Investigation the effect of oral probiotic supplementation on indices of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Abstract

Recently, the use of probiotics to reduce inflammatory factors and oxidative stress biomarkers has received much attention. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Saccharomyces boulardi probiotic supplement for 4 months compared to placebo on serum indices of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The present study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial on 50 patients with multiple sclerosis. The subjects were assigned to two probiotic groups (n=25) and placebo (n=25) and were treated with one BioDigest capsule containing 250 mg of Saccharomyces boulardi (1010 CFU) or one placebo capsule per day for 4 months. Blood samples (5 ml) to measure serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) inflammatory factor levels (measured by ELISA method), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) (measured by colorimetric/photometric) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) oxidative stress index (measured by enzymatic method) were taken from the patients before and after the intervention. Results: The serum concentration of hs-CRP decreased significantly in the probiotic group (p<0.001 in the probiotic group and p=0.249 in the placebo group). The decrease in the probiotic group after adjustment to baseline values was significantly higher than the placebo group (-2.60 ± 2.26 versus -0.38 ± 1.42 μg/ml and p<0.001). The level of MDA decreased significantly in the probiotic group (p=0.049 in the probiotic group and p=0.096 in the placebo group). These changes in the probiotic group were not significantly different from the placebo group after adjustment to the baseline values (-0.54 ± 1.15 versus -0.43 ± 1.12 nmol/ml and p=0.613). The level of TAC increased in the probiotic group and decreased in the placebo group; however, these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.103 in the probiotic group and p=0.817 in the placebo group). These changes in the probiotic group after adjustment to baseline values were significantly higher than the placebo group (0.51 ± 1.33 versus -0.06 ± 1.22 nmol/liter and p=0.004).