Novel probiotic approach affetcs circulating leptin, ghrelin and interleukin-6 concentrations in obese women

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Obesity is a state strongly associated with low-grade inflammation, when adipose tissue products an array of inflammatory cytokines. Studies showed that probiotics can have a pivotal effect on the modulation of immune and inflammatory response. We assessed relationships between leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, interleukin (IL)-6, and Body Mass Index (BMI) after the intervention with novel probiotic approach. METHODS Fourty-seven overweight (BMI = 25.0 - 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) women participated in double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT). They were randomly assigned to receive one capsule daily of probiotics (7x1010 CFU Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), 5x109 CFU Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii and 40 mg octacosanol; intervention group, N=24) or placebo (N=23) for three months. Circulating concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS In the intervention group, we found positive correlation between circulating levels of leptin and IL-6 (r = 0.586, p = 0.003). In contrast, circulating concentrations of ghrelin negatively correlated with leptin (r = -0.422, p = 0.045). In the placebo group, correlations have not been observed. CONCLUSIONS 79 Our study showed significant correlations between leptin an IL-6 and ghrelin, parameters altered in obesity. More precisely, after the intervention with novel probiotic approach, participants with decreased levels of leptin, had lower levels of IL-6 and higher levels of ghrelin. These findings suggest that probiotics could be cosidered as adjuvant therapy for obesity.