The DOI matches its Crossref record; 40 of the 40 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Treatment of Relapsing Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis With the Probiotic VSL#3 as Adjunctive to a Standard Pharmaceutical Treatment: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: VSL#3 is a high-potency probiotic mixture that has been used successfully in the treatment of pouchitis. The primary end point of the study was to assess the effects of supplementation with VSL#3 in patients affected by relapsing ulcerative colitis (UC) who are already under treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) and/or immunosuppressants at stable doses. METHODS: A total of 144 consecutive patients were randomly treated for 8 weeks with VSL#3 at a dose of 3,600 billion CFU/day (71 patients) or with placebo (73 patients). RESULTS: In all, 65 patients in the VSL#3 group and 66 patients in the placebo group completed the study. The decrease in ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI) scores of 50% or more was higher in the VSL#3 group than in the placebo group (63.1 vs. 40.8; per protocol (PP) P=0.010, confidence interval (CI)₉₅(%) 0.51-0.74; intention to treat (ITT) P=0.031, CI₉₅(%) 0.47-0.69). Significant results with VSL#3 were recorded in an improvement of three points or more in the UCDAI score (60.5% vs. 41.4%; PP P=0.017, CI₉₅(%) 0.51-0.74; ITT P=0.046, CI₉₅(%) 0.47-0.69) and in rectal bleeding (PP P=0.014, CI₉₅(%) 0.46-0.70; ITT P=0.036, CI₉₅(%) 0.41-0.65), whereas stool frequency (PP P=0.202, CI₉₅(%) 0.39-0.63; ITT P=0.229, CI₉₅(%) 0.35-0.57), physician's rate of disease activity (PP P=0.088, CI₉₅(%) 0.34-0.58; ITT P=0.168, CI₉₅(%) 0.31-0.53), and endoscopic scores (PP P=0.086, CI₉₅(%) 0.74-0.92; ITT P=0.366, CI₉₅(%) 0.66-0.86) did not show statistical differences. Remission was higher in the VSL#3 group than in the placebo group (47.7% vs. 32.4%; PP P=0.069, CI₉₅(%) 0.36-0.60; ITT P=0.132, CI₉₅(%) 0.33-0.56). Eight patients on VSL#3 (11.2%) and nine patients on placebo (12.3%) reported mild side effects. CONCLUSIONS: VSL#3 supplementation is safe and able to reduce UCDAI scores in patients affected by relapsing mild-to-moderate UC who are under treatment with 5-ASA and/or immunosuppressants. Moreover, VSL#3 improves rectal bleeding and seems to reinduce remission in relapsing UC patients after 8 weeks of treatment, although these parameters do not reach statistical significance.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“In IBD, the probiotic mixture VSL#3, which contains bifidobacteria of different species, was able to reduce the UC symptoms in adults (144, 145) as well as the remission of the disease in children (84).”
From Bifidobacteria and Their Health-Promoting Effects (2017) · cites this paper as [145]
In the citing paper
“Both demonstrate that high doses improve disease activity scores”
From The gut microbiota and host health: a new clinical frontier (2016) · cites this paper as [74]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
The gut microbiota shapes intestinal immune responses during health and disease
Round, J. L., & Mazmanian, S. K. (2009) · Nature Reviews Immunology · doi:10.1038/nri2515 · Cited by 5,029
A microbial symbiosis factor prevents intestinal inflammatory disease
Mazmanian, S. K., Round, J. L., & Kasper, D. L. (2008) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature07008 · Cited by 2,340
Kornbluth, A. A., & Sachar, D. B. (2010) · The American Journal of Gastroenterology · doi:10.1038/ajg.2009.727 · Cited by 2,032
Gionchetti, P., Rizzello, F., Venturi, A., Brigidi, P., Matteuzzi, D., Bazzocchi, G., Poggioli, G., Miglioli, M., & Campieri, M. (2000) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1053/gast.2000.9370 · Cited by 1,485
Kruis, W., Frič, P., Pokrotnieks, J., Lukáš, M., Fixa, B., Kaščák, M., Kamm, M. A., Weismueller, J., Beglinger, C., Stolte, M., et al. (2004) · Gut · doi:10.1136/gut.2003.037747 · Cited by 1,285
