Beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium lactis on lipid profile and cytokines in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized trial. Effects of probiotics on metabolic syndrome

Objective: Human studies have shown the beneficial effects of probiotic microorganisms on the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other cardiovascular risks, but to our knowledge the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of milk containing the probiotic B. lactis HNO19 on the classical parameters of MetS and other related cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Fifty-one patients with MetS were selected and divided into a control group (n = 25) and a probiotic group (n = 26). The probiotic group consumed fermented milk with probiotics over the course of 45 d. The effects of B. lactis on lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6) were assessed in blood samples of the individuals at the baseline and after 45 d. Results: Daily ingestion of 80 mL fermented milk with 2.72 x 1010 colony-forming units of B. lactis HNO19 showed significant reduction in body mass index (P = 0.017), total cholesterol (P = 0.009), and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.008) compared with baseline and control group values. Furthermore, a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P = 0.033) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.044) proinflammatory cytokines was observed. Conclusion: These data showed potential effects of B. lactis HNO19 in reducing obesity, blood lipids, and some inflammatory markers, which may reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with MetS. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.