Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2012; 18(31): 4241-4242
Published online Aug 21, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i31.4241
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced small intestinal injury and probiotic agents
Mario Guslandi
Mario Guslandi, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Raffaele University Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
Author contributions: Guslandi M contributed solely to this work.
Correspondence to: Mario Guslandi, Professor, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano, Italy. guslandi.mario@hsr.it
Telephone: +39-2-26431 Fax: +39-2-26433491
Received: December 2, 2011
Revised: March 8, 2012
Accepted: April 21, 2012
Published online: August 21, 2012
Abstract

Intestinal bacteria play a role in the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)-induced small intestinal injury. Agents such as probiotics, able to modify the gut ecology, might theoretically be useful in preventing small intestinal damage induced by NSAIDs. The clinical studies available so far do suggest that some probiotic agents can be effective in this respect.

Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Small intestine; Intestinal bacteria; Probiotics