Manipulations of the gut microbiome alter chemotherapy-induced inflammation and behavioral side effects in female mice

Metabolomics and 16S rDNA sequencing of intestinal flora reveal the regulation of Sparassis latifolia polysaccharides on splenic immune function in lead-exposed mice

Sparassis latifolia polysaccharides (SLPs) have immunomodulatory activity and lead excretion ability, but its regulatory mechanism through the gut microbiota-spleen axis has not been elucidated. In this study, spleen metabolomics and intestinal flora sequencing were combined to explore the regulatory mechanism of SLPs on spleen immune function in lead-exposed mice. The results showed that SLPs effectively reduced spleen lead content, alleviated spleen enlargement and oxidative stress. SLPs changed glycerophospholipid metabolism, increased lysophosphatidylcholine content and inhibited the expression of G2A, ERK2 and NF-kB genes and the phosphorylation of ERK2 and NF-kB in lead-exposed mice. Furthermore, SLPs inhibited potential intestinal pathogens such as Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae and Alistipes_indistinctus, which were positively correlated with phosphatidylethanolamine metabolites. In addition, SLPs reduced the spleen tissue damage of lead-exposed mice by co-housing, and reduced the relative abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Prevotellaceae, and RF39, which were positively correlated with spleen enlargement, and inhibited the expression of ERK2/NF-κB signaling pathway-related genes such as G2A, ERK2 and Fas. In summary, SLPs can reduce the relative abundance of pathogenic microorganisms by regulating the structure of intestinal flora, regulate the glycerophospholipid metabolism of spleen in lead-exposed mice, alleviate oxidative damage and inflammatory response, and restore spleen immune function.

Cutting-Edge iPSC-Based Approaches in Studying Host-Microbe Interactions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Gut microbiota (GM), together with its metabolites (such as SCFA, tryptophan, dopamine, GABA, etc.), plays an important role in the functioning of the central nervous system. Various neurological and psychiatric disorders are associated with changes in the composition of GM and their metabolites, which puts them in the foreground as a potential adjuvant therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this relationship are not clear enough. Therefore, before considering beneficial microbes and/or their metabolites as potential therapeutics for brain disorders, the mechanisms underlying microbiota-host interactions must be identified and characterized in detail. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of GM alterations observed in prevalent neurological and psychiatric disorders, multiple sclerosis, major depressive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorders, together with experimental evidence of their potential to improve patients' quality of life. We further discuss the main obstacles in the study of GM-host interactions and describe the state-of-the-art solution and trends in this field, namely "culturomics" which enables the culture and identification of novel bacteria that inhabit the human gut, and models of the gut and blood-brain barrier as well as the gut-brain axis based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC derivatives, thus pursuing a personalized medicine agenda for neuropsychiatric disorders.

The role of the gut microbiome in neuroinflammation and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most debilitating adverse effects caused by chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel, oxaliplatin and vincristine. It is untreatable and often leads to the discontinuation of cancer therapy and a decrease in the quality of life of cancer patients. It is well-established that neuroinflammation and the activation of immune and glial cells are among the major drivers of CIPN. However, these processes are still poorly understood, and while many chemotherapy drugs alone can drive the activation of these cells and consequent neuroinflammation, it remains elusive to what extent the gut microbiome influences these processes. In this review, we focus on the peripheral mechanisms driving CIPN, and we address the bidirectional pathways by which the gut microbiome communicates with the immune and nervous systems. Additionally, we critically evaluate literature addressing how chemotherapy-induced dysbiosis and the consequent imbalance in bacterial products may contribute to the activation of immune and glial cells, both of which drive neuroinflammation and possibly CIPN development, and how we could use this knowledge for the development of effective treatment strategies.

Danggui Sini Decoction normalizes the intestinal microbiota and serum metabolite levels to treat sciatica

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui Sini Decoction (DGSD), which is commonly used to treat sciatica, has been shown to have an analgesic effect, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, Danggui Sini Decoction was shown to normalize the intestinal microbiota and serum metabolite levels to exert an analgesic effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of DGSD on sciatica and the underlying mechanisms involved.

METHODS

In this study, we conducted chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Mecobalamin and DGSD were administered to CCI rats. Behavioural tests were used to examine the therapeutic effects of the drugs. UHPLC was used to identify DGSD components. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the intestinal flora was used to analyse the effect of DGSD on the intestinal microbiota. UHPLC‒MS/MS was used to identify blood metabolites. KEGG pathway analysis of differentially abundant metabolites was subsequently conducted. ELISA was used to measure the serum inflammatory factor levels, and correlation analysis between the serum inflammatory factor levels and intestinal microbe abundance was conducted. PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining were used to validate the results of the KEGG pathway analysis.

RESULTS

After CCI, the rats exhibited obvious thermal hyperalgesia; disruption of sciatic nerve structure; increased IL1α, SP, CCL5, and PGE2 levels; decreased IL10 levels in the blood; increased IL1β, IL6, COX2, MMP9, nNOS, and p-NF-κB levels; and decreased IL4 levels in the sciatic nerve. In addition, CCI led to increased abundances of Peptostreptococcaceae, Leuconostocaceae, Christensenellaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Romboutsia, Marvinbryantia, Turicibacter, Weissella, UCG-005, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Akkermansia, Staphylococcus, Romboutsia_ilealis, Weissella_paramesenteroides, and Akkermansia_muciniphila and decreased abundances of Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus_murinus, and Lactobacillus_johnsonii. Correlation analysis indicated that Turicibacter abundance was most strongly related to IL1α, PGE2, IL10, and CCL5 levels, while norank_o_Coriobacteriales abundance had the weakest relationship with SP levels. KEGG pathway analysis of the differentially abundant metabolites revealed that the 'NF-kappa B signalling pathway' was involved in sciatica. DGSD reduced the levels of inflammatory factors, including IL1α, SP, CCL5, PGE2, IL6, COX2, and MMP9, in the blood and sciatic nerve and inhibited nNOS and NF-κB phosphorylation. DGSD improved the abundance of probiotics, including Lactobacillus and Blautia, and lowered the abundance of harmful bacteria, including Romboutsia, Turicibacter, and Weissella. DGSD promoted the repair of the injured sciatic nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

DGSD can treat sciatica by inhibiting intestinal microbiota disorders induced by CCI in rats, normalizing inflammatory factor levels, and promoting nerve repair.

Prophylactic effects of Tibetan goat kefir on depression-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable stress model through the gut-brain axis

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common psychological disorder, and traditional therapeutic drugs often result in side effects such as emesis, dry mouth, headache, dysentery and constipation. Probiotics and goat milk have garnered widespread attention for their ability to modulate immune function and regulate the endocrine system, and for their anti-inflammatory effects. In this work, the effects of Tibetan goat kefir on the behavior, immune status, neuroendocrine response and gut microbiological composition of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse models were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results indicated that Tibetan kefir goat milk significantly alleviated behavioral despair in mice. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that Tibetan kefir goat milk mitigated the inflammatory response in the mice and moderated the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Meanwhile, chronic stress-induced gut microbial abnormalities were restored. In addition, the correlation between gut microbiota and nervous system was evaluated.

CONCLUSION

These results explained the potential mechanism of Tibetan kefir in the antidepressant effect on the CUMS model and enriched diets for depressed patients. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemotherapy-induced gut microbiome disruption, inflammation, and cognitive decline in female patients with breast cancer

Chemotherapy is notorious for causing behavioral side effects (e.g., cognitive decline). Notably, the gut microbiome has recently been reported to communicate with the brain to affect behavior, including cognition. Thus, the aim of this clinical longitudinal observational study was to determine whether chemotherapy-induced disruption of the gut microbial community structure relates to cognitive decline and circulating inflammatory signals. Fecal samples, blood, and cognitive measures were collected from 77 patients with breast cancer before, during, and after chemotherapy. Chemotherapy altered the gut microbiome community structure and increased circulating TNF-α. Both the chemotherapy-induced changes in microbial relative abundance and decreased microbial diversity were related to elevated circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Participants reported subjective cognitive decline during chemotherapy, which was not related to changes in the gut microbiome or inflammatory markers. In contrast, a decrease in overall objective cognition was related to a decrease in microbial diversity, independent of circulating cytokines. Stratification of subjects, via a reliable change index based on 4 objective cognitive tests, identified objective cognitive decline in 35% of the subjects. Based on a differential microbial abundance analysis, those characterized by cognitive decline had unique taxonomic shifts (Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Fusicatenibacter, Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003, and Subdoligranulum) over chemotherapy treatment compared to those without cognitive decline. Taken together, gut microbiome change was associated with cognitive decline during chemotherapy, independent of chemotherapy-induced inflammation. These results suggest that microbiome-related strategies may be useful for predicting and preventing behavioral side effects of chemotherapy.

