Microbial dysbiosis-induced obesity: role of gut microbiota in homoeostasis of energy metabolism

Gut microbiota in heart failure and related interventions

Heart failure (HF) is a sophisticated syndrome with structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection of blood, either causing symptoms and signs or being asymptomatic. HF is a major global health issue affecting about 64.3 million people worldwide. The gut microbiota refers to the complex ecosystem of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, in the gut. Studies have revealed that the gut microbiota is associated with many diseases ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular diseases. The gut hypothesis of HF suggests that low cardiac output and systemic circulation congestion would cause insufficient intestinal perfusion, leading to ischemia and intestinal barrier dysfunction. The resulting bacterial translocation would contribute to inflammation. Recent studies have refined the hypothesis that changes of metabolites in the gut microbiota have a close relationship with HF. Thus, the gut microbiota has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for HF due to both its critical role in regulating host physiology and metabolism and its pivotal role in the development of HF. This review article aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the gut microbiota's involvement in HF, including the introduction of the gut hypothesis of HF, its association with HF progression, the potential mechanisms involved mediated by the gut microbiota metabolites, and the impact of various interventions on the gut microbiota, including dietary interventions, probiotic therapy, fecal microbiota transplantation, antibiotics, and so on. While the gut hypothesis of HF is refined with up-to-date knowledge and the gut microbiota presents a promising target for HF therapy, further research is still needed to further understand the underlying mechanisms between gut microbiota and HF, the efficacy of these interventions, and contribute to the health of HF patients.

Effect of the oil from the fatty tissues of Crocodylus siamensis on gut microbiome diversity and metabolism in mice

Dietary fat can alter host metabolism and gut microbial composition. Crocodile oil (CO) was extracted from the fatty tissues of Crocodylus siamensis. CO, rich in monounsaturated- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, has been reported to reduce inflammation, counter toxification, and improve energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CO on gut microbiota (GM) in laboratory mice as well as the accompanying metabolic changes in the animals. Forty-five C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into five groups and orally administrated either sterile water (control [C]); 1 or 3% (v/w) CO (CO-low [CO-L] and CO-high [CO-H], respectively); or 1 or 3% (v/w) palm oil (PO-low and PO-high, respectively) for 11 weeks. Body weight gain, food intake, energy intake, blood glucose levels, and blood lipid profiles were determined. Samples from colon tissue were collected and the 16S rRNA genes were pyrosequenced to clarify GM analyses. The results showed that there were no differences in body weight and blood glucose levels. Food intake by the mice in the CO-L and CO-H groups was statistically significantly less when compared to that by the animals in the C group. However, neither CO treatment had a statistically significant effect on calorie intake when compared to the controls. The CO-H exhibited a significant increase in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein but showed a downward trend in triglyceride levels compared to the control. The GM analyses revealed that both CO treatments have no significant influence on bacterial diversity and relative abundance at the phylum level, whereas increases of Choa1 and abundance-based coverage estimator indexes, distinct β-diversity, and Proteobacteria abundance were observed in the PO-high group compared with the C group. Furthermore, the abundance of Azospirillum thiophilum and Romboutsia ilealis was significantly higher in the CO-L and CO-H groups which could be associated with energy metabolic activity. Thus, CO may be an alternative fat source for preserving host metabolism and gut flora.

Gut microbes predominantly act as living beneficial partners rather than raw nutrients

Animals and their gut microbes mutually benefit their health. Nutrition plays a central role in this, directly influencing both host and microbial fitness and the nature of their interactions. This makes nutritional symbioses a complex and dynamic tri-system of diet-microbiota-host. Despite recent discoveries on this field, full control over the interplay among these partners is challenging and hinders the resolution of fundamental questions, such as how to parse the gut microbes' effect as raw nutrition or as symbiotic partners? To tackle this, we made use of the well-characterized Drosophila melanogaster/Lactiplantibacillus plantarum experimental model of nutritional symbiosis to generate a quantitative framework of gut microbes' effect on the host. By coupling experimental assays and Random Forest analysis, we show that the beneficial effect of L. plantarum strains primarily results from the active relationship as symbionts rather than raw nutrients, regardless of the bacterial strain. Metabolomic analysis of both active and inactive bacterial cells further demonstrated the crucial role of the production of beneficial bacterial metabolites, such as N-acetylated-amino-acids, as result of active bacterial growth and function. Altogether, our results provide a ranking and quantification of the main bacterial features contributing to sustain animal growth. We demonstrate that bacterial activity is the predominant and necessary variable involved in bacteria-mediated benefit, followed by strain-specific properties and the nutritional potential of the bacterial cells. This contributes to elucidate the role of beneficial bacteria and probiotics, creating a broad quantitative framework for host-gut microbiome that can be expanded to other model systems.

Aflatoxin B1 Induces Inflammatory Liver Injury via Gut Microbiota in Mice

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), a potent food-borne hepatocarcinogen, is the most toxic aflatoxin that induces liver injury in humans and animals. Species-specific sensitivities of aflatoxins cannot be fully explained by differences in the metabolism of AFB₁ between animal species. The gut microbiota are critical in inflammatory liver injury, but it remains to reveal the role of gut microbiota in AFB₁-induced liver injury. Here, mice were gavaged with AFB₁ for 28 days. Then, the modulation of gut microbiota, colonic barrier, and liver pyroptosis and inflammation were analyzed. To further verify the direct role of gut microbiota in AFB₁-induced liver injury, mice were treated with antibiotic mixtures (ABXs) to deplete the microbiota, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. The treatment of AFB₁ in mice altered gut microbiota composition, such as increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Lactobacillus, inducing colonic barrier dysfunction and promoting liver pyroptosis. In ABX-treated mice, AFB₁ had little effect on the colonic barrier and liver pyroptosis. Notably, after FMT, in which the mice were colonized with gut microbiota from AFB₁-treated mice, colonic barrier dysfunction, and liver pyroptosis and inflammation were obliviously identified. We proposed that the gut microbiota directly participated in AFB₁-induced liver pyroptosis and inflammation. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of AFB₁ hepatotoxicity and pave a window for new targeted interventions to prevent or reduce AFB₁ hepatotoxicity.

Exploring the Influence of Gut Microbiome on Energy Metabolism in Humans

The gut microbiome has a profound influence on host physiology, including energy metabolism, which is the process by which energy from nutrients is transformed into other forms of energy to be used by the body. However, mechanistic evidence for how the microbiome influences energy metabolism is derived from animal models. In this narrative review, we included human studies investigating the relationship between gut microbiome and energy metabolism -i.e., energy expenditure in humans and energy harvest by the gut microbiome. Studies have found no consistent gut microbiome patterns associated with energy metabolism, and most interventions were not effective in modulating the gut microbiome to influence energy metabolism. To date, cause-and-effect relationships and mechanistic evidence on the impact of the gut microbiome on energy expenditure have not been established in humans. Future longitudinal observational studies and randomized controlled trials utilizing robust methodologies and advanced statistical analysis are needed. Such knowledge would potentially inform the design of therapeutic avenues and specific dietary recommendations to improve energy metabolism through gut microbiome modulation.

Gut microbiota-associated metabolites and risk of ischemic stroke in REGARDS

Several metabolite markers are independently associated with incident ischemic stroke. However, prior studies have not accounted for intercorrelated metabolite networks. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine if metabolite factors were associated with incident ischemic stroke. Metabolites (n = 162) were measured in a case-control cohort nested in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, which included 1,075 ischemic stroke cases and 968 random cohort participants. Cox models were adjusted for age, gender, race, and age-race interaction (base model) and further adjusted for the Framingham stroke risk factors (fully adjusted model). EFA identified fifteen metabolite factors, each representing a well-defined metabolic pathway. Of these, factor 3, a gut microbiome metabolism factor, was associated with an increased risk of stroke in the base (hazard ratio per one-unit standard deviation, HR = 1.23; 95%CI = 1.15-1.31; P = 1.98 × 10-10) and fully adjusted models (HR = 1.13; 95%CI = 1.06-1.21; P = 4.49 × 10-4). The highest tertile had a 45% increased risk relative to the lowest (HR = 1.45; 95%CI = 1.25-1.70; P = 2.24 × 10-6). Factor 3 was also associated with the Southern diet pattern, a dietary pattern previously linked to increased stroke risk in REGARDS (β = 0.11; 95%CI = 0.03-0.18; P = 8.75 × 10-3). These findings highlight the role of diet and gut microbial metabolism in relation to incident ischemic stroke.

