Effects of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated the effect of probiotics and synbiotics on insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: A systematic search was performed to identify all relevant publications listed on the electronic databases (PubMed®, Web of Science, Embase® and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) between inception and 30 October 2020. All statistical analyses were performed on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using RevMan version 5.3 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results: A total of 486 patients from seven RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Probiotic and synbiotic supplementation appeared to improve levels of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (mean difference = -0.37; 95% confidence interval -0.69, -0.05) and serum insulin (standardized mean difference = -0.66; 95% confidence interval -1.19, -0.12). The results failed to show any influence of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and fasting blood sugar.

Conclusions: Probiotics and synbiotics appear to have a partially beneficial effect on indices of insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.