Synergistic effects of epoxyazadiradione (EAD) and paclitaxel against triple-negative breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and chemo-resistant form of breast cancer subtype, and chemotherapy is a vital treatment option for that. Paclitaxel is an effective chemo drug for TNBC. However, in clinical settings, paclitaxel has adverse side effects. The synergistic combination is the most promising method for overcoming undesirable toxicity and achieving a beneficial therapeutic outcome. Previous reports, including our study, showed certain anticancer potential of epoxyazadiradione (EAD), the neem limonoid, in different types of cancer cells, including TNBC.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the possible synergistic effects of EAD and paclitaxel against TNBC cells.

METHODS

We examined the effects of EAD and paclitaxel alone and in combination in MDA-MB 231 cells, and the percentage cytotoxicity was used to calculate synergism. Characteristic apoptotic changes were observed by visualizing cellular morphology, nuclear fragmentation and membrane integrity. We further estimated anti-migratory potential of experimental compounds by wound healing assay. The reduction in inflammation during combinatorial treatment was evaluated by observing NF-κB translocation.

RESULTS

The combined treatment with EAD (5 μM) and paclitaxel (5 nM), which were used at doses lower than their individual IC50 concentrations, showed a synergistic effect in MDA-MB-231 cells. This combination effectively induced apoptosis and antimigration and reduced the inflammatory reactions induced by the higher dose of paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, EAD could be the drug of choice for combined treatment with paclitaxel in a chemotherapy regimen.

Mitigation of high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis by thyme (Thymus quinquecostatus Celak) polyphenol-rich extract (TPE): insights into gut microbiota modulation and bile acid metabolism

Our previous study demonstrated that thyme polyphenol-rich extract (TPE) mitigated hepatic injury induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) through the regulation of lipid metabolism, promotion of short-chain fatty acid production, enhancement of intestinal barrier function, and attenuation of inflammation. In this study, we aimed to further elucidate additional mechanisms underlying TPE-mediated preventive effects on hepatic steatosis, with a specific focus on its impact on the gut microbiota and bile acid (BA) metabolism in HFD-fed mice. TPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum total BA levels and a notable increase in fecal total BA levels. In particular, elevations in fecal conjugated BA levels, in turn, impede intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling, thereby enhancing hepatic synthesis and fecal excretion of BAs. The downregulated mRNA expression levels of intestinal Fxr and Fgf15, and hepatic Fgfr4, along with the upregulated mRNA expression levels of Cyp7a1 and Cyp27a1 after TPE treatment also prove the above inference. Meanwhile, TPE appeared to promote BA efflux and enterohepatic circulation, as evidenced by changes in the mRNA levels of Bsep, Ntpc, Shp, Asbt, Ibabp, and Ostα/β. TPE also modulated the gut microbiota and was characterized by an increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment depleted the intestinal flora in mice, also abrogating the hepatoprotective effect of TPE against NAFLD. These findings collectively indicate that TPE effectively mitigates HFD-induced NAFLD by modulating the gut-liver axis, specifically targeting the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

Patient-reported symptom burden and circulating cytokines undergoing chemotherapy: a pilot study in patients with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the fluctuations of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and their relationships with cytokines in the peripheral blood of patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer (OC).

METHODS

PROs burden was prospectively measured by the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Ovarian Cancer (MDASI-OC) at baseline before chemotherapy, on a daily basis during and post-chemotherapy days (PCD) 7, 14, and 20. Cytokines were collected at baseline, days prior to hospital discharge and PCD 20. Pearson correlation was used to explore the associations between PROs and cytokines levels in peripheral blood.

RESULTS

The top 8 rated symptoms were compared between the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) group (n=20) and the postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC) group (n=7). Before chemotherapy, the mean scores of fatigue and lack of appetite in the NACT group were higher than those in the PAC group. After chemotherapy, pain, nausea, vomiting, disturbed sleep, lack of appetite, and constipation increased to peak during PCD 2-6; while, fatigue and numbness or tingling remained at high levels over PCD 2-13. By PCD 20, disturbed sleep and fatigue showed a significant increase in mean scores, particularly in the NACT group; while, other symptom scores decreased and returned to baseline levels. Additionally, the longitudinal fluctuations in pain, fatigue, and lack of appetite were positively associated with circulating levels of interleukin-6 and interferon gamma (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

MDASI-OC was feasible and adaptable for demonstrating the fluctuations of symptom burden throughout chemotherapy course. Moreover, symptoms changing along with cytokines levels could provide clues for exploring mechanism underlying biochemical etiology.

Rosa laevigata Polysaccharides Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis of Beagles through Regulating Gut Microbiota

Rosa laevigata Michx. polysaccharides (RLP) have been demonstrated to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the mechanisms and efficacy of these polysaccharide components in preventing ulcerative colitis (UC) remain to be elucidated. The efficacy and mechanisms of RLP were investigated in a study that utilized healthy adult beagles to establish a UC model, considering the similarities in gut microbiota between humans and dogs. In the study, the beagle model induced by sodium dextran sulfate exhibited typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as weight loss and diarrhea. All these symptoms and changes were significantly ameliorated through oral supplementation of RLP. Additionally, microbial community analysis based on the 16S rDNA gene revealed that RLP alleviated UC by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria. In conclusion, our study has provided that RLP effectively alleviated colitis by preserving the intestinal barrier and regulating the gut microbiota composition.

Astragalus polysaccharides attenuate chemotherapy-induced immune injury by modulating gut microbiota and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism

BACKGROUND

The damage of chemotherapy drugs to immune function and intestinal mucosa is a common side effect during chemotherapy. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) exhibit immunomodulatory properties and are recognized for preserving the integrity of the human intestinal barrier. Nevertheless, their application and mechanisms of action in chemotherapy-induced immune damage and intestinal barrier disruption remain insufficiently explored.

PURPOSE

This study delved into investigating how APS mitigates chemotherapy-induced immune dysfunction and intestinal mucosal injury, while also providing deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

In a chemotherapy mice model induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), the assessment of APS's efficacy encompassed evaluations of immune organ weight, body weight, colon length, and histopathology. The regulation of different immune cells in spleen was detected by flow cytometry. 16S rRNA gene sequencings, ex vivo microbiome assay, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and targeted metabolomics analysis were applied to explore the mechanisms of APS effected on chemotherapy-induced mice.

RESULTS

APS ameliorated chemotherapy-induced damage to immune organs and regulated immune cell differentiation disorders, including CD4+T, CD8+T, CD19+B, F4/80+CD11B+ macrophages. APS also alleviated colon shortening and upregulated the expression of intestinal barrier proteins. Furthermore, APS significantly restored structure of gut microbiota following chemotherapy intervention. Ex vivo microbiome assays further demonstrated the capacity of APS to improve 5-Fu-induced microbiota growth inhibition and compositional change. FMT demonstrated that the regulation of gut microbiota by APS could promote the recovery of immune functions and alleviate shortening of the colon length. Remarkably, APS significantly ameliorated the imbalance of linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism. Further in vitro experiments showed that LA could promote splenic lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, both LA and DGLA down-regulated the secretion of NO and partially up-regulated the percentage of F4/80+CD11B+CD206+ cells.

CONCLUSION

APS can effectively ameliorate chemotherapy-induced immune damage and intestinal mucosal disruption by regulating the composition of the gut microbiota and further restoring PUFA metabolism. These findings indicate that APS can serve as an adjuvant to improve the side effects such as intestinal and immune damage caused by chemotherapy.

Grape seed extract prevents oestrogen deficiency-induced bone loss by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites

Proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract (GSE) has been shown to have the potential to protect bones, although the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The current study aims to explore GSE's preventive and therapeutic impact on bone loss induced by oestrogen deficiency and the underlying mechanism through the gut microbiota (GM) and metabolomic responses. In oestrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) mice, GSE ameliorated bone loss by inhibiting the expansion of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT), restoring BMAT lipolysis and promoting bone formation. GSE regulated OVX-induced GM dysbiosis by reducing the abundance of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, such as Alistipes, Turicibacter and Romboutsia, while elevating the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium. The modified GM primarily impacted lipid and amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, the serum metabolites of GSE exhibited a significant enrichment in lipid metabolism. In summary, GSE shows potential as a functional food for preventing oestrogen deficiency-induced bone loss by modulating GM and metabolite-mediated lipid metabolism.

