Effect of Orally Administered Microencapsulated FA-Producing L. fermentum on Markers of Metabolic Syndrome: An In Vivo Analysis

Abstract

Ferulic Acid (FA) is a natural phenolic acid produced by a number of lactic acid bacteria. FA has a number of beneficial properties, including: antioxidant activity, anti-tumorigenic properties and cholesterol-lowering capabilities. Our group has previously screened lactobacilli for FA production, and selected L. fermentum ATCC 11976 (L.f. 11976) as one of the best producers. Alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulation has proven successful for the oral delivery of this strain to the colon, where production of FA is greatest. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of APA microencapsulated L.f. 11976 to modulate markers of metabolic syndrome. The antioxidant activity, as a potential mechanism of action to treat/prevent metabolic syndrome of free and microencapsulated L.f. 11976 was quantified. A high-fat fed BioF 1 B Golden Syrian hamster model was used to investigate the effects of orally administered microencapsulated L.f. 11976 on markers of metabolic syndrome. Results demonstrate that the microencapsulated L.f. 11976 formulation greatly reduced the adiposity index (p = 0.0014), serum insulin (p = 0.0042), insulin resistance (p = 0.0096), glycosylated albumin (p = 0.00013), serum leptin (p = 0.048), serum uric acid (p =0.025) serum total cholesterol (p = 0.024), serum esterified cholesterol (p = 0.0328) and free non-esterified fatty acid (p = 0.029) levels in the treated animals. This research indicates that the probiotic L.f. 11976 microencapsulated formulation may significantly delay the onset of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and obesity, indicating a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We propose and discuss the potential mechanism(s) of action by which FA is acting. With these in mind, further in vivo studies are required to validate the therapeutic effects of the formulation and to investigate the mechanism(s) of action by which the probiotic formulation is acting.

Oral Probiotic Microcapsule Formulation Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Bio F1B Golden Syrian Hamsters

“…Preliminary data from two pilot non-randomized studies suggest that probiotics may be well-tolerated, may improve conventional liver function tests, and may decrease markers of lipid peroxidation. This probiotic formulation has also shown potential as a therapeutic for metabolic syndrome [45]. The positive effects of the microencapsulated L. fermentum ATCC 11976 formulation treatment on liver tests, histopathology and on parameters of pathological events related to NAFLD indicate its as a complementary therapeutic approach in fatty-liver disease patients.…”

Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains Differently Modulate Gut Microbiota and Metabolic and Immunological Parameters in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

“…Consequently, we showed the ability of CRL1446 strain to reduce cholesterol levels independently of the diet administered or the matrix used to carry the probiotic in an obesity mice model. Also, Bhathena et al reported that the feruloyl esterase producing Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF11976 decreased serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic hamsters ( 48 ). Feruloyl esterases are enzymes responsible for cleaving insoluble wall-bound hydroxycinnamates, releasing ferulic acid (among other hydroxycinnamic acids) from plant matrixes ( 49 ).…”

Modulation of intestinal microbiota and immunometabolic parameters by caloric restriction and lactic acid bacteria

“…We previously demonstrated that CRL1446 has been shown to have a high feruloyl esterase activity (Abeijón Mukdsi et al, 2012) and could probably be the mechanism of action by which this strain exerts its hypocholesterolemic effect, in addition to the modifications that induces on the gut microbiota. In concordance, Bhathena et al reported that the feruloyl esterase producing strain, L. fermentum LF11976, decreased serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic hamsters (Bhathena, 2013). This assertion is based on the fact that the ferulic acid has hypocholesterolemic properties, since it can inhibit hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (a limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol) and cholesterol acyltransferase (enzyme that esterifies cholesterol in the tissues, mainly in the liver), and can increase the excretion of acid sterols (Balasubashini, Rukkumani, & Menon, 2003).…”