Effects of probiotic administration on IGA and IL-6 level in severe burn patients: a randomized trial

Severe burn injuries are associated with systemic inflammation or even sepsis. A beneficial effect of probiotics on burn patients is reported by regulating the function of the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammation. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) acts as an anti-inflammation antibody, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) as a pro-inflammatory mediator, released extensively in burns. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single and mixed strain probiotics on the level of IgA and IL-6 in severe burn patients. A randomized double-blind trial was conducted in the burn centre of the Dr. Soetomo Hospital. Severe burn patients with more than 20% total body surface area burned were randomized into two groups. Group one received a single strain and the second group received mixed strain probiotics, once daily for fourteen days. Serum levels of IgA and IL-6 were measured on day 4 post burn injury (before treatment) and day 19 (after treatment). Seventeen burn patients were enrolled in this study. IgA increased significantly from 1.01±0.67 to 1.89±0.98 mg/mL (p<0.001) in the single strain group, and 0.96±0.48 to 2.10±1.09 mg/mL (p=0.025) in the mixed strain group by paired t-test. There was no significant decrease in IL-6 in either group. No significant differences between the two groups were observed for IgA or IL-6. Administration of single and mixed strain probiotics increased IgA level, while there was no decrease in IL-6 level