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Intestinal microflora as a therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease

  • Biotherapy and biological response modifiers for IBD
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Abstract

Although the causes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain incompletely understood, increasing evidence implicates intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Alteration of intestinal flora therefore may offer a plausible therapeutic approach. Although recent data support a potential therapeutic role for probiotics and prebiotics in patients with IBD, such treatments need to be further assessed by large, double-blind controlled trials. A better understanding of the intestinal microflora and the mechanisms of their action may help us to develop more effective treatment for IBD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan

    Keiichi Mitsuyama & Michio Sata

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan

    Atsushi Toyonaga

Authors
  1. Keiichi Mitsuyama
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  2. Atsushi Toyonaga
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  3. Michio Sata
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Mitsuyama, K., Toyonaga, A. & Sata, M. Intestinal microflora as a therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease. J Gastroenterol 37 (Suppl 14), 73–77 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326418

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326418

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