Search

Obesity is often associated with intestinal microbiota imbalance and increased Gram-negative bacteria characterized by higher endotoxin levels. Therefore, a study on the joint effects of a high-fat diet and Gram-negative bacteria prechallenge might provide further information on the interactive effects of intestinal microbiota and obesity as well as the effects of a probiotic intervention on these processes. This study focused on the joint effects of a high-fat diet and Escherichia coli on mouse inflammatory cytokines, intestinal microbiota, hepatic pathological changes, and the alleviating capacity of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Lactobacillus fermentum). Our results showed that E. coli administration and the high-fat diet exacerbated the inflammatory syndrome by increasing the visceral fat content, the inflammatory cell infiltration, and intestinal microbiota disorder in mice. E. coli administration caused a decrease in short-chain fatty acids in mouse feces, and probiotics effectively improved this phenomenon. Compound probiotic intervention reduced LPS and IL-1β levels, while increased IL-10 levels in mice improved the degeneration and inflammatory infiltration of mouse liver cells. The intestinal microbiota showed great differences at 3 weeks and 6 weeks post-administration. High fat and E. coli alone or in combination caused intestinal microbiota disorder, with increased harmful bacteria, and the probiotics effectively improved the intestinal flora structure and increased the fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content. In conclusion, a high-fat diet and Gram-negative bacteria challenge exacerbated the inflammatory syndrome, which can be alleviated by compound probiotic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship between intestinal flora and obesity has aroused great interest. The probiotic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum ( LP) and Lactobacillus fermentum ( LF) have been documented extensively. This study aimed to explore the effects of LP and LF alone or in combination on lipid-lowering effects of the high-fat diet rat via intestinal flora modulation and systemic immunity. The rats in high-fat diet plus LP ( LP 108 cfu day−1) showed significantly lower IL-6 and endotoxin ( ET) content, increased the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and decreased the liver steatosis and fat vehicle sizes. The Lactobacillus LP and LF in combination can regulate intestinal flora and systemic immune function in rats with high-fat diet. It provides the foundation for the further development and application of multiple Lactobacillus strain in controlling obesity-related syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]