L. fermentum CECT5716 supplementation enhanced
endothelial function
In order to evaluate the impact of L. fermentum in
obesity-associated cardiovascular dysfunction, endothelium-dependent
vasodilator responses to acetylcholine from aortae of mice from
different experimental groups were analyzed. HFD-fed mice showed a
reduction in the maximal relaxant response in comparison with control
mice (Emax values were 59.5±4.7% and 71.7±2.0% in the HFD and
control-diet groups, respectively; P<0.05) when the
concentration-response curves to acetylcholine were analyzed (Figure
6A). The administration of the probiotic L. fermentum CECT5716 to
obese mice significantly improved the altered endothelium-dependent
relaxation induced by acetylcholine, obtaining similar
Emax values to those in control diet-fed mice
(72.2±3.8%) (Figure 6A). When the aortic rings were previously
incubated with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS2870, no significant
differences in the maximal relaxant response were observed among
experimental groups. Accordingly, NADPH oxidase activity was
significantly increased in the aortic rings from HFD-fed mice compared
to control mice, and this activity was reduced in the aortic rings from
HFD-fed mice treated with the probiotic (Figure 6B). Moreover, the
beneficial impact exerted by the probiotic on vascular function was also
associated with reduced expression of pro-inflammatory markers,
including Il-1β , Tnf-α and Tlr4 , in aortae tissue
in comparison with control obese mice (Figure 6B).