Effects of <i>Bifidobacterium breve</i> B-3 on body fat reductions in pre-obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests a relationship between the gut microbiota and the development of obesity, indicating the potential of probiotics as a therapeutic approach. Bifidobacterium breve B-3 has been shown to exert anti-obesity effects in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. In the present study, the anti-obesity effects of the consumption of B. breve B-3 by healthy pre-obese (25 ≤ BMI < 30) adults were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (trial registration: UMIN-CTR No. 000023919; preregistered on September 2, 2016). Eighty participants were randomized to receive placebo or B. breve B-3 capsules (2 × 1010 CFU/day) daily for 12 weeks. The visceral fat area significantly increased at weeks 4 and 8 in the placebo group only; no significant change was observed in the B-3 group. Body fat mass and percent body fat were significantly lower in the B-3 group than in the placebo group at weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.05, ANCOVA adjusted with baseline values). Although no significant differences were observed in blood parameters between the groups, the intake of B. breve B-3 slightly decreased triglyceride levels and improved HDL cholesterol from the baseline. No serious adverse effects were noted in either group. These results suggest that the probiotic strain B. breve B-3 has potential as a functional food ingredient to reduce body fat in healthy pre-obese individuals.

Heat-Killed Bifidobacterium breve B-3 Enhances Muscle Functions: Possible Involvement of Increases in Muscle Mass and Mitochondrial Biogenesis

“…Bifidobacterium breve B-3 (B-3), a probiotic strain originating from the gut of an infant, has been demonstrated to exert anti-obesity effects [1,2] through mechanisms speculated to include improvement of intestinal barrier function; adiponectin and colonic proglucagon production; and the production of B-3-derived metabolites with anti-obesity activity (e.g., acetic acids and conjugated linoleic acids) [1,3]. In a clinical study on mild obesity subjects, body fat mass was significantly lower in the B-3 group than in the placebo group.…”

A Mini-Review of Human Studies on Cholesterol-Lowering Properties of Probiotics

“…The supplementation of B. breve B-3 capsules (2 × 10 10 CFU/day) for 12 weeks slightly reduced the TG and improved the HDL-C content in pre-obese subjects, but the changes are not significant when compared to baseline values. However, the probiotic supplementation reduced the body fat in healthy pre-obese subjects; and the lipid profile was not improved significantly [40]. Similarly, L. gasseri BNR17 supplementation (10 9 or 10 10 CFU/day) for 12 weeks reduced the visceral fat mass in obese subjects, but the changes in the TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were not significant when compared to the placebo control [41].…”

“…Studies reported based on the intervention of single-strain probiotic (E. faecium M-74 along with selenium [27]; Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 [29]; L. rhamnosus GG [30]; Soy milk containing L. plantarum A7 [35]) preparation showed significant hypocholesterolemic effect when compared to the study reported with the intervention of single-strain probiotics (B. breve B-3 [40]; Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 [41]) preparation; whereas intervention of single-strain probiotics (L. acidophilus [53]; B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 [54]) preparation exhibited no beneficial effect on the lipid profile of the studied subjects.…”

“…Based on the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] reviewed in the present article, the hypocholesterolemic effect of the probiotics was not significantly influenced by the diet. Studies reported based on the intervention of single-strain probiotic (E. faecium M-74 along with selenium [27]; Saccharomyces cerevisiae var.…”

Corrigendum: The new views on the state of the gut microbiota in obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 (Diabetes mellitus. 2019;22(3). doi: 10.14341/DM10194)

“…В группе пациентов с СД2, получающих Lactobacillus в течение 4 нед, сохранялась или нормализовалась чувствительность к инсулину, в то время как в группе плацебо она снижалась. При применении у пациентов с ожирением также было выявлено значительное снижение массы тела, улучшение показателей липидного спектра по сравнению с группой плацебо [61,62].…”