Probiotic and synbiotic supplementation could improve metabolic syndrome in prediabetic adults: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: Modulation of the gastrointestinal microbiome is suggested to contribute to the progression of metabolic syndrome associated diseases. This study was designed to assess the effects of probiotics and synbiotics on metabolic syndrome in individuals with prediabetes.

METHODS: 120 adults with prediabetes were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized parallel-group clinical trial. Participants were randomized to a multi-species probiotic or inulin-based synbiotic or placebo. Blood samples and anthropometric measures were collected at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome measures were the changes between groups in metabolic syndrome and its components' prevalence.

RESULTS: A significant trend for a reduction in the prevalence of hyperglycemia in probiotic and synbiotic groups (p = 0.01 and 0.005 respectively), and hypertension in probiotic group (p = 0.04) was found. The decreases in metabolic syndrome prevalence were significant after taking probiotic and synbiotic supplementation as compared with placebo (p = 0.02). Also, the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol level was decreased during the study in the probiotic group compared with placebo (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: The potential benefits of using probiotic and synbiotic for metabolic syndrome management in prediabetes have been supported by the results in the current study which might provide an important strategy to combat metabolic syndrome-associated diseases.