Amelioration of obesity-related biomarkers by Lactobacillus sakei CJLS03 in a high-fat diet-induced obese murine model

Comprehensive Amelioration of Metabolic Dysfunction through Administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum APsulloc 331261 (GTB1™) in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice

The beneficial effects of probiotics for the improvement of metabolic disorders have been studied intensively; however, these effects are evident in a probiotic strain-specific and disease-specific manner. Thus, it is still essential to evaluate the efficacy of each strain against a target disease. Here, we present an anti-obese and anti-diabetic probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum APsulloc331261 (GTB1™), which was isolated from green tea and tested for safety previously. In high-fat-diet-induced obese mice, GTB1™ exerted multiple beneficial effects, including significant reductions in adiposity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia, which were further supported by improvements in levels of circulating hormones and adipokines. Lipid metabolism in adipose tissues was restored through the activation of PPAR/PGC1α signaling by GTB1™ treatment, which was facilitated by intestinal microbiota composition changes and short-chain fatty acid production. Our findings provide evidence to suggest that GTB1™ is a potential candidate for probiotic supplementation for comprehensive improvement in metabolic disorders.

Screening of lactic acid bacteria with anti-adipogenic effect and potential probiotic properties from grains

A total of 187 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from four types of grains collected in South Korea. The bacterial strains were assigned as members of Levilactobacillus brevis, Latilactobacillus curvatus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactococcus taiwanensis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Weissella paramesenteroides based on the closest similarity using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The strains belonging to the same species were analyzed using RAPD-PCR, and one or two among strains showing the same band pattern were selected. Finally, 25 representative strains were selected for further functional study. Inhibitory effects of lipid accumulation were observed in the strains tested. Pediococcus pentosaceus K28, Levilactobacillus brevis RP21 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RP12 significantly reduced lipid accumulation and did not show cytotoxicity in C3H10T1/2 cells at treatment of 1-200 μg/mL. The three LAB strains decreased significantly expression of six adipogenic marker genes, PPARγ, C/EBPα, CD36, LPL, FAS and ACC, in C3H10T1/2 adipocytes. The three strains survived under strong acidity and bile salt conditions. The three strains showed adhesion to Caco-2 cells similar to a reference strain LGG. The resistance of the three strains to several antibiotics was also assessed. Strains RP12 and K28 were confirmed not to produce harmful enzymes based on API ZYM kit results. Based on these results, strains K28, RP21 and RP12 isolated from grains had the ability to inhibit adipogenesis in adipocytes and potentially be useful as probiotics.

A Pilot Study: The Reduction in Fecal Acetate in Obese Patients after Probiotic Administration and Percutaneous Electrical Neurostimulation

Previous data suggested that anti-obesity interventions, such as percutaneous electric neurostimulation and probiotics, could reduce body weight and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors by attenuation of microbiota alterations. However, potential mechanisms of action have not been unveiled, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) might be involved in these responses. This pilot study included two groups of class-I obese patients (N = 10, each) who underwent anti-obesity therapy by percutaneous electric neurostimulations (PENS) and a hypocaloric diet (Diet), with/without the administration of the multi-strain probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum LP115, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA14, and Bifidobacterium breve B3), for ten weeks. Fecal samples were used for SCFA quantification (by HPLC-MS) in relation to microbiota and anthropometric and clinical variables. In these patients, we previously described a further reduction in obesity and CV risk factors (hyperglycemia, dyslipemia) after PENS-Diet+Prob compared to PENS-Diet alone. Herein, we observed that the administration of probiotics decreased fecal acetate concentrations, and this effect may be linked to the enrichment of Prevotella, Bifidobacterium spp., and Akkermansia muciniphila. Additionally, fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate are associated with each other, suggesting an additional benefit in colonic absorption. In conclusion, probiotics could help anti-obesity interventions by promoting weight loss and reducing CV risk factors. Likely, modification of microbiota and related SCFA, such as acetate, could improve environmental conditions and permeability in the gut.

