The prophylactic use of probiotics in the prevention of radiation therapy-induced diarrhea. Effects of probiotic Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001 in prevention of radiation-induced diarrhea: results from multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled nutritional trial. A randomized double-blind controlled trial: impact of probiotics on diarrhea in patients treated with pelvic radiation. Prevention of irinotecan induced diarrhea by probiotics: A randomized double blind, placebo controlled pilot study. Randomized controlled trial of live lactobacillus acidophilus plus bifidobacterium bifidum in prophylaxis of diarrhea during radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients Probiotics improve bowel movements in hospitalized elderly patients — The proage study Effects of 12 weeks of probiotic supplementation on quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Probiotic supplementation reduces the duration and incidence of infections but not severity in elite rugby union players. Limitations of Probiotic Therapy in Acute, Severe Dehydrating Diarrhea Effect of probiotics on the occurrence of nutrition absorption capacities in healthy children: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot study. Evaluation of a Diet Containing Probiotics and Zinc for the Treatment of Mild Diarrheal Illness in Children Younger Than One Year of Age A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial: The Efficacy of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation in Alleviating Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Associated with Constipation The effect of fermented yogurt on the prevention of diarrhea in a healthy adult population. Probiotic administration among free-living older adults: a double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial The effect of early nutritional supplementation with a mixture of probiotic, prebiotic, fiber and micronutrients in infants with acute diarrhea in Indonesia. Role of probiotic in preventing acute diarrhoea in children: a community-based, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled field trial in an urban slum. The effect of perioperative probiotics treatment for colorectal cancer: short-term outcomes of a randomized controlled trial
Cancer treatment regimens that include radiation therapy ( RT ) to the abdominal region for cervical , ovarian , prostate , sigmoid , or colorectal cancer potentially disturb the colonization resistance of the indigenous gut flora , causing RT-induced diarrhea , enteritis , and colitis in more than 80 % of patients with cancer . One approach for the prevention of RT-induced diarrhea is the use of probiotics . R and omized clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy of probiotic preparations VSL # 3 and Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001 in decreasing the incidence and grade of RT-induced diarrhea . Oncology nurses and advanced practice clinicians are in a position to interpret research findings related to RT-induced diarrhea , enteritis , and colitis and to apply evidence -based practice principles in patients with cancer receiving RT to promote positive outcomes PURPOSE To determine whether a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001 reduces the incidence of radiation-induced diarrhea in patients with gynecologic cancer . METHODS AND MATERIAL S Patients who were undergoing pelvic radiotherapy ( 45 - 50 Gy , conventional fractionation ) for either cervical carcinoma ( radiotherapy and weekly cisplatin ) or endometrial adenocarcinoma ( postoperative radiotherapy ) were r and omly assigned to a probiotic drink or placebo , in a double-blind fashion . The probiotic drink consisted of liquid yogurt containing L. casei DN-114 001 at 10(8 ) CFU/g . The patients recorded the daily the number of bowel movements and scored the stool consistency using the Bristol scale . Diarrhea was grade d weekly according the Common Toxicity Criteria system . The primary endpoint was to reduce the incidence of diarrhea , defined by a Common Toxicity Criteria Grade of 2 or greater or the need for loperamide . RESULTS A total of 85 patients were enrolled .  Grade 2 or greater diarrhea and /or the use of loperamide was observed in 24 of 41 patients in the placebo group and 30 of 44 in the probiotic group ( p = 0.568 ) . No differences were found in the median time to the presentation of the primary endpoint . Probiotic intervention had a significant effect on stool consistency ( p = 0.04 ) . The median time for patients to present with Bristol scale stools of Type 6 or greater was 14 days for patients receiving the probiotic drink vs. 10 days for those receiving placebo . CONCLUSION Nutritional intervention with the probiotic drink containing L. casei DN-114 001 does not reduce the incidence of radiation-induced diarrhea as defined by a Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 2 or greater . However , it had a significant effect on stool consistency as measured by the Bristol scale BACKGROUND & AIMS Radical radiation therapy is commonly used for treatment of pelvic cancer . Up to 80 % of patients receiving radiotherapy will develop acute radiation induced diarrhea . The primary aim of this r and omized double blind controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of the probiotic Bifilact ( ® ) on moderate and severe treatment-induced diarrhea during pelvic radiation . METHODS Patients with pelvic cancers were treated between 2006 and 2010 at L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec , University Health Center . Some patients had surgery before pelvic radiotherapy and some received chemotherapy .  