Researchers conducted a study to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation on clinical and metabolic status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of patients with RA (aged 25-70) 30 were assigned to the probiotic group and 30 were assigned to the placebo group. The probiotics group received a capsule each day containing 2 Lactobacillus species and Bifidobacterium bifidum for 8 weeks. After the 8 weeks of intervention, compared with the placebo, probiotic supplementation resulted in improved Disease Activity Score of 28 (DAS-28) joints. They also had a significant decrease in serum insulin levels, homeostatic model assessment-B cell function and serum hs-CRP compared to placebo. Overall, the results of this study indicated that taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks among patients with RA had beneficial effects on DAS-28, insulin levels, HOMA-B and hs-CRP levels.
Zamini B, et al. Clinical and metabolic response to probiotic supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Rheum Dis. 2016 Sept; 19(9):869-79. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.1288. Epub 2016 May 2.