Inulin supplementation in type 1 diabetes was associated with a slight body weight decrease and insulin need reduction, but not with an increase in Akkermansia muciniphila levels.
Key Findings
Results
Inulin supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in body weight compared to insulin alone after 3 months.
Group A (inulin + insulin) showed a change of -2 (-3; 0) kg vs. Group B (insulin alone) 0 (-1; 1) kg, p=0.03
49 subjects with T1D were randomized: Group A n=24, Group B n=25
Inulin dose was 3 g twice daily for 3 months
Subjects had a mean age of 46 [37-53] years and disease duration of 20 [11-27] years
Results
Inulin supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in daily insulin units compared to insulin alone after 3 months.
Group A showed a change of -1.5 UI (-3.1; 0) vs. Group B 0.6 (0; 1.7), p=0.01
This was measured after 3 months of intervention
Group A received inulin 3 g twice daily in addition to insulin
Results
Changes in HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics were similar between the inulin and control groups after 3 months.
Baseline HbA1c was 64 [59-72] mmol/mol for the overall cohort
No statistically significant difference in HbA1c or CGM metrics was observed between groups after 3 months
Both HbA1c and CGM metrics were collected at enrollment and after 3 months
Results
Inulin supplementation did not significantly change Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) score in either group.
There was no change in BSS score in either group (p=0.39)
BSS score was collected at enrollment and after 3 months in both groups
Results
Inulin supplementation did not increase Akkermansia muciniphila gut levels in subjects with type 1 diabetes.
Neither group showed a change in Akkermansia muciniphila gut levels after 3 months
Akkermansia muciniphila is described as having anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to correct metabolic disorders
Inulin is a prebiotic hypothesized to increase Akkermansia muciniphila gut levels, but this effect was not observed in this study population
Methods
The study population consisted of 49 subjects with type 1 diabetes with established disease and suboptimal glycemic control.
Mean age was 46 [37-53] years; 30 females (61%)
Duration of disease was 20 [11-27] years
HbA1c was 64 [59-72] mmol/mol at baseline
Subjects were randomized to Group A (inulin + insulin, n=24) or Group B (insulin alone, n=25)
Ojetti V, Saviano A, Rizzi A, Tartaglione L, Di Leo M, Quaranta G, et al.. (2026). Efficacy of inulin supplementation in metabolic control and Akkermansia muciniphila levels in subjects with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study.. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202601_37645