The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Data on the effects of synbiotic supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of synbiotic supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profiles in women with PCOS. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done at the Naghavi Hospital affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, between April 2017 and June 2017. Sixty women with PCOS were randomized to intake synbiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), Lactobacillus casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 x 10(9) CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to determine related variables. Compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum insulin concentrations (- 2.8 +/- 4.1 vs. + 1.8 +/- 6.4 mu IU/mL, P = 0.002) and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (- 0.7 +/- 1.0 vs. + 0.4 +/- 1.5, P = 0.002), and a significant elevation in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.01 +/- 0.01 vs. - 0.01 +/- 0.03, P < 0.001). In addition, significant decreases in serum triglycerides (- 16.2 +/- 31.4 vs. + 5.8 +/- 23.1 mg/dL, P = 0.003), VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (- 3.3 +/- 6.3 vs. + 1.1 +/- 4.6 mg/dL, P = 0.003), and AIP (- 0.05 +/- 0.08 vs. - 0.003 +/- 0.10 mg/dL, P = 0.03) were seen following the supplementation of synbiotic compared with the placebo. Overall, we found that synbiotic supplementation to women with PCOS for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on markers of insulin resistance, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol concentrations, and AIP, but did not influence other lipid profiles. Trial registration: : IRCT201604015623N71.