Lactobacillus Gasseri SBT2055 Research Articles

Prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection with probiotic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is a probiotic lactic acid bacterium with multifunctional effects, including the prevention of influenza A virus infection in mice, reduction of adipocyte size in mice, and increased lifespan in C. elegans. We investigated whether LG2055 exhibits antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a global pathogen for which a preventive strategy is required. Following oral administration of LG2055 in mice, the RSV titre in the lung was significantly decreased, while body weight was not decreased after virus infection. Additionally, the elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lung upon RSV infection decreased after LG2055 administration. Moreover, interferon and interferon stimulated genes were upregulated by LG2055 treatment. Comparative cellular proteomic analysis revealed that SWI2/SNF2-related CREB-binding protein activator protein (SRCAP) was a candidate for the antiviral activity of LG2055 against RSV. There was a positive correlation between the inhibition of RSV replication and the suppression of SRCAP expression and RSV replication was suppressed by SRCAP silencing. Since SRCAP is a scaffold protein to which viral non-structural proteins bind, the downregulation of SRCAP induced by LG2055 could provide new insights about the inhibition of RSV replication. In summary, our study demonstrated that LG2055 has prophylactic potential against RSV infection.

Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 improves insulin secretion in a diabetic rat model

The probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has a protective effect against metabolic syndrome in rats and humans. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, Goto-Kakizaki rats were used as a diabetic model and fed diets containing LG2055-fermented or nonfermented skim milk for 4 wk. Indices of diabetes such as blood glucose levels, serum glucagon levels, plasma levels of insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon-like peptide-1, tissue glycogen contents, and pancreatic mRNA levels were measured. The plasma C-peptide levels and pancreatic mRNA levels of insulin genes (Ins1 and Ins2) and Pdx1 (a transcriptional factor of insulin genes) were increased in LG2055 diet-fed rats. The increase in insulin secretion corresponded to an improvement in serum and pancreatic inflammatory status, associated with decreases in serum levels of serum amyloid P and pancreatic levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Insulin resistance in Goto-Kakizaki rats was ameliorated by increased glycogen storage in the liver and quadriceps femoris muscles and decreased serum free fatty acid levels. This improvement may be related to the increased cecal production of short-chain fatty acids. In conclusion, dietary LG2055 improved insulin secretion in diabetic rats by improving the inflammatory status in the pancreas and serum.

Protective effects and functional mechanisms of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 against oxidative stress.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is one of the probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Recently, we demonstrated that feeding with LG2055 extended the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and that the prolongevity effect was dependent upon the regulation of oxidative stress response. In this study, we assessed whether LG2055 regulated the oxidative stress response of mammalian cells. In NIH-3T3 cells and primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, low cell proliferation rates and high reactive oxygen species levels were observed following paraquat treatment. LG2055 treatment suppressed these responses in paraquat-treated cells, indicating that LG2055 protected against oxidative stress in mammalian cells. The mRNA expression of oxidative stress-related genes, total nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein levels, and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 were increased by LG2055 treatment. These results suggested that the Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway was activated by LG2055. Furthermore, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) was activated by LG2055 treatment and the inhibition of JNK suppressed the activation of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway in LG2055-treated cells. Together, these findings suggest that LG2055 activated the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway by JNK activation, thus strengthening the defense system against oxidative stress in mammalian cells.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 is effective in preventing Porphyromonas gingivalis-accelerated periodontal disease

Probiotics have been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. However, the effect of orally intubated probiotics on oral disease remains unclear. We assessed the potential of oral administration of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) for Porphyromonas gingivalis infection. LG2055 treatment significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, detachment and disorganization of the periodontal ligament, and bacterial colonization by subsequent P. gingivalis challenge. Furthermore, the expression and secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 in gingival tissue was significantly decreased in LG2055-administered mice after bacterial infection. Conversely, mouse β-defensin-14 (mBD-14) mRNA and its peptide products were significantly increased in distant mucosal components as well as the intestinal tract to which LG2055 was introduced. Moreover, IL-1β and TNF-α production from THP-1 monocytes stimulated with P. gingivalis antigen was significantly reduced by the addition of human β-defensin-3. These results suggest that gastrically administered LG2055 can enhance immunoregulation followed by periodontitis prevention in oral mucosa via the gut immune system; i.e., the possibility of homing in innate immunity.

