NK3 and NK49 Alleviate Bacterial Vaginosis and Osteoporosis in Mice by Suppressing NF-B-Linked TNF- Expression.

Excessive expression of TNF- worsens bacterial vaginosis (BV) and osteoporosis. Therefore, to understand whether probiotics could alleviate vaginosis and osteoporosis, we isolated anti-inflammatory NK3 and NK49 from kimchi and human fecal lactic acid bacteria collection and examined their effects on (GV)-induced vaginosis and ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in female mice. Oral gavage of NK3 and/or NK49 significantly alleviated GV-induced vaginosis; these inhibited NF-B activation and TNF- expression in the vagina and uterus, and decreased the GV population in the vagina. Furthermore, treatment with NK3 and/or NK49 alleviated ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis and obesity; these increased blood calcium, phosphorus, and osteocalcin levels and suppressed body weight. GV-induced vaginosis and ovariectomy increased colonic myeloperoxidase activity, TNF- expression, and fecal Proteobacteria population. NK3 and/or NK49 treatments reduced TNF- expression and NF-B activation in the colon. NK3 and NK49 treatment also restored GV- or ovariectomy-disrupted gut microbiota composition. In conclusion, NK3 and NK49 may simultaneously alleviate BV and osteoporosis by suppressing NF-B-linked TNF- expression through the regulation of gut microbiota population.