Bacillus subtilis 67989 improves endothelial-mediated dilation in male mice fed a western diet

• Published in: Physiology (Bethesda, Md.) Md.), 2023-05, Vol.38 (S1)
• Main Authors: Risk, Briana, Graham, Elliot, Brown, Gabriele, Stark, Grace, Zhang, Mingye, Hinkle, Kayla, Wei, Yuren, Weir, Tiffany, Gentile, Christopher
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1548-9213; 1548-9221
• DOI: 10.1152/physiol.2023.38.S1.5729365

Abstract only The gut microbiota has emerged as a novel regulator of vascular function. We have shown that targeting the microbiota can improve endothelial dysfunction in the settings of nutrient excess and obesity. In a previous clinical trial, intake of the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus subtilis was associated with improved markers of endothelial function in healthy adults. Here we examined whether consumption of Bacillus subtilis 67989 reverses endothelial dysfunction in a diet-induced obesogenic mouse model. Male C57/BJ mice were fed a Western diet (WD; n=24) or standard diet (SD; n=24) for 10 weeks, then further subdivided for an additional 9-12 weeks such that half (n=12) of all mice received B. subtilis 67989 (PB) formulated into the diets, thus yielding 4 experimental groups (WD, SD, WD+PB, SD+PB). After the dietary intervention, both WD-fed cohorts exhibited significant increases in body weight, glucose intolerance, markers of intestinal inflammation and alterations in gut microbiome composition, with no effect of PB. Endothelium-dependent dilation was impaired in WD vs SD (60.6±6.5% vs 85.3±3.8%, respectively p