We searched bibliographic databases from inception through May 2018 to evaluate the effect of probiotics (or synbiotics) supplementation in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seven trials involving 236 women with PCOS and 235 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Comparing with the control group, probiotics (or synbiotics) may improve Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.41, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.01 to 0.82, P = 0.04), decrease triglyceride (TG) level (mean difference (MD) - 17.51 mg/dL, 95% CI - 29.65 to - 5.36); fasting insulin: (MD - 2.14 μIU/mL, 95% CI - 4.24 to - 0.04), and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (SMD 1.55 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.28 to 2.81). No significant effect of probiotics (or synbiotics) on homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and anthropometric indices was found in women with PCOS. Although probiotic (or synbiotics) supplementation was effective on some metabolic indices, the effect was negligible and not clinically significant.
Keywords: Insulin resistance; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Probiotics; Synbiotics.