The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gene Expression Related to Inflammation, Insulin, and Lipids in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT

Background: Limited data are available assessing the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: The current study was conducted to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids in patients with MS.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 patients with MS. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either a probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 10⁹ colony-forming units/g each; n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids was quantified in blood samples of patients with MS with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

Results: We found that compared with placebo, probiotic supplementation down-regulated gene expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8; p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α) mRNA (p < .001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with MS. We did not observe any significant effect of probiotic supplementation on gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), or oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with MS.

Conclusions: Overall, probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks in patients with MS significantly improved gene expression of IL-8 and TNF-α but did not influence IL-1, PPAR-γ, or LDLR.

KEYWORDS:

• Probiotic
• multiple sclerosis
• gene expression
• inflammation
• insulin

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Expression of Concern

Acknowledgments

The present study was supported by a grant from the vice-chancellor for research, KUMS, and Iran.

Author contributions

ZA and MS contributed in conception, design, statistical analysis, and drafting of the manuscript. EK, ORT, MS, EA, EA, and MTE contributed in conception, data collection, and manuscript drafting. The final version was confirmed by all authors for submission.