This randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study has been conducted in 48 women with gestational diabetes. They were randomized to receive a capsules contained a placebo or a probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 109 CFU/g each) for 6 weeks.

This supplementation has reduced fasting blood glucose (p = 0.02), serum insulin levels (p = 0.001), and has increased insulin sensitivity (p = 0.001). Moreover, the probiotic supplementation has reduced plasma triglycerides (p = 0.02), VLDL-cholesterol (p = 0.02), and total/HDL-cholesterol ratio (p = 0.006), whereas HDL-cholesterol has been increased (p = 0.03). These effects may be explained at least in part by changes in gene expression, with for instance an increase expression of PPAR-γ (p = 0.01), transforming growth factor beta (p = 0.002) and vascular endothelial growth factor (p = 0.006).

Therefore, this clinical study shows that a probiotic supplementation may be an alternative approach for the management of gestational diabetes.

Babadi M, Khorshidi A, Aghadavood E, Samimi M, Kavossian E, Bahmani F, Mafi A, Shafabakhsh R, Satari M, Asemi Z. The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Genetic and Metabolic Profiles in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2018 Dec 8.