Effect of multispecies probiotic supplements on serum minerals, liver enzymes and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes

Emerging evidence suggests that diabetes is associated with altering serum minerals, elevated liver enzymatic activity and blood pressures. This study was designed to determine the effects of multispecies probiotic supplements on serum minerals, liver enzymes and blood pressure in diabetic patients. This randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial was performed among 58 diabetic patients aged 35-70 y. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume either multispecies probiotic supplements (N = 28) or the placebo group (N = 30) for 8 weeks. The multispecies probiotic supplement was consisted of seven viable and freeze-dried strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus (2 x 10(9) CFU), Lactobacillus casei (7 x 10(9) CFU), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (1.5 x 10(9) CFU), Lactobacillus bulgaricus (2 x 10(8) CFU), Bifidobacterium breve (2 x 10(10) CFU), Bifidobacterium longum (7 x 10(9) CFU), Streptococcus thermophilus (1.5 x 10(9) CFU) and 100 mg fructo-oligosaccharide with lactose as carrier substances. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8-week intervention to measure serum minerals, liver enzymes and total bilirubin. Consumption of the probiotic supplements, compared to the placebo, resulted in an increased serum calcium concentrations (0.21 vs. -0.83 mg/dL, P = 0.009) and a decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (-2.46 vs. 4.62 mg/dL, P = 0.02). We did not find a significant difference in terms of effect on serum magnesium, zinc, iron, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and blood pressures comparing the two groups. In conclusion, multispecies probiotic supplementation among diabetic patients had beneficial effects on serum calcium and ALT concentrations.