Comparison of the anti‐obesity and hypocholesterolaemic effects of single L actobacillus casei strain Shirota and probiotic cocktail

Summary This study compared the efficacy of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LAB13) and a probiotic cocktail for their anti‐obesity and other lipid profile modulating effects. Diet‐induced obese rats were supplemented with two different probiotics which are LAB13 (1 × 109 CFU day−1 per rat) and cocktail of five bacterial strains (1 × 109 CFU day−1 per rat) for 12 weeks. Comparative data on weight gain, energy intake, liver weight, subcutaneous fat, total fat weights, total cholesterol and leptin levels in both treatment groups showed significant reduction in probiotic‐treated groups compared to the obese control group. Both probiotics have the anti‐obesity and hypocholesterolaemic effects and are able to reduce body weight and fats via reduction in energy intake. Only LAB13 was able to reduce the level of triglyceride significantly. Therefore, the LAB13 is equally effective compared to the probiotic cocktail in weight reduction. LAB13 is more effective in improving lipid profile which is a common medical complication of obesity.