Metformin and Probiotics together Enhance Gut Health and improve Type 2 Diabetes Management, suggests study

The study revealed the following findings:

• After three months of treatment, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (2-h PG), and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were reduced in both probiotics and metformin groups and were lower than that in the control group before treatment.
• FPG, 2-h PG, and HbA1c were lower in the metformin group than in the control group. FPG, 2-h PG, and HbA1c were lower in the probiotic group than in the metformin group.
• Fasting insulin (FINS) and islet β cell (HOMA-β) -functions were dramatically increased in the same group, while insulin-resistant islet β cells (HOMA-IR) were significantly lower in the same group; FINS and HOMA-β were significantly higher, while HOMA-IR was significantly lower in both groups than in the control group before treatment.
• HOMA-IR was also lower in the probiotic group than in the metformin group after treatment; the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria increased in both probiotic and metformin groups than in the control group before treatment, and the number of Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus was lower in the control group before treatment.
• The number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria was higher, and the number of enterobacteria and enterococci was lower in the probiotic group than in the metformin group after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant.
• Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were lower in both probiotic and metformin groups.
• The serum LPS, IL-6, and CRP levels were lower in probiotic and metformin groups than in the control group before the treatment.

In conclusion, metformin treatment of type 2 diabetes is beneficial by reducing gut microbiota imbalance. Probiotic supplementation further regulates gut microbiota, reduces chronic inflammation, and improves insulin function and blood glucose control.

Reference:

DOI: 10.15586/aei.v52i4.1101