Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38 in combination reduce body fat accumulation and modulate gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of two single strains (Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38) at a level of 5 × 10 9 CFU and a mixture of these two strains (1 x 10 8 CFU) on body fat accumulation and gut microbiota in rats. In contrast to high-fat control, L. paracasei S38 intakes resulted in significant (p < .05) reductions in total visceral fat (−15%) and liver lipids (−19%). The supplementation of the multi-strain mixture at a relatively lower dose was more efficient (p < .05) in reducing feed efficiency (−17%), total visceral fat (−30%), and liver lipids (−32%). A higher concentration of total short-chain fatty acids and a higher proportion of Bacteroidetes were also observed in the fecal samples of the multi-strain group. Consumption of multiple strains of B. coagulans BC198 and L. paracasei S38 appeared to show greater efficacy than single strains even at a relatively low dose. El Bacillus coagulans BC198 y el Lactobacillus paracasei S38 combinados reducen la acumulación de grasa corporal y modulan la microbiota intestinal RESUMEN El presente estudio se propuso investigar los efectos de dos cepas individuales (Bacillus coagulans BC198 y Lactobacillus paracasei S38) a un nivel de 5 × 10 9 UFC y de una mezcla de estas dos cepas (1 x 10 8 UFC) en la acumulación de grasa corporal y la microbiota intestinal de las ratas. En contraste con el control de grasas, la ingesta de L. paracasei S38 provocó reducciones significativas (p < .05) de la grasa visceral total (−15%) y los lípidos hepáticos (−19%). La suplementación con la mezcla de múltiples cepas a una dosis relativamente más baja fue más efectiva (p < .05) para reducir la eficiencia de la alimentación (−17%), la grasa visceral total (−30%) y los lípidos hepáticos (−32%). Asimismo, se observó mayor concentración de ácidos grasos totales de cadena corta (SCFA) y mayor proporción de Bacteroidetes en las muestras fecales del grupo que consumió cepas múltiples. En conclusión, el consumo de cepas múltiples de B. coagulans BC198 y L. paracasei S38 parece tener mayor eficacia que las cepas individuales, incluso a una dosis relativamente baja, para reducir la acumulación de grasa corporal y modular la microbiota intestinal.

Objectives. To assess the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli (ST36), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongwan (CV12), and Fenglong (ST40) acupoints on sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expression in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin-resistant (IR) rats.Methods. Wistar rats were divided into normal control (NC), HFD, and HFD+EA groups. NC rats were fed a standard chow diet and did not receive EA. After being fed an HFD for eight weeks, rats in the HFD+EA group received EA at 2 Hz five times a week for eight weeks. Rats in the HFD group did not receive EA.Results. In HFD-induced IR rats, EA inhibited body weight increase and water intake, which were observed in HFD rats. EA had no effect on fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood sugar levels. Intraperitoneal insulin tolerance testing revealed that EA enhanced insulin sensitivity in HFD-induced IR rats. Compared with NC rats, SIRT1 and GLUT4 were downregulated in the quadriceps femoris of HFD-fed rats but were increased after eight weeks of EA stimulation.Conclusions. EA enhanced HFD-induced insulin resistance by activating SIRT1 and GLUT4 in the quadriceps femoris. These results provide powerful evidence supporting the beneficial effects of EA on HFD-induced insulin resistance.

Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) has become one of the main aquatic products of Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hot water extract of tilapia (HWET) in relieving fatigue and enhancing exercise performance in mice in a swimming endurance test. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) and treated with either a vehicle (control group) or different doses of HWET, which were designated as HWET-L (800 mg/kg/day), HWET-M (1600 mg/kg/day), and HWET-H (4000 mg/kg/day). The results of the swimming endurance test showed that HWET treatment significantly improved exercise-induced fatigue as the swimming time of the mice increased (p < 0.05). One hour after the test, blood samples were collected from each mouse and serum biochemical parameters were measured. The serum levels of lactate, creatine kinase (CK), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were lower in mice treated with HWET compared to the control group. Moreover, HWET treatment increased serum glucose levels and glycogen content in the liver. Enhanced glutathione (GSH) content in the liver and muscle was also found in the HWET-M and HWET-H groups. Western blot results showed that the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the liver tissue was downregulated by HWET treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HWET supplementation could enhance exercise performance and alleviate fatigue via biochemical profile improvements. This suggests that HWET has the potential for future development into functional foods or nutritional supplements to relieve fatigue.