Comparison of intestinal microbial isolates from obese and normal twins

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences between Korean monozygotic obese and normal twins. Firstly we isolated various intestinal bacteria from obese and normal twins. Furthermore, we observed the secretion of inflammatory responses in intestinal epithelium cell line, Caco-2. The results showed isolates from obesity have the potential pro-inflammatory response (IL-6, TNF-α) in Caco-2 cells. C57BL/6 forty-eight male mice were divided into six groups depending on feeding high fat diet and oral administration of Bifidobacterium isolated from twins in order to investigate their effect against obesity and metabolic change. Feeding Bifidobacterium groups showed significantly lower body weight than high fat diet groups. In addition, Bifidobacterium group was lower in fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test. Taken together, Bifidobacterium showed a significant anti-obesity effect in high fat diet induced obese mice, and improved glucose tolerance, but intestinal microbial isolates were no significant difference between obese and normal twins except pro-inflammatory response in isolates from obese twins.