Epigenetic Aspects of a New Probiotic Concept—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Several studies report the important role of an altered gut microbiota in the development of obesity, highlighting the potential use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the expression of specific miRNAs and mRNAs associated with obesity in combination with the hypocholesterolemic octacosanol. Twenty overweight/obese women participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study and were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (daily one capsule containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, and 40 mg octacosanol; N = 12) and the placebo group (N = 8). Changes in lipid parameters and expression of miRNAs and mRNAs were assessed before (T0) and after the 12-week intervention (T1). After the intervention, the expression of miR-155-5p (9.38 ± 0.85 vs. 8.38 ± 1.06, p = 0.05) and miR-24-3p (3.42 ± 0.38 vs. 2.71 ± 0.97, p = 0.031) showed significant decreases in the intervention group when compared to the control group. At T1, the expression of miR-155-5p (8.69 ± 1.31 vs. 9.3 ± 0.85, p = 0.04), miR-125b-5p (5.41 ± 1.18 vs. 5.99 ± 1.36, p = 0.049), and TNF-α (10.24 ± 1.66 vs. 11.36 ± 1.12, p = 0.009) were significantly decreased in the intervention group. No changes in lipids and anthropometric parameters were observed. The novel probiotic approach had a positive effect on regulating the expression of certain miRNAs and mRNAs important for regulating inflammation and adipogenesis, which are essential for obesity onset and control.

Beneficial effects of a new probiotic formulation on adipocytokines, appetite-regulating hormones, and metabolic parameters in obese women

“…The pilot study included 20 participants for epigenetic and lipid profile analysis in the previous study by the authors. 14 The current study presents extended results for lipid parameters for a larger number of participants. Moreover, we noticed a significant time effect for weight and BMI ( F = 14.34, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.242; F = 15.99, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.258; respectively).…”

“…25 These data could explain the improvement of IL-6 levels in obese women in our study, which in turn could decrease CRP levels as recently suggested. 39 Although we observed a decrease in TNF-α expression in the intervention group in our previous study with a smaller number of subjects, 14 no significant changes in TNF-α levels were observed after the intervention. In two studies conducted by Kopp et al (multi-strain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, 8 weeks) and Gøbel et al ( Lactobacillus salivarius , 12 weeks), statistically significant changes of TNF-α levels were not observed.…”

“…11–13 As we already presented, probiotics can influence epigenetic markers as well as lipid and inflammatory parameters associated with obesity. 14 The immunomodulatory effect of probiotic microorganisms is considered to be one of the most important effects of probiotics in obesity treatment. 15 Animal studies have shown the effectiveness of probiotics in regulating cytokine levels in obesity.…”