Plant bioactive polysaccharides show metabolic benefits in umbrella review of systematic reviews
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Key Takeaway
Consider plant polysaccharides for metabolic benefits but recognize evidence lacks effect sizes and safety data.
This umbrella review synthesized evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining plant bioactive polysaccharides consumption for metabolic diseases and metabolism-related indicators. The review assessed methodological quality using AMSTAR 2 and evidence quality using GRADE, though specific population characteristics, sample sizes, and study settings were not reported.
For outcomes, the review found significant positive effects on blood lipids and blood glucose, with demonstrated benefits for gastrointestinal function and obesity/body weight control. However, no significant effects were observed for blood pressure control or liver function enhancement. No specific effect sizes, absolute numbers, p-values, or confidence intervals were reported for any outcomes.
Safety and tolerability data were not reported in the available evidence. The authors note the evidence suggests promise as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, but this is based on associations from synthesized randomized controlled trials rather than direct causal evidence. Key limitations of the underlying evidence were not specified in the review.
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View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: With the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases, phytochemicals have shown great potential in the intervention of metabolic disorders. A number of studies have demonstrated that plant bioactive polysaccharides have significant effects in regulating metabolism. There is currently no comprehensive assessment of the evidence quality of studies of metabolism-related indicators.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate more credible associations between plant bioactive polysaccharides and various metabolism-related indicators by synthesizing evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
METHODS: We searched 5 databases for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials investigating the regulation of metabolic indicators by plant polysaccharides, with a total of 33 articles included, covering 111 metabolism-related indicators. Forest plots were used to summarize the indicators with significant and nonsignificant effects, and the methodological quality of the included articles and the quality of evidence were assessed based on the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews version 2 and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.
RESULTS: The study covered 6 metabolism-related outcomes, including blood lipids (51%), blood glucose (22%), gastrointestinal function (8%), obesity (12%), and blood pressure and liver function-related outcomes (7%). The results indicated that plant polysaccharide consumption exerted a relatively significant effect on regulating blood lipids and blood glucose-related indicators and also demonstrated benefits in body weight control and gastrointestinal function improvement. However, it showed no significant effect on blood pressure control or liver function enhancement.
CONCLUSIONS: The ability of plant polysaccharides to regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism suggests they hold promise as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. This trial was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42024528490 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero).
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