Gut microbiota crosstalk mechanisms are key in pulmonary hypertension: The involvement of melatonin is instrumental too

The microbiota refers to a plethora of microorganisms with a gene pool of approximately three million, which inhabits the human gastrointestinal tract or gut. The latter, not only promotes the transport of nutrients, ions, and fluids from the lumen to the internal environment but is linked with the development of diseases including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and lung diseases. The exact mechanism of how the microbiota achieves crosstalk between itself and distant organs/tissues is not clear, but factors released to other organs may play a role, like inflammatory and genetic factors, and now we highlight melatonin as a novel mediator of the gut-lung crosstalk. Melatonin is present in high concentrations in the gut and the lung and has recently been linked to the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). In this comprehensive review of the literature, we suggest that melatonin is an important link between the gut microbiota and the development of PH (where suppressed melatonin-crosstalk between the gut and lungs could promote the development of PH). More studies are needed to investigate the link between the gut microbiota, melatonin and PH. Studies could also investigate whether microbiota genes play a role in the epigenetic aspects of PH. This is relevant because, for example, dysbiosis (caused by epigenetic factors) could reduce melatonin signaling between the gut and lungs, reduce subcellular melatonin concentrations in the gut/lungs, or reduce melatonin serum levels secondary to epigenetic factors. This area of research is largely unexplored and further studies are warranted.

Evidence for proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-associated dysbiosis in metabolically unhealthy obesity

Obesity adversely impacts millions of American adults by predisposing them to significant health risks and further complications. Obesity is differentiated into two groups: metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy. In contrast to metabolically healthy counterparts, obese individuals who are metabolically unhealthy display hallmark symptoms of metabolic syndrome (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) commonly occurs in all obese populations, as do poor dietary habits. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), due to their wide availability, are most often used to treat GERD-related heartburn and other symptoms. Here, we review the evidence on how poor diet as well as short- and long-term use of PPIs adversely affect the gastrointestinal microbiota to cause dysbiosis. Key components of dysbiosis-induced metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) associated with PPI use include "leaky gut," systemic low-grade inflammation, and reduced amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate that promote metabolic health. The benefit of using probiotics to mitigate PPI-induced dysbiosis and MUO is also discussed.

Maternal microbiota and gestational diabetes: impact on infant health

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that has been associated with an increased risk of obesity and diabetes in the offspring. Pregnancy is accompanied by tightly regulated changes in the endocrine, metabolic, immune, and microbial systems, and deviations from these changes can alter the mother's metabolism resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes and a negative impact on the health of her infant. Maternal microbiomes are significant drivers of mother and child health outcomes, and many microbial metabolites are likely to influence the host health. This review discusses the current understanding of how the microbiota and microbial metabolites may contribute to the development of GDM and how GDM-associated changes in the maternal microbiome can affect infant's health. We also describe microbiota-based interventions that aim to improve metabolic health and outline future directions for precision medicine research in this emerging field.

Collagen Peptide Exerts an Anti-Obesity Effect by Influencing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio in the Gut

Alterations in the intestinal microbial flora are known to cause various diseases, and many people routinely consume probiotics or prebiotics to balance intestinal microorganisms and the growth of beneficial bacteria. In this study, we selected a peptide from fish (tilapia) skin that induces significant changes in the intestinal microflora of mice and reduces the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which is linked to obesity. We attempted to verify the anti-obesity effect of selected fish collagen peptides in a high-fat-diet-based obese mouse model. As anticipated, the collagen peptide co-administered with a high-fat diet significantly inhibited the increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. It increased specific bacterial taxa, including Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Faecalibaculum, Bacteroides, and Streptococcus, known for their anti-obesity effects. Consequently, alterations in the gut microbiota resulted in the activation of metabolic pathways, such as polysaccharide degradation and essential amino acid synthesis, which are associated with obesity inhibition. In addition, collagen peptide also effectively reduced all obesity signs caused by a high-fat diet, such as abdominal fat accumulation, high blood glucose levels, and weight gain. Ingestion of collagen peptides derived from fish skin induced significant changes in the intestinal microflora and is a potential auxiliary therapeutic agent to suppress the onset of obesity.

Pecans and Its Polyphenols Prevent Obesity, Hepatic Steatosis and Diabetes by Reducing Dysbiosis, Inflammation, and Increasing Energy Expenditure in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are considered a functional food due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and polyphenols. To determine the effect of whole pecans (WP) or a pecan polyphenol (PP) extract on the development of metabolic abnormalities in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet, we fed C57BL/6 mice with a Control diet (7% fat), HF diet (23% fat), HF containing 30% WP or an HF diet supplemented with 3.6 or 6 mg/g of PP for 18 weeks. Supplementation of an HF diet with WP or PP reduced fat mass, serum cholesterol, insulin and HOMA-IR by 44, 40, 74 and 91%, respectively, compared to the HF diet. They also enhanced glucose tolerance by 37%, prevented pancreatic islet hypertrophy, and increased oxygen consumption by 27% compared to the HF diet. These beneficial effects were associated with increased thermogenic activity in brown adipose tissue, mitochondrial activity and AMPK activation in skeletal muscle, reduced hypertrophy and macrophage infiltration of subcutaneous and visceral adipocytes, reduced hepatic lipid content and enhanced metabolic signaling. Moreover, the microbial diversity of mice fed WP or PP was higher than those fed HF, and associated with lower circulating lipopolysaccharides (~83-95%). Additionally, a 4-week intervention study with the HF 6PP diet reduced the metabolic abnormalities of obese mice. The present study demonstrates that WP or a PP extract prevented obesity, liver steatosis and diabetes by reducing dysbiosis, inflammation, and increasing mitochondrial content and energy expenditure. Pecan polyphenols were mainly condensed tannin and ellagic acid derivatives including ellagitannins as determined by LC-MS. Herein we also propose a model for the progression of the HF diet-mediated metabolic disorder based on early and late events, and the possible molecular targets of WP and PP extract in preventive and intervention strategies. The body surface area normalization equation gave a conversion equivalent to a daily human intake dose of 2101-3502 mg phenolics that can be obtained from 110-183 g pecan kernels/day (22-38 whole pecans) or 21.6-36 g defatted pecan flour/day for an average person of 60 kg. This work lays the groundwork for future clinical studies.

Role of the gut microbiota in anticancer therapy: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications

In the past period, due to the rapid development of next-generation sequencing technology, accumulating evidence has clarified the complex role of the human microbiota in the development of cancer and the therapeutic response. More importantly, available evidence seems to indicate that modulating the composition of the gut microbiota to improve the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs may be feasible. However, intricate complexities exist, and a deep and comprehensive understanding of how the human microbiota interacts with cancer is critical to realize its full potential in cancer treatment. The purpose of this review is to summarize the initial clues on molecular mechanisms regarding the mutual effects between the gut microbiota and cancer development, and to highlight the relationship between gut microbes and the efficacy of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and cancer surgery, which may provide insights into the formulation of individualized therapeutic strategies for cancer management. In addition, the current and emerging microbial interventions for cancer therapy as well as their clinical applications are summarized. Although many challenges remain for now, the great importance and full potential of the gut microbiota cannot be overstated for the development of individualized anti-cancer strategies, and it is necessary to explore a holistic approach that incorporates microbial modulation therapy in cancer.

Positive Effects of Probiotic Therapy in Patients with Post-Infectious Fatigue

Post-infectious fatigue is a common complication that can lead to decreased physical efficiency, depression, and impaired quality of life. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been proposed as a contributing factor, as the gut-brain axis plays an important role in regulating physical and mental health. This pilot study aimed to investigate the severity of fatigue and depression, as well as the quality of life of 70 patients with post-infectious fatigue who received a multi-strain probiotic preparation or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients completed questionnaires to assess their fatigue (fatigue severity scale (FSS)), mood (Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II)), and quality of life (short form-36 (SF-36)) at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Routine laboratory parameters were also assessed, including immune-mediated changes in tryptophan and phenylalanine metabolism. The intervention was effective in improving fatigue, mood, and quality of life in both the probiotic and placebo groups, with greater improvements seen in the probiotic group. FSS and BDI-II scores declined significantly under treatment with both probiotics and placebo, but patients who received probiotics had significantly lower FSS (p < 0.001) and BDI-II (p < 0.001) scores after 6 months. Quality of life scores improved significantly in patients who received probiotics (p < 0.001), while patients taking a placebo only saw improvements in the "Physical limitation" and "Energy/Fatigue" subcategories. After 6 months neopterin was higher in patients receiving placebo, while no longitudinal changes in interferon-gamma mediated biochemical pathways were observed. These findings suggest that probiotics may be a promising intervention for improving the health of patients with post-infectious fatigue, potentially through modulating the gut-brain axis.

Hypoabsorptive surgeries cause limb-dependent changes in the gut endocannabinoidome and microbiome in association with beneficial metabolic effects

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the metabolic benefits of hypoabsorptive surgeries are associated with changes in the gut endocannabinoidome (eCBome) and microbiome.

METHODS

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) and single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) were performed in diet-induced obese (DIO) male Wistar rats. Control groups fed a high-fat diet (HF) included sham-operated (SHAM HF) and SHAM HF-pair-weighed to BPD-DS (SHAM HF-PW). Body weight, fat mass gain, fecal energy loss, HOMA-IR, and gut-secreted hormone levels were measured. The levels of eCBome lipid mediators and prostaglandins were quantified in different intestinal segments by LC-MS/MS, while expression levels of genes encoding eCBome metabolic enzymes and receptors were determined by RT-qPCR. Metataxonomic (16S rRNA) analysis was performed on residual distal jejunum, proximal jejunum, and ileum contents.

RESULTS

BPD-DS and SADI-S reduced fat gain and HOMA-IR, while increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) levels in HF-fed rats. Both surgeries induced potent limb-dependent alterations in eCBome mediators and in gut microbial ecology. In response to BPD-DS and SADI-S, changes in gut microbiota were significantly correlated with those of eCBome mediators. Principal component analyses revealed connections between PYY, N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), N-linoleoylethanolamine (LEA), Clostridium, and Enterobacteriaceae_g_2 in the proximal and distal jejunum and in the ileum.

CONCLUSIONS

BPD-DS and SADI-S caused limb-dependent changes in the gut eCBome and microbiome. The present results indicate that these variables could significantly influence the beneficial metabolic outcome of hypoabsorptive bariatric surgeries.

Sulfide causes histological damage, oxidative stress, metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis in juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

Sulfide is a common harmful substance in sediments, with an especially high risk for deposit feeder organisms. The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is a typical benthic feeder, and its intestine is the first line of defense and serves as a crucial barrier function. In this study, histological, physiological, gut microbiota, and metabolomic analyses were performed to explore the toxic response in the intestine of juvenile A. japonicus exposed to 0, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/L sulfide stress for 96 h. The results revealed sulfide-induced intestinal inflammatory symptoms and oxidative stress. Moreover, gut bacterial composition was observed after sulfide exposure, with an increase in Proteobacteria and a decrease in Cyanobacteria and Planctomycetes. Specifically, sulfide increased a set of sulfide-removing bacteria and opportunistic pathogens while decreasing several putative beneficial substance-producing bacteria. The metabolomic analysis indicated that sulfide also disturbed metabolic homeostasis, especially lipid and energy metabolism, in intestine. Interestingly, several intestinal bacteria were further identified to be significantly correlated with metabolic changes; for example, the decreased abundance levels of Bacillus, Corynebacterium, and Psychromonas were positively correlated with important energy metabolites, including maleic acid, farnesyl pyrophosphate, thiamine, butynoic acid, and deoxycholic acid. Thus, our research provides new insights into the mechanisms associated with the intestinal metabolic and microbiota response involved in sulfide stress adaptation strategies of juvenile A. japonicus.

Circadian Disruption and Mental Health: The Chronotherapeutic Potential of Microbiome-Based and Dietary Strategies

Mental illness is alarmingly on the rise, and circadian disruptions linked to a modern lifestyle may largely explain this trend. Impaired circadian rhythms are associated with mental disorders. The evening chronotype, which is linked to circadian misalignment, is a risk factor for severe psychiatric symptoms and psychiatric metabolic comorbidities. Resynchronization of circadian rhythms commonly improves psychiatric symptoms. Furthermore, evidence indicates that preventing circadian misalignment may help reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders and the impact of neuro-immuno-metabolic disturbances in psychiatry. The gut microbiota exhibits diurnal rhythmicity, as largely governed by meal timing, which regulates the host's circadian rhythms. Temporal circadian regulation of feeding has emerged as a promising chronotherapeutic strategy to prevent and/or help with the treatment of mental illnesses, largely through the modulation of gut microbiota. Here, we provide an overview of the link between circadian disruption and mental illness. We summarize the connection between gut microbiota and circadian rhythms, supporting the idea that gut microbiota modulation may aid in preventing circadian misalignment and in the resynchronization of disrupted circadian rhythms. We describe diurnal microbiome rhythmicity and its related factors, highlighting the role of meal timing. Lastly, we emphasize the necessity and rationale for further research to develop effective and safe microbiome and dietary strategies based on chrononutrition to combat mental illness.

Fermented Vegetables and Legumes vs. Lifestyle Diseases: Microbiota and More

Silages may be preventive against lifestyle diseases, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, or metabolic syndrome. Fermented vegetables and legumes are characterized by pleiotropic health effects, such as probiotic or antioxidant potential. That is mainly due to the fermentation process. Despite the low viability of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, their probiotic potential was confirmed. The modification of microbiota diversity caused by these food products has numerous implications. Most of them are connected to changes in the production of metabolites by bacteria, such as butyrate. Moreover, intake of fermented vegetables and legumes influences epigenetic changes, which lead to inhibition of lipogenesis and decreased appetite. Lifestyle diseases' feature is increased inflammation; thus, foods with high antioxidant potential are recommended. Silages are characterized by having a higher bioavailable antioxidants content than fresh samples. That is due to fermentative microorganisms that produce the enzyme β-glucosidase, which releases these compounds from conjugated bonds with antinutrients. However, fermented vegetables and legumes are rich in salt or salt substitutes, such as potassium chloride. However, until today, silages intake has not been connected to the prevalence of hypertension or kidney failure.

Lactobacillus Probiotics Improve Vaginal Dysbiosis in Asymptomatic Women

Vaginal dysbiosis can lead to serious infections in asymptomatic women. Lactobacillus probiotics (LBPs) are being investigated as a promising therapy for reversing vaginal microbiota dysbiosis. This study aimed to investigate whether administering LBPs could improve vaginal dysbiosis and facilitate the colonization of Lactobacillus species in asymptomatic women. 36 asymptomatic women were classified based on the Nugent score as Low-NS (n = 26) and High-NS (n = 10) groups. A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT LA1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CBT LR5, and Lactobacillus reuteri CBT LU4 was administered orally for 6 weeks. The study found that among women with a High-NS, 60% showed improved vaginal dysbiosis with a Low-NS after LBP intake, while four retained a High-NS. Among women with a Low-NS, 11.5 % switched to a High-NS. Genera associated with vaginal dysbiosis were positively correlated with the alpha diversity or NS, while a negative correlation was observed between Lactobacillus and the alpha diversity and with the NS. Vaginal dysbiosis in asymptomatic women with an HNS improved after 6 weeks of LBP intake, and qRT-PCR revealed the colonization of Lactobacillus spp. in the vagina. These results suggested that oral administration of this LBP could improve vaginal health in asymptomatic women with an HNS.

Effect of a Multispecies Synbiotic Supplementation on Body Composition, Antioxidant Status, and Gut Microbiomes in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Studies investigating the effect of multispecies synbiotic supplementation in obesity management are limited. The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of multispecies probiotics mixed with fructooligosaccharides on body composition, antioxidant status, and gut microbiome composition in overweight and obese individuals. We employed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design, in which 63 individuals aged 18-45 years were assigned to receive either a synbiotic supplement or placebo for 12 weeks. The synbiotic group consumed a daily dose of 37 × 10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU) of a unique blend of seven different probiotics, along with 2 g of fructooligosaccharides, while the placebo group consumed 2 g of maltodextrin daily. Assessments were performed at baseline, week 6, and the end of the study. The results of the study indicated that synbiotic supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in waist circumference and body fat percentage compared to the baseline measurements, as observed at 12 weeks. At the end of the study, there were no significant differences observed in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, or percentage of body fat between the synbiotic group and the placebo group. An analysis of plasma antioxidant capacity revealed that synbiotic supplementation caused a significant increase in Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and a concomitant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) in the test group when compared to the placebo. For the gut microbiota analysis, synbiotic supplementation significantly decreased Firmicutes abundance and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio at week 12 as compared to the placebo group. Nevertheless, the synbiotic group did not exhibit any substantial alterations in other biochemical blood parameters compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that multispecies synbiotic supplementation could be a beneficial strategy to improve body composition, antioxidant status, and gut microbiome composition in overweight and obese subjects.

Combination of Lactobacillus plantarum HAC03 and Garcinia cambogia Has a Significant Anti-Obesity Effect in Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

Obesity is a major global health problem which is associated with various diseases and psychological conditions. Increasing understanding of the relationship between obesity and gut microbiota has led to a worldwide effort to use microbiota as a treatment for obesity. However, several clinical trials have shown that obesity treatment with single strains of probiotics did not achieve as significant results as in animal studies. To overcome this limitation, we attempted to find a new combination that goes beyond the effects of probiotics alone by combining probiotics and a natural substance that has a stronger anti-obesity effect. In this study, we used a diet-induced obesity mouse (DIO) model to investigate the effects of combining Lactobacillus plantarum HAC03 with Garcinia cambogia extract, as compared to the effects of each substance alone. Combining L. plantarum HAC03 and G. cambogia, treatment showed a more than two-fold reduction in weight gain compared to each substance administered alone. Even though the total amount administered was kept the same as for other single experiments, the combination treatment significantly reduced biochemical markers of obesity and adipocyte size, in comparison to the treatment with either substance alone. The treatment with a combination of two substances also significantly decreased the gene expression of fatty acid synthesis (FAS, ACC, PPARγ and SREBP1c) in mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT). Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the fecal microbiota suggested that the combination of L. plantarum HAC03 and G. cambogia extract treatment changed the diversity of gut microbiota and altered specific bacterial taxa at the genus level (the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and Lachnospiraceae UCG group) and specific functions (NAD salvage pathway I and starch degradation V). Our results support that the idea that the combination of L. plantarum HAC03 and G. cambogia extract has a synergistic anti-obesity effect by restoring the composition of the gut microbiota. This combination also increases the abundance of bacteria responsible for energy metabolism, as well as the production of SCFAs and BCAAs. Furthermore, no significant adverse effects were observed during the experiment.

Research progress of gut microbiota and obesity caused by high-fat diet

Obesity, a chronic metabolic disorder caused by an energy imbalance, has been increasingly prevalent and poses a global health concern. The multifactorial etiology of obesity includes genetics factors, high-fat diet, gut microbiota, and other factors. Among these factors, the implication of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of obesity has been prominently acknowledged. This study endeavors to investigate the potential contribution of gut microbiota to the development of high-fat diet induced obesity, as well as the current state of probiotic intervention therapy research, in order to provide novel insights for the prevention and management of obesity.

Microbiota metabolites in the female reproductive system: Focused on the short-chain fatty acids

Several disorders have been linked to modifications in the gut microbial imbalance, intestinal epithelium, and host immune system. In this regard, microbiota derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a key function in the regulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which affect modulation of immunity and regulation of inflammatory responses in the intestine and other organs. Studies examining the metabolites produced by polymicrobial bacterial vaginosis (BV) states and Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota have noted a dramatic reduction of lactic acid and a shift toward SCFA synthesis. Along with higher levels of SCFAs, acetate is typically the main metabolite in the cervicovaginal fluid of women with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis. The fact that SCFAs made by the vaginal microbiota have been shown to exhibit antibacterial and immune-modulating properties suggests that they may have promise as indicators of disease and/or disease susceptibility. In this review, we overview and summarize the current findings on the detrimental or protective roles of microbiota metabolites especially SCFAs in the health and disease of the female reproductive system.

Enteropathy and gut dysbiosis as obstacles to achieve immune recovery in undetectable people with HIV: a clinical view of evidence, successes, and projections

Immune performance following antiretroviral therapy initiation varies among patients. Despite achieving viral undetectability, a subgroup of patients fails to restore CD4+ T-cell counts during follow-up, which exposes them to non-AIDS defining comorbidities and increased mortality. Unfortunately, its mechanisms are incompletely understood, and no specific treatment is available. In this review, we address some of the pathophysiological aspects of the poor immune response from a translational perspective, with emphasis in the interaction between gut microbiome, intestinal epithelial dysfunction, and immune system, and we also discuss some studies attempting to improve immune performance by intervening in this vicious cycle.

A Pilot Study: The Reduction in Fecal Acetate in Obese Patients after Probiotic Administration and Percutaneous Electrical Neurostimulation

Previous data suggested that anti-obesity interventions, such as percutaneous electric neurostimulation and probiotics, could reduce body weight and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors by attenuation of microbiota alterations. However, potential mechanisms of action have not been unveiled, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) might be involved in these responses. This pilot study included two groups of class-I obese patients (N = 10, each) who underwent anti-obesity therapy by percutaneous electric neurostimulations (PENS) and a hypocaloric diet (Diet), with/without the administration of the multi-strain probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum LP115, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA14, and Bifidobacterium breve B3), for ten weeks. Fecal samples were used for SCFA quantification (by HPLC-MS) in relation to microbiota and anthropometric and clinical variables. In these patients, we previously described a further reduction in obesity and CV risk factors (hyperglycemia, dyslipemia) after PENS-Diet+Prob compared to PENS-Diet alone. Herein, we observed that the administration of probiotics decreased fecal acetate concentrations, and this effect may be linked to the enrichment of Prevotella, Bifidobacterium spp., and Akkermansia muciniphila. Additionally, fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate are associated with each other, suggesting an additional benefit in colonic absorption. In conclusion, probiotics could help anti-obesity interventions by promoting weight loss and reducing CV risk factors. Likely, modification of microbiota and related SCFA, such as acetate, could improve environmental conditions and permeability in the gut.

Effect of in vitro cultivation on human gut microbiota composition using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metabolomics approach

Gut microbiota (GM) plays many key functions and helps maintain the host's health. Consequently, the development of GM cultivation under in vitro stimulating physiological conditions has gained extreme interest in different fields. In this study, we evaluated the impact of four culture media: Gut Microbiota Medium (GMM), Schaedler Broth (SM), Fermentation Medium (FM), and Carbohydrate Free Basal Medium (CFBM) on preserving the biodiversity and metabolic activity of human GM in batch in vitro cultures using PMA treatment coupled with 16S rDNA sequencing (PMA-seq) and LC-HR-MS/MS untargeted metabolomics supplemented with GC-MS SCFA profiling. Before the experiments, we determined the possibility of using the pooled faecal samples (MIX) from healthy donors (n = 15) as inoculum to reduce the number of variables and ensure the reproducibility of in vitro cultivation tests. Results showed the suitability of pooling faecal samples for in vitro cultivation study. Non-cultured MIX inoculum was characterized by higher α-diversity (Shannon effective count, and Effective microbial richness) compared to inocula from individual donors. After 24 h of cultivation, a significant effect of culture media composition on GM taxonomic and metabolomic profiles was observed. The SM and GMM had the highest α-diversity (Shannon effective count). The highest number of core ASVs (125) shared with non-cultured MIX inoculum and total SCFAs production was observed in the SM. These results might contribute to the development of standardized protocols for human GM in vitro cultivation by preventing methodological bias in the data.

Dietary Supplementation of Cedryl Acetate Ameliorates Adiposity and Improves Glucose Homeostasis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Cedryl acetate (CA), also called acetyl cedrene, is approved by the FDA as a flavoring or adjuvant to be added to foods. In this study, we aimed to investigate the preventive benefits of CA on obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndrome caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). Three groups of C57BL/6J mice (ten-week-old) were fed Chow, an HFD, or an HFD with CA supplementation (100 mg/kg) for 19 weeks. We observed that CA supplementation significantly reduced weight gain induced by an HFD, decreased the weight of the visceral fat pads, and prevented adipocyte hypertrophy in mice. Moreover, mice in the CA group showed significant improvements in hepatic lipid accumulation, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and gluconeogenesis compared with the mice in the HFD group. Since 16S rRNA analysis revealed that the gut microbiota in the CA and HFD groups were of similar compositions at the phylum and family levels, CA may have limited effects on gut microbiota in HFD-fed mice. The beneficial effects on the metabolic parameters of CA were reflected by CA's regulation of metabolism-related gene expression in the liver (including Pepck, G6Pase, and Fbp1) and the epididymal white adipose tissues (including PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4, FAS, Cytc, PGC-1α, PRDM16, Cidea, and COX4) of the mice. In summary, a potent preventive effect of CA on HFD-induced obesity and related metabolic syndrome was highlighted by our results, and CA could be a promising dietary component for obesity intervention.

Microbiome Changes in Pregnancy Disorders

The human microbiota comprises all microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, found within a specific environment that live on our bodies and inside us. The last few years have witnessed an explosion of information related to the role of microbiota changes in health and disease. Even though the gut microbiota is considered the most important in maintaining our health, other regions of the human body, such as the oral cavity, lungs, vagina, and skin, possess their own microbiota. Recent work suggests a correlation between the microbiota present during pregnancy and pregnancy complications. The aim of our literature review was to provide a broad overview of this growing and important topic. We focused on the most significant changes in the microbiota in the four more common obstetric diseases affecting women's health. Thus, our attention will be focused on hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, and recurrent miscarriage. Pregnancy is a unique period in a woman's life since the body undergoes different adaptations to provide an optimal environment for fetal growth. Such changes also involve all the microorganisms, which vary in composition and quantity during the three trimesters of gestation. In addition, special attention will be devoted to the potential and fundamental advances in developing clinical applications to prevent and treat those disorders by modulating the microbiota to develop personalized therapies for disease prevention and tailored treatments.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Associating Obesity to Bone Loss

Obesity is an alarming disease that favors the upset of other illnesses and enhances mortality. It is spreading fast worldwide may affect more than 1 billion people by 2030. The imbalance between excessive food ingestion and less energy expenditure leads to pathological adipose tissue expansion, characterized by increased production of proinflammatory mediators with harmful interferences in the whole organism. Bone tissue is one of those target tissues in obesity. Bone is a mineralized connective tissue that is constantly renewed to maintain its mechanical properties. Osteoblasts are responsible for extracellular matrix synthesis, while osteoclasts resorb damaged bone, and the osteocytes have a regulatory role in this process, releasing growth factors and other proteins. A balanced activity among these actors is necessary for healthy bone remodeling. In obesity, several mechanisms may trigger incorrect remodeling, increasing bone resorption to the detriment of bone formation rates. Thus, excessive weight gain may represent higher bone fragility and fracture risk. This review highlights recent insights on the central mechanisms related to obesity-associated abnormal bone. Publications from the last ten years have shown that the main molecular mechanisms associated with obesity and bone loss involve: proinflammatory adipokines and osteokines production, oxidative stress, non-coding RNA interference, insulin resistance, and changes in gut microbiota. The data collection unveils new targets for prevention and putative therapeutic tools against unbalancing bone metabolism during obesity.

Multi-probiotic consumption sex-dependently interferes with MSG-induced obesity and concomitant phagocyte pro-inflammatory polarization in rats: Food for thought about personalized nutrition

Epidemic scope which obesity has reached in many countries necessitates shifting the emphasis in medicine from traditional reaction to individualized and personalized prevention. Numerous trials convincingly prove sexual dimorphism of obesity in morbidity, pathophysiology, comorbidity, outcomes and prophylaxis efficacy. Obesity is characterized by chronic systemic low-grade inflammation that creates the preconditions for the emergence of numerous comorbidities. Leading role in the initiation, propagation and resolution of inflammation belongs to tissue resident and circulating phagocytes. The outcome of inflammation largely depends on phagocyte functional polarization, which in turn is governed by environmental stimuli. Gut microbiota (GM), whose disturbances are one of the key pathogenetic features in obesity, substantially affect phagocyte functions and can either aggravate or calm obesity-associated inflammation. Probiotics possess promising physiological functions, including microbiota-restoring and anti-inflammatory traits, that may possibly help prevent obesity. However, sex-specific effects of probiotic supplementation for targeted obesity prevention remain unknown. The aim of the current study was aimed to compare the effect of multi-probiotic preparation used in prophylactic regimen on the adiposity, profile of culturable GM and its short-chain fatty acids as well as on functional profile of phagocytes from different locations in male and female rats with monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced obesity. Obesity was induced by neonatal MSG injections in male and female rats, who were given the multi-species probiotic during juvenile and adult developmental stages. Culturable fecal and mucosa-associated microbiota of the intestine were examined using selective diagnostic media. Short-chain fatty acid profile in fecal samples was determined by GC-MS. Phagocyte functional profile was evaluated using flow cytometry and colorimetric methods. Probiotic supplementation after the administration of MSG prevented weight gain and fat accumulation, inflammatory phagocyte activation and alterations in GM in female rats. In male MSG-injected rats, probiotic supplementation restricted but did not prevent weight gain and fat deposition, alleviated but did not prevent systemic inflammation, prevented the alterations in GM, but with residual imbalance in the ratio of obligate anaerobic to facultative anaerobic bacteria. Our findings emphasize the necessity of sex-centered approaches to the prophylactic use of probiotics in obesity in the context of predictive preventive and personalized medicine.

Changes in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids are involved in the process of canine obesity after neutering

Neutering is a significant risk factor for obesity in dogs. Changes in gut microbiota and its metabolites have been identified as a key player during obesity progression. However, the mechanisms that promote neuter-associated weight gain are not well understood. Therefore, in this study, sixteen clinically healthy Beagle dogs (6 male and 10 female, mean age = 8.22 ± 0.25 mo old) were neutered. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded at 1 d before neutering, 3, 6, 10, 16, and 21 mo after neutering. Dogs were grouped based on their BCS as ideal weight group (IW, n = 4, mean BW = 13.22 ± 1.30 kg, mean BCS = 5.00 ± 0.41) and obese group (OB, n = 12, mean BW = 18.57 ± 1.08 kg, mean BCS = 7.92 ± 0.82) at 21 mo after neutering. Serum lipid profile, glucose, and hormones and fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured. Our results showed that OB dogs had greater (P < 0.0001) BW (18.57 vs. 13.22 kg), BCS (7.92 vs. 5.00), and average daily gain (12.27 vs. 5.69 g/d) than IW dogs at 21 mo after neutering, and the obesity rate was up to 60%. In addition, significant increases (P < 0.05) in serum triglyceride (TG, 1.10 vs. 0.56 mmol/L) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, 6.96 vs. 5.40 mmol/L) levels and a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum adiponectin (APN, 54.06 vs. 58.39 μg/L) level were observed in OB dogs; serum total cholesterol (4.83 vs. 3.75 mmol/L) (P = 0.075) and leptin (LEP, 2.82 vs. 2.53 μg/L) (P = 0.065) levels tended to be greater in OB dogs; there was a trend towards a lower (P = 0.092) APN/LEP (19.32 vs. 21.81) in OB dogs. Results of fecal microbial alpha-diversity showed that Observed_species and Chao1 indices tended to be lower (P = 0.069) in OB dogs. The STAMP and LEfSe analyses revealed that OB dogs had a greater (P < 0.05 and LDA > 2) reduction in relative abundances of Bacteroides, Prevotella_9, and Megamonas than IW dogs. In addition, OB dogs also had greater (P < 0.05) reduction in fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations than IW dogs. Moreover, clear negative correlations (|r| > 0.5 and P < 0.05) were found between SCFAs-producing bacteria and BW, TG, and HDL-C. The functional predictions of microbial communities based on PICRUSt2 analysis revealed that lipid metabolism and endocrine system were significantly disturbed in obese dogs after neutering. Thus, intervention with SCFAs-producing bacteria might represent a new target for the prevention or treatment of canine obesity after neutering. Moreover, weight control before neutering may also contribute to the prevention of canine obesity after neutering.

Gut Microbiota Modulation for Therapeutic Management of Various Diseases: A New Perspective Using Stem Cell Therapy

Dysbiosis has been linked to various diseases ranging from cardiovascular, neurologic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and metabolic illnesses to cancer. Restoring of gut microbiota balance represents an outstanding clinical target for the management of various multidrug-resistant diseases. Preservation of gut microbial diversity and composition could also improve stem cell therapy which now has diverse clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine. Gut microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy may be considered a highly promising field that could add up towards the improvement of different diseases, increasing the outcome and efficacy of each other through mutual interplay or interaction between both therapies. Importantly, more investigations are required to reveal the cross-talk between microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy to pave the way for the development of new therapies with enhanced therapeutic outcomes. This review provides an overview of dysbiosis in various diseases and their management. It also discusses microbiota modulation via antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplant to introduce the concept of dysbiosis correction for the management of various diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrate the beneficial interactions between microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy as a way for the development of new therapies in addition to limitations and future challenges regarding the applications of these therapies.

Migraine and obesity: what is the real direction of their association?

INTRODUCTION

In recent decades, studies have addressed the issue of how migraine and obesity are related and have suggested obesity as a risk factor for migraine headache. However, the exact direction of this relationship remains under debate. In this review, the authors summarize the evidence that have suggested migraine as a risk factor for obesity and overweightness.

AREAS COVERED

This article reviews the results of the previous research published on PubMed and Scopus databases (from 2000 to 2020) concerning the association between migraine and obesity to determine the actual direction of their association. Special attention has been given to the common mechanistic pathways involved in the pathophysiology of migraine and obesity.

EXPERT OPINION

The majority of research conducted thus far has considered obesity as a risk factor for migraine. However, because of the cross-sectional design of available research, we cannot be certain of the proposed direction of this association. There is evidence supporting the hypothesis that obesity can serve as a consequence of migraine through the effects of neuropeptides, inflammatory mediators, adipokines, gut microbiota and modifications in eating behavior and lifestyle. However, the real direction of the relationship between migraine and obesity should be further investigated in large prospective studies.

Accumulation of Black Carbon Particles in Placenta, Cord Blood, and Childhood Urine in Association with the Intestinal Microbiome Diversity and Composition in Four- to Six-Year-Old Children in the ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiome plays an essential role in human health. Despite the link between air pollution exposure and various diseases, its association with the gut microbiome during susceptible life periods remains scarce.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we examined the association between black carbon particles quantified in prenatal and postnatal biological matrices and bacterial richness and diversity measures, and bacterial families.

METHODS

A total of 85 stool samples were collected from 4- to 6-y-old children enrolled in the ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing birth cohort. We performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to calculate bacterial richness and diversity indices (Chao1 richness, Shannon diversity, and Simpson diversity) and the relative abundance of bacterial families. Black carbon particles were quantified via white light generation under femtosecond pulsed laser illumination in placental tissue and cord blood, employed as prenatal exposure biomarkers, and in urine, used as a post-natal exposure biomarker. We used robust multivariable-adjusted linear models to examine the associations between quantified black carbon loads and measures of richness (Chao1 index) and diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices), adjusting for parity, season of delivery, sequencing batch, age, sex, weight and height of the child, and maternal education. Additionally, we performed a differential relative abundance analysis of bacterial families with a correction for sampling fraction bias. Results are expressed as percentage difference for a doubling in black carbon loads with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Two diversity indices were negatively associated with placental black carbon [Shannon: -4.38% (95% CI: -8.31%, -0.28%); Simpson: -0.90% (95% CI: -1.76%, -0.04%)], cord blood black carbon [Shannon: -3.38% (95% CI: -5.66%, -0.84%); Simpson: -0.91 (95% CI: -1.66%, -0.16%)], and urinary black carbon [Shannon: -3.39% (95% CI: -5.77%, -0.94%); Simpson: -0.89% (95% CI: -1.37%, -0.40%)]. The explained variance of black carbon on the above indices varied from 6.1% to 16.6%. No statistically significant associations were found between black carbon load and the Chao1 richness index. After multiple testing correction, placental black carbon was negatively associated with relative abundance of the bacterial families Defluviitaleaceae and Marinifilaceae, and urinary black carbon with Christensenellaceae and Coriobacteriaceae; associations with cord blood black carbon were not statistically significant after correction.

CONCLUSION

Black carbon particles quantified in prenatal and postnatal biological matrices were associated with the composition and diversity of the childhood intestinal microbiome. These findings address the influential role of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and early life in human health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11257.

Lactobacillus spp. in the reproductive system of female moths and mating induced changes and possible transmission

BACKGROUND

The microbiome in the insect reproductive tract is poorly understood. Our previous study demonstrated the presence of Lactobacillus spp. in female moths, but their distribution and function remain unclear. Lactobacillus spp. are known as the 'healthy' vaginal microbiome in humans.

RESULTS

Here, we studied the microbiome in the reproductive system (RS) and gut of Spodoptera frugiperda using 16S rDNA sequences. The obtained 4315 bacterial OTUs were classified into 61 phyla and 642 genera, with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota being the top three dominant phyla and Enterococcus and Asaia being dominant genera in most samples. Mating dramatically increased the abundance of pathogens or pathogenic functions in the gut, while in the RS, the change range was trivial. Taxonomy assignment identified thirteen Lactobacillus spp. in S. frugiperda, with Lactobacillus crustorum and Lactobacillus murinus showing high abundance. Three species found in S. frugiperda, namely L. reuteri, L. plantarum and L. brevis, have also been identified as human 'healthy' vaginal bacterial species. Lactobacillus spp. showed higher abundance in the RS of virgin females and lower abundance in the RS of virgin males and the gut of virgin females. Mating reduced their abundance in the RS of females but increased their abundance in the RS of males, especially in males mated with multiple females. The RS of virgin females and of multiple mated males were very similar in terms of composition and abundance of Lactobacillus species, with Lactobacillus crustorum showing much higher abundance in both tissues, potentially due to sexual transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactobacillus spp. showed high abundance and diversity in the RS of female moths. The higher abundance of Lactobacillus spp. in the RS of female moths and the similarity of Lactobacillus species in female moths with human 'healthy' vaginal Lactobacillus spp. suggest that these bacterial strains are also an important microbiome in the RS of female moths.

Plantain flour: A potential anti-obesity ingredient for intestinal flora regulation and improved hormone secretion

Introduction

Development of functional food ingredients with anti-obesity is a growing interest in the global food industry. Plantain (Musa spp. AAB), a special type of cooking/starchy banana, is widely growing in African and Latin American countries. The flour made from unripe plantain pulp, which is considered as a natural source of indigestible carbohydrates such as resistant starch (RS), could be used in the formulation of diverse functional foods due to its anti-obesity properties. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-obesity properties of plantain flour are not explored.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the changes in serum hormone levels, liver transcriptome profiles, and the modulation of gut microbiota in high-fat-fed Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The male SD rats were divided into six groups, viz. two control groups [non-obese (NC) or obese (OC)] which were not given the supplementation, one positive control (PC) group which received orlistat supplementation (60 mg/kg body weight/day), and three groups of obese rats which were supplemented with unripe plantain flour (UPF) at a dosage (body weight/day) of 1.25 g/kg (low-dose, LD), 2.50 g/kg (intermediate-dose, MD) or 5.0 g/kg (high-dose, HD).

Results and discussion

It was found that UPF supplementation could lower the insulin levels of the obese rats. Moreover, UPF supplementation had a positive impact on gut microbiota, decreasing the relative abundances of Blautia, Parasutterella and Fusicatenibacter which were closely related to obesity, and increasing the relative abundances of probiotics (Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Staphylococcus, and Bacteroides). The spearman correlation analysis revealed that UPF supplementation reduced the relative abundance of Parasutterella and possibly decreased the blood sugar levels, leading to a decrease in the relative abundances of Blautia and Fusicatenibacter and a subsequent decrease in insulin levels. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of the liver tissues displayed that the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-1α (PPAR) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway genes (Pparaa, Cpt1a, Prkaa1, Prkab1, Prkaa2, and Ppargc1a) were upregulated in those groups supplemented with UPF. These results indicated that UPF could mediate the glucolipid metabolism in the obese rats. Taken together, our findings suggested that the anti-obesity properties of UPF could be achieved by decreasing the insulin levels, positive-regulating of the gut microbiota composition as well as altering gene expression related to glucolipid metabolism.

The relationship between menopausal syndrome and gut microbes

Background

Gut microbes were closely related to women’s health. Previous studies reported that the gut microbes of premenopausal women were different from those of postmenopausal women. However, little was known about the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and menopausal syndrome (MPS). The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between MPS and gut microbes.

Methods

Patients with MPS (P group, n = 77) and healthy women (H group, n = 24) at menopause were recruited in this study. The stool specimen and clinical parameters (demographic data, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), et al) of participants’ were collected. We evaluated the differences in gut microbes by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We used LEfSe to identify gut microbes with varying abundances in different groups. The Spearman correlation coefficients of clinical parameters and gut microbes were calculated. PICRUSt was used to predict the potential KEGG Ortholog functional profiles of microbial communities.

Results

The abundance of 14 species differed substantially between the MPS and menopausal healthy women (LDA significance threshold > 2.0) according to LEfSe analysis. Using Spearman’s correlation analysis, it was discovered that E2 had a positive correlation with Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis, Acinetobacter guillouiae (p < 0.05, these three species were enriched in menopausal healthy women), while FSH and LH had a negative correlation with them (p < 0.05). KEGG level3 metabolic pathways relevant to cardiovascular disease and carbohydrate metabolism were enriched in the MPS (p < 0.05), according to functional prediction by PICRUST and analyzed by Dunn test.

Conclusion

There was gut microbiota dysbiosis in MPS, which is reflected in the deficiency of the abundance of Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis and Acinetobacter guillouiae related to the level of sex hormones. In MPS individuals, species with altered abundances and unique functional pathways were found.

What is the role of phenolic compounds of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in gut microbiota?

Diet actively influences gut microbiota and body homeostasis. The predominance of beneficial species results in symbiosis, while dysbiosis is characterized by an imbalance between microbial communities. Food plays a key role in this dynamic and in promoting the health of individuals. Ilex paraguariensis, also known as yerba mate, is a traditional plant from Latin America that has a complex matrix of bioactive substances, including methylxanthines, triterpenes, saponins, and phenolics. The consumption of yerba mate is associated with antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies on yerba mate as a modulating agent of intestinal microbiota. Phenolics are the major compounds in yerba mate and have been reported to act in modulating the microbiome. In this review, we explore the activity of yerba mate as a possible stimulant of gut microbiota and present its main phenolics and their biological effects. We also propose different mechanisms of action of these phenolics and possible doses for their effectiveness.

The intestinal microbiome associated with lipid metabolism and obesity in humans and animals

Intestinal microbiota is considered to play an integral role in maintaining health of host by modulating several physiological functions including nutrition, metabolism and immunity. Accumulated data from human and animal studies indicate that intestinal microbes can affect lipid metabolism in host through various direct and indirect biological mechanisms. These mechanisms include the production of various signalling molecules by the intestinal microbiome, which exert a strong effect on lipid metabolism, bile secretion in the liver, reverse transport of cholesterol and energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. This review discusses the findings of recent studies suggesting an emerging role of intestinal microbiota and its metabolites in regulating lipid metabolism and the association of intestinal microbiota with obesity. Additionally, we discuss the controversies and challenges in this research area. However, intestinal micro-organisms are also affected by some external factors, which in turn influence the regulation of microbial lipid metabolism. Therefore, we also discuss the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, diet structure, exercise and other factors on intestinal microbiological changes and lipid metabolism regulation.

The Role of Individually Selected Diets in Obese Women with PCOS-A Review

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common heterogeneous endocrine and metabolic disorders in premenopausal women. It is a complex multifactorial disorder with strong epigenetic and environmental influences, including factors related to eating habits and lifestyle. There is a close relationship between obesity and PCOS. Weight gain and obesity are often clinical symptoms manifested by biochemical markers. Moreover, abdominal obesity in women with PCOS is involved in the development of inflammatory changes. A significant share of balanced therapies correcting the lifestyle of patients is suggested, e.g., with the implementation of appropriate diets to minimize exposure to inflammatory factors and prevent abnormal immune system stimulation. In the case of obese patients with PCOS, planning a diet program and supporting the motivation to change eating habits play an important role to lose weight and lower BMI. Probiotics/synbiotic supplementation may enhance weight loss during the diet program and additionally positively affect metabolic and inflammatory factors by improving the intestinal microbiome.

Role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes mullites: Advanced research-based review

Gut microbiota plays an important role in the proper functioning of human organisms, while its dysbiosis is associated with disease in various body organs. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a set of heterogeneous metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia caused by direct or indirect insulin deficiency. There is growing evidence that gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely linked to the development of DM. Gut microbiota composition changes in type 1 diabetes mullites (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mullites (T2DM) patients, which may cause gut leakiness and uncontrolled entry of antigens into the circulation system, triggering an immune response that damages the isle β cells or metabolic disorders. This review summarizes gut microbiota composition in healthy individuals and compares it to diabetes mullites patients. The possible pathogenesis by which gut microbiota dysbiosis causes DM, particularly gut leakiness and changes in gut microbiota metabolites is also discussed. It also presents the process of microbial-based therapies of DM.

Study on the Relationship Between Diet, Physical Health and Gut Microflora of Chinese College Students

Many elements of a modern lifestyle influence the gut microbiota but few studies have explored the effect of physical health level. This study was aimed to explore the relationship between diet, physical health and gut microbiota in Chinese college students. A total of 69 college students were recruited, including 27 college athletes (AS group) and 42 healthy controls (HC group). Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing. According to National Standards for Students' Physical Health (2014 revision), physical fitness measurements, dietary intake and health-related data were collected via questionnaires. ①According to the physical fitness scores, the physical fitness level of AS group was significantly higher than that of HC group (P < 0.05), there were no significant differences between the two groups in the frequency of intake of food. The frequency and duration of physical activity in the AS group were higher than those in the HC group (P < 0.05); ②The proportion and relative abundances of microorganism composition is varying at two groups: on the phylum level, AS group had mainly increased Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and reduced Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria; on the genus level, AS group had mainly increased Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium and reduced Bacteroides; ③The associations with the 10 most abundant bacterial genera and physical fitness, dietary factors were investigated. Changes in the gut microbiota abundance can be sometimes reflective of a physical health status. Loss of the balance of gut microbial populations will lead to flora disorders and diseases. Therefore, further studies are needed to reveal the mechanisms behind the gut microbiota in its potential role.

The role of Mediterranean diet and gut microbiota in type-2 diabetes mellitus associated with obesity (diabesity)

The human body is made up of 10¹⁴ human cells and 10¹⁵ bacterial cells, forming a combined structure that is described as a "superorganism". Commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms in the human body, many of which are located inside the intestine, affect health conditions and diseases. An important factor contributing to the development of chronic diseases is dysbiosis, which occurs when the number of pathogenic microorganisms increases. Dysbiosis is associated with increased intestinal permeability, endotoxemia (increased LPS), pro-inflammatory cytokine release, energy harvest, and adiposity, thus being involved in the pathogenesis of disorders like diabetes and obesity. Nutritional habits are the most important environmental factor that affects intestinal microbial composition. A dietary pattern that was proven successful in regulating gut microbiota is the renowned Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by high plant-based foods consumption, moderate fish and dairy products consumption, and low red meat consumption. There is an inverse relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. In addition to the direct effects of the Mediterranean diet on the pathogenesis of these diseases, it can also be effective in preventing these diseases due to its effects on the intestinal microbiota. It is noted that the number of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides increases the longer one's eating habit adhere to the Mediterranean diet, and the number of Firmicutes decreases, accordingly, thus supporting the symbiotic distribution in the intestinal microbiota.

Bifidobacterium longum 070103 Fermented Milk Improve Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders by Regulating Gut Microbiota in Mice

Background: Fermented milk is beneficial for metabolic disorders, while the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study explored the benefits and underlying mechanisms of Bifidobacterium longum 070103 fermented milk (BLFM) in thirteen-week high-fat and high-sugar (HFHS) fed mice using omics techniques. Methods and results: BLFM with activated glucokinase (GK) was screened by a double-enzyme coupling method. After supplementing BLFM with 10 mL/kg BW per day, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and leptin were significantly reduced compared with the HFHS group. Among them, the final body weight (BW), epididymal fat, perirenal fat, and brown fat in BLFM group had better change trends than Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG fermented milk (LGGFM) group. The amplicon and metabolomic data analysis identified Bifibacterium as a key gut microbiota at regulating glycolipid metabolism. BLFM reverses HFHS-induced reduction in bifidobacteria abundance. Further studies showed that BLFM significantly reduces the content of 3-indoxyl sulofphate associated with intestinal barrier damage. In addition, mice treated with BLFM improved BW, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. Conclusion: BLFM consumption attenuates obesity and related symptoms in HFHS-fed mice probably via the modulation of gut microbes and metabolites.

Homeostasis in the Gut Microbiota in Chronic Kidney Disease

The gut microbiota consists of trillions of microorganisms, fulfilling important roles in metabolism, nutritional intake, physiology and maturation of the immune system, but also aiding and abetting the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The human gut microbiome consists of bacterial species from five major bacterial phyla, namely Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. Alterations in the members of these phyla alter the total gut microbiota, with a decline in the number of symbiotic flora and an increase in the pathogenic bacteria, causing or aggravating CKD. In addition, CKD-associated alteration of this intestinal microbiome results in metabolic changes and the accumulation of amines, indoles and phenols, among other uremic metabolites, which have a feedforward adverse effect on CKD patients, inhibiting renal functions and increasing comorbidities such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A classification of uremic toxins according to the degree of known toxicity based on the experimental evidence of their toxicity (number of systems affected) and overall experimental and clinical evidence was selected to identify the representative uremic toxins from small water-soluble compounds, protein-bound compounds and middle molecules and their relation to the gut microbiota was summarized. Gut-derived uremic metabolites accumulating in CKD patients further exhibit cell-damaging properties, damage the intestinal epithelial cell wall, increase gut permeability and lead to the translocation of bacteria and endotoxins from the gut into the circulatory system. Elevated levels of endotoxins lead to endotoxemia and inflammation, further accelerating CKD progression. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiome in CKD pathophysiology has emerged as an important aspect of corrective treatment; however, the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota contributes to CKD progression are still not completely understood. Therefore, this review summarizes the current state of research regarding CKD and the gut microbiota, alterations in the microbiome, uremic toxin production, and gut epithelial barrier degradation.

Unhealthy Diets Induce Distinct and Regional Effects on Intestinal Inflammatory Signalling Pathways and Long-Lasting Metabolic Dysfunction in Rats

The intestinal epithelium is a principal site for environmental agents’ detection. Several inflammation- and stress-related signalling pathways have been identified as key players in these processes. However, it is still unclear how the chronic intake of inadequate nutrients triggers inflammatory signalling pathways in different intestinal regions. We aimed to evaluate the impact of unhealthy dietary patterns, starting at a younger age, and the association with metabolic dysfunction, intestinal inflammatory response, and obesity in adulthood. A rat model was used to evaluate the effects of the consumption of sugary beverages (HSD) and a Western diet (WD), composed of ultra-processed foods. Both diets showed a positive correlation with adiposity index, but a positive correlation was found between the HSD diet and the levels of blood glucose and triglycerides, whereas the WD diet correlated positively with triglyceride levels. Moreover, a distinct inflammatory response was associated with either the WD or HSD diets. The WD induced an increase in TLR2, TLR4, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) intestinal gene expression, with higher levels in the colon and overexpression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase. In turn, the HSD diet induced activation of the TLR2-mediated NF-κB signalling pathway in the small intestine. Altogether, these findings support the concept that early intake of unhealthy foods and nutrients are a main exogenous signal for disturbances of intestinal immune mechanisms and in a region-specific manner, ultimately leading to obesity-related disorders in later life.

Association between Microbiome-Related Human Genetic Variants and Fasting Plasma Glucose in a High-Cardiovascular-Risk Mediterranean Population

Background and Objectives: The gut microbiota has been increasingly recognized as a relevant factor associated with metabolic diseases. However, directly measuring the microbiota composition is a limiting factor for several studies. Therefore, using genetic variables as proxies for the microbiota composition is an important issue. Landmark microbiome–host genome-wide association studies (mbGWAS) have identified many SNPs associated with gut microbiota. Our aim was to analyze the association between relevant microbiome-related genetic variants (Mi-RSNPs) and fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes in a Mediterranean population, exploring the interaction with Mediterranean diet adherence. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in a high-cardiovascular-risk Mediterranean population (n = 1020), analyzing the association of Mi-RSNPs (from four published mbGWAS) with fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes. A single-variant approach was used for fitting fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes to a multivariable regression model. In addition, a Mendelian randomization analysis with multiple variants was performed as a sub-study. Results: We obtained several associations between Mi-RSNPs and fasting plasma glucose involving gut Gammaproteobacteria_HB, the order Rhizobiales, the genus Rumminococcus torques group, and the genus Tyzzerella as the top ranked. For type 2 diabetes, we also detected significant associations with Mi-RSNPs related to the order Rhizobiales, the family Desulfovibrionaceae, and the genus Romboutsia. In addition, some Mi-RSNPs and adherence to Mediterranean diet interactions were detected. Lastly, the formal Mendelian randomization analysis suggested combined effects. Conclusions: Although the use of Mi-RSNPs as proxies of the microbiome is still in its infancy, and although this is the first study analyzing such associations with fasting plasma glucose and type 2 diabetes in a Mediterranean population, some interesting associations, as well as modulations, with adherence to the Mediterranean diet were detected in these high-cardiovascular-risk subjects, eliciting new hypotheses.

Relationship between rumen microbial differences and traits among Hu sheep, Tan sheep, and Dorper sheep

Rumen microbes play an important role in the growth and development of ruminants. Differences in variety will affect the rumen community structure. The three excellent sheep breeds were selected for this study (Hu sheep, Tan sheep, and Dorper sheep) have different uses and origins. The sheep were raised on the same diet to 180 d of age in a consistent environment. 16S rDNA V3 to V4 region sequencing was used to assess the rumen microbes of 180 individuals (60 per breed). There were differences in microbial diversity among different sheep breeds (P < 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis showed that the three varieties were separated, but also partially overlapped. Linear discriminant analysis effect size identified a total of 19 biomarkers in three breeds. Of these biomarkers, five in Hu sheep were significantly negatively correlated with average feed conversion rate (P < 0.05). Six biomarkers were identified in the rumen of Dorper sheep, among which Ruminococcus was significantly positively correlated with body weight at 80 d (P < 0.05). In Tan sheep, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was significantly positively correlated with meat fat, and significantly positively correlated with volatile fatty acids (VFAs), such as butyric acid and isobutyric acid (P < 0.05). The Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group may regulate Tan mutton fat deposition by affecting the concentration of VFAs. Functional prediction revealed enrichment differences of functional pathways among different sheep breeds were small. All were enriched in functions, such as fermentation and chemoheterotrophy. The results show that there are differences in the rumen microorganisms of the different sheep breeds, and that the microorganisms influence the host.

Portulaca oleracea polysaccharides reduce serum lipid levels in aging rats by modulating intestinal microbiota and metabolites

Metabolic diseases characterized by dyslipidemia are common health problems for elderly populations. Dietary fiber intake is inversely associated with the risk of dyslipidemia. This study investigated the effects of Portulaca oleracea polysaccharide (POP) on the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites in aging rats using 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques. Our results showed that POPs reduced the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B), relative abundance of Fusobacteria, and levels of triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) in the serum of aging rats. POP supplementation also reduced 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,25-tetrol, and vaccenic acid concentrations in lipids and lipoid-like molecules, while soyasapogenol E and monoacylglycerol (MG) (24:0/0:0/0:0) levels increased. This study demonstrated that POP’s beneficial effects on lipid levels in aging rats might be partially attributable to the modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites.

Changes in the composition of gut and vaginal microbiota in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis

Background

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is influenced by estrogen metabolism and immune response, which are modulated by several factors including the microbiome and inflammation. Therefore, there is increasing interest in understanding the role of microbiota in PMO.

Objectives

To investigate variations in gut microbiota (GM) and vaginal microbiota (VM) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods

A total of 132 postmenopausal women were recruited for the study and divided into osteoporosis (n = 34), osteopenia (n = 47), and control (n = 51) groups based on their T score. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing was performed to investigate the GM and VM of the participants.

Results

Significant differences were observed in the microbial compositions of fecal and vaginal samples between groups (p < 0.05). It was noted that for GM, Romboutsia, unclassified_Mollicutes, and Weissella spp. were enriched in the control group, whereas the abundances of Fusicatenibacter, Lachnoclostridium, and Megamonas spp. were higher in the osteoporosis group than in the other groups. Additionally, for VM, Lactobacillus was enriched in the control group, whereas the abundances of Peptoniphilus, Propionimicrobium, and Gallicola spp. were higher in the osteoporosis group than in the other groups. The predicted functional capacities of GM and VM were different in the various groups. We also found that the serum level of IL-10 in the osteoporosis group was significantly lower than that in the control group and osteopenia group, while TNF-α was significantly higher in the osteoporosis group than that in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results show that changes in BMD in postmenopausal women are associated with the changes in GM and VM; however, changes in GM are more closely correlated with PMO than VM.