Table 3. Exclusion Criteria.

Crohn's disease or pouchitis;

A UCDAI score greater than eight (need for emergency surgery or the presence of severe disease);

Use of oral steroids within the last 4 weeks before study entry;

Use of antibiotics within the last 2 weeks before study entry;

Change in dose of oral 5-ASA within the last 4 weeks before study entry and throughout the 8-week study period or a change in dose of oral 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine drugs within the last 3 months before the study;

Use of rectal 5-ASA or steroids within 1 week before entering the study or throughout the 8-week study period;

Use of probiotic preparations either prescribed or over-the-counter within 2 weeks before study entry;

Use of NSAIDs for 1 week before and throughout the 8-week study period.

ASA, aminosalicylic acid; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; UCDAI, ulcerative colitis disease activity index.