The Effects of Orally-Administered Lactobacillus fermentum 4B1 on the Adipose Tissue of Diet-Induced Obese Mice (Mus musculus L.

Abstract

Obesity, one of the most rapidly increasing health concerns in the world, is a condition of excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue. This study examined through histological data if orally-administered Lactobacillus fermentum 4B1 had anti-obesity properties on the adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice, and had similar effects to mice treated with the conventional anti-obesity drug Orlistat (Xenical®). Obesity was induced in mice by administration of a high-fat diet for 42 days following a 7-day acclimation period. Obesity in the group fed with a high-fat diet was confirmed by a 34% difference of mean body weight compared to the group fed with a normal diet. Lactobacillus fermentum 4B1 (0.05% at 50ml/kg) and Orlistat (12mg/kg) were administered to the various treatment groups while the normal and obese control groups received no treatment. Adipose tissues were extracted after treatment and subjected to histological examination for determination of average adipose cell size. Body weights (measured at the first and last day of treatment) and adipose tissue weight served as additional supporting parameters. The results showed that orally administered Lactobacillus fermentum 4B1 reduced adipose cell areas (from 6214.7 pm2 to 1987.9 pm2), lowered body weights (from 9.31% to 6.82% weight gain), and lowered adipose tissue weights (from 0.95 g to 0.65 g) compared to the groups which received no treatment. Statistical comparison using Tukey’s Test between Lactobacillus fermentum 4B1 and Orlistat showed that they exerted comparable effects on the parameters being measured.