Fig. 2: Gene expression changes from baseline to post-intervention (week 4) and follow-up assessment (week 8) in the probiotics compared to placebo groups.

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as |fold-change| > 1.5 and p value < 0.05. A Heatmap of differential gene expression (DGE) from baseline to post-intervention assessment in the probiotics compared to placebo groups. Genes and participants are clustered based on Euclidean distance using complete linkage method. Participants are additionally split according to their treatment groups. Genes are additionally split according to their increasing (UP) or decreasing (DOWN) expression. B DEGs in the probiotics compared to placebo group between the timepoints baseline to post-intervention. C DEGs in the probiotics compared to placebo group between the timepoints post-intervention to follow-up. D Overlap of UP and DOWN DEGs in the probiotics compared to placebo groups between the study periods baseline to post-intervention (PIvsBL) and post-intervention to follow-up (FUvsPI).