Obesity is a major health problem. Compelling evidence supports the beneficial effects of probiotics on obesity. However, the anti-obesity effect of probiotics remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects and potential mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATG-K2 using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. 3T3-L1 cells were incubated to determine the effect of lipid accumulation with lysate of L. plantarum ATG-K2. Mice were fed a normal fat diet or HFD with L. plantarum ATG-K2 and Orlistat for 8 weeks. L. plantarum ATG-K2 inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and reduced body weight gain, WAT weight, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice, concurrently with the downregulation of PPARγ, SREBP1c, and FAS and upregulation of PPARα, CTP1, UCP1, Prdm16, and ND5. Moreover, L. plantarum ATG-K2 decreased TG, T-CHO, leptin, and TNF-α levels in the serum, with corresponding gene expression levels in the intestine. L. plantarum ATG-K2 modulated the gut microbiome by increasing the abundance of the Lactobacillaceae family, which increased SCFA levels and branched SCFAs in the feces. L. plantarum ATG-K2 exhibited an anti-obesity effect and anti-hyperlipidemic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice by alleviating the inflammatory response and regulating lipid metabolism, which may be influenced by modulation of the gut microbiome and its metabolites. Therefore, L. plantarum ATG-K2 can be a preventive and therapeutic agent for obesity.

Honeysuckle berry (HB, Lonicera caerulea L.) is an oriental herbal medicine reported to have beneficial effects on metabolic disorders, such as obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The fruit part of HB is rich in anthocyanin, a type of polyphenol. Most studies credit the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HB as the mechanisms of its effectiveness. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of HB on lipase using an in vitro assay and the modulatory effect of HB on gut microbiota in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. HB inhibited pancreatic lipase activity with IC₅₀ values of approximately 0.47 mg/mL. The fecal triglyceride (TG) levels were higher from the HFD of the HB-fed mice than they were for the control mice. Moreover, the fecal microbiota from the HFD of the HB-fed mice had relatively lower Firmicutes and higher Bacteroidetes than that from the HFD-only mice. These results suggest that HB modulates gut microbiota composition, which may contribute to body fat reduction. Hence, HB could present a useful agent for treating metabolic diseases through lower TG uptake and the regulation of gut microflora.

Background: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is widely used throughout different industries, including the food industry, because it is resistant to heat and prevents water or oil from easily permeating into or contaminating materials coated by PFOA. Although many studies have reported an association between PFOA exposure and the risk of developing hepatic diseases, it is still in debate because they have shown conflicting results. Therefore, this study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between PFOA exposure and hepatic diseases. Methods: This study searched studies related to hepatic diseases due to PFOA exposure until 31 December 2021, using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis through research question development, literature screening, data extraction, and risk of bias evaluation. This study found 8280 studies after excluding duplicate literature and selected 5 studies in the final stage. Among them, two studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results: The results of the meta-analysis showed that the ALT of people exposed to PFOA was 117% higher than the ALT of those not exposed to PFOA, and it was significantly different (OR = 1.167; 95% CI, 1.086–1.254). Conclusion: However, since the number of studies included in the analysis was not large enough to conclude that PFOA exposure was associated with the development of hepatic diseases, more observational studies are needed to confirm its long-term effects.

Sarcopenic obesity is a combination of sarcopenia and obesity. Although several herbal extracts showed improvement on sarcopenia and obesity, respectively, there are few studies on sarcopenic obesity. Lonicera caerulea (honeysuckle berry, HB) can ameliorate metabolic disorders including obesity. However, its effects on sarcopenic obesity have not been reported yet. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether HB extract might have any beneficial effects on sarcopenic obesity in high-fat diet-induced mice. Forty-eight mice were classified into six groups and treated for eight weeks: (1) NC, normal diet control; (2) HC, high-fat diet control; (3) PC, high-fat diet with orlistat; (4) HB100, high-fat diet with HB extract at 100 mg/kg; (5) HB200, high-fat diet with HB extract at 200 mg/kg; and (6) HB400, high-fat diet with HB extract at 400 mg/kg. Body weight, fat accumulation, muscle mass, muscle strength, and mRNA expression of muscle atrophy were monitored. Compared with the HC group, HB administration showed anti-obesity properties. It reduced body weight gain and modulated serum biochemical parameters and tissue antioxidant enzymes. HB also increased muscle strength and muscle mass of hind legs. In addition, it decreased mRNA expression levels of Atrogin1 and MuRF1 as markers of muscle atrophy but increased PGC1α and SIRT1 as markers of muscle growth. These results suggest that HB might be effective in preventing sarcopenia associated with obesity.

Inflammation is a protective response of the innate immune system. However, aberrant inflammatory responses lead to various diseases. Lotus root, the edible rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera, is a popular traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. In a previous study, we reported that fermented lotus root (FLR) alleviated ethanol/HCl-induced gastric ulcers in rats by modulating inflammation-related genes. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of FLR and its major constituent, linoleic acid (LA), are still largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of FLR and LA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. We found that FLR inhibited LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators through down-regulation of NF-κB activity. Similarly, LA also attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory responses and reduced LPS-induced phosphorylation of proteins associated with NF-κB signaling, such as ERK, JNK, and p38. Overall, our results suggested that FLR and LA may effectively ameliorate inflammatory diseases.

Kim JY, et al. J Vet Sci. 2021 Jun;22:e53. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e53