Host metabolic benefits of prebiotic exopolysaccharides produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides

Abstract

Fermented foods demonstrate remarkable health benefits owing to probiotic bacteria or microproducts produced via bacterial fermentation. Fermented foods are produced by the fermentative action of several lactic acid bacteria, including Leuconostoc mesenteroides ; however, the exact mechanism of action of these foods remains unclear. Here, we observed that prebiotics associated with L. mesenteroides -produced exopolysaccharides (EPS) demonstrate substantial host metabolic benefits. L. mesenteroides -produced EPS is an indigestible α-glucan, and intake of the purified form of EPS improved glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis through EPS-derived gut microbial short-chain fatty acids, and changed gut microbial composition. Our findings reveal an important mechanism that accounts for the effects of diet, prebiotics, and probiotics on energy homeostasis and suggests an approach for preventing lifestyle-related diseases by targeting bacterial EPS.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides WHH1141 ameliorates ovalbumin‐induced food allergy in mice

“…L. mesenteroides is widely used in industrial and food fermentations, with various health‐beneficial properties, including possessing antimicrobial activities by producing bacteriocin (Masuda et al., 2011) and lactic acids (Zhang et al., 2021) and exerting host metabolic benefits by producing EPSs (Miyamoto et al., 2023). In the current study, the immunomodulatory roles of 11 L. mesenteroides strains were investigated in the OVA‐sensitized mLNs‐derived lymphocytes in vitro by assessing the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IFN‐γ/IL‐4) cytokine productions.…”

“…Strains within L. mesenteroides have been reported to produce EPSs, which are beneficial for host metabolism (Miyamoto et al., 2023). In this study, WHH1141 was demonstrated to be able to produce EPSs in vitro (Figure S2).…”

“…Bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota, such as Bacteroides , Muribaculum , Paramuribaculum , and Duncaniella , are recognized for their ability to produce SCFAs (Hirano et al., 2021; Watanabe et al., 2021). Interestingly, these genera have been demonstrated that can be efficiently proliferated and produce SCFAs by utilizing L. mesenteroides ‐produced EPSs (Miyamoto et al., 2023). Consistently, in this study, WHH1141 promoted the abundance of unclassified Muribaculaceae , Paramuribaculum , Duncaniella , and unclassified Bacteroidales in OVA‐induced mice, accompanied by the elevations in the SCFA levels.…”

“…Strains within Leuconostoc mesenteroides belong to lactic acid bacteria that can be isolated from various sources, such as yogurt, cheese, and sauerkraut, which play a crucial role in several industrial and food fermentations (Miyamoto et al., 2023). Recent studies have shown that L. mesenteroides exerts host metabolic benefits by producing exopolysaccharides (EPSs) (Miyamoto et al., 2023) and bactericidal activities by secreting lactic acids and bacteriocin (Masuda et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2021).…”

“…Strains within Leuconostoc mesenteroides belong to lactic acid bacteria that can be isolated from various sources, such as yogurt, cheese, and sauerkraut, which play a crucial role in several industrial and food fermentations (Miyamoto et al., 2023). Recent studies have shown that L. mesenteroides exerts host metabolic benefits by producing exopolysaccharides (EPSs) (Miyamoto et al., 2023) and bactericidal activities by secreting lactic acids and bacteriocin (Masuda et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2021). A previous study has revealed that mice were given L. mesenteroides either before or after OVA sensitization, resulting in an increased production of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), which is a Th1‐related cytokine in the splenocytes, and a decreased level of serum IgE (Kang et al., 2009).…”