Page 47 - MI-2-2

Microbes & Immunity Probiotics & obesity

Table 1. Effects of various Lactobacillus strains on health parameters and related studies
Effect Lactobacillus strains References
Decrease of BMI L. kefiranofaciens, L. plantarum Dad-13 7, 10
Decrease of weight L. plantarum FRT4, L. plantarum Pro1 (MT505334.1), LFBE, L. casei Zhang, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
L. plantarum NCHBL–004, L. Gasseri BNR17 + L. Fermentum ABF21069,
L. Kefiranofaciens, L. plantarum Dad–13, L. plantarum HMRS–6
Decrease of visceral fat L. kefiranofaciens, L. plantarum FRT10, LFBE, L. plantarum FRT4, L. Gasseri 7,13,14,15,16,18,19
BNR17 + L. Fermentum ABF21069, L. casei Zhang, L. plantarum HMRS‑6
Decrease of blood glucose level LFBE, L. Kefiranofaciens, L. plantarum HMRS‑6 7,16,18
Decrease of serum uric acid L. Kefiranofaciens, L. plantarum HMRS‑6 7,16
Favorable lipid profile L. plantarum FRT10, LFBE, L. plantarum FRT4, L. plantarum & L. rhamnosus, 12,14,17,18
L. plantarum NCHBL–004
Increase of short-chain fatty acids L. plantarum NCHBL–004, L. Kefiranofaciens 7,12
Increase in gut microbiota diversity L. plantarum FRT10, L. plantarum FRT4, L. casei Zhang, L. plantarum NCHBL– 7,12,14-16,19
004, L. Kefiranofaciens, L. plantarum HMRS‑6
Increase of epithelial barrier integrity L. plantarum FRT4, L. Kefiranofaciens 7,15
Abbreviations: BMI: Body mass index; LFBE: L. plantarum from fermented barley extract, BMI: Body mass index; L. kefiranofaciens: Lactobacillus
kefiranofaciens; L. plantarum: Lactobacillus plantarum; L. casei: Lactobacillus casei; L. gasseri: Lactobacillus gasseri; L. Fermentum: Lactobacillus
Fermentum.

fat. In addition, their combined use has shown promising strains adds complexity to the gut microbiome
effects on glycemic control, reducing insulin resistance, mechanisms. Kaczmarczyk et al. studied a combination
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and improving lipid profiles. This dual approach not only of nine strains, including Bifidobacterium bifidum W23,
helps restore the balance of beneficial gut bacteria but B. lactis W51/W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, and
also appears to mitigate the inflammatory and metabolic others. In this trial involving 36 post-menopausal women
disruptions associated with obesity. However, despite these in Poland, two groups received either a low-dose probiotic
positive outcomes, further research is needed to understand (LDP, 2.5 × 10 CFU/day) or a high-dose probiotic (HPD,
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the optimal dosages, long-term effects, and potential safety 1 × 10 CFU/day).
concerns in human trials, as well as the impact of individual The LDP group experienced a functional change
variations in gut microbiota composition. in Erysipelotrichia bacteria, which synergized with
Othman et al. compared the effects of probiotics the probiotics to promote weight and BMI reduction.
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(Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Interestingly, the HPD group showed no such bacterial
Lactococcus lactis, and Streptococcus thermophilus), shift but still achieved weight and BMI loss. Both groups
a prebiotic diet (30 g carob beans/day), and a low- demonstrated favorable outcomes for obese post-
carbohydrate diet in 45 obese patients over the course menopausal women, with no significant differences
of 1 month. The probiotic group showed reductions in between the doses. These findings suggest that probiotic
weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, depression, effectiveness may depend on the pre-existing gut
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and fasting glucose, with improved grip strength. Both the microbiota. A randomized open-label clinical trial in
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probiotic and prebiotic-receiving groups showed improved Hong Kong by Lauw et al. assessed a synbiotic supplement
lean mass and physical performance, with the probiotic containing B. lactis HN019, L. acidophilus NCFM, and
group showing a smaller reduction in serum uric acid PDX on anthropometric indices, obesity-related markers,
(SUA), a key factor in obesity-related insulin resistance, and gut microbiota in overweight and obese Chinese
hypertension, and cardiovascular risk. 4,19 participants. Synbiotic supplementation alone showed
no significant effects on body composition or metabolic
Lactobacillus synthesizes an enzyme that degrades uric biomarkers. However, when combined with increased
acid, a valuable trait in obesity treatment. Bifidobacterium fruit and vegetable intake, synbiotics led to notable
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produces SCFAs such as acetate, propionate, butyrate, and improvements in body weight, BMI, body fat mass, and
lactate, which regulate genes associated with fat storage cardiovascular risk factors, with a clinically significant 5%
and inflammation. Consequently, combinations of these weight loss. In addition, fasting glucose, insulin resistance,
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probiotics have been explored for managing obesity-related and HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for
effects. Combining Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Insulin Resistance) also improved.

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 39 doi: 10.36922/mi.8358