The effects of probiotics on VCAM-1 and ICAM-1: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

We performed the present systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of probiotics on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels in adults. A systematic search current to April 2022 was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database using relevant keywords to detect eligible articles. A random-effects model was used to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Six eligible trials were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis revealed that there was a significant reduction in VCAM-1 from baseline to post-probiotic course with standardized mean difference [SMD: −0.66 ng/ml; 95% CI: −1.09, −0.23 ng/ml; P = 0.003]. The effects of probiotic intake on VCAM-1 were more pronounced when it was received via supplements [SMD: −0.61 ng/ml; 95% CI: −1.08, −0.14 ng/ml; P = 0.010], for 12 weeks [SMD: −0.60 ng/ml; 95% CI: −1.09, −0.12 ng/ml; P = 0.014] and when it was prescribed for individuals with metabolic syndrome [SMD: −0.79 ng/ml; 95% CI: −1.40, −0.19 ng/ml; P = 0.010]. Moreover, VCAM-1 levels were decreased in the subgroup of multispecies probiotic regiments [SMD: −0.71 ng/ml; 95% CI: −1.38, −0.04 ng/ml; P = 0.039]. Our study demonstrates potential beneficial effects of probiotics on VCAM-1 in adults. However, more larger-scale, long-time RCTs are needed to confirm the accurate effect of probiotics on endothelial dysfunction biomarkers.