Effect of Bacillius Coagulans and Galactomannans on Obese Patients Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy, A...

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of probiotics and prebiotics (LactoWise®) on weight loss, blood pressure, and clinical lab values in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Sixty patients undergoing LSG were recruited to participate in the study and randomized into either a LactoWise® or placebo group. The LactoWise® group (LWG) received 4.5 billion live cells of bacillus coagulans and galactomannans (300 mg); the placebo group received 600 mg of calcium citrate yielding 126 mg of elemental calcium. Both groups took their assigned capsule daily for 3-months post-surgery. Standard clinical lab values were measured pre-surgery and at 3-months post-surgery. Weight and blood pressures were measured at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months post-surgery.

A total of 35 patients with a mean age of 47.7 ± 12.4 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 46.6 ± 8.2 kg/m2 completed the study. There was a significant difference in BMI at baseline between the two study groups (43.0 ± 7.0 vs. 49.2 ± 8.3, P = .02). Weight loss was greater in the LWG compared to placebo at 6 weeks but showed no significant difference at 3 months post-op. In addition, there was a significant drop in triglycerides (TG) (P = .02) over time in the LWG (P = .01). The LWG had a significant decrease in AST and LDL compared to the placebo group (P = .03).

Bariatric surgery (BS) produces positively impacting metabolic results in morbidly obese patients. Our study shows that in the case of triglycerides, LDL, weight loss and AST, administering of a probiotic/prebiotic blend may play a role in improving clinical outcomes of morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG.