Anti-obesity effect of feeding probiotic dahi containingLactobacillus caseiNCDC 19 in high fat diet-induced obese mice

Exploring the effects of the dietary fiber compound mediated by a longevity dietary pattern on antioxidation, characteristic bacterial genera, and metabolites based on fecal metabolomics

BACKGROUND

Age-related dysbiosis of the microbiota has been linked to various negative health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effects of a newly discovered dietary fiber compound (DFC) on aging, intestinal microbiota, and related metabolic processes. The DFC was identified through in vitro fermentation screening experiments, and its dosage and composition were determined based on a longevity dietary pattern.

METHODS

Aged SPF C57BL/6 J mice (65 weeks old) and young mice (8 weeks old) were divided into three groups: a subgroup without dietary fiber (NDF), a low DFC dose subgroup (LDF, 10% DFC), and a high DFC dose subgroup (HDF, 20% DFC). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in liver and serum samples of the mice were measured according to the manufacturer's protocol. The expression levels of characteristic bacterial genera and fecal metabolite concentrations in mice were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (1H NMR). Metabolomics analysis was further conducted to identify biological functions and potential pathways related to aging.

RESULTS

After an 8-weeks dietary intervention, DFC supplementation significantly attenuated age-related weight loss, organ degeneration, and oxidative stress. And promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides (p < 0.05) in the intestinal tracts of aged mice. Metabolomic analysis identified glycolipid and amino acid metabolic pathway biomarkers associated with aging that were differentially regulated by DFC consumption. Correlation analysis between the identified microbial flora and the biomarkers revealed potential mechanistic links between altered microbial composition and metabolic activity with aging markers.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study revealed an important mechanism by which DFC consumption impacts healthspan and longevity, shedding light on optimizing dietary fiber or developing fiber-based interventions to improve human health.

Cheese containing probiotic Lactobacillus brevis NJ42 isolated from stingless bee honey reduces weight gain, fat accumulation, and glucose intolerance in mice

Background

The high occurrence of metabolic syndrome has driven a growing demand for natural resource-based therapeutic strategies, highlighting their potential efficacy in addressing the complexities of this condition. Probiotics are established to be useful in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity. However, limited exploration exists regarding the application of the isolated Lactobacillus strain from stingless bee honey as a probiotic within dairy products, such as cheese. This study investigated the effect of a high-fat diet supplemented with cheese containing probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus brevis strain NJ42) isolated from Heterotrigona itama honey (PCHFD) on the symptoms of metabolic disorder in C57BL/6 mice.

Methods and results

Body weight, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and fat accumulation were measured during 12 weeks of feeding and compared to mice fed with a normal chow (NC) and high-fat diet (HFD). Over a 12-week feeding period, PCHFD-fed mice exhibited substantial reductions in several metabolic syndrome-associated features. They had a lower rate of weight gain (p = 0.03) than the HFD-fed mice. Additionally, they displayed a notable 39.2% decrease in gonadal fat mass compared to HFD-fed mice (p = 0.003). HFD-fed mice showed impaired glucose tolerance when compared to NC-fed mice (p = 0.00). Conversely, PCHFD-fed mice showed a reduction in glucose intolerance to a level close to that of the NC-fed mice group (p = 0.01). These positive effects extended to reductions in hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy.

Conclusion

These results indicated that L. brevis strain NJ42, isolated from H. itama honey, is a prospective probiotic to lower the risk of developing metabolic syndrome features induced by a high-fat diet. These positive findings suggest the prospect of enriching commonly consumed dietary components such as cheese with probiotic attributes, potentially offering an accessible means to alleviating the symptoms of metabolic diseases.

