The effects of probiotics on body weight and biomarkers of animal

Obesity is associated with the alteration of the gut microbiota. In order to determine the effects of probiotics on body weight management and its related biomarkers we performed a systematic review using clinical trial, interventional and experimental studies. We performed a broad search with no date restriction. Primary outcomes were included the parameters related to body weight management. Secondary outcomes were inflammatory markers, lipid profile, blood glucose and insulin level. A total of 12 animal studies were identified. Among these, six studies reported the significant changes in body weight and all the studies had documented significant improvements in at least one body weight related parameter. However, inflammatory markers and lipid profile were significantly improved in the animal model; changes in body weight and energy intake that could be due to probiotics supplementation were controversial. Different strains of gut microbiota have different effects on weight changes. Further studies are needed to identify the role of gut microbiota on weight regulation of human

Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Bone Mineral Content and Bone Mass Density

A few studies in animals and a study in humans showed a positive effect of probiotic on bone metabolism and bone mass density. Most of the investigated bacteria were Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium . The positive results of the probiotics were supported by the high content of dietary calcium and the high amounts of supplemented probiotics. Some of the principal mechanisms include (1) increasing mineral solubility due to production of short chain fatty acids; (2) producing phytase enzyme by bacteria to overcome the effect of mineral depressed by phytate; (3) reducing intestinal inflammation followed by increasing bone mass density; (4) hydrolysing glycoside bond food in the intestines by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. These mechanisms lead to increase bioavailability of the minerals. In conclusion, probiotics showed potential effects on bone metabolism through different mechanisms with outstanding results in the animal model. The results also showed that postmenopausal women who suffered from low bone mass density are potential targets to consume probiotics for increasing mineral bioavailability including calcium and consequently increasing bone mass density

The anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus casei strain shirota versus orlistat on high fat diet-induced obese rats

BACKGROUND:Obesity and overweight are major public health problems. Various factors, such as daily nutritional habits, physical inactivity, and genetic, are related to the prevalence of obesity. Recently, it was revealed that the gut microflora may also play an important role in weight management. Thus, this study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) compared with those of orlistat in an animal model fed a high-fat diet (HFD). DESIGN:Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups fed various diets as follows: a standard diet group, HFD group, HFD supplemented with LcS (108109 colony-forming units (HFD-LcS) group, and HFD group treated with Orlistat (10 mg/kg body weight)). After 15 weeks, the weights of organs, body weight, body fat mass and serological biomarkers were measured. In addition, histological analysis of the liver and adipose tissue was performed. RESULTS:Body weight, body mass index, fat mass, leptin and glucose levels were lower, and high-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels were higher in the HFD-LcS and HFD-orlistat groups than in the HFD group. In addition a significant difference in body fat mass was observed between HFD-LcS group with HFD-orlistat group (19.19±5.76 g vs. 30.19±7.98 g). Although the interleukin-6 level was significantly decreased in the HFD-LcS and HFD-orlistat groups compared with the HFD group, no significant change was observed in other inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSION:The results of the present study show that LcS supplementation improves body weight management and the levels of some related biomarkers. In addition, LcS supplementation showed a better result in fat mass and alanine aminotransferase reduction than Orlistat. Further studies are needed to elucidate the anti-obesity effects of LcS, with a longer period of supplementation

Probiotics (Bifidobacterium longum) increase bone mass density and upregulate sparc and Bmp-2 genes in rats with bone loss resulting from ovariectomy

Probiotics are live microorganisms that exert beneficial effects on the host, when administered in adequate amounts. Mostly, probiotics affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the host and alter the composition of gut microbiota. Nowadays, the incidence of hip fractures due to osteoporosis is increasing worldwide. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats have fragile bone due to estrogen deficiency and mimic the menopausal conditions in women. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) on bone mass density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone remodeling, bone structure, and gene expression in OVX rats. The rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups (sham, OVX, and the OVX group supplemented with 1 mL of B. longum 108–109 colony forming units (CFU)/mL). B. longum was given once daily for 16 weeks, starting from 2 weeks after the surgery. The B. longum supplementation increased (p < 0.05) serum osteocalcin (OC) and osteoblasts, bone formation parameters, and decreased serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and osteoclasts, bone resorption parameters. It also altered the microstructure of the femur. Consequently, it increased BMD by increasing (p < 0.05) the expression of Sparc and Bmp-2 genes. B. longum alleviated bone loss in OVX rats and enhanced BMD by decreasing bone resorption and increasing bone formation

Effects of probiotic supplementation on calcium absorption and bone health status in ovariectomized rats

