Novel probiotic consortium sustains skeletal muscle function in hyperlipidemic rats

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Hyperlipidaemia is associated with muscle dysfunction and atrophy.
• Probiotics have shown potential in modulating metabolic and inflammatory processes.
• Understanding the impact of probiotics on muscle health in metabolic disorders is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel probiotic consortium in preventing hyperlipidaemia-induced muscle dysfunction in a rat model.
• To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of probiotics on muscle integrity and function.

Main Methods:

• Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidaemia.
• Groups received either a placebo, Orlistat and Cholestyramine, or a probiotic consortium (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus coagulans, Streptococcus thermophilus).
• Muscle function, integrity markers, atrophy, and myogenic regulators were assessed after 90 days.

Main Results:

• Probiotics significantly reduced body weight gain, visceral adiposity, and fat-to-muscle ratio.
• Probiotic treatment improved muscle function parameters, including strength, endurance, and coordination.
• Probiotics modulated muscle integrity by decreasing injury markers and downregulating atrophy markers (Atrogin-1, MuRF1, FoXO1) while upregulating myogenic regulators (MyoD, MyoG).

Conclusions:

• A novel probiotic consortium effectively sustains muscle function and integrity in hyperlipidaemic rats.
• Probiotics offer a potential therapeutic strategy for managing muscle-related complications in metabolic disorders.
• Further research is warranted to explore the clinical applications of these probiotics in human health.