Bifidobacterium adolescentis supplementation ameliorates visceral fat accumulation and insulin sensitivity in an experimental model of the metabolic syndrome

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Bifidobacterium adolescentis (Bif) supplementation on visceral fat accumulation and insulin sensitivity of the metabolic syndrome in HF-diet-fed rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n 10 per group) were fed four different experimental diets for 12 weeks as follows: standard diet; high-fat (HF) diet; a mix of HF diet and Bif; a mix of standard diet and Bif. Liver, mesenteric fat, epididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat, and inguinal fat, pancreas and triceps surae in all four groups of the rats were weighed, while liver steatosis and insulin sensitivity were evaluated at the end point of the study. As the number of intestinal Bifidobacterium species decreased obviously, fat pad weight and body weight increased significantly in the HF group compared with in the other three groups (P , 0·05). Addition of Bif led to a reduction in body weight and fat pad weight (P , 0·05). With an increase in liver weight, more severe steatosis of hepatocytes was observed in the HF group compared with in the other three groups. A significant decrease of the glucose infusion rate and pancreas weight was found in the HF group (P , 0·05). This deleterious effect was alleviated when Bif was added to the diets. Bifidobacterium supplementation ameliorated visceral fat accumulation and insulin sensitivity of the metabolic syndrome in HF-diet-fed rats.Key words: Bifidobacterium: Metabolic syndrome: Insulin sensitivity: Visceral fat: RatsThe metabolic syndrome is a significant clinical problem characterised by insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance (1,2) . According to recent estimates, approximately 215 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes and 80 -90 % of them from type 2 diabetes (3) . The modern lifestyle of increased intake of a high-energy-dense diet associated with decreased energy expenditure also contributes to the current rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (4) . Recent epidemiological studies also revealed that 90 % of all patients with type 2 diabetes are or have been overweight, and indicated that obesity is a strong risk factor and cause of type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic disturbances (5,6) . The events of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia, and their association present major risk factors for the development of diabetic and cardiovascular complications (7) . To reduce these serious complications and negative outcome of the metabolic syndrome, the control not only of blood glucose but also of lipids is necessary (8) . Therefore, new medicinal agents with dual properties related to controlling both blood glucose and lipids are in great demand. The currently available therapeutic options such as dietary modification or a combination of synthetic antidiabetic, hypolipidaemic drugs have their own limitations and undesirable side-effects (7) . Hence, there is an increased demand to search and evaluate traditional approaches for the treatment of metabolic disorders.An innovative hypothes...

The Relationship between Habitual Dietary Intake and Gut Microbiota in Young Japanese Women

“…The mouse gut microbiota is also responsive to increased energy intake, with an increased abundance of Firmicutes and reduced abundance of Bacteroidetes (10)(11)(12). In addition, a number of research groups have reported that the supplementation with prebiotics and/or probiotics tends to increase the abundance of Bifidobacterium in humans and animals (13)(14)(15)(16).…”

In Vivo Selection To Identify Bacterial Strains with Enhanced Ecological Performance in Synbiotic Applications

“…S1 in the supplemental material). The established metabolic benefits of the species B. adolescentis serve as another rationale for the selection of IVS-1 for future applications (39,40).…”

Beyond gut microbiota: understanding obesity and type 2 diabetes

“…For instance, it was demonstrated that feeding Bifidobacterium improved several aspects of the metabolic syndrome reducing endotoxin concentration and intestinal inflammation. 76,77 However, these effects seem to be strain-dependent, which requires a detailed understanding of each strain and the way it affects fat and glucose metabolism. 78 As concerns Lactobacillus supplementation, although there is experimental data showing its effects in reduction of body weight, 79,80 some studies do not report these differences.…”