Probiotics ameliorates glycemic control of patients with diabetic nephropathy: A randomized clinical study

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to explore the effects of probiotic administration on glycemic control and renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: The 101 participants were randomly divided into two treatment groups and 76 patients were included in the final analysis. In 76 patients with diabetic nephropathy of type 2 diabetes, a randomized double‐blind and placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the administration of 3.2 × 10(9) CFU probiotic supplements per day (Bifidobacterium bifidum, 1.2 × 10(9) CFU, Lactobacillus acidophilus 4.2 × 10(9) CFU, Streptococcus thermophilus 4.3 × 10(9) CFU) for 12 weeks on glycemic control of patients, including fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), microalbuminuria/creatinine (mAlb/Cr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels. The placebo group daily received empty capsules filled with starch. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, the administration of probiotics demonstrated a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (10.68 ± 3.24 mmol/L before vs. 7.81 ± 2.77 mmol/L after, p < 0.05), HbA1c (8.19 ± 1.60% before vs. 7.32 ± 1.20% after, p < 0.05) and mAlb/Cr (101.60 ± 22.17 mg/g before vs. 67.53 ± 20.11 mg/g after, p < 0.05), while only mAlb/Cr level was significantly lower in the probiotic group than in the placebo group after intervention (67.53 ± 20.11 mg/g vs. 87.71 ± 23.01, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was no significant reduction of 2 h postprandial blood glucose level (18.95 ± 5.23 mmol/L vs. 17.35 ± 6.28 mmol/L, p = 0.24) and eGFR (84.34 ± 6.97 ml/min vs. 82.8 ± 8.72 ml/min, p = 0.45) in patients before and after probiotic intake. In addition, the placebo group failed to show any significant change of these parameters. CONCLUSION: This clinical study revealed probiotic administration could ameliorate glycemic control of patients with diabetic nephropathy, potentiating its therapeutic potential in clinical application.