EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS-ACIDOPHILUS AND BIFIDOBACTERIUM-BIFIDUM ADMINISTRATION ON COLONIC MICROBIOTA AND ITS METABOLIC-ACTIVITY IN PREMENSTRUAL-SYNDROME

Composition of the microbiota and 19 faecal enzyme activities in 21 yo ung women (age range 21-35 yrs) with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS ) and the effect of probiotics administration were studied. PMS consis ts in emotional, behavioural and physical symptoms that recur regularl y during the second half of each menstrual cycle. Sixteen women were g iven a supplement of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bif idum three capsules daily for 2 mths to relieve the gastrointestinal s ymptoms (constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain) plus an antidepr essant drug SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), 800 mg twice daily for 2 w ks before menstruation to control emotional symptoms; five women with PMS were treated with probiotics alone. Nine healthy young women were studied as controls. Faecal samples were collected on the 8th and 23rd days of the cycle before starting therapy, on the 23rd day of therapy and 1 mth after the end of therapy. Women with PMS showed low concent rations of both aerobes and anaerobes in comparison with the healthy c ontrols. Following treatment aerobic lactobacilli increased ten-fold; L. acidophilus and B. bifidum were isolated in the majority of patient s. Anaerobic gram-positive non-spore-forming rods increased in species number and frequency. During treatment a number of faecal enzymes (be ta-glucosidase, beta-glucuronidase and alkaline phosphatase) achieved levels and frequencies comparable with those determined in healthy wom en. Moreover, relief of some PMS symptoms was noted in the majority of women studied reducing the severity of PMS from severe to mild. Bacte riotherapy induced partial restoration of the intestinal balance, but the effect was not maintained for very long after discontinuation of t reatment.