Study on the Effect of Probiotic Intervention on the Association Between Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Increasing evidence suggests that probiotics may restore microbial balance and alleviate metabolic disturbances. This study reviews the mechanistic roles of probiotics in modulating the gut microbiota and their potential in managing MetS. Probiotics act through multiple pathways, including inhibition of pathogenic colonization, reinforcement of intestinal barrier integrity, immune modulation, and promotion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Animal and clinical studies indicate that specific strains, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Hafnia alvei HA4597®, demonstrate beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and systemic inflammation, while traditional strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium provide more modest improvements. However, clinical outcomes vary due to differences in dosage, treatment duration, strain specificity, and individual host microbiota composition. Current limitations include heterogeneous methodologies, lack of standardized protocols, and insufficient mechanistic validation. Future directions should emphasize precision probiotic strategies, multi-omics approaches, and integration into functional foods and public health interventions. Overall, probiotics represent a promising adjunctive approach for restoring gut–host homeostasis and mitigating metabolic syndrome.