Probiotic supplementation increases obesity with no detectable effects on liver fat or gut microbiota in obese Hispanic adolescents: a 16-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background Numerous studies have shown that there are links between obesity, liver fat and the gut microbiome. However, there are mixed results on whether probiotics could impact the gut microbiome and/or help to decrease liver fat and obesity outcomes. Objective Methods This study aimed to determine whether a probiotic supplement (VSL#3((R))) intervention altered gut microbiota and/or gut hormones associated with appetite regulation. The secondary aim of this study was to determine whether VSL#3((R)) altered body composition and liver fat and fibrosis. We conducted a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial in 19 obese Latino adolescents. The intervention consisted of three packets per day of VSL#3((R)) or a matched placebo for 16 weeks. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures included gut microbial abundance, gut appetite regulating hormones, anthropometrics, body composition, liver fat and liver fibrosis. We conducted linear models to determine whether there were any significant differences in the changes in these outcomes following VSL#3((R)) intervention. Results Conclusion Compared with placebo, adolescents that received VSL#3 had significant increases in total adiposity (%) (+1.7 +/- 0.6 vs. -1.3 +/- 0.5, p < 0.01) and trunk adiposity (%) (+3.3 +/- 0.8 vs. -1.8 +/- 0.8, p < 0.01) with no significant effects on liver fat/fibrosis, insulin/glucose, gut microbial abundances or gut hormones. VSL#3 supplementation may lead to increased adiposity in obese Latino adolescents with no significant detectable changes in gut microbiota, gut appetite-regulating hormones, liver fat and fibrosis and dietary intake. However, it is important to note that recruitment efforts were terminated early and the sample size fell short of what was planned for this trial.