Recent progresses in clinical diagnostic analyses have demonstrated the decisive influence of host gut microbiota on the status of metabolic disorders. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbiota, in particular, are considered as a key biomarker, both of communication between gut microbiota and the host, and of impact on host metabolic homeostasis. Microbiota modulation and concomitant anti-obesity effects of probiotics have been reported by different researchers. However, the underlying modulatory functions of probiotics on gut microbiota towards host metabolic homeostasis are still not fully understood. In this study, the impact of Lactobacillus sakei CJLS03 (isolated from Korean kimchi) on obesity-related biomarkers was investigated using a diet-induced obese mouse model. Body weight increase, SCFAs, the gut microbiota and various obesity-associated biomarkers were significantly and beneficially influenced by L. sakei CJLS03 administration compared to the control groups. Analytical data on faecal samples support the role of the colonic microbial population in SCFA production. The composition of the latter may be influenced by modulation of the distal gastro-intestinal microbiota by putative probiotics such as L. sakei CJLS03.

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells have shown promise in treating metabolic disorders, yet their specific mechanisms remain largely unclear. This study investigates the protective effects of exosomes from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) against adiposity and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. HFD-fed mice treated with hWJMSC-derived exosomes demonstrated improved gut barrier integrity, which restored immune balance in the liver and adipose tissues by reducing macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Furthermore, these exosomes normalized lipid metabolism including lipid oxidation and lipogenesis, which alleviate lipotoxicity-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, thereby decreasing fat accumulation and chronic tissue inflammation in hepatic and adipose tissues. Notably, hWJMSC-derived exosomes also promoted browning and thermogenic capacity of adipose tissues, which was linked to reduced fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) resistance and increased adiponectin production. This process activated the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α pathway, highlighting the role of the FGF21–adiponectin axis. Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which hWJMSC-derived exosomes counteract HFD-induced metabolic dysfunctions, supporting their potential as therapeutic agents for metabolic disorders.

The control of Listeria monocytogenes is a relevant goal for the dairy products, a process that begins from the supply of feed and management of animals’ health. In the present study, we have evaluated the safety of two bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus strains, and shown that both can be considered as safe, based on their hemolytic activity, biogenic amine production, and antibiotic resistance, all evaluated through appropriative phenotypical and bio-molecular approaches. Both strains have shown potential as producer of γ-aminobutiric acid (GABA), and carring incomplete set of genes related to folate biosynthesis; both strains demonstarted an ability to adhere to Caco-2 cell lines with adhesion rates of 6.59%±3.73 and 0.84%±0.48. Laboratory prepared clover silage, inoculated with each bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus strain and contaminated with L. monocytogenes proved the hypothesis for bio-protective effect of the tested strains, showing elimination of the tested pathogen in the first 24h of the experiment. These results indicate that evaluated strains can be potential beneficial candidates for application in silage production.