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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 7/2020

01-10-2020 | Probiotics | Review

Therapy with probiotics and synbiotics for polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Mauro Cozzolino, Amerigo Vitagliano, Livia Pellegrini, Martina Chiurazzi, Alessandra Andriasani, Guido Ambrosini, Nicolas Garrido

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 7/2020

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Abstract

Objective

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the use of probiotic/synbiotic in PCOS patients, without clarifying the real use in clinical practice. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics and synbiotics on metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory parameters of PCOS.

Methods

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched from their inception until May 2019. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO with number CRD42018111534. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PCOS’s women undergoing therapy at least 8 weeks with probiotics or synbiotics or without therapy were included. The primary outcomes were changes in anthropometric parameters, glucose/insulin metabolism, lipid profile, sex hormones profile, inflammation markers.

Results

587 patients were included in nine RCT. The administration of probiotic/synbiotic were associated with a significant improvement in FPG, FBI, HOMA I-R, BMI. It also modified Ferriman-Gallway, serum triglycerides, serum testosterone, hs-CRP, NO, TAC, GSH, and MDA. Subgroup analysis of the type of intervention showed that probiotics were associated with greater testosterone and FPG reduction; synbiotics administration resulted in a more pronounced decrease of the FBI. Subgroup analyses on the duration of therapy showed that, probiotic/synbiotic administration had a significantly greater effect on QUICK-I in the case of women with 12-weeks of therapy than in the 8-weeks therapy group. Nevertheless, we did not observe any significant difference was observed in terms of FBI, HOMA-IR, and FPG.

Conclusions

Probiotics and synbiotics seem to either an effect on/influence metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory parameters, or can influence them. Consequently, it could lead to an improvement of fertility in PCOS.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Therapy with probiotics and synbiotics for polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Mauro Cozzolino
Amerigo Vitagliano
Livia Pellegrini
Martina Chiurazzi
Alessandra Andriasani
Guido Ambrosini
Nicolas Garrido
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 7/2020
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02233-0

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