A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Investigating the Effect of Synbiotic Administration on Markers of Insulin Metabolism and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Type 2 Diabetic Patients with - Coronary Heart Disease

Objective: The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of synbiotic administration on metabolic profiles in overweight diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done among 60 diabetic patients with CHD. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 30) received synbiotic supplements containing 3 probiotic bacteria spices Lactobacillus acidophilus 2 x 10(9), Lactobacillus casei 2 x 10(9), Bifidobacterium bifidum 2 x 10(9) CFU/g plus 800 mg inulin and group B (n = 30) received placebo for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 12-week intervention to determine metabolic profiles. Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, patients who consumed synbiotic capsule had significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose ( -19.6 +/- 74.6 vs. + 19.2 +/- 66.9 mg/dL, P = 0.03), serum insulin concentrations (-0.7 +/- 5.1 vs. + 3.3 +/- 6.3 mu IU/mL, P = 0.01), the homeostasis model of assessment-estimated b cell function (-3.4 +/- 19.5 vs. + 11.5 +/- 21.0, P = 0.006) and increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.002 +/- 0.01 vs. -0.01 +/- 0.02, P = 0.03) compared with the placebo. In addition, changes in HLDL-cholesterol levels (+ 1.8 +/- 5.7 vs. -2.2 +/- 6.0 mg/dL, P = 0.01) in supplemented patients were significantly different from those of patients in the placebo group. Conclusion: Synbiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among diabetic patients with CHD had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism and HDL-cholesterol levels.