We recently reported that consumption of FM containing LG2055 decreased postprandial serum triacylglycerol
and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in peripheral blood after intake of oral fat-loading test meals
compared with consumption of FM without LG2055 [10].
Although triacylglycerol and NEFA concentrations in peripheral
blood are important biomarkers of fat absorption,
they are affected by metabolism in organs such as the liver
[32]. Thus, we evaluated fecal lipid excretion to assess
more directly the effect of LG2055 on lipid absorption in
humans. Our data show that consumption of FM containing
LG2055 increased fecal fat excretion (Figure 5A/B).
Given that LG2055 suppressed pancreatic lipase-mediated
fat hydrolysis in vitro, its effects on fecal fat excretion are
likely associated with suppression of lipase-mediated fat
hydrolysis, resulting in decreased lipid absorption. In this
study, we observed that BMI and total serum cholesterol
concentration were significantly decreased, but remained
within the normal range, after FM intake in both the control
and active FM groups (Table 2). We consider that this
is because energy intake by the subjects was moderately
controlled, or beneficial effects of fermented milk on lipid
metabolism [33] were taken. Consumption of LG2055 for
seven days did not significantly influence body fat percentage.
However, constant ingestion of LG2055 over a prolonged
period could reveal more pronounced anti-obesity
effects, as we previously demonstrated when LG2055 was
consumed daily for 12 weeks [9].