Evaluation of the oral probiotic lactofem effect on blood pressure, lipid profiles and glycemic index in overweight pregnant women

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic capsule on blood pressure, lipids and the levels of glycemic indexes.Materials and Methods: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 120 overweigh pregnant women with at 20-week gestational age, were divided into two groups. Individuals in the intervention group (60 women) received daily two probiotic capsules, lactofem, Containing Lactobacillu acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus gasseri and controls (60 women), daily received two capsules of placebo for 16 weeks until the end of pregnancy. Blood pressure, lipid profiles, Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), High-density lipoprotein (HLD), fasting blood glucose and 2-hour post-prandial blood sugar levels were measured, at baseline, 8 weeks after intervention and 16 weeks after intervention. Statistical analyses were done using the SPSS 23 software, the statistical tests being analysis of independent t-test.Results: The results of this study showed significant decreased in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and 2hpp levels in the intervention group compared with the control after 16 weeks of study (P = 0.001 and P = 0.006). However, no significant differences were observed between two groups regarding to fasting blood glucose levels. Significant decrease in cholesterol and LDL serum levels at 8 and 16 weeks were observed.Conclusion: Probiotic capsules, lactofem, may improves the complications of pregnancy associated with blood pressure, lipids and the levels of glycemic indexes in overweight women, which has a higher risk than normal weight women.

Keywords:

Probiotic capsules lactofem , pregnancy , overweight , glycemic index , blood pressure