Probiotic supplementation contributes to glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #probiotics #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #glycemic-control #blood-glucose

Probiotic supplementation contributes to glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Ma et al., 2025 | Nutr Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Ma Dengrong, Zhao Pingping, ... Liu Jingfang. Probiotic supplementation contributes to glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Nutr Res. 2025-Apr;136:133-152. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2025.03.002

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic medical condition prevalent worldwide. Currently, probiotic therapy has demonstrated favorable outcomes in T2DM management, albeit with a lingering controversy. In this network meta-analysis (NMA), we aimed to assess and rank the glycemic control efficacy of various probiotic strains or combinations in T2DM patients. A systematic literature review was conducted across 4 major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) including data published up to November 8, 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on probiotic therapy in T2DM patients. The quality of the included RCTs was evaluated using the risk-of-bias tool version 2, while Bayesian NMA was used for analysis. The efficacy of different probiotics and their combinations was ranked based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) for various outcome indicators. This study included 1861 T2DM patients from 30 RCTs. The combination of LAC (Lactobacillus) + BIF (Bifidobacterium) + PRO (Propionibacterium) + STR (Streptococcus) exhibited the most favorable effect in reducing the fasting plasma glucose concentration and improving the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (SUCRA: 88.8% and 77.3%). For reducing the concentration of glycated hemoglobin A1c, BIF (SUCRA: 93.1%) was the most effective; for improving insulin secretion, LAC + BIF (SUCRA: 84.7%) exhibited the most favorable outcome for improving insulin secretion. Cluster analysis of the 4 outcome indicators showed that the LAC + BIF + STR combination may have superior therapeutic effects. Multistrain probiotic combinations demonstrated greater glycemic control effects than single-strain probiotics. Thus, LAC + BIF + STR may be a promising probiotic combination for the treatment of T2DM. Nevertheless, owing to the inherent limitations of existing studies, further research is warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of probiotics.

Key Findings

Nevertheless, owing to the inherent limitations of existing studies, further research is warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of probiotics.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1861
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Probiotics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Glycemic Control
  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Adult
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Middle Aged

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Network Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

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