Egg white peptides ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis symptoms by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulation of gut microbiota composition

Therapeutic peptides in the treatment of digestive inflammation: Current advances and future prospects

Digestive inflammation is a widespread global issue that significantly impacts quality of life. Recent advances have highlighted the unique potential of therapeutic peptides for treating this condition, owing to their specific bioactivity and high specificity. By specifically targeting key proteins involved in the pathological process and modulating biomolecular functions, therapeutic peptides offer a novel and promising approach to managing digestive inflammation. This review explores the development history, pharmacological characteristics, clinical applications, and regulatory mechanisms of therapeutic peptides in treating digestive inflammation. Additionally, the review addresses pharmacokinetics and quality control methods of therapeutic peptides, focusing on challenges such as low bioavailability, poor stability, and difficulties in delivery. The role of modern biotechnologies and nanotechnologies in overcoming these challenges is also examined. Finally, future directions for therapeutic peptides and their potential impact on clinical applications are discussed, with emphasis placed on their significant role in advancing medical and therapeutic practices.

Large-leaf yellow tea protein derived-peptides alleviated dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute colitis and restored intestinal microbiota balance in C57BL/6 J mice

Large-leaf yellow tea (LYT)-derived peptides (TPP) are rich in amino acids required for damage repair, such as Glu, Arg, and Pro, and can be used to alleviate acute colitis. However, its effect and mechanisms against colitis remain unclear. This study utilized TPP to intervene in dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute colitis in C57BL/6 J mice. Results confirmed that TPP ameliorated acute colitis symptoms by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis, particularly by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia and Lactobacillus while declining harmful microbiota Escherichia-Shigella. Besides, TPP intervention reshaped the gut microbiota phenotype by increasing the aerobic phenotype and reducing the potentially pathogenic phenotype. Levels of short-chain fatty acids, including acetic acid, propanoic acid, isobutyric acid, and butyric acid, were also enhanced in a dose-dependent manner to help restore gut microbiota equilibrium. This study supports using TPP as a viable plant protein-derived dietary resource for alleviating inflammatory bowel disease.

Goat Milk Exosomes Ameliorate Ulcerative Colitis in Mice through Modulation of the Intestinal Barrier, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolites

Goat milk is rich in a variety of nutrients that are important for intestinal health and disease prevention. However, the role of exosomes in goat milk remains to be elucidated. This study investigated for the first time the therapeutic efficacy and molecular underlying mechanisms of mature milk exosomes (M-exo) and goat colostrum exosomes (C-exo) on dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. The findings demonstrate that M-exo and C-exo significantly improved physiological indices, suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and diminished oxidative stress and apoptosis in UC mice. Moreover, C-exo and M-exo restored the intestinal barrier function, remodeled the gut microbiota, and improved metabolite composition in the feces of colitis mice. In conclusion, goat milk exosomes ameliorate UC in mice, which provides a basis for the development of functional food applications for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Potential Application of Egg White Peptides for Antioxidant Properties: Perspectives from Batch Stability and Network Pharmacology

This study investigated the batch stability of egg white peptides (EWPs) during the enzymatic hydrolysis process, and confirmed the potential application of four crucial four peptides inoxidative damage repair. The results revealed that different batches of EWPs had good stability relating to antioxidant activity. With a similar sequence to confirmed antioxidant peptides, four EWPs (QMDDFE, WDDDPTD, DEPDPL, and FKDEDTQ) were identified withhigh repetition rates, and their potential to repair oxidative damage was investigated. Network pharmacology results showed that these four peptides could regulate the targets related to oxidative damage. Enrichment results demonstrated that these four peptides could influence the targets and pathways related to glutathione transferase activity (enrichment score: 148.0) and glutathione metabolism (p value: 9.22 × 10-10). This study could provide evidence for the batch stability of hydrolyzed prepared EWPs, and offer theoretical support for the development of antioxidant damage ingredients derived from foods.

Intergenerational neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in offspring mice is mediated by dysfunctional microbe-gut-brain axis

Nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in daily life, posing potential risks to the environment and human. While their negative effects on parental organisms have been extensively studied, intergenerational effects are still in the early stages of investigation. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of maternal exposure to an environmentally relevant level of polystyrene NPs (PSNPs, 100 nm) during gestation and lactation (∼32 days, 50 μg/mouse/day) on neurotoxicity mediated by the microbe-gut-brain axis in offspring mice. Maternal PSNPs exposure significantly increased brain TNF-α level and microglia by 1.43 and 1.48 folds respectively, compared to control, accompanied by nuclear pyknosis and cell vacuolization in cortex and hippocampus. Targeted neurotransmitter metabolomics analysis revealed dysregulation in dopamine and serotonin metabolism. Specifically, dopamine levels increased significantly from 0.007 ng/L to 0.015 ng/L, while N-acetylseroton and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid decreased significantly from 0.002 and 0.929 ng/L to 0.001 and 0.680 ng/L, respectively. Through a combination of 16S rRNA sequencing and biochemical analysis, we discovered that maternal PSNPs exposure led to a depletion of anti-inflammatory bacteria and an enrichment of pro-inflammatory bacteria resulting in intestinal barrier damage, elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide in blood, and subsequent activation of neuroinflammation. Meanwhile, gut bacteria dysbiosis interfered with communication between gut and brain by dysregulating neurotransmitter synthesis, as evidenced by significant associations between neurotransmitter-related bacteria (Akkermansia, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, Lachnoclostridium) and dopamine/serotonin related metabolites. Furthermore, transcriptional alterations in dopamine and serotonin related pathways were observed in the enteric nervous system, suggesting abnormal signal transduction from gut to brain contributes to neurotoxicity. This study provides new insights into NPs-induced neurotoxicity within the context of microbe-gut-brain axis and highlights the risk of cerebral dysfunction in offspring with maternal NPs exposure.

Zein and gum arabic nanoparticles: potential enhancers of immunomodulatory functional activity of selenium-containing peptides

Food-derived nanomaterials optimizing bioactive peptides is an emerging route in the functional food field. Zein and gum arabic (GA) possess favorable encapsulation properties for controlled release, targeted delivery and stabilization of food bioactive ingredients, and thus are considered as promising carriers for delivery systems. In order to improve the bioavailability of rice selenium-containing peptide TSeMMM (T), the nanoparticles (ZTGNs) containing peptide T, zein and GA have been previously prepared. This study focused on evaluating the immunomodulatory capacity of ZTGNs. The results showed that ZTGNs significantly alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced reduction in immune organ indices and liver glutathione content of mice. There was a significant upregulation observed in the levels of immune-related cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ as well as their mRNA expression. Moreover, ZTGNs enriched the diversity of the intestinal flora and promoted the proportion of beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, ZTGNs have potential as immunomodulatory enhancers for food bioactive ingredients, providing prospects for further optimization of dietary supplements.

Role of inflammatory cytokines and the gut microbiome in vascular dementia: insights from Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Both inflammatory cytokines and the gut microbiome are susceptibility factors for vascular dementia (VaD). The trends in the overall changes in the dynamics of inflammatory cytokines and in the composition of the gut microbiome are influenced by a variety of factors, making it difficult to fully explain the different effects of both on the different subtypes of VaD. Therefore, this Mendelian randomization (MR) study identified the inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome members that influence the risk of developing VaD and their causal effects, and investigated whether inflammatory cytokines are gut microbiome mediators affecting VaD.

Methods

We obtained pooled genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for 196 gut microbiota and 41 inflammatory cytokines and used GWAS data for six VaD subtypes, namely, VaD (mixed), VaD (multiple infarctions), VaD (other), VaD (subcortical), VaD (sudden onset), and VaD (undefined). We used the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary MR analysis method. We conducted sensitivity analyses and reverse MR analyses to examine reverse causal associations, enhancing the reliability and stability of the conclusions. Finally, we used multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis to assess the direct causal effects of inflammatory cytokines and the gut microbiome on the risk of VaD, and performed mediation MR analysis to explore whether inflammatory factors were potential mediators.

Results

Our two-sample MR study revealed relationships between the risk of six VaD subtypes and inflammatory cytokines and the gut microbiota: 7 inflammatory cytokines and 14 gut microbiota constituents were positively correlated with increased VaD subtype risk, while 2 inflammatory cytokines and 11 gut microbiota constituents were negatively correlated with decreased VaD subtype risk. After Bonferroni correction, interleukin-18 was correlated with an increased risk of VaD (multiple infarctions); macrophage migration inhibitory factor was correlated with an increased risk of VaD (sudden onset); interleukin-4 was correlated with a decreased risk of VaD (other); Ruminiclostridium 6 and Bacillales were positively and negatively correlated with the risk of VaD (undefined), respectively; Negativicutes and Selenomonadales were correlated with a decreased risk of VaD (mixed); and Melainabacteria was correlated with an increased risk of VaD (multiple infarctions). Sensitivity analyses revealed no multilevel effects or heterogeneity and no inverse causality between VaD and inflammatory cytokines or the gut microbiota. The MVMR results further confirmed that the causal effects of Negativicutes, Selenomonadales, and Melainabacteria on VaD remain significant. Mediation MR analysis showed that inflammatory cytokines were not potential mediators.

Conclusion

This study helps us to better understand the pathological mechanisms of VaD and suggests the potential value of targeting increases or decreases in inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome members for VaD prevention and intervention.

Lactobacillus acidophilus protects against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection by regulating the autophagy of macrophages and maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis in C57BL/6 mice

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. p), a facultative intracellular bacterium, is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes abscesses and pyogenic granulomas. The relationship between gut microbiota and host health or diseases has received increasing attention. However, the role of gut microbiota in the process of C. p infection is still unclear. In this study, we established a C. p infection model in C57BL/6 mice and examined the impact of preemptive oral administration Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) on infection. Our findings revealed that C. p infection led to pronounced pathological alterations in the liver and kidneys, characterized by abscess formation, intense inflammatory responses, and bacterial overload. Remarkably, these deleterious effects were greatly relieved by oral administration of L. acidophilus before infection with C. p. Additionally, we further found that during C. p infection, peritoneal macrophages (PMs) of mice orally administered with L. acidophilus accumulated more rapidly at sites of infection. Furthermore, our results showed that PMs from mice with oral L. acidophilus administration showed a stronger C. p clearance effect, and this was mediated by high expression of LC3-II protein. Meanwhile, oral administration of L. acidophilus protected the gut microbiota disorder in C57BL/6 mice caused by C. p infection. In summary, our study demonstrates that oral administration of L. acidophilus confers effective protection against C. p infection in C57BL/6 mice by modulating macrophage autophagy, thereby augmenting bacterial clearance and preserving gut microbiota and function stability. These findings position L. acidophilus as a viable probiotic candidate for the clinical prevention of C. p infection.

IMPORTANCE

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. p) is known to induce a range of chronic diseases in both animals and humans. Currently, clinical treatment for C. p infection mainly relies on antibiotic therapy or surgical intervention. However, excessive use of antibiotics may increase the risk of drug-resistant strains, and the effectiveness of treatment remains unsatisfactory. Furthermore, surgical procedures do not completely eradicate pathogens and can easily cause environmental pollution. Probiotic interventions are receiving increasing attention for improving the body's immune system and maintaining health. In this study, we established a C. p infection model in C57BL/6 mice to explore the impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus during C. p infection. Our results showed that L. acidophilus effectively protected against C. p infection by regulating the autophagy of macrophages and maintaining intestinal microbiota homeostasis. This study may provide a new strategy for the prevention of C. p infection.

Casein-quaternary chitosan complexes induced the soft assembly of egg white peptide and curcumin for ulcerative colitis alleviation

Soft assembly of peptide and curcumin (Cur) molecules enables functional integration by finding dynamic equilibrium states through non-covalent interactions. Herein, we developed two soft assembly systems, curcumin-egg white peptides (Cur-EWP) aggregations (AGs) and Cur-EWP-casein-quaternary chitosan (Cur-EWP-CA-QC) nanoparticles (NPs) to comparatively investigate their therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis in mice and elucidate their underlying mechanism. Results revealed that Cur-EWP AGs, despite gastrointestinal tract instability, exhibited a propensity for swift accumulation within the colorectal region, enriching mucus-associated and short-chain fatty acid (SCAF)-producing bacteria, restoring the intestinal barrier damage. Whereas, Cur-EWP-CA-QC NPs, benefiting from their remarkable stability and exceptional mucosal adsorption properties, not only enhanced permeability of Cur and EWP in the small intestine to activate the immune response and boost tight junction protein expression but also, in their unabsorbed state, regulated the intestinal flora, exerting potent anti-inflammatory activity. Soft assembly of peptides and hydrophobic nutraceuticals could synergize biological activities to modulate chronic diseases.

Oral Synergism of Egg-White-Derived Peptides (EWDP) and Curcumin for Colitis Mitigation via Polysaccharide/Cyclodextrin Metal-Organic Framework-Based Assemblies

Recently, oral deliverable strategies of multiple nutraceuticals for ulcerative colitis (UC) mitigation have attracted increasing attention. This study aimed to fabricate facile oral assemblies loaded with egg-white-derived peptides (EWDP) and curcumin based on carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and an γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic framework (MOF). Herein, outer CMCS could coassemble with EWDP (both nutraceuticals and building blocks) into cobweb-like fibrils to promote bridging with inner MOF via coordinative noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, and electrostatic interaction). Compared with conventional γ-cyclodextrin/MOF-based composites, the above coassembly could also endow the biocompatible assemblies with superior nanoscale colloidal properties, processing applicability (curcumin storage stability, bioaccessibility, and aqueous solubility), and bioactivity. Moreover, the oral synergism of EWDP and curcumin (initially nonsynergistic) for UC mitigation was achieved by alleviating inflammatory damage and gut microbiota imbalance. Overall, the novel assemblies could be a promising amplifier and platform to facilitate oral formulations of various nutraceuticals for food processing and UC relief.

Albumen exosomes alleviate LPS-induced inflammation of intestinal epithelial cells via miR-22/ATM/p53/NF-κB axis

Biological macromolecules identified in albumen were found benefit to intestinal health, whether albumen contains exosomes and function of their cargos in intestinal inflammation remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate characteristics and cargos of albumen exosomes, as well as their potential roles in alleviating inflammation in intestinal epithelial cells. Our results demonstrated that albumen contains exosomes that are cup-shaped morphology vesicles with diameter ranging from 50 to 200 nm. There were 278 miRNAs and 45 proteins with higher expression levels in albumen exosomes, and they were mainly involved in immune responses and programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis and p53 signaling pathway. LPS induced overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α and excessive apoptosis, which could be reversed by albumen exosomes. The beneficial effects of exosomes could be mainly attributed to miRNA cargos and their inhibition on inflammatory response signaling pathways (p53 and NF-κB pathways). Mechanically, exosome miR-22 targeted ATM and inhibited p53/NF-κB pathway, alleviating LPS-induced overexpression of Caspase-3 and Bax, and inflammatory response. Collectively, albumen exosomes alleviate inflammation of intestinal epithelial cells via miR-22/ATM/p53/NF-κB axis and these findings may provide theoretical basis to the potential application of albumen exosomes for intestinal inflammation.

Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Restoring the Intestinal Microbiota and Inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB Axis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal ailment which cannot be completely cured. The occurrence of UC has been on the rise in recent years, which is highly detrimental to patients. The effectiveness of conventional drug treatment is limited. The long-term usage of these agents can lead to substantial adverse effects. Therefore, the development of a safe and efficient dietary supplement is important for the prevention of UC. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPP) is one of the main bioactive substances in Echinacea purpurea. EPP has many favorable effects, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. However, whether EPP can prevent or alleviate UC is still unclear. This study aims to analyze the effect and mechanism of EPP on UC in mice using a 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg EPP significantly alleviated the shortening of colon length, weight loss, and histopathological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Mechanistically, EPP significantly inhibits the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and preserves the intestinal mechanical barrier integrity by enhancing the expression of claudin-1, ZO-1, and occludin and reducing the loss of goblet cells. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that EPP intervention reduced the abundance of Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Klebsiella; the abundance of Lactobacillus increased. The results of nontargeted metabonomics showed that EPP reshaped metabolism. In this study, we clarified the effect of EPP on UC, revealed the potential function of EPP, and supported the use of polysaccharide dietary supplements for UC prevention.

Postbiotic Administration Ameliorates Colitis and Inflammation in Rats Possibly through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Postbiotics are preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that are beneficial to host health. Compared with probiotics, the postbiotic dose required for exerting obvious protective effects is unknown. Thus, we conducted a dose-dependent postbiotic intervention study in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis rats. The trial included five rat groups, including: control without DSS/postbiotic treatment, group C; 7-day DSS treatment, group D; 14-day low, medium, and high probiotic doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 g/kg; groups L, M, H, respectively) after DSS induction. We found that postbiotic intervention effectively mitigated the symptoms and inflammation in colitis rats, evidenced by the improved spleen index, less severe colon tissue damage, and changes in serum cytokine levels (decreases in tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β; increase in interleukin-10) in postbiotic groups compared with group D. Moreover, the therapeutic effect was dose-dependent. Fecal metabolomics analysis revealed that the postbiotic recipients had more anti-inflammatory metabolites, namely, salicyloyl phytophingosine, podophylloxin, securinine, baicalein, and diosmetin. Fecal metagenomics analysis revealed that the postbiotic recipients had more beneficial microbes and less pro-inflammatory bacteria. This study confirmed that postbiotics are effective in alleviating colitis in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings are of interest to food scientists, clinicians, and the health food industry.

Notch Signaling Inhibition Alleviates Allergies Caused by Antarctic Krill Tropomyosin through Improving Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Modulating Gut Microbiota

Antarctic krill tropomyosin (AkTM) has been shown in mice to cause IgE-mediated food allergy. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in AkTM-sensitized mice, as well as to determine the changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the allergic mice. An AkTM-induced food allergy mouse model was built and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) was used as an γ-secretase inhibitor to inhibit the activation of Notch signaling. Food allergy indices, some key transcription factors, histologic alterations in the small intestine, and changes in gut microbiota composition were examined. The results showed that DAPT inhibited Notch signaling, which reduced AkTM-specific IgE, suppressed mast cell degranulation, decreased IL-4 but increased IFN-γ production, and alleviated allergic symptoms. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that expressions of Hes-1, Gata3, and IL-4 were down-regulated after DAPT treatment, accompanied by increases in T-bet and IFN-γ, indicating that Notch signaling was active in AkTM-sensitized mice and blocking it could reverse the Th1/Th2 imbalance. Expressions of key transcription factors revealed that Notch signaling could promote Th2 cell differentiation in sensitized mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that AkTM could alter the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in mice, leading to increases in inflammation-inducing bacteria such as Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella. Correlation analysis indicated that reduced SCFA concentrations in AkTM-allergic mice may be related to decreases in certain SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Clostridia_UCG-014. The changes in gut microbiota and SCFAs could be partially restored by DAPT treatment. Our findings showed that inhibiting Notch signaling could alleviate AkTM-induced food allergy by correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance and modulating the gut microbiota.

Molecular Interactions Between Egg White Peptides and Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Membranes: Effect of Peptide Localization on Membrane Fluidity

Bioactive peptides have been shown to affect cell membrane fluidity, which is an important indicator of the cell membrane structure and function. However, the underlying mechanism of egg white-derived bioactive peptide regulation of cell membrane fluidity has not been elucidated yet. The cell membrane fluidity was investigated by giant unilamellar vesicles in the present study. The results showed that peptides TCNW, ADWAK, ESIINF, VPIEGII, LVEEY, and WKLC connect to membranes through intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and regulated membrane fluidity, in a concentration-dependent way. In addition, peptides prefer to localize in the hydrophobic core of the bilayers. This study provides a theoretical basis for analyzing the localization of egg white bioactive peptides in specific cell membrane regions and their influence on the cell membrane fluidity.

Exopolysaccharides Produced by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum YS108R Ameliorates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Improving the Gut Barrier and Regulating the Gut Microbiota

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a major disease that has endangered human health. Our previous study demonstrated that Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum YS108R, a ropy exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacterium, could alleviate UC in mice, but it is unclear whether EPS is the key substance responsible for its action. In this study, we proposed to investigate the remitting effect of EPS from B. longum subsp. longum YS108R on UC in a DSS-induced UC mouse model. Water extraction and alcohol precipitation were applied to extract EPS from the supernatant of B. longum subsp. longum YS108R culture. Then the animal trial was performed, and the results indicated that YS108R EPS ameliorated colonic pathological damage and the intestinal barrier. YS108R EPS suppressed inflammation via NF-κB signaling pathway inhibition and attenuated oxidative stress via the Nrf2 signaling pathway activation. Remarkably, YS108R EPS regulated gut microbiota, as evidenced by an increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and a decline in Gram-negative bacteria, resulting in an increase of propionate and butyrate and a reduction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Collectively, YS108R EPS manipulated the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites, which further improved the intestinal barrier and inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby alleviating UC.

Effects of rosmarinic acid on immune response and intestinal microbiota in ovalbumin-induced intestinal allergy mice

BACKGROUND

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is an active polyphenol that is widely found in various edible herbs. This study explored the potential anti-allergic activities and the underlying mechanisms of RA in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced intestinal allergic mice.

RESULTS

Forty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group (OVA sensitized/challenged), RA-Low group (OVA sensitized/challenged, 30 mg kg-1 RA intervention), RA-Middle group (OVA sensitized/challenged, 90 mg kg-1 RA intervention) and RA-High group (OVA sensitized/challenged, 270 mg kg-1 RA intervention). RA effectively attenuated allergic reactions, including alleviating allergic symptoms and regulating the hypothermia of mice in the model group. Moreover, the anaphylactic mediator (OVA-specific IgE, histamine and mMCP-1) levels of OVA allergic mice were markedly decreased after RA intervention. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that RA significantly inhibited Th2 cytokine expression, while Th1 and Treg cytokines were markedly increased. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that RA effectively regulated the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in OVA allergic mice. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio were altered by RA intervention. At the genus level, RA was found to regulate the disturbances in the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus and Prevotella.

CONCLUSION

RA exhibited potential anti-allergic activity in OVA allergic mice by regulating hypersensitive immune responses and the intestinal microbiota structure. These results provide important evidence that RA can be developed into a novel functional food-derived ingredient against food allergy. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dysfunction of cecal microbiota and CutC activity in mice mediating diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome

Objective

Previous studies have indicated that diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome leads to a disorder of small intestine contents and mucosal microbiota. However, the relationship of TMA-lyase (CutC) activity and TMAO with diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome remains unexplored. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between cecal microbiota and choline TMA-lyase (CutC) activity, as well as the correlation between trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), inflammatory index, and CutC activity.

Method

Twenty SPF-grade male KM mice were randomly divided into the normal group (CN) and the diarrhea model group (CD). Diarrhea mouse models were established by adenine combined with Folium sennae administration. CutC activity, TMAO, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected, and the cecal content microbiota was sequenced.

Result

After 14 days, diarrhea occurred in the CD group. Compared with the CN group, there was no significant change in the activity of CutC in the small intestine of the CD group, while the activity of CutC in the cecum was significantly increased, and the levels of TMAO, IL-6, and TNF-α showed a significant increase. The Chao1 index, Observed_species index, Shannon index, and Simpson index all exhibited a decreasing trend. The main changes at the bacterial genus level were Alistipes, Enterorhabdus, Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and [Ruminococcus]_torques_group. The results of LEfSe analysis, random forest analysis and ROC curve analysis revealed Paludicola, Blautia, Negativibacillus, Paraprevotella, Harryflintia, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Anaerotruncus, Oscillibacter, Colidextribacter, [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, and Bacteroides as characteristic bacteria in the CD group. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between cecal CutC activity and Ligilactobacillus, and a significant positive correlation with Negativibacillus and Paludicola. The level of TMAO was significantly positively correlated with CutC activity and IL-6.

Conclusion

Diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome significantly affects the physiological status, digestive enzyme activity, CutC activity, TMAO levels, and inflammatory response in mice. Additionally, there are changes in the composition and function of cecal microbiota, indicating an important impact of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome on the host intestinal microbiota balance. The occurrence of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome may be associated with dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, increased CutC activity, elevated TMAO levels, and heightened inflammatory factor levels.

Preparation, Structural Identification, and Screening of Egg-Derived Peptides with Facilitating Alcohol Metabolism Activity

The aim of this study was to obtain egg-derived peptides with facilitating alcohol metabolism (EPs) by enzymolysis, to identify their structures, and screen small polypeptides with higher activity by molecular docking. The optimum conditions for preparing EPs with facilitating alcohol metabolism were obtained by a single factor experiment, adding 2% Protamex and performing enzymolysis for 3 h with a liquid-material ratio of 35:1. The dose-response relationship experiment showed that 800 mg/kg·bw EPs played a better role in facilitating alcohol metabolism. EPs contained 40% hydrophobic amino acids (HAA), including 9.24% Leu. Eighty-four peptides were identified by HPLC-MS/MS and four peptides with potential activation of alcohol dehydrogenase were further selected by molecular docking. The tetrapeptide Trp-Ile-Val-Asp (WIVD) with the highest binding energy reached -7.16 kcal/mol. These findings suggest that egg is a good source for the preparation of peptides with facilitating alcohol metabolism activity.

Microencapsulation as a Protective Strategy for Sialylated Immunoglobulin G: Efficacy in Alleviating Symptoms of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice and Potential Mechanisms

Sialylated immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a vital glycoprotein in breast milk with the ability to promote the growth of Bifidobacterium in gut microbiota and relieve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms in vitro. Here, it was found that the microcapsules with sialylated IgG could protect and release sialylated IgG with its structure and function in the intestine. Furthermore, the sialylated IgG microcapsules alleviated the clinical symptoms (body weight, feed quantity, and colon length loss), decreased disease activity index score, suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and MCP-1) and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), and enhanced the intestinal mucosal barrier (Claudin1, Muc2, Occludin, and ZO-1) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Additionally, the sialylated IgG microcapsules improved the gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of critical microbe Bifidobacterium bifidum and promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Correlation analysis indicated that the key microbes were strongly correlated with pro-inflammatory factors, clinical symptoms, tight junction protein, and SCFAs. These findings suggest that the sialylated IgG microcapsules have the potential to be used as a novel therapeutic approach for treating IBD.

Egg White Peptides Accelerating the Wound Healing Process Through Modulating the PI3K-AKT Pathway: A Joint Analysis of Transcriptomic and Proteomic

Wound healing is a multiphase process with a complex repair mechanism; trauma-repairing products with safety and high efficiency have a great market demand. Egg white peptides (EWP) have various physiological regulatory functions and have been proven efficient in ameliorating skin damage. However, their underlying regulation mechanism has not been revealed. This study further evaluated the EWP ameliorating mechanism by conducting a full-thickness skin wound model. Results demonstrated that EWP administration significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory and shortened the inflammatory phase. Besides, EWP can accelerate the secretion of growth factors (PDGF, VEGF, and TGF-β1) in skin tissue, significantly increasing the regeneration of granulation tissue and endothelium in the proliferation phase, thereby promoting wound healing. After 400 mg/kg EWP interventions for 13 days postoperation, the wound healing rate reached 90%. The combination of transcriptomic and proteomic analyses demonstrated the ameliorating efficiency effects of EWP on wound healing. EWP mainly participates in the functional network with the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway as the core to accelerate wound healing. These findings suggest a promising EWP-based strategy for accelerating wound healing.

Seasonal variations of airborne microbial diversity in waste transfer stations and preventive effect on Streptococcus pneumoniae induced pulmonary inflammation

Environment, location, and season are important factors that influence the microbiological community, yet, little research on airborne microorganisms in waste transfer stations (WTSs). Here, the airborne bacterial and fungal communities at four WTSs during different seasons were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. The bacteria were isolated by cultural method and screened bacterium alleviate inflammation induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) by regulating gut microbiome. The results revealed that collected bioaerosols from the WTSs varied significantly by location and season. Proteobacteria and Pseudomonadota are prevalent in summer and winter, respectively. Ascomycota was predominant in two seasons. Hazard quotients for adults from four WTSs were below one. Three selected potential probiotics were formulated into a microbial preparation with a carrier that effectively prevented inflammation in bacterial and animal experiments. The expression levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in Pre group (0.11, 0.17, and 0.48-fold) were significantly lower than Spn group (2.75, 1.71, and 5.01-fold). These mechanisms are associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels, such as affecting Lachnospiraceae lachnospira abundance and acetic acid content. This study provides insights into the potential application of probiotics derived from WTSs as an alternative approach to preventing respiratory infections.

Integrated Analysis of the Transcriptome and Microbial Diversity in the Intestine of Miniature Pig Obesity Model

Obesity, a key contributor to metabolic disorders, necessitates an in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis and prerequisites for prevention. Guangxi Bama miniature pig (GBM) offers an apt model for obesity-related studies. In this research, we used transcriptomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to discern the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within intestinal (jejunum, ileum, and colon) tissues and variations in microbial communities in intestinal contents of GBM subjected to normal diets (ND) and high-fat, high-carbohydrate diets (HFHCD). After a feeding duration of 26 weeks, the HFHCD-fed experimental group demonstrated notable increases in backfat thickness, BMI, abnormal blood glucose metabolism, and blood lipid levels alongside the escalated serum expression of pro-inflammatory factors and a marked decline in intestinal health status when compared to the ND group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a total of 1669 DEGs, of which 27 had similar differences in three intestinal segments across different groups, including five immune related genes: COL6A6, CYP1A1, EIF2AK2, NMI, and LGALS3B. Further, we found significant changes in the microbiota composition, with a significant decrease in beneficial bacterial populations within the HFHCD group. Finally, the results of integrated analysis of microbial diversity with transcriptomics show a positive link between certain microbial abundance (Solibacillus, norank_f__Saccharimonadaceae, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and unclassified_f__Butyricicoccaceae) and changes in gene expression (COL6A6 and NMI). Overall, HFHCD appears to co-contribute to the initiation and progression of obesity in GBM by aggravating inflammatory responses, disrupting immune homeostasis, and creating imbalances in intestinal flora.

