Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation

Perraudeau F, McMurdie P, Bullard J, Cheng A, Cutcliffe C, Deo A, Eid J, Gines J, Iyer M, Justice N, Loo WT, Nemchek M, Schicklberger M, Souza M, Stoneburner B, Tyagi S, Kolterman O

Published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care

Methodology

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a multi-strain probiotic containing Akkermansia muciniphila plus butyrate producers in adults with type 2 diabetes on metformin, over 12 weeks.

Key Findings

The full probiotic formulation reduced glucose area under the curve after a standardized meal (about -36.1 mg/dL·h versus placebo) and lowered HbA1c by roughly 0.6 percentage points, while the simpler formulation and placebo showed no significant change. Tolerability was good.

Conclusions

A formulation containing Akkermansia muciniphila modestly improved post-meal glucose control and HbA1c in metformin-treated type 2 diabetes, though the effect cannot be attributed to Akkermansia alone.

Limitations

Multi-strain product prevents isolating the Akkermansia contribution; 12-week duration; sponsor-run trial with company-employed authors; modest sample size.

Supplements Studied

Akkermansia

Probiotic

A multi-strain formulation containing Akkermansia muciniphila lowered post-meal glucose AUC and HbA1c by about 0.6 points in metformin-treated type 2 diabetes.