A total of 246 Patients were r and omized between a placebo and either of two regiments of double strain Bifilact ( ® ) probiotics ( Lactobacillus acidophilus LAC-361 and Bifidobacterium longum BB-536 ) : a st and ard dose twice a day ( 1.3 billion CFU ) or a high dose three times a day ( 10 billion CFU ) . Patients were trained to record their digestive symptoms daily with a st and ardized scale and they met a registered dietician and radiation oncologist every week during treatment . The main analysis compared time to first appearance of grade ≥2 - 3 - 4 diarrhea using Kaplan-Meier curves as measured by proportion of patients without moderate and severe diarrhea . RESULTS 229 patients were analyzed . The difference between the groups for overall grade 2 - 3 - 4 diarrhea was not statistically significant ( p = 0.13 ) . However at 60 days , the proportion of patients without moderate and severe diarrhea in the st and ard dose group ( 35 % ) was more than twice as high as that of the placebo group ( 17 % ) with a hazard ratio of 0.69 ( p = 0.04 ) . In patients who had surgery , the st and ard probiotics dose group had a better proportion of patients without very severe diarrhea than the placebo group , respectively 97 % and 74 % ( p = 0.03 ) . In all groups , the average number of bowel movements per day during treatment was less than 3 soft stools ( p = 0.80 ) and the median abdominal pain less than 1 based on the National Cancer Institute scale ( p = 0.23 ) . CONCLUSION St and ard dose of Bifilact ( ® ) may reduce radiation induced grade 2 - 3 - 4 diarrhea at the end of the treatment of patients with pelvic cancer . In patients operated on before RT , a st and ard dose of probiotics may reduce radiation induced grade 4 diarrhea . Nutritional interventions by a registered dietician seemed to reduce global digestive symptoms . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov . Identifier NCT01839721 PURPOSE Diarrhea is one of the dose limiting toxicity of irinotecan . SN-38 is main irinotecan metabolite responsible for diarrhea development , which is excreted in glucuroni date d form into the intestine . This study aim ed to determine the effectiveness of the probiotics in the prevention of irinotecan induced diarrhea due to reduction of intestinal beta-d-glucuronidase activity . METHODS Between January 2011 and December 2013 , 46 patients with colorectal cancer starting a new line of irinotecan based therapy were included . Patients were r and omized 1:1 to probiotics ( PRO ) or placebo ( PLA ) . Probiotic formula Colon Dophilus ™ , was administered at a dose of 10 × 10(9)CFU of bacteria tid , orally for 12 weeks of chemotherapy . The study was prematurely terminated due to slow accrual , when 46 of 220 planned patients were accrued . RESULTS Twenty-three patients were r and omized to PRO and 23 patients to PLA . Administration of probiotics compared to placebo led to a reduction in the incidence of severe diarrhea of grade 3 or 4 ( 0 % for PRO vs. 17.4 % for PLA , p=0.11 ) , as well as reduction of the overall incidence of diarrhea ( 39.1 % for PRO vs. 60.9 % for PLA , p=0.24 ) and incidence of enterocolitis ( 0 % for PRO vs. 8.7 % for PLA ) . Patients on PRO  used less antidiarrheal drugs compared to PLA . There was no infection caused by probiotic strains recorded . CONCLUSIONS Administration of probiotics in patients with colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan-based chemotherapy is safe and could lead to a reduction in the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal toxicity Background Radiation-induced diarrhea is frequently observed during pelvic radiotherapy . This study was performed to determine the ability of a probiotic containing live lactobacillus acidophilus plus bifidobacterium bifidum to reduce the incidence of radiation-induced diarrhea in locally advanced cervical cancer patients . Methods Patients who were undergoing pelvic radiotherapy concurrent with weekly cisplatin  were r and omly assigned to a study drug or placebo , in a double-blind study . Diarrhea was grade d weekly according the Common Toxicity Criteria ( CTC ) system . Stool consistency and white and red blood cell count in stool were also assessed . The primary endpoint was to reduce the incidence of diarrhea , defined by a CTC grade 2 or more , and the need for anti-diarrheal medication . Results A total of 63 patients were enrolled .  