Probiotics modulate gut microbiota and improve insulin sensitivity in DIO mice

Abstract

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterized by subclinical inflammatory process. Changes in composition or modulation of the gut microbiota may play an important role in the obesity-associated inflammatory process. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidumi) on gut microbiota, changes in permeability, and insulin sensitivity and signaling in high-fat diet and control animals. More importantly, we investigated the effects of these gut modulations on hypothalamic control of food intake, and insulin and leptin signaling. Swiss mice were submitted to a high-fat diet (HFD) with probiotics or pair-feeding for 5 weeks. Metagenome analyses were performed on DNA samples from mouse feces. Blood was drawn to determine levels of glucose, insulin, LPS, cytokines and GLP-1. Liver, muscle, ileum and hypothalamus tissue proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, liver and adipose tissues were analyzed using histology and immunohistochemistry. The HFD induced huge alterations in gut microbiota accompanied by increased intestinal permeability, LPS translocation and systemic low-grade inflammation, resulting in decreased glucose tolerance and hyperphagic behavior. All these obesity-related features were reversed by changes in the gut microbiota profile induced by probiotics. Probiotics also induced an improvement in hypothalamic insulin and leptin resistance. Our data demonstrate that the intestinal microbiome is a key modulator of inflammatory and metabolic pathways in both peripheral and central tissues. These findings shed light on probiotics as an important tool to prevent and treat patients with obesity and insulin resistance.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii‐derived microbial anti‐inflammatory molecule regulates intestinal integrity in diabetes mellitus mice via modulating tight junction protein expression

“…Increasingly, observations are revealing an aberrant gut microbiome in DM patients and animal models. 28,29 Gut dysbiosis is induced by the DM state. 13 Conversely, the imbalance of gut microbiota plays a critical role in the DM development.…”

A brief overview on the use of probiotics to treat overweight and obese patients

“…Also, in a study on DIO mice, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidumi were administered to modulate gut microbiota. An improvement in insulin sensitivity and therefore in obesity was resulted through the hypothalamic control of food intake, and insulin and leptin signaling beside equilibrium of the flora [15].…”

The Effects of Pantoea and Kosakonia Isolated from Buckwheat Sprouts on Obese Mice

“…The present study is the first to report about improvement of glucose tolerance and HOMA-IR by these strains. Improved insulin resistance is associated with improvement of type 2 diabetes caused by obesity [28], and the change in insulin resistance is known to have a strong interaction with the intestinal flora [29]. Although the mechanisms underlying improved glucose tolerance and HOMA-IR need to be further elucidated and the optimal dose of bacteria is yet to be determined, we can conclude that the involvement of Pantoea and Kosakonia derived from buckwheat sprouts are a potentially new probiotic discovery.…”