Saccharomyces boulardii's impact on pediatric diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: animal model findings

Xinyu Jin; Piao Guo; Xin Jin; Wenjuan Xia; Xinrong Liu; Weisong Sheng; Danrong Zhu

doi:10.1038/s41390-025-04482-3

Saccharomyces boulardii's impact on pediatric diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: animal model findings

Pediatr Res. 2025 Nov 10. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04482-3. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xinyu Jin¹, Piao Guo², Xin Jin³, Wenjuan Xia⁴, Xinrong Liu¹, Weisong Sheng¹, Danrong Zhu⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
² Department of Pediatrics, Jiangbin Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China.
³ Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
⁴ Department of Spleen and Stomach, Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, PR China.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China. zhudanrong@njmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 41214290
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-025-04482-3

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in children with IBS-D, focusing on its mechanism of action associated with gut microbiota regulation and immune response.

Methods: A total of 60 children were randomly divided into Saccharomyces boulardii treatment group and placebo treatment group. Treatment continued for 14 days, during which the severity of IBS symptoms and associated biochemical markers were monitored. At the same time, the mechanism of action of Saccharomyces boulardii therapy was explored through animal experiments and microbial analysis.

Results: Clinical data have shown that Saccharomyces boulardii treatment significantly improves IBS-D symptoms in children, as evidenced by the reduction in IBS symptom severity scale score and normalization of stool morphology. Animal mechanistic studies have revealed the role of Saccharomyces boulardii in regulating gut microbiota diversity and reducing inflammatory markers.

Conclusion: Saccharomyces boulardii shows potential as an effective probiotic supplement for treating pediatric IBS-D, providing benefits through modulation of gut microbiota and reduction of inflammation.

Impact: This study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of Saccharomyces boulardii in the treatment of children with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) through clinical trials and animal models. The specific role of Saccharomyces boulardii in the treatment of IBS-D is described, supplementing the evidence in the existing literature. Through animal experiments and microbial analysis, its role in regulating intestinal microbiota and immune response was further elucidated. The results suggest that Saccharomyces boulardii can treat IBS-D in children, providing clinicians with new treatment options and stimulating more research into the role of probiotics in regulating gut health and immune response.