Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Probiotics improve insulin resistance in diabetic hemodialysis patients

Key finding

HOMA-IR decreased by 0.66 from baseline to 12 weeks (p=0.006).

Probiotic supplementation significantly improved insulin resistance and other metabolic markers in diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Evidence strength

Moderate confidence

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Extended (5–20+ y)

Some Concerns bias
Last updated July 6, 2026

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

Population

Young Adult (19–39), Middle Aged (40-64), Male, Female, Asia-Pacific (APAC), with T2 Diabetes

Intervention

Probiotic supplementation, Placebo

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Extended (5–20+ y)

Primary outcome

Insulin resistance

Comparator

Group B

Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study's main message and where it applies.

Study focus

Probiotic supplementation significantly improved insulin resistance and other metabolic markers in diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that probiotics could be a beneficial adjunct therapy for managing diabetes in patients undergoing hemodialysis, potentially leading to improved metabolic health and reduced complications associated with diabetes and kidney disease.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the study limits long-term conclusions. Lack of detailed demographic data on participants.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Alexander M, John RA, Usharani P, Raja KK, Padmaja M, Imran K. Probiotic Supplementation Improves Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Patients on Hemodialysis. Cureus. 2024;16(11):e74621. doi:10.7759/cureus.74621

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Main Effects

Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased by 0.66 in the probiotic group (p=0.006).

Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased by 0.92 μmol/L in the probiotic group (p=0.001).

Nitric oxide (NO) increased by 6.16 μmol/L in the probiotic group (p=0.004).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Multispecies probiotic supplementation and Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Glutathione (GSH), HbA1c, and 3 more.

Primary intervention

Multispecies probiotic supplementation

Primary outcomes

  • Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
  • Glutathione (GSH)
  • HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

4

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

312

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 4 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

StrongDecrease

Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Evidence profile

StrongDecreaseGlycemic Control
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StrongIncrease

Glutathione (GSH)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Glutathione (GSH)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Glutathione (GSH)

Evidence profile

StrongIncreaseMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
StrongDecrease

HbA1c

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → HbA1c

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → HbA1c

Evidence profile

StrongDecreaseGlycemic Control
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StrongDecrease

Insulin resistance

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Insulin resistance

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Insulin resistance

Evidence profile

StrongDecreaseMetabolic Health
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StrongDecrease

Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Evidence profile

StrongDecreaseMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
StrongIncrease

Nitric Oxide (NO)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Nitric Oxide (NO)

Multispecies probiotic supplementation → Nitric Oxide (NO)

Evidence profile

StrongIncreaseMetabolic Health
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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Probiotic supplementation reduced insulin resistance significantly (HOMA-IR decreased by 0.66).
  • MDA levels decreased by 0.92 μmol/L, indicating reduced oxidative stress.
  • NO levels increased by 6.16 μmol/L, suggesting improved endothelial function.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.
  • Adults with chronic kidney disease and insulin resistance.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to non-diabetic patients or those not on hemodialysis.
  • Further research is needed to confirm long-term effects.
  • Potential variability in probiotic strains and dosages could influence outcomes.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
  • Short duration of the study limits long-term conclusions.
  • Lack of detailed demographic data on participants.

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Probiotics and Synbiotics and HbA1c, Probiotics and Synbiotics and Fasting Glucose.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Archive

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Probiotics and Synbiotics improve endothelial biomarkers?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics appears to improve Endothelial Biomarkers.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Nitric Oxide (NO)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 52.9 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Probiotics and Synbiotics improve oxidative stress markers?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics appears to improve Oxidative Stress Markers.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Malondialdehyde (MDA)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 52.9 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Probiotics and Synbiotics improve HbA1c?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics appears to improve HbA1c.

ConsensusScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 57.1 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 10 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
10 supporting studiesUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Probiotics and Synbiotics improve fasting glucose?

Emerging Evidence

Probiotics and Synbiotics may improve Fasting Glucose.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 52.9 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 9 supporting studies and existing graph evidence signals.

Limitations

  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
9 supporting studiesUpdated: Jul 2026
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