Faecal matter transplant exerts no beneficial effect on cardiometabolic risk factors

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) does not appear to have any significant effect on the cardiometabolic parameters of individuals with at least one cardiometabolic issue, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Researchers searched multiple online databases for studies in which the impact of FMT on the cardiometabolic parameters and gut microbiota composition of individuals who had at least one cardiometabolic issue.

The initial search yielded 2,414 articles, of which 18 were entered into the systematic review and 11 were included in the meta-analysis. The methodologic accuracy of studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects model.

In studies with short-term follow-up, FMT led to a reduction of 24.7 pmol/L in insulin (weighted mean difference [WMD], –24.77, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –48.704 to –0.848) and an increase of 0.12 mmol/l in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD, 0.120, 95 percent CI, 0.003–0.237).

Additionally, among participants in whom FMT was delivered via a capsule, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol also increased by 0.1 mmol/l (WMD, 0.106, 95 percent CI, 0.027 to 0.184).

FMT showed no beneficial effects on other lipid profiles, blood glucose, insulin resistance, or anthropometric indices. Meanwhile, there were changes in gut microbiota, including an increase in butyrate-producing species.