Protective and ameliorating effects of probiotics against diet-induced obesity: A review

Angiogenesis, a key point in the association of gut microbiota and its metabolites with disease

The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that plays a crucial role in human health and disease, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. Chronic inflammation is a common feature of these diseases and is closely related to angiogenesis (the process of forming new blood vessels), which is often dysregulated in pathological conditions. Inflammation potentially acts as a central mediator. This abstract aims to elucidate the connection between the gut microbiota and angiogenesis in various diseases. The gut microbiota influences angiogenesis through various mechanisms, including the production of metabolites that directly or indirectly affect vascularization. For example, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate are known to regulate immune responses and inflammation, thereby affecting angiogenesis. In the context of cardiovascular diseases, the gut microbiota promotes atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction by producing trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and other metabolites that promote inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Similarly, in neurodegenerative diseases, the gut microbiota may influence neuroinflammation and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, thereby affecting angiogenesis. In cases of fractures and wound healing, the gut microbiota promotes angiogenesis by activating inflammatory responses and immune effects, facilitating the healing of tissue damage. In cancer, the gut microbiota can either inhibit or promote tumor growth and angiogenesis, depending on the specific bacterial composition and their metabolites. For instance, some bacteria can activate inflammasomes, leading to the production of inflammatory factors that alter the tumor immune microenvironment and activate angiogenesis-related signaling pathways, affecting tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Some bacteria can directly interact with tumor cells, activating angiogenesis-related signaling pathways. Diet, as a modifiable factor, significantly influences angiogenesis through diet-derived microbial metabolites. Diet can rapidly alter the composition of the microbiota and its metabolic activity, thereby changing the concentration of microbial-derived metabolites and profoundly affecting the host's immune response and angiogenesis. For example, a high animal protein diet promotes the production of pro-atherogenic metabolites like TMAO, activating inflammatory pathways and interfering with platelet function, which is associated with the severity of coronary artery plaques, peripheral artery disease, and cardiovascular diseases. A diet rich in dietary fiber promotes the production of SCFAs, which act as ligands for cell surface or intracellular receptors, regulating various biological processes, including inflammation, tissue homeostasis, and immune responses, thereby influencing angiogenesis. In summary, the role of the gut microbiota in angiogenesis is multifaceted, playing an important role in disease progression by affecting various biological processes such as inflammation, immune responses, and multiple signaling pathways. Diet-derived microbial metabolites play a crucial role in linking the gut microbiota and angiogenesis. Understanding the complex interactions between diet, the gut microbiota, and angiogenesis has the potential to uncover novel therapeutic targets for managing these conditions. Therefore, interventions targeting the gut microbiota and its metabolites, such as through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and the application of probiotics to alter the composition of the gut microbiota and enhance the production of beneficial metabolites, present a promising therapeutic strategy.

Understanding the complex function of gut microbiota: its impact on the pathogenesis of obesity and beyond: a comprehensive review

Obesity is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbiome-related factors. The gut microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining intestinal health, increasing mucus creation, helping the intestinal epithelium mend, and regulating short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. These tasks are vital for managing metabolism and maintaining energy balance. Dysbiosis-an imbalance in the microbiome-leads to increased appetite and the rise of metabolic disorders, both fuel obesity and its issues. Furthermore, childhood obesity connects with unique shifts in gut microbiota makeup. For instance, there is a surge in pro-inflammatory bacteria compared to children who are not obese. Considering the intricate nature and variety of the gut microbiota, additional investigations are necessary to clarify its exact involvement in the beginnings and advancement of obesity and related metabolic dilemmas. Currently, therapeutic methods like probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), dietary interventions like Mediterranean and ketogenic diets, and physical activity show potential in adjusting the gut microbiome to fight obesity and aid weight loss. Furthermore, the review underscores the integration of microbial metabolites with pharmacological agents such as orlistat and semaglutide in restoring microbial homeostasis. However, more clinical tests are essential to refine the doses, frequency, and lasting effectiveness of these treatments. This narrative overview compiles the existing knowledge on the multifaceted role of gut microbiota in obesity and much more, showcasing possible treatment strategies for addressing these health challenges.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Adzuki Bean Saponins in Improving Lipid Metabolism Through Reducing Oxidative Stress and Alleviating Mitochondrial Abnormality by Activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Obesity is a chronic and complex disease defined by the excessive deposition of fat and is highly associated with oxidative stress. Adzuki bean saponins (ABS) showed anti-obesity activity in our previous in vivo study; however, the active saponins of adzuki beans and potential mechanisms are still unclear. This research aims to elucidate the anti-obesity effects of ABS in improving lipid metabolism and oxidative stress, exploring the effective ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms through UHPLC-QE-MS analysis, network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and in vitro experiments both in the 3T3-L1 cell line and HepG2 cell line. The results indicate that ABS can improve intracellular lipid accumulation, adipogenesis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage caused by lipid accumulation including ROS generation, abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP disorder. Fifteen saponin components were identified with the UHPLC-QE-MS analysis. The network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses indicated that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is associated with the bioactive effect of ABS. Through Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis, the anti-obesity effect of ABS is achieved through regulation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway and activation of downstream transcription factor c-Myc in the lipid accumulation cell model, and regulation of β-catenin signaling and inhibition of downstream transcription factor C/EBPα in the adipocyte cell model. These results illustrate the biological activity of ABS in improving fat metabolism and oxidative stress by restoring mitochondrial function through β-catenin signaling, the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, laying the foundation for its further development.

Potential Anti-Obesity Effect of Hazel Leaf Extract in Mice and Network Pharmacology of Selected Polyphenols

Background: Obesity is gradually becoming a widespread health problem, and treatment using natural compounds has seen an increasing trend. As a by-product of hazelnut, hazel leaf is usually disposed of as waste, but it is widely used in traditional and folk medicines around the world. Aim of this study: Based on previous studies, the effects of the regulation of lipid metabolism and the mechanism of hazel leaf polyphenol extraction obesity were investigated. Methods: In this study, a high-fat diet-fed mouse model of obesity and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were established. The ameliorative effects of the hazel leaf polyphenol extract on obesity and the regulating lipid metabolisms were explored based on network pharmacology, gut microbiota, and molecular docking. Results: Network pharmacology showed that hazel leaf polyphenols may play a role by targeting key targets, including PPARγ, and regulating the PPAR signaling pathway. They significantly improved body weight gain, the liver index, and adiposity and lipid levels; regulated the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid contents; down-regulated the expression of lipid synthesis proteins SREBP1c, PPARγ, and C/EBP-α; and up-regulated the expression of p-AMPK in obese mice. They inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, and the expression of related proteins is consistent with the results in vivo. The molecular docking results indicated that gallic acid, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin, myricetin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside in the hazel leaf polyphenol extract had strong binding activities with PPARγ, C/EBP-α, and AMPK. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the hazel leaf polyphenol extract can improve obesity by regulating lipid metabolism, which provides a valuable basis for developing health products made from hazel leaf polyphenols in the future.

Candida tropicalis ZD-3 prevents excessive fat deposition by regulating ileal microbiota and bile acids enterohepatic circulation in broilers

Introduction

Evidence suggests that the dietary intake of Candida tropicalisZD-3 (ZD-3) has various health benefits, but the treatment mechanisms and effects remain unclear. The aim of this study investigates the effect of ZD-3 on reducing fat deposition in broilers and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

180 one-day-old, yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into three groups: control (CON) group fed a basal diet, an active Candida tropicalis ZD-3 (ZD) group supplemented with ZD, and a heat-inactivated Candida tropicalis ZD-3 (HZD) group supplemented with HZD. The experiment lasted for 28 d.

