Probiotics may improve glucose and lipid profiles in pre-diabetic patients

Iran: A new study suggests that probiotics could help improve pre-diabetic patients' glucose and lipid profiles pointed out a study published in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome Journal.

Pre-diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, making it a significant global health issue. The gut microbiome may play a role in managing insulin sensitivity and glucose levels. This study aimed to examine the potential effects of probiotics on controlling glycemic and lipid profiles in pre-diabetic patients.

The research was conducted by a team from the Ghaem Hospital at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran and involved a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial of 70 pre-diabetic patients. The participants were divided into two groups, both of which received lifestyle modification training. One group received 500 mg/day probiotic capsules for three months, while the other group received a placebo.

Before and after the three-month period, a range of measures was taken, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum insulin level, HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides.

The study found the following key takeaways:

1. 1.The intervention group showed significant reductions in weight, FBS, HbA1c, TG, and LDL levels.
2. 2.The intervention group also showed significant increases in insulin levels and HDL levels.
3. 3.No significant differences were found in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and insulin resistance in the intervention group compared to the beginning of the study.

The researchers concluded that “Probiotic administration is effective in improving the glucose and lipid profiles of pre-diabetic patients, but it was not significantly different from the placebo. This means that while probiotics could be useful in the management of pre-diabetes, further research is needed to fully understand their effects and benefits.”

Pre-diabetes is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. The results of this study suggest that probiotics could be a valuable addition to lifestyle modification programs.

Reference:

AkbariRad, M., Shariatmaghani, S. S., Razavi, B. M., Majd, H. M., Shakhsemampour, Z., Sarabi, M., Jafari, M., Azarkar, S., Ghalibaf, A. M., & Khorasani, Z. M. (2023). Probiotics for glycemic and lipid profile control of the pre-diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial study. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 15(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-023-01050-9