Kefir reduces insulin resistance and inflammatory cytokine expression in an animal model of metabolic syndrome

Abstract

There is growing evidence that kefir can be a promising tool in decreasing the risk of many diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of kefir supplementation in the diet of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) in which MetS was induced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and to determine its effect on metabolic parameters, inflammatory and oxidation marker expression and glycemic index control. Thirty animals were used in this experiment. For the induction of MetS, twenty two-day-old male SHR received five consecutive intradermal injections of MSG. For the Negative Control, ten newborn male SHR received intradermal injections of saline solution (0.9% saline solution). After weaning, animals received standard diet and water ad libitum until reaching 3 months old, for the development of MetS. They were then divided into three groups (n = 10): negative control (NC, 1 mL saline solution per day), positive control (PC, 1 mL saline solution per day) and the Kefir group (1 mL kefir per day). Feeding was carried out by gavage for 10 weeks and the animals received standard food and water ad libitum. Obesity, insulin resistance, pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, and the histology of pancreatic and adipose tissues were among the main variables evaluated. Compared to the PC group, kefir supplementation reduced plasma triglycerides, liver lipids, liver triglycerides, insulin resistance, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, thoracic circumference, abdominal circumference, products of lipid oxidation, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-1β) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-10). The present findings indicate that kefir has the potential to benefit the management of MetS.

Deleterious Metabolic Effects of High Fructose Intake: The Preventive Effect of Lactobacillus kefiri Administration

“…L. kefiri is a microorganism derived from kefir grains. Previous reports have demonstrated that kefir improves fatty liver syndrome in ob / ob mice [47] and metabolic parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats [48]. Interestingly, in our model the administration of L. kefiri completely prevented the alterations caused by FRD intake, which strongly support the beneficial effect of this probiotic.…”

Mechanisms of Action of Kefir in Chronic Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

“…revealed that kefir supplementation reduces glycemia and improves the balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL1, IL6, TNF/IL-10 ratio) in an experimental model of type 1 diabetes [94]. These results were recently confirmed in an experimental model of MS [116]. In agreement with this study's results, Punaro et al [117] also demonstrated antioxidative and renoprotective effects after kefir supplementation using STZ-diabetic rats.…”

The Many Faces of Kefir Fermented Dairy Products: Quality Characteristics, Flavour Chemistry, Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, and Safety

“…Fermented functional foods, including kefir, are a focus of this research [12]. Kefir possesses a myriad of bioactive properties to include anticancer [11], antimicrobial [73], anti-inflammatory [75], hypocholesterolemic [76], wound healing [77], antioxidant [56] and gastrointestinal aiding properties as summarized in Figure 5 [12], which will be discussed in details over the next subsections.…”

“…Ten weeks of kefir supplementation in spontaneously hypertensive rats was able to reduce inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β) expression in adipose tissue, increase anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and decrease the oxidative markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroperoxides [75].…”

“…Kefir led to a 42% reduction of TNF-α/IL-10 and a 50% reduction of pro-inflammatory IL-6 level ratio, concurrent with an enhancement of anti-inflammatory IL-10 level [92]. The lyophilized Tibetan kefir polysaccharide extract exhibited good inhibitory action of hyaluronidase enzyme with minimal activity at 2.08 mg/mL [75]. Kefiran exhibits nitric oxide scavenging activity at 10 mg/mL comparable to that of quercetin [114].…”