Efeito da suplementação contendo Lactobacillus casei no perfil glicêmico de pacientes com sobrepeso e obesidade

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity represents a global public health problem, with increasing prevalence in Brazil. The alteration in the composition and function of the microbiota is called dysbiosis, a condition associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.Lactobacillus casei has demonstrated beneficial effects on glycemic control in experimental studies; however, there is a need for clinical evidence in overweight and obese populations.Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementation containing Lactobacillus casei strains on the glycemic profile of overweight and obese patients assisted at the Nutrition Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital of Aracaju/SE.Methods: Prospective intervention study with adult and elderly participants (mean age 57.5 ± 15.03 years; 66.7% women) with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and glycated hemoglobin ≥ 5.7%. Participants received supplementation with 2 daily capsules of Lactobacillus casei (5×10⁹ CFU each) for 12 weeks. Sociodemographic, anthropometric (weight, height, BMI, circumferences), and biochemical data (glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-BETA) were collected before and after intervention. Statistical analysis used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to verify normality in data distribution, paired t-test for parametric variables, and Wilcoxon test for nonparametric variables in comparing data between pre- and post-intervention moments, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The sample presented a mean weight of 88.1 ± 16.01 kg and mean BMI of 32.53 ± 4.61 kg/m². No significant differences were observed in anthropometric parameters after intervention. In the glycemic profile, only insulin showed a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.028), with mean levels decreasing from 22.69 ± 24.14 μU/mL to 20.75 ± 26.72 μU/mL. Fasting glucose (p = 0.666) and glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.798) remained stable.Conclusion: Lactobacillus casei supplementation promoted a significant reduction in insulin levels without changes in other anthropometric and glycemic parameters.