INFLUENCE OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ON METABOLIC, ENDOCRINE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF MILD CALORIC RESTRICTION

FABERSANI, EMANUEL; RUSSO, MATÍAS; ROSS ROMINA; SAAVEDRA, LUCILA; GONZALEZ, SILVIA; GAUFFIN CANO, PAOLA

Cordoba

Congreso; XI Congreso Argentino de Microbiología General; 2015

Sociedad Argentina de Microbiología General

Caloric restriction (CR) is defined as a reduction in energy intake below the amount of calories that would be consumed ad libitum. CR induces changes in gut microbiota composition and the immune response, which affect the host health. Leptin, a pleiotropic hormone mainly produced by the adipose tissue, regulates multiple homeostatic functions such as food intake, reproductive and immune functions, besides basal metabolism.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CR diet and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) administration on leptin levels, metabolic and immunological parameters in a murine model of mild CR.Animals were daily fed with a restricted diet (25% less than the daily ration) for 45 days, in order to reach a degree of mild malnutrition (10-25% body weight loss compared to control group). Different groups of mice received Lactobacillus (L.) fermentum CRL1446, Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis CRL1434, and L. casei CRL431 strains resuspended in the drinking water at the dose of 10⁸ cells / mL / day / mouse. We determined leptin, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and serum cytokines (TNFα, IL-6 e IL-10) at 0, 20 and 45 days. Body and fat weight as well as adipocyte area were also determined. The studied strains had different effects on leptin levels. L. casei CRL431 induced significant increase in leptin levels, reaching values similar to control. By contrast, L. fermentum CR1446 and Lc. lactis CRL1434 produced a significant decrease in leptin levels. There is a positive correlation between leptin concentration and pro-inflammatory cytokines and fat weight. The effects of LAB administration on metabolic parameters were more evident at 45 days of CR diet. L. fermentum CRL1446 showed hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic properties.Our results suggest that different strains may have different functional roles and applications in diverse pathologies. LAB that induce increase in leptin levels could have positive influence on caloric-restricted individuals. Therefore, modulation of circulating leptin levels may be considered as a promising novel strategy to intervene on nutritional status.