Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of Lactobacillus-Containing Probiotic

We have conducted a systematic investigation on the role of Lactobacillus on blood pressure by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to identify eligible trials from January 2000 until February 2021. Random-effects model was used to assess the treatment effect, i.e., mean difference of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We further conducted sensitivity and stratified analyses. As many as 23 studies with 2,399 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled standardized mean difference of systolic blood pressure was −0.71mmHg, 95% confidence interval −1.02 to −0.41, P<0.00001, test for heterogeneity P<0.00001; I^2=92% and diastolic blood pressure was −0.45mmHg, 95% confidence interval −0.72 to −0.18, P<0.001, test for heterogeneity P<0.001; I^2=90. The findings of this meta-analysis showed that Lactobacillus exerted significant systolic and diastolic blood pressure lowering effect compared to placebo. The subgroup analysis showed that single strain of Lactobacillus exerted more blood pressure lowering effect compared to the multi-strain probiotics. Despite these significant results, the studies included had significant heterogeneity even after sensitivity analysis.