Published in the journal Nutrients and funded by the probiotic’s manufacturer Kolmar BNH, the study also observed significant reductions in low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and leptin levels following the intake of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001 probiotic.
The findings build upon a previous animal study conducted by Kolmar BNH, which identified that the Korean angelica-derived strain significantly improved body weight and blood lipid levels in mice.
“In conclusion, SKO-001 is safe and effective for reducing body fat and has the potential for further clinical testing in humans,” the Korean researchers wrote.
Microbiome modulation and weight management
Today's obesity epidemic is a significant public health concern linked to an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases.
Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may influence obesity risk, with weight changes increasingly correlated with alterations within the microbiome.
As such, beneficial live microorganisms within probiotics have been studied for their anti-obesity potential through their ability to modulate the microbiome and produce beneficial metabolites. Previous studies have suggested that SKO-001 may demonstrate weight management benefits within in vitro and in vivo trials.
Study details
The researchers included 100 overweight participants between the ages of 19 and 65 years with a body mass index between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the SKO-001 supplementation (2 × 1010 CFU/day) or placebo group for a 12-week intervention period. Body fat reduction was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
The study reported that body fat percentage, body fat mass, LDL-cholesterol levels and adiponectin levels were significantly lower within the group receiving the SKO-001 probiotic compared to placebo.
In addition, the subcutaneous fat area, total cholesterol and leptin levels were also found to be significantly lower within the probiotic group at the end of the 12 weeks. The probiotic was generally well-tolerated and did not cause any adverse effects among the participants.
The researchers stressed that the results indicate that the SKO-001 strain demonstrates significant potential as a nutritional intervention to reduce body fat.
"These results are consistent with research showing an increase in serum adiponectin levels, a decrease in LDL-C levels and a decrease in body fat mass in rats," they noted.
"Some L. plantarum strains have been shown to decrease the mRNA levels of adipogenic genes, including SREBP-1c, PPAR-γ and C/EBPα. Similarly, SKO-001 reduced lipid accumulation in the liver, lowered mRNA levels of lipogenic genes and reduced α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 1 alpha 1 levels."
The study called for further research to be carried out in humans to further understand the effects and the underlying mechanism of action, incorporating microbiome analysis over a longer intervention period.
Source: Nutrients
doi: 10.3390/nu16081137
“A 12-Week, Single-Centre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Design Clinical Trial for the Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001 in Reducing Body Fat”
Authors: Seon Mi Shin et al.