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 .
Randomised clinical trial of synbiotic therapy in elective surgical patients
Background : It is possible to manipulate the composition of the gastrointestinal microflora by administration of pre- and probiotics . This may help to preserve gut barrier function and reduce the incidence of septic morbidity . Aims : To assess the effects of a combination of pre- and probiotics ( synbiotic ) on bacterial translocation , gastric colonisation , systemic inflammation , and septic morbidity in elective surgical patients . Patients : Patients were enrolled two weeks prior to elective abdominal surgery . Seventy two patients were r and omised to the synbiotic group and 65 to the placebo group . Patients were well matched regarding age and sex distribution , diagnoses , and POSSUM scores . Methods : Patients in the synbiotic group received a two week preoperative course of Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 , Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 , Streptococcus thermophilus , and Lactobacillus bulgaricus , together with the prebiotic oligofructose . Patients in the placebo group received placebo capsules and sucrose powder . At surgery , a nasogastric aspirate , mesenteric lymph node , and scrapings of the terminal ileum were harvested for microbiological analysis . Serum was collected preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 and 7 for measurement of C reactive protein , interleukin 6 , and antiendotoxin antibodies . Septic morbidity and mortality were recorded . Results : There were no significant differences between the synbiotic and control groups in bacterial translocation ( 12.1 % v 10.7 % ; p = 0.808 , χ2 ) , gastric colonisation ( 41 % v 44 % ; p = 0.719 ) , systemic inflammation , or septic complications ( 32 % v 31 % ; p = 0.882 ) . Conclusions : In this study , synbiotics had no measurable effect on gut barrier function in elective surgical patients . Further studies investigating the place of pre- and probiotics in clinical practice are required
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 .