Grade 2 -3 diarrhea was observed in 45 % of the placebo group ( n = 31 ) and 9 % of the study drug group ( n = 32 ) ( p = 0.002 ) . Anti-diarrheal medication use was significantly reduced in the placebo group ( p = 0.03 ) . The patients in the study drug group had a significantly improved stool consistency ( p < 0.001 ) . Conclusions Live lactobacillus acidophilus plus bifidobacterium bifidum reduced the incidence of radiation-induced diarrhea and the need for anti-diarrheal medication and had a significant benefits on stool consistency Objective To determine the impact of probiotics on the prevention of problems with bowel movements malnutrition and infection . Design A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . Setting Peripheral Geriatric Hospital . Participants : 243 elderly patients age≥65y who were hospitalized in a Geriatric Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department . Intervention : Participants were r and omized into treatment or control groups ( daily probiotics or placebo for 45 consecutive days , respectively ) . Measurements The main outcomes were : number of days of constipation or diarrhea and the number of days of laxative use . Secondary measures were nutritional status and blood measurements . Results Of 599 patients admitted to the Geriatric Rehabilitation ward , 345 were eligible and agreed to participate . During a 7-day pre-trial period , 102 patients dropped out ( 45 and 57 in the probiotic and placebo groups respectively ) . Out of the 243 patients who entered the study , 28 dropped out during the study ( 11.5 % ) , leaving 215 patients . Throughout the 45 days of follow-up , the incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower among the study group ( HR=0.42 , p=0.04 ) with a more pronounced difference among participants aged ≥ 80y ( HR=0.32 , p=0.026 ) . Laxative use ( as an indicator of constipation severity ) was significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group ( HR=0.74 , p=0.032 ) . Serum albumin , prealbumin and protein increased significantly more in the treatment group compared with the control group among participants age≥80y ( P=0.047 , p=0.07 , p=0.03 respectively ) but not in the younger age group . Conclusion We showed that probiotic supplements may have a positive effect on bowel movements among orthopedic rehabilitation elderly patients BACKGROUND Probiotics may help resolve bowel symptoms and improve quality of life . We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of probiotics administration in colorectal cancer patients . METHODS We conducted a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial . The participants took probiotics ( Lacidofil ) or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks . The cancer-related quality of life ( FACT ) , patient 's health-9 ( PHQ-9 ) , and bowel symptom question naires were completed by each participant . RESULTS We obtained data for 32 participants in the placebo group and 28 participants in the probiotics group . The mean ages of total participants were 56.18 ± .86 years and 58.3 % were male . Administration of probiotics significantly decreased the proportion of patients suffering from irritable bowel symptoms ( 0 week vs. 12 week ; 67.9 % vs. 45.7 % , p=0.03 ) , improved colorectal cancer-related FACT ( baseline vs. 12 weeks : 19.79 ± 4.66 vs. 21.18 ± 3.67 , p=0.04 ) and fatigue-related FACT ( baseline vs. 12 weeks : 43.00 ( 36.50 - 45.50 ) vs. 44.50 ( 38.50 - 49.00 ) , p=0.02 ) and PHQ-9 scores ( 0 weeks vs. 12 weeks ; 3.00 ( 0 - 8.00 ) vs. 1.00 ( 0 - 3.00 ) , p=0.01 ) . We found significant differences in changes of the proportion of patients with bowel symptoms ( p<0.05 ) , functional well-being scores ( p=0.04 ) and cancer-related FACT scores ( p=0.04 ) between the two groups . CONCLUSION Probiotics  improved bowel symptoms and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors OBJECTIVES The attenuation of the number and severity of infections is of importance to athletes .  Probiotics use has increased over recent years with beneficial effects believed to include improvements in immune function . Research has focused on their effectiveness for reducing the number , duration and severity of infections amongst endurance athletes . At present no research has been undertaken with team sport athletes . This r and omised controlled trial aim ed to determine the effectiveness of probiotics on the number , duration and severity of infections amongst elite union rugby players . DESIGN R and omised control trial with two arms ; placebo and probiotic . METHODS Thirty elite rugby union players were allocated in r and om order to receive a probiotics supplement or a placebo for four weeks each . Supplements were consumed on a daily basis . There was a four week washout period between treatments . Participants completed a daily diary to identify and rate the severity of any infectious symptoms . RESULTS During the probiotic treatment 14/30 participants never experienced a single upper respiratory tract illness ( URTI ) or gastrointestinal ( GI ) episode , compared to 6/30 on the placebo supplementation ( p=0.033 ) . The mean±st and ard deviation for the number of days of illness tended to be higher for the placebo , ( 5.8±6.6 days ) than probiotic ( 3.4±4.6 days ) , ( p=0.054 ) . There was no significant difference in the severity of the symptoms between the two treatment groups ( p=0.110 ) . CONCLUSIONS These positive effects of probiotic supplements provide evidence for the beneficial effects of daily supplementation with these probiotic strains in highly trained rugby union players Background Recent studies have shown that probiotics , most commonly Lactobacillus GG , may be useful in treating acute gastroenteritis . However , beneficial effects appear to be limited to a modest decrease in the duration of diarrhea . No studies have evaluated this therapy in moderate to severe dehydrating diarrhea in a metabolic facility . Methods Male children less than 2 years of age were admitted to a metabolic unit of the Department of Pediatrics at the Federal University of Bahia , Brazil , with moderate dehydration and were r and omized in a double-blind , placebo-controlled fashion . Oral rehydration solution ( ORS ) was administered per protocol and either placebo or Lactobacillus GG was given in combination with the ORS .  