Impact of Probiotics Administration on the VEGF, Adiponectin, and Glycolipid Metabolism, in Prediabetic Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

It is debated that probiotics can improve glycolipid metabolism and slow the progression of prediabetes to diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotics on lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, serum level of resistin, adiponectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in prediabetic patients. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on prediabetic patients in the Endocrinology clinic of Ghaem Hospital. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the probiotics group was prescribed a daily 500-mg capsule of probiotics (10⁹ colony-forming units), while the other received a placebo capsule with the same appearance. After 3 months, the effect of probiotic administration on laboratory parameters indicative of glycolipid metabolism, resistin, adiponectin, VEGF, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure was compared between groups. This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT 20190801044405 N2). Fifty-two patients were included in the final analysis, with 26 patients in each group. The mean age of patients was 43.75 ± 8.45. At the beginning, both groups were similar in all demographic characteristics and measured serum levels of investigated biomarkers (p > 0.05 for all parameters). Both groups exhibited significant changes in BMI and fasting blood sugar (FBS). However, regarding FBS, the magnitude of change was significantly greater in patients treated with probiotics (p = 0.022). Our findings also revealed a significant increase in HDL (p = 0.001), adiponectin (p < 0.001), and VEGF (p = 0.024) serum levels and a significant decrease in HbA1c (p = 0.034), LDL (p = 0.002), TG (p < 0.001), and total cholesterol (p = 0.001) exclusively in the probiotics group. Probiotic supplementation efficiently improved glycolipid metabolism, adiponectin, and VEGF serum levels.