Synbiotic Supplementation as a Part of Dietary Modification in Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors, as well as environmental factors such as nutrition. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) has the potential to improve the quality of life for individuals with MS and enhance the disease course, particularly by reducing inflammation, providing neural protection, and regulating metabolic factors such as body weight. Recently, probiotic/synbiotic-supported studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of gut microbiota on the disease; however, only a few studies have thoroughly evaluated detailed dietary patterns. This study aims to examine the effects of the Mediterranean Diet, which is thought to have an impact on MS patients and many autoimmune diseases, along with synbiotic use, on the disease and quality of life of MS patients.

All patients were given MNT during the study period. At the 6th week, the study group received probiotics while the control group received placebo twice a day as recommended. In the 1st (W1), 6th (W6) and 12th (W12) weeks, three- day food consumption and 24-hour physical activity records, anthropometric measurements, hand grip strength and biochemical indicators, Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale-54 (MSQoL-54), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were evaluated.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Relapsing-remitting

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

MNT+Placebo

The participants in this group received only MNT during the first 6-week period, and MNT+placebo supplementation (2 tablets a day) during the second 6-week period. The total intervention period was 12 weeks. The placebo product contained only vitamin C and starch. The number of participants in the control group was 20.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

MNT+Synbiotic

The participants in this group received only MNT during the first 6-week period, and MNT+synbiotic supplementation (2 tablets a day) during the second 6-week period. The total intervention period was 12 weeks. The synbiotic product contained Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum Enterococcus faecium, fructo-oligosaccharide, microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, vitamin C, sweetener (xylitol and isomalt), milk flavor, anti-caking agent (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), vanilla flavoring, anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids). The number of participants in the control group was 18.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bakırkoy Prof Dr Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Hospital

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Hacettepe University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

64 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-03-01

Primary Completion

2021-11-29

Completion

2023-11-29

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations