The effects of probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes among subjects with gestational diabetes (GDM).

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was done among 60 subjects with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. Patients were randomly allocated to intake either probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum (2 × 10⁹ CFU/g each) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for six weeks.

Results: Compared with the placebo, probiotic supplementation resulted in significant decreases in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (−5.3 ± 6.7 vs. +0.03 ± 9.0 mg/dL, p = .01), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (−2.2 ± 2.7 vs. +0.5 ± 2.4 μg/mL, p < .001), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (−0.1 ± 0.8 vs. +0.5 ± 1.5 μmol/L, p = .03) and MDA/TAC ratio (−0.0003 ± 0.0008 vs. +0.0009 ± 0.002, p = .004), and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (+65.4 ± 103.3 vs. −37.2 ± 143.7 mmol/L, p = .002). Probiotic supplementation did not affect pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions: Overall, probiotic supplementation among women with GDM for six weeks had beneficial effects on FPG, serum hs-CRP, plasma TAC, MDA and oxidative stress index, but did not affect pregnancy outcomes.

Keywords:

• Probiotic supplementation
• gestational diabetes
• pregnant women

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Expression of Concern

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Clinical trial registration number

http://www.irct.ir: www.irct.ir: IRCT201611115623N91.

Additional information

Funding

The present study was founded by a grant from the Vice-chancellor for Research, IUMS, Tehran, Iran.