Output of urine , stool , and vomitus was recorded along with stool weight , nude body weight , and st and ard laboratory assessment s for hydration . Results There was no significant reduction in diarrhea duration and stool output in the Lactobacillus GG group . However , Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that , even in moderate to severe diarrhea , resolution of the illness occurred so rapidly , that statistically significant benefits of probiotic therapy could not be demonstrated . Conclusion Our data implies that colonization must occur before benefits of probiotics can be realized . Probiotics are , therefore , likely to be of limited benefit in treating diarrheal illnesses of short duration such as viral enteritis . The beneficial effects of probiotics may be limited to prophylactic usage in high-risk population OBJECTIVE Recent advances in the translational research showed that dietary nutrients have critical importance to the microbioma balance in the gastrointestinal tract . Therefore , the alteration of the intestinal microbiota in order to achieve , restore , and maintain favorable balance in the ecosystem , and the activity of microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract is necessary for the improved health condition of the host . The objective of this translational study was to evaluate , in a pediatric population , the efficacy and safety of prophylactic probiotics for a better nutritional absorption capacity in the view to enhance their overall health and immunity . PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 40 pediatric patients between the ages of 14 and 18 years were enrolled in the study and divided under two categories ( treated/active group and placebo group ) . Three-time points clinical evaluations were performed : a baseline assessment ( Time 0 ) , a second evaluation at 5 weeks after the start of probiotic use ( Time 1 ) , and a final evaluation at the timeline after 10 weeks ( Time 2 ) . In the initial phase of the study , the recruited subjects underwent a panel of initial T0 clinical tests . For each of the patients , a blood sample was taken in order to evaluate the following biochemical measurements : Vitamin D , Vitamin A , Calcium , Zinc , and Iron . Moreover , an initial nutritional evaluation was carried out through which the nutritionist estimated the body composition of the subject ( weight and body mass index ) , the caloric needs and dietary behaviour of each recruited patient . RESULTS Eligible participants were r and omized into placebo ( n = 20 ) or treated/active ( n = 20 ) treatment conditions by r and om allocation using a computerized r and om number generator , ensuring all investigators remained blind to the treatment distribution . The data were compared within and between groups using statistical methods . The results confirmed that the probiotic supplementation was effective in increasing the overall blood biomarkers levels of vitamins , calcium , and mineral absorption from baseline to 10 weeks of treatment , compared with the placebo . CONCLUSIONS Probiotics may be suggested as supplements to improve biomarkers serum concentration if administered for a period of at least ≥ 5 weeks . However , further studies are required for optimal recommendations in patient treatment Objectives : Supplementation of probiotics and supplementation of zinc during acute gastroenteritis in children have been shown to exert positive effects on diarrhea duration and severity . Our aim was to evaluate a new diet enriched with zinc and probiotic bacteria in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in young children . Methods : In a double blind prospect i ve study , 65 children aged 6–12 months were r and omized to receive 6 × 109 colony forming units of Streptococcus thermophilus , Bifidobacterium lactis , Lactobacillus acidophilus ( 2 × 109 of each strain ) , 10 mg of zinc/day , and 0.3 grams of fructo-oligosaccharides in the supplemented group ( n = 33 ) or placebo ( n = 32 ) , given in a soy protein based rice cereal . For each child , age , sex , weight , degree of dehydration , the presence of fever or vomiting , stool frequency and consistency were recorded daily until diarrhea resolution . Results : Diarrhea resolution occurred after 1.43 ± 0.71 days in the supplemented group vs. 1.96 ± 1.24 in the control group ( p = 0.017 ) . In the subset of children who presented with vomiting , time to vomiting resolution was 0.27 ± 0.59 vs. 0.81 ± 0.91 days in the supplemented and control groups , respectively ( p = 0.06 ) . On day 3 , there was only 1 child with watery stools in the supplemented group versus 10 children in the control group ( p = 0.02 ) . Conclusions : In our series , the feeding of a cereal containing Streptococcus thermophilus , Bifidobacterium lactis , Lactobacillus acidophilus and zinc , reduced the severity and duration of acute gastroenteritis in young children . However , whether this combination is better than either the addition of probiotics or zinc alone is yet to be determined Background and Aim . The efficacy of supplementation treatment with two multispecies probiotic formulates on subjects diagnosed with IBS-C and the assessment of their gut microbiota were investigated . Methods . A r and omized , double-blind , three-arm parallel group trial was carried out on 150 IBS-C subjects divided into three groups ( F_1 , F_2 , and F_3 ) . Each group received a daily oral administration of probiotic mixtures ( for 60 days ) F_1 or F_2 or placebo F_3 , respectively . Fecal microbiological analyses were performed by  species-specific qPCR  to assess the different amount of probiotics . Results . The percentage of responders for each symptom was higher in the probiotic groups when compared to placebo group during the treatment period ( t60 ) and was maintained quite similar during the follow-up period ( t90 ) . Fecal analysis demonstrated that probiotics of the formulations increased during the times of treatment only in fecal DNA from subjects treated with F_1 and F_2 and not with F_3 , and the same level was maintained during the follow-up period . Conclusions . Multispecies probiotic supplementations are effective in IBS-C subjects and induce a different assessment in the composition of intestinal microbiota . This clinical study is registered with the clinical study registration number IS RCT N15032219 BACKGROUND Probiotic dairy products are increasingly gaining popularity . Although the role of probiotic bacteria in the prevention and treatment of pediatric and antibiotic associated diarrhea is fairly well established , their role in the prevention of adult infectious diarrhea has not been well investigated . METHODS Five hundred forty-one , young male military recruits were enrolled and r and omly assigned to receive a yogurt containing Lactobacillus casei ( n = 275 ) or a nonprobiotic yogurt ( n = 266 ) . The incidence and duration of diarrhea were documented and stool sample s examined for bacteria and parasites . RESULTS Five hundred and two participants were eligible for final analysis , 254 receiving probiotic yogurt and 248 in the control group . Seventy-one participants ( 14.14 % ) experienced diarrhea during the study period . The incidence of diarrhea in the probiotic group and the control group was 12.2 % and 16.1 % , respectively ( P = .207 ) . The mean duration of diarrhea was 3 + /- 1.95 days in the probiotic group and 2.6 + /- 1.08 days in the control group ( P = .276 ) . CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated a nonsignificant trend for reduction of the incidence of diarrhea among healthy young adults consuming yogurt containing Lactobacillus casei . Further study is needed to evaluate the role of probiotics in adults Background Diseases of the digestive system have been found to contribute to a higher symptom burden in older adults . Thus , therapeutic strategies able to treat gastrointestinal discomfort might impact the overall health status and help older adults to increase their overall health status and optimal functionality . Objective The aim of this double-blinded , r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri on digestive health and wellbeing in older adults . Methods The study enrolled general older adults ( > 65 years ) . After eligibility screening qualified subjects ( n = 290 ) participated in a 2-arm study design , with each arm consisting of 12 weeks of intervention of either active or placebo product . Primary outcome measure was set to changes in gastrointestinal symptoms and secondary outcome measures were changes in level of wellbeing , anxiety and stress . Follow up was performed at 8 and 12 weeks . Results No persistent significant effects were observed on the primary or secondary outcome parameters of the study . A modest effect was observed in the probiotic arm , were levels of stress decreased at week 8 and 12 . Similarly , we found that subjects suffering from indigestion and abdominal pain , respectively , showed a significant decrease of anxiety at week 8 after probiotic treatment , but not at week 12 . Conclusion The RCT failed to show any improvement in digestive health after daily intake of a probiotic supplement containing L. reuteri . Neither was any significant improvement in wellbeing , stress or anxiety observed . Even though the RCT had a negative outcome , the study highlights issues important to take into consideration when design ing trials among older adults . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov/NCT01837940 A r and omized double blind clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a special infant formula containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus LMG P-22799 ( probiotic : 5 x 10(8 ) CFU/100mL ) , inulin ( prebiotic : 0.15 g/100mL ) , dietary fiber ( soy polysaccharides : 0.2 g/100mL ) and increased amounts of zinc+iron ( + 0.4 and + 0.6 mg/100mL , respectively ) as active ingredients for the early dietary management of 58 Indonesian well-nourished male infants aged 3 - 12 months suffering from acute diarrhea with moderate dehydration . After adequate oral rehydration , the patients were r and omly assigned to receive either a low lactose infant formula supplemented with added precooked rice ( 1.5 g/100mL ) with the above active ingredients ( study group ) or a low lactose infant formula with added precooked rice without the above active ingredient supplement ( control group ) . No antibiotic , anti-secretory drug or antiemetic was given at all . Both study and control groups showed similar outcomes for weight gain and stool weight . The duration of diarrhea was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group ( 1.63 versus 2.45 days ; p<0.05 ; for the study and control group respectively ) . No treatment failure or other side effects were observed during the course of the study . The present study supports the evidence for the efficacy of a special anti-diarrhea infant formula containing probiotic , prebiotic , fiber and iron+zinc after oral rehydration by shortening the duration of infantile diarrhea in developing countries . However , from the results of our study we can not discern the individual contribution of the active ingredients and also not whether they may act independent from each other or in a synergistic way Acute diarrhoea remains a major public health challenge in developing countries . We examined the role of a probiotic in the prevention of acute diarrhoea to discover if there was an effect directed towards a specific aetiology . A double-blind , r and omized , controlled field trial involving 3758 children aged 1 - 5 years was conducted in an urban slum community in Kolkata , India . Participants were given either a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota or a nutrient drink daily for 12 weeks . They were followed up for another 12 weeks . The primary outcome of this study was the occurrence of first episodes of diarrhoea . We assessed this during 12 weeks of intake of study agent and also for 12 weeks of follow-up . There were 608 subjects with diarrhoea in the probiotic group and 674 subjects in the nutrient group during the study period of 24 weeks . The level of protective efficacy for the probiotic was 14 % ( 95 % confidence interval 4 - 23 , P<0·01 in adjusted model ) . The reduced occurrence of acute diarrhoea in the probiotic group compared to nutrient group was not associated with any specific aetiology . No adverse event was observed in children of either probiotic or nutrient groups . The study suggests that daily intake of a probiotic drink can play a role in prevention of acute diarrhoea in young children in a community setting of a developing country This study was design ed to mainly evaluate the anti-infective effects of perioperative probiotic treatment in patients receiving confined colorectal cancer ( CRC ) respective surgery . From November 2011 to September 2012 , a total of 60 patients diagnosed with CRC were r and omly assigned to receive probiotic ( n = 30 ) or placebo ( n = 30 ) treatment . The operative and post-operative clinical results including intestinal cleanliness , days to first - flatus , defecation , fluid diet , solid diet , duration of pyrexia , average heart rate , length of intraperitoneal drainage , length of antibiotic therapy , blood index changes , rate of infectious and non-infectious complications , postoperative hospital stay , and mortality were investigated . The patient demographics were not significantly different ( p > 0.05 ) between the probiotic treated and the placebo groups . The days to first flatus ( 3.63 versus 3.27 , p = 0.0274 ) and the days to first defecation ( 4.53 versus 3.87 , p = 0.0268 ) were significantly improved in the probiotic treated patients . The incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower ( p = 0.0352 ) in probiotics group ( 26.67 % , 8/30 ) compared to the placebo group ( 53.33 % , 16/30 ) . There were no statistical differences ( p > 0.05 ) in other infectious and non-infectious complication rates including wound infection , pneumonia , urinary tract infection , anastomotic leakage , and abdominal distension . In conclusion , for those patients undergoing confined CRC resection , perioperative probiotic administration significantly influenced the recovery of bowel function , and such improvement may be of important clinical significance in reducing the short-term infectious complications such as bacteremia
Probiotic supplementation showed beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced diarrhea in experimental animal studies .
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Probiotic supplementation seems to provide beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of  radiation-induced diarrhea .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to estimate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation for prevention and treatment of  radiation-induced diarrhea .