Abstract
Background: Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms which may
exert hypolipidemic effects through many mechanisms. Lipid profile disturbances
are frequently reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The objective of
this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus casei on serum
lipids of RA women.
Methods: In the present parallel randomized double-blind
placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 RA patients were recruited and divided
into 2 groups. They received either a daily capsule containing 108 CFU of L. casei 01, or identical
capsules containing maltodextrin, for 8 weeks. Anthropometric parameters,
dietary intake and physical activity were assessed at 2 ends of the study.
Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were
measured. Independent-samples t test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test,
and paired t test were used to test between- and within-group differences,
respectively.
Results: There were no significant between- or within-group
differences for demographic and anthropometric parameters, physical activity
and dietary intakes, throughout the study. No statistically significant within-group
changes were observed for serum lipids in either group; between-group
differences were also insignificant by the end of study period (TC: -0.18
[-0.65, 0.29], P = 0.801, HDL-C: -1.66 [-19.28, 15.59], P =
0.663, LDL-C: -2.73 [-19.17, 13.73], P = 0.666, TG: 0.12 [-19.76,
20.00], P = 0.900).
Conclusion: Lactobacillus
casei 01 could not improve serum lipids in RA
patients. Further studies using probiotic foods and different probiotic strains
are suggested.