Multifunctional Probiotic and Functional Properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314, Isolated from Kimchi.

In this study, the survival capacity (acid and bile salt tolerance, and adhesion to gut epithelial cells) and probiotic properties (enzyme activity-inhibition and anti-inflammatory activities, inhibition of adipogenesis, and stress hormone level reduction) of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314, isolated from kimchi (Korean traditional fermented cabbage), were investigated. LRCC5314 exhibited very stable survival at ph 2.0 and in 0.2% bile acid with 89.9% adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells after treatment for 2 h. LRCC5314 also inhibited the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in elevating postprandial blood glucose levels, by approximately 72.9% and 51.2%, respectively. Treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with the LRCC5314 lysate decreased the levels of the inflammatory factors nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, and interferon-γ by 88.5%, 49.3%, 97.2%, and 99.8%, respectively, relative to those of the cells treated with LPS alone. LRCC5314 also inhibited adipogenesis in differentiating preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells), showing a 14.7% decrease in lipid droplet levels and a 74.0% decrease in triglyceride levels, as well as distinct reductions in the mRNA expression levels of adiponectin, FAS, PPAR/γ, C/EBPα, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, LRCC5314 reduced the level of cortisol, a hormone with important effect on stress, by approximately 35.6% in H295R cells. L. plantarum LRCC5314 is identified as a new probiotic with excellent in vitro multifunctional properties. Subsequent in vivo studies may further demonstrate its potential as a functional food or pharmabiotic.

Heat-Killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 Mitigates the Effects of Stress-Related Type 2 Diabetes in Mice via Gut Microbiome Modulation.

The incidence of stress-related type 2 diabetes (stress-T2D), which is aggravated by physiological stress, is increasing annually. The effects of Lactobacillus, a key component of probiotics, have been widely studied in diabetes; however, studies on the effects of postbiotics are still limited. Here, we aimed to examine the mechanism through which heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 (HK-LRCC5314) alleviates stress-T2D in a cold-induced stress-T2D C57BL/6 mouse model. HK-LRCC5314 markedly decreased body weight gain, adipose tissue (neck, subcutaneous, and epididymal) weight, and fasting glucose levels. In the adipose tissue, mRNA expression levels of stress-T2D associated factors (NPY, Y2R, GLUT4, adiponectin, and leptin) and pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and CCL-2) were also altered. Furthermore, HK-LRCC5314 increased the abundance of Barnesiella, Alistipes, and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Akkermansia, in feces and decreased the abundance of Ruminococcus, Dorea, and Clostridium. Thus, these findings suggest that HK-LRCC5314 exerts protective effects against stress-T2D via gut microbiome modulation, suggesting its potential as a supplement for managing stress-T2D.

Improvement of Cutaneous Wound Healing via Topical Application of Heat-Killed Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 on Diabetic Mice.

Cutaneous wound healing comprises a complex systemic network. Probiotics, naturally extracted substances, medicine, and chemical compounds have been used for wound healing, but the application of postbiotics as therapeutic agents has yet to be explored. Our study shows potential beneficial effects of heat-killed Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 on type 1 diabetic mice. The postbiotic strain significantly decreased the skin wound size. The activity of myeloperoxidase secreted from neutrophils also decreased. The molecular mechanism of wound healing was adjusted by important mediators, growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines. These elements regulated the anti-inflammatory activity and accelerated wound healing. To determine the role of the postbiotic in wound repair, we showed a similar taxonomic pattern as compared to the diabetic mice using skin microbiome analysis. These findings demonstrated that heat-killed Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 had beneficial effects on wound healing and can be utilized as postbiotic therapeutic agents.

Hepatoprotective effects of Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 in alcoholic liver disease.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is correlated with alcohol consumption, and ALD progression depends on various factors. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial for mitigating ALD. However, the valuable effects of LAB-derived dairy products remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 dry cells (CAU 1447) and cream cheese derived from CAU 1447 on ALD progression following long-term alcohol consumption in rats. Oral administration of CAU 1447 and CAU 1447 cream cheese significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and triglyceride levels. We found that CAU 1447 and CAU 1447 cream cheese downregulated mRNA encoding various cytokines and antioxidative factors in the liver. Oral CAU 1447 cream cheese administration increased short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, and acetate levels in feces. Thus, administration of CAU 1447 and CAU 1447 cream cheese induced hepatoprotective effects, indicating potential applications as a supplement for ALD mitigation.