Efeito do consumo de kefir sobre doenças crônicas inflamatórias: obesidade e desordens metabólicas associadas

Abstract

Obesity is among the fastest growing chronic diseases in the world and can be a precursor to important metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. A unifying pathophysiological mechanism for this phenomenon came up with the concept of "meta-inflammation" - association between excessive nutrient consumption and deregulated immunity and inflammation mediators, causing a chronic, specific and low-grade response, with systemic consequences to individuals. The colonizing gut microbiota in human host can manifest important metabolic and immunological functions. Intestinal microbiota of obese individuals presents itself in disbiose and with greater capability of dietary energy metabolic rescue, which may cause the "meta-inflammation". Kefir is a probiotic food, the grains are complex structures of symbiotic association between yeast and bacteria, surrounded by a polysaccharide matrix. The benefits of kefir consumption as part of a diet are demonstrated by several evidences and their therapeutic efficacy as a probiotic food goes through the modulation of the gut microbiota and the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of kefir consumption on obesity and metabolic disorders associated with it. 32 Wistar rats were divided into four groups: standard + saline diet (DPS), cafeteria diet + saline (DCS) standard + kefir diet (DPK) and cafeteria diet + kefir (DCK). Food intake, body mass changes, blood glucose curves (glucose, insulin) and tissue masses were analyzed. In this study kefir was able to reduce body mass (NDS 118.5±1.38; CDS 138.7±2.66; NDK 109.0±1.63; CDK 120.9±2,96 , p<0.001) and tissue masses, such as liver (NDS 23.0±0.99; CDS 26.8±0.49; NDK 21.5±0.66; CDK 25.5±0.54; p<0.001), heart (NDS 1.43±0.06; CDS 1.53±0.03; NDK 1.36±0.03; CDK 1.40±0.03; p=0.02) and adipose tissue (NDS 16.7±1.79; CDS 38.3±6.75; NDK 14.5±1.71; CDK 23.4±2.41; p=0.04) masses. In addition, it was observed an increase in muscle mass (NDS 5.50±0.42; CDS 5.42±0.31; NDK 5.96±0.42; CDK 7.44±0.52; p=0.02), and no relation between kefir intake and food intake variations. Further analyses must be conducted in order to verify the profound benefits of kefir consumption as part of a diet.