Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Hormonal Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Dietary B Vitamins and Serum C-Reactive Protein in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Pancreatic β-cell Function and C-reactive Protein in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial Effect of a probiotic preparation (VSL#3) in critically ill patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Pilot Study) Probiotic Therapy of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Why Is the Evidence Still Poor and What Can Be Done About It? Whole grains are associated with serum concentrations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein among premenopausal women. A pilot study on the effects of curd (dahi) & leaf protein concentrate in children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM). Effect of phosphate binders on serum inflammatory profile, soluble CD14, and endotoxin levels in hemodialysis patients. Probiotic dietary supplementation in patients with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease: a 6-month pilot scale trial in Canada Effects of folic acid and vitamin B complex on serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels in stable hemodialysis patients* Lutein supplementation reduces plasma lipid peroxidation and C-reactive protein in healthy nonsmokers. The effects of probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes C-reactive protein and other circulating markers of inflammation in the prediction of coronary heart disease. Effects of synbiotic food consumption on glycemic status and serum hs-CRP in pregnant women: a randomized controlled clinical trial Evaluation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in comparison with C-reactive protein as biochemical serum markers in women with endometriosis. [A preliminary study of the administration of carbapenem antibiotics in sepsis patients on the basis of the administration time]. Elevated cardiac troponin T in peritoneal dialysis patients is associated with CRP and predicts all-cause mortality and cardiac death. Uremic malnutrition is a predictor of death independent of inflammatory status. Serum C-reactive protein level is a predictive factor for 14-day mortality of patients with advanced cancer who present to the emergency department with acute symptoms. Efficacy of probiotic supplementation on quality of life and pulmonary symptoms due to sulfur mustard exposure: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial Correlates of circulating C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A concentrations in breast cancer survivors Value of serum C-reactive protein measurement in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma superimposed on liver cirrhosis Serum amyloid-A rather than C-reactive protein is a better predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND To the best of our knowledge , data on effects of probiotic administration on hormonal profiles , biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) are scarce . This investigation was conducted to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on hormonal profiles , biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with PCOS . METHODS This r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 60 women with PCOS , aged 18 - 40 years old . Subjects were r and omly assigned into 2 groups to receive either probiotics or placebo ( n = 30 each group ) for 12 weeks . Metabolic profiles were quantified at baseline and after a 12-week intervention . RESULTS After the 12-week intervention , compared with placebo , probiotic supplementation significantly increased serum sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) ( + 25.9 ± 32.5 vs. + 0.5 ± 15.6 nmol/L , P < 0.001 ) and plasma total antioxidant capacity ( TAC ) ( + 8.8 ± 120.5 vs. -98.3 ± 246.4 mmol/L , P = 0.04 ) , and significantly decreased serum total testosterone ( -0.2 ± 0.7 vs. + 0.2 ± 0.6 ng/mL , P = 0.03 ) , modified Ferriman-Gallwey ( mF-G ) scores ( -1.7 ± 1.5 vs. -0.2 ± 1.0 , P < 0.001 ) , serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) ( -1150.0 ± 1295.2 vs. + 202.5 ± 1426.3 ng/mL , P < 0.001 ) and plasma malondialdehyde ( MDA ) concentrations ( -0.2 ± 0.6 vs. + 0.9 ± 1.3 µmol/L , P < 0.001 ) . We did not observe any detrimental effect of probiotic supplementation on other metabolic profiles . CONCLUSION Overall , probiotic supplementation of PCOS women for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on total testosterone , SHBG , mFG scores , hs-CRP , TAC and MDA levels but did not affect other metabolic profiles Background : B vitamins may have beneficial roles in reducing inflammation ; however , research on the role of B vitamins in inflammation among HIV-infected persons is lacking . Objective : This study assessed the association between B vitamins and serum C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations in HIV-infected persons . Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 314 HIV-infected persons ( 180 men and 134 women ) aged 18 to 60 years residing in the Kathm and u , Nepal . High-sensitive and regular serum CRP concentrations were measured by the latex agglutination nephelometry and latex agglutination turbidimetric method , respectively . Dietary intake was assessed using 2 nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls . The relationships between B vitamins and serum CRP concentrations were assessed using multiple regression analysis . Results : The multivariate-adjusted geometric mean of serum CRP concentrations was significantly decreased with an increasing B vitamins intake across quartiles of niacin ( P for trend = .007 ) , pyridoxine ( P for trend = .042 ) , and cobalamin ( P for trend = .037 ) in men . In men , the mean serum CRP concentrations in the highest quartiles of niacin , pyridoxine , and cobalamin were 63 % , 38 % , and 58 % , respectively , lower than that in the lowest quartile . In women , the mean serum CRP concentrations in the highest quartiles of riboflavin ( P for trend = .084 ) and pyridoxine ( P for trend = .093 ) were 37 % and 47 % , respectively , lower than that in the lowest quartile . Conclusion : High intake of niacin , pyridoxine , or cobalamin was independently associated with decreased serum CRP concentrations  among HIV-infected men . Further prospect i ve studies are warranted to confirm the role of B vitamins in inflammation among HIV-infected persons Background : Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) is a polygenic endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age that lead to infertility . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotic on pancreatic β-cell function and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) in PCOS patients . Methods : This r and omized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 72 women aged 15–40 years old diagnosed with PCOS . Participants were r and omly assigned to two groups receiving : ( 1 ) Probiotic supplements ( n = 36 ) , ( 2 ) placebo ( n = 36 ) for 8-week . Fasting blood sample s were taken at baseline and after 8-week of intervention . Results : Probiotic supplementation , compare with placebo , reduced fasting blood sugar ( −4.15 ± 2.87 vs. 2.57 ± 5.66 mg/dL , respectively P = 0.7 ) , serum insulin levels in crude model ( −0.49 ± 0.67 vs. 0.34 ± 0.82 μIU/mL , respectively , P = 0.09 ) , homeostasis model of assessment -insulin resistance score ( −0.25 ± 0.18 vs. −0.05 ± 0.18 , respectively , P = 0.14 ) nonsignificantly . Serum insulin levels after adjustment with covariates reduced significantly in probiotic group ( P = 0.02 ) . We did not found any significant differences in mean changes of CRP between groups ( −0.25 ± 0.18 vs. −0.05 ± 0.18 , respectively , P = 0.14 ) . Conclusions : A 8-week multispecies probiotics supplementation had nonsignificantly beneficial effect on pancreatic β-cell function and CRP in PCOS patients . After adjustment for some covariates , serum insulin changes were significantly different between groups Objective : Reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) are a major contributing factor in diseases pathophysiology in critically ill patients . Oxidative stress usually occurs in critical illnesses , specifically during sepsis , and organ dysfunction . The anti-oxidative properties of probiotics may serve as a defense in intestine and overcome various oxidative stresses . The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of probiotics on inflammation , antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in critically ill patients . Methodology : Forty patients admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled in this double-blind , r and omized controlled trial . They were r and omized to receive placebo or probiotic for 7 days . Serum levels of Total Antioxidant Capacity ( TAC ) , Malodialdehyde ( MDA ) , C-Reactive Protein ( CRP ) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation ( APACHE II ) score were measured before initiation of the study and on the 7th day . Results : There was a significant difference in CRP levels and APACHE II score between two groups at the end of the study ( P= 0.003 and 0.001 , respectively ) . There was not a significant difference in levels of TAC and MDA between two groups . Conclusions : Administration of  probiotics to critically ill patients caused reduction in inflammation and improvement of clinical outcome . However , there were not significant changes in markers of oxidative stress Background / Aims Despite numerous r and omized clinical trials and meta-analyses , there is no increased evidence for the efficacy of  probiotics  in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ) . We review this evidence , identify and analyse the reasons for this lack of evidence and propose method ological improvements for future studies . Methods Based on a literature search , we identified 56 papers that matched the purpose of our analyses . Twenty-seven studies used multi-species bacterial preparations and 29 used single-strain probiotics . They were analysed regarding  patients included , treatment duration , probiotic dosage , and outcome measures . Results Trials in both groups suffered from heterogeneity with respect to probiotic concentration , duration of treatment , and other method ological issues ( crossover design and underpowered studies ) . This heterogeneity did not allow the application of a meta-analytic approach and a systematic review was therefore performed instead . Multi-strain preparations combined 2 to 8 different bacterial subspecies , mostly lactobacilli or bifidobacteria , and used variable lengths of treatments . Overall , more than 50 % of trials presented negative outcomes . The majority of the single-strain probiotic trials employing lactobacilli or Saccharomyces were negative , whereas trials employing bifidobacteria showed positive results . Conclusions The heterogeneity of the studies of probiotics in IBS questions the value of meta-analyses . The use of different bacterial strains and different mixtures of these strains , as well as different dosages , are the main contributors to this heterogeneity . Current data provides limited evidence for the efficacy of a small number of  single-strain probiotics  in IBS ( mostly bifidobacteria ) and sound studies following strict trial guidelines ( Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency guidelines for clinical trials ) are needed . We summarised and proposed some method ological issues for future studies in the field In premenopausal women , elevated C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations have been associated with an increased risk of negative reproductive outcomes . Whole grain consumption has been associated with lower CRP concentrations in older women ; however , less is known about this relationship in younger women . We investigated whether whole grain intake was associated with serum high sensitivity CRP ( hs-CRP ) concentrations in young women . BioCycle was a prospect i ve cohort study conducted at the University of Buffalo from 2005 to 2007 , which followed 259 healthy women aged 18 - 44 y for < or= 2 menstrual cycles .  hs-CRP concentrations were measured longitudinally < or= 8 times/cycle with visits st and ardized to menstrual cycle phase . Whole grain intake was estimated by 24-h recalls < or= 4 times/cycle . Servings were defined as 16 g or 125 mL of a 100 % whole grain food . Whole grain intake was inversely associated with hs-CRP concentrations after adjusting for age , race , BMI , illness , and antiinflammatory drug use . Consumers of between 0 and 1 serving/d of whole grains had , on average , 11.5 % lower hs-CRP concentrations ( P = 0.02 ) and consumers of > or= 1 serving/d had 12.3 % lower hs-CRP concentrations ( P = 0.02 ) compared with nonconsumers . Women who consumed > or= 1 serving/d of whole grain had a lower probability of having moderate ( P = 0.008 ) or elevated ( P = 0.001 ) hs-CRP according to the AHA criteria compared with nonconsumers . Given that elevated concentrations of hs-CRP have been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes and pregnancy complications , interventions targeting whole grain consumption may have the potential to improve health status among young women BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE In protein-energy malnutrition ( PEM ) there is a significant impairment of immunity , both cell-mediated and humoral , which may be reversed with nutritional rehabilitation . With the use of probiotics like curd ( dahi ) and micronutrient-rich leaf protein concentrate ( LPC ) , this immune recovery may be hastened . This study was conducted to assess the impact of supplementation of curd and LPC on nutritional status , and immunity as assessed by anthropometry , haemoglobin , ferritin levels , T- cell sub population and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , in children suffering from PEM . METHODS Eighty moderate to severely malnourished children ( 1 - 5 yr ) were r and omized to receive either curd or LPC in addition to WHO recommended two-step diet over 15 days . Nutritional , immunological and haematological parameters were measured before and after supplementation and compared within the groups . RESULTS The change in weight , haemoglobin level and CD4:CD8 T-cell sub population was significant in both the groups after supplementation . Response of CRP was blunted in PEM . Serum ferritin decreased significantly after supplementation in both groups . INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Curd and LPC when added to diet of malnourished children , may have therapeutic value by accelerating immune recovery . More studies need to be done on a larger sample to confirm these findings BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hyperphosphatemia and sub clinical endotoxemia are important sources of inflammation in HD . Proinflammatory cytokines are strong correlates of soluble CD14 ( sCD14 ) concentrations , an independent predictor of mortality in this population . We evaluated the effects of calcium acetate and sevelamer hydrochloride on serum inflammatory profile , endotoxin concentrations , and sCD14 levels in HD patients . DESIGN , SETTING , PARTICIPANTS , & MEASUREMENTS Prospect i ve , r and omized , open-label , parallel design trial . Fifty-nine stable HD patients , 30 receiving sevelamer , and 29 receiving calcium acetate were evaluated .  Serum levels of inflammatory parameters ( high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [ hs-CRP ] , TNF-α , interleukin (IL)-1 , -6 , -10 , and -18 ) , as well as endotoxin and sCD14 concentrations , were measured at baseline and after 3 months of therapy . RESULTS Serum IL-6 increased in patients receiving calcium acetate , whereas hs-CRP and IL-6 significantly decreased in subjects treated with sevelamer , with IL-10 experiencing a trend to increase ( P = 0.052 ) . Serum endotoxin and sCD14 levels did not change after treatment with calcium acetate . However , these parameters decreased by 22.6 % and 15.2 % , respectively ( P < 0.01 ) , in patients receiving sevelamer . Multiple regression analysis showed that variation in serum endotoxin concentrations was the strongest factor associated with IL-6 change , whereas the only variables independently associated with changes in sCD14 levels were the variations in serum IL-6 and endotoxin concentrations . CONCLUSIONS Administration of the noncalcium phosphate binder sevelamer to maintenance HD patients is associated with a significant decrease in hs-CRP , IL-6 , serum endotoxin levels and sCD14 concentrations ABSTRACT Aim : This was a pilot clinical trial to assess biochemical and clinical effects of an oral probiotic dietary supplement in chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) patients ( stages 3 and 4 ) . Methods : A prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind , crossover , placebo-controlled , 6-month trial of probiotic bacteria was conducted in 16 out patients in Ontario , Canada . Primary endpoints included effect on hematologic , biochemical , and fecal variables , and on general well-being as assessed by quality of life ( QOL ) . These outcomes were evaluated from biochemical parameters , mainly blood urea nitrogen ( BUN ) , creatinine , uric acid , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) as a general inflammatory marker . QOL was assessed on a subjective scale of 1 to 10 as the secondary parameter . Trial registration : This pilot study forms part of registered trial NCT00760162 . Results : A total of 13 patients completed the study . Three patients dropped out : one was the receiver of a transplant . The second dropped out for unknown reasons and the third died of myocardial infa rct ion ( unrelated to probiotic bacteria or the protocol ) . Among the 13 patients who completed the trial , the mean change in BUN concentration during the probiotic treatment period ( −2.93 mmol/L ) differed significantly ( p = 0.002 ) from the mean change in BUN concentration during the placebo period ( 4.52 mmol/L ) . In addition , the mean changes in uric acid concentration were moderate during the KB period ( 24.70 μmol/L ) versus during the placebo period ( 50.62 μmol/L , p = 0.050 ) , and the changes in serum creatinine concentration were insignificant . Neither gastrointestinal nor infectious complications were noted in any subject with improved QOL . Conclusion : Orally administered probiotic bacteria selected to metabolize nitrogenous wastes may be tolerated for as long as 6 months . A major limitation of this trial is its small size that may have precluded detection of changes in other biochemical or hematologic parameters that would be evident in larger cohorts . Extension of the evaluation of this probiotic bacterial mixture will include a dose escalation trial in a similar prospect i ve , placebo-controlled , and double-blind study site ABSTRACT Objective : Folic acid and vitamin B complex administration in uremic patients has been reported to lower plasma total homocysteine ( tHcy ) levels , but whether or not this has a beneficial effect on the inflammatory state is not clear . Methods : We conducted a r and omized open labeled study to determine the effects of folic acid ( 5 mg daily ) and vitamin B complex administration on plasma tHcy levels as well as inflammatory ( serum high-sensitivity C reactive protein , hs‑CRP ) and nutritional ( serum albumin ) markers in patients on maintenance hemodialysis . Treatment was given for 3 consecutive months to 61 patients on maintenance hemodialysis . Another 60 patients , all age- , sex- , hemodialysis duration -matched served as control group . Main outcome measures : Plasma tHcy , serum hs‑CRP , albumin , creatinine ( Cr ) , post-dialysis body weight ( BW ) , and normalized protein catabolism rate ( nPCR ) . Results : After 3 months , levels of plasma tHcy and serum hs‑CRP , Cr , and nPCR were significantly decreased while levels of serum albumin , vitamin B12 , folate , and BW were significantly increased . The dialytic dose ( KT/V ) and dietary intake remained unchanged . However , correlations between the magnitude of reduction of tHcy & hs‑CRP , tHcy & Cr , and Cr & nPCR were statistically significant . Conclusions : Folic acid and vitamin B complex co-administration effectively lowers tHcy and hs‑CRP levels and increases albumin levels in stable hemodialysis subjects , underscoring their potential benefit to attenuate the state of inflammation and possibly improve the nutritional status in patients on hemodialysis OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether lutein affected biomarkers related to cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ) in healthy nonsmokers . METHODS A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of lutein supplementation was conducted in healthy nonsmokers . 