Effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 probiotic supplementation on circulating IGFBP-2 levels during a calorie-restricted diet in overweight humans

Justine Faramia; Béatrice S-Y Choi; Lucie Brunelle; André Marette; Vicky Drapeau; Angelo Tremblay; Frédéric Picard

doi:10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100357

Effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 probiotic supplementation on circulating IGFBP-2 levels during a calorie-restricted diet in overweight humans

J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2024 Jun 11:36:100357. doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100357. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Authors

Justine Faramia^{1

2}, Béatrice S-Y Choi^{1

3}, Lucie Brunelle⁴, André Marette^{1

3

5}, Vicky Drapeau^{1

3

6}, Angelo Tremblay^{1

3

4}, Frédéric Picard^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
² Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
³ Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS) and Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
⁴ Department of Kinesiology, PEPS, Université Laval, QC, Canada.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
⁶ Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Université Laval, QC, Canada.

Abstract

Background and aim: Gut microbiota influences energy homeostasis in part through circulating hormones. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 is a biomarker whose increase in systemic circulation is associated with positive effects on body weight and metabolism. In a recent clinical trial, probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 supplementation showed positive effects on eating behaviors and insulin resistance in overweight participants undergoing a weight-loss intervention. In this context, this ancillary study aimed at assessing the impact of L. rhamnosus HA-114 supplementation on plasma IGFBP-2 levels in these individuals, and whether this modulation correlated with changes in fat mass, energy metabolism, and eating behaviors.

Methods: Fasting plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations were quantified in 100 overweight or obese men and women enrolled in a 12-week diet-based weight reduction program (-500 kcal/day), in combination with probiotic L. rhamnosus HA-114 or placebo supplementation. Baseline and changes in circulating IGFBP-2 concentrations were correlated with anthropometric parameter, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiorespiratory function and eating behaviors.

Results: On average, the intervention reduced BMI by 4.6 % and increased IGFBP-2 by 13 %, regardless of supplementation group. Individuals who presented an increase in IGFBP-2 levels had significantly greater reductions in BMI. Changes in IGFBP-2 levels were correlated with loss in fat mass (r = 0.2, p < 0.001) in the probiotic-supplemented group, but not with other metabolic parameters or eating behaviors. Baseline IGFBP-2 levels were not associated with weight loss or improvements in cardiometabolic parameters.

Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation with L. rhamnosus HA-114 did not modulate plasma IGFBP-2 levels. Changes in IGFBP-2 levels were correlated with greater reductions in BMI, but not with other metabolic parameters or eating behaviors, indicating that the benefits of HA-114 on eating behaviors are likely independent of IGFBP-2. Additional changes in microbiota might be required to modulate IGFBP-2 and observe its associations with eating behaviors and cardiometabolic improvements.

Keywords: Binding protein; Circulating; Eating behaviors; Humans; Insulin-like growth factor; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; Microbiota; Probiotics; Weight loss.