Microencapsulated feruloyl esterase-producing lactobacilli ameliorate lipid profile and glycaemia in high fat diet-induced obese mice

Abstract

The effect of oral administration of spray-dried microcapsules of feruloyl esterase (FE) producing Lactobacillus fermentumCRL1446 (Lf) and Lactobacillus johnsoniiCRL1231 (Lj) on high fat diet-induced obese mice was investigated to evaluate whether these strains could be used as a biotherapeutic for obesity. Swiss albino mice were divided into a normal diet fed group receiving empty microcapsules (control), a high fat diet plus empty microcapsules (HFD group), HFD plus microcapsules with Lf (HFD-Lf group) and HDF plus microcapsules with Lj (HFD-Lj group). Microcapsules containing Lf or Lj at a dose of ~107 cells/day/mouse were given orally for 7 weeks. Body weight gain, adiposity index, plasma leptin, lipid profiles, glycemia, insulinenia, oral glucose tolerance, intestinal FE, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Glutathione reductase (GR) were determined. Administration of lactobacilli (HFDLf and HFD-Lj groups) improved metabolic parameters (Triglyceride, Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol levels) and cardiovascular risk indicators (37-46% decreased of atherogenic index), and reduced body weight gain (29%-38%), adiposity index (42-62%), plasma leptin levels, liver weight and fat deposition in liver. Intestinal FE activities significantly increased in HFD-Lf (62%) and HFD-Lj group (48%), thus improving hepatic GR activity (42% increment) compared to HFD group. Moreover, L. johnsonii increased HDL-cholesterol and L. fermentum reduced blood glucose to levels similar to the control. These FE-producing lactobacilli have the potential to improve biomarkers involved in obesity by increasing intestinal FE activity.