biostudies-literatureUnknown25(20)Lee MFInflammation plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We previously engineered a recombinant <i>Lactococcus lactis</i> strain expressing the Ling-Zhi immunomodulatory protein (<i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8). This study investigated the anti-atherosclerotic effects of <i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8 in rabbits fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Changes in body weight, serum lipid profiles, and liver function were monitored. The aorta and liver tissues were analyzed for gross pathology and histopathology. Eight-week administration of <i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8 with HFD ameliorated atherosclerosis by downregulating protein and gene expression associated with lipid metabolism and inflammation in the aortas. The rabbits receiving <i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8 exhibited a significant dose-depeInternational journal of molecular sciences11278https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11508337biostudies-literatureThe Anti-Inflammatory Effect of <i>Lactococcus lactis</i>-Ling-Zhi 8 on Ameliorating Atherosclerosis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in High-Fat Diet Rabbits.PMC11508337Lee MFLin WWWang NMChu YWWu CSfalseThe Anti-Inflammatory Effect of <i>Lactococcus lactis</i>-Ling-Zhi 8 on Ameliorating Atherosclerosis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in High-Fat Diet Rabbits.Inflammation plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We previously engineered a recombinant <i>Lactococcus lactis</i> strain expressing the Ling-Zhi immunomodulatory protein (<i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8). This study investigated the anti-atherosclerotic effects of <i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8 in rabbits fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Changes in body weight, serum lipid profiles, and liver function were monitored. The aorta and liver tissues were analyzed for gross pathology and histopathology. Eight-week administration of <i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8 with HFD ameliorated atherosclerosis by downregulating protein and gene expression associated with lipid metabolism and inflammation in the aortas. The rabbits receiving <i>L. lactis</i>-LZ8 exhibited a significant dose-depe2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2025-04-04T02:21:26.145Z2025-04-04T02:21:26.145ZS-EPMC115083373945705910.3390/ijms252011278