Results

The ZD and HZD treatments significantly reduced the abdominal fat index (p < 0.05), decreased TG levels in serum and liver (p < 0.05), altered the ileal microbial composition by reducing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. Additionally, the ZD and HZD treatments reduced liver cholesterol by decreasing ileal FXR-FGF19 signaling and increasing liver FXR-SHP signaling (p < 0.05). The ZD and HZD treatments also changed liver PC and TG classes lipid composition, regulating liver lipid metabolism by promoting TG degradation and modulating the signal transduction of the cell membrane.

Discussion

Overall, ZD-3 was effective in improving lipid metabolism in broilers by regulating the ileal microbial composition and BAs enterohepatic circulation. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of ZD-3 for the regulation of lipid metabolism in broilers.

Glucosinolate extract from radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity: insights into gut microbiota and fecal metabolites

Background

Radish seed is a functional food with many beneficial health effects. Glucosinolates are characteristic components in radish seed that can be transformed into bioactive isothiocyanates by gut microbiota.

Objective

The present study aims to assess anti-obesity efficacy of radish seed glucosinolates (RSGs) and explored the underlying mechanisms with a focus on gut microbiota and fecal metabolome.

Methods

High-fat diet-induced obese mice were supplemented with different doses of RSGs extract for 8 weeks. Changes in body weight, serum lipid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels; and pathological changes in the liver and adipose tissue were examined. Fecal metabolome and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to analyze alterations in fecal metabolite abundance and the gut microbiota, respectively.

Results and conclusion

Results showed that RSG extract prevented weight gain and decreased serum lipid, ALT, AST levels and lipid deposition in liver and epididymal adipocytes in obese mice. Treatment with RSG extract also increased gut microbiota diversity and altered the dominant bacteria genera in the gut microbiota, decreasing the abundance of Faecalibaculum and increasing the abundance of Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Turicibacter, and Akkermansia. Fecal metabolome results identified 570 differentially abundant metabolites, of which glucosinolate degradation products, such as sulforaphene and 7-methylsulfinylheptyl isothiocyanate, were significantly upregulated after RSG extract intervention. Furthermore, enrichment analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the anti-obesity effects of RSG extract may be mediated by alterations in bile secretion, fat digestion and absorption, and biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. Overall, RSG extract can inhibit the development of obesity, and the obesity-alleviating effects of RSG are related to alternative regulation of the gut microbiota and glucosinolate metabolites.

Is oxidative stress - antioxidants imbalance the physiopathogenic core in pediatric obesity?

Despite the early recognition of obesity as an epidemic with global implications, research on its pathogenesis and therapeutic approach is still on the rise. The literature of the 21st century records an excess weight found in up to 1/3 of children. Both the determining factors and its systemic effects are multiple and variable. Regarding its involvement in the potentiation of cardio-vascular, pulmonary, digestive, metabolic, neuro-psychic or even dermatological diseases, the information is already broadly outlined. The connection between the underlying disease and the associated comorbidities seems to be partially attributable to oxidative stress. In addition to these, and in the light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the role played by oxidative stress in the induction, maintenance and potentiation of chronic inflammation among overweight children and adolescents becomes a topic of interest again. Thus, this review's purpose is to update general data on obesity, with an emphasis on the physiopathological mechanisms that underlie it and involve oxidative stress. At the same time, we briefly present the latest principles of pathology diagnosis and management. Among these, we will mainly emphasize the impact played by endogenous and exogenous antioxidants in the evolutionary course of pediatric obesity. In order to achieve our objectives, we will refer to the most recent studies published in the specialized literature.

Screening of the Lipid-Lowering Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum SDJ09 and its Anti-Obesity Mechanism

In this study, 39 strains of lactic acid bacteria were screened from several fermented foods. Based on the evaluation of functional and prebiotic properties, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SDJ09 was selected as a promising candidate. It gave a 48.16% cholesterol reduction and 33.73% pancreatic lipase inhibition in cells; exhibited high resistance to acid, bile salts, and gastrointestinal fluid; and had strong antibacterial activity and high adhesion capabilities. More importantly, the lipid-lowering effect of L. plantarum SDJ09 was also investigated using 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes and HepG2 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease models. L. plantarum SDJ09 effectively decreased triglyceride accumulation by more than 50% in both cell models, in which the expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, aP2, and LPL in 3T3-L1 cells was significantly downregulated by L. plantarum SDJ09. L. plantarum SDJ09 also improved lipid metabolism by downregulating the expression of HMGCR, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS and upregulating the expression of CYP7A1 in HepG2 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cells. Therefore, L. plantarum SDJ09 has the potential to effectively decrease obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting lipid accumulation, providing a prospective probiotic agent for anti-obesity.

Positive effects of extracellular polysaccharides from Paecilomyces hepiali on immune-enhancing properties by regulating gut microbiota in cyclophosphamide-induced mice

Paecilomyces hepiali is a precious health-care edible medicinal fungus with rich polysaccharides and exhibits various biological activities. Polysaccharides from P. hepiali fermentation broth (PHP) exhibits good immunomodulatory activity; however, the mechanism underlying PHP-mediated regulation of immunity and gut microbiota remains unclear. To reveal the mechanisms, PHP of different doses were used to intervene cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressive model mice. The results revealed that PHP facilitated the secretion of serum cytokines, increased the mRNA and protein expression of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, it improved the physical barrier function of the intestine by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. PHP increased the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, including, Actinobacteriota, Alistipes, Candidatus_Saccharimonas and unclassified_Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, and reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria, Deferribacterota, Mucispirillum and Escherichia_Shigella, promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids, which were positively associated with immune traits. Thus, as an immune enhancer, PHP has the potential to regulate the intestinal immune response in immunosuppressed mice through modulating gut microbiota.

Mixed κ/ι-carrageenan - LM pectin gels: Relating the rheological and mechanical properties with the capacity for probiotic encapsulation

The rheological and mechanical properties of mixed κ/ι-carrageenan - LM pectin gels were determined, and the potential of these gels for the formation of beads using the extrusion method and for the encapsulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 (LGG) was evaluated. Self-standing gels were obtained with all formulations evaluated. Carrageenan-rich gels, with carrageenan fraction (XC) ≥ 0.75, exhibited the highest storage modulus, but they were also brittle, while pectin-rich gels (XC ≤ 0.25) presented the highest hardness and cohesiveness. Pectin-rich formulations formed beads with the smallest initial diameter (2.40-2.45 mm), and the addition of carrageenan produced significantly more spherical beads compared to pure-pectin ones. As pectin-rich beads were the formulations that resisted simulated gastrointestinal conditions, these were selected for the encapsulation of LGG. These beads showed high encapsulation yields (87-96 %), and the percentage reduction of CFU/g during storage and simulated gastrointestinal conditions was not significantly different among formulations, the latter being significantly lower for encapsulated cells (8.64-15.03 %) compared to free cells (71.20 %). These results indicate that carrageenan-pectin gel beads with XC ≤ 0.25 were successful in encapsulating probiotic bacteria, and this capacity was related to the rheological and mechanical properties of the gels.

