Effects of a novel synbiotic intervention on abdominal visceral fat reductions and gut microbiota in overweight and obese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Emerging evidence highlight the gut microbiome as an important regulator of metabolic health, with probiotics and prebiotics demonstrating exciting potential for their role in health promotion. This study aims to investigate a novel synbiotic formulation comprising four probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145, and three Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains), prebiotics (inulin, fructooligosaccharides), and Chrysanthemum morifolium extract. We hypothesized that this intervention would improve metabolic health parameters, particularly visceral adiposity.
METHODS
In a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with a 6-week post-intervention follow-up, 112 participants (BMI: 24.0-34.9 kg/m2) received daily synbiotic or a matched placebo. Changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, serving as the primary endpoint, were quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary outcomes included analysis of blood biochemical parameters, body composition, and fecal microbiota characterization.
RESULTS
Compared with placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced VAT area from baseline to week 12 (p = 0.048). In subgroup analyses by gender and BMI, the effect was more pronounced in men than in women (p = 0.051) and was highly significant in individuals with 24 ≤ BMI <28 (p = 0.003). However, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) increased in the 24 ≤ BMI <28 subgroup (p = 0.027). Although…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 112 participants or records.
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