Effects of anti-secretory factor (ASF) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Objective. To evaluate the role of the endogenous protein anti-secretory factor (ASF) on the symptoms, especially loose stools, in irritable bowel ayndrome (IBS). Design. A diet with specially processed cereals (SPC) known to induce ASF production was used in patients with IBS, in an eight-week randomized, placebo-controlled study. Subjects. Eighty-two patients with IBS were randomized to a diet with either SPC or placebo. Main outcome measures. The overall clinical condition and the quality of life were measured by VAS and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. The plasma levels of ASF were determined in 14 patients with dominating loose stools before and after diet. Results. All patients significantly (p<0.001) improved in IBS-related symptoms irrespective of active or placebo diet. In an active-diet sub-group with diarrhoea (n=11) there was a significant (p<0.05) correlation between the increase of plasma ASF level and the improvement on the VAS. Conclusion. Both study groups improved significantly on the ...