Abstract

The rationale for using probiotics in IBD is based on convincing evidence that implicates intestinal bacteria in thepathogenesis of these diseases. Probiotics are “living organisms, which upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert healthbenefits beyond inherent basic nutrition. Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for the action of probiotics.VSL#3, a highly concentrated cocktail of probiotics has been shown to be effective in the prevention of pouchitis onsetand relapses. Results on the use of probiotics in UC are promising, both in terms of the prevention of relapses and thetreatment of mild-to-moderate attacks. Results in Crohn’s disease are not yet clear because of conflicting data and thelimited number of well-performed studies.