Lactobacillus sakei MJM60958 as a Potential Probiotic Alleviated Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet by Modulating Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease with a rapidly increasing number of cases worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus sakei MJM60958 (MJM60958) on NAFLD in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro tests, MJM60958 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation by 46.79% in HepG2 cells stimulated with oleic acid and cholesterol (OA-C). Moreover, MJM60958 showed safe and probiotic characteristics in vitro. In the animal study, MJM60958 administration in a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mouse model significantly reduced body weight and liver weight, and controlled aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), triglyceride (TG), urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid (UA) levels in the blood, which are features of NAFLD. Further, treatment with MJM60958 also reduced steatosis scores in liver tissues, serum leptin and interleukin, and increased serum adiponectin content. Moreover, administration of MJM60958 resulted in a significantly decreased expression of some genes and proteins which are related to lipid accumulation, such as fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), and also upregulated genes and protein expression of lipid oxidation such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A). Administration of MJM60958 increased the relative abundance of specific microbial taxa such as Verrucomicrobia, which are abundant in non-NAFLD mice, and reduced Firmicutes, which are a major group in NAFLD mice. MJM60958 affected the modulation of gut microbiota and altered the strain profile of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production in the cecum by reduced lactic acid and enhanced acetic acid production. Overall, MJM60958 showed potential as a probiotic that can prevent and treat NAFLD.

Diet-Related Changes of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Blood and Feces in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity-related illnesses are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with numerous health issues. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to have multiple effects throughout the body, both directly as well as through specific G protein-coupled receptors. The main SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are absorbed in varying degrees from the large intestine, with some acting mainly locally and others systemically. Diet has the potential to influence the gut microbial composition, as well as the type and amount of SCFAs produced. High fiber-containing foods and supplements increase the production of SCFAs and SCFA-producing bacteria in the gut and have been shown to have bodyweight-lowering effects. Dietary supplements, which increase SCFA production, could open the way for novel approaches to weight loss interventions. The aim of this review is to analyze the variations of fecal and blood SCFAs in obesity and metabolic syndrome through a systematic search and analysis of existing literature.

Role of gastrointestinal microbial populations, a terra incognita of the human body in the management of intestinal bowel disease and metabolic disorders

Intestinal bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-mediated clinical condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and is mediated by an inflammatory response. Although it has been extensively studied, the multifactorial aetiology of this disorder makes it difficult to fully understand all the involved mechanisms in its development and therefore its treatment. In recent years, the fundamental role played by the human microbiota in the pathogenesis of IBD has been emphasised. Microbial imbalances in the gut bacterial communities and a lower species diversity in patients suffering from inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders compared to healthy individuals have been reported as principal factors in the development of IBD. These served to support scientific arguments for the use of probiotic microorganisms in alternative approaches for the prevention and treatment of IBD. In a homeostatic environment, the presence of bacteria (including probiotics) on the intestinal epithelial surface activates a cascade of processes by which immune responses inhibited and thereby commensal organisms maintained. At the same time these processes may support activities against specific pathogenic bacteria. In dysbiosis, these underlying mechanisms will serve to provoke a proinflammatory response, that, in combination with the use of antibiotics and the genetic predisposition of the host, will culminate in the development of IBD. In this review, we summarised the main causes of IBD, the physiological mechanisms involved and the related bacterial groups most frequently associated with these processes. The intention was to enable a better understanding of the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the host, and to suggest possibilities by which this knowledge can be useful for the development of new therapeutic treatments.

Metabolomic Characteristics of Liver and Cecum Contents in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice Intervened with Lactobacillus plantarum FRT10

Obesity has become a major social problem related to health and quality of life. Our previous work demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum FRT10 alleviated obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice by alleviating gut dysbiosis. However, the underlying functions of FRT10 in regulating liver and cecum contents metabolism remain unknown. Liver and cecum contents metabonomics combined with pathway analysis based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) were performed to evaluate the alterations of metabolic profiles between obese control mice and obese mice in FRT10-treated groups. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) score plots showed that there were significant differences in cecum contents and liver markers between experimental groups. In total, 26 potential biomarkers were identified in the liver and 15 in cecum contents that could explain the effect of FRT10 addition in HFD-fed mice. In addition, gut–liver axis analysis indicated that there was a strong correlation between cecum contents metabolites and hepatic metabolites. The mechanism of FRT10 against obesity might be related to the alterations in glycerophospholipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, amino metabolism, and purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Studies on these metabolites could help us better understand the role of FRT10 in obesity induced by HFD.

Extracellular vesicles and pasteurized cells derived from Akkermansia muciniphila protect against high-fat induced obesity in mice

Background

Several studies have shown that probiotics have beneficial effects on weight control and metabolic health. In addition to probiotics, recent studies have investigated the effects of paraprobiotics and postbiotics. Therefore, we evaluated the preventive effects of live and pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT (A. muciniphila) and its extracellular vesicles (EVs) on HFD-induced obesity.

