The results shown in the heatmap (Fig. 4c) suggested that several genes were upregulated in the AOM/DSS-treated seaweed diet + B. plebeius group compared to the AOM/DSS-treated seaweed diet group, including spectrin alpha (Spta1), meprin-A5-protein tyrosin phosphatase mu (MAM) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor class A domain containing 1 (Malrd1), sine oculis-related homeobox 2 (Six2), and UDP glucuronosyltransferase 2 family, polypeptide B5 (Ugy2b5). Here, MALRD1 is linked to infectious otitis media.