Dose-dependent and strain-dependent anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus sakei in a diet induced obese murine model

Background Overweight and abdominal obesity, in addition to medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and triglyceride levels, are typical risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Yet, considering the complexity of factors and underlying mechanisms leading to these inflammatory conditions, a deeper understanding of this area is still lacking. Some probiotics have a reputation of a relatively-long history of safe use, and an increasing number of studies are confirming benefits including anti-obesity effects when administered in adequate amounts. Recent reports demonstrate that probiotic functions may widely differ with reference to either intra-species or inter-species related data. Such differences do not necessarily reflect or explain strain-specific functions of a probiotic, and thus require further assessment at the intra-species level. Various anti-obesity clinical trials with probiotics have shown discrepant results and require additional consolidated studies in order to clarify the correct dose of application for reliable and constant efficacy over a long period. Methods Three different strains of Lactobacillus sakei were administered in a high-fat diet induced obese murine model using three different doses, 1 × 1010, 1 × 109 and 1 × 108 CFUs, respectively, per day. Changes in body and organ weight were monitored, and serum chemistry analysis was performed for monitoring obesity associated biomarkers. Results Only one strain of L. sakei (CJLS03) induced a dose-dependent anti-obesity effect, while no correlation with either dose or body or adipose tissue weight loss could be detected for the other two L. sakei strains (L338 and L446). The body weight reduction primarily correlated with adipose tissue and obesity-associated serum biomarkers such as triglycerides and aspartate transaminase. Discussion This study shows intraspecies diversity of L. sakei and suggests that anti-obesity effects of probiotics may vary in a strain- and dose-specific manner.