Abstract
In animals it has been demonstrated that Saccharomyces boulardii and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) decrease low-grade inflammation and that S. boulardii can also decrease adiposity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 60-day S. boulardii and SOD supplementation on circulating markers of inflammation, body composition, hunger sensation, pro/antioxidant ratio, hormonal, lipid profile, glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR, in obese adults (BMI 30–35 kg/m2). Twenty-five obese adults were randomly assigned to intervention (8/4 women/men, 57 ± 8 years) or Placebo (9/4 women/men, 50 ± 9 years). Intervention group showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease of body weight, BMI, fat mass, insulin, HOMA Index and uric acid. Patients in intervention and control groups showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of GLP-1. Intervention group showed an increase (p < 0.05) of Vitamin D as well. In conclusion, the 60-day S. boulardii-SOD supplementation in obese subjects determined a significant weight loss with consequent decrease on fat mass, with preservation of fat free mass. The decrease of HOMA index and uric acid, produced additional benefits in obesity management. The observed increase in vitamin D levels in treated group requires further investigation.
Highlights
There were no significant differences at baseline between the subjects of the two groups for any of the variables analyzed (Table 1)
The differences in the observed parameters are reported between the value at the end of the supplementation (T1) and at baseline (T0)
We propose that the decrease of uric acid levels, noticed in treated patients but not in the placebo group, be due to the reduction of adipose tissue as previously demonstrated [54]
Summary
Obesity is a clinical condition of excess body adiposity, and is associated with several risk factors, such as cardiovascular risk, diabetes and cancer [1].The prevalence of obesity and excess weight in adults, and in children and adolescents, has increased extensively in recent years, leading to high healthcare costs [2].Obesity is a broad combination of energy intake and lifestyle; with these being factors relevant, it has been suggested that a sub-optimal intestinal microbiota can have an important influence, as well as inflammation [3,4].in pathological conditions such as high adiposity and type 2 diabetes, the gut microbiota can have a significant interaction with the host, leading to the development of associated metabolic disorders [5].Experimental studies have shown that germ-free mice have 40% less fat mass compared to control mice [6]. Obesity is a clinical condition of excess body adiposity, and is associated with several risk factors, such as cardiovascular risk, diabetes and cancer [1]. In pathological conditions such as high adiposity and type 2 diabetes, the gut microbiota can have a significant interaction with the host, leading to the development of associated metabolic disorders [5]. Experimental studies have shown that germ-free mice have 40% less fat mass compared to control mice [6]. A significant increase in fat mass is observed in germ-free mice following colonization with the microbiota of obese mice [7]. A growing body of experimental evidence in animal models and humans suggests that the gut microbiota is involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, metabolic inflammation, an d lipid and glucose metabolism [8]. It is not surprising that supplementation of rats fed on a carbohydrate-rich diet with the lactic acid producing bacteria L. gasseri, L. casei and L. acidophilus limited the weight increase [9]
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