Lactobacillus brevis OPK-3 isolated from kimchi inhibits adipogenesis and exerts anti-inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte

Association between dietary patterns and obesity: a longitudinal prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The obesity prevalence in South Korea in 2021 stood at 38.4%. South Korea faces unique challenges in providing essential and emergency guidelines for weight management because of stepping into an aging society. We aimed to determine the daily diet patterns among the general Korean population and to investigate the association between such patterns and different obesity.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 6539 adult participants (mean age 50.8 years, 52.9% male) with normal-weight adults were included from the Ansan-Ansung cohort of 10,030 Korean adults aged 40 or older and followed for an average of 11 years. Obesity was defined according to the criteria from the Korean Society for The Study of Obesity. Baseline dietary intake was assessed using a validated 103-item food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived from k-means cluster analysis.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, referring to white rice + baechu kimchi, participants from multigrain rice + baechu kimchi showed lower HR for obesity development (waist circumference defined-obesity; HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.95; body fat percentage defined-obesity; HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.98). Further analysis documented that except for body fat percentage defined-obesity, consuming milk or dairy products was linked to a reduced incidence of the other three obesity (body mass index defined-obesity; HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.99; waist circumference defined-obesity; HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.94; waist-to-hip ratio defined-obesity; HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Following a diet that includes multigrain rice, fermented baechu kimchi, and dairy products is linked to a decreased risk of obesity in Korean adults. Public health programs and policies could incorporate these dietary recommendations, targeting specific population groups such as schoolchildren, adults, and the elderly. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the synergistic effects of various foods and their interactions within dietary patterns on obesity outcomes.

Impact of Oral Administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strain CNCM I-4459 on Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diet in Mice

Recent evidence suggests that some lactobacilli strains, particularly Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, have a beneficial effect on obesity-associated syndromes. Several studies have investigated probiotic challenges in models of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, specifically with respect to its impact on hepatic and/or adipocyte metabolism, gut inflammation and epithelial barrier integrity, and microbiota composition. However, only a few studies have combined these aspects to generate a global understanding of how probiotics exert their protective effects. Here, we used the probiotic strain L. plantarum CNCM I-4459 and explored its impact on a mouse model of HFD-induced obesity. Briefly, mice were administered 1 × 109 CFUs/day and fed HFD for 12 weeks. Treatment with this strain improved insulin sensitivity by lowering serum levels of fasting glucose and fructosamine. Administration of the probiotic also affected the transport and metabolism of glucose, resulting in the downregulation of the hepatic Glut-4 and G6pase genes. Additionally, L. plantarum CNCM I-4459 promoted a decreased concentration of LDL-c and modulated hepatic lipid metabolism (downregulation of Fasn, Plin, and Cpt1α genes). Probiotic treatment also restored HFD-disrupted intestinal microbial composition by increasing microbial diversity and lowering the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. In conclusion, this probiotic strain represents a potential approach for at least partial restoration of the glucose sensitivity and lipid disruption that is associated with obesity.

BLAB2CancerKD: a knowledge graph database focusing on the association between lactic acid bacteria and cancer, but beyond

In a broad sense, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is a general term for Gram-positive bacteria that can produce lactic acid by utilizing fermentable carbohydrates. It is widely used in essential fields such as industry, agriculture, animal husbandry and medicine. At the same time, LAB are closely related to human health. They can regulate human intestinal flora and improve gastrointestinal function and body immunity. Cancer, a disease in which some cells grow out of control and spread to other body parts, is one of the leading causes of human death worldwide. In recent years, the potential of LAB in cancer treatment has attracted attention. Mining knowledge from the scientific literature significantly accelerates its application in cancer treatment. Using 7794 literature studies of LAB cancer as source data, we have processed 16 543 biomedical concepts and 23 091 associations by using automatic text mining tools combined with manual curation of domain experts. An ontology containing 31 434 pieces of structured data is constructed. Finally, based on ontology, a knowledge graph (KG) database, which is called Beyond 'Lactic acid bacteria to Cancer Knowledge graph Database' (BLAB2CancerKD), is constructed by using KG and web technology. BLAB2CancerKD presents all the relevant knowledge intuitively and clearly in various data presentation forms, and the interactive system function also makes it more efficient. BLAB2CancerKD will be continuously updated to advance the research and application of LAB in cancer therapy. Researchers can visit BLAB2CancerKD at. Database URL http://110.40.139.2:18095/.

Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 Exerts Anti-Obesity Effects in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice Model by Regulating Lipid Metabolism

SCOPE

Chronic hypernutrition promotes lipid accumulation in the body and excessive lipid accumulation leads to obesity. An increase in the number and size of adipocytes, a characteristic of obesity is closely associated with adipose dysfunction. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that probiotics may prevent this dysfunction by regulating lipid metabolism. However, the mechanisms of action of probiotics in obesity are not fully understood and their usage for treating obesity remains limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 is selected for its anti-obesity potential after evaluating inhibitory activity of pancreatic lipase and cholesterol reducing activity. Next, this study investigates the roles of B. lactis IDCC 4301 on lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. B. lactis IDCC 4301 inhibits cell differentiation and lipid accumulation by suppressing the expression of adipogenic enzymes in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, the administration of B. lactis IDCC 4301 decreases body and adipose tissue weight, improves serum lipid levels, and downregulates adipogenic mRNA expression in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, metabolomic analysis suggests that 2-ketobutyrate should be a possible target compound against obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

B. lactis IDCC 4301 may be used as an alternative treatment for obesity.

Does kimchi deserve the status of a probiotic food?

Kimchi is a traditional fermented vegetable side dish in Korea and has become a global health food. Kimchi undergoes spontaneous fermentation, mainly by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) originating from its raw ingredients. Numerous LAB, including the genera Leuconostoc, Weissella, and Lactobacillus, participate in kimchi fermentation, reaching approximately 9-10 log colony forming units per gram or milliliter of food. The several health benefits of LAB (e.g., antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) combined with their probiotic potential in complex diseases including obesity, cancer, atopic dermatitis, and immunomodulatory effect have generated an interest in the health effects of LAB present in kimchi. In order to estimate the potential of kimchi as a probiotic food, we comprehensively surveyed the health functionalities of kimchi and kimchi LAB, and their effects on human gut environment, highlighting the probiotics function.

Effects of the Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KU15120 Derived from Korean Homemade Diced-Radish Kimchi Against Oxidation and Adipogenesis

Intestinal microflora can influence abnormal adipocyte growth. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the probiotic properties and antioxidant and antiobesity effects of isolated strains from homemade kimchi. Among the isolated strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KU15120 showed high tolerance to artificial gastric juice and bile salt conditions, high adhesion to HT-29 cells, nonproduction of β-glucuronidase, nonhemolysis, and acceptable resistance to antibiotics. It showed high antioxidant activity, including DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging and antioxidant activity, as determined by the β-carotene bleaching assay. Oil red O staining and intracellular triglyceride levels revealed reduced lipid accumulation, which confirmed the anti-adipogenic activity of L. plantarum KU15120. In addition, the expression levels of fatty acid synthase, CCAAT/enhance-binding protein α, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, were significantly lower in the probiotic-treated group than in the control group. These results suggest that L. plantarum KU15120 has probiotic properties, antioxidant, and antiobesity effects and could be used as a therapeutic probiotics.

Different Types and Functional Effects of Probiotics on Human Health through Regulating Glucose Homeostasis

With the increasing improvement of people's living standards, hyperglycemia has become one of the most frequent diseases in the world. The current drug therapy may have some negative effects and even cause some complications. As one of the most popular functional ingredients, probiotic bacteria have been proven to play important roles in balancing the glucose homeostasis level in animal and human clinic trials. In this perspective, we sorted three types of probiotics, discussed probiotic safety evaluation, and listed the known probiotic functional foods that assist to control glucose homeostasis. Then, the further summarization of the mechanisms on how probiotic bacteria could regulate glucose homeostasis and the developing trend of probiotic functional foods were discussed.

Anti-adipogenic Effects of the Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KU15117 on 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

In this study, we investigated the probiotic properties and anti-obesity effects of bacterial strains isolated from homemade kimchi. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KU15117 was isolated using lactobacilli selective medium. L. plantarum KU15117 did not produce β-glucuronidase and showed high tolerance to artificial gastric juice and bile salt, acceptable resistance to antibiotics, and high adhesion ability to HT-29 cells. The anti-adipogenic activity of L. plantarum KU15117 at 10⁹ CFU/well was confirmed by the reduction of oil red O staining and intracellular triglyceride level. Additionally, the expression levels of fatty acid synthase, CCAAT/enhance-binding protein-α, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, which are associated with the early stage of adipocyte differentiation, were significantly lower in the probiotic-treated group than in the control group. These results suggest that L. plantarum KU15117 has probiotic properties and anti-obesity effects and could be used as a prophylactic probiotics.

