• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1039-1049
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• 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by immune dysregulation. Meanwhile, the supernatant of lactic acid bacteria (SL) was recently reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) are widely used for studying AD-like responses. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of SL from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaT keratinocytes, and then we investigated the strains' probiotic properties. SL was noncytotoxic and regulated chemokines (macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)) and cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-25, and IL-33) in TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaT keratinocytes. SL from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MG4644, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MG4693, and Lactococcus lactis MG5474 decreased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Furthermore, the safety of the three strains was demonstrated via hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, and toxicity tests, and the stability was confirmed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, L. rhamnosus MG4644, L. paracasei MG4693, and Lc. lactis MG5474 have potential applications in functional food as they are stable and safe for intestinal epithelial cells and could improve atopic inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1231-1237
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and functional properties of four potential probiotic strains isolated from Kimchi, traditional Korean fermented vegetables. Based on being higher tolerance to bile salts and showing higher acid resistance or hydrophobic properties, one Lactobacillus arizonensis strain (BCNU 9032) and three L. brevis strains (BCNU 9037, BCNU 9098 and BCNU 9101) were selected in the screening experiment. All strains can survived up to 99% after 3h culture in pH 2.5 and resistant to 1% bile salts. These strains also showed good antimicrobial activities against a number of food borne pathogens, especially against Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei. The ability to lower cholesterol levels of L. arizonensis BCNU 9032 and L. brevis 9037 were demonstrated by bile salt hydrolytic activity and cholesterol assimilation tests. Moreover, L. brevis BCNU 9098 and BCNU 9101 showed higher adherence to Caco-2 cells (12.76 and 11.86%, respectively) than Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a commercial probiotic strain used worldwide. The results suggest that these strains could be used as probiotics.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2022

In this study, Enterococcus faecalis BMSE-HMP005 isolated from human breast milk demonstrated antimicrobial effects against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. The bacteriocin produced by E. faecalis BMSE-HMP005 was fractionated using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. This fraction showed antimicrobial effects against both gram-positive and gram-negative MDR bacteria. No hemolytic reactions were observed. E. faecalis BMSEHMP005 was resistant to vancomycin; however, kanamycin, ampicillin, and erythromycin showed minimum inhibitory concentrations that were lower than the acceptable range provided by the European Food Safety Authority. For artificial gastric juice and bile acid, the survival rates were 98.67% and 95.70%, respectively. These results show the potential utility of E. faecalis BMSE-HMP005 as a probiotic with remarkable antimicrobial effects against MDR bacteria.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features and risk factors of invasive infections caused by Lactobacillus spp. and Saccharomyces spp., components of commercially available probiotics. Methods: We analyzed demographic and clinical data from children ${\leq}18$ years of age with an invasive infection caused by Lactobacillus spp. or Saccharomyces spp. at the Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital from January 1998 to June 2016. Probiotic consumption data were also analyzed. Results: During the study period, a total of 24 episodes of invasive infections were caused by Lactobacillus spp. (n=16) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (n=8). Along with the increase of probiotic use (755,594 [days/1,000 patient-admission days] in 2001 to 2005, 1,444,066 in 2006 to 2010, and 6,904,736 in 2011 to 2016), the incidence of probiotic-associated invasive infection increased ($R^2=0.70$). The median age of the patients was 1.8 years (range, 2 months to 17 years), and most of them had underlying medical conditions. The 30-day mortality rate was 20.8% (5/24), and 11 (45.8%) of these patients resulted from a severe invasive infection. We determined the risk factors for invasive infection to be: previous intensive care unit stay (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 6.1] and the presence of a central venous catheter (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.3). Conclusions: Although the probiotic-associated invasive infections rarely occurred in children, the incidence has increased along with probiotic pressure. Judicious use of probiotics is mandatory, especially in young children with underlying medical conditions and continuous surveillance will be needed to minimize the safety concerns.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2024

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin disease with a genetic predisposition, characterized by allergic sensitivity. It is known for its distinctive clinical features, including a high recurrence rate and chronic progression. To manage CAD, medications such as steroids and immunosuppressants are commonly used, but consideration should be given to the potential resistance and side effects associated with long-term use. In order to reduce these risks, various adjunctive factors are currently under consideration. One of these adjunctive agents, probiotics have shown effectiveness in regulating atopic dermatitis by modulating immune responses, as demonstrated in several recent studies. In this study, a substance combining three probiotics-L. plantarum, L. reuteri, and Ped. Acidilactici-was used in patients diagnosed with CAD, and its clinical effects and safety were evaluated. The trial involved four groups: a group receiving conventional treatment for atopic dermatitis (A), a group prescribed low-dose probiotics (B), a group prescribed high-dose probiotics (C), and a group prescribed topical probiotics (D). For assessment, the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI), Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) test, gut microbiome, and serum IgE test were conducted. As a result, the CAD severity index (CADESI-4) significantly decreased in the probiotics groups (B & C). In the serum total IgE test, the groups consuming probiotics showed a significant difference, while the group using topical probiotics (D) did not exhibit a significant change. Also, the TEWL test showed improved scores in the probiotics groups (B & C). Therefore, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, and Ped. Acidilactici probiotic combination could be considered as an effective adjunctive treatment, especially for atopic patients with moderate to severe skin lesions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1699-1705
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• 2006