Results

The results showed that body weight, metabolic tissues weight, food consumption, and plasma metabolic parameters were increased in the HFD group, whereas A. muciniphila preventive treatments inhibited these HFD. The effects of pasteurized A. muciniphila and its extracellular vesicles were more noticeable than its active form. The HFD led to an increase in the colonic, adipose tissue, and liver inflammations and increased the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and homeostasis. Nevertheless, these effects were inhibited in mice that were administered A. muciniphila and its EVs. The assessment of the gut microbiota revealed significant differences in the microbiota composition after feeding with HFD. However, all treatments restored the alterations in some bacterial genera and closely resemble the control group. Also, the correlation analysis indicated that some gut microbiota might be associated with obesity-related indices.

Conclusions

Pasteurized A. muciniphila and its EVs, as paraprobiotic and postbiotic agents, were found to play a key role in the regulation of metabolic functions to prevent obesity, probably by affecting the gut-adipose-liver axis.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01709-w.

Lactiplantibacillusplantarum ATG-K2 Exerts an Anti-Obesity Effect in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Modulating the Gut Microbiome

Obesity is a major health problem. Compelling evidence supports the beneficial effects of probiotics on obesity. However, the anti-obesity effect of probiotics remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects and potential mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATG-K2 using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. 3T3-L1 cells were incubated to determine the effect of lipid accumulation with lysate of L. plantarum ATG-K2. Mice were fed a normal fat diet or HFD with L. plantarum ATG-K2 and Orlistat for 8 weeks. L. plantarum ATG-K2 inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and reduced body weight gain, WAT weight, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice, concurrently with the downregulation of PPARγ, SREBP1c, and FAS and upregulation of PPARα, CTP1, UCP1, Prdm16, and ND5. Moreover, L. plantarum ATG-K2 decreased TG, T-CHO, leptin, and TNF-α levels in the serum, with corresponding gene expression levels in the intestine. L. plantarum ATG-K2 modulated the gut microbiome by increasing the abundance of the Lactobacillaceae family, which increased SCFA levels and branched SCFAs in the feces. L. plantarum ATG-K2 exhibited an anti-obesity effect and anti-hyperlipidemic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice by alleviating the inflammatory response and regulating lipid metabolism, which may be influenced by modulation of the gut microbiome and its metabolites. Therefore, L. plantarum ATG-K2 can be a preventive and therapeutic agent for obesity.

Synbiotic (Lactiplantibacillus pentosus GSSK2 and isomalto-oligosaccharides) supplementation modulates pathophysiology and gut dysbiosis in experimental metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome a lifestyle disease, where diet and gut microbiota play a prodigious role in its initiation and progression. Prophylactic bio-interventions employing probiotics and prebiotics offer an alternate nutritional approach towards attenuating its progression. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective efficacy of a novel synbiotic (Lactiplantibacillus pentosus GSSK2 + isomalto-oligosaccharides) in comparison to orlistat in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome. It was observed that supplementation of synbiotic for 12 weeks to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high fat diet (HFD), ameliorated the morphometric parameters i.e. weight gain, abdominal circumference, Lee's index, BMI and visceral fat deposition along with significantly increased fecal Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio, elevated population of Lactobacillus spp., Akkermansia spp., Faecalibacterium spp., Roseburia spp. and decreased Enterobacteriaceae compared with HFD animals. Additionally, synbiotic administration to HFD animals exhibited improved glucose clearance, lipid biomarkers, alleviated oxidative stress, prevented leaky gut phenotype, reduced serum lipopolysaccharides and modulated the inflammatory, lipid and glucose metabolism genes along with restored histomorphology of adipose tissue, colon and liver compared with HFD animals. Taken together, the study highlights the protective potential of synbiotic in comparison with its individual components in ameliorating HFD-induced metabolic complications.

Combination of Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG4231 and MG4244 attenuates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed obese mice

We investigated the anti-obesity effect and the underlying mechanisms of action of human-derived Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG4231, MG4244, and their combination, in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Administration of the Limosilactobacillus strains decreased body weight gain, liver and adipose tissue weight, and glucose tolerance. Serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin were reduced, while adiponectin increased. The administration of Limosilactobacillus strains improved the histopathological features of liver tissue, such as hepatic atrophy and inflammatory penetration, and significantly reduced the content of triglyceride in the liver. Limosilactobacillus administration discovered a significant reduction in the size of the adipocytes in the epididymal tissue. Limosilactobacillus treatment significantly reduced the expression of important regulators in lipid metabolism, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, fatty acid synthase (FAS), adipocyte-protein 2, and lipoprotein lipase in the epididymal tissue. Also, Limosilactobacillus lowered sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1-c and FAS in the liver tissue. Such changes in the expression of these regulators in both liver and epididymis tissue were caused by Limosilactobacillus upregulating phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Therefore, we suggest that the use of the combination of L. fermentum MG4231 and MG4244, as probiotics could effectively inhibit adipogenesis and lipogenesis from preventing obesity.

Integrated Phenotypic-Genotypic Analysis of Latilactobacillus sakei from Different Niches

Increasing attention has been paid to the potential probiotic effects of Latilactobacillus sakei. To explore the genetic diversity of L. sakei, 14 strains isolated from different niches (feces, fermented kimchi, and meat products) and 54 published strains were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the average genome size and GC content of L. sakei were 1.98 Mb and 41.22%, respectively. Its core genome mainly encodes translation and transcription, amino acid synthesis, glucose metabolism, and defense functions. L. sakei has open pan-genomic characteristics, and its pan-gene curve shows an upward trend. The genetic diversity of L. sakei is mainly reflected in carbohydrate utilization, antibiotic tolerance, and immune/competition-related factors, such as clustering regular interval short palindromic repeat sequence (CRISPR)-Cas. The CRISPR system is mainly IIA type, and a few are IIC types. This work provides a basis for the study of this species.

Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Obesity Index and Metabolic Biomarkers in Thai Obese Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The cluster of metabolic disorders includes obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Evolving proofs suggest an essential role of microbiota in human health and disease, including digestion, energy and glucose metabolism, immunomodulation, and brain function. The frequency of overweight is increasing, and the main causes for this are highly processed foods and less active lifestyles. Research is underway to unravel the probable relationship between obesity and intestinal microbiota. Here, we propose a method to understand and elucidate the synergistic function of prebiotics and probiotics in treating obesity. The biomarkers of obesity, such as cholesterol, gut permeability, oxidative stress, bacterial toxins, cytokines, and short-chain fatty acids, were analyzed in Thai obese individuals after being supplemented with a synbiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, inulin, and fructooligosaccharide. The results reveal that the supplementation of synbiotics significantly altered the obesity-associated biomarkers in an appositive way. Further studies are warranted to use synbiotics as an adjuvant therapy for the management of obesity-related health issues.

Therapeutic and Improving Function of Lactobacilli in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular-Related Diseases: A Novel Perspective From Gut Microbiota

The occurrence and development of cardiovascular-related diseases are associated with structural and functional changes in gut microbiota (GM). The accumulation of beneficial gut commensals contributes to the improvement of cardiovascular-related diseases. The cardiovascular-related diseases that can be relieved by Lactobacillus supplementation, including hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity, have expanded. As probiotics, lactobacilli occupy a substantial part of the GM and play important functional roles through various GM-derived metabolites. Lactobacilli ultimately have a beneficial impact on lipid metabolism, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress to relieve the symptoms of cardiovascular-related diseases. However, the axis and cellular process of gut commensal Lactobacillus in improving cardiovascular-related diseases have not been fully elucidated. Additionally, Lactobacillus strains produce diverse antimicrobial peptides, which help maintain intestinal homeostasis and ameliorate cardiovascular-related diseases. These strains are a field that needs to be further investigated immediately. Thus, this review demonstrated the mechanisms and summarized the evidence of the benefit of Lactobacillus strain supplementation from animal studies and human clinical trials. We also highlighted a broad range of lactobacilli candidates with therapeutic capability by mining their metabolites. Our study provides instruction in the development of lactobacilli as a functional food to improve cardiovascular-related diseases.