The Symbiosis Between Lactobacillus acidophilus and Inulin: Metabolic Benefits in an Obese Murine Model

Obesity is defined as having an excess of adipose tissue and is associated with the development of diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, which are the main causes of death worldwide. Research shows that probiotics and prebiotics reduce the metabolic alterations caused by high-fat diets. Therefore, this work evaluated the effect of the incorporation of Lactobacillus acidophilus (probiotic) and inulin (prebiotic) in the diet through obesity markers (biochemical, anthropometric, and molecular markers) in an obese murine model. Four treatments were administered: (1) hypocaloric diet (HD), (2) HD + L. acidophilus, (3) HD + inulin, and (4) DH supplemented with L. acidophilus + inulin for 8 weeks. After treatment, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C in plasma were determined. In addition, the total body weight and adipose tissue were taken to calculate the body mass index. Following RNA extraction from adipose tissue, the expression of PPAR gamma, PPAR alpha, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF1β) was evaluated by semiquantitative PCR. All treatments showed an improvement in biochemical markers compared to the values of the obese model (p < 0.05). Optimal values for blood glucose (133.2 ± 14.3 mg/dL), triglycerides (71 ± 4.6 mg/dL), total cholesterol (48.9 ± 6 mg/dL), HDL-C (40.9 ± 4.8 mg/dL), and LDL-C (8.4 ± 1.7 mg/dL) were obtained in the mixed treatment. Regarding fat mass index (FMI), prebiotic treatment caused the greatest reduction. On the other hand, mixed treatment increased the gene expression of PPARα and TGF1β in adipose tissue with DH with L. acidophilus and inulin treatment. This work demonstrates that the use of L. acidophilus and inulin as a complementary treatment is a viable alternative for prevention and action as a complementary treatment for obesity given the reduction in biochemical parameters and anthropometric indices; these reductions were greater than those found in the classic treatment of obesity due to the induction of the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to reducing the high levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol caused by obesity.

Dairy products and constituents: a review of their effects on obesity and related metabolic diseases

Obesity has become a global public health problem that seriously affects the quality of life. As an important part of human diet, dairy products contain a large number of nutrients that are essential for maintaining human health, such as proteins, peptides, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. A growing number of epidemiological investigations provide strong evidence on dairy interventions for weight loss in overweight/obese populations. Therefore, this paper outlines the relationship between the consumption of different dairy products and obesity and related metabolic diseases. In addition, we dive into the mechanisms related to the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism by functional components in dairy products and the interaction with gut microbes. Lastly, the role of dairy products on obesity of children and adolescents is revisited. We conclude that whole dairy products exert more beneficial effect than single milk constituent on alleviating obesity and that dairy matrix has important implications for metabolic health.

Lactobacillus casei-derived postbiotics inhibited digestion of triglycerides, glycerol phospholipids and sterol lipids via allosteric regulation of BSSL, PTL and PLA2 to prevent obesity: perspectives on deep learning integrated multi-omics

The anti-obesity potential of probiotics has been widely reported, however their utilization in high-risk patients and potential adverse reactions have led researchers to focus their attention on postbiotics. Herein, pseudo-targeted lipidomics linked with deep learning-based metabolomics was utilized to dynamically characterize the postbiotic potential of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus casei JCM1134 supplementation after a high-fat diet in treating obesity. MG (ranged from 423.0 ± 1.4 mg L-1 to 331.45 ± 2.3 mg L-1), LPC (ranged from 13.1 ± 0.08 mg L-1 to 10.2 ± 0.1 mg L-1) and Cho (ranged from 9.0 ± 0.3 mg L-1 to 5.7 ± 0.2 mg L-1) in intestinal digestive products were significantly decreased, indicating that the digestion of lipid was inhibited. 8-C-glucosylorobol, from Lactobacillus casei, was confirmed from quantitative results and molecular simulation calculations to inhibit the transformation of TG, DG, and ChE through weakening hydrogen bonds between enzymes and substrates and reducing the binding energy. Pristimerin and 2,4-quinolinediol can effectively reduce the hydrogen bonding force between PC and phospholipase A2, which were related to the obstruction of phosphatidylcholine digestion. This research deepened the understanding of the mechanism underlying the inactivated probiotics affecting lipid digestion, establishing the critical groundwork for clinical application of probiotics in inhibiting obesity.

Effects of dietary irritants on intestinal homeostasis and the intervention strategies

Abundant diet components are unexplored as vital factors in intestinal homeostasis. Dietary irritants stimulate the nervous system and provoke somatosensory responses, further inducing diarrhea, gut microbiota disorder, intestinal barrier damage or even severe gastrointestinal disease. We depicted the effects of food with piquancy, high fat, low pH, high-refined carbohydrates, and indigestible texture. The mechanism of dietary irritants on intestinal homeostasis were comprehensively summarized. Somatosensory responses to dietary irritants are palpable and have specific chemical and neural mechanisms. In contrast, even low-dose exposure to dietary irritants can involve multiple intestinal barriers. Their mechanisms in intestinal homeostasis are often overlapping and dose-dependent. Therefore, treating symptoms caused by dietary irritants requires personalized nutritional advice. The reprocessing of stimulant foods, additional supplementation with probiotics or prebiotics, and enhancement of the intestinal barrier are effective intervention strategies. This review provides promising preliminary guidelines for the treatment of symptoms and gastrointestinal injury caused by dietary irritants.

The regulatory effects of second-generation antipsychotics on lipid metabolism: Potential mechanisms mediated by the gut microbiota and therapeutic implications

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric diseases but cause a high risk of disruption to lipid metabolism, which is an intractable therapeutic challenge worldwide. Although the exact mechanisms underlying this lipid disturbance are complex, an increasing body of evidence has suggested the involvement of the gut microbiota in SGA-induced lipid dysregulation since SGA treatment may alter the abundance and composition of the intestinal microflora. The subsequent effects involve the generation of different categories of signaling molecules by gut microbes such as endogenous cannabinoids, cholesterol, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (BAs), and gut hormones that regulate lipid metabolism. On the one hand, these signaling molecules can directly activate the vagus nerve or be transported into the brain to influence appetite via the gut-brain axis. On the other hand, these molecules can also regulate related lipid metabolism via peripheral signaling pathways. Interestingly, therapeutic strategies directly targeting the gut microbiota and related metabolites seem to have promising efficacy in the treatment of SGA-induced lipid disturbances. Thus, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of how SGAs can induce disturbances in lipid metabolism by altering the gut microbiota.

Effects of probiotic fermented milk on management of obesity studied in high-fat-diet induced obese rat model

The current study aimed to explore the hypothesis that probiotic bacteria are significantly involved in the control of obesity using Wistar rats as the test group by feeding high fat diets (HFD) induced obesity. A total of four groups of rats were considered viz., normal pellet diet fed (NC), HFD fed (DC), HFD fed rats treated with probiotic fermented milk with soy protein isolate (SPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) (T1), HFD fed rats treated with probiotic fermented milk without WPC and SPI (T2). Body weight, abdominal fat weight, liver weight, serum Alanine aminotransferase level, and alkaline phosphatase level significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after giving daily probiotic milk product supplementation with @ 2 ml per day for continuous 4 weeks. Whereas, C-reactive protein and Aspartate aminotransferase levels were not altered to a significant extent. The histology of the liver from the disease model group showed large lipid vacuoles deposited in the parenchyma cells. Product T2 confirmed fewer micro vesicular fatty changes and the appearance of T2 was better than T1. Overall, the in vivo study results indicated that the probiotic fermented milk exerted a better anti-obesity effect.

Graphical Abstract

Rhizoma Gastrodiae Water Extract Modulates the Gut Microbiota and Pathological Changes of P-TauThr231 to Protect Against Cognitive Impairment in Mice

Gastrodiae Rhizoma and its active constituents are known to exhibit neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the effect of Rhizoma Gastrodiae water extract (WERG) on AD and the detailed mechanism of action remain unclear. In this study, the mechanism of action of WERG was investigated by the microbiome–gut–brain axis using a D-galactose (D-gal)/AlCl₃-induced AD mouse model. WERG improved the cognitive impairment of D-gal/AlCl₃-induced mice. The expression level of p-Tau^thr231 in the WERG-H treatment group was decreased, and p-Tau^thr231 was found negative in hippocampal DG, CA1, and CA3 regions. Here, the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota were analyzed by 16sRNA sequencing. WERG-H treatment had a positive correlation with Firmicutes, Bacilli, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus murinus, and Lactobacillus reuteri. Interestingly, the Rikenellaceae-RC9 gut group in the gut increased in D-gal/AlCl₃-induced mice, but the increased L. johnsonii, L. murinus, and L. reuteri reversed this process. This may be a potential mechanistic link between gut microbiota dysbiosis and P-Tau^Thr231 levels in AD progression. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that WERG improved the cognitive impairment of the AD mouse model by enriching gut probiotics and reducing P-Tau^Thr231 levels.

