The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Serum Anti-Inflammatory Factors in the Survivors of Breast Cancer with Lymphedema following a Low Calorie Diet: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial

Background and Aim Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a treatment-related inflammatory complication in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation on serum concentrations of IL-10, TGF-beta, VEGF, adiponectin, and edema volume among overweight or obese BCSs with lymphedema following a low-calorie diet (LCD). Method In a randomized double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 88 obese and overweight BCSs women were randomized to synbiotic supplement (n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) groups and both groups followed an LCD for 10 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were made regarding the anti-inflammatory markers which included IL-10, TGF-beta, VEGF, adiponectin, edema volume, and anthropometric measurements. Also, the same factors were analyzed to find inter-group disparities. Results There were no significant differences among participants in the baseline, except for IL-10 and adiponectin. Post-intervention, no significant differences were observed regarding the anti-inflammatory markers, including IL-10, VEGF, adiponectin, and TGF-beta between the groups. After 10 weeks of intervention edema volume significantly decreased in the synbiotic group; additionally, anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI, body fat percent, and WC) decreased in both groups significantly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.005; respectively). Conclusion Synbiotic supplementation coupled with an LCD in a 10-week intervention had beneficial effects on increasing the serum TGF-beta, IL-10, and adiponectin levels in women with BCRL. It also reduced arm lymphedema volume. Therefore, synbiotic supplementation can be effective in improving health status in BCRL patients.