The role of Lactobacillus in combination with Bifidobacterium strains in mitigating obesity-related effects: A systematic review of studies in mice and humans

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are regarded as early risk assessment factors for cardiometabolic comorbidities such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and weight-related cancer. Specifically, obesity is a result of an imbalance of energy intake and expenditure and is usually determined by BMI. According to the Obesity Medicine Association Clinical Practice Statement, the adolescent obesity rate in the United States has drastically increased in the last 30 years affecting more than 20% adolescents. Addressing the rising rate of obesity has provided extensive research that suggests a strong link between gut microbiota phyla and the alleviation of obesity-related challenges. While a balanced lifestyle is the main recommendation to prevent and treat obesity, curative therapy is the goal. Research suggests that the human gut microbiota can help protect from pathogens, enhance the immune system, support digestion and metabolism, control epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, modify insulin resistance and its secretion, and positively influence brain-gut communication This complex relationship suggests a strong link between gut microbiota and obesity-related effects. Microbiota imbalance is highly recognized as an indicator of a given disease or a poor health status. There are several probiotics that directly support the gut microbiota imbalance on obesity, including Lactobacillus (e.g., Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus plantarum) and Bifidobacterium (e.g., Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium breve B3). In this systematic review, we aim to consolidate existing evidence on the role of gut microbiota in managing obesity-related comorbidities, with a particular focus on the impact of specific probiotics on weight management and metabolic health. The review also provides an overview of the interplay between gut microbiota and obesity-related factors, including energy homeostasis, inflammation, and metabolic regulation.

Keywords

Lactobacillus / Bifidobacterium / Obesity / Systematic review