English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder, characterized by hyperglycaemia, insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. Along with diet, exercise, and oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), probiotic intervention in novel food formulations enriched with specific bacterial strains could also be effective. In patients with type 2 DM and obesity, there is alteration in composition of the gut microbiota resulting in moderation of intestinal permeability and increasing endotoxin secretion. The utility of probiotic therapy in the management of type 2 DM has not been fully explored. Probiotics also regulate gut microflora and plasma lipids. The study was designed with a purpose of assessing the role of probiotics in glucose and lipid metabolism and its effectiveness in controlling blood sugar and lipid profile in type 2 DM. METHODS The single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted from February 2019 to January 2020 in the Department of Medicine, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, in patients of type 2 DM. A total of 80 patients were included in the study with 40 as cases and another 40 as controls. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. The mean ± standard deviation, median and ranges were calculated using chi square test and independent t-test. The level of significance was considered as P < 0.05. RESULTS The FBS and HbA1C levels were decreased by 16 mg / dl and 0.5 % respectively after consuming probiotics (P < 0.001). The total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein was decreased and high density lipoprotein level was increased after taking probiotics which was significant (P < 0.001). Probiotics help in cholesterol reduction through different mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Probiotics have a definite role in improving glycaemic status and lipid levels in type 2 DM. KEYWORDS Glycosylated Haemoglobin, Type 2 DM, Probiotics, Intestinal Permeability