Protective effects of lactic acid bacteria on influenza A virus infection

Gut microbiota is essential to regulate the whole body metabolism and the immune system of the host animals. Lactic acid bacteria have as a major characteristic to produce lactic acid from glucose. As probiotics, lactic acid bacteria provide many beneficial effects on human health by regulating the gut microbiota or the cell function. Recently, we have reported that oral administration of a probiotic strain,Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) induced IgA production by increasing the population of IgA+ B cell in Peyer’s patch and propria mucosae of small intestine in mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that oral administration of LG2055 increased the survival rate of mice infected with influenza A virus and decreased the ratio of body weight losses. The virus titer was significantly decreased and the amount of inflammatory cytokine, IL-6 in the lung tissue was reduced by LG2055 administration. The expression of antiviral genes in the lung tissues was increased by LG2055. Therefore, LG2055 administration is shown to be effective for the protection against influenza A virus infection by inhibition of viral replication through the induction of antiviral genes expression. In the future, the constituents of LG2055 to have the effects on the induction of antiviral genes should be clarified for the development of novel influenza drugs.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 Stimulates Immunoglobulin Production and Innate Immunity after Influenza Vaccination in Healthy Adult Volunteers: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Study

Background: Lactobacillus gasseri strain SBT2055 (LG2055) is a human intestine-originating probiotic bacterium and potent probiotic known to exert various health promotion effects, including prevention of abdominal adiposity in rats and humans. A recent finding in mice has suggested that oral administration of LG2055 induces a protective effect against influenza A virus infection. In this context, evidence for efficacy of LG2055 using a human clinical trial was imminently required.Methods: To confirm this in humans, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study in healthy adult volunteers was conducted to examine the effect of drinkable yogurt (DY) containing LG2055 on influenza vaccine-specific antibody responses as the primary objective and innate immune responses as the secondary objective. Subjects were asked to consume 100 g/day of DY with LG2055 (LG2055 group; n = 94) or without LG2055 (placebo group; n = 94) for 16 weeks. After 4 weeks, all subjects received a trivalent influenza vaccine. Results: We found that the intake of LG2055 DY increased hemagglutination inhibition titers against influenza viruses A/H1N1 and B and the rate of seroprotection against influenza B after vaccination as compared with the intake of placebo DY by healthy volunteers. In support of this result, we confirmed that total IgG and IgA levels in plasma and sIgA production in saliva were also higher in the LG2055 group than in the placebo group. Furthermore, the intake of LG2055 DY enhanced natural killer cell activity and myxovirus resistance A gene expression, which is one of the antiviral genes stimulated by type I or type III Interferons in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Conclusions: These results strongly indicate that LG2055 activates both the innate and adaptive human immune responses, suggesting the potential to prevent influenza virus infections by providing specific probiotics as complementary foods.Keywords: human clinical trial, innate immunity, influenza virus, Lactobacillus gasseri, vaccine

Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 improves glucose tolerance and reduces body weight gain in rats by stimulating energy expenditure.

Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) reduces postprandial TAG absorption and exerts anti-obesity effects in rats and humans; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we addressed the mechanistic insights of the anti-obesity activity of LG2055 by feeding Sprague-Dawley rats diets containing skimmed milk fermented or not by LG2055 for 4 weeks and by analysing energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, the levels of SCFA in the caecum and serum inflammatory markers. Rats fed the LG2055-containing diet demonstrated significantly higher carbohydrate oxidation in the dark cycle (active phase for rats) compared with the control group, which resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure. LG2055 significantly reduced cumulative blood glucose levels (AUC) compared with the control diet after 3 weeks and increased the molar ratio of butyrate:total SCFA in the caecum after 4 weeks. Furthermore, the LG2055-supplemented diet significantly reduced the levels of serum amyloid P component - an indicator of the inflammatory process. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, in addition to the inhibition of dietary TAG absorption reported previously, the intake of probiotic LG2055 enhanced energy expenditure via carbohydrate oxidation, improved glucose tolerance and attenuated inflammation, suggesting multiple additive and/or synergistic actions underlying the anti-obesity effects exerted by LG2055.

In vitro investigation of molecules involved in Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 adhesion to host intestinal tract components.

