Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Blood Glucose: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Purpose: Thisstudy was carried out as a meta-analysis to assess whether probiotics supplementation can reduce blood glucose (BG) levels in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: The analysis included 1005 subjects from 15 probiotics supplementation randomized trials in which changes in BG were reported as one of the end points. Summary estimates of weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained by using random-effect models. Meta-regression and sub-group analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Results: Probiotics supplementation was associated with significant decreases in BG levels (WMD: -0.29 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.56, -0.02; P = 0.038), particularly in subjects with T2DM (WMD: -1.11 mmol/L; 95% CI: -1.54, -0.68; P< 0.001), and in trials carried out in Iran (-0.74 mmol/L; 95% CI: -1.30, -0.18; P = 0.009). Baseline BG levels were positively related to magnitude of effect (P< 0.001). Greater bene?cial effects were consistently seen in trials with baseline BG levels ? 7.0 mmol/L (WMD: -0.881 mmol/L; 95% CI: -1.357, -0.405; P < 0.001). However, in the corresponding comparison groups, magnitudes of effect were attenuated and non-signi?cant. Conclusion: These results indicate that probiotics supplementation is effective in reducing the BG levels in subjects with T2DM and in trials with higher baseline BG levels.