Probiotic Treatment does not Change Sulphasalazineand its Metabolites Excretion in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Background: The manipulation of gut microflora composition and activity by probiotics could modify the enzymatic activity of intestinal bacteria. In this study, we sought to investigate the influence of probiotic treatment on sulphasalazine (SSZ) excretion in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: Newly diagnosed IBD patients were randomised in two groups; half of subjects were treated with SSZ and other half were treated with combination of SSZ and probiotics. At the each visit, patients were assesed clinically andfecal samples and total volume of 24 h urine was measured and noted. Urine samples were collected and analized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometryfor determination of SSZ and its metabolites. The enzymatic activity of azoreductase by intestinal bacteria in the fecal contents was determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Urinary levels of SSZ and its metabolites showed no statistically significant changes after probiotic administration. Azoreductasa activities, in both experimental groups, decreased comparing with pretreatment values in both cultivation conditions. Transient colonization with Bifidobacterium BB12 was confirmed in 22% of samples. Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG did not show transient colonisation of the digestive tract. Conclusions: Co-administration of probiotics in patients treated with SSZ did not change the amounts of execreted SSZ and its metabolites