<i>Lacticaseibacillus paracasei</i> HP7 Improves Gastric Emptying by Modulating Digestive Factors in a Loperamide-Induced Functional Dyspepsia Mouse Model

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a condition characterized by persistent indigestion symptoms without a clear underlying cause. We investigated the effects on FD of <i>Lacticaseibacillus paracasei</i> HP7 (HP7), which was isolated from kimchi and is known to inhibit <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>. In a mouse model of loperamide-induced FD, HP7 administration significantly improved gastrointestinal (GI) motility and gastric emptying, as demonstrated by increased charcoal movement in the GI tract, decreased stomach weight, and the amount of remaining phenol red solution. HP7 administration significantly enhanced peristalsis by upregulating the expression of smooth muscle contraction-related genes, such as the 5HT4 receptor, anoctamin-1, ryanodine receptor 3, and smooth muscle myosin light-chain kinase. In addition, digestive factors, including GI regulatory hormones such as gastrin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and peptide YY, and the activity of digestive enzymes, such as amylase, trypsin, and lipase, were restored to normal levels. These results indicate that HP7 is a promising probiotic strain to alleviate FD symptoms by modulating peristalsis and digestive factors.