Whole Grain Qingke Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice With Alterations in Gut Microbiota and Metabolite Profile

Whole grain Qingke (WGQK) displays anti-obesity and lipid-lowering properties; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. This study investigated the alteration of gut microbiota composition and metabolite profile induced by WGQK intervention in mice through the integration of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing and an untargeted metabolomics study. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a normal control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD plus 30% WGQK (HFD+QK) for 16 weeks. The WGQK intervention decreased body weight gain, glucose tolerance, and serum lipid levels, and alleviated liver function damage induced by HFD. Moreover, WGQK changed gut microbiota composition and enriched specific genera such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus. Fecal metabolomics analysis indicated that WGQK enhanced the abundance of tryptophan metabolism-related metabolites (indole, 3-indoleacetic acid, indole acetic acid (IAA), 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid), histidine metabolism-related metabolites (histamine), and some unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, 9,10-dihydroxy-12Z-octadecenoic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that these metabolites were negatively correlated with obesity-related parameters and positively correlated with the gut genera enriched by WGQK. Moreover, WGQK promoted the expression of Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) responsible for primary bile acids production, accompanied by a decline in intestinal FXR-FGF15 expression levels. The transcript levels of two genes associated with lipogenesis, such as lipid fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were also decreased in the HFD+QK group. Overall, our results suggest interactions between gut microbial shifts and host amino acid/lipid metabolism, and shed light on the mechanisms underlying the anti-obesity effect of WGQK.

Lactobacillus alleviated obesity induced by high-fat diet in mice

Obesity is closely related to dyslipidaemia, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. Long-term consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is an important risk factor that can lead to obesity. In the current research, three Lactobacillus strains, namely, Loigolactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens T3 (T3), Lacticasebacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei M5 (M5), and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei X12 (X12), were tested to determine their inhibitory effects on HFD-induced obesity. The results showed that M5, T3, and X12 significantly decreased the body weight gain, Lee's index and adipose index. T3 showed significant effects on reducing serum TG levels to 0.92 mmol/ml and increasing HDL-C levels to 2.18 mmol/ml. The M5 treatment significantly reduced the serum TG level and leptin content to 1.11 mmol/ml and 3.7 ng/ml, respectively, and it increased the HDL-C level and adiponectin content to 2.35 mmol/ml and 7 ng/ml, respectively. M5 and T3 dramatically ameliorated hepatic steatosis in HFD-treated mice by reducing the liver index, lipid droplet number in the liver and TC levels in the liver. Gene expression of PPAR-γ and TNF-α was notably downregulated and FAS was upregulated by T3 and M5 treatment. Additionally, administration of M5 and T3 modified the diversity of the gut microbiota with increased OTU number, ACE index, and Chao1, and decreased the Shannon index and the Bacteroidetes /Firmicutes ratio. Overall, our results indicate that Lactobacillus may be used to prevent obesity and gut dysbiosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Lactobacillus from traditional Chinese foods showed strong anti-obesity effects on high-fat diet-fed mice through the regulation of adipocytokines. Additionally, administration of certain Lactobacilli modified the diversity of the gut microbiota. The results indicate that Lactobacillus may be promising functional materials in healthy foods.