Evaluation of Probiotic Characteristics of Newly Isolated Lactic Acid Bacteria from Dry-Aged Hanwoo Beef

Dry aging is a traditional method that improves meat quality, and diverse microbial communities are changed during the process. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely present in fermented foods and has many beneficial effects, such as immune enhancement and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. In this study, we conducted metagenomic analysis to evaluate the changes in the microbial composition of dry-aged beef. We found that lactic acid bacterial strains were abundant in dry-aged beef including Lactobacillus sakei and Enterococcus faecalis. We investigated their abilities in acid and bile tolerance, adhesion to the host, antibiotic resistance, and antimicrobial activity as potential probiotics, confirming that L. sakei and E. faecalis strains had remarkable capability as probiotics. The isolates from dry-aged beef showed at least 70% survival under acidic conditions in addition to an increase in the survival level under bile conditions. Antibiotic susceptibility and antibacterial activity assays further verified their effectiveness in inhibiting all pathogenic bacteria tested, and most of them had low resistance to antibiotics. Finally, we used the Caenorhabditis elegans model to confirm their life extension and influence on host resistance. In the model system, 12D26 and 20D48 strains had great abilities to extend the nematode lifespan and to improve host resistance, respectively. These results suggest the potential use of newly isolated LAB strains from dry-aged beef as probiotic candidates for production of fermented meat.

Lactobacillus plantarum ATG-K2 and ATG-K6 Ameliorates High-Fat with High-Fructose Induced Intestinal Inflammation

Obesity has become a worldwide health problem, and many significant inflammatory markers have been associated with the risk of side effects of obesity and obesity-related diseases. After a normal diet or high-fat diet with high-fructose water (HFHF) for 8 weeks, male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups according to body weight. Next, for 8 weeks, a normal diet, HFHF diet, and HFHF diet with L. plantarum strains ATG-K2 or ATG-K6 were administered orally. Compared to the control group, the HFHF diet group showed significantly increased visceral fat, epididymal fat, and liver weight. The mRNA and protein expression levels of FAS and SREBP-1c were higher in the HFHF diet group than in the HFHF diet with L. plantarum strains ATG-K2 and ATG-K6. The HFHF diet with L. plantarum strain ATG-K2 showed significantly decreased inflammatory cytokine expression in the serum and small intestine compared to the HFHF diet group. Furthermore, histological morphology showed minor cell injury, less severe infiltration, and longer villi height in the small intestine ileum of the HFHF diet with L. plantarum strains groups than in the HFHF diet group. These results suggest that L. plantarum strains K2 and K6 may help reduce intestinal inflammation and could be used as treatment alternatives for intestinal inflammatory reactions and obesity.

Harnessing the potential of Lactobacillus species for therapeutic delivery at the lumenal-mucosal interface

Lactobacillus species have been studied for over 30 years in their role as commensal organisms in the human gut. Recently there has been a surge of interest in their abilities to natively and recombinantly stimulate immune activities, and studies have identified strains and novel molecules that convey particular advantages for applications as both immune adjuvants and immunomodulators. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in Lactobacillus-related activity at the gut/microbiota interface, the efforts to probe the boundaries of the direct and indirect therapeutic potential of these bacteria, and highlight the continued interest in harnessing the native capacity for the production of biogenic compounds shown to influence nervous system activity. Taken together, these aspects underscore Lactobacillus species as versatile therapeutic delivery vehicles capable of effector production at the lumenal-mucosal interface, and further establish a foundation of efficacy upon which future engineered strains can expand.

Novel high-docosahexaenoic-acid tuna oil supplementation modulates gut microbiota and alleviates obesity in high-fat diet mice

Studies have documented the benefits of fish oil in different diseases because of its high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content. However, these studies mostly used commercially available fish oil supplements with a ratio of 18/12 for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, increasing DHA content for this commonly used ratio might bring out a varied metabolic effect, which have remained unclear. Thus, in this study, a novel tuna oil (TO) was applied to investigate the effect of high-DHA content on the alteration of the gut microbiota and obesity in high-fat diet mice. The results suggest that high-DHA TO (HDTO) supplementation notably ameliorates obesity and related lipid parameters and restores the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes. The benefits of TOs were derived from their modification of the gut microbiota composition and structure in mice. A high-fat diet triggered an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio that was remarkably restored by TOs. The number of obesity-promoting bacteria-Desulfovibrio, Paraeggerthella, Terrisporobacter, Millionella, Lachnoclostridium, Anaerobacterium, and Ruminiclostridium-was dramatically reduced. Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Alistipes putredinis, and Millionella massiliensis, three dysbiosis-related species, were especially regulated by HDTO. Regarding the prevention of obesity, HDTO outperforms the normal TO. Intriguingly, HDTO feeding to HFD-fed mice might alter the arginine and proline metabolism of intestinal microbiota.

