title: Efficacy of probiotic supplementation on quality of life and pulmonary symptoms due to sulfur mustard exposure: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the efficacy and safety of supplementation with probiotics in improving chronic pulmonary symptoms due to sulfur mustard (SM) exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 65 subjects suffering from chronic pulmonary complications of SM were assigned to one probiotic capsule (1 × 109CFU containing seven strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria) every 12 h or an identical placebo for six weeks. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MMEF 25-75%) and COPD assessment test (CAT) were assessed at baseline and at the end of trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. There were significant improvements in FEV1/FVC in the probiotic but not in placebo group. CAT scores were decreased in both study groups. However, between-group comparison of changes in the assessed parameters reached statistical significance only for CAT score (p < 0.001). There was no report of adverse events during the course of trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the present trial favor the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in improving the pulmonary symptoms of SM-exposed subjects.
authors.affiliation: a Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Yunes
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Panahi
authors.affiliation: a Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghanei
authors.affiliation: a Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Ensieh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vahedi
authors.affiliation: a Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Seyyed Hossein
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.affiliation: a Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Saber
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imani
authors.affiliation: b Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Iran.
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans; D058014:Veterans Health
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas
keywords: Probiotics; inflammation; quality of life; randomized controlled trial; respiratory function; sulfur mustard