Randomised controlled trial: effects of gluten-free diet on symptoms and the gut microenvironment in irritable bowel syndrome

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Nov;56(9):1318-1327. doi: 10.1111/apt.17239. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Abstract

Background: A gluten-free diet reduces symptoms in some patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through unclear mechanisms.

Aims: To assess the effects of gluten-free versus gluten-containing diet on symptoms and the gut microenvironment, and to identify predictors of response to the gluten-free diet in IBS METHODS: Twenty patients with IBS and 18 healthy controls (HC) followed a gluten-free diet during two 14-day intervention periods where they sprinkled either gluten (14 g/day) or rice flour powder over their meals. Primary outcomes included effects of the interventions on IBS symptoms (IBS-SSS) and bowel habits. Secondary outcomes included effects of gluten-free diet on faecal microbiota and metabolite profile.

Results: IBS symptoms improved during the gluten-free (p = 0.02), but not the gluten-containing period, with no difference between the interventions. IBS patients reported fewer loose stools during the gluten-free intervention (p = 0.01). Patients with IBS and HC presented distinct metabolite profiles based on the effects of the gluten-free diet (p < 0.001). True responders (reduced IBS-SSS by ≥50 solely after gluten-free period) and non-responders were discriminated based on the effects of the gluten-free diet on the microbiota (p < 0.01) and metabolite profiles (p < 0.001). The response to the gluten-free diet could be predicted by the metabolite profile before the intervention (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: A gluten-free diet may influence symptoms in a subset of patients with IBS, with a particular effect on bowel habits. A gluten-free diet seems to impact the gut microenvironment. Responsiveness to the gluten-free diet may be predicted by the metabolite profile.

Clinicaltrials: gov: NCT03869359.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Diarrhea / chemically induced
  • Diet, Gluten-Free*
  • Glutens / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Powders

Substances

  • Powders
  • Glutens

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03869359