Prevotella histicola ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting IRE1α-JNK pathway of ER stress and NF-κB signaling

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal inflammation regulated by intricate mechanisms. Recently, prebiotics is considered as promising nutritional strategy for the prevention and treatment of IBD. Prevotella histicola (P. histicola), an emerging probiotic, possesses apparently anti-inflammatory bioactivity. However, the role and underlying mechanism of P. histicola on IBD remain unclear. Hence, we probe into the effect of P. histicola on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and clarified the potential mechanism. Our results revealed that DSS-induced colonic inflammatory response and damaged epithelial barrier in mice were attenuated by oral administration of P. histicola. Moreover, supplementary P. histicola significantly enriched short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Lactobacillus, and Bacillus) and reduced pathogenic bacteria (Erysipelotrichaceae, Clostridium, Bacteroides) in DSS-induced colitis. Notably, In DSS-treated mice, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was persistently activated in colonic tissue. Conversely, P. histicola gavage suppressed expansion of endoplasmic reticulum, downregulated PERK-ATF4-CHOP and IRE1α-JNK pathway. In vitro, the P. histicola supernatant eliminated LPS-induced higher production of pro-inflammatory cytokines regulated by NF-κB and impairment of epithelial barrier by inhibiting IRE1α-JNK signaling in Caco-2 cell. In summary, our study indicated that P. histicola mitigated DSS-induced chronic colitis via inhibiting IRE1α-JNK pathway and NF-κB signaling. These findings provide the new insights into the promotion of gut homeostasis and the application potential of P. histicola as a prebiotic for IBD in the future.

Optimal probiotic combinations for treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Probiotic administration is a promising therapy for improving conditions in NAFLD patients. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and estimate the relative effects of probiotic interventions and identify the optimal probiotic species for the treatment of NAFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) patients.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 29 January 2024 to identify RCTs that were published in English. The GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate.

RESULTS

A total of 35 RCTs involving 2212 NAFLD patients were included in the analysis. For primary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus exhibited the highest probability of being the finest probiotic combination in terms of enhancing acceptability as well as reducing AST (SMD: -1.95 95% CI: -2.90, -0.99), ALT (SMD = -1.67, 95% CI: -2.48, -0.85), and GGT levels (SMD = -2.17, 95% CI: -3.27, -1.06). In terms of the secondary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus was also the best probiotic combination for reducing BMI (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.86, -0.04), LDL levels (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.02), TC levels (SMD = -1.09, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.29), and TNF-α levels (SMD = -1.73, 95% CI: -2.72, -0.74).

CONCLUSION

This network meta-analysis revealed that Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus may be the most effective probiotic combination for the treatment of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and inflammation factors. These findings can be used to guide the development of a probiotics-based treatment guideline for NAFLD since there are few direct comparisons between different therapies.

Lipid metabolism regulation by dietary polysaccharides with different structural properties

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in energy homeostasis maintenance in response to stress. Nowadays, hyperlipidemia-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and fatty liver pose significant health challenges. Dietary polysaccharides (DPs) have gained attention for their effective lipid-lowering properties. This review examines the multifaceted mechanisms that DPs employ to lower lipid levels in subjects with hyperlipidemia. DPs could directly inhibit lipid intake and absorption, promote lipid excretion, and regulate key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism pathways, including triglyceride and cholesterol anabolism and catabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and bile acid synthesis. Additionally, DPs indirectly improve lipid homeostasis by modulating gut microbiota composition and alleviating oxidative stress. Moreover, the lipid-lowering mechanisms of particular structural DPs (including β-glucan, pectin, glucomannan, inulin, arabinoxylan, and fucoidan) are summarized. The relationship between the structure and lipid-lowering activity of DPs is also discussed based on current researches. Finally, potential breakthroughs and future directions in the development of DPs in lipid-lowering activity are discussed. The paper could provide a reference for further exploring the mechanism of DPs for lipid regulations and utilizing DPs as lipid-lowering dietary ingredients.

Probiotic-fermented tomato with hepatic lipid metabolism modulation effects: analysis of physicochemical properties, bioactivities, and potential bioactive compounds

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCUH001046 (LP)-fermented tomatoes exhibited the potential to alleviate obesity in our previous study. This subsequent study further delves deeper into the effects of LP fermentation on the physicochemical properties, bioactivities, and hepatic lipid metabolism modulation of tomatoes, as well as the analysis of potential bioactive compounds exerting obesity-alleviating effects. Results showed that after LP fermentation, viable bacterial counts peaked at 9.11 log CFU mL-1 and sugar decreased, while organic acids, umami amino acids, total phenols, and total flavonoids increased. LP fermentation also improved the inhibition capacities of three digestive enzyme activities and Enterobacter cloacae growth, as well as antioxidant activities. Western blot results indicated that fermented tomatoes, especially live probiotic-fermented tomatoes (LFT), showed improved effects compared to unfermented tomatoes in reducing hepatic lipid accumulation by activating the AMPK signal pathway. UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that chlorogenic acid, capsiate, tiliroside, irisflorentin, and homoeriodictyol levels increased after fermentation. Subsequent cell culture assays demonstrated that irisflorentin and homoeriodictyol reduced lipid accumulation via enhancing AMPK expression in oleic acid-induced hyperlipidemic HepG2 cells. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the five phenols were positively associated with hepatic AMPK pathway activation. Consequently, it could be inferred that the five phenols may be potential bioactive compounds in LFT to alleviate obesity and lipid metabolism disorders. In summary, these findings underscored the transformative potential of LP fermentation in enhancing the bioactive profile of tomatoes and augmenting its capacity to alleviate obesity and lipid metabolism disorders. This study furnished theoretical underpinnings for the functional investigation of probiotic-fermented plant-based foods.

Dietary intake of whole king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) attenuated obesity via ameliorating lipid metabolism and alleviating gut microbiota dysbiosis

There is a growing interest in employing whole food-based strategies to prevent chronic diseases, owing to the potential synergistic interactions among various bioactive components found within whole foods. The current research aimed to determine inhibitory effects of the whole edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii (WPE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. Our results showed that dietary intake of WPE significantly inhibited the abnormal gain of body weight and adipose tissue weight, improved glucose tolerance, and ameliorated the serum biochemical parameters in HFD-fed mice. The histological analysis illustrated that the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver induced by HFD was significantly reduced by WPE. Oral intake of WPE profoundly modulated the mRNA levels of hepatic genes involved in lipid metabolism and also increased the level of short-chain fatty acids in the mouse cecum. Moreover, WPE alleviated the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Sutteralla), and decreasing the harmful ones (rc4-4, Dorea, Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Ruminococcus). These findings presented new evidence supporting that WPE could be used as a whole food-based strategy to protect against obesity and obesity-driven health problems.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 fermented yogurt alleviated high-fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis via the gut microbiota-butyric acid-hepatic lipid metabolism axis

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 fermented yogurt (HF01-Y). Herein, obesity was induced in mice through a high-fat diet and the changes in the gut microbiota were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, combined with the expression levels of the liver AMPK signaling pathway to analyze the potential relationship between HF01-Y-mediated gut microbiota and obesity. The results showed that supplementation with HF01-Y improved obesity-related phenotypes in mice, including reduced body weight, improved serum lipid profiles, and decreased hepatic lipid droplet formation. In addition, HF01-Y altered the composition of the gut microbiota in obese mice, significantly upregulated norank_f__Muribaculaceae, unclassified_c__Clostridia, Blautia, unclassified_o__Bacteroidales, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, while downregulating unclassified_f__Desulfovibrionaceae, Colidextribacter, and unclassified_f__Oscillospiraceae. These alterations led to an increase of the cecum butyric acid content, which in turn indirectly promoted the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway, subsequently, inhibited fat synthesis, and promoted fatty acid oxidation related gene expression. Therefore, HF01-Y was likely to alleviate hepatic fat and relieve obesity by modulating the gut microbiota-butyric acid-hepatic lipid metabolism axis, ultimately promoting host health.

