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Regulation of abdominal adiposity by probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055) in adults with obese tendencies in a randomized controlled trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 64, pages 636–643 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

In spite of the much evidence for the beneficial effects of probiotics, their anti-obesity effects have not been well examined. We evaluated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) on abdominal adiposity, body weight and other body measures in adults with obese tendencies.

Subjects/Methods:

We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. Subjects (n=87) with higher body mass index (BMI) (24.2–30.7 kg/m2) and abdominal visceral fat area (81.2–178.5 cm2) were randomly assigned to receive either fermented milk (FM) containing LG2055 (active FM; n=43) or FM without LG2055 (control FM; n=44), and were asked to consume 200 g/day of FM for 12 weeks. Abdominal fat area was determined by computed tomography.

Results:

In the active FM group, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat areas significantly (P<0.01) decreased from baseline by an average of 4.6% (mean (confidence interval): −5.8 (−10.0, −1.7) cm2) and 3.3% (−7.4 (−11.6, −3.1) cm2), respectively. Body weight and other measures also decreased significantly (P<0.001) as follows: body weight, 1.4% (−1.1 (−1.5, −0.7) kg); BMI, 1.5% (−0.4 (−0.5, −0.2) kg/m2); waist, 1.8% (−1.7 (−2.1, −1.4) cm); hip, 1.5% (−1.5 (−1.8, −1.1) cm). In the control group, by contrast, none of these parameters decreased significantly. High-molecular weight adiponectin in serum increased significantly (P<0.01) in the active and control groups by 12.7% (0.17 (0.07, 0.26) μg/ml) and 13.6% (0.23 (0.07, 0.38) μg/ml), respectively.

Conclusion:

The probiotic LG2055 showed lowering effects on abdominal adiposity, body weight and other measures, suggesting its beneficial influence on metabolic disorders.

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Acknowledgements

We deeply thank the subjects for their cooperation, and Dr K Mashiko at Kodama Central Hospital, Dr Y Itagaki at Yuki Clinic, Dr M Ishiguro at Ishiguro Clinic, Dr T Kanematsu at Kameido-minamiguchi Clinic, Dr Y Mizuno at Mizuno Internal Medical Clinic, Dr S Tashiro at Prime Clinic, Dr S Dantsuka at Dantsuka Clinic, Dr Y Taguchi at Megumidai Clinic, Dr K Samejima at Samejima Bonding Clinic, Mr K Watanabe at Esucal Laboratories Co. Ltd. and staff members of Isogo Central and Neurosurgical Hospital and the above facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology and Research Institute, Snow Brand Milk Products Co. Ltd., Saitama, Japan

    Y Kadooka & A Ogawa

  2. Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    M Sato & K Imaizumi

  3. Nippon Milk Community Co. Ltd., Saitama, Japan

    K Ikuyama, Y Akai & M Okano

  4. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iwaki Meisei University, Fukushima, Japan

    M Kagoshima

  5. Isogo Central and Neurosurgical Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan

    T Tsuchida

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  1. Y Kadooka
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Correspondence to Y Kadooka.

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Kadooka, Y., Sato, M., Imaizumi, K. et al. Regulation of abdominal adiposity by probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055) in adults with obese tendencies in a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 64, 636–643 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.19

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