The effect of enriched chicory inulin on liver enzymes, calcium homeostasis and hematological parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

• We evaluated the effect of a prebiotic on liver enzymes and hematological parameters.
• Two months prebiotic supplementation reduced serum AST and ALP in patients with T2DM.
• Serum calcium significantly increased after chicory supplementation.
• Chicory also reduced hematocrit and MCV values.

Backgrounds and aimsType 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) as one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality is associated with immune system disturbances and metabolic abnormalities. In the current study we aimed to evaluate the effects of enriched chicory inulin supplementation on liver enzymes, serum calcium and phosphorous concentrations and hematological parameters in patients with T2DM.MethodsForty-six diabetic females patients were randomly allocated into intervention (n = 27) and control (n = 22) groups. Subjects in the intervention group received a daily dose of 10 g of chicory and subjects in control group received a placebo for two months. Anthropometric variables, glucose homeostasis, hematological parameters and metabolic indices including serum alanine aminotransfersae (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium and phosphorous as well as creatinine concentrations, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood pressure were assessed at the beginning and end of the trial.ResultsSignificant reductions in fasting serum glucose (FSG), Hb A1C, AST and ALP concentrations were observed in chicory-treated group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also reduced in chicory-treated group. Serum calcium significantly increased after chicory supplementation but no change in placebo treated group has been occurred (P = 0.014). Supplementation with enriched chicory for two months significantly reduced hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values (P < 0.05). Changes in serum insulin, creatinine and GFR were not significant.ConclusionThe present study showed beneficial effects of oligofructose-enriched chicory on the improvement of the glucose and calcium homeostasis, liver function tests, blood pressure and reduction in hematologic risk factors of diabetes in female patients with T2DM. Further studies in both genders are needed to generalize these findings to total population.