Beneficial effects of a new probiotic formulation on adipocytokines, appetite-regulating hormones, and metabolic parameters in obese women.

Obesity is often accompanied by low-grade chronic inflammation and metabolic syndrome. It has been established that microbiota influences many physiological processes, including the development of obesity, and dysbiosis has been observed in obese individuals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of a new probiotic formulation, containing two probiotic strains and the bioactive compound octacosanol, on body weight, metabolic parameters, and concentrations of certain adipocytokines and appetite-regulating hormones in obese women. This double blind placebo-controlled supplementary intervention study included twenty-five women in the intervention group and twenty-three in the placebo group, and it lasted 12 weeks. Daily oral supplementation included 7 × 1010 CFU of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), 5 × 109 CFU of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (DBVPG6763), and 40 mg of octacosanol or placebo. Body weight, metabolic parameters, adipocytokines, and appetite-regulating hormones were assessed before (T0) and after the intervention (T1). After the intervention, significantly lower median concentrations of CRP (p = 0.005) and IL-6 (p = 0.012) were measured in the intervention group than the baseline, while the median concentrations of ghrelin (p = 0.026) and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03) were significantly increased. The intervention group had lower CRP levels (p = 0.023) and higher ghrelin levels (p = 0.006) than the placebo group. Significant changes in BMI between groups were not observed. In summary, although the new probiotic formulation showed beneficial effects on IL-6, CRP, HDL, and ghrelin levels, its potential effects on regulating triglyceride, insulin, and glucose levels require further studies before the novel dietary intervention could be considered a useful adjuvant therapy and an effective strategy for the management of obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities.

Epigenetic Aspects of a New Probiotic Concept-A Pilot Study.

Several studies report the important role of an altered gut microbiota in the development of obesity, highlighting the potential use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the expression of specific miRNAs and mRNAs associated with obesity in combination with the hypocholesterolemic octacosanol. Twenty overweight/obese women participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study and were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (daily one capsule containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, and 40 mg octacosanol; N = 12) and the placebo group (N = 8). Changes in lipid parameters and expression of miRNAs and mRNAs were assessed before (T0) and after the 12-week intervention (T1). After the intervention, the expression of miR-155-5p (9.38 ± 0.85 vs. 8.38 ± 1.06, p = 0.05) and miR-24-3p (3.42 ± 0.38 vs. 2.71 ± 0.97, p = 0.031) showed significant decreases in the intervention group when compared to the control group. At T1, the expression of miR-155-5p (8.69 ± 1.31 vs. 9.3 ± 0.85, p = 0.04), miR-125b-5p (5.41 ± 1.18 vs. 5.99 ± 1.36, p = 0.049), and TNF-α (10.24 ± 1.66 vs. 11.36 ± 1.12, p = 0.009) were significantly decreased in the intervention group. No changes in lipids and anthropometric parameters were observed. The novel probiotic approach had a positive effect on regulating the expression of certain miRNAs and mRNAs important for regulating inflammation and adipogenesis, which are essential for obesity onset and control.