Clostridium butyricum Inhibits Fat Deposition via Increasing the Frequency of Adipose Tissue-Resident Regulatory T Cells

Effects of Clostridium butyricum and inulin supplementation on intestinal microbial composition in high-fat diet fed mice

Obesity has become a serious epidemic problem in the world, and probiotics and prebiotics have been used to treat obesity. The effectiveness of diet therapy such as Clostridium butyricum (CB) and inulin supplementation in obesity and whether they can cooperate to produce better effects are still unclear. And during this process, intestinal flora play an important role, while the bacteria involved and the metabolic mechanism need to be explored. In this study, we successfully established a mouse obesity model with a high-fat diet (HFD) and divided it into three experimental groups: 7% CB (CB7), 7% CB + 1% inulin (C7G1), and 10% CB + 1% inulin (C10G). Dietary supplementation with CB and inulin could improve the glucose tolerance and intestinal microbial composition of obese mice, among which the simultaneous supplementation with 7% CB and 1% inulin (C7G1) has the most significant effect on obese mice fed with a HFD. It could significantly reduce the amount of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein, improve abnormal glucose tolerance, and reduce abnormal blood glucose in obese mice. The intestinal flora of obese mice changed significantly, among which Lachnospiraceae_unclassified, Porphyromonaceae_unclassified, Olsenella, Bacteria_unclassified and Clostridiales_unclassified decreased due to the HFD, while Megamonas and Clostridium XIVa increased. After the supplementation with CB and inulin, the enrichment of three kinds of beneficial bacteria, Parabacteroides, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae unclassified increased. The high-fat diet could upregulate the expression of FGF21, and the Clostridium butyricum and inulin supplemented diet could decrease the upregulation.

The dynamic shifts of IL-10-producing Th17 and IL-17-producing Treg in health and disease: a crosstalk between ancient "Yin-Yang" theory and modern immunology

The changes in T regulatory cell (Treg) and T helper cell (Th) 17 ratios holds paramount importance in ensuring internal homeostasis and disease progression. Recently, novel subsets of Treg and Th17, namely IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 have been identified. IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 are widely considered as the intermediates during Treg/Th17 transformation. These "bi-functional" cells exhibit plasticity and have been demonstrated with important roles in multiple physiological functions and disease processes. Yin and Yang represent opposing aspects of phenomena according to the ancient Chinese philosophy "Yin-Yang" theory. Furthermore, Yin can transform into Yang, and vice versa, under specific conditions. This theory has been widely used to describe the contrasting functions of immune cells and molecules. Therefore, immune-activating populations (Th17, M1 macrophage, etc.) and immune overreaction (inflammation, autoimmunity) can be considered Yang, while immunosuppressive populations (Treg, M2 macrophage, etc.) and immunosuppression (tumor, immunodeficiency) can be considered Yin. However, another important connotation of "Yin-Yang" theory, the conversion between Yin and Yang, has been rarely documented in immune studies. The discovery of IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 enriches the meaning of "Yin-Yang" theory and further promotes the relationship between ancient "Yin-Yang" theory and modern immunology. Besides, illustrating the functions of IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 and mechanisms governing their differentiation provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the dynamically changing statement of immune statement in health and diseases.

Orm2 Deficiency Aggravates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity through Gut Microbial Dysbiosis and Intestinal Inflammation

SCOPE

Orosomucoid 2 (Orm2) is a hepatocyte-secreted protein that plays a crucial role in regulating obesity-type metabolic disease and immunity. The imbalance of gut microbiota is one of the causes of obesity, but the mechanism of the relationship between Orm2 and gut microbiota in obesity remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Orm2-/- (Orm2 knockout) mice on a normal diet developed spontaneous obesity and metabolic disturbances at the 20th week. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the study finds that the gut microbiota of Orm2-/- mice has a different microbial composition compared to wild type (WT) mice. Furthermore, a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks exacerbates obesity in Orm2-/- mice. Lack of Orm2 promotes dysregulation of gut microbiota under the HFD, especially a reduction of Clostridium spp. Supplementation with Clostridium butyricum alleviates obesity and alters the gut microbial composition in WT mice, but has minimal effects on Orm2-/- mice. In contrast, co-housing of Orm2-/- mice with WT mice rescues Orm2-/- obesity by reducing pathogenic bacteria and mitigating intestinal inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest Orm2 deficiency exacerbates HFD-induced gut microbiota disturbance and intestinal inflammation, providing a novel insight into the complex bacterial flora but not a single probiotic administration in the therapeutic strategy of obesity.

Clostridium butyricum Strain CCFM1299 Reduces Obesity via Increasing Energy Expenditure and Modulating Host Bile Acid Metabolism

Clostridium butyricum is a butyrate-producing microorganism which has beneficial effects on various diseases, including obesity. In our previous study, the anti-obesity Clostridium butyricum strain CCFM1299 (C20_1_1) was selected, but its anti-obesity mechanism was not clarified. Herein, CCFM1299 was orally administrated to high-fat-diet-treated C57BL/6J mice for 12 weeks to uncover the way the strain alleviates obesity. The results indicated that CCFM1299 alleviated obesity through increasing the energy expenditure and increasing the expression of genes related to thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Moreover, strain CCFM1299 could also affect the expression of immune-related genes in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). This immunomodulatory effect might be achieved through its influence on the complement system, as the expression of the complement factor D (CFD) gene decreased significantly. From the view of metabolites, CCFM1299 administration increased the levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in feces and taurohyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA) in serum. Together, the anti-obesity potential of CCFM1299 might be attributed to the increase in energy consumption, the regulation of immune-related gene expression in eWAT, and the alteration of bile acid metabolism in the host. These provided new insights into the potential application of anti-obesity microbial preparations and postbiotics.

Alteration of gut microbiome and metabolome by Clostridium butyricum can repair the intestinal dysbiosis caused by antibiotics in mice

This study evaluated the repair effects of Clostridium butyricum (CBX 2021) on the antibiotic (ABX)-induced intestinal dysbiosis in mice by the multi-omics method. Results showed that ABX eliminated more than 90% of cecal bacteria and also exerted adverse effects on the intestinal structure and overall health in mice after 10 days of the treatment. Of interest, supplementing CBX 2021 in the mice for the next 10 days colonized more butyrate-producing bacteria and accelerated butyrate production compared with the mice by natural recovery. The reconstruction of intestinal microbiota efficiently promoted the improvement of the damaged gut morphology and physical barrier in the mice. In addition, CBX 2021 significantly reduced the content of disease-related metabolites and meanwhile promoted carbohydrate digestion and absorption in mice followed the microbiome alternation. In conclusion, CBX 2021 can repair the intestinal ecology of mice damaged by the antibiotics through reconstructing gut microbiota and optimizing metabolic functions.

The role of WNT10B in physiology and disease: A 10-year update

WNT10B, a member of the WNT family of secreted glycoproteins, activates the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade to control proliferation, stemness, pluripotency, and cell fate decisions. WNT10B plays roles in many tissues, including bone, adipocytes, skin, hair, muscle, placenta, and the immune system. Aberrant WNT10B signaling leads to several diseases, such as osteoporosis, obesity, split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM), fibrosis, dental anomalies, and cancer. We reviewed WNT10B a decade ago, and here we provide a comprehensive update to the field. Novel research on WNT10B has expanded to many more tissues and diseases. WNT10B polymorphisms and mutations correlate with many phenotypes, including bone mineral density, obesity, pig litter size, dog elbow dysplasia, and cow body size. In addition, the field has focused on the regulation of WNT10B using upstream mediators, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We also discussed the therapeutic implications of WNT10B regulation. In summary, research conducted during 2012-2022 revealed several new, diverse functions in the role of WNT10B in physiology and disease.

Clostridium butyricum Can Promote Bone Development by Regulating Lymphocyte Function in Layer Pullets

Bone health problems are a serious threat to laying hens; microbiome-based therapies, which are harmless and inexpensive, may be an effective solution for bone health problems. Here, we examined the impacts of supplementation with Clostridium butyricum (CB) on bone and immune homeostasis in pullets. The results of in vivo experiments showed that feeding the pullets CB was beneficial to the development of the tibia and upregulated the levels of the bone formation marker alkaline phosphatase and the marker gene runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). For the immune system, CB treatment significantly upregulated IL-10 expression and significantly increased the proportion of T regulatory (Treg) cells in the spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes. In the in vitro test, adding CB culture supernatant or butyrate to the osteoblast culture system showed no significant effects on osteoblast bone formation, while adding lymphocyte culture supernatant significantly promoted bone formation. In addition, culture supernatants supplemented with treated lymphocytes (pretreated with CB culture supernatants) stimulated higher levels of bone formation. In sum, the addition of CB improved bone health by modulating cytokine expression and the ratio of Treg cells in the immune systems of layer pullets. Additionally, in vitro CB could promote the bone formation of laying hen osteoblasts through the mediation of lymphocytes.

Diet-Related Changes of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Blood and Feces in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity-related illnesses are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with numerous health issues. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to have multiple effects throughout the body, both directly as well as through specific G protein-coupled receptors. The main SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are absorbed in varying degrees from the large intestine, with some acting mainly locally and others systemically. Diet has the potential to influence the gut microbial composition, as well as the type and amount of SCFAs produced. High fiber-containing foods and supplements increase the production of SCFAs and SCFA-producing bacteria in the gut and have been shown to have bodyweight-lowering effects. Dietary supplements, which increase SCFA production, could open the way for novel approaches to weight loss interventions. The aim of this review is to analyze the variations of fecal and blood SCFAs in obesity and metabolic syndrome through a systematic search and analysis of existing literature.

The role of the gut microbiota in health and cardiovascular diseases

The gut microbiota is critical to human health, such as digesting nutrients, forming the intestinal epithelial barrier, regulating immune function, producing vitamins and hormones, and producing metabolites to interact with the host. Meanwhile, increasing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota has a strong correlation with the occurrence, progression and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In patients with CVDs and corresponding risk factors, the composition and ratio of gut microbiota have significant differences compared with their healthy counterparts. Therefore, gut microbiota dysbiosis, gut microbiota-generated metabolites, and the related signaling pathway may serve as explanations for some of the mechanisms about the occurrence and development of CVDs. Several studies have also demonstrated that many traditional and latest therapeutic treatments of CVDs are associated with the gut microbiota and its generated metabolites and related signaling pathways. Given that information, we summarized the latest advances in the current research regarding the effect of gut microbiota on health, the main cardiovascular risk factors, and CVDs, highlighted the roles and mechanisms of several metabolites, and introduced corresponding promising treatments for CVDs regarding the gut microbiota. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on exploring the role of gut microbiota related metabolites and their therapeutic potential in CVDs, which may eventually provide better solutions in the development of therapeutic treatment as well as the prevention of CVDs.