Vnitr Lek 2010, 56(2):111-114

Probiotics in acute pancreatitis - a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

J. Lata^1,*, J. Juránková², O. Stibůrek¹, V. Příbramská¹, M. Šenkyřík¹, T. Vaňásek¹

¹ Interní hepatogastroenterologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jan Lata, CSc.

² Oddělení klinické mikrobiologie FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednostka prim. MUDr. Alena Ševčíková

Introduction:
Infections accompanying pancreatitis, particularly pancreatic necroses, represent a serious complication associated with worsening of the disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to explore whether this complication could be prevented by administering a probiotic.

Methods:
The probiotic was administered to 7 patients and placebo to 15. The study was discontinued early following the release of the Propatria study results.

Results:
There was no death in our patient sample and there was no difference between the two groups in microbial colonisation or the length of hospitalization. However, a reduction in endotoxin levels on day 7 and 10 of the hospitalization was observed in the probiotic-treated group.

Conclusion:
Based on the current knowledge, administration of probiotics in this indication is contraindicated. Nonetheless, reduction in endotoxin levels suggests a positive effect of probiotics on bacterial translocation, the importance of which should be evaluated in the future.

Keywords: acute pancreatitis; probiotics; endotoxin; bacterial translocation

Received: November 20, 2009; Accepted: December 7, 2009; Published: February 1, 2010  Show citation