The impact of multistrains of probiotics on Th17-related cytokines in patients with asthma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Asthma is known as one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by recurrent obstruction and inflammation of the airways. Probiotics are defined as a group of beneficial living microorganisms that are beneficial in many disorders, including allergies. The aim of this study was to investigate the probiotic supplement effects on improvement of clinical asthma symptom and changes in the pattern of Th17-related inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic patients.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel, double-blind groups. Forty patients with asthma were enrolled and received 1 capsule/day of a probiotic supplement for 8 weeks. Respiratory function tests; and the level of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21 and TGF-β were evaluated at the baseline and end of intervention.

Results

The results showed that the level of IL-6 and IL-17 in patients after receiving probiotics was reduced and expression of TGF-β was increased as compared to the baseline. Also, the expression of IL-17 and IL-21 in the probiotic group was significantly lower than the placebo group at the end of the intervention. In addition, an improvement in pulmonary function tests and clinical symptoms was observed after receiving probiotics.

Conclusions

Eight-weeks treatment with a probiotic supplementation suggests that it may effect on Th17 cells-associated IL-6, IL-17 and TGF-β; and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s and Forced Vital Capacity. Taken together, these results suggest that probiotics may have the ability to affect neutrophilic asthma and they can possibly be used besides common treatments for patients with neutrophilic asthma.

Keywords:

• Asthma
• probiotic
• randomized controlled trial
• Th17
• ACT
• AQLQ
• FEV1
• FVC

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Kosar Hospital, Cancer Research Center of Semnan University of Medical Sciences for its editorial assistance.

Ethical approval

The study complied with the guidelines for human studies and was conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Board of the Semnan University of Medical Sciences (IR.SEMUMS.REC.1398.226). Written informed consent to participate in the study and publication of their clinical details was obtained from the patient.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author. The study was registered on the Iran Clinical Trials website at: (http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20191220045830N1).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant of Semnan University of Medical Sciences.