Lycium barbarum polysaccharide attenuates myocardial injury in high-fat diet-fed mice through manipulating the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome

Shenxiang Suhe pill improves cardiac function through modulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites in rats after acute myocardial infarction

CONTEXT

Shenxiang Suhe pill (SXSH), a traditional Chinese medicine, is clinically effective against coronary heart disease, but the mechanism of cardiac-protective function is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the cardiac-protective mechanism of SXSH via modulating gut microbiota and metabolite profiles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8): Sham, Model, SXSH (Low, 0.063 g/kg; Medium, 0.126 g/kg; High, 0.252 g/kg), and Ato (atorvastatin, 20 mg/kg). Besides the Sham group, rats were modelled with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery (LAD). After 3, 7, 14 days' administration, ultrasound, H&E staining, serum enzymic assay, 16S rRNA sequencing were conducted to investigate the SXSH efficacy. Afterwards, five groups of rats: Sham, Model, Model-ABX (AMI with antibiotics-feeding), SXSH (0.126 g/kg), SXSH-ABX were administrated for 14 days to evaluate the gut microbiota-dependent SXSH efficacy, and serum untargeted metabolomics test was performed.

RESULTS

0.126 g/kg of SXSH intervention for 14 days increased ejection fraction (EF, 78.22%), fractional shortening (FS, 109.07%), and aortic valve flow velocities (AV, 21.62%), reduced lesion area, and decreased serum LDH (8.49%) and CK-MB (10.79%). Meanwhile, SXSH upregulated the abundance of Muribaculaceae (199.71%), Allobaculum (1744.09%), and downregulated Lactobacillus (65.51%). The cardiac-protective effect of SXSH was disrupted by antibiotics administration. SXSH altered serum metabolites levels, such as downregulation of 2-n-tetrahydrothiophenecarboxylic acid (THTC, 1.73%), and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC, 4.61%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The cardiac-protective effect and suggested mechanism of SXSH could provide a theoretical basis for expanding its application in clinic.

Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on cytokines in adolescents with subthreshold depression: a randomized controlled study

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202409000-00036/figure1/v/2024-01-16T170235Z/r/image-tiff Strong evidence has accumulated to show a correlation between depression symptoms and inflammatory responses. Moreover, anti-inflammatory treatment has shown partial effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), derived from Goji berries, exhibits notable antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In our recent double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial, we found that LBP significantly reduced depressive symptoms in adolescents with subthreshold depression. It is presumed that the antidepressant effect of LBP may be associated with its influence on inflammatory cytokines. In the double-blinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 29 adolescents with subthreshold depression and randomly divided them into an LBP group and a placebo group. In the LBP group, adolescents were given 300 mg/d LBP. A 6-week follow up was completed by 24 adolescents, comprising 14 adolescents from the LBP group (15.36 ± 2.06 years, 3 men and 11 women) and 10 adolescents from the placebo group (14.9 ± 1.6 years, 2 men and 8 women). Our results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the interleukin-17A level in the LBP group was lower than that in the placebo group. Network analysis showed that LBP reduced the correlations and connectivity between inflammatory factors, which were associated with the improvement in depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that 6-week administration of LBP suppresses the immune response by reducing interleukin-17A level, thereby exerting an antidepressant effect.

Microbial tryptophan catabolism as an actionable target via diet-microbiome interactions

In recent years, the role of microbial tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in host-microbiota crosstalk has become a major area of scientific interest. Microbiota-derived Trp catabolites positively contribute to intestinal and systemic homeostasis by acting as ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and pregnane X receptor, and as signaling molecules in microbial communities. Accumulating evidence suggests that microbial Trp catabolism could be therapeutic targets in treating human diseases. A number of bacteria and metabolic pathways have been identified to be responsible for the conversion of Trp in the intestine. Interestingly, many Trp-degrading bacteria can benefit from the supplementation of specific dietary fibers and polyphenols, which in turn increase the microbial production of beneficial Trp catabolites. Thus, this review aims to highlight the emerging role of diets and food components, i.e., food matrix, fiber, and polyphenol, in modulating the microbial catabolism of Trp and discuss the opportunities for potential therapeutic interventions via specifically designed diets targeting the Trp-microbiome axis.

Effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in postmenopausal osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in postmenopausal individuals with osteoporosis using in vitro cell experiments.

METHODS

We assessed the effect of long-term LBP consumption on the intestinal metabolites of individuals using a simulation of the human intestinal microbiota ecosystem. We also tested the capacity of LBP in proliferating MC3T3-E1 cells using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method and analyzed the effect of intestinal metabolites on the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells by testing bone metabolism viability with relevant indicators.

RESULTS

The level of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid all showed an upward trend after the treatment using LBP. At appropriate concentrations, the fermentation supernatant can enhance osteoblast proliferation by significantly increasing the active expression of bone-alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) in osteoblasts (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

By modulating the metabolites of intestinal microbiota, production of SCFAs, the prebiotic properties of LBP can enhance osteoblast differentiation through in vitro simulation experiment and cell-based assay.

Relationships and Mendelian Randomization of Gut Microbe-Derived Metabolites with Metabolic Syndrome Traits in the METSIM Cohort

The role of gut microbe-derived metabolites in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of gut microbe-derived metabolites and MetS traits in the cross-sectional Metabolic Syndrome In Men (METSIM) study. The sample included 10,194 randomly related men (age 57.65 ± 7.12 years) from Eastern Finland. Levels of 35 metabolites were tested for associations with 13 MetS traits using lasso and stepwise regression. Significant associations were observed between multiple MetS traits and 32 metabolites, three of which exhibited particularly robust associations. N-acetyltryptophan was positively associated with Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistant (HOMA-IR) (β = 0.02, p = 0.033), body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.025, p = 1.3 × 10-16), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (β = 0.034, p = 5.8 × 10-10), triglyceride (0.087, p = 1.3 × 10-16), systolic (β = 0.012, p = 2.5 × 10-6) and diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.011, p = 3.4 × 10-6). In addition, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) lactate yielded the strongest positive associations among all metabolites, for example, with HOMA-IR (β = 0.23, p = 4.4 × 10-33), and BMI (β = 0.097, p = 5.1 × 10-52). By comparison, 3-aminoisobutyrate was inversely associated with HOMA-IR (β = -0.19, p = 3.8 × 10-51) and triglycerides (β = -0.12, p = 5.9 × 10-36). Mendelian randomization analyses did not provide evidence that the observed associations with these three metabolites represented causal relationships. We identified significant associations between several gut microbiota-derived metabolites and MetS traits, consistent with the notion that gut microbes influence metabolic homeostasis, beyond traditional risk factors.

