Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) in Mild-moderately Active UC Patients

This study is a randomized double-blind clinical trial that intends to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LGG administration at two different doses, for 1 month, in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with mild-moderate disease activity in therapy with oral mesalamine. Efficacy of therapy will be evaluated by clinical (Clinical Mayo score, quality of life assessment), endoscopic (Endoscopic Mayo score), histological, biochemical (white cell count, C-reactive protein), and molecular (mucosal colonization of the bacteria, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines measurement) parameters. UC patients with mild-moderately active disease despite oral treatment with mesalamine will be assessed at baseline for clinical, endoscopic, histologic inflammatory activity. After a wash-out period of 4 weeks of mesalamine, patients will be randomized to assume a regular (LGG 1.2 × 10\^10 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/day, 2 capsules a day) or a double (LGG 2.4 × 10\^10 CFU/day, 4 capsules a day) dose of LGG for 1 month. At the end of the treatment, clinical, endoscopic, and histologic inflammatory activity will be evaluated and compared to pre-treatment data. Adhesion and molecular effect of LGG will be also evaluated. Safety will be assessed by weekly phone calls and with direct physical examination at the end of the study period.