Integrative Multiomics Profiling Unveils the Protective Function of Ulinastatin against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease with multiple pathogeneses. Here, we aimed to study the therapeutic role of ulinastatin (UTI), an anti-inflammatory bioagent, and its associated mechanisms in treating colitis. Dextran sulfate sodium was administrated to induce colitis in mice, and a subgroup of colitis mice was treated with UTI. The gut barrier defect and inflammatory manifestations of colitis were determined via histological and molecular experiments. In addition, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics were employed to explore the possible mechanisms underlying the effects of UTI. We found that UTI significantly alleviated the inflammatory manifestations and intestinal barrier damage in the mice with colitis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed a correlation between the UTI treatment and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. UTI up-regulated the expression of SOCS1, which subsequently inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3, thus limiting the action of inflammatory mediators. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing illustrated that UTI maintained a more stable intestinal flora, protecting the gut from dysbiosis in colitis. Moreover, metabolomics analysis demonstrated that UTI indeed facilitated the production of some bile acids and short-chain fatty acids, which supported intestinal homeostasis. Our data provide evidence that UTI is effective in treating colitis and support the potential use of UTI treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis.

Food-derived peptides as novel therapeutic strategies for NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases: a systematic review

NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3), a member of the nucleotide-binding domain (NOD) and leucine-rich repeat sequence (LRR) protein (NLR) family, plays an essential role in the inflammation initiation and inflammatory mediator secretion, and thus is also associated with many disease progressions. Food-derived bioactive peptides (FDBP) exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory activity in both in vivo and in vitro models. They are encrypted in plant, meat, and milk proteins and can be released under enzymatic hydrolysis or fermentation conditions, thereby hindering the progression of hyperuricemia, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease, neurological disorders, lung injury and periodontitis by inactivating the NLRP3. However, there is a lack of systematic review around FDBP, NLRP3, and NLRP3-related diseases. Therefore, this review summarized FDBP that exert inhibiting effects on NLRP3 inflammasome from different protein sources and detailed their preparation and purification methods. Additionally, this paper also compiled the possible inhibitory mechanisms of FDBP on NLRP3 inflammasomes and its regulatory role in NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases. Finally, the progress of cutting-edge technologies, including nanoparticle, computer-aided screening strategy and recombinant DNA technology, in the acquisition or encapsulation of NLRP3 inhibitory FDBP was discussed. This review provides a scientific basis for understanding the anti-inflammatory mechanism of FDBP through the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and also provides guidance for the development of therapeutic adjuvants or functional foods enriched with these FDBP.

Methyl cinnamate protects against dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway

Effective and non-toxic therapeutic agents are lacking for the prevention and treatment of colitis. Previous studies found that methyl cinnamate (MC), extracted from galangal ( Alpinia officinarum Hance), has anti-inflammatory properties. However, whether MC is effective as anti-colitis therapy remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic effects of MC on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and further explore its potential mechanism of action. MC treatment relieves symptoms associated with DSS-induced colitis, including the recovery of DSS-induced weight loss, decreases the disease activity index score, and increases the colon length without toxic side effects. MC treatment protects the integrity of the intestinal barrier in mice with DSS-induced colitis and inhibits the overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the MAPK signaling pathway is found to be closely related to the treatment with MC of colitis. Western blot analysis show that phosphorylation of the p38 protein in colon tissues treated with MC is markedly reduced and phosphorylation levels of the p38, JNK and ERK proteins are significantly decreased in RAW 264.7 cells treated with MC, indicating that the mechanism of MC in treating DSS-induced colitis could be achieved by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, 16S RNA sequencing analysis show that MC can improve intestinal microbial dysbiosis in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Altogether, these findings suggest that MC may be a novel therapeutic candidate with anti-colitis efficacy. Furthermore, MC treatment relieves the symptoms of colitis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway and improving the intestinal microbiota.

Integrated metabolome-microbiome analysis investigates the different regulations of Pudilan Xiaoyan oral liquid in young rats with acute pharyngitis compared to adult rats

BACKGROUND

Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid (PDL) is a famous traditional Chinese prescription recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, which is widely used to treat inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract in children and adults. However, the endogenous changes in children and adults with PDL in the treatment of acute pharyngitis remain unclear.

PURPOSE

The differential regulatory roles of PDL in endogenous metabolism and gut microbes in young and adult rats were investigated with a view to providing a preclinical data reference for PDL in medication for children.

METHODS

An acute pharyngitis model was established, and serum levels of inflammatory factors and histopathology were measured. This study simulated the growth and development of children in young rats and explored the endogenous metabolic characteristics and intestinal microbial composition after the intervention of PDL by using serum metabolomic technique and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technique.

RESULTS

The results showed that PDL had therapeutic effects on young and adult rats with acute pharyngitis. Sixteen biomarkers were identified by metabolomics in the serum of young rats and 23 in adult rats. PDL can also affect intestinal microbial diversity and community richness in young and adult rats. Alloprevotella, Allobaculum, Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, and Enterorhabdus were prominent bacteria in young rats. Bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes of the adult rats changed more significantly under the treatment of PDL. In young rats, amino acid metabolism was the primary regulatory mode of PDL, whereas, in adult rats, glycerophospholipid metabolism was studied.

CONCLUSION

The regulation of PDL on the serum metabolite group and intestinal microflora in young rats was different from that in adult rats, indicating the necessity of an independent study on children's medication. PDL may also exert therapeutic effects on young and adult rats by regulating gut microbial homeostasis. The results support the clinical application of PDL.

An update on the effects of food-derived active peptides on the intestinal microecology

The intestinal microecology is a research hotspot, and neologisms related to the gut such as gut-brain axis, gut-lung axis, gut-bone axis, gut-skin axis, gut-renal axis, and gut-liver axis have emerged from recent research. Meticulous investigation has discovered that food-derived active peptides (FDAPs) are bioactive substances that optimize the structure of the gut microbiota to improve human health. However, few reviews have summarized and emphasized the nutritional value of FDAPs and their mechanisms of action in regulating the composition of the gut microbiota. We aim to provide an update on the latest research on FDAPs by comparing, summarizing, and discussing the potential food sources of FDAPs, their physiological functions, and regulatory effects on the intestinal microecology. The key findings are that few studies have analyzed the potential mechanisms and molecular pathways through which FDAPs maintain intestinal microecological homeostasis. We found that an imbalance in the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in the gut microbiota and abnormal production of short-chain fatty acids are key to the occurrence and development of various diseases. This review provides theoretical support for future comprehensive research on the digestion, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of FDAPs and the mechanisms underlying the interactions between FDAPs and the intestinal microecology.

Walnut Protein Peptides Ameliorate DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Damage in Mice: An in Silico Analysis and in Vivo Investigation

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a food with food-medicine homology, whose derived protein peptides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. However, the effects and mechanisms of walnut protein peptides on ulcerative colitis (UC) in vivo have not been systematically and thoroughly investigated. In this study, we applied virtual screening and network pharmacology screening of bioactive peptides to obtain three novel WPPs (SHTLP, HYNLN, and LGTYP) that may alleviate UC through TLR4-MAPK signaling. In vivo studies have shown that WPPs improve intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction and reduce inflammation by inhibiting activation of the TLR4-MAPK pathway. In addition, WPPs restore intestinal microbial homeostasis by reducing harmful bacteria (Helicobacter and Bacteroides) and increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Candidatus_Saccharimonas). Our study showed that the WPPs obtained by virtual screening were effective in ameliorating colitis, which has important implications for future screening of bioactive peptides from medicinal food homologues as drugs or dietary supplements.