Lactobacillus fermentum promotes adipose tissue oxidative phosphorylation to protect against diet-induced obesity

The gut microbiota has pivotal roles in metabolic homeostasis and modulation of the intestinal environment. Notably, the administration of Lactobacillus spp. ameliorates diet-induced obesity in humans and mice. However, the mechanisms through which Lactobacillus spp. control host metabolic homeostasis remain unclear. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the physiological roles of Lactobacillus fermentum in controlling metabolic homeostasis in diet-induced obesity. Our results demonstrated that L. fermentum-potentiated oxidative phosphorylation in adipose tissue, resulting in increased energy expenditure to protect against diet-induced obesity. Indeed, oral administration of L. fermentum LM1016 markedly ameliorated glucose clearance and fatty liver in high-fat diet-fed mice. Moreover, administration of L. fermentum LM1016 markedly decreased inflammation and increased oxidative phosphorylation in gonadal white adipose tissue, as demonstrated by transcriptome analysis. Finally, metabolome analysis showed that metabolites derived from L. fermentum LM1016-attenuated adipocyte differentiation and inflammation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. These pronounced metabolic improvements suggested that the application of L. fermentum LM1016 could have clinical applications for the treatment of metabolic syndromes, such as diet-induced obesity.

Lactobacillus sakei suppresses collagen-induced arthritis and modulates the differentiation of T helper 17 cells and regulatory B cells

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus sakei in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in human immune cells.

METHODS

We evaluated whether L. sakei reduced the severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and modulated interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 levels, as well as whether it affected the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells and regulatory B cells. We evaluated osteoclastogenesis after culturing bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells with L. sakei.

RESULTS

The differentiation of T helper 17 cells and the serum level of IL-17 were suppressed by L. sakei in both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mouse splenocytes. The serum level of IL-10 was significantly increased in the L. sakei-treated group, whereas the regulatory T cell population was unchanged. The population of regulatory B cells significantly increased the in L. sakei-treated group. Oral administration of L. sakei reduced the arthritis incidence and score in mice with CIA. Finally, osteoclastogenesis and the mRNA levels of osteoclast-related genes were suppressed in the L. sakei-treated group.

CONCLUSION

L. sakei exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in an animal model of RA, regulated Th17 and regulatory B cell differentiation, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis. Our findings suggest that L. sakei has therapeutic potential for RA.

Administration of indigenous probiotics modulate high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome in Sprague Dawley rats

Modulation of the gut microbiota by probiotics, is emerging as a promising approach for the management of metabolic diseases but due to their species and strain specific response, isolation of new probiotic strains is gaining importance. The present study was designed to assess the effect of isolated and well characterised indigenous probiotics, Lactobacillus pentosus GSSK2, Lactobacillus fermentum PUM and Lactobacillus plantarum GS26A in high fat diet (HFD) induced metabolic syndrome. It was observed that though supplementation of all three probiotics for 12 weeks to Sprague Dawley rats fed with HFD, ameliorated the anthropometric parameters, but L. pentosus GSSK2 showed maximum reduction in weight gain while maximum decrease in abdominal circumference, Lee's index, BMI and visceral fat deposition was observed in L. plantarum GS26A compared with HFD animals. Further, administration of L. plantarum GS26A to HFD animals led to significant increase in lactic acid bacteria count and lipid excretion in feces followed by L. pentosus GSSK2 and L. fermentum PUM compared with counter controls. Additionally, both L. pentosus GSSK2 and L. plantarum GS26A exhibited improved glucose tolerance, liver biomarkers, alleviated oxidative stress and restored the histoarchitechture of adipose tissue, colon and liver compared with HFD animals. The study highlights the prophylactic potential of isolated probiotics in experimental metabolic syndrome model and revealed that amongst all three probiotics, L. pentosus GSSK2 and L. plantarum GS26A were equally effective and more promising than L. fermentum PUM in improving metabolic dysfunctions and may be employed as functional foods but needs to be correlated clinically.