A 12-Week, Single-Centre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Design Clinical Trial for the Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001 in Reducing Body Fat

There is growing evidence linking gut microbiota to overall health, including obesity risk and associated diseases. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001, a probiotic strain isolated from Angelica gigas, has been reported to reduce obesity by controlling the gut microbiome. In this double-blind, randomised clinical trial, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SKO-001 in reducing body fat. We included 100 participants randomised into SKO-001 or placebo groups (1:1) for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to objectively evaluate body fat reduction. Body fat percentage (p = 0.016), body fat mass (p = 0.02), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (p = 0.025), and adiponectin levels (p = 0.023) were lower in the SKO-001 group than in the placebo group after 12 weeks of SKO-001 consumption. In the SKO-001 group, the subcutaneous fat area (p = 0.003), total cholesterol levels (p = 0.003), and leptin levels (p = 0.014) significantly decreased after 12 weeks of SKO-001 consumption compared with baseline values. Additionally, SKO-001 did not cause any severe adverse reactions. In conclusion, SKO-001 is safe and effective for reducing body fat and has the potential for further clinical testing in humans.

All-optical dual module platform for motility-based functional scrutiny of microencapsulated probiotic bacteria

Probiotic bacteria are widely used in pharmaceutics to offer health benefits. Microencapsulation is used to deliver probiotics into the human body. Capsules in the stomach have to keep bacteria constrained until release occurs in the intestine. Once outside, bacteria must maintain enough motility to reach the intestine walls. Here, we develop a platform based on two label-free optical modules for rapidly screening and ranking probiotic candidates in the laboratory. Bio-speckle dynamics assay tests the microencapsulation effectiveness by simulating the gastrointestinal transit. Then, a digital holographic microscope 3D-tracks their motility profiles at a single element level to rank the strains.

Evaluation of a Standard Dietary Regimen Combined with Heat-Inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri HM1, Lactoferrin-Producing HM1, and Their Sonication-Inactivated Variants in the Management of Metabolic Disorders in an Obesity Mouse Model

This study investigated the impact of incorporating various inactivated probiotic formulations, with or without recombinant lactoferrin (LF) expression, into a standard chow diet on metabolic-related disorders in obese mice. After inducing obesity through a 13-week high-fat diet followed by a standard chow diet, mice received daily oral administrations of different probiotics for 6 weeks using the oral gavage approach. These probiotic formulations consisted of a placebo (MRS), heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri HM1 (HK-HM1), heat-killed LF-expression HM1 (HK-HM1/LF), sonication-killed HM1 (SK-HM1), and sonication-killed LF-expression HM1 (SK-HM1/LF). The study successfully induced obesity, resulting in worsened glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, the regular diet alone improved glucose tolerance, and the addition of inactivated probiotics further enhanced this effect, with SK-HM1/LF demonstrating the most noticeable improvement. However, while regular dietary intervention alone improved insulin sensitivity, probiotic supplementation did not provide additional benefits in this aspect. Inflammation in perirenal and epididymal fat tissues was partially alleviated by the regular diet and further improved by probiotics, particularly by SK-HM1, which showed the most significant reduction. Additionally, HK-HM1 and HK-HM1/LF supplements could contribute to the improvement of serum total triglycerides or total cholesterol, respectively. Overall, incorporating inactivated probiotics into a regular diet may enhance metabolic indices, and recombinant LF may offer potential benefits for improving glucose tolerance.

Probiotic-fermented tomato alleviates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice: Insights from microbiome and metabolomics

Probiotic-fermented plant-based foods are associated with weight loss. Here, we hypothesized probiotic-fermented tomato (FT) as a functional food with potential to alleviate obesity, thus the obesity-alleviating effects and mechanisms of FT on high-fat diet-induced obese mice were explored via biochemical, gut microbiome, and serum metabolomics analysis. The results showed that FT performed better than unfermented tomato in reducing body weight gain and fat accumulation, improving dyslipidemia and glucose homeostasis, and relieving inflammation and adipocytokine dysregulation. Particularly, live probiotic-fermented tomato (LFT) was associated with improved diversity, composition, and structure of gut microbiota, suppressed obesity-related genera growth (e.g., Clostridium, Olsenella, and Mucispirillum), and promoted beneficial genera growth (e.g., Roseburia, Coprococcus, and Oscillospira), which were associated negatively with body weight, TC, TG, and TNF-α levels. Additionally, LFT was associated with positive changes in glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, unsaturated fatty acids, and amino acids levels. Collectively, as a functional food, LFT possessed potential for obesity alleviation.

Effects of gut bacteria and their metabolites on gut health of animals

The intestine tract is a vital site for the body to acquire nutrients, serving as the largest immune organ. Intestinal health is crucial for maintaining a normal physiological state. Abundant microorganisms reside in the intestine, colonized in a symbiotic manner. These microorganisms can generate various metabolites that influence host physiological activities. Microbial metabolites serve as signaling molecules or metabolic substrates in the intestine, and some intestinal microorganisms act as probiotics and promote intestinal health. Researches on host, probiotics, microbial metabolites and their interactions are ongoing. This study reviews the effects of gut bacteria and their metabolites on intestinal health to provide useful references for animal husbandry.

Lactobacillus paracasei JY062 Alleviates Glucolipid Metabolism Disorders via the Adipoinsular Axis and Gut Microbiota

Glycolipid metabolic disorders (GLMD) refer to a series of metabolic disorders caused by abnormal processes of glucose and lipid synthesis, decomposition, and absorption in the body, leading to glucose and lipid excess, insulin resistance, and obesity. Probiotic intervention is a new strategy to alleviate metabolic syndrome. Lactobacillus paracasei JY062 (L. paracasei JY062) was separated from the Tibet-fermented dairy products. The results demonstrated a strong ability to relieve blood glucose disorders, blood lipid disorders, and tissue damage. The LPH group had the best effect, significantly decreasing the total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), leptin, insulin, and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, and GLP-1 level compared to HFD-group mice. L. paracasei JY062 could activate the APN-AMPK pathway, increased AdipoQ, AMPK GLUT-4, and PGC-1α mRNA expression and decreased SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS mRNA expression. L. paracasei JY062 intervention decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, and restored the imbalance of gut microbiota homeostasis caused by a high-glucose-fat diet. L. paracasei JY062 alleviated glucolipid metabolism disorders via the adipoinsular axis and gut microbiota. This study provided a theoretical basis for probiotics to ameliorate glucolipid metabolism disorders by regulating the adipoinsular axis.

