The effects of probiotic administration on patients with prediabetes: a meta-analysis and systematic review

J Transl Med. 2022 Nov 2;20(1):498. doi: 10.1186/s12967-022-03695-y.

Abstract

Background: This paper aimed to examine the effects of probiotics on eight factors in the prediabetic population by meta-analysis, namely, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the mechanisms of action are summarized from the existing studies.

Methods: Seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Med) were searched until March 2022. Review Manager 5.4 was used for meta-analysis. The data were analysed using weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) under a fixed effect model to observe the efficacy of probiotic supplementation on the included indicators.

Results: Seven publications with a total of 460 patients were included. According to the meta-analysis, probiotics were able to significantly decrease the levels of HbA1c (WMD, -0.07; 95% CI -0.11, -0.03; P = 0.001), QUICKI (WMD, 0.01; 95% CI 0.00, 0.02; P = 0.04), TC (SMD, -0.28; 95% CI -0.53, -0.22; P = 0.03), TG (SMD, -0.26; 95% CI -0.52, -0.01; P = 0.04), and LDL-C (WMD, -8.94; 95% CI -14.91, -2.97; P = 0.003) compared to levels in the placebo group. The effects on FBG (WMD, -0.53; 95% CI -2.31, 1.25; P = 0.56), HOMA-IR (WMD, -0.21; 95% CI -0.45, 0.04; P = 0.10), and HDL-C (WMD, 2.05; 95% CI -0.28, 4.38; P = 0.08) were not different from those of the placebo group.

Conclusion: The present study clearly indicated that probiotics may fulfil an important role in the regulation of HbA1c, QUICKI, TC, TG and LDL-C in patients with prediabetes. In addition, based on existing studies, we concluded that probiotics may regulate blood glucose homeostasis in a variety of ways.

Trial registration: This meta-analysis has been registered at PROSPERO with ID: CRD42022321995.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Prediabetes; Probiotics; Random control trials; Systematic review.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Prediabetic State* / drug therapy
  • Probiotics* / pharmacology
  • Probiotics* / therapeutic use
  • Triglycerides

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Triglycerides