Podolsky, D. K. (1991) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199109263251306 · Cited by 1,226
Prophylaxis of pouchitis onset with probiotic therapy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Gionchetti, P., Rizzello, F., Helwig, U., Venturi, A., Lammers, K. M., Brigidi, P., Vitali, B., Poggioli, G., Miglioli, M., & Campieri, M. (2003) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1016/s0016-5085(03)00171-9 · Cited by 1,147
Rembacken, B., Snelling, A. M., Hawkey, P. M., Chalmers, D. M., & Axon, A. (1999) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(98)06343-0 · Cited by 1,100
Probiotic bacteria enhance murine and human intestinal epithelial barrier function
Madsen, K., Cornish, A. S., Soper, P., McKaigney, C. J., Jijon, H. B., Yachimec, C., Doyle, J. S. G., Jewell, L. D., & Simone, C. D. (2001) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1053/gast.2001.27224 · Cited by 1,096
Kruis, W., SCHÜTZ, E., Fric, P., Fixa, B., Judmaier, G., & Stolte, M. (1997) · Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2036.1997.00225.x · Cited by 774
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 201–300 of 489
Review article: strategies for the management of chronic unremitting ulcerative colitis
Mehta, S. J., Silver, A. R., & Lindsay, J. O. (2013) · Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1111/apt.12345 · Cited by 41
Ulcerative Colitis: Update on Medical Management
Iskandar, H. N., Dhere, T., & Farraye, F. A. (2015) · Current Gastroenterology Reports · doi:10.1007/s11894-015-0466-9 · Cited by 40
Mirsepasi‐Lauridsen, H. C., Halkjær, S. I., Mortensen, E. M., Lydolph, M. C., Nordgaard-Lassen, I., Krogfelt, K. A., & Petersen, A. M. (2016) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep31152 · Cited by 40
Sivamaruthi, B. S. (2018) · Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine · doi:10.4103/2221-1691.228000 · Cited by 42
“[57] Tursi A, Brandimarte G, Papa A, Giglio A, Elisei W, Giorgetti GM, et”
BackgroundDigestive disorders and Intestinal microbiota.
Nouvenne, A., Ticinesi, A., Tana, C., Prati, B., Catania, P., Miraglia, C., Angelis, G. L. D., Mario, F. D., & Meschi, T. (2018) · Acta bio-medica dell'Ateneo parmense/Acta biomedica · doi:10.23750/abm.v89i9-s.7912 · Cited by 39
“and the fecal microbiota transplantation can determine beneficial clinical consequences on the progress of the disease (9-10).”
BackgroundDing, W., Ding, Z., Wang, Y., Zhu, Y., Gao, Q., Cao, W., & Du, R. (2020) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.573870 · Cited by 45
Mizock, B. A. (2015) · Disease-a-Month · doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.03.011 · Cited by 42
Halkjær, S. I., Nilas, L., Carlsen, E. M., Cortes, D., Halldorsson, T. I., Olsen, S. F., Pedersen, A. E., Krogfelt, K. A., & Petersen, A. M. (2016) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1617-5 · Cited by 40
Krishnan, M., Penrose, H. M., Shah, N. N., Marchelletta, R. R., & McCole, D. F. (2016) · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · doi:10.1097/mib.0000000000000954 · Cited by 39
Antibiotics and probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: when to use them?
Abraham, B. P., & Quigley, E. M. M. (2019) · Frontline Gastroenterology · doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101057 · Cited by 39
“74 Studies evaluating the use of VSL”
VSL#3 probiotic differently influences IEC‐6 intestinal epithelial cell status and function
Cinque, B., Torre, C. L., Lombardi, F., Palumbo, P., Evtoski, Z., Santini, S. J., Falone, S., Cimini, A., Amicarelli, F., & Cifone, M. G. (2017) · Journal of Cellular Physiology · doi:10.1002/jcp.25814 · Cited by 38
“Randomized controlled trials showed that VSL#3 alone or in combination to conventional therapy is beneficial in pouchitis patients, and for induction and maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis (Gionchetti et al., 2000, 2003; Shen, Zuo, & Mao, 2014; Sood et al., 2009; Tursi et al., 2010; Uronis et al., 2011).”
BackgroundChen, C.-L., Hsu, P.-Y., & Pan, T. (2018) · Journal of Food and Drug Analysis · doi:10.1016/j.jfda.2018.05.004 · Cited by 38
“It has been shown that patients with UC taking certain probiotics are able to achieve clinical remission comparable to 5-ASA treatment [11], and that the synergy of probiotics and 5-ASA in patients with mild to moderate UC promotes clinical remission [12].”
BackgroundLiu, X., Yu, R., & Zou, K. (2019) · Current Medical Science · doi:10.1007/s11596-019-2045-z · Cited by 39
Recombinant Probiotic Therapy in Experimental Colitis in Mice
Gardlík, R., Pálffy, R., & Celec, P. (2012) · Folia Biologica · doi:10.14712/fb2012058060238 · Cited by 38
“Several clinical studies using probiotic therapy in IBD patients were recently published; however, the results have thus far been inconsistent (Matthes et al., 2010; Tursi et al., 2010; D’Inca et al., 2011; Wildt et al., 2011).”
ResultTherapeutic applications of probiotics in ulcerative colitis: An updated review
Dhillon, P., & Singh, K. (2020) · PharmaNutrition · doi:10.1016/j.phanu.2020.100194 · Cited by 37
The Rundown of Dietary Supplements and Their Effects on Inflammatory Bowel Disease—A Review
Malinowski, B., Wiciński, M., Sokołowska, M. M., Hill, N. A., & Szambelan, M. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu12051423 · Cited by 39
“, 2010 [15] 144 patients with UC Mixture of 4 strains of Lactobacilli, 3 strains of Bifidobacteria and one strain of Streptococcus thermophilus (VSL#3) taken orally 8 weeks Decrease in disease activity compared to the placebo group (p = 0.”
MethodChen, M., Feng, Y., & Liu, W. (2021) · Annals of Palliative Medicine · doi:10.21037/apm-21-2996 · Cited by 35
Antibiotics, Probiotics and Prebiotics in IBD
Bernstein, C. N. (2014) · Nestlé Nutrition Institute Workshop series · doi:10.1159/000360713 · Cited by 39
Prebiotics and probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease in children
Guandalini, S., Cernat, E., & Moscoso, D. I. (2014) · Beneficial Microbes · doi:10.3920/bm2014.0067 · Cited by 38
Sham, H. P., Bazett, M., Bosiljcic, M., Yang, H., Luk, B., Law, H. T., Morampudi, V., Yu, H. B., Pankovich, J., Sutcliffe, S. B. J., et al. (2018) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02211 · Cited by 36
Gut Microbiota and Autoimmune Diseases: A Charming Real World Together with Probiotics
Piccioni, A., Cicchinelli, S., Valletta, F., Luca, G. D., Longhitano, Y., Candelli, M., Ojetti, V., Sardeo, F., Navarra, S. M., Covino, M., et al. (2021) · Current Medicinal Chemistry · doi:10.2174/0929867328666210922161913 · Cited by 36
Isidro, R. A. (2014) · Journal of Clinical & Cellular Immunology · doi:10.4172/2155-9899.1000227 · Cited by 36
“VSL#3 has been shown to ameliorate inflammation in murine models of IBD [6] and improve signs and symptoms of IBD in patients [7-9].”
BackgroundAdvances in the understanding of the intestinal micro-environment and inflammatory bowel disease
Yan, P., & Li, J. (2020) · Chinese Medical Journal · doi:10.1097/cm9.0000000000000718 · Cited by 35
“However, this probiotic cocktail was significantly superior in improving the UC disease activity index (UCDAI), with an extra 20% of patients experiencing greater than 50% amelioration of UCDAI during the 8-week observation.([46]) A similar effect of VSL#3 on the induction of remission of UC was obtained in an Indian…”
BackgroundLarussa, T., Flauti, D., Abenavoli, L., Boccuto, L., Suraci, E., Marasco, R., Imeneo, M., & Luzza, F. (2020) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm9082416 · Cited by 36
“Disease activity was measured by the Harvey Bradshaw index (HBI) [15] for CD or by the Mayo Score (MS) [16] for UC.”