Osteoporosis is a bone metabolism disorder which is explained by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue which is mostly due to the aging or menopause. The possibility of wrist, hip or spine fracture due to osteoporosis is estimated as parallel to the risk of heart disease. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the effect of probiotics (Bifidobacterium. longum, and Lactobacillis. helveticus) as a single species or double strain on calcium absorption and bone health status in ovariectomized rats. For this purpose, 56 female Sprague–Dawley rats of 10 weeks old were used in this study. Bilateral ovariectomy (Ovx) and sham-ovx (S-ovx) were performed on the rats. After 2 weeks of surgery the rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of Ovx and one group of Sovx.The surgical process and diet were as follow: G1: S-ovx, G2: Ovx, G3: Ovx + Ca, G4:Ovx + B. longum, G5: Ovx + L. helveticus, G6: Ovx + mixture of L. helveticus and B.longum, and G7: Ovx + mixture of L. helveticus and B. longum + Ca. The urine, fecal, and serum of the rats were collected and apparent Ca absorption and Ca retention were measured. Serum biomarkers were evaluated. Bone mineral contents (BMC) were analysed from the femur using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). BMD, trabecular structures, percentage of bone volume/total volume (BV/TV %), and percentage of total porosity were assessed using micro CT-scan. Breaking force of the femur was analysed by three point bending test using universal testing machine. Bone cellular structures were measured as static histomorphometric measurements. The fold changes of the expression of the genes were quantified with Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR). The results of the research showed combination of mixed bacteria and Ca in G7 and L.helveticus in G5 as a single species have increased significantly BMD of the femur compared to Ovx-non treated group (0.96±0.02, and 0.90±0.05 vs 0.74±0.05 gr.cm-3 respectively). B. longum treated group showed a higher Th.Th and a lower total porosity percentage (p<0.05) as compared to Ovx- non treated group. In addition, a higher strength of the femur have found in G7 (mixed bacteria + Ca) (p<0.05) (0.88±0.16 vs 0.54±0.11 N.m2). Single species bacteria have increased the expression of runt related transcription factor (RUNX-2), bone morphometric protein2 (BMP-2), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), Collagen type 1 & 2 (Col 1&2), osterix (OSX), as well as calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) genes (p<0.05), and have decreased parathyroid receptor (PTHr) (p<0.05) as compared to Ovx non-treated group. However, mixed bacteria only altered the expression of CaSR, SPARC and PTHr. In addition, liver toxicity was not reported with the selected dosage of bacteria consumption, since treated and non-treated Ovx were not significantly different in histology changes of the liver and liver serum biomarkers. This study found that L. helveticus, and B. longum as a probiotics supplementation, have resistance to acid and bile in gastrointestinal tract. This meant that, selected bacteria after their passage through the gastrointestinal tract were alive. In this regards, single species showed a higher potential effect on changes of BMD of the femur as compared to mixed strains. Thus, B. longum and L. helveticus, specially as a single species have shown a great potential on bone health. Therefore, choosing appropriate probiotics as a single species or mixed strains is important to act on the target organ for intervention or treatment of the specific disease, such as bone in order to prevent osteoporosis

The anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota versus Orlistat on high fat diet-induced obese rats

Background: Obesity and overweight are major public health problems. Various factors, such as daily nutritional habits, physical inactivity, and genetic, are related to the prevalence of obesity. Recently, it was revealed that the gut microflora may also play an important role in weight management. Thus, this study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) compared with those of orlistat in an animal model fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Design: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups fed various diets as follows: a standard diet group, HFD group, HFD supplemented with LcS (108109 colony-forming units (HFD-LcS) group, and HFD group treated with Orlistat (10 mg/kg body weight)). After 15 weeks, the weights of organs, body weight, body fat mass and serological biomarkers were measured. In addition, histological analysis of the liver and adipose tissue was performed. Results: Body weight, body mass index, fat mass, leptin and glucose levels were lower, and high-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels were higher in the HFD-LcS and HFD-orlistat groups than in the HFD group. In addition a significant difference in body fat mass was observed between HFD-LcS group with HFD-orlistat group (19.19±5.76 g vs. 30.19±7.98 g). Although the interleukin-6 level was significantly decreased in the HFD-LcS and HFD-orlistat groups compared with the HFD group, no significant change was observed in other inflammatory biomarkers. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that LcS supplementation improves body weight management and the levels of some related biomarkers. In addition, LcS supplementation showed a better result in fat mass and alanine aminotransferase reduction than Orlistat. Further studies are needed to elucidate the anti-obesity effects of LcS, with a longer period of supplementation