Probiotics as a complementary treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review
Mirfeizi Z, et al
Published in Health Science Reports
Methodology
Systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies of probiotic supplementation in systemic lupus erythematosus, synthesising immunological, microbiome and disease activity outcomes.
Key Findings
Systematic review of probiotics in systemic lupus erythematosus found mostly animal and small human studies reporting reduced inflammatory cytokines, improved gut dysbiosis and modest changes in disease activity markers, but no adequately powered randomised trial demonstrating clinical benefit.
Conclusions
Probiotics are biologically plausible adjuncts in lupus and appear safe, but the human evidence is currently too thin to support clinical recommendation.
Limitations
Few human studies, small samples, heterogeneous strains and doses, reliance on preclinical models, surrogate immunological endpoints, and no pooled quantitative analysis of clinical outcomes.
Supplements Studied
Probiotics may be used in conjunction with other treatments to manage SLE. Nonetheless, current data is limited.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
University research funding (Mashhad University of Medical Sciences)
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.