The adhesion ability of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 was investigated invitro by searching for its adhesion molecules. Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 showed adherence to host components, including two commercially available mucins, Caco-2 epithelial-like cells and the extracellular matrix molecule fibronectin (Fn). Its adhesion rates to host components were generally higher than those of other Lactobacillus strains. We examined sortase-dependent proteins (SDPs) anchored by a sortase enzyme encoded by srtA1. The adhesion rates of an srtA1 disruptant were lower than those of Lact.gasseri SBT2055, and the relative adherences were as follows: two mucins, 43 and 40%; Caco-2, 66% and Fn, 28%. Seven additional gene disruptants were generated to determine the precise SDPs that contribute to adhesion to each component. The adhesion ability of Lact.gasseri SBT2055 was superior to those of other Lactobacillus strains. Additionally, four adhesion molecules were newly identified from candidate SDPs. Although the contribution of SDPs to adhesion has been reported using sortase gene disruptants, this is the first report to identify the precise SDPs that act as adhesion molecules. Our results will contribute to achieving better understanding of probiotic bacterial adherence.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 inhibits adipose tissue inflammation and intestinal permeability in mice fed a high-fat diet.

The probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has anti-obesity effects. Obesity is closely correlated with inflammation in adipose tissue, and maintaining adipose tissue in a less-inflamed state requires intestinal integrity or a barrier function to protect the intestine from the disruption that can be caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). Here, we examined the anti-inflammatory and intestinal barrier-protecting effects of LG2055 in C57BL/6 mice fed a normal-fat diet (NFD), HFD, or the HFD containing LG2055 (HFD-LG) for 21 weeks. HFD-LG intake significantly prevented HFD-induced increases in body weight, visceral fat mass, and the ratio of inflammatory-type macrophages to anti-inflammatory ones in adipose tissue. Mice fed the HFD showed higher intestinal permeability to a fluorescent dextran administered by oral administration and an elevated concentration of antibodies specific to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the blood compared with those fed the NFD, suggesting an increased penetration of the gut contents into the systemic circulation. These elevations of intestinal permeability and anti-LPS antibody levels were significantly suppressed in mice fed the HFD-LG. Moreover, treatment with LG2055 cells suppressed an increase in the cytokine-induced permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers. These results suggest that LG2055 improves the intestinal integrity, reducing the entry of inflammatory substances like LPS from the intestine, which may lead to decreased inflammation in adipose tissue.

Effects and mechanisms of prolongevity induced by Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Lactic-acid bacteria are widely recognized beneficial host associated groups of the microbiota of humans and animals. Some lactic-acid bacteria have the ability to extend the lifespan of the model animals. The mechanisms behind the probiotic effects of bacteria are not entirely understood. Recently, we reported the benefit effects of Lactobacillus gasseriSBT2055 (LG2055) on animal and human health, such as preventing influenza A virus, and augmentation of IgA production. Therefore, it was preconceived that LG2055 has the beneficial effects on longevity and/or aging. We examined the effects of LG2055 on lifespan and aging of Caenorhabditis elegans and analyzed the mechanism of prolongevity. Our results demonstrated that LG2055 has the beneficial effects on longevity and anti-aging of C. elegans. Feeding with LG2055 upregulated the expression of the skn-1 gene and the target genes of SKN-1, encoding the antioxidant proteins enhancing antioxidant defense responses. We found that feeding with LG2055 directly activated SKN-1 activity via p38 MAPK pathway signaling. The oxidative stress response is elicited by mitochondrial dysfunction in aging, and we examined the influence of LG2055 feeding on the membrane potential of mitochondria. Here, the amounts of mitochondria were significantly increased by LG2055 feeding in comparison with the control. Our result suggests that feeding with LG2055 is effective to the extend lifespan in C. elegans by a strengthening of the resistance to oxidative stress and by stimulating the innate immune response signaling including p38MAPK signaling pathway and others.

Cell surface-associated aggregation-promoting factor from Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 facilitates host colonization and competitive exclusion of Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter jejuni, one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis worldwide, is transmitted to humans through poultry. We previously reported that Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) reduced C. jejuni infection in human epithelial cells in vitro and inhibited pathogen colonization of chickens in vivo. This suggested that the LG2055 adhesion and/or co-aggregation phenotype mediated by cell-surface aggregation-promoting factors (APFs) may be important for the competitive exclusion of C. jejuni. Here, we show that cell surface-associated APF1 promoted LG2055 self-aggregation and adhesion to human epithelial cells and exhibited high affinity for the extracellular matrix component fibronectin. These effects were absent in the apf1 knockout mutant, indicating the role of APF1 in LG2055-mediated inhibition of C. jejuni in epithelial cells and chicken colonization. Similar to APF1, APF2 promoted the co-aggregation of LG2055 and C. jejuni but did not inhibit C. jejuni infection. Our data suggest a pivotal role for APF1 in mediating the interaction of LG2055 with human intestinal cells and in inhibiting C. jejuni colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. We thus provide new insight into the health-promoting effects of probiotics and mechanisms of competitive exclusion in poultry. Further research is needed to determine whether the probiotic strains reach the epithelial surface.

Administration of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 suppresses macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue in diet-induced obese mice.

Administration of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has been shown to prevent body weight gain and it also down-regulates the expression of the Ccl2 gene in adipose tissue in diet-induced obese mice. The CC chemokine ligand 2 has a crucial role in macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue, which is known to exacerbate inflammation. However, it is not yet known how LG2055 affects the invasion of macrophages into adipose tissue. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a normal-fat diet (10 % energy fat), high-fat diet (HFD; 45 % energy fat), or HFD containing LG2055 for 12 weeks. After the feeding period, gene expression and macrophage population in adipose tissue were analysed by real-time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. Body weight and abdominal fat weight were not altered by feeding LG2055. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the population of macrophages in adipose tissue was significantly reduced by feeding LG2055 compared with HFD only. Furthermore, the ratio of classically activated inflammatory macrophages (M1 macrophages) to total macrophages was significantly decreased in the LG2055-fed group. The expressions of Ccl2, Ccr2 and Lep were down-regulated and that of Il6, Tnf and Nos2 tended to be down-regulated in adipose tissue by feeding LG2055. In addition, fasting glucose levels were significantly decreased in the LG2055-fed group. These data suggest that administration of LG2055 might attenuate inflammation, which is caused by the intake of an HFD, through the inhibition of macrophage invasion into adipose tissue.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 suppresses fatty acid release through enlargement of fat emulsion size in vitro and promotes fecal fat excretion in healthy Japanese subjects.

BackgroundLactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has been shown to prevent abdominal adiposity, and suppression of lipid absorption is considered a possible mechanism, detail of which, however, are poorly understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of LG2055 on fat hydrolysis by determining pancreatic lipase activity and fat emulsion properties in vitro. We also examined whether LG2055 influences fecal fat excretion in humans.MethodsPancreatic lipase activity was investigated in vitro using an artificially prepared fat emulsion and 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate (4-MUO) as substrates. The concentrations of free fatty acids and 4-methylumbelliferone were quantified. Fat emulsion droplet size was measured using a particle size analyzer. The clinical study was performed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects consumed 100 g of fermented milk (FM)/d, either with or without LG2055 supplementation, for seven days. Fecal samples were collected during three-day pre-observational and FM intake periods and fecal fat levels were determined.ResultsLG2055 dose-dependently suppressed lipase activity in the fat emulsion assay but not in the 4-MUO assay. LG2055 dose-dependently increased fat emulsion droplet size. The effects of LG2055 on lipase activity and fat emulsion properties were increased compared with four other tested strains (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT0317, Lactobacillus gasseri JCM1131T, Lactobacillus. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus JCM1002T and Streptococcus thermophilus ATCC19258T). In our clinical study, fecal fat level after FM intake was significantly increased compared with that observed before FM intake in the LG2055-containing active FM group but not the control FM group lacking LG2055.ConclusionsLG2055 increased fat emulsion droplet size, resulting in the suppression of lipase-mediated fat hydrolysis. The influence of LG2055 on the physicochemical properties of fat emulsion provides a mechanism for the probiotic-mediated suppression of lipid absorption and promotion of fecal fat excretion in humans.Trial registrationUMIN000015772

Elevation of natural killer cell activity and alleviation of mental stress by the consumption of yogurt containing Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 and Bifidobacterium longum SBT2928 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

We conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial using a yogurt containing two different probiotics to test their immunomodulatory and stress-related functions. The subjects were divided into two groups (109 placebo subjects and 115 test subjects). The test yogurt contained two probiotics, Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 and Bifidobacterium longum SBT2928, in a starter yogurt. Before and after the consumption of either the test or placebo yogurt for 12 weeks (100 g/day), we measured the participants' natural killer (NK) cell activities and the levels of two stress-induced hormones, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. We found that the NK cell activities of the test yogurt group were higher than those of the placebo yogurt group, and most intriguingly, their serum ACTH levels were significantly decreased by the test yogurt. These results suggest that the probiotic-containing test yogurt confers health benefits not only by enhancing innate immunity but also by alleviating stress.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 reduces infection by and colonization of Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter is a normal inhabitant of the chicken gut. Pathogenic infection with this organism in humans is accompanied by severe inflammation of the intestinal mucosal surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) to inhibit the adhesion and invasion of Campylobacter jejuni in vitro and to suppress C. jejuni colonization of chicks in vivo. Pretreatment with LG2055 significantly reduced adhesion to and invasion of a human epithelial cell line, Intestine 407, by C. jejuni 81–176. Methanol (MeOH)-fixed LG2055 also reduced infection by C. jejuni 81–176. However, proteinase K (ProK)-treated LG2055 eliminated the inhibitory effects. Moreover, LG2055 co-aggregated with C. jejuni 81–176. ProK treatment prevented this co-aggregation, indicating that the co-aggregation phenotype mediated by the proteinaceous cell-surface components of LG2055 is important for reducing C. jejuni 81–176 adhesion and invasion. In an in vivo assay, oral doses of LG2055 were administered to chicks daily for 14 days after oral inoculation with C. jejuni 81–176. At 14 days post-inoculation, chicks treated with LG2055 had significantly reduced cecum colonization by C. jejuni. Reduction in the number of C. jejuni 81–176 cells adhering to and internalized by human epithelial cells demonstrated that LG2055 is an organism that effectively and competitively excludes C. jejuni 81–176. In addition, the results of the chick colonization assay suggest that treatment with LG2055 could be useful in suppressing C. jejuni colonization of the chicks at early growth stages.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 induces TGF-β expression in dendritic cells and activates TLR2 signal to produce IgA in the small intestine.

Probiotic bacteria provide benefits in enhancing host immune responses and protecting against infection. Induction of IgA production by oral administration of probiotic bacteria in the intestine has been considered to be one reason for this beneficial effect, but the mechanisms of the effect are poorly understood. Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is a probiotic bacterium with properties such as bile tolerance, ability to improve the intestinal environment, and it has preventive effects related to abdominal adiposity. In this study, we have found that oral administration of LG2055 induced IgA production and increased the rate of IgA+ cell population in Peyer's patch and in the lamina propria of the mouse small intestine. The LG2055 markedly increased the amount of IgA in a co-culture of B cells and bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC), and TLR2 signal is critical for it. In addition, it is demonstrated that LG2055 stimulates BMDC to promote the production of TGF-β, BAFF, IL-6, and IL-10, all critical for IgA production from B cells. Combined stimulation of B cells with BAFF and LG2055 enhanced the induction of IgA production. Further, TGF-β signal was shown to be critical for LG2055-induced IgA production in the B cell and BMDC co-culture system, but TGF-β did not induce IgA production in a culture of only B cells stimulated with LG2055. Furthermore, TGF-β was critical for the production of BAFF, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β itself from LG2055-stimulated BMDC. These results demonstrate that TGF-β was produced by BMDC stimulated with LG2055 and it has an autocrine/paracrine function essential for BMDC to induce the production of BAFF, IL-6, and IL-10.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 is effective for preventing influenza in mice

The Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is a probiotic lactic acid bacterium with properties such as bile tolerance and ability to improve the intestinal environment. In this study, we established that the oral administration of LG2055 exhibits efficacy to protect mice infected with the influenza virus A/PR8. The body weight losses were lower with the LG2055 administration after the PR8 virus infection. At 5 days after the infection, the virus titer was significantly decreased as was the amount of produced IL-6 in the lung tissue, the number of total cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was reduced by the LG2055 administration. The expression of the Mx1 and Oas1a genes, critical for the viral clearance in the lung tissues was increased by the pre-treatment with LG2055. These findings suggest that the LG2055 administration is effective for the protection against influenza A virus infection by the down-regulation of viral replication through the induction of antiviral genes expression.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 reduces postprandial and fasting serum non-esterified fatty acid levels in Japanese hypertriacylglycerolemic subjects

BackgroundLactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) inhibits dietary fat absorption in rats and exerts preventive effects on abdominal adiposity in rats and humans. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of LG2055 on postprandial serum lipid responses in Japanese subjects with hypertriacylglycerolemia after the intake of oral fat-loading test (OFLT) meals.MethodsWe conducted a single-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject, repeated-measure intervention trial. Twenty subjects initially ingested the fermented milk (FM) without LG2055 for 4 weeks (control FM period), followed by a 4-week washout period, and then consumed FM containing LG2055 for 4 weeks (active FM period). The subjects were asked to consume FM at 200 g/day. At the end of each 4-week period, an 8-h OFLT was conducted. Blood samples were collected at fasting and every hour for 8 h after OFLT meal intake. Thereafter, postprandial serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels and fasting blood parameters were measured.ResultsThe OFLT showed that the postprandial serum NEFA levels from 120 to 480 min and the postprandial serum TAG level at 120 min in the active FM period were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in the control FM period. The fasting serum NEFA level in the active FM period significantly (P < 0.001) decreased at week 4 from the initial period compared with the control FM period.ConclusionsThe consumption of probiotic LG2055 reduced postprandial and fasting serum NEFA levels, suggesting its possible contribution to the reduction of the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Trial registrationUMIN000011605

Anti-obesity effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 accompanied by inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression in the visceral adipose tissue in diet-induced obese mice

Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has an anti-obesity effect although it is unknown whether the effect influences inflammatory responses in adipose tissue and lipid metabolism in the liver, which are considered substantially relevant to adiposity. C57BL/6 mice were fed a 10%-fat diet containing LG2055 cells for 24 weeks. We then studied body weight, fat tissue mass, liver fat content and inflammatory genes in the adipose tissue, and lipogenic and lipolytic genes in the liver. Consumption of LG2055 resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and fat tissue mass (epididymal and perirenal/retroperitoneal), with a lowered level of triglyceride content in the liver. DNA microarray analysis showed that LG2055 generally inhibited the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, including CCL2 and CCR2, in the epididymal adipose tissue. In the liver, LG2055 tended to inhibit lipogenic gene up-regulation, including ACC1, FAS and SREBP1, but LG2055 did not markedly alter lipolytic genes. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the DNA microarray results in part, showing a significant reduction in the mRNA expression of CCL2 in the epididymal adipose tissue, and a downward tendency in FAS mRNA expression in the liver, in the LG2055-fed group. LG2055 significantly prevented body weight gain, fat accumulation and pro-inflammatory gene expression in the adipose tissue. Relatively lower triglyceride levels and reduced expression of lipogenic genes were also observed in the liver. It is suggested that improvement in the inflammatory state of the adipose tissue might be a possible mechanism underlying the anti-obesity effect of LG2055.

Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial

Consumption of fermented milk (FM) containing a probiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055), previously showed a reduction in abdominal adiposity in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) using FM with 10(8) colony-forming units (cfu) of LG2055/g. However, whether the effectiveness is observed at lower concentrations, the recommended minimum or intermediate levels of probiotics (10(6) or 10(7) cfu/g, respectively), remains to be examined. A multi-centre, double-blind, parallel-group RCT was conducted using 210 healthy Japanese adults with large visceral fat areas (80·2 - 187·8 cm(2)). They were balanced for their baseline characteristics and randomly assigned to three groups receiving FM containing 10(7), 10(6) or 0 (control) cfu LG2055/g of FM, and were asked to consume 200 g FM/d for 12 weeks. Abdominal visceral fat areas, which were determined by computed tomography, at week 12, changed from baseline by an average of -8·5 % (95 % CI -11·9, -5·1; P< 0·01) in the 10(7) dose group, and by -8·2 % (95 % CI -10·8, -5·7; P< 0·01) in the 10(6) dose group. Other measures including BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and body fat mass were also significantly decreased from baseline at week 12 in both groups; interestingly, the cessation of taking FM for 4 weeks attenuated these effects. In the control group, none of these parameters significantly decreased from baseline. These findings demonstrate that consumption of LG2055 at doses as low as the order of 10(8) cfu/d exhibited a significant lowering effect on abdominal adiposity, and suggest that constant consumption might be needed to maintain the effect.