MethodSelf-citationBretto, E., Caviglia, G. P., Saracco, G. M., Bugianesi, E., & Ribaldone, D. G. (2025) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines13081807 · Cited by 41
“Modulating the gut microbiota through probiotics remains a promising approach; however, recent evidence suggests that their clinical efficacy in IBD is limited and highly strain-dependent [153].”
Kanda, T., Nishida, A., Ohno, M., Imaeda, H., Shimada, T., Inatomi, O., Bamba, S., Sugimoto, M., & Andoh, A. (2016) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159705 · Cited by 35
“moderate active UC was able to improve the remission rate and the clinical response rate [34, 35].”
BackgroundQiao, Y., Cai, C., & Ran, Z. H. (2016) · Journal of Digestive Diseases · doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12422 · Cited by 36
Hsu, C., Ghannoum, M. A., Cominelli, F., & Martino, L. D. (2022) · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · doi:10.1093/ibd/izac156 · Cited by 34
Xie, L., Lu, H., Tang, L.-F., Tang, F., Zhu, R.-Q., Wang, D.-F., Cai, S., Tian, Y., & Li, M. (2024) · International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics · doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.003 · Cited by 34
Prebiotics and Probiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Where are we now and where are we going?
Naseer, M., Poola, S., Ali, S. A., Samiullah, S., & Tahan, V. (2020) · Current Clinical Pharmacology · doi:10.2174/1574884715666200312100237 · Cited by 33
Review article: the role of non-biological drugs in refractory inflammatory bowel disease
Ng, S. C., Chan, F. K. L., & Sung, J. J. �. (2010) · Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04541.x · Cited by 31
Bifidobacteria and Their Health-Promoting Effects
Hidalgo-Cantabrana, C., Delgado, S., Ruíz, L., Ruas‐Madiedo, P., Sánchez, B., & Margollés, A. (2018) · ASM Press eBooks · doi:10.1128/9781555819705.ch3 · Cited by 32
Lê, A., Mantel, M., Marchix, J., Bodinier, M., Jan, G., & Rolli‐Derkinderen, M. (2022) · American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00002.2022 · Cited by 35
Peña‐Cearra, A., Song, D., Castelo, J., Palacios, A., Lavín, J. L., Azkargorta, M., Elortza, F., Fuertes, M., Pascual‐Itoiz, M. Á., Barriales, D., et al. (2023) · npj Biofilms and Microbiomes · doi:10.1038/s41522-023-00443-y · Cited by 31
“#3 versus 75.2% in patients receiving placebo) 19,20 .”
BackgroundInfluentialLactocepin as a protective microbial structure in the context of IBD
Hörmannsperger, G., von Schillde, M., & Haller, D. (2013) · Gut Microbes · doi:10.4161/gmic.23444 · Cited by 32
Bejaoui, M., Sokol, H., & Marteau, P. R. (2015) · Digestive Diseases · doi:10.1159/000437104 · Cited by 30
Huang, X., Ai, F., Ji, C., Tu, P., Gao, Y., Wu, Y., Yan, F., & Yu, T. (2021) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.760385 · Cited by 30
Mariman, R., Tielen, F. J., Koning, F., & Nagelkerken, L. M. (2015) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.3945/jn.114.199729 · Cited by 30
Probiotic actions on diseases: implications for therapeutic treatments
Chiu, Y., Lin, S.-L., Tsai, J., & Lin, M. (2014) · Food & Function · doi:10.1039/c3fo60600g · Cited by 28
Park, S., Kang, Y., Koh, H., & Kim, S. (2020) · Korean Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.3345/cep.2019.00500 · Cited by 28
Barnes, D. M., & Yeh, A. M. (2015) · Nutrition in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1177/0884533615610081 · Cited by 28
First and second generation probiotic therapeutics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sireswar, S., Ghosh, I., & Dey, G. (2019) · PharmaNutrition · doi:10.1016/j.phanu.2019.100159 · Cited by 26
Rohatgi, S., Ahuja, V., Makharia, G. K., Rai, T., Das, P., Dattagupta, S., Mishra, V., & Garg, S. K. (2015) · BMJ Open Gastroenterology · doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2014-000018 · Cited by 28
Gut Microbiota Modulation in IBD: From the Old Paradigm to Revolutionary Tools
Murgiano, M., Bartocci, B., Puca, P., Vincenzo, F. D., GAUDIO, A. D., Papa, A., Cammarota, G., Gasbarrini, A., Scaldaferri, F., & Lopetuso, L. R. (2025) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms26073059 · Cited by 30
Self-citationZhuge, A., Li, S., Yuan, Y., Li, B., & Li, L. (2021) · Food & Function · doi:10.1039/d1fo01807h · Cited by 26
Comparative Effect of the I3.1 Probiotic Formula in Two Animal Models of Colitis
Lorén, V., Manyé, J., Fuentes, M. C., Cabré, E., Ojanguren, I., & Espadaler, J. (2016) · Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins · doi:10.1007/s12602-016-9239-5 · Cited by 26
“VSL#3 has also been able to induce remission of mild to moderate flare-ups in UC and preventing pouchitis [38, 39].”