The Influence of the Gut Microbiome on Obesity in Adults and the Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics for Weight Loss

The link between the gut microbiome and obesity is not well defined. Understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in weight and health management may lead to future revolutionary changes for treating obesity. This review examined the relationship between obesity and the gut microbiome, and the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for preventing and treating obesity. We used PubMed and Google Scholar to collect appropriate articles for the review. We showed that the gut microbiome has an impact on nutrient metabolism and energy expenditure. Moreover, different modalities of obesity treatment have been shown to change the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome; this raises questions about the role these changes may play in weight loss. In addition, studies have shown that supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may alter the secretion of hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory factors, thus preventing food intake triggers that lead to weight gain. Further clinical studies are needed to better understand how different species of bacteria in the gut microbiome may affect weight gain, and to determine the most appropriate doses, compositions, and regimens of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics supplementation for long-term weight control.

Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3 and Lactobacillus paracasei GKS6 Supplementation Ameliorates Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice by Promoting Osteoblast Differentiation and Inhibiting Osteoclast Formation

Osteoporosis, an imbalance in the bone-forming process mediated by osteoblasts and the bone-resorbing function mediated by osteoclasts, is a bone degenerative disease prevalent among the aged population. Due to deleterious side effects of currently available medications, probiotics as a potential treatment of osteoporosis is an appealing approach. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of two novel Lactobacilli strain probiotics on bone health in ovariectomized (OVX) induced osteoporotic mice model and its underlying mechanisms. Forty-five 9-week-old Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice underwent either a sham-operation (n = 9) or OVX (n = 36). Four days after the operation, OVX mice were further divided into four groups and received either saline alone, Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3, Lactobacillus paracasei GKS6 or alendronate per day for 28 days. After sacrifice by decapitation, right distal femur diaphysis was imaged via micro-computed tomography (MCT) and parameters including bone volume/tissue volume ratio (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. Moreover, GKM3 and GKS6 on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and osteoblast differentiation using in vitro cultures were also investigated. The results showed that both probiotics strains inhibited osteoporosis in the OVX mice model, with L. paracasei GKS6 outperforming L. plantarum GKM3. Besides this, both GKS6 and GKM3 promoted osteoblast differentiation and inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation via the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) and RANKL pathways, respectively. These findings suggested that both strains of Lactobacilli may be pursued as potential candidates for the treatment and management of osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Effect of Lactobacillus sakei, a Probiotic Derived from Kimchi, on Body Fat in Koreans with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

The increased prevalence of obesity has led to increases in the prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. There is interest whether probiotics have an effect on obesity, but the effectiveness and safety of only a few probiotics for the treatment of obesity have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ingestion of Lactobacillus sakei (CJLS03) derived from kimchi causes weight loss in people with obesity.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial involved 114 adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 who were assigned randomly to a CJLS03 or placebo group. The groups received two allocations of either 5×109 colony-forming units of CJLS03/allocation or the equivalent vehicle for 12 weeks. Demographic and biochemical parameters, and body composition including fat and muscle mass were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Changes in body fat, weight, and waist circumference were compared between the two treatment groups. Adverse events were monitored during study period.

RESULTS

Body fat mass decreased by 0.2 kg in the CJLS03 group and increased by 0.6 kg in the placebo group (0.8 kg difference, P=0.018). After the 12 weeks, waist circumference was 0.8 cm smaller in the CJLS03 group than in the placebo group (P=0.013). BMI and body weight did not change after the 12 weeks. Adverse events were mild and did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that L. sakei (CJLS03) might help people with obesity reduce body fat mass without serious side effects (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03248414).

Alteration of Microbiome Profile by D-Allulose in Amelioration of High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

Recently, there has been a global shift in diet towards an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in sugars. D-allulose has received attention as a sugar substitute and has been reported as one of the anti-obesity food components; however, its correlation with the intestinal microbial community is not yet completely understood. Thirty-six C57BL/6J mice were divided in to four dietary groups and fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD, 20% fat, 1% cholesterol, w/w), and a HFD with 5% erythritol (ERY) and D-allulose (ALL) supplement for 16 weeks. A pair-feeding approach was used so that all groups receiving the high-fat diet would have the same calorie intake. As a result, body weight and body fat mass in the ALL group were significantly decreased toward the level of the normal group with a simultaneous decrease in plasma leptin and resistin. Fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production analysis revealed that ALL induced elevated total SCFA production compared to the other groups. Also, ALL supplement induced the change in the microbial community that could be responsible for improving the obesity based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and ALL significantly increased the energy expenditure in Day(6a.m to 6pm). Taken together, our findings suggest that 5% dietary ALL led to an improvement in HFD-induced obesity by altering the microbiome community.