Effects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: M Tajabadi-Ebrahimi
M Karamali
Z Asemi
M Sadrkhanlou
P Jafari
S Ahmadi
F Dadkhah
M Jamilian
Journal: Diabetes & Metabolism (2016)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Insulin resistance; Lipid profiles; Probiotic supplementation.
Affiliations: Department of gynecology and obstetrics, school of medicine, Iran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran., Endocrinology and metabolism research center, department of gynecology and obstetrics, school of medicine, Arak university of medical sciences, Arak, Iran., Department of gynecology and obstetrics, school of medicine, Iran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of gynecology and obstetrics, school of medicine, Bushehr university of medical sciences, Bushehr, Iran., Faculty member of science department, science faculty, Islamic Azad university, Tehran Central branch, Tehran, Iran., Department of microbiology, science faculty, Islamic Azad university, Arak branch, Arak, Iran., Research center for biochemistry and nutrition in metabolic diseases, Kashan university of medical sciences, Kashan, Iran. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Background: To our knowledge, data on the effects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are scarce. Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid profiles in GDM patients. Methods: Sixty pregnant women with GDM, primigravida and aged 18-40years, were divided into two groups to receive either probiotic capsules (n=30) or a matching placebo (n=30) in this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The patients in the probiotic group took a daily capsule that contained three viable freeze-dried strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus (2×10(9)CFU/g), L. casei (2×10(9)CFU/g) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (2×10(9)CFU/g) for 6weeks. The placebo group took capsules filled with cellulose for the same time period. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the study to quantify the relevant markers. Results: After 6weeks of intervention, probiotic supplementation vs a placebo resulted in significant decreases in fasting plasma glucose (-9.2±9.2mg/dL vs +1.1±12.2mg/dL, P&lt;0.001), serum insulin levels (-0.8±3.1μIU/mL vs +4.5±10.6μIU/mL, P=0.01), homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) for insulin resistance (-0.4±0.9 vs +1.1±2.5, P=0.003) and HOMA for β-cell function (+1.1±9.8 vs +18.0±42.5, P=0.03), and a significant increase in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.007±0.01 vs -0.01±0.02, P=0.007). In addition, significant decreases in serum triglycerides (-1.6±59.4mg/dL vs +27.1±37.9mg/dL, P=0.03) and VLDL cholesterol concentrations (-0.3±11.9mg/dL vs +5.4±7.6mg/dL, P=0.03) were seen following supplementation with the probiotics compared with the placebo. However, no significant changes in other lipid profiles were seen with the intervention. Conclusion: Overall, the results of our study have demonstrated that taking probiotic supplements for 6weeks in patients with GDM had beneficial effects on glycaemic control, triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol concentrations, although there was no effect on other lipid profiles. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 There are many concerns about the integrity of 172 publications by this research group, including this one. Some of the concerns are published 1. Anaesthesia 2020;75:1683u201392, see Supplementary data. This paper is A63 2. Account Res 2020;28:149-61. 3. J Clin Epidemiol 2021;131:22-29. Journals and publishers were notified of these concerns in July 2019. 23 publications have an expression of concern. To our knowledge there has been no public response about any of the concerns. We think these publications are unreliable ,