BackgroundPediatric ulcerative colitis: current treatment approaches including role of infliximab
Oliva‐Hemker, M. M., & Bradley (2012) · Biologics · doi:10.2147/btt.s31833 · Cited by 25
Gut mucosal and adipose tissues as health targets of the immunomodulatory mechanisms of probiotics
Ashaolu, T. J., & Fernández‐Tomé, S. (2021) · Trends in Food Science & Technology · doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2021.04.040 · Cited by 25
Kang, S., Lin, Z., Xu, Y., Park, M., Ji, G. E., Johnston, T. V., Ku, S., & Park, M. S. (2022) · Microbial Cell Factories · doi:10.1186/s12934-022-01840-2 · Cited by 25
Potential Application of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
del Carmen, S., de LeBlanc, A. D. M., Miyoshi, A., Rocha, C. S., Azevedo, V., & LeBlanc, J. G. (2010) · Ulcers · doi:10.1155/2011/841651 · Cited by 25
Gwee, K., Lee, W. W., Ling, K. L., Ooi, C. J., Quak, S. H., Dan, Y. Y., Siah, K. T. H., Huang, J. G., Chua, A. S. B., Hilmi, I. N., et al. (2018) · Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology · doi:10.1111/jgh.14268 · Cited by 26
Tang, L., Feng, W., Cheng, J.-J., & Gong, Y.-N. (2020) · International Journal of Colorectal Disease · doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03599-7 · Cited by 24
DNA hypo-methylation facilitates anti-inflammatory responses in severe ulcerative colitis
Taman, H., Fenton, C. G., Anderssen, E., Florholmen, J., & Paulssen, R. H. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0248905 · Cited by 24
“The inflammation grade was evaluated during colonoscopy using the UC disease activity index (UCDAI) [20].”
MethodGuía clínica GETECCU del tratamiento de la colitis ulcerosa elaborada con la metodología GRADE
Gomollón, F., García‐López, S., Sicilia, B., Gisbert, J. P., & Hinojosa, J. (2012) · Gastroenterología y Hepatología · doi:10.1016/j.gastrohep.2012.11.001 · Cited by 24
Probiotic Bacteria in the Prevention and the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Fedorak, R. N., & Demeria, D. D. (2012) · Gastroenterology Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2012.08.003 · Cited by 24
Kim, M. S., Byun, J. S., Yoon, Y.-S., Yum, D.-Y., Chung, M.-J., & Lee, J. C. (2016) · Beneficial Microbes · doi:10.3920/bm2016.0031 · Cited by 23
Cao, Y., Zhang, B., Wu, Y., Wang, Q., Wang, J., & Shen, F. (2018) · Gastroenterology Research and Practice · doi:10.1155/2018/5480961 · Cited by 23
Zheng, B., van Bergenhenegouwen, J., van de Kant, H. J. G., Folkerts, G., Garssen, J., Vos, A. P., Morgan, M. E., & Kraneveld, A. D. (2015) · Beneficial Microbes · doi:10.3920/bm2015.0037 · Cited by 23
“Beneficial Microbes 7(2) 211 demonstrated by administration of VSL#3 that resulted in a remission in adult patients with active UC (Sood et al., 2009; Tursi et al., 2010) and in children (Miele et al.”
