Background: Cardiac dyshomeostasis is steadily increasing in obese diabetics, with growing
evidence pointing to a potential connection between diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and gut
microbiota alterations. The probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus (Lacto-B) has garnered significant
interest for its beneficial properties. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms by which Lacto-B
exerts its protective effects and to assess the role of beclin-1-mediated autophagy in DCM. Method:
Twenty-four rats were grouped into Control, Lacto-B, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD + Lacto-B, for
8-week experimental period. Lacto-B was administrated at a dose of (2 x 108
) colony-forming
units/ml/d by oral gavage. Echocardiographic, biochemical, and microscopic evaluations for cardiac
changes were assessed. Glycemic and lipid profiles, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers nuclear
factor-кB, interleukin-1β, interleukin-10, and beclin-1 protein were evaluated. Results: The findings
revealed that concurrent Lacto-B treatment with HFD limited weight gain, improved insulin
sensitivity and dyslipidemia, preserved cardiac functions and structure evidenced by reduced serum
injury biomarker, atherogenic indices, myocardial hypertrophy, and collagen deposition, along with
improved ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Furthermore, there were boosts in the total
antioxidant capacity and the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 along with the reductions in the
cardiac malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, nuclear factor-кB gene and interleukin-1β.
Additionally, downregulation of beclin-1 autophagic protein was evident versus HFD group |
