We have demonstrated previously that a diet containing skimmed milk (SM) fermented by Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LGSP) reduces adipocyte size in Sprague -Dawley rats. Two experiments were conducted to extend these observations in order to elucidate the mechanism involved. In experiment 1, lean and obese Zucker rats were fed a diet containing SM or LGSP for 4 weeks. The LGSP diet, compared with the SM diet, resulted in lowering of the mesenteric adipose tissue weight (23 %; P,0·05), adipocyte sizes (28 %; P,0·001) and serum leptin concentration (36 %; P,0·05) in lean rats. Obese Zucker rats did not display such dietary effects. Only the number of smaller adipocytes was increased (P, 0·05) by the LGSP diet in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese rats. The LGSP diet significantly reduced the serum and hepatic cholesterol in rats. In addition, the LGSP diet led to an increased excretion of faecal fatty acids and total neutral faecal sterols in both rat strains. In experiment 2, Sprague -Dawley rats with permanent cannulation of the thoracic duct were fed either the SM or LGSP diets and their lymph was collected. The LGSP diet lowered the maximum transport rate of TAG and phospholipids. These results indicate that fermented milk regulates adipose tissue growth through inhibition at the stage of dietary fat absorption in lean Zucker rats.

Despite adequate scientific evidence of the potential benefits of probiotics to human health or disease prevention, their contribution to the growth of adipose tissue remains to be established. Four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing skim milk (control diet) or skim milk fermented by Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LGSP diet) for 4 weeks. Their body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size distribution profile, blood and hepatic lipids, and serum leptin, glucose and adiponectin levels were determined. There was a significant reduction in average adipocyte size in mesenteric white adipose tissue (P¼0·004). Moreover, the rats fed the LGSP diet displayed greater numbers of small adipocytes from mesenteric and retroperitoneal adipose tissues than did those on the control diet. Whereas adiponectin concentrations did not differ between the groups, serum leptin concentrations were decreased to 32 % in the LGSP diet group compared with the control group. Concentrations of serum glucose and lipids, and liver lipids, except for the liver TAG level, were similar in the two groups. These results indicate a possible role for a fermented milk product in the regulation of adipose tissue growth.Lactobacillus gasseri: Probiotics: Leptin: Adipocyte size Probiotics were first used by Fuller and are defined as live microbial feed supplements which have a beneficial effect on human health through the gastrointestinal tract 1 . Most probiotic products such as yoghurts contain lactic acid bacteria 2 . Their effects include the prevention or amelioration of diarrhoea 3 , prevention of cancer 4 , anti-metabolic syndrome actions 5 and so on. Lactobacillus gasseri, in the genus of Lactobacillus acidophilus, is a major species of the human flora. Many healthy effects of L. gasseri have been reported. For example, inhibitory activity against some pathogenic and food-spoilage species 6 , lowering of serum cholesterol concentrations 7 , adjustments of the immune system 8 and an enhancement of intestinal functions 9 .Recently, the antilipolytic effect of probiotics has attracted the attention of the public 5,7 . In the prevention of metabolic syndrome, reduction of obesity is important. Recent studies revealed that adipose tissue secretes cytokines referred to as adipocytokines. Adipocytokines, such as leptin and adiponectin, are known to act as a regulator of energy homeostasis 10,11 . Generally, the concentration of leptin in serum is positively associated with increases in the weight of adipose tissue and adipocyte size 12 while the serum adiponectin level is negatively associated with adipose tissue weight 13 . Leptin functions as part of a feedback mechanism that suppresses appetite through its receptor at the hypothalamus 14 . Adiponectin has an important role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism 11 . In studies of probiotics, there are few reports about their effect on adipose tissue and these adipocytokines.From the perspective of preventing metabolic syndrome, it is important to consider lipid metabo...

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