The Significant Role of Nutraceutical Compounds in Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Maio, A. C. D., Basile, G., Iacopetta, D., Catalano, A. A., Ceramella, J., Cafaro, D., Saturnino, C., & Sinicropi, M. S. (2021) · Current Medicinal Chemistry · doi:10.2174/0929867329666211227121321 · Cited by 23
Han, T., Zhang, Y., Zheng, G., & Guo, Y. M. (2025) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2025.1704651 · Cited by 24
Xie, Y., Zhou, L., Yao, X., & Li, Y. (2020) · The American Journal of the Medical Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.amjms.2020.05.021 · Cited by 22
Evolutionary concepts in the functional biotics arena: a mini-review
Nataraj, B. H., Shivanna, S. K., Rao, P. M., Nagpal, R., & Behare, P. V. (2020) · Food Science and Biotechnology · doi:10.1007/s10068-020-00818-3 · Cited by 22
“Likewise, several studies have reported the probiotics-mediated expression of tight junction and adherent junction proteins to strengthen the gut barrier intricate (Bhat et al., 2019, 2020; Tursi et al., 2010).”
BackgroundMicrobes and microbial effector molecules in treatment of inflammatory disorders
Kelly, D., Delday, M. I., & Mulder, I. E. (2011) · Immunological Reviews · doi:10.1111/j.1600-065x.2011.01079.x · Cited by 23
Gan, W. C., Smith, L. D., Luca, E., & Harnett, J. (2018) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.08.016 · Cited by 23
Bacterial Flora as a Cause or Treatment of Chronic Diarrhea
Scaldaferri, F., Pizzoferrato, M., Pecere, S., Forte, F., & Gasbarrini, A. (2012) · Gastroenterology Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2012.06.002 · Cited by 21
Self-citationVindigni, S. M., Broussard, E. K., & Surawicz, C. M. (2013) · Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology · doi:10.1586/17474124.2013.832501 · Cited by 21
The emerging microbiome‐based approaches to IBD therapy: From SCFAs to urolithin A
Rudiansyah, M., Jasim, S. A., Azizov, B., Samusenkov, V. O., Abdelbasset, W. K., Yasin, G., Mohammad, H. J., Jawad, M. A., Mahmudiono, T., Hosseini‐Fard, S. R., et al. (2022) · Journal of Digestive Diseases · doi:10.1111/1751-2980.13131 · Cited by 20
Ranjha, R., Meena, N. K., Singh, A., Ahuja, V., & Paul, J. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173447 · Cited by 20
Najafi, S., Sotoodehnejadnematalahi, F., Amiri, M. M., Pourshafie, M. R., & Rohani, M. (2023) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines11061675 · Cited by 20
Farah, A., Paul, P., Khan, A. S., Sarkar, A., Laws, S., & Châari, A. (2025) · Frontiers in Medicine · doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1435030 · Cited by 24
Nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease
Tighe, M. P., Cummings, F. J. R., & Afzal, N. A. (2011) · Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care · doi:10.1097/mco.0b013e328349eb4d · Cited by 19
Elangovan, A., Allegretti, J. R., & Fischer, M. (2019) · Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy · doi:10.1080/14712598.2019.1673725 · Cited by 18
Souza, D. G., Senchenkova, E. Y., Russell, J., & Granger, D. N. (2015) · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · doi:10.1097/mib.0000000000000331 · Cited by 18
“VSL#3, a mixture of eight strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria, has been shown to reduce inflammation and maintain remission of ulcerative colitis in human subjects.(33) VSL#3 has also been shown to ameliorate colitis in the IL-102/2 murine model(34) and in TNBS-induced chronic colitis in rats.”
BackgroundO’Reilly, C., Mills, S., Rea, M. C., Lavelle, A., Ghosh, S. K., Hill, C., & Ross, R. P. (2023) · Microbiome Research Reports · doi:10.20517/mrr.2023.41 · Cited by 17
“In clinical trials, MSCT has proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of refractory CD [180-182] and UC [183-185] , although the long-term efficacy of MSCT must yet be verified [186] .”