Discovery of indole analogues from Periplaneta americana extract and their activities on cell proliferation and recovery of ulcerative colitis in mice

Background: As an important medicinal insect, Periplaneta americana (PA) has been applied for the treatment of wounds, burns, and ulcers with fewer side effects and a reduced recurrence rate, which provides great potential for developing new drugs based on its active constituents. Materials and methods: The main chromatographic peaks determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the PA concentrated ethanol-extract liquid (PACEL) were separated, purified, and identified by semi-preparative LC, mass spectrum, and 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The biological activities of the identified compounds were investigated by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method based on in vitro human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and in vivo experiments based on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model. Furthermore, RT-qPCR of six genes related to inflammation or intestinal epithelial cell proliferation was employed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the indole analogues recovering UC in mice. Results: Five indole analogues were purified and identified from PACEL, including tryptophan (Trp), tryptamine (pa01), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa02), (1S, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa03), and (1R, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa04), among which the pa02 and pa04 were reported in PA for the first time. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that PACEL, Trp, and pa02 had promoting HSF proliferation activity and intragastric administration of them could alleviate symptoms of weight loss and colon length shortening in the UC mice. Although recovery activity of the compound pa01 on the colon length was not as obvious as other compounds, it showed anti-inflammatory activity in histological analysis. In addition, The RT-qPCR results indicated that the three indole analogues could alleviate DSS-induced intestinal inflammation in mice by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (MMP7, IL1α) and down-regulating BMP8B expression. Conclusion: This study reported the isolation, purification, structure identification, and biological activity of the active indole analogues in PACEL. It was found for the first time that the PA extract contained many indole analogues and Trp, which exhibited good proliferation activity on HSF fibroblasts as well as anti-UC activity in mice. These indole analogues probably are important components related to the pharmacological activity in PA.

Sea Cucumber Peptide Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium by Alleviating Gut Microbiota Imbalance and Regulating miR-155/SOCS1 Axis in Mice

Sea cucumber peptides have been proven to exhibit a variety of biological activities. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucosa of the rectum and colon with increasing incidence and long duration, and is difficult to cure. The effect of sea cucumber peptide on UC is currently unknown. In this study, 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was added to the drinking water of mice to induce a UC model, and the daily doses of sea cucumber peptide (SP) solution of 200 mg/kg·BW, 500 mg/kg·BW, and 1000 mg/kg·BW were given to UC mice to detect the relieving effect of SP. The results showed that SP can reduce the disease activity index (DAI) of UC mice induced by DSS and can alleviate colon shortening, intestinal tissue damage, and the loss of intestinal tight junction proteins (Claudin-1, Occludin). SP decreased the spleen index, pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in UC mice. SP can alleviate the imbalance of gut microbiota in UC mice, increase the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, and Ligilactobacillus, and reduce the abundance of Bacteroides and the Eubacterium rum group, as well as alleviating the decrease in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the feces of UC mice. Notably, SP inhibited miR-155 expression in the colon tissue of UC mice and increased its target protein, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), which acts as an inflammatory inhibitor. In summary, the ameliorative effect of SP on UC may be achieved by improving the imbalance of gut microbiota and regulating the miR-155/SOCS1 axis. This study provides a new idea for developing SP as a nutritional supplement to maintain intestinal health.

Potential Benefits of Egg White Proteins and Their Derived Peptides in the Regulation of the Intestinal Barrier and Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Review

Impaired intestinal barrier function can impede the digestion and absorption of nutrients and cause a range of metabolic disorders, which are the main causes of intestinal disease. Evidence suggests that proper dietary protein intake can prevent and alleviate intestinal diseases. Egg white protein (EWP) has received considerable attention, because of its high protein digestibility and rich amino acid composition. Furthermore, bioactive peptides may have an increased repair effect due to their high degradation efficiency in the gut. In this study, we aimed to review the effects of EWP and its bioactive peptides on intestinal structural repair. The potential modulation mechanisms by which EWP and their peptides regulate the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier can be summarized as follows: (1) restoring the structure of the intestinal barrier to its intact form, (2) enhancing the intestinal immune system and alleviating the inflammatory response and oxidative damage, and (3) increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and metabolites. Further in-depth analysis of the coregulation of multiple signaling pathways by EWP is required, and the combined effects of these multiple mechanisms requires further evaluation in experimental models. Human trials can be considered to understand new directions for development.

In-Depth Analysis of the Mechanism of Astaxanthin Succinate Diester in Reducing Ulcerative Colitis in C57BL/6J Mice Based on Microbiota Informatics

This paper aims to explore the effect and mechanism of water-soluble astaxanthin succinate diester (Asta-SD) on ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sodium sulfate in zebrafish and C57BL/6J mice. Asta-SD was synthesized with hydrophilic fatty acid succinic anhydride and the hydroxyl groups at the ends of F-Asta were synthesized by esterifying. Through the construction of a zebrafish intestinal inflammation model, it was found that Asta-SD could effectively reduce the levels of ROS and increase the number of healthy intestinal lysosomes in zebrafish. After continuous gavage of Asta-SD for seven days, the body weight, disease activity index, colonic length, colonic histopathology, expression of inflammatory factors, and intestinal flora of the mice were measured. The results showed that Asta-SD could significantly alleviate weight loss and colonic shrinkage, as well as reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and recess injury in UC mice. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that Asta-SD significantly increased the beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Anaerotruncus) and decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, effectively maintaining intestinal microbiota homeostasis in mice. Based on Pearson analysis, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Butyrimionas were expected to be associated with the significant difference in the expression of inflammatory factors between the UC and the corresponding host. Thus, Asta-SD significantly improves UC and maintains intestinal microbiota homeostasis.

The cause and effect of gut microbiota in development of inflammatory disorders of the breast

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory disorders of the breast (IDB) damages the interests of women and children and hinders the progress of global health seriously. Several studies had offered clues between gut microbiota (GM) and inflammatory disorders of the breast (IDB). The gut-mammary gland axis also implied a possible contribution of the GM to IDB. However, the causality between them is still elusive.

METHODS

The data of two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study related to the composition of GM (n = 18,340) and IDB (n = 177,446) were accessed from openly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) database. As the major analytical method, inverse variance weighted (IVW) was introduced and several sensitive analytical methods were conducted to verify results.

RESULTS

Inverse variance weighted revealed Eubacterium rectale group (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.02-3.43, p = 4.20E-02), Olsenella (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02-1.64, p = 3.30E-02), Ruminiclostridium-6 (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.08-2.14, p = 1.60E-02) had an anti-protective effect on IDB. Peptococcus (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94, p = 1.30E-02) had a protective effect on IDB. The results were credible through a series of test.

CONCLUSIONS

We revealed causality between IDB and GM taxa, exactly including Ruminiclostridium-6, Eubacterium rectale group, Olsenella and Peptococcus. These genera may become novel biomarkers and supply new viewpoint for probiotic treatment. However, these findings warrant further test owing to the insufficient evidences.

Effect of Consumption of Animal Products on the Gut Microbiome Composition and Gut Health

The gut microbiome is critical in human health, and various dietary factors influence its composition and function. Among these factors, animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, represent crucial sources of essential nutrients for the gut microbiome. However, the correlation and characteristics of livestock consumption with the gut microbiome remain poorly understood. This review aimed to delineate the distinct effects of meat, dairy, and egg products on gut microbiome composition and function. Based on the previous reports, the impact of red meat, white meat, and processed meat consumption on the gut microbiome differs from that of milk, yogurt, cheese, or egg products. In particular, we have focused on animal-originated proteins, a significant nutrient in each livestock product, and revealed that the major proteins in each food elicit diverse effects on the gut microbiome. Collectively, this review highlights the need for further insights into the interactions and mechanisms underlying the impact of animal products on the gut microbiome. A deeper understanding of these interactions would be beneficial in elucidating the development of dietary interventions to prevent and treat diseases linked to the gut microbiome.

Gut microbiota and their metabolite profiles following peripheral nerve xenotransplantation

BACKGROUND

Intestinal pathogens are associated with xenotransplantation tolerance and rejection. However, changes in the gut microbiota in patients who have undergone peripheral nerve xenotransplantation and their association with immune rejection have not yet been reported.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore intestinal microbes and their metabolites at different time points after peripheral nerve transplantation to provide new insight into improving transplant tolerance.

