Probiotics L. plantarum and L. curvatus in combination alter hepatic lipid metabolism and suppress diet-induced obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of naturally derived probiotic strains individually or combination on a short-term diet-induced obesity model. DESIGN AND METHODS: C57BL/6J mice (n = 50) were randomly divided into five groups, then fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet (HFCD), HFCD and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 (PL, 10(10) cfu/day), HFCD and Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 (CU, 10(10) cfu/day), HFCD and in combination with PL+CU (10(10) cfu/day), or a normal diet (ND) for 9 weeks. RESULTS: PL and CU showed distinct and shared metabolic activity against a panel of 50 carbohydrates. Fat accumulation in adipose tissue and liver was significantly reduced by probiotic strains CU or PL+CU. Probiotic strains CU or PL+CU reduced cholesterol in plasma and liver, while PL+CL had a synergistic effect on hepatic triglycerides. Probiotic strains PL+CU combination was more effective for inhibiting gene expressions of various fatty acid synthesis enzymes in the liver, concomitant with decreases in fatty acid oxidation-related enzyme activities and their gene expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-strain probiotics may prove more beneficial than single-strain probiotics to combat fat accumulation and metabolic alterations in diet-induced obesity.