Synbiotic Bactecal® reduces airway obstruction, sputum eosinophils and IL-4 but increases sputum IL-8 in patients with uncontrolled asthma.

RATIONALE: Asthma disease is linked to a dysbiosis. Synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics which are well tolerated and safe. Although they have been shown to have beneficial effects on asthma using in vivo models, the literature focusing on their effects on human asthma is still limited.

METHODS

We performed a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial to assess the impact of a synbiotic Bactecal® on asthma control, quality of life, lung function, blood and airway inflammation in 50 patients with uncontrolled asthma 1-3-6 months after the synbiotic intake.

RESULTS

Compared to placebo, the synbiotic significantly improved FEV1/FVC and significantly reduced eosinophilic airway inflammation and sputum IL-4 level while increasing sputum IL-8 level.

CONCLUSIONS

The synbiotic Bactecal® had a positive impact on patients with uncontrolled asthma. It improved airway obstruction while decreasing airway type-2 inflammation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT03341403 (name of registry: Effect of a Synbiotic "Probiotical®/Bactecal® " in Asthma). Date of registration: 08/11/2017. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03341403?term=NCT03341403&rank=1#study-overview.