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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2013; 19(36): 5973-5980
Published online Sep 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i36.5973
Probiotics and irritable bowel syndrome
Cong Dai, Chang-Qing Zheng, Min Jiang, Xiao-Yu Ma, Li-Juan Jiang
Cong Dai, Xiao-Yu Ma, Li-Juan Jiang, Department of Cadre Ward V, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Chang-Qing Zheng, Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Min Jiang, Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Dai C and Jiang M contributed to the study concept, study design, literature search, manuscript writing and final revision of the article; Zheng CQ and Ma XY contributed to the manuscript writing and the final revision of the article; Jiang LJ contributed to the study design, manuscript writing and the final revision of the article.
Correspondence to: Cong Dai, MD, PhD, Department of Cadre Ward V, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 92 Beier Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. congdai2006@sohu.com
Telephone: +86-24-83282209 Fax: +86-24-83282208
Received: May 23, 2013
Revised: July 14, 2013
Accepted: August 4, 2013
Published online: September 28, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal problem and its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood. So the treatments of IBS are based on the predominant symptom. But these treatments are often unsatisfactory. Probiotics have numerous positive effects in the gastrointestinal tract. Many studies have shown that probiotics are effective in the treatment of IBS. In this review, we have summarized the efficacy, the safety and the mechanisms of probiotics in IBS.