Intestinal microecology-based treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: Progress and prospects

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, recurrent, and debilitating disorder, and includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The pathogenesis of IBD is closely associated with intestinal dysbiosis, but has not yet been fully clarified. Genetic and environmental factors can influence IBD patients' gut microbiota and metabolism, disrupt intestinal barriers, and trigger abnormal immune responses. Studies have reported the alteration of gut microbiota and metabolites in IBD, providing the basis for potential therapeutic options. Intestinal microbiota-based treatments such as pre/probiotics, metabolite supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation have been extensively studied, but their clinical efficacy remains controversial. Repairing the intestinal barrier and promoting mucosal healing have also been proposed. We here review the current clinical trials on intestinal microecology and discuss the prospect of research and practice in this field.

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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