BackgroundNutraceutical Supplements for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Parian, A. M., Limketkai, B. N., Shah, N. D., & Mullin, G. E. (2015) · Nutrition in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1177/0884533615586598 · Cited by 17
Quraishi, M. N., Yalchin, M., Blackwell, C., Segal, J. P., Sharma, N., Hawkey, P. M., McCune, V. L., Hart, A. L., Gaya, D. R., Ives, N. J., et al. (2019) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030659 · Cited by 17
Hu, W., Rajendran, P., Tzang, B., Yeh, Y., Shen, C.-Y., Chen, R., Ho, T., Padma, V. V., Chen, Y.-H., & Huang, C. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185098 · Cited by 17
Yadav, A., Yadav, R., Sharma, V., & Dutta, U. (2024) · Indian Journal of Gastroenterology · doi:10.1007/s12664-023-01510-0 · Cited by 18
“#3 and Bifidobacterium longum have been found effective in maintaining remission among patients with IBD [136].”
Gastro-intestinal tract: The leading role of mucosal immunity
Steinert, A., Radulovic, K., & Niess, J. H. (2016) · Swiss Medical Weekly · doi:10.4414/smw.2016.14293 · Cited by 17
The Emerging Therapeutic Role of Medical Foods for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Ciampa, B., Ramos, E. R., Borum, M. L., & Doman, D. B. (2017) · PubMed Central · Cited by 16
Efficacy of Probiotics in Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Rostami, F., Mousavi, H., Mousavi, M. R. N., & Shahsafi, M. (2018) · Clinical Microbiology Newsletter · doi:10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2018.06.001 · Cited by 16
Probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: Does it work?
Silva, N. O. E., Brito, B. B. D., Silva, F. A. F. D., Santos, M. L. C., & Melo, F. F. D. (2020) · World Journal of Meta-Analysis · doi:10.13105/wjma.v8.i2.54 · Cited by 17
Rayyan, Y. M., Agraib, L. M., Alkhatib, B. M., Yamani, M. I., Sneineh, A. T. A., & Tayyem, R. (2023) · European Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1007/s00394-023-03207-8 · Cited by 16
Nonbiological therapeutic management of ulcerative colitis
Mezzina, N., Davies, S. E. C., & Ardizzone, S. (2018) · Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy · doi:10.1080/14656566.2018.1525361 · Cited by 15
Zhang, N., Zhu, W., Zhang, S., Liu, T., Gong, L., Wang, Z., Zhang, W., Cui, Y., Wu, Q., Li, J., et al. (2023) · Microbial Ecology · doi:10.1007/s00248-023-02318-3 · Cited by 14
“Bifidobacterium was also previously shown to have a beneficial effect on ulcerative colitis in a clinical trial [36, 37].”
BackgroundPabón‐Carrasco, M., Ramírez‐Baena, L., Vilar-Palomo, S., Castro-Méndez, A., García, R. M., & Rodríguez-Gallego, I. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu12092628 · Cited by 14
“The analysis of these clinical trials showed a significant benefit of probiotic use, especially when the strains were mixed [26,28,29,32,33].”
BackgroundTherapeutic Potential of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Gastrointestinal Diseases
Zhu, M., & Lee, J. W. J. (2025) · Nutraceuticals · doi:10.3390/nutraceuticals5030019 · Cited by 15
Ou, Q., Wang, L., Wang, K., & Shao, P. (2021) · Annals of Palliative Medicine · doi:10.21037/apm-21-1056 · Cited by 13
“In vitro and animal studies have shown that probiotics can affect the level of inflammatory cytokines, improve the production of some mediators involved in intestinal inflammatory responses, and enhance intestinal permeability (19,20).”
BackgroundMajumder, A., & Bano, S. (2024) · Biomolecules · doi:10.3390/biom14060633 · Cited by 13
“However, data on its use as a maintenance therapy are poor [62,63], and data on the use of other probiotics are quite limited [31,64].”
BackgroundRousseau, R. K., Walmsley, S. L., Lee, T., Rosenes, R., Reinhard, R. J., Malazogu, F., Benko, E., Huibner, S., Kovacs, C. M., Singer, J., et al. (2021) · JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes · doi:10.1097/qai.0000000000002840 · Cited by 14
Mitra, A. K., Asala, A. F., Malone, S., & Mridha, M. K. (2023) · Diseases · doi:10.3390/diseases11040138 · Cited by 13
“Of the various forms of probiotics, a mixture of multiple probiotic strains, in the form of VSL #3, was found to be most effective in treating patients with IBDs [32,39,48,49].”