Targeting the Gut Microbiota for Remediating Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders

The rate of obesity is rapidly increasing and has become a health and economic burden worldwide. As recent studies have revealed that the gut microbiota is closely linked to obesity, researchers have used various approaches to modulate the gut microbiota to treat the condition. Dietary composition and energy intake strongly affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Intestinal microbial changes alter the composition of bile acids and fatty acids and regulate bacterial lipopolysaccharide production, all of which influence energy metabolism and immunity. Evidence also suggests that remodeling the gut microbiota through intake of probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, and dietary plants, as well as by fecal microbiota transplantation, are feasible methods to remediate obesity.

Selection and Characterization of Probiotic Bacteria Exhibiting Antiadipogenic Potential in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Abnormal adipocyte growth, distinguished by an increase in cell numbers and cellular differentiation, is regarded as a major pathological characteristic of obesity. Thus, inhibition of adipogenic differentiation in adipocytes could prevent obesity. Recently, certain probiotic stains have been reported to regulate lipid metabolism in vitro and/or in vivo. In this backdrop, this study aimed to investigate basic probiotic properties and potential antiobesity characteristics of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were prescreened for their cholesterol-lowering activity, antioxidant activity, and survival at low pH and in a solution containing bile salts. These six strains were investigated for antiadipogenic activity by employing 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with selected strains during the differentiation process. Lactobacillus johnsonii 3121 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 86 were found to be more capable of reducing triglyceride and lipid accumulation, as compared to control group, which are fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These strains also inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the adipogenic transcription factor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that L. johnsonni 3121 and L. rhamnosus 86 could potentially act as probiotic bacteria and prevent fat accumulation by regulating adipogenesis-related markers.

Invited review: Potential antiobesity effect of fermented dairy products

The growing prevalence of obesity affects millions of people around the world and has gained increased attention over the years because it is associated with the development of other chronic degenerative diseases. Different organizations recommend lifestyle changes to treat obesity; nevertheless, other strategies in addition to lifestyle changes have recently been suggested. One of these strategies is the use of probiotics in fermented dairy products; however, a need exists to review the different studies available related to the potential antiobesity effect of these products. Because probiotic fermented dairy products that support weight management are not available in the market, there is a great opportunity for the development of functional dairy products with new lactic acid bacteria that may present this added health benefit. Thus, the purpose of this overview is to highlight the importance of probiotic fermented dairy products as potential antiobesogenic functional foods and present in vitro and in vivo studies required before this kind of product may be introduced to the market. Overall, most studies attributed the antiobesity effect of fermented dairy foods to the probiotic strains present; however, bioactive peptides released during milk fermentation may also be responsible for this effect.

Intervention with kimchi microbial community ameliorates obesity by regulating gut microbiota

The objective of this study was to evaluate anti-obesity effects of kimchi microbial community (KMC) on obesity and gut microbiota using a high fat diet-induced mouse model compared to effects of a single strain. Administration of KMC decreased body weight, adipose tissue, and liver weight gains. Relative content of Muribaculaceae in the gut of the KMC-treated group was higher than that in the high-fat diet (HFD) group whereas relative contents of Akkermansiaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were lower in KMC-treated group. Metabolic profile of blood was found to change differently according to the administration of KMC and a single strain of Lactobacillus plantarum. Serum metabolites significantly increased in the HFD group but decreased in the KMC-treated group included arachidic acid, stearic acid, fumaric acid, and glucose, suggesting that the administration of KMC could influence energy metabolism. The main genus in KMC was not detected in guts of mice in KMC-treated group. Since the use of KMC has advantages in terms of safety, it has potential to improve gut microbial community for obese people.

Probiotic from human breast milk, Lactobacillus fermentum, promotes growth in animal model of chronic malnutrition

BACKGROUND

Chronic undernutrition leads to growth hormone resistance and poor growth in children, which has been shown to be modulated by microbiota. We studied whether Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (Lf ^CECT5716), isolated from mother's breast milk, could promote juvenile growth through the modulation of lipid absorption in a model of starvation.

METHODS

Germ-free (GF) Drosophila melanogaster larvae were inoculated with Lf ^CECT5716 in conditions of undernutrition with and without infant formula. The impact of Lf ^CECT5716 on larval growth was assessed 7 days after egg laying (AED) by measuring the larval size and on maturation by measuring the emergence of pupae during 21 days AED. For lipid absorption test, Caco2/TC7 intestinal cells were incubated with Lf ^CECT5716 and challenged with mixed lipid micelles.

RESULTS

The mono-associated larvae with Lf ^CECT5716 were significantly longer than GF larvae (3.7 vs 2.5 mm; p < 0.0001). The effect was maintained when Lf ^CECT5716 was added to the infant formula. The maturation time of larvae was accelerated by Lf ^CECT5716 (12 vs 13.2 days; p = 0.01). Lf ^CECT5716 did not have significant impact on lipid absorption in Caco2/TC7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Lf ^CECT5716 is a growth-promoting strain upon undernutrition in Drosophila, with a maintained effect when added to an infant formula but without effect on lipid absorption in vitro.

Unraveling microbial fermentation features in kimchi: from classical to meta-omics approaches

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented food prepared via spontaneous fermentation by various microorganisms originating from vegetables such as kimchi cabbage, radishes, and garlic. Recent advances in meta-omics approaches that integrate metataxonomics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics have contributed to explaining and understanding food fermentation processes. Kimchi microbial communities are composed of majorly lactic acid bacteria such as Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Weissella and fewer eukaryotic microorganisms and kimchi fermentation are accomplished by complex microbial metabolisms to produce diverse metabolites such as lactate, acetate, CO₂, ethanol, mannitol, amino acids, formate, malate, diacetyl, acetoin, and 2, 3-butanediol, which determine taste, quality, health benefit, and safety of fermented kimchi products. Therefore, in the future, kimchi researches should be systematically performed using the meta-omics approaches to understand complex microbial metabolisms during kimchi fermentation. KEY POINTS: • Spontaneous fermentation by raw material microbes gives kimchi its unique flavor. • The kimchi microbiome is altered by environmental factors and raw materials. • Through the multi-omics approaches, it is possible to accurately analyze the diversity and metabolic characteristics of kimchi microbiome and discover potential functionalities.

Haemophilus influenzae Glucose Catabolism Leading to Production of the Immunometabolite Acetate Has a Key Contribution to the Host Airway-Pathogen Interplay

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by abnormal inflammatory responses and impaired airway immunity, which provides an opportunistic platform for nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infection. Clinical evidence supports that the COPD airways present increased concentrations of glucose, which may facilitate proliferation of pathogenic bacteria able to use glucose as a carbon source. NTHi metabolizes glucose through respiration-assisted fermentation, leading to the excretion of acetate, formate, and succinate. We hypothesized that such specialized glucose catabolism may be a pathoadaptive trait playing a pivotal role in the NTHi airway infection. To find out whether this is true, we engineered and characterized bacterial mutant strains impaired to produce acetate, formate, or succinate by inactivating the ackA, pflA, and frdA genes, respectively. While the inactivation of the pflA and frdA genes only had minimal physiological effects, the inactivation of the ackA gene affected acetate production and led to reduced bacterial growth, production of lactate under low oxygen tension, and bacterial attenuation in vivo. Moreover, bacterially produced acetate was able to stimulate the expression of inflammatory genes by cultured airway epithelial cells. These results back the notion that the COPD lung supports NTHi growth on glucose, enabling production of fermentative end products acting as immunometabolites at the site of infection. Thus, glucose catabolism may contribute not only to NTHi growth but also to bacterially driven airway inflammation. This information has important implications for developing nonantibiotic antimicrobials, given that airway glucose homeostasis modifying drugs could help prevent microbial infections associated with chronic lung disease.

Lactobacillus Brevis OPK-3 from Kimchi Prevents Obesity and Modulates the Expression of Adipogenic and Pro-Inflammatory Genes in Adipose Tissue of Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Our previous study reported that lactic acid bacteria (L. brevis OPK-3) isolated from kimchi ameliorated intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. The current study explored potential roles of L. brevis OPK-3 (KLAB) on preventing body weight gain and its effect on the inflammatory response of adipose tissue. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 10) were divided into four groups: normal diet with distilled water (NDC), high-fat diet with distilled water (HDC), high-fat diet with L-ornithine (OTC) or high-fat diet with KLAB. The KLAB supplement resulted in significantly lower body weight, lower epididymal fat tissue mass, and lower serum and hepatic TG levels than the HDC. KLAB supplementation improved serum cytokines, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed significantly lower inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels in epididymal adipose tissue. These results suggest that the administration of KLAB inhibits the induction of inflammation in adipose tissue along with the inhibition of weight gain. Therefore, this study demonstrates the therapeutic and beneficial value of this strain produced during the fermentation of kimchi.

Antioxidant effect of Kimchi supplemented with Jeju citrus concentrate and its antiobesity effect on 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Citrus is cultivated throughout Jeju Island and is thought to possess some medicinal properties. Citrus concentrate is the most extensively utilized form of citrus in the food industry. In this study, antioxidant and antiobesity effects of Kimchi supplemented with citrus concentrate were investigated. Prepared Kimchi was infused with 7% citrus concentrate (CK) and freeze-dried for analysis. Normal Kimchi (NK) without citrus concentrate was utilized as a control. Total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were examined. Cytotoxicity, intracellular triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were also measured. Additionally, the inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation were trialed by measuring the oil-red O (ORO)-stained cells. TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of CK were significantly higher than those of NK (p < .05). CK showed less cytotoxicity and attenuated the lipid accumulation at all concentrations by reducing TG and TC levels compared to NK. The inhibitory effect of CK on lipid accumulation was observed via reducing ORO-stained lipid droplets. Consequently, the antioxidant and antiobesity effects of CK were revealed in vitro. Furthermore, the addition of citrus may provide competitive price due to low production costs as well as health functionality.

Beneficial Effects of Pomegranate Peel Extract and Probiotics on Pre-adipocyte Differentiation

The beneficial effects of pomegranate are due to the ellagitannins and anthocyanins content, which are protective toward a wide variety of diseases including inflammatory diseases. Many investigators have reported that pomegranate waste (peel and seeds) extracts, made from waste product of industrial processing, show free radical scavenger and a potent antioxidant capacity. Pomegranate extracts (PEs) were also reported to possess noteworty antibacterial, antiviral, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities thanks to the polyphenolic compounds content, which includes punicalagins, gallic acid, and ellagic acid derivatives. The focus of the present manuscript was to study the prebiotic potentiality of a PE, soluble in water, and characterized through HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS ⁿ for its phenolic content. Moreover, since it has been reported that pomegranate extracts decreased the level of lipids in the blood and that a number of probiotic strains have been shown to affect adipogenesis in cell culture, this study was also performed to test the in vitro effects of PE and probiotic L. rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 strain (LGG) on 3T3-L1 cell line. PE and probiotics substantially reduced the triglyceride content and intracellular lipid increase, compared to the control group. However, the combination treatment of PE and LGG filtered spent broth (SB) was the most effective in reducing triglyceride content and intracellular lipid accumulation. The mRNA expression levels of the main transcriptional factors implicated in adipocyte differentiation were substantially lower in 3T3-L1 cells treated with PE and LGG filtered SB. These results evidenced that a synergistic effect of probiotics and polyphenols contained in PE may affect in vitro adipogenesis and may contribute in development of new nutraceutical/probiotic-based remedies to prevent and to treat obesity.

Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 Cell Extracts Inhibit Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 and HepG2 Cells

Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their cellular components have antiobesity effects. In this study, we evaluated the antiadipogenic effects of a mixture of two LAB-Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032-using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells. 3T3-L1 cells treated with a 1:1 ratio of HY7601 and KY1032 during differentiation showed reduced lipid accumulation by Oil Red O staining, as well as decreased leptin secretion and mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α. HY7601 and KY1032 treatment also suppressed mitochondrial biogenesis and inhibited the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial transcription factors, as well as those related to fatty acid synthesis in HepG2 cells. The antiadipogenic effects of LAB were associated with the cell membrane fraction. These results demonstrate that a mixture of two LAB (HY7601 and KY1032) inhibits adipogenesis in preadipocytes and liver cells and is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity.

Lactobacillus plantarum Strain Ln4 Attenuates Diet-Induced Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Changes in Hepatic mRNA Levels Associated with Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

The prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic disorders, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is rapidly becoming a severe global health problem. Recent reports have suggested that the alteration of the gut ecosystem through the consumption of probiotics and fermented foods, such as yogurt and Kimchi, can significantly impact obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D)-related biomarkers. In this study, we screened over 400 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that were isolated from fermented foods to identify potent anti-obesogenic and diabetic probiotics in vitro. Of the strains tested, Lactobacillus plantarum Ln4 (Ln4), which was obtained from napa cabbage kimchi, significantly reduced lipid accumulation and stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oral administration of Ln4 reduced weight gain and epididymal fat mass in mice fed on a high-fat diet (HFD). Total plasma triglyceride level was significantly lower in mice that were treated Ln4 as compared with mice fed HFD. The protein levels of adipokines such as C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins-3 (IGFBP-3), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) decreased in white adipose tissues of Ln4-treated mice. Furthermore, these mice exhibited a significant reduction of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and the improvement of glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin response (ITT) following Ln4 administration. This was associated with changes in several hepatic gene expressions (increased mRNA levels of IRS2, Akt2, AMPK, LPL, and reduced CD36) that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. Taken together, these results indicate that in vitro and in vivo Ln4 treatment attenuates diet-induced obesity and T2D biomarkers, highlighting the potential of Ln4 as a therapeutic probiotic agent for metabolic disorders.

Identification of 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid production in lactic acid bacteria and evaluation of microbial dynamics during kimchi ripening

Lactic acid bacteria produce diverse functional metabolites in fermented foods. However, little is known regarding the metabolites and the fermentation process in kimchi. In this study, the culture broth from Leuconostoc lactis, a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi, was analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and identified by the MS-DIAL program. The MassBank database was used to analyse the metabolites produced during fermentation. A mass spectrum corresponding to 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA) was validated based on a collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation pattern with an identified m/z value of 131.07. HICA production by lactic acid bacteria was monitored and showed a positive correlation with hydroxyisocaproate dehydrogenases (HicDs), which play a key role in the production of HICA from leucine and ketoisocaproic acid. Interestingly, the HICA contents of kimchi varied with Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus content during the early stage of fermentation, and the addition of lactic acid bacteria enhanced the HICA content of kimchi. Our results suggest that HICA production in kimchi is dependent on the lactic acid bacterial composition.

Peptide Fraction pOh2 Exerts Antiadipogenic Activity through Inhibition of C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Many studies have comprehensively examined the venom of Ophiophagus hannah snake. Its venom comprises different compounds exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this investigation, four peptide fractions (PFs), ranging from 3 kDa to 10 kDa, isolated from the Vietnamese snake venom of O. hannah were separated by HPLC and investigated for their inhibitory activity on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The most effective PF was then further purified, generating two peptides, pOh1 and pOh2. Upon investigation of these two peptides on 3T3-L1 adipocytes, it was revealed that, at 10 μg/mL, pOh2 was able to inhibit the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up to 56%, without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, the pOh2 downregulated the gene expression of important transcription factors C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ. In addition, aP2 and GPDH adipocyte-specific markers were also significantly reduced compared to untreated differentiated cells. Taken together, pOh2 inhibited the expression of key transcription factors C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ and their target genes, aP2 and GPDH, thereby blocking the adipocyte differentiation. In conclusion, this novel class of peptide might have potential for in vivo antiobesity effects.

Long-term effects of oral tea polyphenols and Lactobacillus brevis M8 on biochemical parameters, digestive enzymes, and cytokines expression in broilers

This study investigates the long-term effects of oral tea polyphenols (TPs) and Lactobacillus brevis M8 (LB) on biochemical parameters, digestive enzymes, and cytokines expression in broilers. In experiment 1, 240 broiler chickens were selected to investigate the effects of 0.06 g/kg body weight (BW) TP and 1.0 ml/kg BW LB on broilers; in experiment 2, 180 broiler chickens were assigned randomly to three groups to investigate the effects of different dosages of TP (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 g/kg BW) combined with 1.0 ml/kg BW LB on broilers; in experiment 3, 180 broiler chickens were assigned randomly to three groups to investigate the effects of different dosages of LB (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ml/kg BW) combined with 0.06 g/kg BW TP on broilers. The results showed that TP and LB affected serum biochemical parameters, and TP reduced serum cholesterol (CHO) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) abundances in a dosage-dependent manner (P<0.05) on Day 84. Meanwhile, broilers fed a diet supplemented with TP or LB had a lower intestinal lipase activity on Day 84 compared with the control group (P<0.05). Middle and high dosages of TP increased pancreatic lipase and proventriculus pepsin activities (P<0.05). Also middle and high dosages of LB significantly enhanced pancreatic lipase activity (P<0.05), while high LB supplementation inhibited intestinal trypsase (P<0.05) on Day 84. Furthermore, both TP and LB reduced intestinal cytokine expression and nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) mRNA level on Days 56 and 84. In conclusion, long-term treatment of TP and LB improved lipid metabolism and digestive enzymes activities, and affected intestinal inflammatory status, which may be associated with the NF-κB signal.

