Interventions.
ADVERSE EFFECTS
We obtained informed consent from patients prior to their inclusion in this study. Authorized physicians administered FMT under monitored clinical settings. Before taking capsules orally, patients were required to fast overnight for at least 8 h. All patients received FMT in the morning. Capsules stored at −80°C were returned to room temperature before they were administered orally. Patients took the capsules with warm saline. Patients were kept under observation for 6 h after receiving FMT in the hospital to determine any adverse effects. Capsulized FMT was administered in three separate procedures (30 capsules every 2 days) within 1 week, and follow-up was performed for up to 12 weeks. The total weight of stool administered over the three FMT procedures was about 90 g. Stool samples of patients were collected for microbiome analysis at weeks 0, 1, 4, and 12, and blood samples of patients were collected for laboratory examination and metabolomic analysis. A colonoscopy assessment was conducted at the baseline (week 0, before FMT) and week 12. The time points for weekly assessment were W0 (baseline, week 0), W1 (week 1), W4 (week 4), and W12 (week 12).