117 eligible subjects were r and omly assigned to receive 10 or 20 mg/d of lutein or placebo for 12 weeks . Levels of plasma carotenoid concentrations , total antioxidant capacity ( TAOC ) , the lipoprotein profile , and antioxidant enzymes activities were determined at baseline and at 6 , and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment . Biomarkers of oxidative damage to protein and lipids , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations were measured at baseline and after supplementation . RESULTS Plasma lutein and TAOC significantly increased in both active treatment groups during 12 weeks . A significant reduction was found in malondialdehyde in the 20 mg lutein group . CRP concentration decreased in a dose-dependent manner for lutein supplementation , and there was a significant between-group difference in CRP between the 20 mg lutein and the placebo group . Serum CRP was directly related to the change in plasma lutein and TAOC for both active treatment groups . CONCLUSION The results support the possibility that lutein supplementation reduce biomarkers of CVD risk via decreased lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response by increasing plasma lutein concentrations and antioxidant capacity Abstract Objective : This study was design ed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation , oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes  among subjects with gestational diabetes ( GDM ) . Methods : This r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial was done among 60 subjects with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents . Patients were r and omly allocated to intake either probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus , Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum ( 2 × 109 CFU/g each ) ( n = 30 ) or placebo ( n = 30 ) for six weeks . Results : Compared with the placebo , probiotic supplementation result ed in significant decreases in fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ) ( −5.3 ± 6.7 vs. + 0.03 ± 9.0 mg/dL , p = .01 ) , serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) ( −2.2 ± 2.7 vs. + 0.5 ± 2.4 μg/mL , p < .001 ) , plasma malondialdehyde ( MDA ) concentrations ( −0.1 ± 0.8 vs. + 0.5 ± 1.5 μmol/L , p = .03 ) and MDA/TAC ratio ( −0.0003 ± 0.0008 vs. + 0.0009 ± 0.002 , p = .004 ) , and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity ( TAC ) levels ( + 65.4 ± 103.3 vs. −37.2 ± 143.7 mmol/L , p = .002 ) . Probiotic supplementation did not affect pregnancy outcomes . Conclusions : Overall , probiotic supplementation among women with GDM for six weeks had beneficial effects on FPG , serum hs-CRP , plasma TAC , MDA and oxidative stress index , but did not affect pregnancy outcomes BACKGROUND C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker believed to be of value in the prediction of coronary events . We report data from a large study of C-reactive protein and other circulating inflammatory markers , as well as up date d meta-analyses , to evaluate their relevance to the prediction of coronary heart disease . METHODS Measurements were made in sample s obtained at base line from up to 2459 patients who had a nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion or died of coronary heart disease during the study and from up to 3969 controls without a coronary heart disease event in the Reykjavik prospect i ve study of 18,569 participants .  Measurements were made in paired sample s obtained an average of 12 years apart from 379 of these participants in order to quantify within-person fluctuations in inflammatory marker levels . RESULTS The long-term stability of C-reactive protein values ( within-person correlation coefficient , 0.59 ; 95 percent confidence interval , 0.52 to 0.66 ) was similar to that of both blood pressure and total serum cholesterol . After adjustment for base-line values for established risk factors , the odds ratio for coronary heart disease was 1.45 ( 95 percent confidence interval , 1.25 to 1.68 ) in a comparison of participants in the top third of the group with respect to base-line C-reactive protein values with those in the bottom third , and similar overall findings were observed in an up date d meta- analysis involving a total of 7068 patients with coronary heart disease . By comparison , the odds ratios in the Reykjavik Study for coronary heart disease were somewhat weaker for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( 1.30 ; 95 percent confidence interval , 1.13 to 1.51 ) and the von Willebr and factor concentration ( 1.11 ; 95 percent confidence interval , 0.97 to 1.27 ) but generally stronger for established risk factors , such as an increased total cholesterol concentration ( 2.35 ; 95 percent confidence interval , 2.03 to 2.74 ) and cigarette smoking ( 1.87 ; 95 percent confidence interval , 1.62 to 2.16 ) . CONCLUSIONS C-reactive protein is a relatively moderate predictor of coronary heart disease . Recommendations regarding its use in predicting the likelihood of coronary heart disease may need to be review ed OBJECTIVE : The aim of this study was to determine the effects of synbiotic food consumption on glycemic status and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) levels of Iranian pregnant women . DESIGN : This r and omized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 52 pregnant women , primigravida , aged 18–35 year old , in their third trimester . After a 2-wk run-in period , subjects were r and omly assigned to consume either a synbiotic ( n=26 ) or control food ( n=26 ) for 9 weeks . The synbiotic food consisted of a probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes ( 1 × 107 CFU ) , 0.04 g inulin as prebiotic with 0.38 g isomalt , 0.36 g sorbitol and 0.05 g stevia as sweetener per 1 g. Control food ( the same substance without probiotic bacteria and inulin ) was packed in identical 9-gram packages . Patients were asked to consume the synbiotic and control foods two times a day . Fasting blood sample s were taken at baseline and after a 9-wk intervention for quantification of related factors . RESULTS : Consumption of a synbiotic food did not show any significant change regarding the impact of insulin actions in the synbiotic group ; nonetheless , compared to the control food , it result ed in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels ( −0.26 vs. 6.34 µIU/mL , P=0.014 ) and HOMA-IR ( −0.13 vs. 1.13 , P=0.033 ) , a significant difference in HOMA-B ( 5.30 vs. 34.22 , P=0.040 ) and a significant rise in QUICKI score ( 0.002 vs. −0.02 , P=0.022 ) . CONCLUSIONS : Consumption of a synbiotic food for 9 weeks by pregnant women had beneficial effects on insulin actions compared to the control food , but did not affect FPG and serum hs-CRP concentrations OBJECTIVE To compare high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) with CRP as a soluble serum marker for the diagnosis of women with endometriosis . DESIGN Prospect i ve nonr and omized controlled trial ( Canadian Task Force classification II-1 ) . SETTING University hospital . PATIENT(S ) Eighty-two women were laparoscopically evaluated . No endometriosis was diagnosed in 34 women ( the non-E group ) . Endometriosis was confirmed by histology in 48 women ( the E group ) . Eighty-two women did not undergo laparoscopic evaluation  ( the unknown-E group ) . Afterward , the women were staged according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria ( r-ASRM ) . INTERVENTION(S ) CRP and hs-CRP were measured initially before laparoscopy . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S ) The hs-CRP and CRP levels and the correlation of those parameters with the stage of the disease . RESULT ( S ) There was a trend toward higher CRP levels and higher hs-CRP levels in the E group , while the lowest levels of both markers were found in the non-E group . There was a significantly lower hs-CRP level in the non-E group in comparison with the CRP level in this group . No differences between the different stages of the disease were found with either marker . CONCLUSION ( S ) Measurement of the two markers did not appear to be advantageous for the diagnosis of endometriosis independent of the stage of the disease . Nevertheless , a very low hs-CRP level might serve as a marker for an absence of endometriosis UNLABELLED It is important to take into consideration the duration for which the plasma concentration of the drug is higher than the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration during treatment with carbapenem antibiotics , because the antibiotics are time-dependent drugs . A preliminary study of the administration of carbapenem antibiotics on the basis of the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics ( PK/PD ) was conducted . SUBJECTS Ten patients with intraabdominal infection . METHODS The patients were divided into two groups : the first group was assigned to administration of a carbapenem antibiotic ( meropenem ) at a daily dose of 0.5 g in 3 divided doses , each dose by intravenous infusion over 3 hours ( Group 3 H ) , and the other group was assigned to administration of each dose over 30 minutes ( Group 30 M ) . The body temperature ( BT ) , white blood cell count ( WBC ) , serum C-reactive protein ( CRP ) level , and the systemic inflammatory reactive syndrome ( SIRS ) score before and 96 hours after the drug administration were compared between Group 3 H and Group 30 M. RESULTS There were 5 patients ( mean age , 67.4+/-14.6 years ) in Group 3H and 5 patients ( mean age , 60.0+/-12.8 years ) in Group 30 M. The evaluated parameters ( BT , WBC , CRP , SIRS score ) before the drug administration in Groups 3 H and 30 M were not significant . Group 3 H showed significant decreases in the SIRS scores at 96 hours after the drug administration , however , there were no significant differences in the BT , WBC or CRP between the two groups . DISCUSSION Group 3 H showed early improvement in the SIRS scores . Administration of carbapenem antibiotics based on the PK/PD is important , and requires further studies BACKGROUND Cardiac troponin T ( cTnT ) is a highly sensitive and specific marker of myocardial damage . In sera from patients with end-stage renal disease , cTnT may be elevated without other signs of acute myocardial injury . It has been shown that elevated cTnT in haemodialysis patients is associated with poor prognostic outcome . The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that elevated cTnT in a single serum sample from peritoneal dialysis ( PD ) patients is of prognostic importance . METHODS Blood sample s were taken from 26 r and omly selected PD patients without signs of acute myocardial ischaemia . Sera were analysed for : cTnT with the second generation TnT ELISA on ES 300 ; cardiac troponin I ( cTnI ) with Opus Plus ; and for creatine kinase-MB ( CKMB ) mass and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) . After 4 years , clinical outcomes were evaluated by chart review . The influence on survival was tested with Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox 's proportional regression analysis . RESULTS Concentrations of cTnT > /=0.04 micro g/l and CRP > /=10 mg/l were strong predictors of all-cause mortality in univariate analysis . Twelve out of 14 patients with cTnT > /=0.04 micro g/l died compared with three out of 12 with cTnT < 0.04 micro g/l . Other factors that influenced survival were age and the presence of ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) . There was a significant positive correlation between cTnT and CRP , and between cTnT and age . Cardiac troponin T was an independent predictor compared with age but not compared with CRP and IHD . Neither cTnI nor CKMB mass concentrations were related to survival . CONCLUSION Elevated serum concentrations of cTnT significantly predicted poor outcome and there was a correlation between cTnT and CRP concentrations in sample s from PD patients . Cardiac troponin I and CKMB mass had no prognostic value BACKGROUND Several studies have pointed out the influence of nutritional parameters and /or indices of inflammation on morbidity and mortality . Often , these conditions coexist , and the relative importance of poor nutritional status and chronic inflammation in terms of predicting clinical outcomes in chronic hemodialysis ( CHD ) patients has not been clarified . METHODS We undertook a prospect i ve cohort study analyzing time-dependent changes in several established nutritional and inflammatory markers , and their influence on mortality in 194 CHD patients ( 53 % male , 36 % white , 30 % with diabetes mellitus , mean age 55.7 + /- 15.4 years ) throughout a 57-month period .  Serial measurements of serum concentrations of albumin , prealbumin , creatinine , transferrin , cholesterol , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , as well as normalized protein catabolic rate , postdialysis weight , and phase angle and reactance by bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed every 3 months . Clinical outcomes were simultaneously assessed using indicators of mortality . RESULTS Serum albumin , serum prealbumin , serum creatinine , and phase angle were significant predictors of all-cause mortality , even after adjustment for serum CRP concentrations . Serum CRP concentrations were not significantly associated with mortality . Serum albumin concentrations and phase angle were also independent predictors of cardiovascular deaths in the multivariate model . CONCLUSION The nutritional status of CHD patients predicts mortality independent of concomitant presence or absence of inflammatory response . Prevention of , and timely intervention to treat uremic malnutrition by suitable means are necessary independent of the presence and /or therapy of inflammation in terms of improving clinical outcomes in CHD patients OBJECTIVES This study aim ed to investigate the potential of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) as a predictor of death within 14 days in acutely symptomatic patients with advanced cancer admitted to the emergency department ( ED ) . METHODS A prospect i ve observational study was conducted of 126 consecutive patients with advanced cancer who were admitted to the ED because of acute symptoms . The patients were categorized into two groups according to serum CRP levels ( cutoff 9.2 mg/dL ) . Demographic characteristics , disease-related factors , clinical symptoms and signs , and laboratory data were collected . Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between clinical findings and 14-day mortality . RESULTS Median survival was 26.5 days ( interquartile range = 8.0 - 79.5 days ) . In univariate analysis , serum CRP  level ( ≥9.2 mg/dL ) , chemotherapy , age ( ≥65 years ) , altered mental status , hypotension , and leukocytosis were significant . Multivariate regression analysis revealed that among these variables , serum CRP level ( hazard ratio [ HR ] = 2.444 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] = 1.298 to 4.603 , p = 0.006 ) and chemotherapy ( HR = 0.452 , 95 % CI = 0.236 to 0.863 , p = 0.016 ) were independent prognostic factors for 14-day mortality . CONCLUSIONS  Serum CRP  levels may provide information on death within 14 days after the ED visit in patients with advanced cancer Abstract Objective : This study investigated the efficacy and safety of supplementation with probiotics in improving chronic pulmonary symptoms due to sulfur mustard ( SM ) exposure . Methods : In a r and omized double-blind placebo-controlled study , 65 subjects suffering from chronic pulmonary complications of SM were assigned to one probiotic capsule ( 1 × 109 CFU containing seven strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria ) every 12 h or an identical placebo for six weeks . Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations , pulmonary function tests ( FEV1 , FEV1/FVC and MMEF 25–75 % ) and COPD assessment test ( CAT ) were assessed at baseline and at the end of trial . Results : The groups were comparable in baseline characteristics . There were significant improvements in FEV1/FVC in the probiotic but not in placebo group . CAT scores were decreased in both study groups . However , between-group comparison of changes in the assessed parameters reached statistical significance only for CAT score ( p < 0.001 ) . There was no report of adverse events during the course of trial . Conclusions : Findings of the present trial favor the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in improving the pulmonary symptoms of SM-exposed subjects Introduction Inflammatory status may be an important prognostic factor for breast cancer . Correlates of markers of inflammation in breast cancer survivors have not been thoroughly evaluated . Methods Using data from , the Health , Eating , Activity , and Lifestyle ( HEAL ) Study ( a population -based , multiethnic prospect i ve cohort study of female breast cancer patients ) we evaluated the associations between circulating markers of inflammation ( C-reactive protein [ CRP ] and  serum amyloid A  [ SAA ] , measured ∼31 months after diagnosis ) and several demographic , lifestyle , and clinical characteristics in 741 disease-free breast cancer survivors . Analysis of variance and regression methods were used for statistical analyses of log-transformed values of CRP and SAA . Results After adjusting for age , BMI , ethnicity , and study site , higher concentrations of CRP were associated with increasing concentration of SAA ( P-trend < 0.0001 ) , increasing age ( P-trend < 0.0001 ) , increasing BMI ( P-trend < 0.0001 ) , increasing waist circumference ( P-trend < 0.0001 ) , positive history of heart failure ( P = 0.0007 ) , decreasing physical activity ( P-trend = 0.005 ) , Hispanic ethnicity ( P = 0.05 vs. non-Hispanic white ) , and current smoking ( P = 0.03 vs. never smoking ) . Vitamin E supplementation ( P = 0.0005 ) , tamoxifen use ( P = 0.008 ) , and radiation treatment ( compared to no chemotherapy or radiation ; P = 0.04 ) were associated with reduced CRP . Associations of CRP with clinical characteristics were not significant in the adjusted models . In a multivariate analysis , CRP showed significant associations with waist circumference , BMI , age , history of heart failure , tamoxifen use , and vitamin E supplementation ( R2 = 0.35 ) . Similar , yet fewer , associations were observed for SAA ( R2 = 0.19 ) . Conclusions This study highlights important correlates of inflammatory status in breast cancer patients . Our results are consistent with those from similar studies of healthy women We investigated whether , in Italian patients ,  C-reactive protein ( CRP ) determination could be considered a useful adjunct , complementary to α1-fetoprotein , in the detection of liver cancer .  CRP was determined by particle-enhanced nephelometry in 171 subjects ( 102 male , 69 female ) . Fifty-five patients had mild chronic liver disease ( CLD ) , 45 cirrhosis ( CIR ) , 38 hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) ; 33 subjects were healthy controls . Patients with HCC and CIR had higher CRP levels ( P<0.05 ) than those found in patients with CLD and controls .  CRP higher than 5 mg/l was found in 30/38 ( 78.9 % ) patients with HCC , 28/45 ( 62.2 % ) patients with CIR , 16/55 ( 29.1 % ) patients with CLD ( χ2 56.0,P<0.0001 ) . Sensitivity , specificity and diagnostic accuracy of CRP  in diagnosing HCC with respect to CLD+CIR were : 78.9 % , 56.0 % and 34.9 % . However , when considered only in the subgroup of patients with α1-fetoprotein below or equalling 30 ng/ml , they were 50.0 % , 54.3 % and 4.3 % respectively . In conclusion , CRP concentration is frequently elevated in patients with HCC , however , it does not seem to improve the ability of α1-fetoprotein to discriminate HCC from CIR The most frequent cause of death in hemodialysis patients is cardiovascular disease with chronic inflammation being an epidemiologically proved risk factor . Many studies have shown C-reactive protein ( CRP ) as the strongest predictor of long-term mortality of hemodialysis patients , while other reports have indicated acute phase proteins as potential predictors of the mortality . The present study therefore aim ed to evaluate the prevalence of chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients and the role of acute phase proteins together with lipids and divalent ions for predicting mortality in hemodialysis patients . Chronic inflammation was defined , based on the serum level of high sensitive CRP > 8.4 mg/L and /or serum amyloid-A ( SAA ) > 8.9 mg/L. Acute phase proteins are defined as one whose plasma concentration increase ( positive ) or decreases ( negative ) by at least 25 % during inflammation . High sensitive CRP and SAA were positive acute phase proteins measured , while albumin and fetuin-A , a calcification inhibitor , were selected as negative acute phase proteins . This prospect i ve 36-month follow-up study included 130 patients ( 60 males and 70 females , aged 55.1 + /- 12.9 years ) maintained by hemodialysis for 107.2 + /- 54.72 months at a Nephrology Clinic in Bel grade . The prevalence of chronic inflammation  was 35.4 % ( 46 patients ) . During the follow-up period , 24 patients ( 18.5 % ) died and 2 patients received transplants . In multivariate analysis , potential independent predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients are hyperphosphatemia , hypoalbuminemia , and high SAA . Considering that assays for SAA are widely used , we propose that SAA is the best predictor for outcomes of end-stage renal disease
This meta- analysis suggests that probiotic administration may significantly reduce serum CRP while having no significant effect on serum IL10 and TNF-α
We conducted this systematic review and meta- analysis of prospect i ve studies to determine the effect of  probiotic administration on serum C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations .