TNF and vulvovaginal candidiasis: Previously, we showed that Lactobacillus helveticus HY7801 (HY7801) improves vulvovaginal candidiasis in a mouse model by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine-related gene expression including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, as well as regulating inflammatory factors such as COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB [26].