Among secondary endpoints , a significant reduction of maternal insulin ( both in women with or without diabetes ) was observed in the probiotics group .
INTERPRETATION Probiotics during pregnancy do not reduce the incidence of GDM , with a very little ( statistically but not clinical ly significant ) reduction of fasting plasma glucose
AIM To perform a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to evaluate the effect of  probiotics in pregnancy on the  incidence of gestational diabetes ( GDM ) and fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ) .
Effects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
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 r and omized 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 sample s 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 result ed in significant decreases in fasting plasma glucose ( -9.2±9.2mg/dL vs + 1.1±12.2mg/dL , P<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
Among secondary endpoints , a significant reduction of maternal insulin ( both in women with or without diabetes ) was observed in the probiotics group .
INTERPRETATION Probiotics during pregnancy do not reduce the incidence of GDM , with a very little ( statistically but not clinical ly significant ) reduction of fasting plasma glucose
AIM To perform a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to evaluate the effect of  probiotics in pregnancy on the  incidence of gestational diabetes ( GDM ) and fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ) .