Secondary metabolic disturbances in patients with
schizophrenia or
bipolar disorder may be attributed to
olanzapine. It is important to prevent mild metabolic disorders progressing to
metabolic syndrome. This study aims to investigate the effects of
berberine on intestinal flora in patients with mild metabolic disorders induced by
olanzapine. A total of 132 patients with
schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective
psychosis that had been treated with
olanzapine for at least 9 months were randomly assigned ([Formula: see text] = 66 each) to receive
berberine or placebo
tablets for 12 weeks. Metabolic assessments and intestinal flora were quantified at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Incidence rates of adverse reactions were recorded. FPG, FPI, HOMA-IR,
HbA1, TG, BMI, and WC were significantly lower in patients who received
berberine compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment ([Formula: see text]< 0.05). The abundance of firmicutes and coliform were significantly lower and the abundance of bacteroides significantly higher in patients who received
berberine compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment ([Formula: see text]< 0.05). In patients who received
berberine, the abundance of firmicutes was significantly decreased, and the abundance of bacteroides was significantly increased, and in patients who received placebo, the abundance of firmicutes was significantly increased post-treatment, compared to baseline (both [Formula: see text]< 0.05). In conclusions,
berberine may regulate intestinal flora and metabolism in patients with
schizophrenia or
bipolar disorder and mild metabolic disturbances induced by
olanzapine.