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 .
Synbiotic therapy (Bifidobacterium longum/Synergy 1) initiates resolution of inflammation in patients with active ulcerative colitis: a randomised controlled pilot trial
Background and aims : Ulcerative colitis ( UC ) is an acute and chronic inflammatory disease of the large bowel with unknown aetiology . The immune response against normal commensal microorganisms is believed to drive inflammatory processes associated with UC . Therefore , modulation of bacterial communities on the gut mucosa , through the use of probiotics and prebiotics , may be used to modify the disease state . Methods : A synbiotic was developed for use in UC patients combining a probiotic , Bifidobacterium longum , isolated from healthy rectal epithelium , and a prebiotic ( Synergy 1 ) , a preferential inulin-oligofructose growth substrate for the probiotic strain . Treatment was employed in a double blinded r and omised controlled trial using 18 patients with active UC for a period of one month . Clinical status was scored and rectal biopsies were collected before and after treatment , and transcription levels of epithelium related immune markers were measured . Results : Sigmoidoscopy scores ( scale 0–6 ) were reduced in the test group ( start 4.5 ( 1.4 ) , end 3.1 ( 2.5 ) ) compared with placebo ( start 2.6 ( 2.1 ) , end 3.2 ( 2.2 ) ) ( p = 0.06 ) . mRNA levels for human beta defensins 2 , 3 , and 4 , which are strongly upregulated in active UC , were significantly reduced in the test group after treatment ( p = 0.016 , 0.038 , and 0.008 , respectively ) . Tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin 1α , which are inflammatory cytokines that drive inflammation and induce defensin expression , were also significantly reduced after treatment ( p = 0.018 and 0.023 , respectively ) . Biopsies in the test group had reduced inflammation and regeneration of epithelial tissue . Conclusions : Short term synbiotic treatment of active UC result ed in improvement of the full clinical appearance of chronic inflammation in patients receiving this therapy
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 .