METHODS

A peripheral nerve xenotransplantation model was constructed by suturing the segmented nerves of Sprague Dawley rats to those of C57 male mice using xenotransplantation nerve bridging. Fecal samples and intestinal contents were collected at three time points: before surgery (Pre group; n = 10), 1 month after transplantation (Pos1 m group; n = 10), and 3 months after transplantation (Pos3 m group; n = 10) for 16S DNA sequencing and nontargeted metabolome detection.

RESULTS

Alpha diversity results suggested that species diversity was significantly downregulated after peripheral nerve xenotransplantation. There were six gut flora genera with significantly different expression levels after xenotransplantation: four were downregulated and two were upregulated. A comparison of the Pre vs. Pos1 m groups and the Pos1 m vs. Pos3 m groups revealed that the most significant differentially expressed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolite pathways were involved in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, as well as histidine metabolism. Metabolites with a strong relationship to the differentially expressed microbial flora were identified.

CONCLUSION

Our study found lower gut microbiome diversity, with increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing and sulfate-reducing bacteria at 1 month post peripheral nerve xenotransplantation, and these were decreased at 3 months post-transplantation. The identification of specific bacterial metabolites is essential for recognizing potential diagnostic markers of xenotransplantation rejection or characterizing therapeutic targets to prevent post-transplant infection.

Polysaccharides from the hard shells of Juglans regia L. modulate intestinal function and gut microbiota in vivo

This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of polysaccharides from the hard shells ofJuglans regiaL. (JRP) on intestinal function and gut microbiota of mice. The results showed that JRP could increase the colonic length and colonic index, and ameliorate the histological characteristics of colon. JRP had a positive effect on immunity of mice by improving immune organ indexes. Owing to enhancement of intestinal peristalsis and increase of colonic fecal moisture by JRP, the defecation time was significantly reduced. After gastrointestinal digestion and absorption, JRP was metabolized by intestinal microorganisms to produce short chain fatty acids, thereby lowering the pH of intestine. Through microbial community analysis, the composition of gut microbiota was modulated by JRPvia increasing theabundances of beneficial bacteriaand decreasing the richness of harmful bacteria. This study suggests that JRP can be served as an excellent prebiotic to promote intestinal health.

Brain targeted peptide-functionalized chitosan nanoparticles for resveratrol delivery: Impact on insulin resistance and gut microbiota in obesity-related Alzheimer's disease

The pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is highly correlated with obesity-induced insulin resistance. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural phenol that demonstrates a neuroprotective effect, but the bioactivity of Res is low in vivo. Here, chitosan (CS) was cross-linked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) to encapsulate low water solubility Res. Next, a brain-targeted peptide (TG: TGNYKALHPHNG) was modified on the surface of Res-loaded CS/TPP nanoparticles (TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs) to specifically deliver Res to the brain. Morris water maze results indicated that cognitive impairments were ameliorated by TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs in obesity-related AD mice. Obesity-related insulin resistance promotes Tau phosphorylation and Aβ aggregation in the brain. Administration of TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs alleviated lipid deposition-induced insulin resistance and decreased the level of phosphorylated Tau and Aβ aggregation via the JNK/AKT/GSK3β pathway. Additionally, TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs transported across blood-brain barrier which in turn increased glucose transporter expression levels, antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibited microglial cell activation. Thus, TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs were more effective than Res-CS/TPP-NPs at regulating glucose homeostasis, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain. Moreover, inflammatory, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress-related gut microbiota including Helicobacter, Colidextribacter, Anaerotruncus, Parasutterella, Allobaculum, Alloprevotella, Alistipes, Bifidobacterium and Candidatus_Saccharimonas were also regulated by TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs. This work indicates the potential use of TG-Res-CS/TPP-NPs for the delivery of Res.

Natural flavones from edible and medicinal plants exhibit enormous potential to treat ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic aspecific gut inflammatory disorder that primarily involves the recta and colons. It mostly presents as a long course of repeated attacks. This disease, characterized by intermittent diarrhoea, fecal blood, stomachache, and tenesmus, severely decreases the living quality of sick persons. UC is difficult to heal, has a high recurrence rate, and is tightly related to the incidence of colon cancer. Although there are a number of drugs available for the suppression of colitis, the conventional therapy possesses certain limitations and severe adverse reactions. Thus, it is extremely required for safe and effective medicines for colitis, and naturally derived flavones exhibited huge prospects. This study focused on the advancement of naturally derived flavones from edible and pharmaceutical plants for treating colitis. The underlying mechanisms of natural-derived flavones in treating UC were closely linked to the regulation of enteric barrier function, immune-inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, gut microflora, and SCFAs production. The prominent effects and safety of natural-derived flavones make them promising candidate drugs for colitis treatment.

Integrated Microbiome and Metabolomic Analysis Reveal the Repair Mechanisms of Ovalbumin on the Intestine Barrier of Colitis Mice

The development and progression of colitis would detrimentally destroy the intestine barrier. However, there remains a paucity of evidence on whether ovalbumin (OVA) can be used as a nutritional food protein to repair the intestinal barrier. In this study, the repairing mechanism of OVA on intestinal barrier was thoroughly investigated by gut microbiota and untargeted metabolomics techniques. The findings demonstrated that OVA reduced intestinal permeability and restored mucin (0.75 ± 0.06) and tight junction (TJ) protein (0.67 ± 0.14) expression in colitis mice caused by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In addition, the inflammation response and oxidative stress were also attenuated. The intake of OVA upregulated the abundance of Lactobacillaceae (7.60 ± 3.34%) and Akkermansiaceae (10.39 ± 5.97%). Furthermore, OVA upregulated the abundance of inosine (6.06 ± 0.36%), putrescine (4.14 ± 0.20%), and glycocholic acid (5.59 ± 0.23%) in colitis mice through ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters and bile secretion pathways. In summary, our findings revealed that OVA could maintain intestinal health, which may provide crucial insights for preventing and treating intestinal diseases.

A critical review on inflammatory bowel diseases risk factors, dietary nutrients regulation and protective pathways based on gut microbiota during recent 5 years

The treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) has become a worldwide problem. Intestinal flora plays an important role in the development and progression of IBDs. Various risk factors (psychology, living habits, dietary patterns, environment) influence the structure and composition of the gut microbiota and contribute to the susceptibility to IBDs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on risk factors regulating intestinal microenvironment which was contributed to IBDs. Five protective pathways related to intestinal flora were also discussed. We hope to provide systemic and comprehensive insights of IBDs treatment and to offer theoretical guidance for personalized patients with precision nutrition.

Prevention and potential repair of colitis: Beneficial effects and regulatory mechanisms of food-derived anti-inflammatory peptides

Intestinal inflammatory diseases are increasingly prevalent worldwide, and their pathogenesis is still not fully understood. As of late, studies have discovered that food-derived peptides have specific anti-inflammatory activity and can play a positive role in intestinal health. At the same time, it has broad application prospects in the prevention and treatment of colitis because of its wide source, fast absorption, and high safety. This article reviews the structure-activity and quantity-effect relationships of food-derived peptides for their anti-inflammatory effects. It then discusses their mechanism of action in inhibiting colitis from four aspects. Food-derived anti-inflammatory peptides can delay the progression of the disease by stimulating innate immunity, inhibiting inflammation, and promoting wound healing. Further experiments showed that food-derived anti-inflammatory peptides could prevent and treat colitis through four mechanisms: (a) regulation of inflammatory cytokines; (b) regulation of inflammatory pathways; (c) regulation of intestinal epithelial barrier; (d) regulation of intestinal flora balance. However, due to the treatment of colitis having limitations, there is an urgent to develop food-derived anti-inflammatory peptides as a treatment or adjunctive treatment for colitis. This review highlights the positive effects of food-derived peptides on colitis and anticipates the appearance of mitigating peptides for the therapy of colitis.

Role of interleukin-6-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease: focus on the available therapeutic approaches and gut microbiome

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a chronic inflammatory and multifactorial disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two types of chronic IBD. Although there is no accurate information about IBD pathophysiology, evidence suggests that various factors, including the gut microbiome, environment, genetics, lifestyle, and a dysregulated immune system, may increase susceptibility to IBD. Moreover, inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) are involved in the immunopathogenesis of IBDs. IL-6 contributes to T helper 17 (Th17) differentiation, mediating further destructive inflammatory responses in CD and UC. Moreover, Th1-mediated responses participate in IBD, and the antiapoptotic IL-6/IL-6 receptor (IL-6R)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signals are responsible for preserving Th1 cells in the site of inflammation. It has been revealed that fecal bacteria isolated from UC-active and UC-remission patients stimulate the hyperproduction of several cytokines, such as IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10, and IL-12. Given the importance of the IL-6/IL-6R axis, various therapeutic options exist for controlling or treating IBD. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches such as modulating the gut microbiome could be beneficial due to the failure of the target therapies so far. This review article summarizes IBD immunopathogenesis focusing on the IL-6/IL-6R axis and discusses available therapeutic approaches based on the gut microbiome alteration and IL-6/IL-6R axis targeting and treatment failure.

A bibliometric analysis of the role of microbiota in trauma

Introduction

Over the last several decades, the gut microbiota has been implicated in the formation and stabilization of health, as well as the development of disease. With basic and clinical experiments, scholars are gradually understanding the important role of gut microbiota in trauma, which may offer novel ideas of treatment for trauma patients. In this study, we purposed to summarize the current state and access future trends in gut microbiota and trauma research.

Methods

We retrieved relevant documents and their published information from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometrix package was responsible for the visualized analysis.

Results

Totally, 625 documents were collected and the number of annual publications kept increasing, especially from 2016. China published the most documents while the USA had the highest local citations. The University of Colorado and Food & Function are respectively the top productive institution and journal, as PLOS One is the most local cited journal. With the maximum number of articles and local citations, Deitch EA is supported to be the most contributive author. Combining visualized analysis of keywords and documents and literature reading, we recognized two key topics: bacteria translocation in trauma and gut microbiota's effect on inflammation in injury, especially in nervous system injury.

Discussion

The impact of gut microbiota on molecular and pathological mechanism of inflammation is the focus now. In addition, the experiments of novel therapies based on gut microbiota's impact on trauma are being carried out. We hope that this study can offer a birds-eye view of this field and promote the gradual improvement of it.

In vivo antioxidant activity of Cinnamomum cassia leaf residues and their effect on gut microbiota of d-galactose-induced aging model mice

BACKGROUND

To thoroughly explore the values of Cinnamomum cassia leaf residues (CcLR), their antioxidant activity in vivo and the relationship with gut microbiota were investigated using d-galactose-induced aging mice.

RESULTS

Results showed that CcLR extract treatment exerted antioxidant activity by increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), as well as inhibiting the formation of malondialdehyde (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the inflammatory response was also alleviated as the ratio of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.01) and interleukin-1β (P < 0.01))/anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10; P < 0.05) in serum was decreased and the contents of inflammatory markers (induced nitrogen monoxide synthase and nitric oxide) in brain and liver tissues (P < 0.01) were reduced. Moreover, through inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and improving choline acetyltransferase activity, the cholinergic system in aging mice recovered to levels comparable to the normal control group. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that CcLR extract promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria. In particular, Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the abundance of Colidextribacter was negatively correlated with serum superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05, R = -0.943), and Helicobacter displayed a positive correlation with the content of brain nitric oxide (P < 0.05, R = 0.899), suggesting that regulating gut microbiota might be one of the mechanisms for reducing oxidative stress, thus postponing the aging process.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that CcLR extract could be used as a novel antioxidant and anti-aging resource in the pharmaceutical and food industries. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Apigenin remodels the gut microbiota to ameliorate ulcerative colitis

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic non-specific colorectal inflammatory disease with unclear etiology, has long plagued human health. Gut microbiota dysbiosis destroy homeostasis of the colon, which is closely related to ulcerative colitis progress. Apigenin, a flavonoid widely present in celery, has been found to improve ulcerative colitis. However, the potential molecular mechanism of apigenin ameliorating ulcerative colitis through protecting intestinal barrier and regulating gut microbiota remains undefined.

Methods

Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model was conducted to evaluate the effect of apigenin on UC. Disease activity index score of mice, colon tissue pathological, cytokines analysis, intestinal tight junction proteins expression, and colonic content short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were conducted to reflect the protection of apigenin on UC.

Results

The results indicated that apigenin significantly relieved the intestinal pathological injury, increased goblet cells quantity and mucin secretion, promoted anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 expression, and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MPO activity of colon tissue. Apigenin increased ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin expressions to restore the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Moreover, apigenin remodeled the disordered gut microbiota by regulating the abundance of Akkermansia, Turicibacter, Klebsiella, Romboutsia, etc., and its metabolites (SCFAs), attenuating DSS-induced colon injury. We also investigated the effect of apigenin supplementation on potential metabolic pathways of gut microbiota.

Conclusion

Apigenin effectively ameliorated DSS-induced UC via balancing gut microbiome to inhibit inflammation and protect gut barrier. With low toxicity and high efficiency, apigenin might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of UC via regulating the interaction and mechanism between host and microorganism.

Mechanism investigation of fermented egg-milk peptides on colonic inflammatory diseases: based on in vivo and in silico research

Fermented egg-milk peptides (FEMPs) could alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory diseases but the underlying regulating mechanism of effective ingredients is unclear now. Our research was designed to confirm the protective function of FEMP, then analyze the potential targets and pathways that could be regulated by digested FEMP (dFEMP). The results showed that FEMP could ease the inflammatory symptoms in the colon, repair the damage of inflammation, and decrease the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (decreased by 31.81% TNF-α, 60.20% IL-1β, 85.65% IL-6). The results of in silico experiments revealed that dFEMP could influence many inflammation-related targets. Most targets affected the inflammation-related function and participated in the inflammatory signaling pathways, such as the T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway. Besides, molecular docking results revealed that hydrogen-bonding and salt bridges played vital roles in the dFEMP-target interactions. Combining in vivo experiments with in silico experiments, this study can prove a new theory for research between the bioactive peptides and inflammation.

Protective effects and potential mechanisms of fermented egg-milk peptides on the damaged intestinal barrier

Introduction

Fermented egg-milk peptides (FEMPs) could enhance the colon-intestinal barrier and upgrade the expression of zonula occludens-1 and mucin 2. Besides, the underlying biological mechanism and the targets FEMPs could regulate were analyzed in our study.

Methods

Herein, the immunofluorescence technique and western blot were utilized to evaluate the repair of the intestinal barrier. Network pharmacology analysis and bioinformatics methods were performed to investigate the targets and pathways affected by FEMPs.

Results and discussion

Animal experiments showed that FEMPs could restore intestinal damage and enhance the expression of two key proteins. The pharmacological results revealed that FEMPs could regulate targets related to kinase activity, such as AKT, CASP, RAF, and GSK. The above targets could interact with each other. GO analysis indicated that the targets regulated by FEMPs could participate in the kinase activity of the metabolic process. KEGG enrichment revealed that the core targets were enriched in pathways related to cell apoptosis and other important procedures. Molecular docking demonstrated that FEMPs could bind to the key target AKT via hydrogen bond interactions. Our study combined the experiment in vivo with the method in silico and investigated the interaction between peptides and targets in a pattern of multi-targets and multi-pathways, which offered a new perspective on the functional validation and potential application of bioactive peptides.