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

Abstract

Modern lifestyle and diets have been associated with metabolic disorders and an imbalance in the normal gut microbiota. Probiotics are widely known for their health beneficial properties targeting the gut microbial ecosystem. The aim of our study was to evaluate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus kefiri (L. kefiri) administration in a fructose-rich diet (FRD) mice model. Mice were provided with tap water or fructose-added (20% w/v) drinking water supplemented or not with L. kefiri. Results showed that probiotic administration prevented weight gain and epidydimal adipose tissue (EAT) expansion, with partial reversion of the adipocyte hypertrophy developed by FRD. Moreover, the probiotic prevented the increase of plasma triglycerides and leptin, together with the liver triglyceride content. Leptin adipocyte secretion was also improved by L. kefiri, being able to respond to an insulin stimulus. Glucose intolerance was partially prevented by L. kefiri treatment (GTT) and local inflammation (TNFα; IL1β; IL6 and INFγ) was completely inhibited in EAT. L. kefiri supplementation generated an impact on gut microbiota composition, changing Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes profiles. Overall, our results indicate that the administration of probiotics prevents the deleterious effects of FRD intake and should therefore be promoted to improve metabolic disorders.

M1 macrophage subtypes activation and adipocyte dysfunction worsen during prolonged consumption of a fructose-rich diet

“…In agreement with other reports, we also found an increase in inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα) and a decrease in anti-inflammatory markers (CD206: M2 marker and IL-10 ) in EAT from FRD mice [31,[47][48][49][50]. Moreover, adipocytes isolated from FRD mice showed an inflammatory response (higher IL-6 release) that worsened when the obese phenotype was more evident (FRD 10 weeks).…”

“…Although the deleterious effects of fructose diet are milder when compared to high fat diet, we and many other authors observed that obesity by chronic fructose intake induced metabolic disorders that got worse when time of consumption was extended [12,13,31,46].…”

“…EAT was significantly increased [31]. Interestingly, after 10 weeks of FRD a significant increase in EAT and IAT mass was evidenced ( Fig.…”

“…In a recent work, we showed the effect 6-week FRD on several metabolic parameters in Swiss mice [31]. In this study we compared them with longer periods of fructose consumption (10 weeks, 10wk) that generated a larger deleterious effect in some of them.…”

New Progress Regarding the Use of Lactic Acid Bacteria as Live Delivery Vectors, Treatment of Diseases and Induction of Immune Responses in Different Host Species Focusing on Lactobacillus Species

“…Glucose intolerance was to some extent prevented by supplementation of Lactobacillus kefiri treatment changed Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes profiles. It was demonstrated that the administration of Lactobacillus kefiri prevents the deleterious effects of fructose-rich diet intake, therefore improved metabolic disorders [101].…”