Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics are beneficial for immunity and play a crucial role in regulating gut microbiota. However, the immune-enhancing effects of specific bacterial species remain uncertain. This study investigated the effects of two potential probiotic strains, Latilactobacillus curvatus WiKim0169 (Wilac L004, W4) and Pediococcus acidilactici WiKim0170 (Wilac L002, W2) isolated from fermented cabbage, on immune enhancement and gut microbiota changes in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model. The results revealed that W4 and W2 improved natural killer cell activity, serum nitrite, and immunoglobulin levels. They also increased cytokine levels and activated the nuclear factor-κB pathway, substantiating the underlying mechanism of the immune-enhancing effects. Additionally, both strains altered gut microbiota composition by increasing bacteria that are being studied for their potential association with immune function. Taken together, both strains improved immune-related biomarkers and the gut microbiota. These findings suggest W4 and W2 as promising probiotics with immune-enhancing properties.
Keywords: Latilactobacillus curvatus; Pediococcus acidilactici; Immune-enhancing effect.
© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.