Symbiotic probiotic communities with multiple targets successfully combat obesity in high-fat-diet-fed mice

Probiotics hold great potential for treating metabolic diseases such as obesity. Given the complex and multifactorial nature of these diseases, research on probiotic combination with multiple targets has become popular. Here, we choose four obesity-related targets to perform high-throughput screening, including pancreatic lipase activity, bile salt hydrolase activity, glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion and adipocyte differentiation. Then, we obtained 649 multi-strain combinations with the requirement that each must cover all these targets in principle. After in vitro co-culture and in vivo co-colonization experiments, only four (<0.7%) combinations were selected as symbiotic probiotic communities (SPCs). Next, genome-scale metabolic model analysis revealed that these SPCs showed lower metabolic resource overlap and higher metabolic interaction potential involving amino acid metabolism (Ammonium, L-Lysine, etc.) and energy metabolism (Phosphate, etc.). Further animal experiments demonstrated that all SPCs exhibited a good safety profile and excellent effects in improving obesity and associated glucose metabolism disruptions and depression-like behaviors in high-fat-diet-fed mice. This anti-obesity improvement was achieved through reduced cholesterol level, fat accumulation and inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Taken together, our study provides a new perspective for designing multi-strain combinations, which may facilitate greater therapeutic effect on obesity and other complex diseases in the future.

In vitro determination of probiotic efficacy of Bacillus subtilis TLDK301120C24 isolated from tilapia against warm water fish pathogens and in vivo validation using gnotobiotic zebrafish model

Eco-friendly alternatives such as probiotics are needed to prevent economically relevant infectious diseases for a successful disease-free harvest in aquaculture. The use of antibiotics has been the favored practice, but its empirical and indiscriminate use has led to antibiotic resistance in the aquatic environment and residues in the food fish. With this rationale, a probiotic was isolated from tilapia, a commercially important cultured fish worldwide. The characteristics of the probiotic were checked against common bacterial pathogens affecting aquaculture. In vitro tests demonstrated the inhibitory effects of the isolated probiotic on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio anguillarum, and V. alginolyticus. The candidate probiotic, referred to as TLDK301120C24, was identified as Bacillus subtilis by a battery of biochemical tests and genotypic confirmation by 16S rDNA sequencing. The in vitro results revealed the ability of the probiotic to withstand the gut conditions that included pH range of 3-9, salt concentration of 0.5-6%, and bile salt concentration of up to 6%. The isolate could hydrolyze starch (12-14 mm clearance zone), protein (20-22 mm clearance zone), and cellulose (22-24 mm clearance zone). Further, the inhibitory ability of the probiotic against aquatic pathogens was determined in vivo using gnotobiotic zebrafish by employing a novel approach that involved tagging the probiotic with a red fluorescent protein and the pathogens with a green fluorescent protein, respectively. The colonizing ability of probiotics and its inhibitory effects against the pathogens were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, PCR, and estimation of viable counts in LBA + Amp plates. Finally, the competitive inhibition and exclusion of fish pathogens A. hydrophila and E. tarda by B. subtilis was confirmed semi-quantitatively, through challenge experiments. This study shows the potential of B. subtilis as a probiotic and its excellent ability to inhibit major fish pathogens in vivo and in vitro. It also shows promise as a potent substitute for antibiotics.

SCD Probiotics mitigate cafeteria diet-induced liver damage in Wistar rats during development

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The liver plays a critical role in metabolic homeostasis, and its health is often compromised by poor dietary habits. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of SCD Probiotics in mitigating adverse liver effects induced by a cafeteria diet in male Wistar rats during their developmental period.

METHODS

Four groups of seven male Wistar rats each were subjected to different dietary regimens from day 21 (weaning) to day 56. The groups were as follows: a control group on normal feed; a probiotic-supplemented group on normal feed; a group on a cafeteria diet mixed with normal feed; and a group on a cafeteria diet mixed with normal feed, supplemented with SCD Probiotics. Liver health was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and histopathological evaluations.

RESULTS

Rats on the cafeteria diet exhibited significant disruptions in lipid, protein, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and glycogen/phosphate content. Histopathological abnormalities such as lymphocytic infiltration, steatosis, and necrosis were also observed. However, SCD Probiotics supplementation led to notable improvements in the liver's biomolecular composition and mitigated histopathological abnormalities. Serum liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH) also showed beneficial effects, while serum albumin levels remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

SCD Probiotics demonstrated a promising potential to counteract the adverse liver effects induced by a cafeteria diet in male Wistar rats. The study revealed significant improvements in biomolecular composition, histopathology, and serum enzyme levels. However, these findings are preliminary and necessitate further in vivo studies and clinical trials for validation.

Long Short-Term Memory-Based Multiomics Reveal Lactobacillus casei-Derived Postbiotics Inhibiting Lipids Digestion via Mediating the Upregulation of α-Helices in Lipase

SCOPE

The antiobesity function of probiotics has been declared, while the application in high-risk patients and coding side effect has focused attention to postbiotics. This investigation profiles the mechanism of postbiotics affecting lipid digestion at molecular level, and establishes a momentous foundation for the clinical application of postbiotics in obesity suppression.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An operational framework for butter digestion is constructed to collect the digests in the intestine at 0, 40, 80, and 120 min with various postbiotics supplement. A total of 227 lipids and 414 metabolites are detected by pseudo-targeted lipidomics integrated with the long short-term memory-based metabolomics, and the triacylglycerol (TG, from 134.1 to 184.7 mg kg-1 ) and diacylglycerol (DG, from 4.2 to 8.4 mg kg-1 ) are identified as significantly different lipids with or without postbiotics supplement. A total of eight substances related to the inhibition of gastric lipase and pancreatic lipase are screened through the molecular simulation computation in silicon and enzymatic reaction kinetics, and thus curtailing the bioaccessibility of lipids.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactobacillus casei JCM1134-derived postbiotics propel the structure of lipase to aggregate by increasing the α-helix, and thus hampering the digestion of triglycerides through noncompetitive inhibition.

The therapeutic value of bifidobacteria in cardiovascular disease

There has been an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over the past few decades, making cardiovascular disease (CVD) the leading cause of death worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of CVD is multi-factorial, complex, and not fully understood. The gut microbiome has long been recognized to play a critical role in maintaining the physiological and metabolic health of the host. Recent scientific advances have provided evidence that alterations in the gut microbiome and its metabolites have a profound influence on the development and progression of CVD. Among the trillions of microorganisms in the gut, bifidobacteria, which, interestingly, were found through the literature to play a key role not only in regulating gut microbiota function and metabolism, but also in reducing classical risk factors for CVD (e.g., obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes) by suppressing oxidative stress, improving immunomodulation, and correcting lipid, glucose, and cholesterol metabolism. This review explores the direct and indirect effects of bifidobacteria on the development of CVD and highlights its potential therapeutic value in hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. By describing the key role of Bifidobacterium in the link between gut microbiology and CVD, we aim to provide a theoretical basis for improving the subsequent clinical applications of Bifidobacterium and for the development of Bifidobacterium nutritional products.

Natural polysaccharides protect against diet-induced obesity by improving lipid metabolism and regulating the immune system

Unhealthy dietary patterns-induced obesity and obesity-related complications pose a great threat to human health all over the world. Accumulating evidence suggests that the pathophysiology of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders is closely associated with dysregulation of lipid and energy metabolism, and metabolic inflammation. In this review, three potential anti-obesity mechanisms of natural polysaccharides are introduced. Firstly, natural polysaccharides protect against diet-induced obesity directly by improving lipid and cholesterol metabolism. Since the immunity also affects lipid and energy metabolism, natural polysaccharides improve lipid and energy metabolism by regulating host immunity. Moreover, diet-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress, defective autophagy and microbial dysbiosis can disrupt lipid and/or energy metabolism in a direct and/or inflammation-induced manner. Therefore, natural polysaccharides also improve lipid and energy metabolism and suppress inflammation by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress, promoting autophagy and regulating gut microbiota composition. Specifically, this review comprehensively summarizes underlying anti-obesity mechanisms of natural polysaccharides and provides a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods. For the first time, this review elucidates anti-obesity mechanisms of natural polysaccharides from the perspectives of their hypolipidemic, energy-regulating and immune-regulating mechanisms.

Modulation of the Microbiome-Fat-Liver Axis by Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Potential Alleviated Role in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice

The major characteristics of obesity are abnormal lipid metabolism, chronic inflammation, and imbalanced gut microbiota. It has been reported that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) possess potential for alleviating obesity, considering which the strain-specific functions and diverse mechanisms and the roles and mechanisms of various LAB are worthy of investigation. This study aimed to validate and investigate the alleviating effects and underlying mechanisms of three LAB strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCUH001046 (LP), Limosilactobacillus reuteri NCUH064003, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCUH003068 (LF), in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. The findings demonstrated that the three strains, particularly LP, suppressed body weight gain and fat deposition; ameliorated lipid disorders, liver and adipocyte morphology, and chronic low-grade inflammation; and reduced lipid synthesis via activating the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. In addition, LP and LF decreased the enrichment of bacteria positively correlated with obesity, like Mucispirillum, Olsenella, and Streptococcus, but facilitated the growth of beneficial bacteria negatively correlated with obesity, like Roseburia, Coprococcus, and Bacteroides, along with increasing the short-chain fatty acid levels. It is deduced that the underlying alleviating mechanism of LP was to modulate the hepatic AMPK signaling pathway and gut microbiota by the microbiome-fat-liver axis to alleviate obesity development. In conclusion, as a diet supplement, LP has promising potential in obesity prevention and treatment.

Therapeutic potential of alkaloid extract from Codonopsis Radix in alleviating hepatic lipid accumulation: insights into mitochondrial energy metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum stress regulation in NAFLD mice

Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring bioactive compounds that are widely distributed in various food sources and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of alkaloid extract from Codonopsis Radix (ACR) in ameliorating hepatic lipid accumulation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The results revealed that ACR treatment effectively mitigated the abnormal weight gain and hepatic injury associated with HFD. Furthermore, ACR ameliorated the dysregulated lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice, as evidenced by reductions in serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels, accompanied by a concomitant increase in the high-density lipoprotein level. ACR treatment also demonstrated a profound anti-oxidative effect, effectively alleviating HFD-induced oxidative stress and promoting ATP production. These effects were achieved through the up-regulation of the activities of mitochondrial electron transfer chain complexes I, II, IV, and V, in addition to the activation of the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway, suggesting that ACR exhibits therapeutic potential in alleviating the HFD-induced dysregulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Moreover, ACR administration mitigated HFD-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and suppressed the overexpression of ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) in NAFLD mice. In summary, the present study provides compelling evidence supporting the hepatoprotective role of ACR in alleviating lipid deposition in NAFLD by improving energy metabolism and reducing oxidative stress and ER stress. These findings warrant further investigation and merit the development of ACR as a potential therapeutic agent for NAFLD.

Current progress in the hypoglycemic mechanisms of natural polysaccharides

Unhealthy dietary pattern-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus poses a great threat to human health all over the world. Accumulating evidence has revealed that the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus is closely associated with the dysregulation of glucose metabolism and energy metabolism, serious oxidative stress, prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress, metabolic inflammation and intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Most important of all, insulin resistance and insulin deficiency are two key factors inducing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nowadays, natural polysaccharides have gained increasing attention owing to their numerous health-promoting functions, such as hypoglycemic, energy-regulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and prebiotic activities. Therefore, natural polysaccharides have been used to alleviate diet-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus. Specifically, this review comprehensively summarizes the underlying hypoglycemic mechanisms of natural polysaccharides and provides a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods. For the first time, this review elucidates hypoglycemic mechanisms of natural polysaccharides from the perspectives of their regulatory effects on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Postbiotics against Obesity: Perception and Overview Based on Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies

Overweight and obesity are significant global public health concerns that are increasing in prevalence at an alarming rate. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of probiotics against obesity. Postbiotics are the next generation of probiotics that include bacteria-free extracts and nonviable microorganisms that may be advantageous to the host and are being increasingly preferred over regular probiotics. However, the impact of postbiotics on obesity has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the goal of this review is to gather in-depth data on the ability of postbiotics to combat obesity. Postbiotics have been reported to have significant potential in alleviating obesity. This review comprehensively discusses the anti-obesity effects of postbiotics in cellular, animal, and clinical studies. Postbiotics exert anti-obesity effects via multiple mechanisms, with the major mechanisms including increased energy expenditure, reduced adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation, suppression of food intake, inhibition of lipid absorption, regulation of lipid metabolism, and regulation of gut dysbiosis. Future research should include further in-depth studies on strain identification, scale-up of postbiotics, identification of underlying mechanisms, and well-defined clinical studies. Postbiotics could be a promising dietary intervention for the prevention and management of obesity.

In-vitro evaluation of the probiotic potential and the fermentation profile of Pediococcus and Enterococcus strains isolated from Moroccan camel milk

The promotion of human health through natural approaches like functional foods and probiotics is in high demand. The medicinal plants are the major feed of Moroccan dromedary, which improves the functional properties of their milk. A few studies have reported the probiotic and functional aptitudes of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of this milk. In this context, our study aimed to identify LAB isolated from Moroccan raw camel milk and investigate their probiotic features and their fermentation profile. The molecular identification of twelve isolates indicated that they belong to Pediococcus pentosaceus, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus durans. All LAB strains displayed high tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions (survival rate of 31.85-96.52% in pH 2.5, 35.23-99.05% in 0.3 bile salts, and 26.9-90.96% in pepsin), strong attachment abilities (auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity ranged from 28.75 to 95.9% and from 80.47 to 96.37%, respectively), and high co-aggregation ability with pathogenic bacteria. Importantly, they did not present antibiotic resistance or hemolytic activity. Our LAB strains demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella enterica. Moreover, they could acidify cow milk (ΔpH of 2.55 after 24 h) and improve its antioxidant ability (inhibition of 36.77% of DPPH). Based on the multivariate analysis, Pediococcus pentosaceus Pd24, Pd29, Pd38, Enterococcus faecium Ef18, and Enterococcus durans Ed22 were selected as the most promising probiotics. Therefore, we propose that Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from camel milk could be used as potential probiotic strains and/or starter cultures in functional milk fermentation.

Identification of a Novel Strain Lactobacillus Reuteri and Anti-Obesity Effect through Metabolite Indole-3-Carboxaldehyde in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

The potentially beneficial effects of probiotics in the treatment of obesity have been generally demonstrated. In the present study, a new strain of Lactobacillus reuteri SY523 (L. reuteri SY523) with an anti-obesity effect was isolated from the fecal microbiota of diet-induced obese mice. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of mice serum showed that the significantly differential metabolite indole-3-carboxaldehyde (3-IAId) was markedly elevated in the L. reuteri SY523-treated group, and interestingly, the abundance of 3-IAId was significantly negatively associated with obesity-related indicators. As expected, in the HepG2 cell induced by free fatty acids, the potential activity of 3-IAId in restraining lipid deposition was verified. Further, we found that 3-IAId was involved in the anti-obesity effect of L. reuteri SY523 mainly via regulating the cGMP/cAMP signaling pathway. The highlight of this study lies in clarifying the pivotal role of metabolite 3-IAId in the anti-obesity effect induced by L. reuteri SY523, which is conducive to the development of probiotics for anti-obesity agents.

