Probiotics Improve Chemerin Levels and Metabolic Syndrome Parameters in Obese Rats

Chemerin is a recently discovered adipokine that plays a role in adipocyte metabolism. It is a novel chemoattractant adipokine whose expression and secretion are increased by adipogenesis.

To evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on chemerin level, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome components in obese Wistar rats.

Animal experiment.

We divided the experimental animals into three groups, each consisting of eight rats. Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 was the experimentally obese group, in which rats were fed with a high-fat diet. Group 3 was the obese intervention group, in which rats were supplemented with probiotics after obesity induction.

At the end of the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in final weights, weight changes, and body mass index values (p<0.05). Weight gain was 34.12±3.70 g in group 3 post-probiotic supplementation and 53.25±8.35 g in group 2 (p<0.05). Obese rats showed increased levels of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and leptin compared to those in the control group. Chemerin levels were 14.31±13.34 ng/mL in group 2 and 2.67±2.42 ng/mL in group 3 (p<0.05).

Probiotic supplementation (group 3) reduced weight gain, and there were positive effects on the levels of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, triglycerides, inflammatory markers, leptin, and chemerin.