The anti-adipogenic effects of postbiotics derived from plant-based lactic acid bacteria

Abstract The anti-obesity effects of postbiotics, non-viable heat killed lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum (HKLP) and Lactobacillus curvatus (HKLC)) were studied in 3T3-L1 cells along with their bioactive components, S-layer proteins (SLPs, LPSLP, and LCSLP). Relative lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was significantly inhibited after HKLP, HKLC, HKLPC (a mixture of HKLP and HKLC), LPSLP, and LCSLP. Expression of adipogenic gene was significantly downregulated by the HKLPs and SLPs. Interestingly, SLPs induced apoptosis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and early adipocytes, which were determined by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining. This was closely associated with a significant decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptosis gene, Bcl-2, and an increase in the pro-apoptosis gene, caspase-3. These results suggest that plant-based postbiotics, HKLABs and SLPs can be used as naturally occurring products in the prevention of obesity.