4 Questions About Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Bowel Improvement in IBS

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) increase the abundance of Bifidobacterium in adults. Bifidobacteria are known to be reduced in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In a new study, Magnus Simrén, MD, PhD, a professor at the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden, and colleagues assessed whether HMOs could support normal bowel habits and improve other bowel symptoms of IBS. Findings suggested that an oral supplement that contained HMOs significantly reduced abnormal stool consistency, reduced abdominal pain and bloating, and improved health-related quality of life in patients with IBS of all subtypes.

Gastroenterology Consultant caught up with Dr Simrén about the research, which was recently presented at the American College of Gastroenterology 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course.

Gastroenterology Consultant: Why is altered gut microbiota increasingly observed as a potential factor in the pathophysiology of IBS?

Magnus Simrén: There is a lot of evidence from research studies that indicate altered composition and function of the gut bacteria is of importance for symptoms in at least a subset of patients with IBS. This means that by altering the gut microbiota composition and/or function through different treatment modalities, symptom improvement can be expected.

GASTRO CON: What prompted you to conduct the study?

MS: It is known that HMOs can stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. There have been studies conducted of patients with IBS who experience a reduction of beneficial bacteria. Further, research has shown that the gut microbiota of patients with IBS lack a healthy abundance of Bifidobacterium. The hypothesis of the study was that by stimulating beneficial bacteria (ie, Bifidobacterium), symptom improvement could be expected in IBS.

GASTRO CON: What are the most important findings from the study? 

MS: HMOs appear to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of patients with IBS, with most of the symptom improvement occurring in the first 4 weeks. The study product was well tolerated by most patients. There were no safety concerns. The most common side effects were mild GI symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, distension, and flatulence.

GASTRO CON: What are the next steps of your research?

MS: Since our trial was an open-label clinical trial with no comparator, we need randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that confirm these results. Our next goal is to perform a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial regarding the efficacy of HMOs in IBS, and to understand more about the mechanism behind symptom improvement after HMO treatment.

Reference:

Simrén M. Human milk oligosaccharides improve all the central symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: a multi-center, open label trial [abstract 43]. Presented at: ACG 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course; October 25-30, 2019; San Antonio, TX.

For more on IBS, visit the Resource Center.