Última actualización 3 de julio de 2026
Key finding
Supplementation with BL21 led to a significant reduction in HbA1c levels (p = 0.026) compared with placebo.
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 as an adjunctive therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, finding a significant reduction in HbA1c levels.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 as an adjunctive therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, finding a significant reduction in HbA1c levels.
This research highlights the potential role of probiotics as adjunctive therapy in managing type 2 diabetes, particularly in improving glycemic control. As diabetes management often requires multifaceted approaches, incorporating probiotics may offer additional benefits for patients, potentially leading to better overall health outcomes.
The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. Non-significant trends in other outcomes suggest further research is needed. The study duration may not be sufficient to assess long-term effects.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Chengsheng Z, Yinhua L, Yanyan C, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 as an Adjunctive Therapy to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Food Science & Nutrition. 2026;14(1):e71437. doi:10.1002/fsn3.71437
Supplementation with BL21 led to a significant reduction in HbA1c levels (p = 0.026).
Non-significant trends toward reduction were observed for fasting blood glucose.
Gut microbiota analysis revealed an increase in beneficial genera, including Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium.
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 and C-reactive protein, Fasting blood sugar (FBS), HDL cholesterol, and 6 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
5
Related topics
9
Evidence pairs
997
Related studies
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Evidencia principal
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Evidencia relacionada
Relación de evidencia
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Relación de evidencia
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → C-reactive protein
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → C-reactive protein
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → HbA1c
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → HbA1c
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → HDL cholesterol
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → HDL cholesterol
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Insulin resistance
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Insulin resistance
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → LDL cholesterol
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → LDL cholesterol
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Safety profile assessment
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Safety profile assessment
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Total cholesterol
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Total cholesterol
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Triglycerides
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 → Triglycerides
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Probiotics and Synbiotics and Inflammatory Markers, Probiotics and Synbiotics and Fasting Glucose.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Supplements
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
Measures Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Fasting Glucose
Measures Fasting Glucose as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Inflammatory Markers
Measures Inflammatory Markers as a key outcome.
All studies on Probiotics and Synbiotics
Contributes to Probiotics and Synbiotics evidence base.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve Fasting Glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 11 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve Insulin Resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Insulin resistance
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 5 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Probiotics and Synbiotics appears to improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 12 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HDL cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
LDL cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Total cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 11 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
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