Page 46 - MI-2-2

Microbes & Immunity Probiotics & obesity

most favorable outcomes, including the highest HDL 3.11. Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Lactobacillus
levels, and the lowest levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, fermentum ABF21069
and LDL, along with reduced serum and urinary creatinine Jo et al. examined the effects of L. gasseri BNR17 and
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levels. Notably, weight gain in the combination group was L. fermentum ABF21069 on obesity and fatty liver in
comparable to the regular diet control group, highlighting a sucrose-induced obese animal model over 10 weeks.
its potential in mitigating obesity-related effects. 16 Probiotic supplementation improved β-oxidation,

3.8. L. plantarum from fermented barley extract thermogenesis, and lipolysis, while also reducing
(LFBE) inflammation, with combination therapy outperforming
the individual strains. Key outcomes included reduced
Gu et al. investigated the effects of LFBE on body fat, alleviated fatty liver, enhanced exopolysaccharide
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obesity in Sprague–Dawley rats with HFD-induced (EPS) production, and regulation of sugar transport and
adipocyte hypertrophy. Over an 8-week period, LFBE inflammatory gene expression. BNR17 was more effective in
supplementation reduced weight gain, fasting blood EPS production and visceral fat reduction, while ABF21069
glucose levels, lipid accumulation, and fatty acid synthesis led to better mitigation of liver fat and inflammation. 12
while maintaining an HFD. Transcriptomic analysis
showed that the LFBE inhibited genes responsible for lipid 3.12. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis
overproduction and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis. CKDB001 (LL)
Notably, LFBE supplementation transforms white adipose The study investigated LL for the treatment of metabolic-
tissue in the groin and epididymis into brown-like adipose associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in an HFD-
tissue, marked by smaller fat droplets and increased induced murine model. LL supplementation reduced
mitochondrial density. These findings highlight LFBE’s body weight, hepatomegaly, fibrosis, and non-alcoholic
potential in combating obesity-related effects. 17 steatosis scores while improving insulin sensitivity,
3.9. L. casei Zhang (LCZ) triglyceride levels, and liver-specific AMPK activation.
He et al. evaluated the effects of LCZ, a probiotic In addition, it promoted healthier adipocyte hypertrophy
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derived from koumiss, on mesenteric and perirenal through enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and energy
fat in wild-type and GLUT1 villi CKO mice. LCZ utilization. However, gaps remain in understanding LL’s
administration significantly reduced both fat types in impact on gut microbiota, its long-term effects, and human
both groups, addressing critical markers of obesity-related bioavailability. 11
complications. Elevated mesenteric fat was associated with Table 1 provides a comprehensive overview of
systemic inflammation and increased gut permeability, anthropometric parameters, as well as metabolic
while increased perirenal fat was linked to kidney damage and inflammatory biomarkers influenced by specific
and lipotoxicity. Despite the study’s limitation of small Lactobacillus strains. Note that directly related parameters,
sample size (n = 5 for GLUT1 villi CKO mice), the findings such as weight and BMI, are included based on study-
highlight LCZ’s potential benefits for managing obesity specific criteria. Consequently, a group listed under
and glucose transporter impairments. 18 ‘Decrease of weight’ may not appear under ‘Decrease
of BMI,’ even though a direct relationship is understood
3.10. L. kefiranofaciens (Table 1).
6
Kurakawa et al. investigated the metabolic effects of an
inactive L. kefiranofaciens in mice over a 15-week period. 3.13. Combined effects of Lactobacillus and
The low-dose group (50 mg/kg) showed weight reduction Bifidobacterium
after 12 weeks, while the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) The combined effects of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
exhibited similar results after 15 weeks. Notably, the low- probiotics have garnered significant attention in recent
dose group experienced significant visceral fat reduction, research for their potential to improve metabolic health,
suggesting a dose-dependent relationship between particularly in the context of obesity and its comorbidities.
probiotics and metabolic benefits. Both groups These two genera of probiotics work synergistically to
demonstrated reductions in insulin resistance, body weight, modulate the gut microbiota, enhance the production of
and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, alongside increases SCFAs like butyrate, acetate, and propionate, and improve
in SCFA production and acetate levels. While the findings gut diversity. Lactobacillus strains, such as L. plantarum,
are limited by the use of mice, this study highlights the and Bifidobacterium species, such as Bifidobacterium lactis,
potential of inactive L. kefiranofaciens strains as postbiotics have demonstrated the ability to reduce body weight, lower
for future clinical trials. 6 BMI, and alleviate fat accumulation, particularly in visceral

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 38 doi: 10.36922/mi.8358