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Probiotic supplementation reduces IL-6 and improves clinical outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD: a

Sharareh Ebrahimi1, Samaneh Mohammadi2,3, Rasoul Baharlou4,5

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine
|June 13, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Probiotics may help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Supplementation reduced inflammation marker IL-6 and improved patient-reported outcomes in mild-to-moderate COPD.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves persistent inflammation and airflow limitation.
  • The gut-lung axis is a potential therapeutic target for COPD.
  • Probiotics may modulate Th17 inflammatory pathways in COPD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on COPD.
  • To assess changes in lung function, patient-reported outcomes, and inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 44 mild-to-moderate COPD patients.
  • 8-week intervention with a multistrain probiotic or placebo.
  • Measured spirometry, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), mMRC dyspnea scale, and serum IL-6, IL-17, TGF-β.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics improved FEV1 and FVC within the group; no significant between-group spirometric difference.
  • Significant reduction in IL-6 levels with probiotics compared to placebo.
  • Significant improvement in CAT scores, exceeding minimal clinically important difference.

Conclusions:

  • Eight weeks of probiotics reduced IL-6 and improved patient-reported outcomes in mild-to-moderate COPD.
  • Probiotics show potential as an adjunctive therapy for COPD.
  • Larger mechanistic trials are warranted to confirm findings.
Keywords:
COPDCOPD Assessment Test (CAT)Gut–Lung AxisProbioticsPulmonary Function TestTh17 CytokinesmMRC Scale

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