Antioxidant Mechanisms of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ZFM847 and Its Oxidative Stress Regulation in Multiple Models

Oxidative stress is strongly linked to persistent inflammatory responses and contributes to the development and progression of various chronic diseases. This study aimed to identify and investigate the potential antioxidant capacity and mechanisms of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ZFM847 (L. paracasei ZFM847) derived from fresh milk. The findings indicated that L. paracasei ZFM847 can withstand high concentrations (2.0 mM) of H₂O₂ and possesses strong antioxidant capacity. This resilience is attributed to the upregulation of genes associated with the thioredoxin system (trx1 and trx2), antioxidant enzymes (sod, nox, and npx), and the glutathione redox system (gpx, gshAB, gst, and gr). Furthermore, L. paracasei ZFM847 significantly mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and modulating the gut microbiota in D-gal-induced oxidative stress mice. Notably, L. paracasei ZFM847 also demonstrated a notable protective effect against oxidative damage induced by Helicobacter pylori in GES-1 cells and mice, potentially through the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings suggested that L. paracasei ZFM847 has the potential to serve as a natural antioxidant probiotic in functional foods.