Influence of Gut Microbiota-Mediated Immune Regulation on Response to Chemotherapy

The involvement of the gut microbiota in anti-cancer treatment has gained increasing attention. Alterations to the structure and function of the gut bacteria are important factors in the development of cancer as well as the efficacy of chemotherapy. Recent studies have confirmed that the gut microbiota and related metabolites influence the pharmacological activity of chemotherapeutic agents through interactions with the immune system. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of how malignant tumor and chemotherapy affect the gut microbiota, how the gut microbiota regulates host immune response, and how interactions between the gut microbiota and host immune response influence the efficacy of chemotherapy. Recent advances in strategies for increasing the efficiency of chemotherapy based on the gut microbiota are also described. Deciphering the complex homeostasis maintained by the gut microbiota and host immunity provides a solid scientific basis for bacterial intervention in chemotherapy.

Quercetin reshapes gut microbiota homeostasis and modulates brain metabolic profile to regulate depression-like behaviors induced by CUMS in rats

Quercetin, an abundant flavonoid compound in plants, is considered a novel antidepressant; however, its mechanisms of action are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of quercetin on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression-like behaviors in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms by combining untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of brain tissue metabolites and gut microbiota. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that at the phylum level, quercetin reduced Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and enhanced Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, quercetin downregulated 6 and upregulated 14 bacterial species. Metabolomics analysis revealed that quercetin regulated multiple metabolic pathways, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, sphingolipid metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and coenzyme A biosynthesis. This modulation leads to improvements in depression-like phenotypes, anxiety-like phenotypes, and cognitive function, highlighting the therapeutic potential of quercetin in treating depression.

The triangular relationship between traditional Chinese medicines, intestinal flora, and colorectal cancer

Over the past decade, colorectal cancer has reported a higher incidence in younger adults and a lower mortality rate. Recently, the influence of the intestinal flora in the initiation, progression, and treatment of colorectal cancer has been extensively studied, as well as their positive therapeutic impact on inflammation and the cancer microenvironment. Historically, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer via promoted cancer cell apoptosis, inhibited cancer metastasis, and reduced drug resistance and side effects. The present research is more on the effect of either herbal medicine or intestinal flora on colorectal cancer. The interactions between TCM and intestinal flora are bidirectional and the combined impacts of TCM and gut microbiota in the treatment of colon cancer should not be neglected. Therefore, this review discusses the role of intestinal bacteria in the progression and treatment of colorectal cancer by inhibiting carcinogenesis, participating in therapy, and assisting in healing. Then the complex anticolon cancer effects of different kinds of TCM monomers, TCM drug pairs, and traditional Chinese prescriptions embodied in apoptosis, metastasis, immune suppression, and drug resistance are summarized separately. In addition, the interaction between TCM and intestinal flora and the combined effect on cancer treatment were analyzed. This review provides a mechanistic reference for the application of TCM and intestinal flora in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer and paves the way for the combined development and application of microbiome and TCM.

Alterations in the diversity, composition and function of the gut microbiota in Uyghur individuals with sarcopenia

BACKGROUND

Research on the gut microbiota has emerged as a new direction for understanding pathophysiologic changes in diseases associated with aging, such as sarcopenia. Several studies have shown that there are differences in the gut microbiota between individuals with sarcopenia and without sarcopenia. However, these differences are not consistent across regions and ethnic groups, and additional research is needed.

METHODS

In this study, we collected fresh fecal samples from 31 Uyghur individuals with sarcopenia and 31 healthy controls. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to obtain fecal base sequences and analyzed the diversity, composition and function of the gut microbiota.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in alpha diversity between the sarcopenia group and the healthy control group (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in beta diversity between the groups (P < 0.05). In the sarcopenia group, the abundances of Alloprevotella, un_f_Prevotellaceae, Anaerovibrio, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Mitsuokella, Prevotella and Allisonella were lower than those in the heathy control group, and the abundances of Flavobacteriales, Flavobacteriaceae, Catenibacterium, Romboutsia, Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-003, GCA-900066575, Lachnospiraceae_FCS020_group, and un_f_Flavobacteriaceae were higher than those in the heathy control group. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed that the microbial species in the control group that were significantly different from those in the sarcopenia group were concentrated in the genus Alloprevotella, while the species in the sarcopenia group were concentrated in the genus Catenibacterium. Functional prediction analysis revealed that D-alanine, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism and transcription machinery, among others, were enriched in the sarcopenia group, which indicated that metabolic pathways related to amino acid metabolism and nutrient transport may be regulated to varying degrees in the pathophysiological context of sarcopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant differences in the composition and function of the gut microbiota between Xinjiang Uyghur sarcopenia individuals and healthy individuals. These findings might aid in the development of probiotics or microbial-based therapies for sarcopenia in Uyhur individuals.

Fenchone Ameliorates Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome via Modulation of SCF/c-Kit Pathway and Gut Microbiota

In this study we sought to elucidate the therapeutic effects of fenchone on constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and the underlying mechanisms. An IBS-C model was established in rats by administration of ice water by gavage for 14 days. Fenchone increased the reduced body weight, number of fecal pellets, fecal moisture, and intestinal transit rate, and decreased the enhanced visceral hypersensitivity in the rat model of IBS-C. In addition, fenchone increased the serum content of excitatory neurotransmitters and decreased the serum content of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the IBS-C rat model. Meanwhile, western blot and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that fenchone increased the expressions of SCF and c-Kit. Furthermore, compared with the IBS-C model group, fenchone increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, Allobaculum, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-008, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Alistipes, and Escherichia-Shigella on the genus level. Overall, fenchone ameliorates IBS-C via modulation of the SCF/c-Kit pathway and gut microbiota, and could therefore serve as a novel drug candidate against IBS-C.

The effects of ambient temperature and feeding regimens on cecum bacteria composition and circadian rhythm in growing rabbits

Seasonal environmental shifts and improper eating habits are the important causes of diarrhea in children and growing animals. Whether adjusting feeding time at varying temperatures can modify cecal bacterial structure and improve diarrhea remains unknown. Three batches growing rabbits with two groups per batch were raised under different feeding regimens (fed at daytime vs. nighttime) in spring, summer and winter separately, and contents were collected at six time points in 1 day and used 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate the effects of feeding regimens and season on the composition and circadian rhythms of cecum bacteria. Randomized forest regression screened 12 genera that were significantly associated with seasonal ambient temperature changes. Nighttime feeding reduced the abundance of the conditionally pathogenic bacteria Desulfovibrio and Alistipes in summer and Campylobacter in winter. And also increases the circadian rhythmic Amplicon Sequence Variants in the cecum, enhancing the rhythm of bacterial metabolic activity. This rhythmic metabolic profile of cecum bacteria may be conducive to the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the host cecum. In addition, this study has identified 9 genera that were affected by the combination of seasons and feeding time. In general, we found that seasons and feeding time and their combinations affect cecum composition and circadian rhythms, and that daytime feeding during summer and winter disrupts the balance of cecum bacteria of growing rabbits, which may adversely affect cecum health and induce diarrhea risk.

Effects of the alpine meadow in different phenological periods on rumen fermentation and gastrointestinal tract bacteria community in grazing yak on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

BACKGROUND

In this study, we investigated the effects of alpine meadow in different phenological periods on ruminal fermentation, serum biochemical indices, and gastrointestinal tract microbes in grazing yak on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of eighteen female freely grazing yaks with an average age of 3 years old and a body weight of 130 ± 19 kg were selected. According to the plant phenological periods, yaks were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: (1) regreen periods group (RP, n = 6); (2) grassy periods group (GP, n = 6); and (3) hay periods group (HP, n = 6). At the end of the experiment, the blood, rumen fluids, and rectal contents were collected to perform further analysis.

RESULTS

The concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), acetate, glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHO), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were higher in the GP group than in the HP group (P < 0.05). However, compared with the RP and GP groups, the HP group had higher concentrations of isobutyrate, isovalerate, valerate, and creatinine (CREA) (P < 0.05). The abundance of Prevotella in the rumen, and the abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-004 in the gut were higher in the GP group compared with the HP group (P < 0.05). The HP had higher abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group in the rumen as well as the abundances of Romboutsia and Arthrobacter in the gut compared with the RP and GP groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of rumen fermentation, serum biochemical, differential biomarkers, and function prediction, the carbohydrate digestion of grazing yak would be higher with the alpine meadow regreen and grassy due to the gastrointestinal tract microbes. However, the risk of microbe disorders and host inflammation in grazing yak were higher with the alpine meadow wither.

Altered metabolome and microbiome features provide clues in predicting recurrence of ulcerative colitis

PURPOSE

Many studies have shown that the imbalance of the intestinal flora and metabolite can lead to the development of ulcerative colitis (UC), but their role in recurrent-UC is still unclear. We studied the intestinal flora and metabolites associated with recurrent-UC to elucidate the mechanism and biomarkers of recurrent-UC.

METHODS

Ulcerative colitis (UC) models in active, remission, and recurrence stages were established, and the abundance of intestinal flora was determined by 16 S rRNA sequencing. The changes in the metabolites present in feces and serum were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

We identified 24 metabolites in feces and serum, which might be used as diagnostic and predictive biomarkers of recurrent-UC. The dominant flora of recurrent-UC included Romboutsia, UCG-005, etc. The results of a network analysis found that long-chain fatty acids and phenylalanine were strongly correlated with Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, which indicated that the recurrence of UC might be closely related to metabolites and microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

The changes in intestinal microbiota and metabolites are closely related to the development of UC. Microbiota is an important inducer of UC, which can regulate metabolites through the 'microorganism-gut-metabolite' axis. It may provide a new method for the prediction and treatment of UC.

What we need to know about the germ-free animal models

The gut microbiota (GM), as a forgotten organ, refers to the microbial community that resides in the gastrointestinal tract and plays a critical role in a variety of physiological activities in different body organs. The GM affects its targets through neurological, metabolic, immune, and endocrine pathways. The GM is a dynamic system for which exogenous and endogenous factors have negative or positive effects on its density and composition. Since the mid-twentieth century, laboratory animals are known as the major tools for preclinical research; however, each model has its own limitations. So far, two main models have been used to explore the effects of the GM under normal and abnormal conditions: the isolated germ-free and antibiotic-treated models. Both methods have strengths and weaknesses. In many fields of host-microbe interactions, research on these animal models are known as appropriate experimental subjects that enable investigators to directly assess the role of the microbiota on all features of physiology. These animal models present biological model systems to either study outcomes of the absence of microbes, or to verify the effects of colonization with specific and known microbial species. This paper reviews these current approaches and gives advantages and disadvantages of both models.

Fibre-rich diet attenuates chemotherapy-related neuroinflammation in mice

The gastrointestinal microbiota has received increasing recognition as a key mediator of neurological conditions with neuroinflammatory features, through its production of the bioactive metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Although neuroinflammation is a hallmark shared by the neuropsychological complications of chemotherapy (including cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression), the use of microbial-based therapeutics has not previously been studied in this setting. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of a high fibre diet known to modulate the microbiota, and its associated metabolome, on neuroinflammation caused by the common chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Twenty-four female C57Bl/6 mice were treated with 5-FU (400 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.) or vehicle control, with or without a high fibre diet (constituting amylose starch; 4.7 % crude fibre content), given one week prior to 5-FU and until study completion (16 days after 5-FU). Faecal pellets were collected longitudinally for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and terminal SCFA concentrations of the caecal contents were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Neuroinflammation was determined by immunofluorescent analysis of astrocyte density (GFAP). The high fibre diet significantly altered gut microbiota composition, increasing the abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Akkermansiaceae (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0179) whilst increasing the production of propionate (p = 0.0097). In the context of 5-FU, the diet reduced GFAP expression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus (p < 0.0001) as well as the midbrain (p = 0.0216). Astrocyte density negatively correlated with propionate concentrations and the abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Akkermansiaceae, suggesting a relationship between neuroinflammatory and gastrointestinal markers in this model. This study provides the first evidence of the neuroprotective effects of fibre via dietary intake in alleviating the neuroimmune changes seen in response to systemically administered 5-FU, indicating that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is a targetable mediator to reduce the neurotoxic effects of chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy-induced microbiota exacerbates the toxicity of chemotherapy through the suppression of interleukin-10 from macrophages

The gut microbiota has been shown to influence the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy, thereby affecting treatment outcomes. Understanding the mechanism by which microbiota affects chemotherapeutic toxicity would have a profound impact on cancer management. In this study, we report that fecal microbiota transplantation from oxaliplatin-exposed mice promotes toxicity in recipient mice. Splenic RNA sequencing and macrophage depletion experiment showed that the microbiota-induced toxicity of oxaliplatin in mice was dependent on macrophages. Furthermore, oxaliplatin-mediated toxicity was exacerbated in Il10-/- mice, but not attenuated in Rag1-/- mice. Adoptive transfer of macrophage into Il10-/- mice confirmed the role of macrophage-derived IL-10 in the improvement of oxaliplatin-induced toxicity. Depletion of fecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium was associated with the exacerbation of oxaliplatin-mediated toxicity, whereas supplementation with these probiotics alleviated chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Importantly, IL-10 administration and probiotics supplementation did not attenuate the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapy. Clinically, patients with colorectal cancer exposed to oxaliplatin exhibited downregulation of peripheral CD45+IL-10+ cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that microbiota-mediated IL-10 production influences tolerance to chemotherapy, and thus represents a potential clinical target.

Paclitaxel chemotherapy disrupts microbiota-enterohepatic bile acid metabolism in mice

Balanced interactions between the enteric microbiota and enterohepatic organs are essential to bile acid homeostasis, and thus normal gastrointestinal function. Disruption of these interactions by cancer treatment instigates bile acid malabsorption, leading to treatment delays, malnutrition, and decreased quality of life. However, the nature of chemotherapy-induced bile acid malabsorption remains poorly characterized with limited treatment options. Therefore, this study sought to characterize changes in hepatic, enteric, and microbial bile acid metabolism in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Consistent with clinical bile acid malabsorption, chemotherapy increased fecal excretion of primary bile acids and water, while diminishing microbiome diversity, secondary bile acid formation, and small intestinal bile acid signaling. We identified new contributors to pathology of bile acid malabsorption in the forms of lipopolysaccharide-induced cholestasis and colonic crypt hyperplasia from reduced secondary bile acid signaling. Chemotherapy reduced markers of hepatic bile flow and bile acid synthesis, elevated markers of fibrosis and endotoxemia, and altered transcription of genes at all stages of bile acid metabolism. Primary hepatocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (but not chemotherapy) replicated chemotherapy-induced transcriptional differences, while gut microbial transplant into germ-free mice replicated very few differences. In the colon, chemotherapy-altered bile acid profiles (particularly higher tauromuricholic acid and lower hyodeoxycholic acid) coincided with crypt hyperplasia. Exposing primary colonoids to hyodeoxycholic acid reduced proliferation, while gut microbiota transplant enhanced proliferation. Together, these investigations reveal complex involvement of the entire microbiota-enterohepatic axis in chemotherapy-induced bile acid malabsorption. Interventions to reduce hepatic lipopolysaccharide exposure and enhance microbial bile acid metabolism represent promising co-therapies to cancer treatment.

Co-Housing and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Technical Support for TCM Herbal Treatment of Extra-Intestinal Diseases Based on Gut Microbial Ecosystem Remodeling

Dysregulation of the gut microbial ecosystem (GME) (eg, alterations in the gut microbiota, gut-derived metabolites, and gut barrier) may contribute to the onset and progression of extra-intestinal diseases. Previous studies have found that Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs (TCMs) play an important role in manipulating the GME, but a prominent obstacle in current TCM research is the causal relationship between GME and disease amelioration. Encouragingly, co-housing and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) provide evidence-based support for TCMs to treat extra-intestinal diseases by targeting GME. In this review, we documented the principles, operational procedures, applications and limitations of the key technologies (ie, co-housing and FMT); furthermore, we provided evidence that TCM works through the GME, especially the gut microbiota (eg, SCFA- and BSH-producing bacteria), the gut-derived metabolites (eg, IS, pCS, and SCFAs), and intestinal barrier to alleviate extra-intestinal diseases. This will be beneficial in constructing microecological pathways for TCM treatment of extra-intestinal diseases in the future.

Dietary Nucleotides Promote Neonatal Rat Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Development by Affecting Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Function

A variety of active factors in milk and foods have been proven to serve as microbial nutrients that regulate the formation of early gut microbiota (GM), thereby ensuring the healthy development of infants. This study demonstrated that dietary nucleotides (NTs), one of the main nitrogen-containing substances in human milk, promoted the neurodevelopment of neonatal rats and the expression of Sox2, Dcx, Tuj1, and NeuN in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, but had no significant regulatory effects in the striatum. 16s rRNA sequencing and metabolomics of the colon contents of neonatal rats at different developmental stages showed that the early intake of NTs promoted an increase in the abundance of beneficial microorganisms related to neurodevelopment, digestion, and gut absorption, such as g_Romboutsia and g_Akkermansia. Changes in the ability of the GM to regulate folate synthesis, riboflavin metabolism, and other processes were also observed. Further analysis revealed significant correlations between the level of characteristic metabolites, namely, trans-3-indoleacrylic acid, urocanic acid, inosine, and adenosine, in the gut with neurodevelopment and characteristic GM components. These findings suggest that NTs in milk may affect neurodevelopment and maturation in early life by regulating the GM composition-gut-brain axis.

Intestinal Microbiota Is a Key Target for Load Swimming to Improve Anxiety Behavior and Muscle Strength in Shank 3-/- Rats

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social disorder and stereotypical behavior, and its incidence rate is increasing yearly. It is considered that acritical period for the prognosis of young children with ASD exists, thus early treatment is crucial. Swimming, due to its comforting effect, is often used to induce enthusiasm in young children for completing activities and has a good effect in the treatment of ASD, but the effective path of swimming has yet to be reported. The intestinal microbiota of ASD patients and animal models has been reported to be different from that of healthy controls, and these changes may affect the brain environment. Therefore, whether the intestinal microbiota is involved in the treatment of ASD by early swimming is our concern. In this study, we used 8-day old Shank3 gene knockout rats with 8 weeks of early load swimming training and conducted behavioral, small intestine morphology, and intestinal content sequencing after training. The results showed that early load swimming significantly reduced the stereotyped and anxious behaviors of Shank3-/- rats, increased their muscle strength, increased the length of intestinal villi and the width of the muscular layer after Shank3 knockout, and affected the abundance of intestinal microorganisms. The abundances with statistical significance were Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae, and Alloprevotella. To further confirm the role of intestinal microorganisms in it, we designed a 14-day intestinal stool transplantation experiment. Fecal microbiota transplantation demonstrated that load swimming can significantly reduce the anxiety behavior of Shank3 rats, increase their muscle strength, change the structure of the small intestine, and affect the abundance of intestinal contents. The abundance of Epsilonbateraeota, Prevotella, and Bacteroides significantly changed after transplantation. Our findings confirm the possibility of early load swimming therapy for individuals with ASD and explain that the intestinal microbiota is a key pathway for early exercise therapy for patients with ASD.

Physiological and cognitive changes after treatments of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil: implications of the gut microbiome and depressive-like behavior

Introduction

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment colloquially referred to as chemobrain is a poorly understood phenomenon affecting a highly variable proportion of patients with breast cancer. Here we investigate the association between anxiety and despair-like behaviors in mice treated with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) along with host histological, proteomic, gene expression, and gut microbial responses.

Methods

Forced swim and sociability tests were used to evaluate depression and despair-like behaviors. The tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics approach was used to assess changes in the neural protein network of the amygdala and hippocampus. The composition of gut microbiota was assessed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Finally, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate changes in intestinal gap junction markers.

Results and discussion

We observed that CMF induced social and despair-like behavior in mice 96 hours following treatment. Proteomic analysis identified changes in various proteins related to progressive neurological disease, working memory deficit, primary anxiety disorder, and gene expression revealing increases in NMDA and AMPA receptors in both the hippocampus and the amygdala because of CMF treatment. These changes finally, we observed immediate changes in the microbial population after chemotherapy treatment, with a notable abundance of Muribaculaceae and Romboutsia which may contribute to changes seen in the gut.

Effects of melittin on production performance, antioxidant function, immune function, heat shock protein, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota in heat-stressed quails

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of melittin on production performance, antioxidant function, immune function, heat shock protein, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of heat-stressed quails. A total of 120 (30-day-old) male quails were randomly divided into 3 groups. Each group consisted of 4 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The ambient temperature of the control group (group W) was 24°C ± 2°C. The heat stress group (group WH) and the heat stress + melittin group (group WHA2) were subjected to heat stress for 4 h from 12:00 to 16:00 every day, and the temperature was 36°C ± 2°C for 10 d. The results showed that compared with the group W, heat stress significantly decreased growth performance, serum and liver antioxidative function, immune function, intestinal villus height (VH) and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and cecal microbiota Chao and ACE index (P < 0.05). The crypt depth (CD) in the small intestine, and HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA levels in the heart, liver, spleen, and kidney were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Dietary melittin significantly increased growth performance, serum and liver antioxidative function, immune function, intestinal VH and VH/CD, and cecal microbiota Shannon index in heat-stressed quails (P < 0.05). Melittin significantly decreased small intestinal CD, and HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA levels in the viscera (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary melittin could have balanced the disorder of cecal microbiota caused by heat stress and increased the abundance and diversity of beneficial microbiota (e.g., Firmicutes were significantly increased). PICRUSt2 functional prediction revealed that most of the KEGG pathways with differential abundance caused by high temperature were related to metabolism, and melittin could have restored them close to normal levels. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the beneficial intestinal bacteria Anaerotruncus, Bacteroidales_S24-7_group_norank, Lachnospiraceae_unclassified, Shuttleworthia, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 increased by melittin were positively correlated with average daily feed intake, the average daily gain, serum and liver superoxide dismutase, IgG, IgA, bursa of Fabricius index, and ileum VH and VH/CD. In sum, our results demonstrate for the first time that dietary melittin could improve the adverse effects of heat stress on antioxidant function, immune function, heat shock protein, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota in quails, consequently improving their production performance under heat stress.

Gut microbiome relationship with arrhythmias and conduction blocks: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

INTRODUCTION

Past research based on observations has suggested that the gut microbiome (GM) could play a role in developing arrhythmias and conduction blocks. Nonetheless, the nature of this association remains uncertain due to the potential for reverse causation and confounding factors in observational research. The aim of this investigation is to elucidate the causal relationship between GM and the development of arrhythmias as well as conduction blocks.

METHODS

This study collected summary statistics regarding GM, arrhythmias, and conduction blocks. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out employing various methods, with inverse variance weighted being the primary approach, followed by weighted median, simple mode, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO. Moreover, the MR findings were corroborated through multiple sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Among them, for atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF), phylum_Actinobacteria and genus_RuminococcaceaeUCG004 demonstrated a negative correlation, while order_Pasteurellales, family_Pasteurellaceae, and genus_Turicibacter were associated with an increased risk. In the case of paroxysmal tachycardia (PT), genus_Holdemania and genus_Roseburia were found to reduce risk. For atrioventricular block (AVB), order_Bifidobacteriales, family_Bifidobacteriaceae, and genus_Alistipes exhibited a negative correlation, whereas genus_CandidatusSoleaferrea showed a positive correlation. Concerning the left bundle-branch block (LBBB), family_Peptococcaceae appeared to decrease the risk, while genus_Flavonifractor was linked to an increased risk. Lastly, no causative GM was identified in the right bundle-branch block (RBBB) context.

CONCLUSION

We have uncovered potential causal links between some GM, arrhythmias, and conduction blocks. This insight may aid in designing microbiome-based interventions for these conditions and their risk factors in future trials. Additionally, it could facilitate the discovery of novel biomarkers for targeted prevention strategies.

Antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes in rodents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There are previous epidemiological studies reporting associations between antibiotic use and psychiatric symptoms. Antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and alteration of microbiota-gut-brain axis communication has been proposed to play a role in this association. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we reviewed published articles that have presented results on changes in cognition, emotion, and behavior in rodents (rats and mice) after antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis. We searched three databases-PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS to identify such articles using dedicated search strings and extracted data from 48 articles. Increase in anxiety and depression-like behavior was reported in 32.7 and 40.7 percent of the study-populations, respectively. Decrease in sociability, social novelty preference, recognition memory and spatial cognition was found in 18.1, 35.3, 26.1, and 62.5 percent of the study-populations, respectively. Only one bacterial taxon (increase in gut Proteobacteria) showed statistically significant association with behavioral changes (increase in anxiety). There were no consistent findings with statistical significance for the potential biomarkers [Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus, serum corticosterone and circulating IL-6 and IL-1β levels]. Results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant association between symptoms of negative valence system (including anxiety and depression) and cognitive system (decreased spatial cognition) with antibiotic intake (p < 0.05). However, between-study heterogeneity and publication bias were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Risk of bias was evaluated to be high in the majority of the studies. We identified and discussed several reasons that could contribute to the heterogeneity between the results of the studies examined. The results of the meta-analysis provide promising evidence that there is indeed an association between antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis and psychopathologies. However, inconsistencies in the implemented methodologies make generalizing these results difficult. Gut microbiota depletion using antibiotics may be a useful strategy to evaluate if and how gut microbes influence cognition, emotion, and behavior, but the heterogeneity in methodologies used precludes any definitive interpretations for a translational impact on clinical practice.

