Background: Although several studies have found probiotics encouraging in prevention of gestational diabetes\nmellitus (GDM), the evidence for the use of probiotics in diagnosed GDM is largely limited. The aim of this study\nwas to assess the effect of a probiotic supplement capsule containing four bacterial strains on glucose metabolism\nindices and weight changes in women with newly diagnosed GDM.\nMethods: Sixty-four pregnant women with GDM were enrolled into a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized\nclinical trial. They were randomly assigned to receive either a probiotic or placebo capsule along with dietary\nadvice for eight consecutive weeks. The trend of weight gain along with glucose metabolism indices was assayed.\nResults: During the first 6 weeks of the study, the weight gain trend was similar between the groups. However, in\nthe last 2 weeks of the study, the weight gain in the probiotic group was significantly lower than in the placebo\ngroup (p < 0.05). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) decreased in both intervention (from 103.7 to 88.4 mg/dl) and control\n(from 100.9 to 93.6 mg/dl) groups significantly, and the decrease in the probiotic group was significantly higher\nthan in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Insulin resistance index in the probiotic group had 6.74 % reduction over the\nstudy period (p < 0.05). In the placebo group, however, there was an increase in insulin resistance index (6.45 %),\nbut the observed change in insulin resistance was not statistically significant. Insulin sensitivity index was increased\nin both groups. The post-intervention insulin sensitivity index in the probiotic group was not significantly different\nfrom placebo when adjusted for the baseline levels.\nConclusions: The probiotic supplement appeared to affect glucose metabolism and weight gain among pregnant\nwomen with GDM. This needs to be confirmed in other settings before a therapeutic value could be approved.
Loading....