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Microbes & Immunity Probiotics & obesity

1. Introduction butyrate, and lactate, which modulate gene expression
related to adiposity and inflammation. Building on
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Obesity is the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in these findings, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of
the body, which can lead to health hazards. It is diagnosed combined probiotic strains to explore their potential as a
when a person’s body mass index (BMI) reaches or exceeds strategy for mitigating obesity-related effects, including
30. Obesity is one of the most pressing and prevalent those on metabolic health, gut microbiota composition,
issues worldwide, affecting both healthcare systems and and associated comorbidities. This investigation aims to
the general public. The Fogarty International Center provide a deeper understanding of how specific probiotic
conference on obesity, held at the National Institutes of combinations may offer therapeutic benefits in managing
Health in October 1977, responded to the growing concern obesity and its long-term health impacts.
over this condition and called for official action. Despite
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early recognition, obesity remains a chronic disease and 2. Methods
a significant health challenge. Over the past 30 years,
adolescent obesity rates in the U.S. have tripled, with over This study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA
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20% of adolescents now classified as obese. Early prevention recommendations. We systematically reviewed the
is crucial, particularly for adolescents with a BMI above available literature using PubMed, Google Scholar,
the 95 percentile, as they face a higher risk of continuing ClinicalTrials, and EMBASE databases. A comprehensive
th
obesity into adulthood compared to younger children. In search was conducted for clinical trials, meta-analyses,
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addition, overweight adolescents are at an increased risk and randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of
of long-term morbidity and mortality. Addressing obesity probiotics on obesity-related effects, covering the period
during childhood is the most effective strategy to reduce from January 2020 to December 2024. The search was
adult obesity and its associated comorbidities. 3 completed in December 2024. Articles from PubMed
were screened using EndNote software, while others
To address obesity, treatment strategies should include were identified through database search tools and filters.
a balanced diet that maintains gut microbiota stability, The search terms used included “obesity,” “Lactobacillus,”
as well as a diet enriched with prebiotics and probiotics “Bifidobacterium,” “probiotics,” and “probiotics and human
to prevent or manage the onset of obesity. The use of obesity.” All articles were reviewed, and duplicates were
prebiotics and probiotics is particularly beneficial in cases manually removed by two researchers. The population of
of sarcopenic obesity or obesity associated with glycemic interest included individuals with a BMI over 25, classified
disorders. Shiu et al. reported that an improved diet as overweight or clinically obese. Limitations of this study
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4,5
alone enhanced insulin sensitivity in mice. However, no included the restriction to English-language articles
significant additional benefit was observed with probiotic and limited access to certain publications. Despite these
administration. This finding underscores the importance constraints, the study identified a potential solution for
of lifestyle changes, such as reduced calorie intake and obesity management using probiotics through a selection
increased anaerobic exercise, as foundational steps in process based on effective treatment outcomes.
treating obesity.
According to the International Scientific Association 3. Results
of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), probiotics are A total of 130 records were initially identified, and 123 were
live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate screened after duplicate removal. Of these, 74 articles were
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amounts, confer health benefits to the host. Combining selected for full-text review and data extraction. The flow
probiotics with prebiotics and postbiotics has been shown of information through the stages of the scoping review is
to enhance sleep quality, alleviate anxiety and stress, illustrated in the accompanying flowchart (Figure 1).
and, most notably, mitigate obesity-related effects. A
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growing area of interest in probiotic research focuses on 3.1. Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus due to its high efficiency in regulating gut The growing interest in L. plantarum as a probiotic
microbiota health. Lactobacillus supplementation has intervention underscores its multifaceted benefits for
demonstrated improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms, metabolic and gastrointestinal health. Studies have
inflammatory profiles, and vitamin levels. Notably, the consistently demonstrated its ability to modulate gut
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Lactobacillus plantarum strain has exhibited anti-obesity microbiota, enhance SCFA production, and regulate blood
effects by modulating gut microbiota, increasing short- glucose levels through mechanisms such as increased
chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and regulating insulin sensitivity and improved glucose uptake. Notably,
metabolic pathways. Similarly, Bifidobacterium has been L. plantarum NCHBL-004 shows significant alteration in
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shown to produce SCFAs, including acetate, propionate, gut microbial diversity at the phylum, family, and genus

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 35 doi: 10.36922/mi.8358