Dietary n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio modulates growth performance in spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) through regulating lipid metabolism, hepatic antioxidant capacity and intestinal health

An 8-week feeding experiment was carried out to explore the effects of dietary n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio on growth performance, lipid metabolism, hepatic antioxidant status, and gut flora of spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus). Six experimental diets were formulated to contain different levels of two purified oil sources including docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids enriched oil (n-3) and linoleic acid-enriched oil (n-6) leading to n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios of 0.04, 0.35, 0.66, 1.35, 2.45 and 16.17. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of juvenile L. maculatus (11.06 ± 0.20 g, 30 fish/tank). Final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rates (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed utilization efficiency increased as n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio increased up to a certain level, and then decreased thereafter. Fish fed the diet with n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio of 0.66 exhibited the highest FBW, WG, SGR and PER and the lowest feed conversion ratio. Lower n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios induced up-regulated expression of lipid synthesis-related genes (fas, acc2 and srebp-1c) and down-regulated expression of lipolysis related genes (atgl, pparα, cpt-1 and aox). Higher expression of lipolysis-related genes (atgl, pparα and cpt-1) was recorded at moderate n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios (0.66 to 1.35). Moreover, inappropriate n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios triggered up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes (il-6 and tnf-α) and down-regulation of anti-inflammatory genes (il-4 and il-10) in the intestine. The diet with n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio of 0.66 inhibited intestine inflammation, improved intestinal flora richness, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella and Ruminococcus, and reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria including Escherichia-Shigella and Enterococcus. In summary, it could be suggested that a dietary n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio of 0.66 can improve growth performance and feed utilization in L. maculatus, as is deemed to be mediated through regulation of lipid metabolism and intestinal flora.

Consumption of Extruded Sorghum SC319 Improved Gut Microbiota at Genus Level and Reduced Anthropometric Markers in Men with Overweight: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Sorghum is a cereal source of energy, carbohydrates, resistant starch, proanthocyanidins, and 3-deoxyanthocyanins; it promotes satiety by slowing digestion and benefits intestinal health.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of extruded sorghum SC319 consumption on intestinal health, weight loss, and inflammatory markers in men with overweight.

METHODS

This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. Twenty-one men were randomly allocated into one of two groups: the sorghum group (test), which received 40 g of extruded SC319 whole sorghum (n = 10), or the wheat group (control), which received 38 g of extruded whole wheat (n = 11) for eight weeks.

RESULTS

The sorghum consumption increased the weight loss intragroup, decreased the body fat percentage intergroup, and did not change inflammatory markers, while the wheat group had increased IL-6 levels compared to baseline. Short-chain fatty acid production, fecal pH, and α and β diversity indexes did not differ intra- and intergroup after interventions. However, sorghum consumption decreased genus levels of Clostridium_sensu_stricto 1, Dorea, and Odoribacter and increased CAG-873 and Turicibacter compared to baseline. Further, sorghum showed a tendency (p = 0.07) to decrease the proteobacteria phyla compared to wheat.

CONCLUSION

Extruded sorghum SC319 improved intestinal microbiota and body composition and promoted weight loss, demonstrating its prebiotic potential.

Examining the Mechanisms behind Exercise's Multifaceted Impacts on Body Composition, Cognition, and the Gut Microbiome in Cancer Survivors: Exploring the Links to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

This review focuses on the effects of exercise on various health-related outcomes in cancer survivors, encompassing body composition, cognitive function (including sleep), and gut microbiome health. By analyzing multiple studies, we aimed to summarize the existing evidence and shed light on underlying mechanisms. The findings strongly suggest that exercise serves as a multifaceted non-pharmacological strategy, playing a significant role in improving the overall health of cancer survivors by effectively reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Exercise plays a crucial role in preventing muscle wasting, diminishing the presence of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhancing antioxidant systems. Furthermore, exercise displays notable benefits in terms of executive cognitive functioning and fatigue alleviation, largely attributed to its anti-inflammatory impact on the central nervous system and its ability to induce neurogenesis via growth factors. Additionally, exercise positively influences microbial diversity, reduces gut inflammation, and enhances neurogenesis through the gut-brain axis. Our key findings underscore the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation as primary mechanisms by which exercise effectively enhances health outcomes in cancer survivors. By delving deeper into these candidate mechanisms, we aim to provide valuable guidance for future research and interventions targeting the symptoms experienced by cancer survivors.

Inflammatory cytokines and prenatal depression: Is there a mediating role of maternal gut microbiota?

OBJECTIVE

The mechanism of levels of inflammatory cytokines that affects brain function and mood through gut microbiota has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of gut microbiota between maternal inflammatory cytokines levels and prenatal depression.

DESIGN

There were 29 women in the prenatal depression group and 27 women in the control group enrolled in this study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score of 10 was considered the cut-off value for prenatal depression. We collected demographic information, stool and blood samples. The gut microbiota was profiled using V3-V4 gene sequence of 16S rRNA, and the concentration of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed. The mediation model was analyzed by using the model 4 in the process procedure for SPSS.

RESULTS

There were significance differences in the concentration of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)(Z = -2.383, P = 0.017) and IL-17A (Z = -2.439, P = 0.015) between the prenatal depression group and control group. There was no significant difference in α- diversity and β-diversity between the two groups. Intestinibacter (OR: 0.012; 95% CI, 0.001-0.195) and Escherichia_Shigella (OR: 0.103; 95% CI, 0.014-0.763) were protective factors for prenatal depression, while Tyzzerella (OR: 17.941; 95% CI, 1.764-182.445) and Unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae (OR: 22.607; 95% CI, 1.242-411.389) were risk factors. And Intestinibacter play a mediation effect between IL-17A and prenatal depression.

CONCLUSION

Maternal gut microbiota is a significant mediator of the relationship between inflammatory cytokines and prenatal depression. Further research is still needed in exploring the mediating mechanisms of gut microbiota between inflammatory cytokines and depression.

Insights from Bacterial 16S rRNA Gene into Bacterial Genera and Predicted Metabolic Pathways Associated with Stool Consistency in Rectal Cancer Patients: A Proof of Concept

PURPOSE

To examine if gut microbial taxa abundances and predicted functional pathways correlate with Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) classification at the end of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) for rectal cancer.

METHODS

Rectal cancer patients (n = 39) provided stool samples for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Stool consistency was evaluated using the BSFS. Gut microbiome data were analyzed using QIIME2. Correlation analysis were performed in R.

RESULTS

At the genus level, Staphylococcus positively correlates (Spearman's rho = 0.26), while Anaerofustis, Roseburia, Peptostreptococcaceae unclassified, Ruminococcaceae UBA1819, Shuttleworthia, Ca. Soleaferrea, Anaerostignum, Oscillibacter, and Akkermansia negatively correlate with BSFS scores (Spearman's rho -0.20 to -0.42). Predicted pathways, including mycothiol biosynthesis and sucrose degradation III (sucrose invertase), were positively correlated with BSFS (Spearman's rho = 0.03-0.21).

CONCLUSION

The data support that in rectal cancer patients, stool consistency is an important factor to include in microbiome studies. Loose/liquid stools may be linked to Staphylococcus abundance and to mycothiol biosynthesis and sucrose degradation pathways.

Antibiotic treatment inhibits paclitaxel chemotherapy-induced activity deficits in female mice

Chemotherapy, a mainstay in the treatment of cancer, is associated with severe and debilitating side effects. Side effects can be physical (e.g., gastrointestinal distress, anemia, and hair loss) or mental (e.g., fatigue, cognitive dysfunction). Chemotherapy is known to alter the gut microbiota; thus, communication through the gut-brain axis may influence behavioral side effects. Here, we used a clinically-relevant paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen in combination with antibiotics to test the hypothesis that gut microbes contribute to chemotherapy-associated fatigue-like behaviors in female mice. Data presented suggest that chemotherapy-altered gut microbes contribute to fatigue-like behaviors in mice by disrupting energy homeostasis.

The role of gut microbiota in diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats with cognitive dysfunction

Introduction

Owing to advancements in non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging, many studies have repeatedly showed that diabetes affects the central nervous system in the presence of peripheral neuropathy, suggesting a common or interacting pathological mechanism for both complications.

