The effect of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones and desire to eat: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #synbiotics #leptin #metabolic-syndrome #prediabetic-state

The effect of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones and desire to eat: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Noormohammadi et al., 2023 | Pharmacol Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Noormohammadi Morvarid, Ghorbani Zeinab, ... Forslund Sofia K. The effect of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones and desire to eat: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Pharmacol Res. 2023-Jan;187:106614. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106614

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Recent studies have demonstrated the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on adiponectin and leptin levels; however, those findings remain contested. The present study aimed to explore the impact of probiotics/synbiotics on appetite-regulating hormones and the desire to eat. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching the Medline (PubMed) and Scopus databases from inception to December 2021, using relevant keywords and MeSH terms, and appropriate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted. The standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated as part of the meta-analysis using a random-effect model to determine the mean effect sizes. Analysis of Galbraith plots and the Cochrane Chi-squared test were conducted to examine heterogeneity. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of data from a total of 26 RCTs (n = 1536) showed a significant decrease in serum/plasma leptin concentration following probiotic/synbiotic supplementation (SMD: -0.38, 95%CI= -0.638, -0.124); P-value= 0.004; I2= 69.4%; P heterogeneity < 0.001). The leptin level decrease from probiotic/synbiotic supplementation was higher in patients with NAFLD than those with overweight/obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus/ metabolic syndrome/ prediabetes. Probiotic/synbiotic supplementation was associated with a trending increase in adiponectin levels, stronger in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and prediabetes (SMD: 0.25, 95%CI= 0.04, 0.46) µg/mL; P-value= 0.021; I2 = 16.8%; P heterogeneity= 0.30). Additionally, supplementation with probiotic/synbiotic was linked to a slight increase in desire to eat (SMD: 0.34, 95%CI= 0.03, 0.66) P-value = 0.030; I2 = 39.4%; P heterogeneity= 0.16). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis indicates a favorable impact of probiotic/synbiotic supplementation on regulating leptin and adiponectin secretion.

Key Findings

Meta-analysis of data from a total of 26 RCTs (n = 1536) showed a significant decrease in serum/plasma leptin concentration following probiotic/synbiotic supplementation (SMD: -0.38, 95%CI= -0.638, -0.124); P-value= 0.004; I2= 69.4%; P heterogeneity < 0.001). The leptin level decrease from probiotic/synbiotic supplementation was higher in patients with NAFLD than those with overweight/obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus/ metabolic syndrome/ prediabetes. Probiotic/synbiotic supplementation was as

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population nafld than those with
Sample Size 1536
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Synbiotics
  • Leptin
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Prediabetic State
  • Adiponectin
  • Appetite
  • Probiotics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09