Latilactobacillus sakei LB-P5 ameliorates high-fat diet induced obesity by reducing lipid accumulation, enhancing thermogenesis, and restoring intestinal integrity

Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation and metabolic dysfunction, is closely linked to gut health and systemic inflammation. This study investigates the anti-obesity effects of Latilactobacillus sakei LB-P5 in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. Supplementation with L . sakei LB-P5 reduced body weight gain, adipose tissue mass, and plasma lipid levels. Additionally, L. sakei LB-P5 improved liver function by decreasing lipid droplet accumulation and lowering liver enzyme markers (ALT, AST), alleviating liver steatosis. Gene expression analysis revealed enhanced thermogenesis via upregulation of Ucp1 and Pgc1α in adipose tissue, improved insulin sensitivity, and downregulation of inflammation-related genes in both liver and adipose tissue. L. sakei LB-P5 also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins and reducing macrophage infiltration in the intestinal epithelium. Overall, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of L. sakei LB-P5 in managing obesity through thermogenesis, gut-liver axis modulation, and systemic inflammation. • L. sakei LB-P5 may restore intestinal integrity by upregulating Zo-1 and Occludin . • LB-P5 may protect against liver steatosis by upregulating Pgc1α, Ucp1 , and Cpt1 . • LB-P5 may inhibit adipocyte expansion via Pgc1α, Ucp1, Cpt1 upregulation, and Pparγ downregulation. • LB-P5 may reduce macrophage infiltration into adipocytes by downregulating Il-1β, Tnfα, Mcp1 .