Kimchi-derived probiotic intervention improve metabolic health in a sex-specific manner in rat offspring affected by maternal diet and postnatal nutrition

Inadequate maternal nutrition can predispose offspring to obesity and chronic metabolic diseases. This study used a rat model to investigate the impact of maternal high-fat diet-induced metabolic disturbances and the therapeutic potential of WIKIM51, a Weissella confusa strain derived from kimchi. Offspring of high-fat diet-fed dams were assigned to either a normal diet (HF) or continued high-fat diet (OB). At 10 weeks of age, rat offspring received WIKIM51 supplementation for 6 weeks. Metabolic outcomes were assessed at 16 weeks, and two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of diet and probiotic treatment. Male offspring in the HF and OB groups showed increased body and liver weight, fat accumulation, and elevated blood metabolic markers, along with increased hepatic triglyceride levels and lipogenesis marker expression. WIKIM51 supplementation significantly improved these parameters in males, but not in females. These findings suggest that kimchi-derived probiotics may have sex-specific effects on transgenerational metabolic programming. • Maternal high-fat diet may affect the metabolic dysfunction of offspring in a sex specific manner. • WIKIM51 supplementation helps alveolate hepatic lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. • Probiotic intervention may have sex-specific effects on mitigating metabolic dysfunction in a rat model.