Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 ameliorates impaired glucose tolerance induced by a high-fat, high-fructose diet in Sprague-Dawley rats

• Rats fed with high-fat, high-fructose diet for 12 weeks induced glucose intolerance successfully.
• Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 ameliorates glucose intolerance by improving microflora and inflammation.
• Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 had antidiabetic effects.

We examined the protective effects of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 lyophilized powder (NTU 101) on impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) induced by a high-fat, high-fructose diet. We found that NTU 101 significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and homeostatic model assessment -insulin resistance scores and improved glucose tolerance. Moreover, NTU 101 increased Bifidobacterium spp. in faeces and restored tight junction protein expression in the colon, thereby reducing serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokine levels. NTU 101 also promoted glucose transporter expression in peripheral tissues and adiponectin expression in adipose tissue. NTU 101 may ameliorate IGT by improving intestinal microbiota, preserving gut integrity, and inhibiting LPS-induced inflammation, suggesting the potential clinical applications of this bacterium in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus.