Daily intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 improves inflammation and lipid metabolism in overweight healthy adults: a randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose The effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) on inflammation and lipid metabolism were investigated in overweight volunteers. Methods One hundred healthy subjects with a body mass index from 23.0 to 29.9 (51 men and 49 women; mean age: 41.4 years) were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. Subjects were randomly assigned to daily administration of a tablet containing HK L-137 (10 mg) or a placebo tablet for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected every 4 weeks to measure biomarkers of lipid metabolism and inflammatory mediators. Results The percent change of concanavalin A-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly larger in the HK L-137 group than in the control group, similar to previous studies. The decreases of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase over time were significantly larger in the HK L-137 group than in the control group, as were the decreases of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the leukocyte count at one time point. These effects of HK L-137 were stronger in the subjects with higher C-reactive protein levels. Conclusions These findings suggest that daily intake of HK L-137 can improve inflammation and lipid metabolism in subjects at risk of inflammation.

Probiotic Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 and Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 on Hypercholesteremic Golden Hamsters

“…In human clinical trials, ingestion of Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 for 4 weeks decreased serum TG and oxidized-LDL and increased serum HDL-C, and thus reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes ( 19 ). Heat-inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 reduced the levels of serum TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT in overweight people ( 20 ). In a human clinical trial, treatment with live Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 for 12 weeks decreased postprandial maximum concentrations of TG, LDL-C, Apo B-100, and Apo B-48 levels ( 21 ).…”

Heat-killed <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> L-137 attenuates obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities in C57BL/6 J mice on a high-fat diet

“…3), which suggests that HK L-137 may strengthen the intestinal barrier and thus improve weight gain, glucose/lipid metabolism, and adipose tissue inflammation. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that HK L-137 induced intestinal cell growth by activating intestinal function in broiler chickens and by the fact that HK L-137 improved systemic and hepatic inflammation, possibly through restoration of the intestinal barrier in overweight human subjects [27,28]. In this study, the effects of HK L-137 on obesity and associated metabolic markers were observed in the early phase, while a trend toward a decrease in plasma LBP levels caused by HK L-137 was seen in the late phase.…”

“…Thus, HK L-137 might exert a transient anti-obesity effect through reduction of mesenteric and perirenal/retroperitoneal adipose tissues. On the other hand, no anti-obesity effects could be observed in studies of already overweight human subjects and in genetically obese DahlS.Z-Lepr fa/ Lepr fa rats, despite anti-inflammatory effects being seen in both studies [17,28]. Consequently, it is possible that HK L-137 has preventative but not therapeutic effects on obesity.…”

Safety and efficacy of using heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137: High-dose and long-term use effects on immune-related safety and intestinal bacterial flora

“…It also decreased the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in participants with high levels of psychological stress who were otherwise healthy but potentially susceptible to catching a cold (Hirose et al 2013). In addition, HK L-137 helped improve the status of host systemic inflammation (decreased leukocyte count) and hepatic inflammation (decreased aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine transaminase [ALT]) as well as lipid metabolism (decreases in cholesterol) in overweight adults, possibly through an improvement in the condition of their intestinal barrier (Tanaka et al 2020). Thus, HK L-137 might contribute to these effects, in part, by enhancing immune function in the host.…”