Recent advances in the extraction, purification, structural-property correlations, and antiobesity mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine-derived polysaccharides: a review

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has displayed preventive and therapeutic effects on many complex diseases. As natural biological macromolecules, TCM-derived antiobesogenic polysaccharides (TCMPOs) exhibit notable weight-loss effects and are seen to be a viable tactic in the fight against obesity. Current studies demonstrate that the antiobesity activity of TCMPOs is closely related to their structural characteristics, which could be affected by the extraction and purification methods. Therefore, the extraction, purification and structural-property correlations of TCMPOs were discussed. Investigation of the antiobesity mechanism of TCMPOs is also essential for their improved application. Herein, the possible antiobesity mechanisms of TCMPOs are systematically summarized: (1) modulation of appetite and satiety effects, (2) suppression of fat absorption and synthesis, (3) alteration of the gut microbiota and their metabolites, and (4) protection of intestinal barriers. This collated information could provide some insights and offer a new therapeutic approach for the management and prevention of obesity.

Dietary components regulate chronic diseases through gut microbiota: a review

In recent years, gut microbiota as an immune organ has gradually become the mainstream of research. When the composition of the gut microbiota is changed significantly, this may affect human health. This review details the major microbiota composition and metabolites in the gut and discusses chronic diseases based on gut dysbiosis, including obesity, liver injury, colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and central nervous system diseases. We comprehensively summarize the changes in abundance of relevant gut microbiota by ingesting different diet components (such as food additives, dietary polyphenols, polysaccharides, fats, proteins) and their influence on the microbial quorum sensing system, thereby regulating related diseases. We believe that quorum sensing can be used as a new entry point to explain the mechanism of ingesting dietary components to improve gut microbiota and thereby regulate related diseases. This review hopes to provide a theoretical basis for future research on improving disease symptoms by ingesting functional foods containing dietary components. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microbial modifications with Lycium barbarum L. oligosaccharides decrease hepatic fibrosis and mitochondrial abnormalities in mice

BACKGROUND

Lycium barbarum L. is a typical Chinese herbal and edible plant and are now consumed globally. Low molecular weight L. barbarum L. oligosaccharides (LBO) exhibit better antioxidant activity and gastrointestinal digestibility in vitro than high molecular weight polysaccharides. However, the LBO on the treatment of liver disease is not studied.

PURPOSE

Modification of the gut microbial ecosystem by LBO is a promising treatment for liver fibrosis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Herein, LBO were prepared and characterized. CCl4-treated mice were orally gavaged with LBO and the effects on hepatic fibrosis and mitochondrial abnormalities were evaluated according to relevant indicators (gut microbiota, faecal metabolites, and physiological and biochemical indices).

RESULTS

The results revealed that LBO, a potential prebiotic source, is a pyranose cyclic oligosaccharide possessing α-glycosidic and β-glycosidic bonds. Moreover, LBO supplementation restored the configuration of the bacterial community, enhanced the proliferation of beneficial species in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., Bacillus, Tyzzerella, Fournierella and Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002), improved microbial metabolic alterations (i.e., carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin metabolism and entero-hepatic circulation), and increased antioxidants, including doxepin, in mice. Finally, LBO administration reduced serum inflammatory cytokine and hepatic hydroxyproline levels, improved intestinal and hepatic mitochondrial functions, and ameliorated mouse liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that LBO can be utilized as a prebiotic and has a remarkable ability to mitigate liver fibrosis.

The Role of Carbohydrate Intake on the Gut Microbiome: A Weight of Evidence Systematic Review

(1) Background: Carbohydrates are the most important source of nutritional energy for the human body. Carbohydrate digestion, metabolism, and their role in the gut microbiota modulation are the focus of multiple studies. The objective of this weight of evidence systematic review is to investigate the potential relationship between ingested carbohydrates and the gut microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels. (2) Methods: Weight of evidence and information value techniques were used to evaluate the relationship between dietary carbohydrates and the relative abundance of different bacterial taxa in the gut microbiota. (3) Results: The obtained results show that the types of carbohydrates that have a high information value are: soluble fiber with Bacteroides increase, insoluble fiber with Bacteroides and Actinobacteria increase, and Firmicutes decrease. Oligosaccharides with Lactobacillus increase and Enterococcus decrease. Gelatinized starches with Prevotella increase. Starches and resistant starches with Blautia decrease and Firmicutes increase. (4) Conclusions: This work provides, for the first time, an integrative review of the subject by using statistical techniques that have not been previously employed in microbiota reviews.

Amylopectin Partially Substituted by Cellulose in the Hindgut Was Beneficial to Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production and Probiotic Colonization

Undigested amylopectin fermentation in the hindguts of humans and pigs with low digestive capacity has been proven to be a low-efficiency method of energy supply. In this study, we researched the effects and mechanisms of amylopectin fermentation on hindgut microbiota and metabolite production using an in vitro fermentation trial and ileal infusion pigs model. In addition, we also researched the effects of interaction between amylopectin and cellulose during hindgut fermentation in this study. Our results showed that amylopectin had higher short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and dry matter digestibility (DMD) than cellulose but was not significantly different from a mixture of amylopectin and cellulose (Amycel vitro) during in vitro fermentation. The Amycel vitro group even had the highest reducing sugar content and amylase activity among all groups. The ileal infusion trial produced similar results to vitro fermentation trial: the mixture of amylopectin and cellulose infusion (Amycel vivo) significantly increased the levels of reducing sugar, acetate, and butyrate in the hindgut compared with the amylopectin infusion (Amy vivo). The mixture of amylopectin and cellulose infusion also resulted in increased Shannon index and probiotic colonization in the hindgut. The relative abundance of Romboutsia in the Amycel vivo group, which was considered a noxious bacteria in the Amycel vivo group, was also significantly lower than that in the Amy vivo group. In summary, the high level of amylopectin fermentation in the hindgut was harmful to intestinal microbiota, but amylopectin partially substituted with cellulose was beneficial to SCFA production and probiotic colonization. IMPORTANCE A high-starch (mainly amylopectin) diet is usually accompanied by the fermentation of undigested amylopectin in the hindgut of humans and pigs with low digestive capacity and might be detrimental to the intestinal microbiota. In this research, we investigated the fermentation characteristics of amylopectin through an in vitro fermentation method and used an ileal infusion pig model to verify the fermentation trial results and explore the microbiota regulatory effect. The interaction effects between amylopectin and cellulose during hindgut fermentation were also researched in this study. Our research revealed that the large amount of amylopectin fermentation in the hindgut was detrimental to the intestinal microbiota. Amylopectin partially substituted by cellulose was not only beneficial to antioxidant ability and fermentation efficiency, but also promoted SCFA production and probiotic colonization in the hindgut. These findings provide new strategies to prevent intestinal microbiota dysbiosis caused by amylopectin fermentation.

Impact of the gut microbiota on angiotensin Ⅱ-related disorders and its mechanisms

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) consists of multiple angiotensin peptides and performs various biological functions mediated by distinct receptors. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the major effector of the RAS and affects the occurrence and development of inflammation, diabetes mellitus and its complications, hypertension, and end-organ damage via the Ang II type 1 receptor. Recently, considerable interest has been given to the association and interaction between the gut microbiota and host. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may contribute to cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic inflammatory diseases, and chronic kidney disease. Recent data have confirmed that Ang II can induce an imbalance in the intestinal flora and further aggravate disease progression. Furthermore, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is another player in RAS, alleviates the deleterious effects of Ang II, modulates gut microbial dysbiosis, local and systemic immune responses associated with coronavirus disease 19. Due to the complicated etiology of pathologies, the precise mechanisms that link disease processes with specific characteristics of the gut microbiota remain obscure. This review aims to highlight the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and its metabolites in Ang II-related disease progression, and summarize the possible mechanisms. Deciphering these mechanisms will provide a theoretical basis for novel therapeutic strategies for disease prevention and treatment. Finally, we discuss therapies targeting the gut microbiota to treat Ang II-related disorders.

A purified fraction of polysaccharides from the fruits of Lycium barbarum L. improves glucose homeostasis and intestinal barrier function in high-fat diet-fed mice

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption can induce intestinal barrier dysfunction and disrupt glucose metabolism. Our previous studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides obtained from the fruits of Lycium barbarum L. (LBPs) could suppress acute experimental diabetes as well as colitis in mice. In the present study, the modulating effects of a purified fraction of LBPs, named LBPs-4, on glucose homeostasis and intestinal barrier function in mice fed with a HFD were investigated. Our results indicated that the oral administration of LBP-4 (200 mg per kg per day) improved hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and islet β-cell hyperplasia in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, LBPs-4 intervention enhanced the intestinal barrier integrity by increasing the expression levels of zonula occludens 1 and claudin-1 and the number of goblet cells in the colon. LBPs-4 also modulated the composition of gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundances of butyrate producer Allobaculum and acetate producer Romboutsia. The results of fecal transplantation experiments, transferring of microbiota from LBPs-4-fed donor mice to HFD-fed recipient mice, validated the cause-effect relationship between LBPs-4-evoked changes in the gut microbiota and improvement of glucose homeostasis and intestinal barrier function. Collectively, these findings suggested that LBPs-4 might be developed as promising prebiotics to improve glucose metabolism and gut health.

Remodeling of the gut microbiome by Lactobacillus johnsonii alleviates the development of acute myocardial infarction

Introduction

The gut microbial community, which can be disturbed or repaired by changes in the internal environment, contributes to the development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Gut probiotics play a role in microbiome remodeling and nutritional intervention post-AMI. A newly isolated Lactobacillus johnsonii strain EU03 has shown potential as a probiotic. Here, we investigated the cardioprotective function and mechanism of L. johnsonii through gut microbiome remodeling in AMI rats.

Methods

A rat model of left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (LAD)-mediated AMI was assessed with echocardiography, histology, and serum cardiac biomarkers to evaluate the beneficial effects of L. johnsonii. The immunofluorescence analysis was utilized to visualize the intestinal barrier changes. Antibiotic administration model was used for assessing the gut commensals’ function in the improvement of cardiac function post-AMI. The underlying beneficial mechanism through L. johnsonii enrichment was further investigated by metagenomics and metabolomics analysis.

Results

A 28-day treatment with L. johnsonii protected cardiac function, delayed cardiac pathology, suppressed myocardial injury cytokines, and improved gut barrier integrity. The microbiome composition was reprogrammed by enhancing the abundance of L. johnsonii. Microbiome dysbiosis by antibiotics abrogated the improvement of cardiac function post-AMI by L. johnsonii. L. johnsonii enrichment caused remodeling of gut microbiome by increasing the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, and decreasing Romboutsia, Clostridia UCG-014, which were correlated with cardiac traits and serum metabolic biomarkers 16,16-dimethyl-PGA2, and Lithocholate 3-O-glucuronide.

Conclusion

These findings reveal that gut microbiome remodeling by L. johnsonii ameliorates the cardiac function post-AMI and might advance microbiome-targeted nutritional intervention.

New insights into the mechanisms of high-fat diet mediated gut microbiota in chronic diseases

High-fat diet (HFD) has been recognized as a primary factor in the risk of chronic disease. Obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases have long been known as chronic diseases with high worldwide incidence. In this review, the influences of gut microbiota and their corresponding bacterial metabolites on the mechanisms of HFD-induced chronic diseases are systematically summarized. Gut microbiota imbalance is also known to increase susceptibility to diseases. Several studies have proven that HFD has a negative impact on gut microbiota, also exacerbating the course of many chronic diseases through increased populations of Erysipelotrichaceae, facultative anaerobic bacteria, and opportunistic pathogens. Since bile acids, lipopolysaccharide, short-chain fatty acids, and trimethylamine N-oxide have long been known as common features of bacterial metabolites, we will explore the possibility of synergistic mechanisms among those metabolites and gut microbiota in the context of HFD-induced chronic diseases. Recent literature concerning the mechanistic actions of HFD-mediated gut microbiota have been collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The aim of this review is to provide new insights into those mechanisms and to point out the potential biomarkers of HFD-mediated gut microbiota.

Integrative multi-omics unravels the amelioration effects of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

The effect of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (ZBM) on anti-obesity, lipid-lowering and liver protection has been identified, but the effect on the development of NAFLD induced by high-fat diet remains unclear.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the alleviation effect of ZBM on NAFLD in vivo and explore the mechanisms by analyzing the liver transcriptome, microbiota and fecal metabolites.

METHODS

NAFLD model was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding with high-fat diet (HFD). The potential mechanism of ZBM in improving NAFLD was studied by liver transcriptome analysis, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, 16s rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabonomics.

RESULTS

ZBM has alleviation effects on HFD-induced NAFLD. The liver transcriptome, real-time PCR and immunofluorescence analysis showed that ZBM could efficiently regulate fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism. The 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS based metabonomic demonstrated that ZBM could rebalance gut microbiota dysbiosis and regulate metabolic profiles in HFD-induced NAFLD mice. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between gut microbiota and biochemical, pathological indexes and differential metabolic biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

ZBM ameliorates HFD-induced NAFLD by regulating fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism, gut microbiota and metabolic profile.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced inflammatory bowel disease by regulating M1/M2 macrophage polarization via the STAT1 and STAT6 pathways

Disruption of colonic homeostasis caused by aberrant M1/M2 macrophage polarization contributes to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is the primary active constituent of traditional Chinese herbal Lycium barbarum L., which has been widely demonstrated to have important functions in regulating immune activity and anti-inflammatory. Thus, LBP may protect against IBD. To test this hypothesis, the DSS-induced colitis model was established in mice, then the mice were treated with LBP. The results indicated that LBP attenuated the weight loss, colon shortening, disease activity index (DAI), and histopathological scores of colon tissues in colitis mice, suggesting that LBP could protect against IBD. Besides, LBP decreased the number of M1 macrophages and the protein level of Nitric oxide synthase 2(NOS2) as a marker of M1 macrophages and enhanced the number of M2 macrophages and the protein level of Arginase 1(Arg-1) as a marker of M2 macrophages in colon tissues from mice with colitis, suggesting that LBP may protect against IBD by regulating macrophage polarization. Next, the mechanistic studies in RAW264.7 cells showed that LBP inhibited M1-like phenotype by inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT1, and promoted M2-like phenotype by promoting the phosphorylation of STAT6. Finally, immunofluorescence double-staining results of colon tissues showed that LBP regulated STAT1 and STAT6 pathways in vivo. The results in the study demonstrated that LBP could protect against IBD by regulating macrophage polarization through the STAT1 and STAT6 pathways.

High fiber diet attenuate the inflammation and adverse remodeling of myocardial infarction via modulation of gut microbiota and metabolites

Introduction

High intake of dietary fiber is associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Dietary fiber, functions as a prebiotic, has a significant impact on intestinal bacteria composition and diversity. The intestinal flora and metabolites generated by fermentation of dietary fiber not only affect the health of intestine but also play a role in many extra-intestinal diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. However, the role and the mechanism by which a high fiber diet contributes to the development of myocardial infarction is still unclear.

Methods and results

Here we used an in vivo mouse model to investigate whether dietary fiber intake could protect against myocardial infarction. Our study demonstrated high fiber diet significantly improved cardiac function, reduced infarct size and prevented adverse remodeling following myocardial infarction. The protective effects of high fiber diet had a strong relation with its attenuation of inflammation. Moreover, we observed that high fiber diet could modulate the composition of intestinal flora and differentially impacted metabolites production, including the biosynthesis of bile acids and linoleic acid metabolism.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings of this study provided mechanistic insights into the curative effect of dietary fiber on myocardial infarction with a specific emphasis on the potential role of microbiota-metabolism-immunity interactions.

Impact of Diet on Gut Microbiota Composition and Microbiota-Associated Functions in Heart Failure: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Animal Studies

Heart failure (HF) represents a cardiovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity. The latest evidence shows that changes in the composition of the gut microbiota might play a pivotal role in the prevention and management of HF. This systematic review aims at assessing the potential associations between the diet, gut microbiota, and derived metabolites with the outcomes of HF. A systematic literature search was performed up to July 2022 on the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The PRISMA guidelines were followed when possible. The risk of bias was assessed with the SYRCLE and ARRIVE tools. A total of nine pre-clinical studies on animal models, with considerable heterogeneity in dietary interventions, were included. High-fiber/prebiotic diets (n = 4) and a diet rich in polyphenols (n = 1) modified the gut microbiota composition and increased microbial metabolites' activities, linked with an improvement in HF outcomes, such as a reduction in systolic blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and left ventricular thickness. A high-fat diet (n = 2) or a diet rich in choline (n = 2) induced an increase in TMAO and indole derivative production associated with a decrease in cardiac function, systemic endotoxemia, and inflammation and an increase in cardiac fibrosis and cardiac remodeling. Although results are retrieved from animal studies, this systematic review shows the key role of the diet-especially a high-fiber and prebiotic diet-on gut microbial metabolites in improving HF outcomes. Further studies on human cohorts are needed to identify personalized therapeutic dietary interventions to improve cardiometabolic health.

Bio-Fermented Malic Acid Facilitates the Production of High-Quality Chicken via Enhancing Muscle Antioxidant Capacity of Broilers

Malic acid, an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is a promising acidifier with strong antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bio-fermented malic acid (BFMA) on promoting the body health, performance and meat quality of broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatments with six replicates in each. Every replicate had 12 chicks. Four experimental diets contained 0, 4, 8, and 12 g/kg BFMA, respectively. During the 42-day trial, mortality was recorded daily, feed intake and body weight of each replicate being recorded every week. Blood samples were collected on days 21 and 42 for chemical analysis. After slaughter at the age of 42 days, the carcass traits and meat quality of the broilers were measured, breast muscle samples were collected for the determination of antioxidant capacity, and cecal digesta were pretreated for microbiota analysis. Dietary BFMA significantly increased feed intake and daily gain, and decreased feed conversion ratio and death and culling ratio of the broilers at the earlier stage. The water-holding capacity of breast muscle indicated by the indexes of dripping loss and cooking loss was significantly increased by BFMA, especially at the addition level of 8 g/kg. Dietary BFMA significantly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and contents of immunoglobulin A and glutathione, and increased contents of immunoglobulin G and M in serum of the broilers. The contents of glutathione, inosinic acid, and total antioxidant capacity and the activities of glutathione-Px and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased by dietary BFMA, with the level of 8 g/kg best. The diversity of cecal microbiota of broilers was obviously altered by BFMA. In conclusion, as one of several acidifiers, addition of BFMA in diets could improve the performance and body health of broilers, probably by reinforcing immunity and perfecting cecal microbiota structure. As one of the intermediates of the TCA cycle, BFMA increases the water-holding capacity of breast muscle of broilers, probably through reducing lactate accumulates and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

Antidiabetic Effect of Millet Bran Polysaccharides Partially Mediated via Changes in Gut Microbiome

Diabetes is a type of metabolic disease associated with changes in the intestinal flora. In this study, the regulatory effect of millet bran on intestinal microbiota in a model of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was investigated in an effort to develop new approaches to prevent and treat diabetes and its complications in patients. The effect of purified millet bran polysaccharide (MBP) with three different intragastric doses (400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) combined with a high-fat diet was determined in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of T2DM. By analyzing the changes in indicators, weight, fasting blood sugar, and other bio-physiological parameters, the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing to establish the effect of MBP on the intestinal flora. The results showed that MBP alleviated symptoms of high-fat diet-induced T2DM. A high dosage of MBP enhanced the hypoglycemic effects compared with low and medium dosages. During gavage, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels of rats in the MBP group were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The glucose tolerance of rats in the MBP group was significantly improved (p < 0.05). In diabetic mice, MBP significantly increased the activities of CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px. The inflammatory symptoms of liver cells and islet cells in the MBP group were alleviated, and the anti-inflammatory effect was partially correlated with the dose of MBP. After 4 weeks of treatment with MBP, the indices of blood lipid in the MBP group were significantly improved compared with those of the DM group (p < 0.05). Treatment with MBP (400 mg/kg) increases the levels of beneficial bacteria and decreases harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract of rats, thus altering the intestinal microbial community and antidiabetic effect on mice with T2DM by modulating gut microbiota. The findings suggest that MBP is a potential pharmaceutical supplement for preventing and treating diabetes.

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Immunity and Metabolic Syndrome Associated with the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Review

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their multiple pharmacological activities and physiological functions. Recently, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the biological effects of dietary LBPs are related to the regulation of gut microbiota. Supplementation with LBPs could modulate the composition of microbial communities, and simultaneously influence the levels of active metabolites, thus exerting their beneficial effects on host health. Interestingly, LBPs with diverse chemical structures may enrich or reduce certain specific intestinal microbes. The present review summarizes the extraction, purification, and structural types of LBPs and the regulation effects of LBPs on the gut microbiome and their derived metabolites. Furthermore, the health promoting effects of LBPs on host bidirectional immunity (e.g., immune enhancement and immune inflammation suppression) and metabolic syndrome (e.g., obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) by targeting gut microbiota are also discussed based on their structural types. The contents presented in this review might help to better understand the health benefits of LBPs targeting gut microbiota and provide a scientific basis to further clarify the structure–function relationship of LBPs.

Recent progress of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites and health: a review

Intestinal microbiota is symbiotically associated with host health, learning about the characteristics of microbiota and the factors that modulate it could assist in developing strategies to promote human health and prevent diseases. Polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum (LBPs) are found beneficial for enhancing the activity of gut microbiota, as a potential prebiotic, which not only participates in improving body immunity, obesity, hyperlipidemia and systemic inflammation induced by oxidative stress, but also plays a magnificent role in regulating intestinal microenvironment and improving host health and target intestinal effects via its biological activities, as well as gut microbiota and metabolites. To highlight the internal relationship between intestinal microbiota and LBPs, this review focuses on the latest advances in LBPs on the intestinal microbiota, metabolites, immune regulation, intestinal barrier protection, microbiota-gut-brain axis and host health. Moreover, the preparation, structure, bioactivity and modification of LBPs were also discussed. This review may offer new perspective on LBPs improving health of gut and host via intestinal microbiota, and provide useful guidelines for the application of LBPs in the food industry.

Machine Learning Data Analysis Highlights the Role of Parasutterella and Alloprevotella in Autism Spectrum Disorders

In recent years, the involvement of the gut microbiota in disease and health has been investigated by sequencing the 16S gene from fecal samples. Dysbiotic gut microbiota was also observed in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms. However, despite the relevant number of studies, it is still difficult to identify a typical dysbiotic profile in ASD patients. The discrepancies among these studies are due to technical factors (i.e., experimental procedures) and external parameters (i.e., dietary habits). In this paper, we collected 959 samples from eight available projects (540 ASD and 419 Healthy Controls, HC) and reduced the observed bias among studies. Then, we applied a Machine Learning (ML) approach to create a predictor able to discriminate between ASD and HC. We tested and optimized three algorithms: Random Forest, Support Vector Machine and Gradient Boosting Machine. All three algorithms confirmed the importance of five different genera, including Parasutterella and Alloprevotella. Furthermore, our results show that ML algorithms could identify common taxonomic features by comparing datasets obtained from countries characterized by latent confounding variables.

Lycium Genus Polysaccharide: An Overview of its Extraction, Structures, Pharmacological Activities and Biological Applications

Polysaccharide is considered to be the main active ingredient of the genus Lycium L., which is taken from the dried fruit of the famous Chinese herbal medicine and precious tonic known as wolfberry. Traditional uses include nourishing the liver and kidney and improving eyesight, with widespread use in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Many studies have focused on the isolation and identification of the genus Lycium L. polysaccharide and its biological activities. However, the variety of raw materials and the mechanisms of polysaccharides differ. After extraction, the structure and biological activity of the obtained polysaccharides also differ. To date, approximately 58 kinds of polysaccharides have been isolated and purified from the Lycium genus, including water-soluble polysaccharides; homogeneous polysaccharides; pectin polysaccharides; acidic heteropolysaccharides; and arabinogalactans, which are composed of arabinose, glucosamine, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, fructose, ribose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid. Pharmacological studies have shown that LBPs exhibit a variety of important biological activities, such as protection of nerves; promotion of reproduction; and anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, and eyesight-improving activities. The aim this paper is to summarize previous and current references to the isolation process, structural characteristics, and biological activities of the genus Lycium L. polysaccharide. This review will provide a useful reference for further research and application of the genus Lycium L. polysaccharide in the field of functional food and medicine.

Inosine Pretreatment Attenuates LPS-Induced Lung Injury through Regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway In Vivo

Inosine is a type of purine nucleoside, which is considered to a physiological energy source, and exerts a widely range of anti-inflammatory efficacy. The TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway is essential for preventing host oxidative stresses and inflammation, and represents a promising target for host-directed strategies to improve some forms of disease-related inflammation. In the present study, the results showed that inosine pre-intervention significantly suppressed the pulmonary elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and restored the pulmonary catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities (p < 0.05) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice. Simultaneously, inosine pre-intervention shifted the composition of the intestinal microbiota by decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, elevating the relative abundance of Tenericutes and Deferribacteres. Moreover, inosine pretreatment affected the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the pulmonary inflammatory response, and then regulated the expression of pulmonary iNOS, COX2, Nrf2, HO-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels. These findings suggest that oral administration of inosine pretreatment attenuates LPS-induced pulmonary inflammatory response by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, and ameliorates intestinal microbiota disorder.

Protective Effects of Polysaccharides in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by progressive degeneration and necrosis of neurons, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease and others. There are no existing therapies that correct the progression of these diseases, and current therapies provide merely symptomatic relief. The use of polysaccharides has received significant attention due to extensive biological activities and application prospects. Previous studies suggest that the polysaccharides as a candidate participate in neuronal protection and protect against NDs. In this review, we demonstrate that various polysaccharides mediate NDs, and share several common mechanisms characterized by autophagy, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction in PD and AD. Furthermore, this review reveals potential role of polysaccharides in vitro and in vivo models of NDs, and highlights the contributions of polysaccharides and prospects of their mechanism studies for the treatment of NDs. Finally, we suggest some remaining questions for the field and areas for new development.

Lycium barbarum (Goji) as functional food: a review of its nutrition, phytochemical structure, biological features, and food industry prospects

Lycium genus (Goji berry) is recognized as a good source of homology of medicine and food, with various nutrients and phytochemicals. Lately, numerous studies have focused on the chemical constituents and biological functions of the L. barbarum L., covering phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. We aim to provide exclusive data on the nutrients of L. barbarum L. fruits and phytochemicals, including their structural characterization, the evolution of extraction, and purification processes of different phytochemicals of L. barbarum L. fruit while placing greater emphasis on their wide-ranging health effects. This review also profitably offers innovative approaches for the food industry and industrial applications of L. barbarum L. and addresses some current situations and problems in the development of L. barbarum L. in deep processing products, which can provide clues for the sustainable development of L. barbarum L. industry.

Oligosaccharides derived from Lycium barbarum ameliorate glycolipid metabolism and modulate the gut microbiota community and the faecal metabolites in a type 2 diabetes mouse model: metabolomic bioinformatic analysis

Herein, we assessed the effects of Lycium barbarum oligosaccharides (LBO) on the intestinal microenvironment of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) mouse model through gut microbiome and metabolomics analysis. We set high (300 mg kg^-1), medium (200 mg kg^-1), and low (100 mg kg^-1) doses of LBO for intervention once a day for 4 weeks. The results showed that the intervention effect of the medium-dose group was the most significant. It reduced the symptoms of hyperglycemia, inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid accumulation in the T2D mouse model. It restored the structure of damaged tissues and cells, such as the pancreas, liver, and kidneys. LBO increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Akkermansia, and maintained intestinal barrier integrity. The faecal metabolic map showed that the contents of glycogen amino acids, such as proline, serine, and leucine, increased. The contents of cholic, capric, and dodecanoic acid decreased. In summary, we may suggest that LBO can be used as a prebiotic for treating T2D.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus Encapsulated in Alginate/Chitosan Microgels Manipulates the Gut Microbiome to Ameliorate Salt-Induced Hepatorenal Injury

