title: Modulation of gut microbiota and increase in fecal water content in mice induced by administration of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens DN1.
abstract: Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens is the key probiotic bacterium in kefir. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral consumption of L. kefiranofaciens on the fecal quality and intestinal microbiota of mice. Four-week-old Balb/c mice were divided into two groups (n = 8 each) and administered 0.2 mL of saline (control group) or saline containing 2 × 108cfu L. kefiranofaciens DN1 (LKF_DN1 group) for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, their fecal samples were collected and the fecal quality and microbiota were assessed. The LKF_DN1 group exhibited higher total fecal weight and fecal weight per stool sample than the control group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the fecal water content was significantly higher in the fecal samples of the LKF_DN1 group than in those of the control group (p < 0.05). The numbers of total bacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella were significantly higher in the LKF_DN1 group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the number of opportunistic pathogens, including Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, and the percentage of genus Clostridium among the total bacteria were significantly reduced in the LKF_DN1 group (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that regular L. kefiranofaciens DN1 administration could alleviate constipation and improve gut microbiota.
authors.affiliation: Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea. bracstu3@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3133-5818
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea. bracstu3@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Dong-Hyeon
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0585-2432
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea. bracstu3@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Il-Byeong
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6208-501X
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food & Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunsook
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7345-4167
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea. bracstu3@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Kwang-Young
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5619-8381
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea. bracstu3@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hong-Seok
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1787-9520
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea. bracstu3@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Kun-Ho
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5720-0538
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Seo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000187:drug effects*; D000070716:Kefir / Q000382:microbiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014867:Water