Hepatic transcriptome analysis reveals altered lipid metabolism and consequent health indices in chicken supplemented with dietary Bifidobacterium bifidum and mannan-oligosaccharides

This study investigated the role of dietary prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), and probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum (BFD) in lipid metabolism, deposition, and consequent health indices in broiler chicken. The supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed resulted in downregulation of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, sterolregulatory element binding protein-1, and apolipoprotein B100; and up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α AMP-activated protein kinase α-1, and stearoyl CoA (∆9) desaturase-1 hepatic expression in broiler chicken. The birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed depicted lower body fat percentage, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and saturated fatty acid contents, whereas, higher palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and MUFA contents were observed. The ∆9-desaturase indices of chicken meat have shown higher values; and elongase index (only thigh) and thioesterase index have shown lower values in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed. The meat health indices such as Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/Saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio, Mono-saturated fatty acids (MUFA)/SFA ratio, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)/SFA ratio, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio, saturation index, atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid content were positively improved in birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed. Similarly, the birds supplemented with 0.2% MOS along with either 10⁶ or 10⁷ CFU BFD/g feed have shown lower serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels along with higher high density levels and improved serum health indices cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, and, atherogenic index of plasma.

Impact of the Gut Microbiota Balance on the Health-Disease Relationship: The Importance of Consuming Probiotics and Prebiotics

Gut microbiota is a group of microorganisms that are deposited throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. Currently, thanks to genomic tools, studies of gut microbiota have pointed towards the understanding of the metabolism of important bacteria that are not cultivable and their relationship with human homeostasis. Alterations in the composition of gut microbiota could explain, at least in part, some epidemics, such as diabetes and obesity. Likewise, dysbiosis has been associated with gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer. That is why several studies have recently been focused on the direct relationship that these types of conditions have with the specific composition of gut microbiota, as in the case of the microbiota-intestine-brain axis. In the same way, the control of microbiota is related to the diet. Therefore, this review highlights the importance of gut microbiota, from its composition to its relationship with the human health-disease condition, as well as emphasizes the effect of probiotic and prebiotic consumption on the balance of its composition.

Weight-Reducing Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum ZJUFT17 Isolated from Sourdough Ecosystem

Lactobacillus plantarum ZJUFT17 (T17) is a potential probiotic bacterium isolated from Chinese traditional sourdough. The purpose of this study was to investigate its weight-reducing effects in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and further to elucidate possible mechanisms. Male C57BL/6J mice fed HFD were given T17 (2–4 × 10⁸ cfu) intragastrically for 10 weeks. The results showed that the administration of T17 significantly suppressed HFD-induced body weight gain, alleviated HFD-induced increase in serum lipids and decreased energy intake. The serum levels of obesity-related metabolic signaling molecules, including insulin, adiponectin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were markedly improved. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that T17 administration dramatically modulated the gut microbiota, suppressing pathogenic and pro-inflammatory microbes and stimulating the microbes favoring anti-obesity. The weight-reducing efficacy of T17 may be explained by its ability to ameliorate systemic inflammation and insulin resistance mediated by gut microbiota. This study revealed that T17 could ameliorate obesity and the concomitant metabolic syndrome in mice and that the lactic acid bacteria in the sourdough ecosystem may also possess anti-obesity/weight-reducing properties.

Fermented blueberry pomace ameliorates intestinal barrier function through the NF-κB-MLCK signaling pathway in high-fat diet mice

The barrier-improving functions of fermented blueberry pomace (FBP) and its potential mechanism were investigated in this study. Polyphenols and the approximate composition of FBP were evaluated according to the National Standard of the People's Republic of China and the UPLC-MS system. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet (CD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) with or without FBP supplementation. Oxidative stress, inflammation, histological morphology and the expression of functional proteins in the small intestine of mice were evaluated using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting. The content of protein, fat, soluble dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber and carbohydrates (non-dietary fiber) was 114.5 ± 1.5 g kg^-1, 5.0 ± 0.2 g kg^-1, 48.0 ± 0.1 g kg^-1, 360.3 ± 2.2 g kg^-1 and 423 g kg^-1 (by difference), respectively. Thirty-six polyphenols were identified in FBP. FBP improved the growth of mice and attenuated hepatic and intestinal oxidative stress. Intestinal inflammation was significantly reduced through the decrease of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as well as an increase of interleukin-10 (IL-10). FBP supplementation significantly improved the intestinal morphology and barrier function, potentially by mediating the NF-κB-MLCK signaling pathway. The supplementation of FBP in HFD mice enhanced the intestinal barrier function. This suggested that polyphenol-rich by-products might provide a similar health effect in HFD individuals.

