Lactobacillus Brevis OPK-3 from Kimchi Prevents Obesity and Modulates the Expression of Adipogenic and Pro-Inflammatory Genes in Adipose Tissue of Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Our previous study reported that lactic acid bacteria (L. brevis OPK-3) isolated from kimchi ameliorated intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. The current study explored potential roles of L. brevis OPK-3 (KLAB) on preventing body weight gain and its effect on the inflammatory response of adipose tissue. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 10) were divided into four groups: normal diet with distilled water (NDC), high-fat diet with distilled water (HDC), high-fat diet with L-ornithine (OTC) or high-fat diet with KLAB. The KLAB supplement resulted in significantly lower body weight, lower epididymal fat tissue mass, and lower serum and hepatic TG levels than the HDC. KLAB supplementation improved serum cytokines, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed significantly lower inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels in epididymal adipose tissue. These results suggest that the administration of KLAB inhibits the induction of inflammation in adipose tissue along with the inhibition of weight gain. Therefore, this study demonstrates the therapeutic and beneficial value of this strain produced during the fermentation of kimchi.