Methods

We aimed to investigate the role of abnormal gut microbiota in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) combined with cognitive dysfunction. Glucose-compliant rats with nerve conduction deficits were screened as a successful group of DPN rats. The DPN group was then divided into rats with combined cognitive impairment (CD) and rats with normal cognitive function (NCD) based on the results of the Novel object recognition test. Rat feces were then collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the intestinal flora.

Results and Discussion

The results revealed that abnormalities in Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidia, and Actinobacteria-like microorganisms may induce DPN complicated by cognitive dysfunction.

Health and Disease: Akkermansia muciniphila, the Shining Star of the Gut Flora

Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) has drawn much attention as an important gut microbe strain in recent years. A. muciniphila can influence the occurrence and development of diseases of the endocrine, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, and respiratory systems and other diseases. It can also improve immunotherapy for some cancers. A. muciniphila is expected to become a new probiotic in addition to Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. An increase in A. muciniphila abundance through direct or indirect A. muciniphila supplementation may inhibit or even reverse disease progression. However, some contrary findings are found in type 2 diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, where increased A. muciniphila abundance may aggravate the diseases. To enable a more comprehensive understanding of the role of A. muciniphila in diseases, we summarize the relevant information on A. muciniphila in different systemic diseases and introduce regulators of A. muciniphila abundance to promote the clinical transformation of A. muciniphila research.

Different roles of microbiota and genetics in the prediction of treatment response in major depressive disorder

The roles of gut microbiota and susceptibility genes in patients with major depression disorder (MDD) are not well understood. Examining the microbiome and host genetics might be helpful for clinical decision-making. Patients with MDD were recruited in this study and subsequently treated for eight weeks. We identified the differences between the population with a response after two weeks and those with a response after eight weeks. The factors that were significantly correlated with efficacy were used to predict the treatment response. The differences in the importance of microbiota and genetics in prediction were analyzed. Our study identified rs58010457 as a potentially key locus affecting the treatment effect. Different microbiota and enriched pathways might play different roles in the response after two and eight weeks. We found that the area under the curve (AUC) value was greater than 0.8 for both random forest models. The contribution of different components to the AUC was evaluated by removing genetic information, microbiota abundance, and pathway data. The gut microbiome was an important predictor of the response after eight weeks, while genetics was an important predictor of the response after two weeks. These results suggested a dynamic effect of interaction among genetics and gut microbes on treatment. Furthermore, these results provide new guidance for clinical decisions: in cases of inadequate treatment effects after two weeks, the composition of the intestinal flora can be improved by diet therapy, which could ultimately affect the efficacy.

A systematic review of the effects of gut microbiota depletion on social and anxiety-related behaviours in adult rodents: Implications for translational research

The microbiota-gut-brain axis is associated with several behaviours, including those relevant to anxiety or sociability in rodents, however, no conceptual framework has yet been available. Summary of the effects of antibiotic-mediated gut microbiota depletion on anxiety and sociability is essential to both inform further preclinical investigations and to guide translational research into human studies. The main objective is to examine the role of gut microbiota depletion on anxiety and sociability in rodents, and to consider how the findings can be translated to inform the design of research in humans. We reviewed 13 research articles, indicating significant changes in gut microbiota composition and diversity have been found in animals treated with a mix or a single antibiotic. Nonetheless, there is no consensus regarding the impact of gut microbiota depletion on anxiety-like or social behaviour. Gut microbiota depletion may be a useful strategy to examine the role of gut microbes in anxiety and sociability, but the lack of data from rigorous animal investigations precludes any definitive interpretations for a translational impact on human health.

Microglia are implicated in the development of paclitaxel chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment in female mice

Chemotherapy remains a mainstay in the treatment of many types of cancer even though it is associated with debilitating behavioral side effects referred to as "chemobrain," including difficulty concentrating and memory impairment. The predominant hypothesis in the field is that systemic inflammation drives these cognitive impairments, although the brain mechanisms by which this occurs remain poorly understood. Here, we hypothesized that microglia are activated by chemotherapy and drive chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairments. To test this hypothesis, we treated female C57BL/6 mice with a clinically-relevant regimen of a common chemotherapeutic, paclitaxel (6 i.p. doses at 30 mg/kg), which impairs memory of an aversive stimulus as assessed via a contextual fear conditioning (CFC) paradigm. Paclitaxel increased the percent area of IBA1 staining in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Moreover, using a machine learning random forest classifier we identified immunohistochemical features of reactive microglia in multiple hippocampal subregions that were distinct between vehicle- and paclitaxel-treated mice. Paclitaxel treatment also increased gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in a microglia-enriched population of cells from mice. Lastly, a selective inhibitor of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor, PLX5622, was employed to deplete microglia and then assess CFC performance following paclitaxel treatment. PLX5622 significantly reduced hippocampal gene expression of paclitaxel-induced proinflammatory cytokines and restored memory, suggesting that microglia play a critical role in the development of chemotherapy-associated neuroinflammation and cognitive impairments. This work provides critical evidence that microglia drive paclitaxel-associated cognitive impairments, a key mechanistic detail for determining preventative and intervention strategies for these burdensome side effects.

Ameliorative Effect of Mannuronate Oligosaccharides on Hyperuricemic Mice via Promoting Uric Acid Excretion and Modulating Gut Microbiota

Mannuronate oligosaccharide (MOS) is α-D-mannuronic acid polymer with 1,4-glycosidic linkages that possesses beneficial biological properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypouricemic effect of MOS in hyperuricemic mice and demonstrate the possible protective mechanisms involved. In this research, 200 mg/kg/day of MOS was orally administered to hyperuricemic mice for four weeks. The results showed that the MOS treatment significantly reduced the serum uric acid (SUA) level from 176.4 ± 7.9 μmol/L to 135.7 ± 10.9 μmol/L (p < 0.05). MOS alleviated the inflammatory response in the kidney. Moreover, MOS promoted uric acid excretion by regulating the protein levels of renal GLUT9, URAT1 and intestinal GLUT9, ABCG2. MOS modulated the gut microbiota in hyperuricemic mice and decreased the levels of Tyzzerella. In addition, research using antibiotic-induced pseudo-sterile mice demonstrated that the gut microbiota played a crucial role in reducing elevated serum uric acid of MOS in mice. In conclusion, MOS may be a potential candidate for alleviating HUA symptoms and regulating gut microbiota.

d-Arabitol Ameliorates Obesity and Metabolic Disorders via the Gut Microbiota-SCFAs-WAT Browning Axis

d-Arabitol, which is typically found in mushrooms, lichens, and higher fungi, might play an effective role in alleviating visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance particularly for its low calorie and glycemic index. However, the regulatory mechanisms of d-arabitol for alleviating obesity and associated metabolic disorders remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate and analyze the underlying relationship between d-arabitol-mediated gut microbiota and obesity. The results showed that d-arabitol dramatically ameliorated body weight gain, fat accumulation, and insulin resistance in HFD-fed rats. Likewise, d-arabitol remarkably increased the relative abundance of the genera Blautia, Anaerostipes, and Phascolarctobacterium and decreased the genera Romboutsia and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. Furthermore, these alterations in gut microflora increased SCFAs, which in turn indirectly promoted AMPK-PGC-1α-related white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. Therefore, d-arabitol would have the potential to alleviate obesity through the gut microbiota-SCFAs-WAT browning axis. It could be considered as a sugar substitute for the obese population and diabetic patients.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Research over the Past Decade: Current Status and Trends

Background

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a current research hotspot, with a surge in the output of publications over the past decade. This study dedicates to the exploration of the research status and highlights significant themes and future trends in FMT research with the aid of bibliometric analysis.

Methods

FMT publications from 2012 to 2021 were retrieved on August 12, 2022, using the SCI-Expanded of Web of Science (WoS). The Bibliometrix in R program, Microsoft Office Excel, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were utilized for bibliometrics and visual analysis, revealing the main publications, journals, countries, agencies, authors, and keywords distribution in FMT research.

Results

There were 2,931 papers included. FMT research presented a growing trend from 2012 to 2021. The countries with the most publications and contributions in FMT area were China and the United States. The high-yield institutions were Harvard University, Udice French Research Universities, and the University of California System. The primary authors were Nieuwdorp Max, Allegretti Jessica R, and Kassam Zain. Frontiers in Microbiology and Science were the top-ranked journals in publications and total citations, respectively. The important topics primarily included FMT-related mechanisms and the usage of FMT in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), metabolic disease, neurological disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Future research would primarily concentrate on neurological disorders, chemotherapy and immunotherapy for malignant tumors, and FMT-related consensus and guidelines.

