Concentrations of serum TNF-α (A) and IL-6 (B) of Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> and Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats that were fed either a placebo or LAB strains for 30 days.

<p>Values are the means ± SEM, n = 8 per group. ^†<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL + placebo vs. ZO + placebo), and *<i>P</i><0.05 (ZO + placebo vs. ZO + probiotic strains). ZL, Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> rats; ZO, Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats.</p

Serum biochemical parameters of Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> and Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats fed either a placebo or LAB strains.

<p>Values are the means ± SEM, n = 8 per group. ^#<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL baseline vs. ZO baseline), ^†<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL + placebo vs. ZO + placebo), *<i>P</i><0.05 (ZO baseline vs. ZO + placebo). ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; NEFA, non-esterified fatty acids. HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. ZL, Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> rats; ZO, Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats.</p

Liver triacylglycerol content of Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> and Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats that were fed either a placebo or LAB strains for 30 days.

<p>Values are the means ± SEM, n = 8 per group. ^†<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL + placebo vs. ZO + placebo), and *<i>P</i><0.05 (ZO + placebo vs. ZO + LAB strains). ZL, Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> rats; ZO, Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats.</p

Haematoxylin-eosin stained, 5-µm-thick sections of ileal (top panels, A–D) and colonic (bottom panels, E–H) mucosa of Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> and Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats that were fed either a placebo or LAB strains for 30 days.

<p>Two rats per group were used for this staining. Three pieces of tissue from each animal were fixed and embedded in the same paraffin block. Four to 8 sections per block were cut, stained and analyzed. Representative micrographs from various groups are shown. A and E: Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> rats at baseline; B and F: Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats + placebo; C and G: Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats +<i>L. rhamnosus</i>; and D and H: Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats + LAB mixture.</p

Representative micrographs of 7-µm-thick liver sections stained with 0.3% Oil red O in 60% isopropanol of Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> and Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats that were fed either a placebo or LAB strains for 30 days (A).

<p>Percentage of the micrograph area corresponding to the lipid staining of liver sections described in panel A was calculated (B). Values are the means ± SEM, n = 2 per group. ^†<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL + placebo vs. ZO + placebo), and *<i>P</i><0.05 (ZO + placebo vs. ZO + LAB strains). ZL, Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> rats; ZO, Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats.</p

Serum leptin (A) and adiponectin (B) concentrations of Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> and Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats that were fed either a placebo or LAB strains for 30 days.

<p>Values are the means ± SEM, n = 8 per group. ^#<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL baseline vs. ZO baseline), and ^†<i>P</i><0.05 (ZL + placebo vs. ZO + placebo). ZL, Zucker-lean^+/<i>fa</i> rats; ZO, Zucker-Lepr<i>^fa/fa</i> rats.</p