Effects of synbiotic supplementation on serum adiponectin and inflammation status of overweight and obese breast cancer survivors: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Purpose Adipokines and inflammatory factors can affect breast cancer (BC) prognosis and recurrence among breast cancer survivors (BCSs). This study was to evaluate the effects of synbiotic supplementation along with a low-calorie diet on some recurrence-related factors such as adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among obese and overweight BCSs. Methods We performed a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial among 76 overweight or obese postmenopausal women with a history of hormone-receptor-positive BC. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups to intake either 10(9) CFU/day synbiotic supplement or placebo (n = 38 each group) for 8 weeks. All participants were given a low-calorie diet program. The primary outcome was serum concentration of adiponectin which was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Results Compared with the placebo, synbiotic intake significantly increased adiponectin (+ 13.58 (10.08, 18.17) vs. - 0.42 (- 2.90, 1.98) mu g/ml; P < 0.001). In addition, synbiotic supplementation resulted in significant reduction in TNF-alpha levels (- 17.09 (- 32.05, - 13.60) vs. 0.20 (- 3.97, 2.00) ng/L; P < 0.001) and hs-CRP levels (- 1.14 (- 1.90, - 0.88 vs. - 0.06 (- 0.38, 0.15) mg/L; P < 0.001) compared with the placebo. Conclusions In conclusion, 8-week synbiotic consumption by overweight and obese postmenopausal BCSs had beneficial effects on adiponectin, TNF-alpha, and hs-CRP.

Automated summary

The study found that synbiotic supplementation for overweight and obese breast cancer survivors had beneficial effects on adiponectin, TNF-alpha, and hs-CRP levels.