The Additional Effects of a Probiotic Mix on Abdominal Adiposity and Antioxidant Status: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial

Objective: To investigate whether a probiotic mix has additional effects when compared with an isolated dietary intervention on the body composition, lipid profile, endotoxemia, inflammation, and antioxidant profile. Methods: Women who had excess weight or obesity were recruited to a randomized, double-blind trial and received a probiotic mix (Lactobacillus acidophilus and casei; Lactococcus lactis; Bifidobacterium bifidum and lactis; 2 x 10(10) colony-forming units/day) (n = 21) or placebo (n = 22) for 8 weeks. Both groups received a dietary prescription. Body composition was assessed by anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The lipid profile, lipid accumulation product, plasma fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-a, adiponectin, and the antioxidant enzymes activities were analyzed. Results: In comparison with the dietary intervention group, the dietary intervention1probiotic mix group showed a greater reduction in the waist circumference (-3.40% vs. -5.48%, P = 0.03), waist-height ratio (-3.27% vs. -5.00%, P = 0.02), conicity index (-2.43% vs. 24.09% P = 0.03), and plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.65% vs. -18.63%, P50.04) and an increase in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (-16.67% vs. 15.62%, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Supplementation of a probiotic mix reduced abdominal adiposity and increased antioxidant enzyme activity in a more effective way than an isolated dietary intervention.