Several studies report the important role of an altered gut microbiota in the development of obesity, highlighting the potential use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the expression of specific miRNAs and mRNAs associated with obesity in combination with the hypocholesterolemic octacosanol. Twenty overweight/obese women participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study and were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (daily one capsule containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, and 40 mg octacosanol; N = 12) and the placebo group (N = 8). Changes in lipid parameters and expression of miRNAs and mRNAs were assessed before (T0) and after the 12-week intervention (T1). After the intervention, the expression of miR-155-5p (9.38 ± 0.85 vs. 8.38 ± 1.06, p = 0.05) and miR-24-3p (3.42 ± 0.38 vs. 2.71 ± 0.97, p = 0.031) showed significant decreases in the intervention group when compared to the control group. At T1, the expression of miR-155-5p (8.69 ± 1.31 vs. 9.3 ± 0.85, p = 0.04), miR-125b-5p (5.41 ± 1.18 vs. 5.99 ± 1.36, p = 0.049), and TNF-α (10.24 ± 1.66 vs. 11.36 ± 1.12, p = 0.009) were significantly decreased in the intervention group. No changes in lipids and anthropometric parameters were observed. The novel probiotic approach had a positive effect on regulating the expression of certain miRNAs and mRNAs important for regulating inflammation and adipogenesis, which are essential for obesity onset and control.

Insulin resistance is believed to be an integral component of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Beta (ß) cell dysfunction is also found in PCOS. In the study, we determined the influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) on insulin response to oral glucose load (OGTT) and on insulin sensitivity (Si) and ß-cell function in young women with PCOS. One hundred fourteen patients with PCOS and 41 controls with normal basal plasma glucose were studied. A 75-g OGTT was performed to determine glucose tolerance and insulin response. Insulin sensitivity and ß-cell function were studied using a modified frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance test (FISGTT) to determine the acute insulin response (AIR_G), as well as S_i by minimal model analysis. S_i was decreased in PCOS women (2.49 0.18 vs. 3.41 ± 0.36, ), but no difference in AIR_G existed between the PCOS and control group (75.1 ± 4.6 vs. 63.4 ± 4.6, ). BMI and WHR correlated negatively with S_i (r = −0.43; r = −0.289, , respectively), but not with AIR_G (r = 0.116; r = −0.02, , respectively). Increasing age correlated negatively with AIR_G (r = −0.285, ). There was a significant interaction between disease (PCOS), BMI, and WHR on S_i as well as between age and PCOS on AIR_G. Thus, patients below the age of 25 with PCOS showed enhanced AIR_G (89.5 ± 7.1 vs. 65.1 ± 6.7, ) and decreased S_i (2.43 ± 0.25 vs. 4.52 ± 0.62, ) compared to age-matched controls. In conclusion, these data suggest that not all patients with PCOS have basal and stimulated hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance. Based on these data in young PCOS subjects, the development of insulin resistance and T2DM may be prevented with appropriate treatment strategies.

Obesity is a complex entity that can have many causes, such as endocrine (like thyroid dysfunction or hyperfunctioning of the suprarenall gland-Cushing’s syndrome) but often obesity is from a combination of inactivity and overeating. On the other side, there are genetic factors that produce a tendency to overweight even with the consumption of what would be for most people an appropriate number of calories. Whether the causes are hormonal, genetic or reside in the brain (its reward system or the circuitry that underlies habit, perception of portion size, the choice of food...) is often difficult to sort out. Proponents contend that obesity is a disease because it meets the definition of disease. Obesity decreases life expectancy and impairs the normal body functions, also it can be caused by genetic factors. Opponents contend that obesity is not a disease because it is a preventable risk factor for other diseases. Obesity is the result of eating too much as well as it is caused by exercising too little. Formaly disease or condition obesity is associated with a variety of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, and may also be responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Understanding the pathophysiology of obesity has grown significantly over the last few decades. Pathogenetic mechanisms in obesity and in the development of comorbidities that accompany obesity exhibit many of the characteristics of inflammatory processes. A key role in the pathogenesis of obesity could play the immune system. Despite identifying many critical players in these processes and finding new therapeutic modalities in the fight against obesity, treatment of obesity is still a great challenge and mostly with not-so-successful outcomes.

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of obesity worldwide has rapidly increased. Numerous studies showed a beneficial effect of probiotics in obese individuals, and changes in hematological parameters are observed in obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets. Methods: Twenty-five obese women participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled study and were divided into the experimental group (one capsule daily containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, and 40 mg octacosanol; n = 13) and the placebo group (n = 12). Blood samples were collected for light microscopic examination, morphometric analysis, and an automated hematology analyzer. A possible relationship between hematological parameters and body mass index (BMI), a common indicator of obesity, was investigated using Spearman correlation. The plasma concentration of soluble P-selectin and fibrinogen were determined using an ELISA assay. All measurements were performed before (T0) and after 12 weeks of supplementation (T1). Results: The three-month supplementation of probiotics improved hemoglobin levels, chromic status, and red blood cell morphology. The mean platelet volume (MPV), a measure of platelet size, was restored to normal levels, platelet morphology was improved, and the number of activated platelets was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). A strong negative correlation (r = −0.5904, p < 0.05) was found between BMI and platelet distribution width (PDW), a measure of variation in platelet size and shape. Conclusions: The results show that the probiotic approach improves morphology and normalizes the values of disturbed hematological parameters of RBCs and platelets in obese women.