Effectiveness of probiotic supplements in managing pulmonary function and inflammatory status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Qianqian Zhang, Nianzhi Zhang, Ying Zheng et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of probiotic supplementation on pulmonary function and inflammatory markers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving 920 participants were analyzed. Probiotics significantly improved forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) by 0.26 and forced vital capacity (FVC) by 0.35, while reducing C-reactive protein levels by 2.37.
Key findings
- Probiotic supplementation increased FEV1 by 0.26 (95% CI: 0.19-0.32, P < 0.001).
- FVC improved by 0.35 (95% CI: 0.25-0.45, P < 0.001) with probiotics.
- Circulating C-reactive protein levels decreased by 2.37 (95% CI: -4.28 to -0.46, P = 0.01).
- Tumor necrosis factor-α was reduced with probiotics (Hedges' g = -1.93, P < 0.001).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that probiotics may serve as a beneficial adjunct therapy for managing pulmonary function and inflammation in COPD patients, potentially improving their overall health status and quality of life.
What to keep in mind
The evidence is limited by variations in probiotic formulations, intervention protocols, and patient characteristics across studies.