Conclusion

With the help of bibliometric analysis, we were able to obtain the understanding of the status and trends of global FMT-related research. The field of FMT is undergoing tremendous progress, and our findings can guide clinical researchers' and practitioners' future work in the rapidly evolving field of FMT.

Exercise effect on the gut microbiota in young adolescents with subthreshold depression: A randomized psychoeducation-controlled Trial

This 3-month randomized psychoeducation-controlled trial (RCT) of exercise was undertaken in young adolescents with subthreshold depression to examine the impact on gut microbiota. Participants (aged 12-14 years) were randomly assigned to an exercise or a psychoeducation-controlled group. The exercise intervention arm took moderate-intensity exercise, comprised of 30 min of running per day, 4 days a week for 3 months. Psychoeducation intervention consisted of 6 sessions of group activity including gaming, reading, and singing. The gut microbiota was assessed by metagenomic sequencing. After 3-month moderate-intensity exercise, the intervention group increased the relative abundance of Coprococcus, Blautia, Dorea, Tyzzerella at the genus level, as well as Tyzzerella nexilis, Ruminococcus obeum at species level when compared to the psychoeducation-controlled group. Moreover, EggNOG analyses showed that the defense and signal transduction mechanism were highly enriched after the active intervention, and changes were correlated with improvements in depressive symptoms measured by Chinese Patient Depression Questionnaire 9. The KEGG pathway of neurodegenerative diseases was depleted in the microbiome in young adolescents with subthreshold depression after exercise intervention. This 3-month RCT suggests that at both the genus and species levels, aerobic group exercise intervention improved in depressive symptoms and revealed changes in gut microbiota suggesting beneficial effects.

Fecal microbiota transplantation inhibits colorectal cancer progression: Reversing intestinal microbial dysbiosis to enhance anti-cancer immune responses

Many lines of evidence demonstrate the associations of colorectal cancer (CRC) with intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Recent reports have suggested that maintaining the homeostasis of microbiota and host might be beneficial to CRC patients, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we established a CRC mouse model of microbial dysbiosis and evaluated the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on CRC progression. Azomethane and dextran sodium sulfate were used to induce CRC and microbial dysbiosis in mice. Intestinal microbes from healthy mice were transferred to CRC mice by enema. The vastly disordered gut microbiota of CRC mice was largely reversed by FMT. Intestinal microbiota from normal mice effectively suppressed cancer progression as assessed by measuring the diameter and number of cancerous foci and significantly prolonged survival of the CRC mice. In the intestine of mice that had received FMT, there were massive infiltration of immune cells, including CD8⁺ T and CD49b⁺ NK, which is able to directly kill cancer cells. Moreover, the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells, Foxp3⁺ Treg cells, seen in the CRC mice was much reduced after FMT. Additionally, FMT regulated the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in CRC mice, including down-regulation of IL1a, IL6, IL12a, IL12b, IL17a, and elevation of IL10. These cytokines were positively correlated with Azospirillum_sp._47_25, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, the E. coli complex, Akkermansia, Turicibacter, and negatively correlated with Muribaculum, Anaeroplasma, Candidatus_Arthromitus, and Candidatus Saccharimonas. Furthermore, the repressed expressions of TGFb, STAT3 and elevated expressions of TNFa, IFNg, CXCR4 together promoted the anti-cancer efficacy. Their expressions were positively correlated with Odoribacter, Lachnospiraceae-UCG-006, Desulfovibrio, and negatively correlated with Alloprevotella, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Ruminiclostridium, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 and Oscillibacter. Our studies indicate that FMT inhibits the development of CRC by reversing gut microbial disorder, ameliorating excessive intestinal inflammation and cooperating with anti-cancer immune responses.

Prophylactic Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Intestinal Microbiota and Behavior in Wild-Type and Zonulin Transgenic Mice

The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) involves bidirectional communication between intestinal microbiota and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, central nervous system (CNS), neuroendocrine/neuroimmune systems, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and enteric nervous system (ENS). The intestinal microbiota can influence host physiology and pathology. Dysbiosis involves the loss of beneficial microbial input or signal, diversity, and expansion of pathobionts, which can lead to loss of barrier function and increased intestinal permeability (IP). Colostrum, the first milk from mammals after birth, is a natural source of nutrients and is rich in oligosaccharides, immunoglobulins, growth factors, and anti-microbial components. The aim of this study was to investigate if bovine colostrum (BC) administration might modulate intestinal microbiota and, in turn, behavior in two mouse models, wild-type (WT) and Zonulin transgenic (Ztm)-the latter of which is characterized by dysbiotic microbiota, increased intestinal permeability, and mild hyperactivity-and to compare with control mice. Bioinformatics analysis of the microbiome showed that consumption of BC was associated with increased taxonomy abundance (p = 0.001) and diversity (p = 0.004) of potentially beneficial species in WT mice and shifted dysbiotic microbial community towards eubiosis in Ztm mice (p = 0.001). BC induced an anxiolytic effect in WT female mice compared with WT female control mice (p = 0.0003), and it reduced anxiogenic behavior in Ztm female mice compared with WT female control mice (p = 0.001), as well as in Ztm male mice compared with WT BC male mice (p = 0.03). As evidenced in MGBA interactions, BC supplementation may well be applied for prophylactic approaches in the future. Further research is needed to explore human interdependencies between intestinal microbiota, including eubiosis and pathobionts, and neuroinflammation, and the potential value of BC for human use. The MGH Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee authorized the animal study (2013N000013).

Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB68S Improves Cognitive Functions in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Probiotics could improve cognitive functions in patients with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, but the effects on cognitive function in healthy older adults without cognitive impairment need further study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium longum BB68S (BB68S) on cognitive functions among healthy older adults without cognitive impairment. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 60 healthy older adults without cognitive impairment who were divided into probiotic or placebo groups and required to consume either a sachet of probiotic (BB68S, 5 × 1010 CFU/sachet) or placebo once daily for 8 weeks. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used as an inclusion screening tool to screen elderly participants with healthy cognitive function in our study, and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to assess cognitive function in subjects before and after intervention as an assessment tool. BB68S significantly improved subjects’ cognitive functions (total RBANS score increased by 18.89 points after intervention, p < 0.0001), especially immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, attention, and delayed memory domains. BB68S intervention increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria Lachnospira, Bifidobacterium, Dorea, and Cellulosilyticum, while decreasing those of bacteria related to cognition impairment, such as Collinsella, Parabacteroides, Tyzzerella, Bilophila, unclassified_c_Negativicutes, Epulopiscium, Porphyromonas, and Granulicatella. In conclusion, BB68S could improve cognitive functions in healthy elderly adults without cognitive impairment, along with having beneficial regulatory effects on their gut microbiota. This study supports probiotics as a strategy to promote healthy aging and advances cognitive aging research.

The Chemo-Gut Study: A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring Physical, Mental, and Gastrointestinal Health Outcomes in Cancer Survivors

Background

Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, may adversely affect gastrointestinal (GI), physical and mental health in survivors of cancer.

Objective

This study investigated associations between GI, mental and physical health outcomes, and cancer treatment-related variables, such as chemotherapy, in adult cancer survivors.

Methods

A one-time cross-sectional survey with patient-reported outcomes was used. Cancer survivors (N = 317) aged ≥18 years, living in Canada, who completed cancer treatments were included. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and linear regression analyses are reported.

Results

Mean age at diagnosis was 40.90 ± 15.40 years. Most survivors received chemotherapy (86.1%). Persistent GI symptoms include constipation (53.6%), diarrhea (50.5%), and bloating/pain (54.9%). Mean GI symptom duration was 30.53 ± 33.42 months. Severity of GI symptom interference was moderate to extreme for 51.9% of survivors. Compared to normative values of 50 in healthy people, survivors scored poorer for mental health (M = 42.72 ± 8.16) and physical health (M = 45.55 ± 7.93), and reported more belly pain (M = 56.10 ± 8.58), constipation (M = 54.38 ± 6.81), diarrhea (M = 55.69 ± 6.77), and gas/bloating (M = 56.08 ± 8.12). Greater GI symptom severity was associated with poorer mental and physical health (P < .01). Chemotherapy was associated with increased belly pain (B = 4.83, SE = 1.65, P < .01) and gas/bloating (B = 3.06, SE = 1.45, P = .04).

Conclusion

We provide novel evidence that many cancer survivors experience chronic, moderate to severe GI symptoms lasting for years after cancer treatment, which are associated with worse mental and physical health. Chemotherapy is associated with specific GI symptoms. Integrative therapies are needed to address GI symptoms in cancer survivors.