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 × 109 CFU probiotic supplements per day (Bifidobacterium bifidum, 1.2 × 109 CFU, Lactobacillus acidophilus 4.2 × 109 CFU, Streptococcus thermophilus 4.3 × 109 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.