Scientists discovered that special compounds made by a common gut bacteria called L. reuteri might help reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In lab tests using human intestinal cells, these bacterial byproducts—called postbiotics—worked similarly to or even better than a traditional IBD medication. The compounds reduced harmful inflammatory signals while boosting protective ones, essentially helping the gut switch from an “angry” state to a “calm” state. While these early results are promising, researchers emphasize that more testing in animals and real patients is needed before these treatments could be used in clinics.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether compounds produced by a beneficial gut bacteria could reduce inflammation in cells that line the intestines, similar to how current IBD medications work
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study using human intestinal cells grown in dishes, not actual people. Researchers exposed these cells to bacterial toxins to mimic IBD inflammation, then treated them with postbiotics or standard medication
  • Key finding: The bacterial byproducts increased cell survival by about 40% and cut harmful inflammatory signals (IL-17) in half, while boosting protective signals (IL-10). These effects matched or exceeded what the standard IBD drug cyclosporine achieved
  • What it means for you: This suggests postbiotics might become a gentler, safer alternative to strong immunosuppressant drugs for IBD patients. However, this is very early-stage research—it only tested cells in a dish, not actual people, so don’t expect this treatment anytime soon without much more research

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a laboratory experiment using human intestinal cells (HT-29 cells) grown in petri dishes. They first exposed these cells to a bacterial toxin called LPS to create an inflammation model mimicking IBD. Then they treated the inflamed cells with postbiotics (compounds made by L. reuteri bacteria) and compared the results to cells treated with cyclosporine, a standard IBD medication, and untreated cells.

The scientists measured several important markers of inflammation and cell health at different time points. They checked whether cells stayed alive or died, looked at specific immune signals (called cytokines) that either increase or decrease inflammation, and examined gene activity related to inflammation. This allowed them to see exactly how the postbiotics affected the inflammatory process at multiple levels.

This research approach is important because it allows scientists to test potential treatments in a controlled environment before trying them in animals or people. By measuring multiple markers of inflammation simultaneously, researchers can understand exactly how postbiotics work—not just whether they reduce inflammation, but how they shift the immune system from a harmful state to a protective one. Comparing postbiotics directly to cyclosporine helps determine if they’re truly competitive with existing treatments.

This is laboratory research, which is the earliest stage of drug development. The study was well-designed with appropriate controls and statistical analysis. However, results from cells in a dish don’t always translate to living organisms. The researchers acknowledge this limitation and recommend animal studies next. The fact that results were comparable to or better than cyclosporine is encouraging, but this needs confirmation in more complex systems before clinical use

What the Results Show

When intestinal cells were treated with the L. reuteri postbiotics, cell survival increased by approximately 40% compared to inflamed cells without treatment, and the postbiotics showed no toxicity to the cells themselves. This is important because it means the treatment helped cells survive inflammation without causing additional damage.

The postbiotics dramatically reduced IL-17, a key inflammatory signal that drives intestinal damage in IBD. IL-17 levels dropped by about 50% in treated cells. Simultaneously, IL-10, a protective anti-inflammatory signal, increased slightly but meaningfully. This shift from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory signals is exactly what doctors want to see in IBD treatment.

By day 5 of treatment, IL-8 (another inflammatory marker) was significantly reduced at the genetic level, and this reduction was actually stronger than what cyclosporine achieved. This suggests postbiotics might work through different mechanisms than standard drugs, potentially offering unique benefits.

The postbiotics also restored normal cell death patterns (apoptosis), which is important because inflamed intestines often have abnormal cell death. The treatment appeared to work at multiple levels—reducing inflammatory signals, protecting cell survival, and restoring normal cellular processes. These multiple effects suggest postbiotics might address IBD through several pathways simultaneously, rather than just one mechanism

This research builds on growing interest in postbiotics as alternatives to probiotics for IBD treatment. Previous studies suggested that bacterial byproducts might be safer and more stable than live bacteria. This study is among the first to directly compare postbiotics to cyclosporine, a gold-standard IBD medication. The comparable or superior results are noteworthy and suggest postbiotics deserve serious investigation as potential treatments

This study only tested cells in laboratory dishes, not living organisms. What works in a dish doesn’t always work in a real gut with its complex environment, immune system, and bacterial communities. The study didn’t test actual IBD patients, so we don’t know if these results would translate to real people. Additionally, the exact composition and concentration of the postbiotics used weren’t fully detailed, which could affect reproducibility. The researchers themselves note that animal studies and human trials are essential next steps

The Bottom Line

Based on this early research, postbiotics from L. reuteri show promise as a potential IBD treatment, but current evidence is insufficient to recommend them for patient use. People with IBD should continue their prescribed treatments and discuss any interest in postbiotics with their gastroenterologist. Future clinical trials will determine if these laboratory findings translate to real benefits for patients (confidence level: low, as this is preliminary research)

This research is most relevant to people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) who are interested in gentler treatment options. It may also interest researchers developing new IBD therapies and pharmaceutical companies exploring postbiotic products. People without IBD should not expect immediate applications from this work. Those currently on cyclosporine or other IBD medications should not change their treatment based on this single laboratory study

This is very early-stage research. Even if postbiotics prove effective in animal studies (which typically take 1-2 years), human clinical trials would take several more years. Realistically, if this research pans out, a postbiotic treatment might be available in 5-10 years at the earliest. Patients should not expect this as an immediate treatment option

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For IBD patients interested in postbiotics, track daily symptom scores (abdominal pain, stool frequency, urgency) on a 0-10 scale, along with any postbiotic supplements taken and dosage. Record energy levels and quality of life indicators weekly to monitor overall impact
  • If postbiotics become available, users could set reminders for consistent daily intake and log any changes in digestive symptoms, inflammation markers (if monitored by their doctor), or medication needs. This data could help users and their doctors assess whether postbiotics are providing benefits
  • Establish a baseline of current symptoms before starting any new treatment. Track symptoms consistently for at least 4-8 weeks to see meaningful changes. Share tracked data with your gastroenterologist to make informed decisions about whether to continue or adjust postbiotic use. Monitor for any adverse effects and report them immediately

This research describes laboratory findings in cells, not human studies. These results do not prove postbiotics are safe or effective for treating IBD in people. Anyone with inflammatory bowel disease should continue their prescribed medications and consult their gastroenterologist before starting any new supplements or treatments, including postbiotics. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Do not change your IBD treatment based on this preliminary research.