Recent studies have suggested that oral bacteriotherapy with probiotics might be useful for preventing and managing childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral treatment with probiotics for adolescent and adult AD patients as well as for childhood AD patients. Sixty-four patients with mild to moderate AD were recruited for treatment with a mixture of four probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Biftdobacterium lactis) twice daily for 8 weeks. The degree of pruritus was determined by a 10-point visual analog scale every other week, and the patients' global assessments of their clinical responses (i.e., better, unchanged, or worse) was done at the end of intervention. The clinical severity of the eczema was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) score every other week. As laboratory markers, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the serum, and cytokine production [interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured at the beginning and at the end of intervention. Of the 64 enrolled AD patients, only 50 patients finally completed the 8-week study. After 8-week treatment with probiotics, the EASI score was significantly improved (p<0.0001), 50% of the patients experienced improvement of their eczema, and significant improvement of the pruritus was also observed (p=0.0002). The effect was more pronounced for the patients with very high IgE levels (>1,000 ku/l) or for the patients with moderate disease severity. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effects between the childhood AD and adolescent and adult AD patients. There were no significant changes of cytokines, as well as the total IgE and ECP levels, in the patients' serum. Treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains was generally well tolerated. Our results suggest that the treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains is beneficial for the management of the adolescent and adult AD patients, as well as for the childhood AD patients.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2008

Kimchi is a representative traditional food in Korea and a type of vegetable product that is the unique complex lactic acid fermentation in the world. It can be considered as a unique fermented food generated by various flavors, which are not included in raw materials, that can be generated by mixing and fermenting various spices and seasonings, such as red pepper powder, garlic, ginger, and salted fish, added to Chinese cabbages. Functionalities in Kimchi have been approved through several studies and the probiotic function that is mainly based on lactic acid bacteria including their physical functions in its contents has also verified. Studies on the verification of the safety of Kimchi including its physiological functions have been conducted. In particular, the function of lactic acid bacteria, which is a caused of the fermentation of Kimchi. Although the lactic acid bacteria contributed to the fermentation of Kimchi is generated from raw and sub-materials, the lactic acid bacteria attached on Chinese cabbages has a major role in the process in which the fermentation temperature and dominant bacteria are also related to the process. The salt used in a salt pickling process inhibits the growth of the putrefactive and food poisoning bacteria included in the fermentation process of Kimchi and of other bacteria except for such lactic acid bacteria due to the lactic acid and several antimicrobial substances generated in the fermentation process, such as bacteriocin and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the carbon dioxide gas caused by heterolactic acid bacteria contributes to the inhibition of aerobic bacteria. Furthermore, special ingredients included in sub-materials, such as garlic, ginger, and red pepper powder, contribute to the inhibition of putrefactive and food poisoning bacteria. The induction of the change in the intestinal bacteria as taking Kimchi have already verified. In conclusion, Kimchi has been approved as a safety food due to the fact that the inhibition of food poisoning bacteria occurs in the fermentation process of Kimchi and the extinction of such bacteria.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2021

Antibiotics are widely used to improve productivity in the dairy industry. However, the inappropriate use of antibiotics causes the deterioration in the quality of dairy products undergoing fermentation and maturation. Hence, probiotic use is emerging as an alternative to curb the increased utilization of antibiotics. Probiotics are defined as "living microorganisms that, when administered in appropriate amounts, confer health benefits on the host." They may improve host disease resistance by regulating intestinal microflora balance and promote animal growth and development. In the dairy industry, probiotics have been studied to increase milk production by improving digestion in dairy cows, enhance the content of dairy components such as milk fat and protein, reduce the risk of mastitis in cows, and increase calf weight. Thus, the use of probiotics can improve the production and safety of dairy products. However, some probiotics are still unstable during storage and have low quality and safety issues. Therefore, to reduce the use of antibiotics in the dairy industry, probiotics should be developed and produced considering the above-mentioned problems.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.864-874
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• 2020

Lactic acid bacteria are well-known probiotics, conferring several health benefits. In this study, we isolated lactobacilli from human breast milk and identified Lactobacillus reuteri LM1071 (RR-LM1071) using 16S rDNA sequencing. We tested the hemolytic activity, biogenic amine production, and antibiotic susceptibility of this strain to assess its safety. RR-LM1071 was found to be negative for hemolytic activity and biogenic amine production, as well as was measured in susceptible level for antibiotics in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. The adhesive properties of RR-LM1071 were higher than those of LGG in HT-29 cells, and showed a greater hydrophobicity than LGG in hexadecane solvent. Under inflammatory conditions, RR-LM1071 suppressed the mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-4 produced in IL-1β-induced HT-29 cells. Our results suggest that RR-LM1071 is a safe and valuable probiotic that can be used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1491-1500
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• 2024

Inflammation is a biodefense mechanism that provides protection against painful conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, other gastrointestinal problems, and irritable bowel syndrome. Paraprobiotics have probiotic characteristics of intestinal modulation along with merits of safety and stability. In this study, heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KU15122 (KU15122) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties. KU15122 was subjected to heat-killed treatment for enhancement of its safety, and its concentration was set at 8 log CFU/mL for conducting different experiments. Nitric oxide production was most remarkably reduced in the KU15122 group, whereas it was increased in the LPS-treated group. In RAW 264.7 cells, KU15122 inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. ELISA revealed that among the tested strains, KU15122 exhibited the most significant reduction in PGE2, IL-1β, and IL-6. Moreover, KU15122 inhibited various factors involved in the nuclear factor-kappa B, activator protein-1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. In addition, KU15122 reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species. The anti-inflammatory effect of KU15122 was likely attributable to the bacterial exopolysaccharides. Conclusively, KU15122 exhibits anti-inflammatory potential against inflammatory diseases.