-2241, Japan
Akinori Koide, Kawasaki Chiba Hospital, Minami-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-City, Chiba, 260-0842, Japan
Hidehiko Koyama, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Mita Minato-ku Tokyo, 108-8329, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Yamaguchi, PhD, Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-City, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan. yama.take@faculty.chiba-u.jp
Telephone: +81-43-226-2083 Fax: +81-43-226-2088
Received: April 27, 2005
Revised: June 1, 2005
Accepted: June 2, 2005
Published online: December 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of probiotic bacterium, Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 strain (CBM) on the changes of the fecal flora in Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) treatment.

METHODS: Thirty-five patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers positive for H pylori were randomized either to 1 wk amoxicillin, clarithromycin, lansoprazole (Group 1) or to the same regimen supplemented with CBM 7 d ahead of the triple therapy (Group 2). Stool samples were collected before and 2, 4, 7, 15, and 22 d after the starting eradication therapy, and were examined intestinal flora. Patients were required to keep a diary record of their condition.

RESULTS: Obligate anaerobes decreased significantly on d 2, 4, 8 and 15 in Group 1. On the other hand, they did not decrease significantly in Group 2. The Escherichia coli was dominant bacterium in Enterobacteriaceae, but that was replaced by other species such as Klebsiella and Enterobacter after eradication in Group 1. The change was suppressed in Group 2. Abdominal symptoms were less frequent in Group 2 than in Group 1.

CONCLUSION: The combined use of CBM reduced the changes in the intestinal flora and decreased the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects.

Keywords: Clostridium butyricum, Intestinal flora, Helicobacter pylori, Eradication