[Probiotics and prebiotics for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease].

Although the causes of inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease remain incompletely understood, increasing evidence implicates intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Therefore, modulation of microflora with probiotics or prebiotics may offer a plausible therapeutic approach. While recent data support a potential therapeutic efficacy, such treatments need to be further assessed by large scale studies. A better understanding of the intestinal microflora and the mechanisms of their action may help us to develop more effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.