Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

IntroductionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent functional bowel disorder impacting around 5%−10% of the general population worldwide. The pathogenesis remains unclear, however alterations in gut-brain axis play a critical role. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a...

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Main Authors: Adrianna Wierzbicka, Barbara Khaidakov, Oliwia Zakerska-Banaszak, Paulina Andrzejewska, Alina Baturo, Paulina Kowalczyk, Krzysztof Lemke, Agnieszka Dobrowolska, Marzena Skrzypczak-Zielinska, Dorota Mankowska-Wierzbicka
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1603011/full
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author Adrianna Wierzbicka
Adrianna Wierzbicka
Barbara Khaidakov
Oliwia Zakerska-Banaszak
Paulina Andrzejewska
Alina Baturo
Paulina Kowalczyk
Krzysztof Lemke
Agnieszka Dobrowolska
Marzena Skrzypczak-Zielinska
Dorota Mankowska-Wierzbicka
author_facet Adrianna Wierzbicka
Adrianna Wierzbicka
Barbara Khaidakov
Oliwia Zakerska-Banaszak
Paulina Andrzejewska
Alina Baturo
Paulina Kowalczyk
Krzysztof Lemke
Agnieszka Dobrowolska
Marzena Skrzypczak-Zielinska
Dorota Mankowska-Wierzbicka
author_sort Adrianna Wierzbicka
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent functional bowel disorder impacting around 5%−10% of the general population worldwide. The pathogenesis remains unclear, however alterations in gut-brain axis play a critical role. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a novel synbiotic formulation comprising of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), specific probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii), and double-standardized, polyphenol-rich blend of extracts from Aronia melanocarpa and Sambucus nigra in patients with IBS.MethodsA total of 47 patients with IBS were randomly assigned to three groups and followed over a 2-month study period. Group I (n = 14) received placebo capsules, Group II (n = 14) took one placebo capsule along with a probiotic formulation and PHGG, Group III (n = 19) received probiotic formulation, PHGG and polyphenol-rich fruit extracts blend. The IBS-quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was completed by all participants at baseline and after 2 months. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, I-FABP-2, GM-CSF and stool concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and zonulin were evaluated before and after intervention.Results and conclusionsThis study demonstrated a significant improvement in QoL in individuals receiving the complete formulation combination (Group III). The largest decrease in score was observed in dysphoria, with median differences of −5 in Group III (p = 0.0021), −3 in Group II (p = 0.0155), and −1 in the control Group I (p = 0.0338). Significant correlations were found in Groups II and III between supplementation and serum concentrations of IL-8, TNF, and GM-CSF (p < 0.05). A significantly higher concentration of all SCFAs was seen after intervention in Group III compared to control Group I.
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spelling doaj-art-1595950ec0ca4a5589c461acefd129972025-08-20T02:42:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16030111603011Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialAdrianna Wierzbicka0Adrianna Wierzbicka1Barbara Khaidakov2Oliwia Zakerska-Banaszak3Paulina Andrzejewska4Alina Baturo5Paulina Kowalczyk6Krzysztof Lemke7Agnieszka Dobrowolska8Marzena Skrzypczak-Zielinska9Dorota Mankowska-Wierzbicka10Department of Gastroenterology, Dietetics and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, PolandDepartment of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, United StatesR&D Department, AronPharma Ltd., Gdańsk, PolandInstitute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, PolandR&D Department, AronPharma Ltd., Gdańsk, PolandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Dietetics and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland3P-Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, PolandR&D Department, AronPharma Ltd., Gdańsk, PolandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Dietetics and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, PolandInstitute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, PolandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Dietetics and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, PolandIntroductionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent functional bowel disorder impacting around 5%−10% of the general population worldwide. The pathogenesis remains unclear, however alterations in gut-brain axis play a critical role. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a novel synbiotic formulation comprising of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), specific probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii), and double-standardized, polyphenol-rich blend of extracts from Aronia melanocarpa and Sambucus nigra in patients with IBS.MethodsA total of 47 patients with IBS were randomly assigned to three groups and followed over a 2-month study period. Group I (n = 14) received placebo capsules, Group II (n = 14) took one placebo capsule along with a probiotic formulation and PHGG, Group III (n = 19) received probiotic formulation, PHGG and polyphenol-rich fruit extracts blend. The IBS-quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was completed by all participants at baseline and after 2 months. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, I-FABP-2, GM-CSF and stool concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and zonulin were evaluated before and after intervention.Results and conclusionsThis study demonstrated a significant improvement in QoL in individuals receiving the complete formulation combination (Group III). The largest decrease in score was observed in dysphoria, with median differences of −5 in Group III (p = 0.0021), −3 in Group II (p = 0.0155), and −1 in the control Group I (p = 0.0338). Significant correlations were found in Groups II and III between supplementation and serum concentrations of IL-8, TNF, and GM-CSF (p < 0.05). A significantly higher concentration of all SCFAs was seen after intervention in Group III compared to control Group I.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1603011/fullirritable bowel syndromedietary interventionprobioticsfiberpolyphenolsquality of life
spellingShingle Adrianna Wierzbicka
Adrianna Wierzbicka
Barbara Khaidakov
Oliwia Zakerska-Banaszak
Paulina Andrzejewska
Alina Baturo
Paulina Kowalczyk
Krzysztof Lemke
Agnieszka Dobrowolska
Marzena Skrzypczak-Zielinska
Dorota Mankowska-Wierzbicka
Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Frontiers in Nutrition
irritable bowel syndrome
dietary intervention
probiotics
fiber
polyphenols
quality of life
title Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_fullStr Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_short Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_sort effects of a polyphenol rich extract blend probiotics and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and gut health markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial
topic irritable bowel syndrome
dietary intervention
probiotics
fiber
polyphenols
quality of life
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1603011/full
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