A new clinical trial has explored the potential of the multi-strain liquid probiotic Symprove to help manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) whose disease is in remission.
The study builds on previous clinical research showing that Symprove was more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), alongside studies suggesting it may also have a role in reducing intestinal inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers therefore wanted to investigate whether Symprove could help patients with IBD who continue to experience IBS symptoms despite their disease being in remission.
Published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the TRAIN-IBD trial was carried out by researchers at Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated Symprove in adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who continued to experience IBS symptoms despite having no evidence of active intestinal inflammation.
IBS-like symptoms affect around 1 in 3 people with IBD, even when the disease is in remission, and can have a significant impact on quality of life. However, there are currently few randomised controlled trials investigating treatment options for this patient group.
The three-month study included 61 adults who met the Rome IV criteria for IBS. Participants were randomised to receive either Symprove or placebo, with researchers assessing changes in IBS symptom severity over the course of the study.
Overall, 45% of patients receiving Symprove achieved the predefined level of improvement in IBS symptom severity, compared with 33% of those receiving placebo. Among patients with Crohn's disease, 45% of those taking Symprove reached this level of improvement, compared with 29% receiving placebo. Patients taking Symprove also saw a greater reduction in IBS symptoms as measured by the IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) vs. placebo (90-point reduction vs. 61-point reduction). Symprove was also well tolerated throughout the study, with no increase in IBD-related adverse outcomes compared with placebo.
Prof Anthony O’Connor, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Tallaght University Hospital, said: "People with inflammatory bowel disease can continue to experience troublesome IBS symptoms even when their inflammation is under control, yet there is very little clinical evidence to guide treatment in this area. This study demonstrates the potential of Symprove in this group, adding to the growing evidence in the role of the gut microbiome and highlights the need for further research in this patient population.”
The study authors conclude that probiotics may represent "a safe and effective means of addressing the unmet clinical need for symptom relief in patients with overlapping IBS and IBD", while noting that larger studies are needed to validate these findings.
The full published paper is available in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Fennessy A, et al. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2025;16(2):101268).
About Symprove:
Symprove is the UK's No.1 live and active bacteria supplement*.
Founded in 1986, Symprove has spent decades investing in independent scientific research to help build a better understanding of the gut microbiome and the role it plays in overall health.
Unlike many supplements, Symprove's unique water-based formula is designed to deliver live and active bacteria to the gut, where they can have the greatest impact. It contains four strains of live and active bacteria, is suitable for everyday use and is free from dairy, gluten and artificial additives.
Today, Symprove is available on subscription from symprove.com and at leading UK retailers including Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Superdrug, and Holland & Barrett.
For more information, visit www.symprove.com.
For samples or more information, please get in touch with press@symprove.com or call 01252 413 600.
* Source Euromonitor International Ltd; Consumer Health 2026ed., Symprove retail value sales, UK 2025 data