BackgroundResultInfluentialManaging the Microbiome: How the Gut Influences Development and Disease
Weinstein, N., Garten, B., Vainer, J., Minaya, D. M., & Czaja, K. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13010074 · Cited by 14
“Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group experienced 20% higher rates of remission and symptom improvement outlined by the ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI) [57].”
BackgroundRoles of Probiotic on Gut Health
Fung, W.-Y., Lye, H., Lim, T., Kuan, C.-Y., & Liong, M. (2011) · Microbiology monographs · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-20838-6_6 · Cited by 13
Zhang, H., Sun, J., Xie, A., Yang, H., Li, Y., Mei, Y., Li, J., Xiao, L., Liu, Y., & Liang, Y. (2024) · Food Bioscience · doi:10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105727 · Cited by 12
Mirsepasi‐Lauridsen, H. C. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm11247472 · Cited by 13
“The studies of VSL#3 in the UC patients with inactive disease with 6 months follow up show that VSL #3 is suitable to maintain disease remission in UC patients [69,70].”
BackgroundBennett, W. E. (2015) · Drug Safety · doi:10.1007/s40264-015-0349-x · Cited by 12
“As with IBS, multiple recent IBD trials designed to assess efficacy also addressed safety and ADEs as a secondary outcome(40-49).”
MethodJiménez-Pranteda, M. L., Aguilera, J., McCartney, A. L., Hoyles, L., Jiménez‐Valera, M., Nader-Macı́as, M. E., Alberto Ramos-cormenzana, A., & Monteoliva‐Sánchez, M. (2012) · Journal of Applied Microbiology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05343.x · Cited by 12
Turcotte, J.-F., & Huynh, H. Q. (2011) · BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine · doi:10.1136/ebm1189 · Cited by 12
Probiotics Applications in Autoimmune Diseases
Al‐Salami, H., Caccetta, R., Goločorbin-Kon, S., & Mikov, M. (2012) · InTech eBooks · doi:10.5772/50463 · Cited by 11
“The second trial, based in Italy, had an unusually high placebo remission rate of 40% which meant that 50% remission in the VSL#3 was not significant [169].”
BackgroundBamba, S., Takahashi, K., Imaeda, H., Nishida, A., Kawahara, M., Inatomi, O., Sugimoto, M., Sasaki, M., & Andoh, A. (2018) · Biomedical Reports · doi:10.3892/br.2018.1099 · Cited by 12
Metadata
- Authors
- Tursi, A., Brandimarte, G., Papa, A., Giglio, A., Elisei, W., Giorgetti, G. M., Forti, G., Morini, S., Hassan, C., Pistoia, M. A., Modeo, M. E., Rodino', S., D'Amico, T., Sebkova, L., Sacca', N., Di Giulio, E., Luzza, F., Imeneo, M., Larussa, T., Di Rosa, S., Annese, V., Danese, S., & Gasbarrini, A.
- Affiliations
- Ospedale L. Bonomo (IT)
- Ospedale Cristo Re (IT)
- Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera Pugliese Ciaccio (IT)
- St. Eugenio Hospital (IT)
- Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti (IT)
- Azienda Universitaria Ospedaliera Consorziale - Policlinico Bari (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Renato Dulbecco" (IT)
- Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Tursi, Antonio
- ORCID
- Venue
- American Journal of Gastroenterology
- Published
- 2010-10
- Volume
- 105
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 2218-2227
- ISSN
- 0002-9270 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3180711
- OpenAlex
- W1998335236
- Cited by
- 489
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 15.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- www.springer.com/tdm (unspecified)
- Locations
- The American Journal of Gastroenterology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
- Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (submittedVersion)
- Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi dell Aquila (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Keywords
- ulcerative colitis, VSL#3, probiotics, adjunctive therapy, relapsing disease, 5-aminosalicylic acid, immunosuppressants, disease activity, rectal bleeding, stool frequency, inflammatory bowel disease treatment, pouchitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Azathioprine, Bifidobacterium, Colitis, Ulcerative, Combined Modality Therapy, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Lactobacillus, Male, Middle Aged, Recurrence, Remission Induction, Severity of Illness Index, Treatment Outcome, Patient Selection, Mesalamine, Probiotics, Streptococcus thermophilus
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
