Effects of probiotic supplementation on pancreatic β‑cell function and c‑reactive protein in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized double‑blind placebo‑controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a polygenic endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age that lead to infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotic on pancreatic β‑cell function and C‑reactive protein (CRP) in PCOS patients. Methods: This randomized double‑blind placebo‑controlled clinical trial was conducted among 72 women aged 15–40 years old diagnosed with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups receiving: (1) Probiotic supplements (n = 36), (2) placebo (n = 36) for 8‑week. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8‑week of intervention. Results: Probiotic supplementation, compare with placebo, reduced fasting blood sugar (−4.15 ± 2.87 vs. 2.57 ± 5.66 mg/dL, respectively P = 0.7), serum insulin levels in crude model (−0.49 ± 0.67 vs. 0.34 ± 0.82 μIU/mL, respectively, P = 0.09), homeostasis model of assessment‑insulin resistance score (−0.25 ± 0.18 vs. −0.05 ± 0.18, respectively, P = 0.14) nonsignificantly. Serum insulin levels after adjustment with covariates reduced significantly in probiotic group (P = 0.02). We did not found any significant differences in mean changes of CRP between groups (−0.25 ± 0.18 vs. −0.05 ± 0.18, respectively, P = 0.14). Conclusions: A 8‑week multispecies probiotics supplementation had nonsignificantly beneficial effect on pancreatic β‑cell function and CRP in PCOS patients. After adjustment for some covariates, serum insulin changes were significantly different between groups. © 2015 Shoaei T.