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Volume 26
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Immunomodulatory Effects of Traditional Korean Gochujang in Rats Immunosuppressed with Cyclophosphamide

by
Hak Yong Lee
1,†,
Young Mi Park
1,2,†,
Dong Yeop Shin
1,
Hai Min Hwang
1,
Sung Hak Chun
1,
Sang Jin Lim
1,
Hee-Jong Yang
3,
Gwang Su Ha
3,
Myeong Seon Ryu
3,
Ji-Won Seo
3,
Do-Youn Jeong
3,
Jun Sang Bae
2,* and
Jae Gon Kim
1,*
1
INVIVO Co. Ltd., 121, Deahak-ro, Nonsan 32992, Republic of Korea
2
Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
3
Microbial Institute for Fermentation Industry (MIFI), Sunchang-gun 56048, Republic of Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8325; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178325 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 29 July 2025 / Revised: 26 August 2025 / Accepted: 26 August 2025 / Published: 27 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-Cancer, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidation Active Substances: 3rd Edition)
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Abstract

Fermented foods are consumed in several cultures worldwide and their health benefits are being increasingly reported. Fermented soybean products in Asia include soybean paste (doenjang), fermented soybeans (cheonggukjang), red pepper paste (gochujang, GCJ), and natto. These fermented foods are reportedly associated with health benefits, including the alleviation of colitis and improvement of immune function. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects of GCJs produced in four different regions of Korea (including a commercial brand) in cyclophosphamide-treated immunosuppressed rats. The GCJs-treated group showed prevention of weight loss, increased levels of butyric acid in the cecum, and increased weight of lymphoid organs such as the thymus and spleen. Whole blood and serum analysis revealed increased numbers of white blood cells, including granulocytes and lymphocytes, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), and elevated immunoglobulin G levels. Additionally, splenocyte proliferation, splenic natural killer cell activity, and immune-related signal pathways (MAPK and NF-κB) were increased. Histological analysis revealed improved tissue structure in the GCJs group. In conclusion, these findings show that GCJs enhance immune function by promoting the growth of immune organs, increasing cytokine production, and activating immune-related signaling pathways. These results suggested the potential of traditional Korean GCJs as a dietary intervention to improve immune health.
Keywords: Gochujang; immune-enhancing; spleen; cytokines; NK cell; MAPKs/NFκB pathway Gochujang; immune-enhancing; spleen; cytokines; NK cell; MAPKs/NFκB pathway
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MDPI and ACS Style

Lee, H.Y.; Park, Y.M.; Shin, D.Y.; Hwang, H.M.; Chun, S.H.; Lim, S.J.; Yang, H.-J.; Ha, G.S.; Ryu, M.S.; Seo, J.-W.; et al. Immunomodulatory Effects of Traditional Korean Gochujang in Rats Immunosuppressed with Cyclophosphamide. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 8325. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178325

AMA Style

Lee HY, Park YM, Shin DY, Hwang HM, Chun SH, Lim SJ, Yang H-J, Ha GS, Ryu MS, Seo J-W, et al. Immunomodulatory Effects of Traditional Korean Gochujang in Rats Immunosuppressed with Cyclophosphamide. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(17):8325. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178325

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lee, Hak Yong, Young Mi Park, Dong Yeop Shin, Hai Min Hwang, Sung Hak Chun, Sang Jin Lim, Hee-Jong Yang, Gwang Su Ha, Myeong Seon Ryu, Ji-Won Seo, and et al. 2025. "Immunomodulatory Effects of Traditional Korean Gochujang in Rats Immunosuppressed with Cyclophosphamide" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 17: 8325. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178325

APA Style

Lee, H. Y., Park, Y. M., Shin, D. Y., Hwang, H. M., Chun, S. H., Lim, S. J., Yang, H.-J., Ha, G. S., Ryu, M. S., Seo, J.-W., Jeong, D.-Y., Bae, J. S., & Kim, J. G. (2025). Immunomodulatory Effects of Traditional Korean Gochujang in Rats Immunosuppressed with Cyclophosphamide. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(17), 8325. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178325

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