(P30-011-23) Gochujang Shows Anti-Hepatic Inflammatory Effects by Recovering Gut Microbiota Imbalance in a High-Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice

Objectives: Excessive fat accumulation increases hepatic inflammation; moreover, there is a significant association between gut microbiota imbalance and hepatic inflammation. Gochujang shows anti-colonic inflammatory effects in DSS-induced inflammatory bowel disease via the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and reconstruction of gut microbiota. Although earlier findings support multiple Gochujang’s health beneficial effects, it has been inconclusive because of its high salt level (the Korean Paradox). Thus, the present study investigated Gochujang’s effects on hepatic inflammation and associated gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet induced obese mice. Additionally, this study was also designed to elucidate the Korean Paradox.

Methods: The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HD), HD with salt (SALT), HD with HBM Gochujang (HBM) having a high percentage of beneficial microbiota, and HD with DBM Gochujang (DBM) containing diverse beneficial microbiota.

Results: Compared to HD group, both Gochujang groups showed significant reductions in body weight, spleen weight, epididymal fat weight, and visceral fat volume. Furthermore, Gochujang groups had decreased levels of lipid parameters in serum and liver, also AST and ALT levels. Pro-inflammatory cytokine-associated hepatic mRNA expression (e.g., IL-1β, and TNF-α) and activation of the JNK/IκB/NF-κB pathway was markedly downregulated in Gochujang groups. Most importantly, dysbiosis of gut microbiota, LPS levels, and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was reversed in Gochujang groups compared to HD group. Additionally, Enterorhabdus, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Paeniclostridium had a positive correlation with the expression of COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α. On the other hand, additive salt did not have any of aforementioned results, implying high salt concentration in Gochujang is not associated with its health advantages effects.

Conclusions: Regardless of its high salt level, Gochujang exerts anti-hepatic inflammatory effects via the ameliorations of adipogenesis, hepatic injury, and inflammatory response; and the reconstruction of HD-derived gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and partly Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food trade corporation in 2022.