A prospective, randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled comparative study of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30,6086 with digestive enzymes in improving indigestion in geriatric population.

INTRODUCTION: Digestive symptoms are common affecting more than 60% of the elderly people. Digestive enzyme deficiency and dysbiosis in the gastric fluid microbiota are the major contributors in the pathophysiology of indigestion. Therefore, therapeutic strategy targeting the gastric microbiota and digestive enzymes has the potential to treat indigestion. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of probiotic Bacillus coagulans GBI30,6086 along with digestive enzymes in improving indigestion in geriatric population. METHODS: An open-labelled, randomized, prospective study was conducted in geriatric patients with complaints of indigestion. The study group (n = 25) received 5 ml of reconstituted probiotic syrup containing Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086, and digestive enzymes daily and the control group (n = 25) received 5 ml of placebo syrup twice daily for 5 days and followed-up after 7 days. RESULTS: Reduction in Modified Glasgow dyspepsia severity score from baseline to follow up was statistically significant in the study group when compared to the control group (P < 0.0001). Improvement in indigestion, abdominal pain, and flatulence was also greater in the study group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Bacillus coagulans along with digestive enzymes are effective in treating indigestion in geriatric patients. It is well tolerated and safe to be used in geriatric patients without any major adverse effects.

A comparative study of synbiotic as an add-on therapy to standard treatment in patients with aggressive periodontitis.

CONTEXT: The role of synbiotic in the management of aggressive periodontitis (AP) is not well established. AIM: We designed this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of synbiotic as an add-on therapy in the management of AP. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with AP were randomized to two groups of 30 each. Study group received standard treatment, i.e., scaling and root planing along with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for the 1st day (loading dose) followed by 100 mg once daily for 1 week and synbiotic lozenge twice daily for 8 weeks, whereas control group received standard treatment for 1 week and placebo lozenge for 8 weeks. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pearson's Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze distribution of sex and age, respectively. Differences within the groups were analyzed by Student's paired t-test. Pearson's Chi-square test was applied to measure gingival bleeding index. RESULTS: On comparison at 12 weeks, there was a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.01) in probing depth, clinical attachment loss, oral hygiene index, and bleeding on probing in study group. No Adverse drug reactions were noted. CONCLUSION: Co-administration of synbiotic lozenge along with standard therapy is highly efficacious in improving periodontal health in patients with AP.