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INOSR Experimental Sciences 13(3):20-23, 2024. ISSN: 2705-1692
©INOSR PUBLICATIONS INOSRES1332023.00
International Network Organization for Scientific Research
https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRES/2024/1332023.000

Microbiome Modulation in Obesity: Role of Prebiotics

and Probiotics in Hyperlipidemia Control
Nalongo Bina K.
Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda
ABSTRACT
Obesity is a major global health issue associated with metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, which
predisposes individuals to cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of the gut
microbiome in modulating host metabolism, including lipid homeostasis, making it a potential target for
therapeutic interventions. Prebiotics and probiotics, which can beneficially alter gut microbial composition and
function, have gained considerable attention as non-pharmacological strategies to mitigate obesity-related
hyperlipidemia. This review explores the mechanisms by which microbiome modulation through prebiotics
and probiotics influences lipid metabolism and fat storage, focusing on their effects on dyslipidemia in obesity.
It provides a detailed overview of the gut microbiota's role in lipid absorption, bile acid metabolism, and the
regulation of lipoprotein profiles. Furthermore, the review assesses clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of
prebiotics and probiotics in managing hyperlipidemia and obesity-related metabolic disorders. The therapeutic
potential of these microbiome-targeted interventions is evaluated, alongside future directions for integrating
microbiome modulation into obesity and hyperlipidemia treatment regimens.
Keywords: Obesity; Hyperlipidemia; Gut microbiome; Prebiotics; Probiotics

INTRODUCTION
Obesity and its related metabolic disorders, such role of prebiotics and probiotics in regulating
as hyperlipidemia, are escalating public health hyperlipidemia, focusing on their effects on the gut
concerns globally, contributing to a higher microbiome and lipid metabolism.
incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 Gut Microbiota and Lipid Metabolism in
diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease[1– Obesity
4]. The intricate relationship between obesity and The gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in
lipid metabolism is significantly influenced by the regulating lipid metabolism by influencing dietary
gut microbiome, a complex community of fat absorption, bile acid metabolism, and the
microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which
tract[5–7]. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal impact lipogenesis and fat storage[7, 13].
role in various physiological processes, including Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbial
energy homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and immune composition, is frequently observed in obese
modulation, making it a crucial factor in the individuals and is associated with increased
pathogenesis of obesity and hyperlipidemia[8]. lipogenesis, reduced lipid oxidation, and the
The modulation of gut microbiota composition accumulation of lipids in adipose tissues[14, 15].
through diet, prebiotics, and probiotics has Mechanisms of Microbiota-Lipid Interaction
emerged as a promising strategy to counteract the Bile Acid Metabolism: Gut bacteria are involved
adverse metabolic effects associated with in the deconjugation and transformation of bile
obesity[9, 10]. Prebiotics, non-digestible food acids, which regulate lipid absorption and
ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth cholesterol homeostasis. Dysbiosis in obesity
and activity of beneficial gut bacteria, and alters bile acid metabolism, leading to disrupted
probiotics, live microorganisms that confer health lipid profiles[16].
benefits, have been shown to influence lipid Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production: SCFAs
metabolism and improve lipid profiles in obese such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are
individuals[11, 12]. This review looks into the
20
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microbial metabolites that influence lipid Regulation of Lipid Transporters: Probiotics
metabolism by modulating energy expenditure, influence the expression of genes involved in lipid
adipogenesis, and lipolysis[17, 18]. transport and metabolism, thereby improving
Lipoprotein Regulation: The gut microbiota lipoprotein profiles.
impacts lipoprotein metabolism, including the Clinical Evidence of Probiotics in
synthesis and clearance of low-density lipoprotein Hyperlipidemia Control
(LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), Several clinical studies have demonstrated the
contributing to hyperlipidemia in obese efficacy of probiotic supplementation in reducing
individuals[19]. total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride
Role of Prebiotics in Modulating levels in obese individuals[23]. The
Hyperlipidemia administration of multi-strain probiotic
Prebiotics, such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides formulations has shown greater lipid-lowering
(FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), have effects compared to single-strain supplements.
shown promising results in modulating the gut Additionally, probiotics have been associated with
microbiome and improving lipid metabolism in reductions in visceral fat and improvements in
obese individuals.[20, 21] Prebiotics promote the markers of metabolic syndrome, further
growth of beneficial bacterial species, such as supporting their role in obesity management.
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are Synergistic Effects of Prebiotics and
associated with improved lipid profiles. Probiotics (Synbiotics)
Reduction in LDL Cholesterol: Prebiotic Combining prebiotics and probiotics, referred to as
supplementation has been linked to reductions in synbiotics, may offer enhanced benefits in
LDL cholesterol levels, possibly through enhanced modulating the gut microbiome and improving
SCFA production and improved bile acid lipid metabolism[24]. Synbiotics provide a
metabolism[22]. synergistic effect by promoting the survival and
Improvement in HDL Levels: Certain prebiotics activity of probiotics in the gut, leading to greater
have been shown to increase HDL cholesterol improvements in lipid profiles and reductions in
levels, contributing to better cardiovascular obesity-related inflammation.
outcomes in obese patients. Future Perspectives and Therapeutic Potential
Anti-inflammatory Effects: By modulating the The potential of prebiotics and probiotics to
gut microbiome, prebiotics reduce systemic modulate the gut microbiome and control
inflammation, which is often elevated in obesity hyperlipidemia presents exciting opportunities for
and contributes to dyslipidemia [22]. developing non-pharmacological treatments for
Probiotics and Lipid Metabolism obesity and related metabolic disorders. However,
Probiotics, particularly strains of Lactobacillus and several challenges remain, including the need for
Bifidobacterium, have been extensively studied for personalized interventions based on individual
their lipid-lowering effects in both animal models microbiome compositions and the long-term
and human clinical trials. Probiotic effects of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation.
supplementation influences lipid metabolism Further research is needed to fully understand the
through various mechanisms: mechanisms underlying microbiome-mediated
Cholesterol Assimilation: Some probiotic strains lipid metabolism and to identify optimal strains
can directly assimilate cholesterol, reducing its and formulations for clinical use. Additionally,
absorption in the gut. large-scale clinical trials are necessary to validate
Modulation of Bile Acid Metabolism: Probiotics the efficacy of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics
enhance the deconjugation of bile acids, which in managing hyperlipidemia in diverse
facilitates the excretion of cholesterol and populations.
improves lipid profiles.
CONCLUSION
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the required to optimize these interventions for
regulation of lipid metabolism and the widespread clinical application. As our
development of obesity-related hyperlipidemia. understanding of microbiome-host interactions
Prebiotics and probiotics offer promising deepens, the integration of microbiome modulation
therapeutic approaches for modulating the gut into obesity and hyperlipidemia management may
microbiome and improving lipid profiles in obese become a cornerstone of future therapeutic
individuals. While substantial evidence supports strategies.
their potential benefits, further research is

21
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CITE AS: Nalongo Bina K. (2024). Microbiome Modulation in Obesity: Role of Prebiotics and
Probiotics in Hyperlipidemia Control. INOSR Experimental Sciences 13(3):20-23.
https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRES/2024/1332023.000

23
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited