{
  "abstract": "Probiotics can modulate brain function via the microbiota–gut–brain axis; however, their cognitive effects in healthy hosts and the underlying pathways remain unclear. We previously reported that Bifidobacterium longum Z1 protects neuronal cells against methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced glycotoxicity. Here, we investigated whether oral heat-inactivated B. longum Z1 enhances memory in normal mice and examined associated molecular changes. Male C57BL/6 mice received heat-inactivated B. longum Z1 (5 or 20 mg/kg/day) or piracetam (400 mg/kg/day) for seven days before behavioral testing. High-dose B. longum Z1 (High-Z1) significantly increased the recognition index in the novel object recognition test. In exploratory brain analyses of mice selected by recognition index, High-Z1 increased the level of a nerve growth factor-immunoreactive band and the phosphorylation of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), whereas TrkA phosphorylation was not significantly changed. High-Z1 reduced MGO levels in the liver, brain, and serum, and in a separate exploratory cohort, a higher dose (100 mg/kg) upregulated hepatic glyoxalase-I and II and increased nuclear levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2). These molecular changes are associative and do not establish that neurotrophin-Trk-CREB signaling, the glyoxalase pathway, or MGO reduction mediates the behavioral effect. These findings support further investigation of this heat-inactivated B. longum Z1 preparation as a postbiotic for cognitive health.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Division of Food Science and Technology and Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si 52828, Republic of Korea",
    "Functional Food Research Institute, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si 38610, Republic of Korea",
    "Department of Food Industry, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si 38610, Republic of Korea",
    "Neurobiota Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea",
    "College of Pharmacy and Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Seong-Min Hong",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7646-3138"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Jaehoon Bae",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-5234-2537"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Seojin Kang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Hyunjin Kang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Dong-Hyun Kim"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Sun Yeou Kim",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-8044-5613"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f7z0y2vksdshn.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/ijms272110054",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "f7z0y2vksdshn",
  "issns": [
    "1422-0067"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/10054",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-09",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f7z0y2vksdshn.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-10T00:21:27Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/ijms272110054",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/21/10054"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "issn:1422-0067",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Heat-Inactivated Bifidobacterium longum Z1 Improves Recognition Memory in Mice in Association with Enhanced Trk-CREB Signaling and Reduced Methylglyoxal Levels",
  "title_text": "Heat-Inactivated Bifidobacterium longum Z1 Improves Recognition Memory in Mice in Association with Enhanced Trk-CREB Signaling and Reduced Methylglyoxal Levels",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-10T00:21:27Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f7z0y2vksdshn",
  "venue": "International Journal of Molecular Sciences",
  "versions": []
}