On Friday, hy announced the publication of a research paper in the prestigious international journal JMB, focusing on the effects of their patented probiotic HP7 on intestinal motility and barrier function.
HP7, a kimchi-derived probiotic developed in-house by hy, has been a cornerstone of the company’s research and is now incorporated into their key products.
The study compared the effects of live HP7 bacteria with heat-inactivated postbiotics on gut health under identical conditions.
Researchers administered both forms to animal models with suppressed intestinal movement. Both groups exhibited significant increases in bowel movements and small intestine content transit. Gene expression related to motility-slowing hormones, inflammation markers, and intestinal water absorption decreased, while genes crucial for mucus layer and gut barrier maintenance saw increased expression.
Colon tissue analysis revealed improvements in mucosal changes and inflammatory cell infiltration associated with reduced gut motility. The study also noted recovery in colonic muscle layer thickness and intestinal gland length.
The team’s microbiome analysis showed that live probiotics induced broad changes in gut microbiota, while postbiotics selectively influenced specific microorganisms. This suggests that while both forms share common effects, their mechanisms of action may differ in some aspects.
A spokesperson from hy’s central research institute highlighted that this study expands HP7’s research scope from the stomach to the intestines, illuminating the similarities and differences between live probiotics and postbiotics.
Founded in 1976, hy’s central research institute, a pioneer in the food industry, boasts an impressive library of over 5,000 microbial strains.