Meta-analysis of the effects of probiotic supplementation on glycemia, lipidic profiles, weight loss and C-reactive protein in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Several studies have been designed to investigate the beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on metabolic parameters and inflammation status in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), but results have been inconsistent. Herein, we perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on glycemia control, lipidic profiles, weight loss and C-reactive protein (CRP) in women with PCOS. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MELINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs that investigated the effects of probiotic in women with PCOS. Two investigators independently performed the screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. Data were pooled as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 test. Sensitivity analyses were performed by the leave-one-out approach. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: From the literature search, 26 publications were screened and 6 RCTs involving 406 PCOS participants (aged 25-28.5 years) with follow-up period between 8-12 weeks were included. The pooled results showed that probiotic supplement significantly affected the levels of fasting blood insulin (FBI), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), triglycerides (TG), and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C). However, no significant changes were found in other markers, including fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, body weight, CRP, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels. The pooled result was robust after the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding provides evidence that daily probiotic consumption has beneficial effects on decreasing FBI, TG, and VLDL-C, and increasing the QUICKI score in PCOS patients.
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A meta-analysis demonstrated that probiotics significantly decreased fasting blood insulin levels, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol while improving insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS.
“A meta-analysis demonstrated that probiotics significantly decreased fasting blood insulin levels, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while improving insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS [176].”
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- Authors
- Liao, D., Zhong, C., Li, C., Mo, L., & Liu, Y.
- Affiliations
- Southern Medical University (CN)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Minerva Medica
- Publisher
- Edizioni Minerva Medica
- Published
- 2018-12
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 479-487
- ISSN
- 0026-4806 (ISSN-L)
- 1827-1669
- OpenAlex
- W2904554634
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 0.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Minerva Medica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Keywords
- probiotics, polycystic ovary syndrome, glycemic control, insulin resistance, fasting insulin, QUICKI, triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, lipid profile, weight loss, C-reactive protein, inflammation, women
- MeSH terms
- Blood Glucose, C-Reactive Protein, Cholesterol, Female, Humans, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Triglycerides, Weight Loss, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Dietary Supplements, Probiotics, Lipid Metabolism
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