Protective Effects of Fermented Soybeans (Cheonggukjang) on Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-Induced Colitis in a Mouse Model

Whey Protein Hydrolysate Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects to Alleviate Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-Induced Colitis via Microbiome Restoration

Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) has been shown to have a variety of bioactivities. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of WPH on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice. The results indicated that WPH intervention for 37 days was effective in delaying the development of colonic inflammation, and high doses of WPH significantly inhibited weight loss (9.16%, n = 8, p < 0.05), protected the colonic mucosal layer, and significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in mice with colitis (n = 8, p < 0.05). In addition, WPH intervention was able to up-regulate the short-chain fatty acids secretion and restore the gut microbiome imbalance in mice with colitis. Notably, high-dose WPH intervention increased the relative abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae by 1.52-fold and decreased the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Enterobacter by 3.77-fold and 2.45-fold, respectively, compared with the Model group. WPH intervention protected colitis mice mainly by reversing the microbiome imbalance and regulating the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway. This study showed that WPH has anti-inflammatory activity and a promising colitis management future.

Evaluation of Body Changes and the Anti-Obesity Effect after Consumption of Korean Fermented Food, Cheonggukjang: Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Cheonggukjang is a traditional Korean fermented soybean food with potential health benefits. For this reason, Cheonggukjang is consumed in the form of pills in addition to being used as a food ingredient. There are few clinical studies that have evaluated changes in various health indicators through blood and stool tests before and after consumption of Cheonggukjang. In this study, symptoms and hematological changes were analyzed before and after the intake of traditional Cheonggukjang pills containing high-dose (n = 19) or low-dose (n = 20) beneficial bacteria and commercial Cheonggukjang pills (n = 20). Anti-obesity effects and body composition changes were determined before and after Cheonggukjang consumption. Lastly, the changes in microorganisms and short-chain fatty acids in the stool were compared. No changes in obesity and inflammation-related indicators were observed before and after Cheonggukjang consumption. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, associated with obesity, decreased in all three groups after Cheonggukjang consumption, but no statistical significance was indicated. Cheonggukjang contained various BAs, but they did not adversely affect symptoms and hematological changes in the participants. BAs generated during the manufacturing process of Cheonggukjang did not have any adverse effects in this randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Further research is needed in future concerning the anti-obesity effect or regarding changes in the microbiome and short-chain fatty acids in feces.

Effects of Cheonggukjang (Fermented Soybean) on the Development of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer in Mice

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and is caused by multiple factors. Chronic inflammation, known to cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is closely associated with CRC. Cheonggukjang (CJ), a traditional Korean fermented soybean, is a functional food with anti-inflammatory effects in the intestines, but its anti-cancer effects have not yet been explored. In this study, we investigated the cancer-protective effects of cheonggukjang in an azoxymethane/DSS (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) mouse model. The CJ alleviated AOM/DSS-induced pathological symptoms such as colonic shortening, increased spleen weight, tumor formation, and histological changes. It also modulated pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels via the suppression of NF-κB and inflammatory mediator signaling pathways. Furthermore, the CJ improved intestinal integrity by regulating mucin-associated and tight junction proteins. In addition, it suppressed tumor growth by regulating apoptosis and proliferation. These results highlight the anti-tumor effects of CJ in an AOM/DSS-induced CAC mouse model.

Alginate Oligosaccharides Prevent Dextran-Sulfate-Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Enhancing Intestinal Barrier Function and Modulating Gut Microbiota

Alginate oligosaccharides are degradation products of alginate and have attracted increasing attention due to their versatile biological functions. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice were used to assess the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of guluronate oligosaccharides (GAOS), mannuronic oligosaccharides (MAOS), and heterozygous alginate oligosaccharides (HAOS), which are the three alginate oligosaccharides of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. The study showed that alginate oligosaccharides alleviated pathological histological damage by slowing down weight loss, inhibiting colonic length shortening, and reducing disease activity index (DAI) and histopathological scores. Alginate oligosaccharides modulated the colonic inflammatory response by reducing colonic MPO levels and downregulating the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β. Alginate oligosaccharides reduced intestinal permeability and reversed intestinal barrier damage by increasing the number of goblet cells, decreasing LPS levels, downregulating Bax protein levels, upregulating Bcl-2 protein levels, and enhancing the expression of the E-cadherin. Furthermore, alginate oligosaccharides modulated the composition of the gut microbiota and restored the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially acetate and butyrate. In conclusion, our study provides a scientific basis for the role of alginate oligosaccharides in relieving ulcerative colitis.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae I4 Showed Alleviating Effects on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis of Balb/c Mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ameliorating effects of three yeast strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae I4, Clavispora lusitaniae 30 and Pichia kudriavzevii 11, isolated from traditional fermented dairy food in Xinjiang, China, on the ulcerative colitis symptoms of Balb/c mice treated by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Among which, S. cerevisiae I4 had good tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal juice and strong adhesion to HT–29 cells monolayers. Furthermore, the three yeast strains were oral administered to Balb/c mice with DSS induced colitis. The weight loss, colon shortening and histological injury of colitis mice were ameliorated. Then, oral administration of S. cerevisiae I4 improved the immune state by reducing the contents of TNF–α, IL–6 and IL–1β and increasing immunoglobulin. The relative expression of intestinal barrier proteins Claudin–1, Occludin and Zonula Occludins–1 (ZO–1) of the mice enhanced, and the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content such as Propionic acid, Butyric acid, Isobutyric acid and Isovaleric acid in the feces of the mice increased to varying degrees, after S. cerevisiae I4 treatment compared with the model group of drinking 3% DSS water without yeast treatment. Moreover, S. cerevisiae I4 treatment lifted the proportion of beneficial bacteria such as Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillaceae and Rikenellaceae in the intestinal tract of the mice, the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Turicibacter was decreased. These results suggested that S. cerevisiae I4 could alleviate DSS induced colitis in mice by enhancing intestinal barrier function and regulating intestinal flora balance.