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Bacillus subtilis DE111 partially reverses endothelial dysfunction in western-diet fed mice
B D Risk1, E L Graham1, M Zhang1
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, 3447Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1571, USA.
Beneficial Microbes
|December 4, 2024
Summary
Bacillus subtilis DE111 attenuated diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in mice. This probiotic intervention improved arterial dilation, independent of body weight or gut barrier function changes, suggesting novel mechanisms for cardiovascular protection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Gut microbiome imbalances are linked to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease risk.
- Bacillus subtilis DE111 previously improved endothelial function in healthy humans.
- Diet-induced obesity in mice is a model for studying endothelial dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Bacillus subtilis DE111 (PB) can reverse diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in obese mice.
- To assess the impact of PB on cardiometabolic parameters, gut barrier function, and immunity.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying PB's effects on endothelial function.
Main Methods:
- Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a Western diet (WD) or standard diet (SD) for 10 weeks.
- Half of the mice in each group received PB in their diet for an additional 8 weeks.
- Assessed endothelial-dependent arterial dilation, glucose tolerance, body weight, microbiota, gut permeability, and mucosal immunity.
Main Results:
- PB treatment significantly attenuated WD-induced mesenteric endothelial-dependent arterial dilation.
- Improvements in endothelial function were independent of changes in body weight, glucose tolerance, or gut barrier function.
- In vitro studies showed PB did not improve gut barrier integrity or protect against inflammation-induced disruptions.
Conclusions:
- Bacillus subtilis DE111 consumption attenuated diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in mice.
- The protective mechanisms of PB on endothelial function were not linked to alterations in body weight or gut barrier function.
- Further research is needed to explore immune responses or metabolite production as potential mechanisms for Bacillus subtilis's endothelial protective effects.