As the essential regulator of intestinal bacterial diversity, probiotics are a potential treatment for chronic high-salt diet (HSD)–induced metabolic dysfunction. Probiotic cells entrapped in microgels have been confirmed as being more effective than free cells in protecting bacteria against unfavorable conditions, that is, enhancing their stress resistance. This study explored the physiological mechanism by which probiotic microgels relieve HSD–induced hepatorenal injury. Herein, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was encapsulated in alginate-chitosan microgels which the percentage of alginate/chitosan was applied 1.5:0.5 (w/w) in this system, and the encapsulation significantly improved the probiotic viability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Mice were fed an HSD with L. rhamnosus (SDL) or L. rhamnosus microgels (SDEL). After 8 weeks of administration, dietary sodium was confirmed as inducing the hepatic and renal damages in mice, based on indicators, including serum biomarker levels, histopathological features of tissues, and pro-inflammatory cytokine contents in blood levels. However, the serum levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase in the SDL and SDEL-fed mice were significantly lowered compared to the HSD-fed mice, especially in the SDEL group. HSD increased the abundances of Anaeroplasma, Enterorhabdus, Parvibacter, and Bacteroides, while the microgels increased the abundances of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Mucispirillum, and Faecalibaculum. Significant variations of fecal metabolome were validated for SDEL-treated mice, containing those linked to entero-hepatic circulation (e.g., cholic acid), carbohydrate metabolism (i.e., _L-lactic acid), and increased antioxidants including citric acid. Furthermore, the probiotic microgels ameliorated intestinal damage by improving barrier and absorption functions. These results augmented existing knowledge on probiotic application for salt toxicity.

Diversity and spatiotemporal dynamics of fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of Lycium barbarum L.: a new insight into the mechanism of geoherb formation

Lycium barbarum L. is a well-known traditional geoherb in Ningxia, China. The fruits of L. barbarum contain several dietary constituents, and thus, they exert many beneficial effects on human health. However, a few studies have been conducted on the geoherb L. barbarum and its rhizosphere soil fungal community. In this study, we determined the physicochemical properties and fungal community structure of rhizosphere soil of L. barbarum from three regions of China, namely Ningxia (NX), Qinghai (QH), and Xinjiang (XJ), during three development stages of L. barbarum. Soil pH varied between 7.56 and 8.60 across the three regions, indicating that alkaline soil is conducive to the growth of L. barbarum. The majority of soil properties in NX, an authentic geoherb-producing area, were substantially inferior to those in XJ and QH during all three developmental stages. Total sugar, polysaccharide (LBP), and flavonoid contents were the highest in wolfberry fruits from NX. High-throughput sequencing showed that the abundance of the soil fungal population in NX was higher than that in QH and XJ during the flowering and fruiting stage and summer dormant stage. Moreover, the soil fungal diversity increased with the development of wolfberry. Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota were the predominant phyla in the rhizosphere fungal communities in all samples. Redundancy analysis showed a significant correlation of the soil-available phosphorus and LBP of wolfberry fruits with the fungal community composition. The characteristics of rhizosphere fungal communities determined in the present study provide insights into the mechanism of geoherb formation in NX wolfberry.

Antibiotic Disruption of the Gut Microbiota Enhances the Murine Hepatic Dysfunction Associated With a High-Salt Diet

Epidemiological and experimental evidence indicates that antibiotic exposure is related to metabolic malfunctions, such as obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver impairment and hypertrophy of adipose cells are related to high salt consumption. This research aims to investigated the physiological mechanism of a high salt diet (HSD) enhanced antibiotic-induced hepatic injury and mitochondrial abnormalities in mice. The mice were fed a HSD with or without penicillin G (PEN) for 8 weeks and the gut metabolome, untargeted faecal metabolomics, and intestinal function were evaluated. The results revealed that HSD, PEN and their combination (HSPEN) significantly changed the gut microbial community. HSPEN mice exhibited more opportunistic pathogens (such as Klebsiella and Morganella) and reduced probiotic species (including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus). The main variations in the faecal metabolites of the HSPEN group were identified, including those connected with entero-hepatic circulation (including bile acids), tryptophan metabolism (i.e., indole derivatives) and lipid metabolism (e.g., erucic acid). Furthermore, increased intestinal permeability and immunologic response caused greater hepatic damage in the HSPEN group compared to the other groups. These findings may have important implications for public health.

Influence of the ecological environment on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Polysaccharides from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (APS) exhibit a variety of bioactivities; however, little information is available on the effects of the ecological environment on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of APS.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide protects rats and cardiomyocytes against ischemia/reperfusion injury via Nrf2 activation through autophagy inhibition

The irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes is mainly the result of ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) myocardial injury, leading to persistent heart dysfunction and heart failure. It has been reported that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has protective effects on cardiomyocytes, but the specific mechanism is still not completely understood. The present study examined the protective role of LBP in myocardial I/R injury. Rats were subjected to myocardial I/R injury and LBP treatment. Moreover, rat myocardial H9C2 cells exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) were used to simulate cardiac injury during myocardial I/R process and were exposed to LBP, rapamycin (an autophagy activator) or nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transfection. Morphological examination, histopathological examination and echocardiography were used to determine the cardiac injury after I/R injury. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined via MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) in rat serum, hearts and/or cells were assessed using ELISAs. The expression levels of Beclin 1, LC3II/LC3I, P62 and Nrf2 were analyzed via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The results demonstrated that LBP improved heart function and repaired cardiomyocyte damage in I/R model rats, as well as reduced the production of cTnT, CK, LDH, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. The in vitro study results indicated that LBP increased cell viability, the apoptosis rate, and the levels of SOD and P62, as well as reduced the levels of LDH, CK, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, Beclin 1 and LC3-II/LC3-I in H/R-injured H9C2 cells. Moreover, LBP promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation, but decreased Nrf2 expression in the cytoplasm. Rapamycin exacerbated the aforementioned effects in H/R injured H9C2 cells, and partially reversed LBP-induced effects. Overexpressing Nrf2 counteracted I/R-induced effects and partially resisted rapamycin-induced effects. These findings demonstrated that LBP exhibited a cardiac protective effect on the ischemic myocardium of rats after reperfusion and attenuated myocardial I/R injury via autophagy inhibition-induced Nrf2 activation.

