Combination product for prophylaxis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

A combination product comprising an isolated strain of Bifidobacterium NCIMB 41003 and another strain which does not adversely interact with Bifidobacterium NCIMB 41003 improves gastrointestinal symptoms associated with IBS and improves one or more of mood, stress, anxiety, sleep quality and depression associated with IBS.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A formulation for administration to a subject, the formulation comprising an isolated strain of  Bifidobacterium  deposited under accession number NCIMB 41676, an isolated strain of  Bifidobacterium  deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003, and an ingestible carrier. 
     
     
         42 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the ingestible carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier chosen from a capsule, a tablet, or a powder. 
     
     
         43 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the ingestible carrier is a food product chosen from acidified milk, a yoghurt, a frozen food, a gum, a candy, a milk powder, a milk concentrate, a cheese spread, a nutritional composition, a nutritional supplement, a cereal-bar, a dressing or a beverage. 
     
     
         44 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation is an infant food. 
     
     
         45 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a bacterial broth. 
     
     
         46 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a freeze-dried powder. 
     
     
         47 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a fermented food product. 
     
     
         48 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the  Bifidobacterium  strains is in the form of viable cells. 
     
     
         49 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the  Bifidobacterium  strains is in the form of non-viable cells. 
     
     
         50 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein one or both of the  Bifidobacterium  strains is present in the formulation in an amount of more than 10 6  cfu. 
     
     
         51 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein one or both of the  Bifidobacterium  strains is present in the formulation in an amount of from 10 8  cfu to 10 9  cfu. 
     
     
         52 . The formulation of  claim 41 , further comprising a prebiotic material. 
     
     
         53 . The formulation of  claim 41 , further comprising a protein, a peptide, or both a protein and a peptide. 
     
     
         54 . The formulation of  claim 41 , further comprising a lipid, a carbohydrate, a vitamin, a mineral, a trace element, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         55 . A formulation for oral administration to a subject, the formulation comprising an isolated strain of  Bifidobacterium  deposited under accession number NCIMB 41676, an isolated strain of  Bifidobacterium  deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003, and an ingestible carrier, wherein the formulation is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, or a powder. 
     
     
         56 . The formulation of  claim 55 , wherein one or both of the  Bifidobacterium  strains is in the form of a freeze dried powder. 
     
     
         57 . The formulation of  claim 55 , wherein one or both of the  Bifidobacterium  strains is present in the formulation in an amount of more than 10 6  cfu. 
     
     
         58 . A formulation for oral administration to a subject, the formulation comprising a powder that comprises 10 8  cfu to 10 10  cfu of an isolated strain of  Bifidobacterium  deposited under accession number NCIMB 41676 and 10 8  cfu to 10 10  cfu of an isolated strain of  Bifidobacterium  deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003, the formulation further comprising an ingestible carrier. 
     
     
         59 . The formulation of  claim 58 , wherein the ingestible carrier is a food product chosen from acidified milk, a yoghurt, a frozen food, a gum, a candy, a milk powder, a milk concentrate, a cheese spread, a nutritional composition, a nutritional supplement, a cereal-bar, a dressing or a beverage. 
     
     
         60 . The formulation of  claim 58 , further comprising a lipid, a carbohydrate, a vitamin, a mineral, a trace element, or a combination thereof.