According to a recent study conducted on pregnant women, it was found that galactooligosaccharides (GOS)-containing supplementation show a marked improvement in the composition of gut microbiota, without having any significant effect on glucose and lipid metabolism. The study was published in the journal, Frontiers in Endocrinology.
A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted among 52 women in their first trimester, between 18 and 40 years, from Peking University First Hospital in Beijing, China during August 2020 to December 2021. The participants were randomized into 4 groups (intervention and control groups) based on their body mass index (BMI). While the intervention group received GOS supplements, the control group was given placebo containing fructooligosaccharides (FOS) daily. Blood and stool samples were collected at 11-13 weeks and 24-28 weeks of gestation.
To detect the composition, diversity, and differential flora of gut microbiota, 16S rRNA sequencing technology was adopted. IL-6 levels were measured using inflammatory markers. Glucose and lipid metabolism were analyzed using fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C) and gestational weight gain (GWG).
Based on the results, it was found that prebiotic supplementation (GOS) during pregnancy can selectively promote the growth and metabolism of beneficial bacteria in the gut such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. However, their effect on glucose and lipid metabolism was negligible.
Source: Jiayang Wan, Lin An, Zhenghong Ren, et al. Effects of galactooligosaccharies on maternal gut microbiota, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and inflammation in pregnancy: A randomized controlled pilot study. Frontiers in Endocrinology. Volume 14-2023.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1034266