Application of metabolomics for revealing the interventional effects of functional foods on metabolic diseases

Metabolomics is an important branch of systems biology, which can detect changes in the body's metabolism before and after the intervention of functional foods, identify effective metabolites, and predict the interventional effects and the mechanism. This review summarizes the latest research outcomes regarding interventional effects of functional foods on metabolic diseases via metabolomics analysis. Since metabolomics approaches are powerful strategies for revealing the changes in bioactive compounds of functional foods during processing and storage, we also discussed the effects of these parameters on functional food metabolites using metabolomics approaches. To date, a number of endogenous metabolites related to the metabolic diseases after functional foods intervention have been discovered. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of metabolic disease-related molecules are still unclear and require further studies. The combination of metabolomics with other omics technologies could further promote its ability to fully understand the precise biological processes of functional food intervention on metabolic diseases.

Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides alleviate cognitive decline in aging model mice by restoring the gut microbiota-brain axis

Recent evidence suggests alterations in the gut microbiota-brain axis may drive cognitive impairment with aging. In the present study, we observed that prolonged administration of D-galactose to mice induced cognitive decline, gut microbial dysbiosis, peripheral inflammation, and oxidative stress. In this model of age-related cognitive decline, Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides (CDPS) improved cognitive function in D-galactose-treated mice by restoring gut microbial homeostasis, thereby reducing oxidative stress and peripheral inflammation. The beneficial effects of CDPS in these aging model mice were abolished through ablation of gut microbiota with antibiotics or immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide. Serum metabolomic profiling showed that levels of creatinine, valine, L-methionine, o-Toluidine, N-ethylaniline, uric acid and proline were all altered in the aging model mice, but were restored by CDPS. These findings demonstrated that CDPS improves cognitive function in a D-galactose-induced aging model in mice by restoring homeostasis of the gut microbiota-brain axis, which alleviated an amino acid imbalance, peripheral inflammation, and oxidative stress. CDPS thus shows therapeutic potential for patients with memory and learning disorders, especially those related to gut microbial dysbiosis.

Modulation of the fecal microbiome and metabolome by resistant dextrin ameliorates hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial abnormalities in mice

Targeting the gut-liver axis by manipulating the intestinal microbiome is a promising therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study modulated the intestinal microbiota to explore whether resistant dextrin, as a potential prebiotic, could ameliorate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in C57BL/6J mice. After two months of feeding, significant hepatic steatosis with mitochondrial dysfunction was observed in the HFD-fed mice. However, the concentrations of triglycerides and malondialdehyde in liver tissue and the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum of mice fed an HFD plus resistant dextrin diet (HFID) were significantly decreased compared to the HFD-fed mice. Additionally, hepatic mitochondrial integrity and reactive oxygen species accumulation were improved in HFID-fed mice, ameliorating hepatic steatosis. The fecal microbiome of HFD-fed mice was enriched in Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Globicatella, while resistant dextrin increased the abundance of Parabacteroides, Blautia, and Dubosiella. Major changes in fecal metabolites were confirmed for HFID-fed mice, including those related to entero-hepatic circulation (i.e., bile acids), tryptophan metabolism (e.g., indole derivatives), and lipid metabolism (e.g., lipoic acid), as well as increased antioxidants including isorhapontigenin. Furthermore, resistant dextrin decreased inflammatory cytokine levels and intestinal permeability and ameliorated intestinal damage. Together, these findings augmented current knowledge on prebiotic treatment for NAFLD.

Effect of Blueberry Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts on Peripheral and Hippocampal Antioxidant Defensiveness: The Analysis of the Serum Fatty Acid Species and Gut Microbiota Profile

The current study investigated the positive effects of blueberry anthocyanin-rich extracts (BAE) on either peripheral or hippocampal antioxidant defensiveness and established the connection of the improved antioxidant status with the altered fatty acid species and gut microbiota profile. High-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in C57BL/6 mice was attenuated by BAE administration, which was reflected by strengthened antioxidant enzymes, alleviated hepatic steatosis, and improved hippocampal neuronal status. Serum lipidomics analysis indicated that the fatty acid species were altered toward the elevated unsaturated/saturated ratio, along with phospholipid species toward enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions. The modulated antioxidant pattern could be attributed to the increased bacteria diversity, stimulated probiotics (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers (Roseburia, Faecalibaculum, and Parabacteroides) improved by anthocyanins and their metabolites, which improved the colon environment, characterized by promoted SCFAs, restored colonic mucosa, and reorganized microbial structure. Thus, anthocyanin-rich dietary intervention is a promising approach for the defensiveness in human oxidative damage and neurodegeneration.

Polysaccharides of Sporoderm-Broken Spore of Ganoderma lucidum Modulate Adaptive Immune Function via Gut Microbiota Regulation

Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.Fr.) Karst is one of the well-known medicinal macrofungi all over the world, and mounting researches have focused on the polysaccharides derived from the spores of G. lucidum. In the present study, BALB/c mice (n = 8-10) were administered with crude polysaccharides of G. lucidum spores (CPGS) and the refined polysaccharides of G. lucidum spores (RPGS) for 30 days to investigate their effect on the adaptive immune system. Results showed that CPGS and RPGS displayed diverse effects on the lymphocyte activity in the spleen. The splenocyte proliferation activity upon mitogen was suppressed by CPGS and RPGS, while the NK cell's tumor-killing ability was promoted by CPGS. Both CPGS and RPGS could increase the proportion of naïve T cells in thymus, but only RPGS significantly uplifted the percentage of T cells, as well as the T cell subsets, in peripheral blood, and promoted the activation by upregulating the expression of costimulatory factor CD28. Moreover, 16S sequencing results showed that the effects of CPGS and RPGS were closely related to the regulation of gut microbiota. β-diversity of the microbiome was evidently changed by CPGS and RPGS. The phytoestrogen/polysaccharide-metabolizing bacteria (Adlercreutzia, Parabacteroides, and Prevotella), and an unclassified Desulfovibrionaceae, were remarkably enriched by CPGS or RPGS, and functions involving carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, and lipid metabolism were regulated. Moreover, the enrichments of Adlercreutzia, Prevotella, and Desulfovibrionaceae were positively related to the immune regulation by CPGS and RPGS, while that of Parabacteroides displayed a negative correlation. These findings suggested a promising effect of the polysaccharide from sporoderm-broken spore of G. lucidum in immune regulation to promote health control.