Published online Jun 14, 2022. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i22.2509
Peer-review started: December 22, 2021
First decision: January 8, 2022
Revised: January 14, 2022
Accepted: April 28, 2022
Article in press: April 28, 2022
Published online: June 14, 2022
The gut microbiota has been proposed as central in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology, and microbiota-directed intervention has therefore drawn considerable interest. Among them, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) CNCM I-3856 is a probiotic yeast that has emerged as a recognized solution for managing IBS.
S. cerevisiae I-3856 has demonstrated beneficial effects in IBS subjects, particularly in IBS with predominant constipation.
To confirm the efficacy of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 on gastrointestinal symptom management in an IBS population with predominant constipation.
A total of 456 subjects were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After a run-in period to confirm IBS diagnosis, subjects were randomly assigned to the group receiving the probiotic or the placebo for 8 wk and performed daily self-evaluations of gastrointestinal symptoms. The primary objective was to assess the effect of the probiotic on abdominal pain. The secondary objectives were the evaluation of other gastrointestinal symptoms, bowel movement frequency and consistency, and quality of life (QOL).
Abdominal pain alleviation during supplementation with S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 was confirmed by the higher proportion of abdominal pain responders in the probiotic group than in the placebo group. Importantly, this clinical study also showed improvements in QOL in the probiotic group.
The results of this large-scale clinical study are consistent with previous findings and confirm the safety and efficacy of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 for abdominal pain management in IBS population. In addition, abdominal pain alleviation was associated with significant improvements in IBS-related QOL.
Dietary supplementation with S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 appears to be an interesting complementary or alternative solution for IBS management with positive implications for the day-to-day life of individuals with IBS with predominant constipation. Differences in microbiota composition and function between abdominal pain responders and nonresponders may provide a mechanistic basis for the beneficial effects of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in IBS management and warrant further exploration.