Cheonggukjang-Derived Bacillus Strains Exhibit Protective Effects Against HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury Associated with Reduced Inflammatory Responses.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury is closely associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Probiotics are promising therapeutic agents for gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, this study evaluated the preventive effects of Cheonggukjang-derived Bacillus strains on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in a rat model (n = 5 per group), with emphasis on inflammatory mechanisms.

METHODS

Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C393 1.0 × 109 CFU (B393), Bacillus subtilis C439 1.0 × 109 CFU (B439), or B. subtilis C512 1.0 × 109 CFU (C512). Gastric injury was induced by oral administration of HCl/ethanol (150 mM HCl in 60% ethanol).

RESULTS

HCl/ethanol exposure significantly increased symptom scores, gastric mucosal lesion area, and histopathological damage. Pretreatment with B393 and B439 significantly attenuated these alterations. Moreover, HCl/ethanol administration increased gastric secretion volume and decreased gastric pH, both of which were significantly normalized by B393 and B439. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, were significantly elevated following HCl/ethanol exposure but were markedly reduced by B393 and B439. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that nuclear factor-kappa B activation in gastric tissues was significantly suppressed in these groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that Cheonggukjang-derived Bacillus strains exert strain-specific gastroprotective effects possibly by suppressing NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling.