The effects of Lactobacillus intestinalis strain YT2 on menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized rats. rat gut metagenome

Menopause is the natural process caused by decreased synthesis and secretion of estrogen in ovaries. Menopausal women experienced trouble by various menopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy was primarily used to reduce menopausal symptoms, but new therapies are needed because they have side effects. We investigated the effects of Lactobacillus intestinalis YT2 on menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Oral administration of L. intestinalis YT2 significantly recover menopause symptoms such as fat mass, bone mineral density, pain sensitivity and depression-related behavior. L. intestinalis YT2 also increased gut barrier integrity and mRNA levels of tight junction related markers such as claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, ZO01 and JAM. The present results elucidated that the treatment of L. acidophilus YT2 could alleviate menopausal symptoms by increasing gut barrier function and we further suggest it could be developed as functional foods and probiotics for elderly women health.