Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38 in combination reduce body fat accumulation and modulate gut microbiota

Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38 in combination reduce body fat accumulation and modulate gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of two single strains (Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38) at a level of 5 x 10(9) CFU and a mixture of these two strains (1 x 10(8) CFU) on body fat accumulation and gut microbiota in rats. In contrast to high-fat control, L. paracasei S38 intakes resulted in significant (p < .05) reductions in total visceral fat (-15%) and liver lipids (-19%). The supplementation of the multi-strain mixture at a relatively lower dose was more efficient (p < .05) in reducing feed efficiency (-17%), total visceral fat (-30%), and liver lipids (-32%). A higher concentration of total short-chain fatty acids and a higher proportion of Bacteroidetes were also observed in the fecal samples of the multi-strain group. Consumption of multiple strains of B. coagulans BC198 and L. paracasei S38 appeared to show greater efficacy than single strains even at a relatively low dose.