Abstract: Purpose: To study the intervention effect of two Lactobacillus strains on obesity induced by a high-fat diet in mice. Methods: Totally 72 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups: normal diet, high-fat diet, high-fat diet plus low-dose Lactobacillus casei NCU011054, high-fat diet plus high-dose Lactobacillus casei NCU011054, high-fat diet plus low-dose Lactobacillus acidophilus NCU433, and high-fat diet plus high-dose Lactobacillus acidophilus NCU433 groups. The mice were weighed weekly, and sacrificed at the end of the nine-week experimental period. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), Lee’s index and visceral organ indexes were measured, and serum biochemical indicators, serum leptin and adiponectin (ADPN) levels were determined. Oxidative stress indicators, cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) contents in liver and short chain fatty acid content in mice feces were measured, and the morphology and differentiation of adipose tissue were examined. Results: Both Lactobacillus strains not only significantly reduced the body mass gain, Lee’s index and FBG level of obese mice as well as the levels of TC, TG, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum (P < 0.05), but also significantly elevated serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ADPN levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, Lactobacillus treatment suppressed the differentiation of adipocytes and ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders in the liver of obese mice. Conclusion: Both Lactobacillus strains effectively regulate lipid metabolism in obese mice.

Key words: Lactobacilli; high-fat diet; obesity; intervention; lipid metabolism