Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Biochemical, Coagulation, and Hematological Parameters in Intensive Care Unit Patients with Multiple Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Community Nutrition, Food Security Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Research Center, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

5 Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

10.30476/ijns.2026.112320.1709

Abstract

Background: Synbiotic supplementation may support gastrointestinal and systemic homeostasis among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study evaluated the effects of short-term synbiotic supplementation on biochemical, renal, hepatic, coagulation, electrolyte, and hematological parameters in ICU-admitted patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial enrolled 62 ICU patients with TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale 4-14) at Al-Zahra Medical Sciences Hospital, Isfahan, from December 2024 to June 2025. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive synbiotics (3.6×109 CFU/day probiotics plus inulin, 20 g/day) or placebo (maltodextrin) via gavage for 1 week. Blood samples were collected at baseline and post-intervention to assess biochemical, electrolyte, coagulation, and hematological parameters.
Results: No significant between-group differences were observed in parameters, including fasting blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen, liver enzymes, coagulation indices, electrolytes, and blood cell counts. However, synbiotic supplementation led to significant within-group reductions in serum creatinine (p=0.001), sodium (p=0.002), and chloride (p<0.001), as well as neutrophil percentage (p=0.038), and a significant increase in platelet count (p=0.002).
Conclusion: Short-term synbiotic supplementation was associated with significant within-group improvements in laboratory parameters. However, between-group differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that larger and longer studies are needed to establish clinical relevance.

Highlights

Mahshid Elyasi (Google Scholar)

Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari (Google Scholar)

Keywords

References

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International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 September 2026

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