Effect of combination of Beta Glucan and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HerizI on white blood cell counts and serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundAim of this study was the isolation of native probiotic and determine the effect of combination of Beta Glucan and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Heriz I on White Blood Cell Counts and serum levels of IL-4and IL-12 in breast cancer women receiving Chemotherapy. MethodsThis study was randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in 30 women with breast cancer. Women in the intervention group received two 10-mg capsules of soluble 1–3,1–6, D-beta glucan and one capsule of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain Heriz I (2×107 CFU) daily and placebo group received placebo during 21days, interval between two courses of chemotherapy. White blood cells, neuthrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 were measured before and after the study. ResultsWe isolated Lactobacillus rhamnosus Heriz I from conventional yogurt of Heriz region and registered in NCBI GeneBank. After administration, in both groups white blood cells counts decreased. At the end of study, serum level of IL-4 was decreased in combination group compared to placebo (P=0.005). Also, serum level of IL-12 in combination group increased non-significantly (P=0.066). ConclusionThe findings suggest that combination of Beta Glucan and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Heriz I may be useful as immunomodulary supplements in chemotherapy patients however further studies were needed.