The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Antioxidant Capacity and Arm Volumes in Survivors of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Abstract

Background and Aims: Synbiotics found to be beneficial in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) through its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of synbiotic supplementation on edema volume and some oxidative markers among obese and overweight patients with BCRL.

Method: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 88 overweight and obese BCSs aged 18–65 years. All the subjects were given a specified low-calorie diet (LCD) and were randomly assigned into two groups to intake 10⁹ CFU/day synbiotic supplement (n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) for 10 wk. Edema volume and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration were measured at baseline and after the 10-wk intervention.

Results: Ten-wk supplementation with synbiotics leads to a significant reduction in serum MDA levels (P = 0.001) and an increase in serum SOD concentration (P = 0.007) compared to placebo. No significant changes were observed in serum GPx, TAC, and edema volume between groups.

Conclusion: Our findings reveal that 10-wk synbiotic supplementation along with a LCD program-reduced serum MDA levels and elevate the activity of SOD in overweight and obese patients with BCRL. However, its effect on serum GPx, TAC, and edema volume was not significant.

Acknowledgments

We would like to gratefully thank the participants for their support in the study. We are also thankful to Zist Takhmir Company.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.

Notes on contributors

MZ, MN, and SHH provided study concepts and designed the study. MN, SHH, HE, ZS, and MI helped in data acquisition. MZ checked quality control of data and algorithms. LJ, MZ, MN, SV, and AS took part in data analysis, interpretation, and statistical analysis. MN, MZ, AA, and MRL contributed to manuscript preparation, editing, and review.