Obesity is a pandemic currently affecting the world’s population that decreases the quality of life and promotes the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. Lactobacillus rhamnosus is recognized for multiple positive effects on obesity and overall health. In fact, such effects may occur even when the microorganisms do not remain alive (paraprobiotic effects). This raises the need to elucidate the mechanisms by which obesity-associated factors can be modulated. This narrative review explores recent findings on the effects of L. rhamnosus, particularly, its postbiotic and paraprobiotic effects, on the modulation of adiposity, weight gain, oxidative stress, inflammation, adipokines, satiety, and maintenance of intestinal integrity, with the aim of providing a better understanding of its mechanisms of action in order to contribute to streamlining its clinical and therapeutic applications. The literature shows that L. rhamnosus can modulate obesity-associated factors when analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, its postbiotic and paraprobiotic effects may be comparable to the more studied probiotic actions. Some mechanisms involve regulation of gene expression, intracellular signaling, and enteroendocrine communication, among others. We conclude that the evidence is promising, although there are still multiple knowledge gaps that require further study in order to fully utilize L. rhamnosus to improve human health.

Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide, since it is associated with multiple metabolic disorders and complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and overall metabolic dysfunction. Dysregulation of the hunger–satiety pathway, which includes alterations of central and peripheral signaling, explains some forms of obesity by favoring hyperphagia and weight gain. The present work comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms by which naringenin (NAR), a predominant flavanone in citrus fruits, could modulate the main pathways associated with the development of obesity and some of its comorbidities, such as oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, as well as the role of NAR in modulating the secretion of enterohormones of the satiety pathway and its possible antiobesogenic effect. The results of multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that NAR has various potentially modulatory biological effects against obesity by countering IR, inflammation, OS, macrophage infiltration, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and adipose deposition. Likewise, NAR is capable of modulating peptides or peripheral hormones directly associated with the hunger–satiety pathway, such as ghrelin, cholecystokinin, insulin, adiponectin and leptin. The evidence supports the use of NAR as a promising alternative to prevent overweight and obesity.

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disease with detrimental effects on health and quality of life; unregulated satiety plays a crucial role in food intake and obesity development. Naringenin (NAR) has shown beneficial effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, although its impact on adiposity and satiety remains unclear. This study reports a Western diet (WD)-induced obesity model in rats, wherein 100 mg/kg of NAR was administered as an anti-obesity agent for 8 weeks; oxidative stress, lipid profile, and satiety biomarkers were then studied, as well as in silico interaction between NAR and cholecystokinin (CCK) and ghrelin receptors. Results: NAR supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in retroperitoneal adipose tissue and liver weight, as compared to the untreated WD group (p < 0.05), potentially associated with a decreased feed efficiency. NAR also inhibited the development of dyslipidemia, particularly by reducing serum triglycerides (p < 0.05). NAR supplementation increased CCK serum levels in the basal diet group, an effect that was abolished by the WD (p < 0.05); likewise, no changes were determined on ghrelin (p > 0.05). In silico data shows that NAR is capable of interacting with the CCK and ghrelin receptors, which suggests a potential for it to modulate hunger/satiety signaling by interacting with them. Conclusions: We conclude that NAR has anti-obesogenic effects and may regulate CCK serum levels, although further research is still needed.

Obesity is currently a worldwide public health problem. It is characterized by its negative impact on multiple organs, including the liver, through the development of diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can promote the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This review discusses the association between obesity and the development of NAFLD, emphasizing on the importance of a preventive and interventional approach during the early stages of the disease, as well as the potential effect of some dietary bioactive compounds. In this regard, it is advisable to focus the intervention on improving BMI, through a program of physical activity, nutritional and health education, and changes in dietary patterns. The inclusion of foods rich in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, fiber and vitamins can provide an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesogenic effect that could hinder the progression of NAFLD and other comorbidities and complication. La obesidad es actualmente un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. Ésta se caracteriza por afectar a múltiples órganos, entre ellos el hígado, desarrollándose enfermedades como la enfermedad de hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA), la cual predispone al desarrollo de carcinoma hepatocelular. En esta revisión se discute la asociación entre la obesidad y la EHGNA, enfatizando un abordaje preventivo y de intervención en etapas tempranas de la enfermedad, así como los potenciales efectos de algunos compuestos bioactivos presentes en la dieta. Al respecto es recomendable centrar la intervención en mejorar el IMC, a través de un programa de actividad física, educación nutricional y de salud, y cambios en los patrones dietéticos. La inclusión de alimentos ricos en compuestos bioactivos, como los compuestos fenólicos, fibra y vitaminas pueden proveer de un efecto antioxidante, antiinflamatorio y anti-obesogénico que podrían obstaculizar la progresión de la EHGNA, y otras comorbilidades y complicaciones.

Naringenin (NAR) is a naturally occurring flavanone characteristic of citrus fruits and other foods whose anti-obesity effects have been reported. As a dietary xenobiotic, it is metabolized and excreted mainly by the liver and kidneys, respectively. Since an organism does not normally consume pure phenolic compounds, there are concerns about its safety when administered as such. The present work reports an analysis on the safety of consuming NAR as an anti-obesity agent (100 mg/kg body weight) alongside a Western diet (WD) during an eight-week period, according to various serum biochemical markers of liver and kidney function in Wistar rats. Blood samples were analyzed to determine liver function, including enzyme activity (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP), bilirubin, and albumin. Biochemical markers of kidney function were urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid, and electrolytes. Results show that a 100 mg/kg oral dose of NAR for eight weeks exerted no apparent hepato- or nephrotoxicity, suggesting a suitable safety profile at said dose, since all variables analyzed remained within normal reference limits in NAR-treated animals. Urea, BUN, and ALP showed significant differences between the WD and the control group fed a basal diet (BD), although this was independent of NAR (p < 0.05, WD and WD + NAR vs. BD and BD + NAR), suggesting that diet played a role. The data support the previously reported hepatoprotective effects of NAR and suggest a favorable safety profile. Altogether, the findings indicate that pure NAR may be safe at the dose employed and during the analyzed time period, which further supports the need for clinical studies to validate its application in human consumers.