Decaisnea insignis Seed Oil Inhibits Trimethylamine-N-oxide Formation and Remodels Intestinal Microbiota to Alleviate Liver Dysfunction in l-Carnitine Feeding Mice

Elevated circulating level of the intestinal microbiota-derived l-carnitine metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has recently been linked to many chronic diseases. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of omega-7-enriched Decaisnea insignis seed oil (DISO) on reducing TMAO formation to prevent the l-carnitine-induced hepatic damage in mice. Feeding of mice with 3% l-carnitine in drinking water clearly increased the serum and urinary levels of TMAO (p < 0.05 vs Normal), whereas the serum and urinary TMAO formation was sharply reduced by DISO administration (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, DISO resulted in strong inhibition against the elevation of hepatic injury marker (AST, ALT, and ALP) activities and dyslipidemia (TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C), as well as liver inflammatory cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and TNF-β) release in l-carnitine-fed mice (p < 0.05). As revealed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing, DISO significantly inhibited the l-carnitine-induced elevations in the abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Erysipelotrichaceae and the increases in the proportion of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, revealing that DISO attenuated the l-carnitine-caused gut dysbiosis. These findings suggested that DISO could alleviate liver dysfunction in l-carnitine-fed mice, which might be due to the protection against TMAO formation by modulating the gut microbiota.

Cereal bars functionalized through Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and inulin incorporated in edible coatings of whey protein isolate or alginate

Currently, cereal bars are gaining interest globally because of their nutritionally balanced and convenient nature. One healthy strategy is to add probiotics to cereal bars, to make them a functional food product. So, in this study a cereal bar functionalized with edible coatings of whey protein isolate (WPI) and alginate (ALG) incorporated with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and inulin was developed and evaluated for its consumer acceptability and physicochemical and microbiological properties, throughout 90 days of storage. WPI-coated cereal bars were shown to be the solution that better maintained the level of the incorporated probiotic strain when compared to the ones coated with ALG, throughout storage and throughout in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The physicochemical properties of the bars, namely aw, moisture content, color and texture, were not altered during the storage period. The sensory evaluation showed that coated bars were accepted as well as control bars. Moreover, the consumers appreciated better the odor and flavor of WPI-coated bars than those of ALG-coated bars.

Akkermansia muciniphila-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Mucosal Delivery Vector for Amelioration of Obesity in Mice

Recent evidence suggests that probiotics can restore the mucosal barrier integrity, ameliorate inflammation, and promote homeostasis required for metabolism in obesity by affecting the gut microbiota composition. In this study, we investigated the effect of Akkermansia muciniphila and its extracellular vesicles (EVs) on obesity-related genes in microarray datasets and evaluated the cell line and C57BL/6 mice by conducting RT-PCR and ELISA assays. A. muciniphila-derived EVs caused a more significant loss in body and fat weight of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, compared with the bacterium itself. Moreover, treatment with A. muciniphila and EVs had significant effects on lipid metabolism and expression of inflammatory markers in adipose tissues. Both treatments improved the intestinal barrier integrity, inflammation, energy balance, and blood parameters (i.e., lipid profile and glucose level). Our findings showed that A. muciniphila-derived EVs contain various biomolecules, which can have a positive impact on obesity by affecting the involved genes. Also, our results showed that A. muciniphila and its EVs had a significant relationship with intestinal homeostasis, which highlights their positive role in obesity treatment. In conclusion, A. muciniphila-derived EVs can be used as new therapeutic strategies to ameliorate HFD-induced obesity by affecting various mechanisms.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC05 Isolated from Sichuan Pickle in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice through PPAR-α Signaling Pathway

