Elsevier

Nutrition

Volume 32, Issue 6, June 2016, Pages 716-719
Nutrition

Brief report
Beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium lactis on lipid profile and cytokines in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized trial. Effects of probiotics on metabolic syndrome

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2015.11.001Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Probiotics have beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome components.

  • Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 has beneficial effects on lipid profile.

  • B. lactis HN019 has beneficial effects on cytokines.

Abstract

Objective

Human studies have shown the beneficial effects of probiotic microorganisms on the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other cardiovascular risks, but to our knowledge the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of milk containing the probiotic B. lactis HN019 on the classical parameters of MetS and other related cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Fifty-one patients with MetS were selected and divided into a control group (n = 25) and a probiotic group (n = 26). The probiotic group consumed fermented milk with probiotics over the course of 45 d. The effects of B. lactis on lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) were assessed in blood samples of the individuals at the baseline and after 45 d.

Results

Daily ingestion of 80 mL fermented milk with 2.72 × 1010 colony-forming units of B. lactis HN019 showed significant reduction in body mass index (P = 0.017), total cholesterol (P = 0.009), and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.008) compared with baseline and control group values. Furthermore, a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.033) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.044) proinflammatory cytokines was observed.

Conclusion

These data showed potential effects of B. lactis HN019 in reducing obesity, blood lipids, and some inflammatory markers, which may reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with MetS.

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of disorders, whose risk factors are atherogenic dyslipidemia (hypertriacylglycerols, high levels of apolipoprotein B, small, dense particles of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels), hypertension, hyperglycemia, and a proinflammatory state [1].

Recent studies have associated the development of obesity in humans to the relative proportions of some major phyla of bacteria of the intestinal microbiota, such as Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, suggesting that the metabolic activity of these intestinal microbiota facilitates the extraction and/or storage of calories ingested [2], [3]. Moreover, imbalance in this ecosystem can lead not only to obesity, as well as the development of insulin resistance [4], [5], [6].

In this context, probiotic microorganisms have demonstrated health-improving effects on the hosts. The Firmicutes and Actinobacteria include the Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, respectively, whose genera are the most used and often are related to these beneficial probiotic effects [7], [8].

Although some studies have reported the beneficial effects of species of Lactobacilli in patients with MetS, we are not aware of any report on the effects of Bifidobacterium lactis in this condition and it is important to emphasize that the effects of probiotics are highly strain-dependent [9].

Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fermented milk with B. lactis HN019 on lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and cytokines in patients with MetS.

Section snippets

Participants and methods

The study was conducted according to the guidelines in the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethical Committee involving humans of the University of Londrina, Parana, Brazil, protocol number 185/2013. Patients were recruited between March and May 2013 in the city of Jataizinho, Parana State, Brazil. Inclusion criteria were being between ages 18 and 60 y, and meeting MetS diagnosis criteria, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP

Results

During the proposed study period, only one of the participants failed to join the group, claiming typical effects of lactose intolerance, although the recruitment survey excluded individuals with this characteristic.

There were no differences between control and probiotic groups with respect to age, sex, medication, and antihypertensive parameters at baseline.

No significant differences were observed intra- or intergroup for WC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, TGs, HDL-C, glucose,

Discussion

The main findings of the present study are related to the beneficial effects of B. lactis on BMI, lipid profile, and cytokine levels in patients with MetS. A recent report demonstrated that fermented milk with Lactobacillus plantarum decreased TC, glucose, and IL-6 levels. Meanwhile, there was a trend for decreases in LDL-C, although there were no significant differences in BMI [12].

Several studies have associated phyla and species of intestinal microbiota to obesity or weight loss in humans

Conclusion

Data from the present study showed that regular consumption of B. lactis HN019 may contribute to the reduction of the characteristic parameters of MetS and obesity. Although the relationships between microbiota, obesity, diabetes, and MetS are increasingly evident, there remain many mechanisms that need to be explored. Currently, the main challenge is to identify bacteria that help to control obesity and related metabolic disorders.

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    LJB was responsible for recruiting the patients, interpretation of the results, and writing the manuscript. CHBS was responsible for writing of the manuscript. DFA and MABL were responsible for recruiting the patients and the laboratory analysis. ANCS and ID were responsible for interpretation of the results and writing the manuscript. GNC was responsible for the original concept of the study, the study design, interpretation of the results, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Development National Foundation of Private Universities of Brazil.

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