Novel probiotic consortium sustains skeletal muscle function in hyperlipidemic rats

We evaluated the efficacy of a novel probiotics consortium in preventing hyperlipidaemia-induced loss of muscle function in rats. Male Wistar rats (300 ± 5 g) were randomised into 4 groups (n = 6) including control (7 % fat), hyperlipidaemia [(Hyp) 35 % fat], Hyp + Orlistat (10 mg/kg BW) + Cholestyramine (2g/100g of diet) (Hyp + O + C) and Hyp + Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus coagulans, and Streptococcus thermophilus) (Hyp + Pr). After 90 days of feeding, muscle function parameters were assessed. Compared to the Hyp group, the probiotic consortium significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight gain, visceral adiposity, and fat-to-muscle ratio, accompanied by a marked increase in gastrocnemius and soleus indices. Furthermore, probiotics decreased creatinine, urea, lactic acid, and muscle injury markers (CK-MM, LDH, MYL3, sTnI, FABP3) compared to the Hyp group (p < 0.05), indicating modulation of muscle integrity and systemic stress. Functional assessments (inverted screen, exhaustive swimming, and rotarod tests), contractability (myofibrillar protein), and energy reserve (muscle glycogen) confirmed a significant (p < 0.05) enhancement of muscle strength, endurance, and coordination in the probiotic-treated group compared to the Hyp group. The muscle atrophy markers (Atrogin-1, MuRF1, and FoXO1), as well as the myokine MSTN, which is responsible for inhibiting muscle growth and differentiation, were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in the probiotics group compared to the Hyp group. Whereas the myogenic regulators MyoD and MyoG were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in the probiotics group compared to the Hyp group. Furthermore, the probiotics significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated the expression of SREBP-1c, PGC-1α, and UCP3 compared to the Hyp group. These findings suggest that a novel probiotic consortium sustains muscle function and integrity in hyperlipidemic rats.