Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Most probiotics are lactic acid producing bacteria that are endogenous to the human GI (gastrointestinal) tract and are commonly utilized in the fermentation of food products, such as yogurt. Disturbances in the composition of the bacterial flora of the GI tract are associated with diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and consumption of some strains of probiotic bacteria are very effective for treating diarrhea and possibly individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC). We will test the effects of 3 strains of probiotic bacteria on UC. In addition to standard medical care for UC, participants will consume a dietary supplement of 3 probiotic bacteria (Kyo-Dophilus; Lacobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum) for 6 weeks. Changes in clinical symptoms and physiological markers of systemic and GI inflammation in subjects with UC will be assessed. Significant effects of the probiotics will be determined by comparing pre- and post-probiotic treatment measures for disease severity and level of inflammation and by comparing the probiotic treated group with the placebo treated control group. Any placebo effect on UC will also be assessed.

Forty subjects with ulcerative colitis will be recruited for the study and be provided a dietary supplement (5x109 bacteria/capsule, twice a day) for 6 weeks to 1/2 of the subjects and 1/2 of the UC subjects will be given a placebo control (potato starch). Standard medical care and therapies will be continued throughout the study. Initially, the physician will complete the Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index (UCDAI) and the participants will complete the Shortened Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), and biopsies collected for histopathological assessment and analysis of inflammatory cytokine production (mRNA). Also, 30 ml of venous blood will be collected from each subject for analysis of serum/plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones. Subjects will be randomly assigned to the probiotic or placebo group (blinded to the physicians). After consuming the dietary supplement or placebo for 6 weeks, subjects will complete the SIBDQ questionnaire, the physician complete the UCDAI, be examined by sigmoidoscopy and tissue biopsies and blood samples collected. Also, during the 6 weeks of treatment, subjects will maintain a daily diary of their bowel habits. Data analysis will determine whether, relative to placebo controls, consumption of probiotics reduces the symptoms and levels of intestinal inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• We will be studying patients with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (UC).

• Patients are eligible to participate if:

  • they are between 18 and 65 yr of age;

  • have an endoscopic and histologic confirmed diagnosis of UC for at least 1 yr; and

  • have at least a 2 week history of active UC that has not responded to mesalamine therapy.

• Subjects will not have consumed any fermented products, such as yogurt, for at least 6 weeks prior to being entered into the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects will be excluded if they have the following:

  • Crohn’s disease,

  • disease less than 25 cm from the anal canal,

  • active enteric infection,

  • evidence of severe disease characterized by hemoglobin <8.0 g/dl, white blood cell count >20,000 cells/mm3, temperature >38.5���C, albumin <25 g/dl, active disease >2 months, UCDAI < 2 or >9,

  • history of dysplasia of the colon or any cancer within 5 years,

  • clinically significant hematologic values (see above) or biochemical values (serum creatinine concentrations >1.5 times the upper limit of normal or alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or alanine aminotransferase concentrations >2.5 times the upper limit of normal) are also ineligible.