Are probiotics useful for therapy of Helicobacter pylori diseases?

Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a known risk factor for gastric cancer. Eradication rate of H. pylori infection by the classic triple treatment of PPIs and antibiotics is low. Therefore, probiotics are a useful tool for improving the rate of eradication and reduction of side effects. Several studies in animal models showed that Lactobacillus spp. alone and in combination with other probiotic strains have inhibitory effects on growth and suppression of inflammatory responses in H. pylori infections. However, some studies showed significant effects of Pediococcus strains on suppression, survival, and eradication of H. pylori infections. Therefore, it is suggested that in the treatment of H. pylori infections along with the usual probiotic strains, different strains of Pediococcus could be used. Recent studies showed that Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus gasseri alone with PPIs in human have a high eradication effect on H. pylori infections and it is suggested as the probiotic treatment of patient's in future therapeutic protocols. In relation to the probiotic treatment process, it should not be recommended that probiotics could be used as a single treatment for H. pylori eradication. However, use of probiotics as a supplement will increase eradication and reduce side effects associated with treatment. It is widely believed that probiotics could improve the eradication of H. pylori and reduce side effects during standard treatment, but some probiotic bacterial species could be useful with drug therapy. Generally, probiotic supplements could increase the eradication rate of H. pylori infections and reduced the side effects of antibiotics.