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Probiotics are effective in the treatment of pouchitis after proctocolectomy, but stronger evidence is needed to establish their efficacy in treating mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).
To investigate whether probiotics reduce disease activity in UC patients, researchers in Italy conducted an industry-sponsored, multicenter trial in which 144 patients with recently relapsed, mild-to-moderate UC were randomized to receive VSL#3 — a probiotic mixture that is well-established in the treatment of pouchitis — or placebo for 8 weeks. Patients taking oral 5-aminosalicylates, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine for UC were allowed to continue these medications at stable doses, but those receiving oral steroids or rectally applied treatments were…