Sichuan pickle is a traditional fermented food in China which is produced by the spontaneous fermentation of Chinese cabbage. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of a new lactic acid bacterium (Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC05, LF-CQPC05) isolated from Sichuan pickles were assessed in vivo. An obese animal model was established in mice by inducing obesity with high-fat diet. Both serum and tissues were collected from the mice, and then subjected to qPCR and Western blot analyses. The results showed that LF-CQPC05 could decrease the values of hepatosomatic, epididymal fat, and perirenal fat indices that were induced by a high-fat diet in mice. Moreover, LF-CQPC05 reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in both serum samples and liver tissues of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet. Pathological observations demonstrated that LF-CQPC05 could alleviate the obesity-induced pathological changes in the liver tissue of mice, and reduce the degree of adipocyte enlargement. The results of qPCR and Western blot analyses further indicated that LF-CQPC05 upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), PPAR-α: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), (cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase) CYP7A1, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1A), and downregulated the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) in both liver tissue and epididymal adipose tissue. Taken altogether, this study reveals that LF-CQPC05 can effectively inhibit high-fat diet-induced obesity. Its anti-obesity effect is comparable to that of l-carnitine, and is superior to that of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, a common strain used in the dairy industry. Therefore, LF-CQPC05 is a high-quality microbial strain with probiotic potential.

Regulation of Microbiota by Vitamin D Receptor: A Nuclear Weapon in Metabolic Diseases

Metabolic syndrome is a multi-faceted disease. The microbiota, as a newly discovered organ, contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have demonstrated that nuclear receptors play critical roles in metabolic diseases. In the current review, we discuss the general role of the microbiome in health and metabolic syndrome. We summarize the functions of the nuclear receptor vitamin D receptor (VDR) in metabolism. The focus of this review is the novel roles of vitamin D/VDR signaling in regulating inflammation and the microbiome, especially in obesity. Furthermore, we extend our discussion of potential gut-liver axis mediated by VDR signaling and microbiota in obesity. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical application of probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation in prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. Insights into nuclear receptors in metabolism and metabolic diseases will allow us to develop new strategies for fighting metabolic diseases.

Gut Microbiota Modulation and Its Relationship with Obesity Using Prebiotic Fibers and Probiotics: A Review

In the present world scenario, obesity has almost attained the level of a pandemic and is progressing at a rapid rate. This disease is the mother of all other metabolic disorders, which apart from placing an added financial burden on the concerned patient also has a negative impact on his/her well-being and health in the society. Among the various plausible factors for the development of obesity, the role of gut microbiota is very crucial. In general, the gut of an individual is inhabited by trillions of microbes that play a significant role in host energy homeostasis by their symbiotic interactions. Dysbiosis in gut microbiota causes disequilibrium in energy homeostasis that ultimately leads to obesity. Numerous mechanisms have been reported by which gut microbiota induces obesity in experimental models. However, which microbial community is directly linked to obesity is still unknown due to the complex nature of gut microbiota. Prebiotics and probiotics are the safer and effective dietary substances available, which can therapeutically alter the gut microbiota of the host. In this review, an effort was made to discuss the current mechanisms through which gut microbiota interacts with host energy metabolism in the context of obesity. Further, the therapeutic approaches (prebiotics/probiotics) that helped in positively altering the gut microbiota were discussed by taking experimental evidence from animal and human studies. In the closing statement, the challenges and future tasks within the field were discussed.

Influence of milk fermented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 17 alone and in combination with herbal ingredients on diet induced adiposity and related gene expression in C57BL/6J mice

Obesity has become a major health problem in developed countries and is rapidly catching up in the developing world due to changes in their life style. Dietary incorporation of functional foods, including probiotic fermented milk and herbal ingredients, is being tried to ameliorate metabolic disorders. In the present study, the effect of dietary supplementation of a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 17) fermented milk alone or either of the herbal preparations (Aloe vera/Gymnema sylvestre powders, 1% w/w) on the progression of obesity has been studied in C57BL/6J mice fed with a high fat diet for 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, oral administration of L. rhamnosus and herbs resulted in a significant decrease in the body weight, epididymal fat mass, fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels. Supplementation of the probiotic L. rhamnosus alone and in combination with herbs showed a significant decrease in the adipocyte cell size and an increase in the number. Finally, obesity related adipokines levels were maintained at normal by the treatment groups. Thus, dietary intervention of milk fermented with probiotic L. rhamnosus alone or in combination with any of the herbal preparations seems to show anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties.