VCAM1 and atherosclerosis: In this study, fermented YK extract was prepared using our novel Pediococcus pentosaceus AOA2017 (AOA2017), which was one of the most effective lactic acid bacteria for YK fermentation, and we investigated the preventive effect of fermented YK extract on LPS-induced monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion and VCAM-1 expression, which mimics the early stage of atherosclerosis.