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

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 (2x10(9) CFU/g each) (n=30) or placebo (n=30) for sixweeks.Results: Compared with the placebo, probiotic supplementation resulted in significant decreases in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-5.36.7 vs.+0.03 +/- 9.0mg/dL, p=.01), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-2.2 +/- 2.7 vs.+0.5 +/- 2.4g/mL, p<.001), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (-0.1 +/- 0.8 vs.+0.5 +/- 1.5mol/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 +/- 143.7mmol/L, p=.002). Probiotic supplementation did not affect pregnancy outcomes.Conclusions: Overall, probiotic supplementation among women with GDM for sixweeks had beneficial effects on FPG, serum hs-CRP, plasma TAC, MDA and oxidative stress index, but did not affect pregnancy outcomes.