TABLE 3.
Change in absolute values from baseline to 2 and 12 weeks of intervention
| Probiotic n = 29 | Placebo n = 28 | Estimated difference between groups (95% CI range) | P 1 | Effect size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFN-γ, pg/ml | |||||
| 2 wks | −1.59 ± 8.01 (−2.50, 0.82) | 1.90 ± 16.4 (−3.03, 1.67) | −2.2 (−7.40 to 2.99) | 0.40 | |
| 12 wks | −3.11 ± 9.60 (−2.34, 0.63) | 5.06 ± 20.8 (−2.48, 2.25) | −7.01 (−14.9 to 0.93) | 0.045 | 0.50 |
| TNF-α, pg/ml | |||||
| 2 wks | −0.07 ± 0.41 (−0.17, 0.10) | 0.06 ± 0.56 (−0.18, 0.14) | −0.078 (−0.275 to 0.120) | 0.44 | |
| 12 wks | −0.06 ± 0.28 (−0.27, 0.15) | −0.14 ± 0.432 (−0.24, 0.08) | 0.13 (−0.017 to 0.281) | 0.081 | 0.22 |
| Fractalkine, pg/ml | |||||
| 2 wks | −353 ± 1440 (−748, 357) | −136 ± 1280 (−725, 538) | 0.015 (−514 to 514) | 1.0 | |
| 12 wks | 227 ± 1420 (−391, 817) | −395 ± 1390 (−1190, 632) | 683 (−42.2 to 1410) | 0.064 | 0.44 |
Change from baseline for serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, and fractalkine in the subgroup of participants that provided serum samples during the first cold season of the study (2013–2014), including subjects with and without colds. Values are means ± SDs (Q1, Q3).
1Significant difference between the groups was set at P < 0.05. A mixed model was used for the analysis of serum markers and comparison between the groups, whereas a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied for the analysis of the changes from baseline within each group.
2
Significant change from baseline at P < 0.05.