ABSTRACT
Purpose: Today, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) treatment is an evolving process, and synbiotic administration has been suggested as a new therapeutic strategy. This study aims to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation in COVID-19 patients. Design/methodology/approach: In this placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients were randomized to receive oral synbiotic capsule (containing fructooligosaccharide and seven bacterial strains;Lactobacillus (L) casei, L. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, L. bulgaricus, each one 109 colony-forming units) or placebo for two months. Inflammatory markers (Interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and white blood cell (WBC) count were evaluated at two timepoints (baseline, two months later). The measured variables were adjusted for confounders and analyzed by SPSS v21.0. Findings: All 80 enrolled patients completed the study. The study adherence was good (approximately 70%). The mean changes for IL-6 were not significant ( = -0.6 +or- 10.4 pg/mL vs = +11.2 +or- 50.3 pg/mL, p > 0.05). There were no significant improvements for CRP, ESR and WBC. Originality/value: Administration of synbiotics for two months did not improve inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Infectious diseases of viral origin have never received so much interest globally since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic disease. In contrast to bacterial infections, antibiotic treatments do not have any effect on viral infections, requiring alternative solutions to reduce the impact of viral spread on animal populations. More important than curing, preventing viral replication before disease development is probably the best strategy to minimalize the negative effects of viruses on a global scale. Fructans, known to stimulate the immune system (by either interacting directly or indirectly with the immune system), may be interesting candidates as part of this broader prevention strategy. This chapter discusses the potential antiviral properties of fructans in relation to their well-described immunomodulating, antioxidant and prebiotic attributes, as well as a possible role as protein binders which may disturb the proper function of viral proteins, and thus reduce the infection ability of certain viral strains. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
PurposeToday, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) treatment is an evolving process, and synbiotic administration has been suggested as a new therapeutic strategy. This study aims to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation in COVID-19 patients.Design/methodology/approachIn this placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients were randomized to receive oral synbiotic capsule (containing fructooligosaccharide and seven bacterial strains;Lactobacillus (L) casei, L. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, L. bulgaricus, each one 109 colony-forming units) or placebo for two months. Inflammatory markers (Interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and white blood cell (WBC) count were evaluated at two timepoints (baseline, two months later). The measured variables were adjusted for confounders and analyzed by SPSS v21.0.FindingsAll 80 enrolled patients completed the study. The study adherence was good (approximately 70%). The mean changes for IL-6 were not significant (Δ = −0.6 ± 10.4 pg/mL vs Δ = +11.2 ± 50.3 pg/mL, p > 0.05). There were no significant improvements for CRP, ESR and WBC.Originality/valueAdministration of synbiotics for two months did not improve inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.