Evaluation of the Effect of Antibiotics on Glucose, Insulin, HOMA, and HbA1c in People With Low Versus People With High Visceral Fat

Authors

Ashlyn Dooley, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Melissa Fernandez-Alonso, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Angela Berry, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Matthew Loritz, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Anne George, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Jessica Mrosla, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Olivia Landis, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Ryan R. Porter, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Elisa Marroquin, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Sarah McKinley-Barnard, Texas Christian UniversityFollow

Abstract

It is well known that obesity is a comorbidity for most of the leading causes of death. Recently, gut microbiota research has been shown to be a potential mechanism to regulate body weight. Synbiotics combine probiotics and prebiotics to improve microbiota survival and activity. The synbiotic used in this study includes oligosaccharide-degrading probiotics, butyrate producers, and a prebiotic dietary fiber. Antibiotics have also been given with the intention to increase the number of available bacterial niches and subsequently enhance the engraftment of the newly introduced bacteria. Little research exists to determine the effects antibiotic ingestion may have on glucose, insulin, HOMA, and HbA1c in otherwise healthy populations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore the potential effects of antibiotics on glucose, insulin, and HbA1c in people with low visceral fat compared to those with high visceral fat. METHODS: This study is part of a larger, on-going study investigating the effect of a next-generation symbiotic supplementation for 16-weeks on body composition, insulin sensitivity, and gut microbiota composition. After the informed consent was signed, a three-day antibiotic treatment was prescribed (Vancomycin; 500mg taken every eight hours) to participants at the first visit. Participants arrived fasted and blood was collected at visit one. Participants began taking the antibiotics beginning three days prior to returning for the second visit and were instructed to collect a stool sample before beginning the antibiotic treatment and within 12-48 hours of completing the antibiotic treatment. At the second visit, participants arrived fasted, blood was collected, and body composition measurements were assessed via DXA and BODPOD. RESULTS: Data was divided into low and high visceral fat. Normality assumptions were not met so a Mann-Whitney U test was conducted analyzing potential differences in changes in glucose, insulin, HOMA, or HbA1c conducted in response to the antibiotic treatment. No significant differences were observed; however, a trend toward significance (p=0.73) was observed for those with high visceral fat and increased insulin in response to the antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: While no significant findings were observed, the pronounced increment in insulin in response to the antibiotic treatment in participants with high visceral fat is interesting and warrants further investigation.

Recommended Citation

Dooley, Ashlyn; Fernandez-Alonso, Melissa; Berry, Angela; Loritz, Matthew; George, Anne; Mrosla, Jessica; Landis, Olivia; Porter, Ryan R.; Marroquin, Elisa; and McKinley-Barnard, Sarah (2025) "Evaluation of the Effect of Antibiotics on Glucose, Insulin, HOMA, and HbA1c in People With Low Versus People With High Visceral Fat," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 17, Article 194.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/194