Journal Article

Synbiotic-driven modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolic functions related to obesity: insights from a human gastrointestinal model

Nagai, Kenshiro, Vongsangnak, Wanwipa, Wanikorn, Bandhita, Nitisinprasert, Sunee, Nakayama, Jiro, Torrungruang, Pitchsupang, Charoensiddhi, Suvimol, Mok, Kevin, Tomtong, Putsawee, Nakphaichit, Massalin, Ogawa, Takuma

2025

Overview

Synbiotic interventions have gained increasing attention for modulating gut microbiota and metabolic functions in obesity-related disorders. This study evaluated the effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 (10⁸ CFU) and Wolffia globosa powder (6 g/day) using an in vitro continuous human gastrointestinal model. Fecal samples from obese donors were used to simulate the ascending and descending colon, with microbial viability, diversity, and metabolite production assessed over 14 days via culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Synbiotic supplementation increased anaerobic bacterial counts by 2.6 log CFU/mL in the ascending colon and 2.2 log CFU/mL in the descending colon, with notable increases in lactic acid bacteria and reductions in Enterobacteriaceae . Metagenomic analysis revealed an increasing trend in microbial diversity and evenness after 7 days of treatment, though the changes were not statistically significant. PERMANOVA analysis confirmed significant shift in microbial community composition between stabilization, treatment, and washout periods ( p  < 0.05). Additionally, butyrate levels significantly increased ( p  < 0.05), while p -cresol, a deleterious metabolite, significantly decreased ( p  < 0.05). Bile acid composition was modulated, with increased tertiary bile acid 3-oxo-LCA and enhanced bile acid deconjugation, suggesting improved lipid metabolism and potential weight management benefits. These findings highlight the potential of synbiotic supplementation to enhance beneficial bacterial populations, improve microbial diversity, and support metabolic health in obesity management.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Bacteria / Bacteria - classification / Bacteria - genetics / Bacteria - isolation & purification / Bacteria - metabolism / Bile acids / Biological Microscopy / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Body weight / Care and treatment / Cholesterol / Colon / Community composition / Complications and side effects / Composition / Cresols / Culture / Development and progression / Dietary supplements / Digestive system / Dosage and administration / Feces / Feces - microbiology / Female / Fermentation / Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Gastrointestinal tract / Gastrointestinal Tract - metabolism / Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology / Gut microbiota / Humans / In vitro gastrointestinal model / Inflammation / Intestinal microflora / Laboratories / Lactic acid / Lactic acid bacteria / Life Sciences / Limosilactobacillus reuteri - growth & development / Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 / Lipid metabolism / Lipids / Male / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Metabolic diseases / Metabolism / Metabolites / Metagenomics / Microbial Viability / Microbiology / Microbiota / Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms) / Microorganisms / Mycology / Nitrogen / Obesity / Obesity - metabolism / Obesity - microbiology / Parasitology / Physiological aspects / Prebiotics / Probiotics / Small intestine / Statistical analysis / Synbiotic / Synbiotics - administration & dosage / Virology / Wolffia globosa