Lack of Vitamin D Receptor Causes Dysbiosis and Changes the Functions of the Murine Intestinal Microbiome

PURPOSE

The microbiome modulates numerous aspects of human physiology and is a crucial factor in the development of various human diseases. Vitamin D deficiency and downregulation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are also associated with the pathogenesis of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancers, obesity, diabetes, and asthma. VDR is a nuclear receptor that regulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides and autophagy regulator ATG16L1. Vitamin D may promote a balanced intestinal microbiome and improve glucose homeostasis in diabetes. However, how VDR regulates microbiome is not well known. In the current study, we hypothesize that VDR status regulates the composition and functions of the intestinal bacterial community.

METHODS

Fecal and cecal stool samples were harvested from Vdr knockout (Vdr(-/-)) and wild-type mice for bacterial DNA and then sequenced with 454 pyrosequencing. The sequences were denoised and clustered into operational taxonomic units, then queried against the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Metagenomics were analyzed, and the abundances of genes involved in metabolic pathways were compared by reference to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Clusters of Orthologous Groups databases.

FINDINGS

In the Vdr(-/-) mice, Lactobacillus was depleted in the fecal stool, whereas Clostridium and Bacteroides were enriched. Bacterial taxa along the Sphingobacteria-to-Sphingobacteriaceae lineage were enriched, but no genera reached statistical significance. In the cecal stool, Alistipes and Odoribacter were depleted, and Eggerthella was enriched. Notably, all of the taxa upstream of Eggerthella remained unchanged. A comparison of Vdr(-/-) and wild-type samples revealed 40 (26 enriched, 14 depleted) and 72 (41 enriched, 31 depleted) functional modules that were significantly altered in the cecal and fecal microbiomes, respectively (both, P < 0.05), due to the loss of Vdr. In addition to phylogenetic differences in gut microbiome with different intestinal origins, we identify several important pathways, such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor, affected by Vdr status, including amino acid, carbohydrate, and fatty acid synthesis and metabolism, detoxification, infections, signal transduction, and cancer and other diseases.

IMPLICATIONS

Our study fills knowledge gaps by having investigated the microbial profile affected by VDR. Insights from our findings can be exploited to develop novel strategies to treat or prevent various diseases by restoring VDR function and healthy microbe-host interactions.

Advanced application of porcine intramuscular adipocytes for evaluating anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activities of immunobiotics

We previously established a clonal porcine intramuscular preadipocyte (PIP) line and we were able to establish a protocol to obtain functional mature adipocytes from PIP cells. We hypothesized that both PIP cells and mature adipocytes are likely to be useful in vitro tools for increasing our understanding of immunobiology of adipose tissue, and for the selection and study of immunoregulatory probiotics (immunobiotics) able to modulate adipocytes immune responses. In this study, we investigated the immunobiology of PIP cells and mature adipocytes in relation to their response to TNF-α stimulation. In addition, we evaluated the possibility that immunobiotic microorganisms modify adipogenesis and immune functions of porcine adipose tissue through Peyer’s patches (PPs) immune-competent cells. We treated the porcine PPs immune cells with different probiotic strains; and we evaluated the effect of conditioned media from probiotic-stimulated immune cells in PIP cells and mature adipocytes. The Lactobacillus GG and L. gasseri TMC0356 showed remarkable effects, and were able to significantly reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and negative regulators (A20, Bcl-3, and MKP-1) in adipocytes challenged with TNF-α. The results of this study demonstrated that the evaluation of IL-6, and MCP-1 production, and A20 and Bcl-3 down-regulation in TNF-α-challenged adipocytes could function as biomarkers to screen and select potential immunobiotic strains. Taking into consideration that several in vivo and in vitro studies clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of Lactobacillus GG and L. gasseri TMC0356 in adipose inflammation, the results presented in this work indicate that the PIP cells and porcine adipocytes could be used for the screening and the selection of new immunobiotic strains with the potential to functionally modulate adipose inflammation when orally administered.