Anti-obesity effect of vegetable juice fermented with lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi in C57BL/6J mice and human mesenchymal stem cells

This study aimed to investigate the effect of fermented vegetable juice (VJ) obtained from a blend of four crops (Brassica oleracea var. capitata, B. oleracea var. italica, Daucus carota L., and Beta vulgaris) on adipogenesis along with the identification of active compounds. Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Companilactobacillus allii WiKim39 and Lactococcus lactis WiKim0124), isolated from kimchi, were used to ferment the VJ and their effectiveness was evaluated in differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells and obese mice. In vitro antibody array analysis was done to understand signaling proteins in adipogenesis. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins are related to biological processes including immunological processes. These were effectively regulated by LAB and fermented VJ. Supplementation of fermented VJ reduced the weight gain, blood biochemical indicators, and liver fat accumulation in mice. Oil Red O staining indicated that the fermentation metabolites of VJ (indole-3-lactic acid, leucic acid, and phenyllactic acid) had an inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation in vitro. Therefore, it can be concluded that LAB-fermented VJ and its metabolites have the potential to counter obesity, and thus can be therapeutically effective.

Anti-obesity effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001 in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

PURPOSE

Previous reports showed that some probiotics provide beneficial effects on various diseases including metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum SKO-001 (SKO-001), a probiotic strain newly isolated from Angelica gigas.

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat) for four weeks, and then different doses of SKO-001 (n = 10 each group) were orally given for 12 weeks. Following treatment, body weight, fat weight, serum parameters and adipose and liver tissues were analyzed.

RESULTS

SKO-001 (2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day, per os) reduced body weight gain after 10th week of administration, accompanied by a reduction in body fat mass of mice. In the SKO-001-fed group, increased serum adiponectin, decreased leptin, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglyceride levels were observed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of various fat depots showed that increased adipocyte size caused by HFD intake was markedly reduced and correlated with reduced mRNA levels of lipogenesis genes, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, and increased uncoupling protein 1 levels. Similarly, SKO-001 reduced lipid accumulation, decreased the mRNA levels of lipogenic genes, and reduced α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 1 alpha 1 levels in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

SKO-001 ameliorates obesity and related metabolic abnormalities in adipose and liver tissues, possibly via the regulation of lipid metabolism. Based on the results of the present study, SKO-001 may be applicable as an anti-obesity therapeutic or functional food.

Probiotic Yogurt Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Lipid Accumulation and Insulin Resistance in Mice via the Adiponectin Pathway

A high-fat diet (HFD) easily contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. Obesity and insulin resistance have been clinical and public health challenges all over the world. Probiotic-fermented yogurt is one type of popular and functional beverage in people's daily lives. This study mainly explored the lipid- and glucose-lowering effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus NX2-6-fermented yogurt (LA-Y) in HFD-fed mice. The results showed that LA-Y administration improved the lipid profile in the serum and liver, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. Protein analysis showed that LA-Y treatment promoted fatty acid oxidation and suppressed de novo lipogenesis in the adipose tissue and liver. LA-Y effectively alleviated glucose metabolism disorders by activating the insulin signaling pathway, suppressing gluconeogenesis in the liver and muscle, reducing the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, and promoting glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the small intestine. LA-Y supplementation also promoted fat browning via the adiponectin/AMPKα/PGC-1α/UCP1 pathway and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in the liver and muscle by activating the adiponectin/AdipoR1/APPL1/AMPKα/PGC-1α pathway, leading to increased energy expenditure. Therefore, LA-Y may be a functional dairy food for preventing and alleviating diet-induced metabolic disorders.

Brevibacillus laterosporus BL1, a promising probiotic, prevents obesity and modulates gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet

Scope

Probiotics are a potential preventive strategy for obesity. However, with discrete efficacy and limited species of probiotics, there is a demand for novel strains with excellent anti-obesity properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Brevibacillus laterosporus BL1 on preventing obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.

Methods and results

C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10) and fed a control diet, HFD, HFD plus B. laterosporus BL1, and HFD plus supernatant of B. laterosporus BL1, respectively for 8 weeks. The results showed that prophylactic B. laterosporus BL1 treatment reduced body weight gain by 41.26% in comparison to the HFD group, and this difference was accompanied by a reduction in body fat mass and the weight of inguinal white adipose tissues and epididymal white adipose tissue (-33.39%, -39.07%, and -43.75%, respectively). Moreover, the B. laterosporus BL1-mediated improvements in lipid profile, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation were associated with the regulation of gene expression related to lipid metabolism and enhancement of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Particularly, B. laterosporus BL1 intervention significantly improved HFD-induced gut flora dysbiosis, as evidenced by a reverse in the relative abundance of Bacillota and Bacteroidota, as well as an increase in the relative abundance of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which in turn increased SCFAs levels.

Conclusion

Our findings found for the first time that B. laterosporus BL1 may be a promising probiotic for prevention of obesity associated with the regulation of gut microbiota.

Regulation of viable/inactivated/lysed probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum H6 on intestinal microbiota and metabolites in hypercholesterolemic mice

Evidence suggests that probiotic interventions reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk. However, its therapeutic effect and mechanism are still unclear. To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effect of Lactobacillus plantarum H6 (L.p H6), a new commercial patent strain capable of preventing hypercholesterolemia, and its mechanism in depth, three states of the strain were prepared, namely, viable (vH6), heat-inactivated (iH6), and ultrasonically-lysed (uH6) bacteria cells. The results showed that v/i/uH6 cells could lower serum and liver blood lipid levels, alleviate liver damage and improve glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) indexes. v/i/uH6 cells improved the gut microbial composition and significantly reduced the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B ratio) in feces. In particular, Muribaculaceae may be a potential biomarker for effective cholesterol reduction. Also, the recovery of these biochemical indices and gut microbiome was found following fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using stool from vH6 treated mice. The v/i/uH6 cells increased the intestinal flora metabolism of vitamins-cofactors, as well as amino acids, while decreasing the relative content of primary bile acids. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Lactobacillus had a negative correlation with blood lipid levels. Overall, v/i/uH6 cells were effective in improving hypercholesterolemia in mice, and this effect was attributed partly to the regulation of intestinal microbiota and metabolites related to lipid metabolism. Our findings provided a theoretical basis for the industrial development of probiotics and postbiotics and the treatment of cholesterol diseases.

Lactobacillusjohnsonii L531 Protects against Salmonella Infantis-Induced Intestinal Damage by Regulating the NOD Activation, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Autophagy

Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) is an intracellular bacterial pathogen. It is prevalent but resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, the therapeutic effect of antibiotics on Salmonella infection is limited. In this study, we used the piglet diarrhea model and the Caco2 cell model to explore the mechanism of probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii L531 (L. johnsonii L531) against S. Infantis infection. L. johnsonii L531 attenuated S. Infantis-induced intestinal structural and cellular ultrastructural damage. The expression of NOD pathway-related proteins (NOD1/2, RIP2), autophagy-related key proteins (ATG16L1, IRGM), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (GRP78, IRE1) were increased after S. Infantis infection. Notably, L. johnsonii L531 pretreatment not only inhibited the activation of the above signaling pathways but also played an anti-S. Infantis infection role in accelerating autophagic degradation. However, RIP2 knockdown did not interfere with ER stress and the activation of autophagy induced by S. Infantis in Caco2 cells. Our data suggest that L. johnsonii L531 pretreatment alleviates the intestinal damage caused by S. Infantis by inhibiting NOD activation and regulating ER stress, as well as promoting autophagic degradation.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis natto JLCC513 on Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier Function in obese Rats

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis natto JLCC513(JLCC513)on gut microbiota, inflammation and intestinal barrier function in high-fat-diet (HFD) rats.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed HFD for 16 weeks, and treated with JLCC513 in 9th weeks. The oral administration of JLCC513 decreased body weight, and reduced the inflammation level in HFD rats. Pathologically, JLCC513 prevented the detachment of ileal villus and increased the villus height in rat. Mechanistically, Western blot analysis showed that the protein levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins involved in intestinal barrier function, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1, were increased after JLCC513 treatment. Meanwhile, JLCC513 treatment also decreased the protein levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), indicating inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Furthermore, fecal analysis showed that JLCC513 increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Oscillospira and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B), and decreased the levels of Blautia and C_Clostridium.

CONCLUSIONS

JLCC513 alleviated intestinal barrier dysfunction by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and regulating gut microbiota disorders.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY

Our study might provide new treatment strategies for the obesity and metabolic diseases.

Probiotic Mechanisms Affecting Glucose Homeostasis: A Scoping Review

The maintenance of a healthy status depends on the coexistence between the host organism and the microbiota. Early studies have already focused on the nutritional properties of probiotics, which may also contribute to the structural changes in the gut microbiota, thereby affecting host metabolism and homeostasis. Maintaining homeostasis in the body is therefore crucial and is reflected at all levels, including that of glucose, a simple sugar molecule that is an essential fuel for normal cellular function. Despite numerous clinical studies that have shown the effect of various probiotics on glucose and its homeostasis, knowledge about the exact function of their mechanism is still scarce. The aim of our review was to select in vivo and in vitro studies in English published in the last eleven years dealing with the effects of probiotics on glucose metabolism and its homeostasis. In this context, diverse probiotic effects at different organ levels were highlighted, summarizing their potential mechanisms to influence glucose metabolism and its homeostasis. Variations in results due to different methodological approaches were discussed, as well as limitations, especially in in vivo studies. Further studies on the interactions between probiotics, host microorganisms and their immunity are needed.

How do intestinal probiotics restore the intestinal barrier?

The intestinal barrier is a structure that prevents harmful substances, such as bacteria and endotoxins, from penetrating the intestinal wall and entering human tissues, organs, and microcirculation. It can separate colonizing microbes from systemic tissues and prevent the invasion of pathogenic bacteria. Pathological conditions such as shock, trauma, stress, and inflammation damage the intestinal barrier to varying degrees, aggravating the primary disease. Intestinal probiotics are a type of active microorganisms beneficial to the health of the host and an essential element of human health. Reportedly, intestinal probiotics can affect the renewal of intestinal epithelial cells, and also make cell connections closer, increase the production of tight junction proteins and mucins, promote the development of the immune system, regulate the release of intestinal antimicrobial peptides, compete with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and living space, and interact with the host and intestinal commensal flora to restore the intestinal barrier. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of how intestinal probiotics restore the intestinal barrier to provide new ideas for treating intestinal injury-related diseases.

Ameliorated effects of a lipopeptide surfactin on insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo

Surfactin, produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens fmb50, was used to treat insulin-resistant (IR) hepatocyte. It was found that surfactin increased glucose consumption in insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cells and ameliorated IR by increasing glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mRNA expression, promoting GLUT4 translocation and activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) in IR-HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, surfactin downregulated protein expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), further inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. In addition, surfactin played important roles in eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS), improving mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibiting proinflammatory mediators. We observed that surfactin promoted glucose consumption, meanwhile increased translocation and protein expression of GLUT4 in Caco-2 cells. These results confirmed the conclusion in hepatic cells. Furthermore, surfactin supplement decreased body weight, food intake, and fasting blood glucose of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ)/high-fat diet (HFD). Our data indicated that surfactin ameliorated insulin resistance and lowered blood glucose in intro and in vivo.

An insight into the health beneficial of probiotics dairy products: a critical review

Probiotic dairy products satisfy people's pursuit of health, and are widely favored because of their easy absorption, high nutritional value, and various health benefits. However, its effectiveness and safety are still controversial. This proposal aims to analyze the effect of probiotics on the quality characteristics of dairy products, clarify a series of physiological functions of probiotic dairy products and critically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of probiotic dairy products. Also, dairy products containing inactivated microorganisms were compared with probiotic products. The addition of probiotics enables dairy products to obtain unique quality characteristics, and probiotic dairy products have better health-promoting effects. This review will promote the further development of probiotic dairy products, provide directions for the research and development of probiotic-related products, and help guide the general public to choose and purchase probiotic fermentation products.

Ameliorative Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum HAC01 Lysate on 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation via AMPK Activation and MAPK Inhibition

Lactobacillus plantarum HAC01 has been shown to effectively treat metabolic diseases. However, the precise pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of L. plantarum HAC01 remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the anti-adipogenic effects of L. plantarum HAC01 lysate and its associated mechanism of action. To induce lipid accumulation, 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in differentiation media with or without L. plantarum HAC01 lysate. Our results show that L. plantarum HAC01 lysate treatment not only reduced lipid accumulation during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, but also decreased the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes involved in lipid metabolism in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, L. plantarum HAC01 lysate inhibited CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta within 4 h of differentiation induction and inhibited peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, C/EBP alpha, and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins within 2 d. Moreover, treatment with L. plantarum HAC01 lysate increased the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, an important regulator of energy metabolism, and decreased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results indicate that L. plantarum HAC01 lysate may have anti-adipogenic effects and support its potential as a useful agent for the treatment of obesity.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of MSF, a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K8 Lysate Fermented with Filipendula glaberrima Extract

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and obesity. Here, we produced potent anti-inflammatory probiotic lysates, termed MSF (miracle synergistic material made using Filipendula glaberrima), using fermentation with F. glaberrima extracts. MSF inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production through down-regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling. MSF-induced tolerance for TNF-α was mediated by induction of TNF alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3 or A20). On the other hand, MSF showed a synergistic effect on interleukin (IL)-1β production in LPS-stimulated human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1 cells). This synergistic effect of the combination of MSF and LPS might be mediated by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling. The inhibitory effect of TNF-α and synergistic effect of IL-1β due to combining MSF and LPS were significantly higher than those of a combination of L. plantarum K8 lysates and LPS. The MSF and LPS combination showed reduced mouse mortality compared to a combination of L. plantarum K8 lysates and LPS, which correlated with decreased levels of cytokines, hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the blood and liver. These results show that probiotic lysates fermented with natural extracts such as F. glaberrima have higher anti-inflammatory efficacy than conventional probiotic lysates or natural extracts.