From the gut to the heart: probiotic therapy with Saccharomyces boulardii and its potential role on diabetic cardiomyopathy in a murine model

We investigated whether the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii confers cardiometabolic protection and prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy by modulating inflammation, cardiac remodelling, cardiovascular function, and autonomic regulation. Male C57BL/6 mice were allocated into four groups: Control (C), Diabetes (DM), Control+Saccharomyces boulardii (CSb), and Diabetes+Saccharomyces boulardii (DMSb). Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ), and treatments (sterile water or Saccharomyces boulardii) were administered orally for 8 weeks. Blood glucose, cytokines, and nitric oxide levels were measured, along with cardiac function via echocardiography and direct blood pressure recordings. Saccharomyces boulardii reduced blood glucose and increased cardiac IL-10 in diabetic mice, restoring nitric oxide levels. These effects were associated to reduced collagen deposition, preventing vascular damage and ventricular fibrosis, and were accompanied by improved systolic/diastolic function and autonomic control. Saccharomyces boulardii improved cardiac structure, function, and autonomic control in diabetic mice, supporting its potential as adjunct therapy for diabetic cardiomyopathy.