The impact of probiotics on glycemic control during the first 3 months after sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective placebo‑controlled study

TL;DR

This study found that probiotics may help reduce blood sugar levels and improve bowel symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy surgery.

Contribution

The novel contribution is evidence that probiotics can improve glycemic control and gastrointestinal symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy.

Findings

Probiotics led to lower HbA1c levels compared to the control group after 3 months.

Probiotics improved constipation and bowel movement satisfaction in patients.

No significant difference in weight loss was observed between the groups.

Abstract

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a safe metabolic and bariatric surgery but it often leads to postoperative gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation and bloating. The use of probiotics after SG seems to alleviate these symptoms.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of probiotic supplementation on macro- and micronutrient levels, specifically glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 3 months after SG. The secondary objective was to analyze the effect of probiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms.

This was a prospective, placebo-controlled study which included patients undergoing SG at a single center in Poland. Before the surgery, the patients did not note gastrointestinal diseases or symptoms. They were randomly assigned to the probiotics group (PG) or the control group (CG). Gastrointestinal symptoms and laboratory test results were assessed before surgery and 3 months postoperatively.

A total of 24 patients were included in the study, of which 11 were assigned to the PG and 13, to the CG. Three months after surgery, the patients in the PG had slightly lower levels of HbA1c than the CG participants (P = 0.01). The patients in the PG reported less constipation, better feeling of bowel movement completeness, and greater ease of defecation (P = 0.03; P = 0.01; P = 0.01, respectively) No differences in weight loss were found between the groups.

Probiotics may lower HbA1c levels, effectively reduce constipation, contribute to a better feeling of bowel movement, and facilitate defecation after SG.