Kombucha ameliorates LPS-induced sepsis in a mouse model

Introduction: As a traditional fermented beverage, kombucha has been extensively studied for its health benefits. However, its preventive effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis remain unclear and have not been studied in a mouse model. Here, we investigated kombucha protective effects against sepsis and intestinal microecology in mice. Results: The concentrations of acetic acid, gluconic acid, polyphenol, and glucuronic acid in the kombucha were 55.70 ± 2.57 g/L, 50.20 ± 1.92 g/L, 2.36 ± 0.31, and 1.39 ± 0.22 g/L, respectively. Kombucha reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, restored the levels of T cells and macrophages in LPS-challenged mice, alleviated the histopathologic damage, and inhibited NF-κB signaling in mice with LPS-induced sepsis. We demonstrated that kombucha effectively prevents cellular immune function disorder in mice at the initial stage of sepsis and exerts an immunomodulatory effect. In addition, the effect of kombucha on the gut microbiota was investigated during sepsis. Kombucha supplementation altered the diversity of the gut microbiota, and promoted the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, which exert anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusion: Herein, we demonstrated that kombucha could be a novel anti-inflammatory agent for protection against the development of systemic inflammatory responses associated with sepsis.