Synbiotic supplementation reduces intestinal permeability and inflammation in overweight or obese kidney transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial.

Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), a marker of intestinal permeability, in kidney transplant recipients compared to placebo.

• 46 kidney transplant recipients were randomly assigned to synbiotic or placebo groups in a randomized controlled trial
• Participants in the synbiotic group received two synbiotic capsules daily for 12 weeks
• Reduction in serum LBP was statistically significant (p = 0.03) in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group
• LBP was used as a surrogate marker for intestinal permeability and gut dysbiosis

Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) compared to placebo.

• The reduction in hs-CRP was statistically significant (p = 0.02) in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group
• hs-CRP is identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and graft failure in kidney transplant recipients
• The trial included overweight or obese kidney transplant recipients
• Duration of intervention was 12 weeks

Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to placebo.

• The reduction in serum IL-6 was statistically significant (p = 0.02) in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group
• IL-6 is described as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and graft failure
• The study population consisted of 46 kidney transplant recipients randomized into two groups

Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (sICAM-1), a vascular inflammation marker, compared to placebo.

• The reduction in serum sICAM-1 was statistically significant (p = 0.04) in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group
• sICAM-1 is classified as a vascular inflammation marker in the study
• sICAM-1 is identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and graft failure in kidney transplant recipients

Synbiotic supplementation did not significantly change serum markers of oxidative stress, fibrosis, or kidney function.

• Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, did not show significant changes within each group
• Serum galectin-3, a marker of fibrosis, did not show significant changes within each group
• Serum urea and creatinine, markers of kidney function, did not show significant changes within each group
• These null findings were observed despite significant improvements in intestinal permeability and inflammation markers

Increased intestinal permeability resulting from gut dysbiosis, cardiovascular disease, and graft failure is common among kidney transplant recipients.

• The study was specifically designed to investigate effects of synbiotics on intestinal permeability, systemic and vascular inflammation markers, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in kidney transplant recipients
• The study targeted overweight or obese kidney transplant recipients, a population considered at elevated risk
• Gut dysbiosis is presented as a contributing factor to increased intestinal permeability in this population