Alleviating Mechanism of Microencapsulated Compound Probiotics Against Obesity via PPAR Metabolic Pathway

Obesity is a global health challenge, but current pharmacological interventions (e.g., orlistat) often cause adverse effects. Although probiotics show potential in alleviating obesity, the mechanisms by which microencapsulated compound probiotics exert anti-obesity effects via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) remain unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that pectin beads encapsulating compound probiotics (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Bifidobacterium breve) exhibited superior anti-obesity effects to single strain in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. Here, we systematically investigated the alleviating effects of these microencapsulated compound probiotics (1 × 10⁸ CFU/day, oral gavage) against HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice (8-wk intervention) via PPARs-mediated regulatory mechanisms, with orlistat (24 mg·kg^- 1·day^- 1, oral gavage) as the positive control. Results showed that the microencapsulated compound probiotics significantly reduced weight gain rate (35.68% vs. 58.51% in HFD group, P < 0.05) without affecting food intake, improved hepatic steatosis (reduced hepatocyte vacuolation), and maintained glucose homeostasis (oral glucose tolerance test AUC: 14205 vs. 2150 mg·min/dL in HFD group, P < 0.05). Compared to HFD controls, the probiotics significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (2.90 vs. 6.31 mM, P < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (IL-6: 10.04 vs. 17.66 pg/mL, P < 0.05). Mechanistically, the probiotics downregulated PPAR-γ (0.65-fold vs. HFD, P < 0.05) to inhibit adipogenesis. 16 S rRNA sequencing revealed that the probiotics preserved gut microbial diversity (Shannon index: 5.2 vs. 4.1 in HFD group, P < 0.05), whereas orlistat caused gut dysbiosis (Shannon index: 3.8, P < 0.05 vs. ND group). Together, these findings clarified that microencapsulated compound probiotics alleviate obesity via PPAR-mediated lipid metabolism regulation, while protecting gut ecology-offering a safe and effective microecological strategy for obesity prevention.