Obesity in companion animals is an increasing health concern, mirroring trends in human populations. A 2024 study published in Microbiology Spectrum investigated whether specific probiotic strains could help reduce weight gain and improve metabolic health in obese dogs fed a high-fat diet.
The research team, led by A. Kang, tested two strains: Enterococcus faecium IDCC 2102 and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301. Both strains significantly mitigated weight gain, reduced lipid accumulation, and alleviated systemic inflammation linked to obesity. In addition, probiotic-treated dogs showed restored gut microbiota balance, with increases in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and S24-7.
On a metabolic level, IDCC 4301 promoted glycolysis and ATP synthesis through the production of short-chain fatty acids and carboxylic acids, while IDCC 2102 enhanced acetic and butyric acid production. Notably, IDCC 2102 also stimulated dopamine synthesis, leading to restored eating behavior and improvements in both glucose regulation and insulin tolerance.
These results suggest that probiotic supplementation not only reduces obesity-related weight gain but also improves metabolic function by enhancing energy utilization and stabilizing the gut microbiome. The findings support the use of probiotics as a promising nutritional intervention for managing obesity and its associated complications in dogs.
Source: Kang, A., Kwak, M.-J., Lee, D. J., Lee, J. J., Kim, M. K., Song, M., Lee, M., Yang, J., Oh, S., & Kim, Y.-H., Microbiology Spectrum, January 25, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03006-23
