Anti-obesity activity of lactic acid bacteria-starter-based kimchi in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Abstract

Previously, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and selected LAB-inoculated kimchi (SK) have anti-obesity activity in vitro. Herein, anti-obesity activity of SK was investigated in vivo. LAB-uninoculated kimchi (NK) and SK were orally administered (70 mg/kg) for 8 weeks to high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. The body weight, food efficiency rate (FER), and body composition were measured. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), adipocytokine, and lipid profiles and lipid accumulation levels were assessed. The effects of SK on microbiome changes were investigated. In kimchi groups, body weight, body fat, and organ weight and lipid profiles in low GOT and GPT levels significantly decreased (p < 0.05); serum adiponectin and leptin levels increased and decreased, respectively. Kimchi significantly decreased obesity-related gene expression and lipid accumulation (p < 0.05). Kimchi corrected HFD-induced gut microbiome imbalance, notably with more reliable recovery in the SK group. Its in vivo confirmed anti-obesity activity supports using kimchi's health functionalities.