Pilot Study of Probiotics in Pre-diabetic Adolescents

Diet-induced intestinal dysbiosis in obese children contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Probiotic treatment has been proposed to alleviate glycemic dysfunction and prevent/delay development of T2D. The investigators will test probiotics to improve insulin sensitivity and preserve beta cell function in obese children.

The probiotic strains are known to improve glycemic control.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, 13-19 y. of age at Visit 1.
• BMI: 99th percentile or greater
• Acanthosis nigricans
• Pubertal Tanner stage ≥3

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary diabetes (i.e. post-transplant diabetes mellitus (DM) or cystic fibrosis DM), monogenic forms of diabetes (i.e. MODY), autoimmune diabetes or presence of islet autoantibodies.
• Known severe immunodeficiency, or immune compromised.
• Current or previous history for insulin or metformin therapy (within last 3 months).
• Antibiotic or probiotic therapy 3 months prior to enrollment.
• Start of new dietary intervention within 1 month prior to enrollment.
• Diagnosed food hypersensitivity or active gastrointestinal disease