Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic mechanism of organic chromium derived from chelation of Grifola frondosa polysaccharide-chromium (III) and its modulation of intestinal microflora in high fat-diet and STZ-induced diabetic mice

Low molecular weight polysaccharide of Tremella fuciformis exhibits stronger antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities than high molecular weight polysaccharide

Low molecular weight polysaccharides had higher bio-activity and bioavailability compared to ultra-high molecular weight polysaccharides, this study aimed to obtain low molecular weight polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis (TFLP) by using high-temperature and high-pressure assisted hydrochloric acid method to degrade Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFP), and the structural characteristics, in vivo antioxidant and immune enhancing activities of TFP and TFLP was explored through Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and mice model. It was found that TFP and TFLP were acidic polysaccharides with molecular weights of 2238 kDa and 3 kDa, respectively. The glycosidic bonding of TFP and TFLP was mainly composed of different configurations of mannopyranose. TFP and TFLP had excellent in vivo antioxidant activity and stress resistance by regulating the mRNA transcription level and metabolites in C. elegans. Results also showed that TFP and TFLP could enhance the antioxidant capacity and immunity of serum, spleen and small intestine tissues in normal mice and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice through regulating the relative transcription and expression levels of anti-inflammatory related signaling factors, and it has found that TFLP showed better immune enhancement and antioxidant activity than TFP. In addition, Akkermansia, Bacteroides and Alloprevotella were characteristic bacteria at the genus level in immunosuppressed mice intervened with TFLP, with a significant increase in relative abundance. The content of SCFAs significantly increased in immunosuppressed mice by TFLP. These results indicated that TFP and TFLP had potential in vivo antioxidant and immune enhancing activities.

Study on the mechanism of modified Gegen Qinlian decoction in regulating the intestinal flora-bile acid-TGR5 axis for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on macro genome sequencing and targeted metabonomics integration

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are many drugs available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but most of them cause various side effects due to the need for long-term use. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) has shown good efficacy and low side effects in the treatment of T2DM in both clinical and basic research. Based on relevant traditional Chinese medicine theories, dried ginger is innovatively added the formula of traditional GQD to create a modified GQD. This modification reduces the side effects of traditional GQD while exerting its therapeutic effect on T2DM. Previous studies have found that the modified GQD can regulate endoplasmic reticulum stress in the liver, inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, protect pancreatic islet β cells, and control blood sugar levels by inhibiting the FXR/neuronal ceramide signaling pathway. GQD can also regulate the intestinal microbiota to achieve therapeutic and protective effects in various gastrointestinal diseases. However, there is no research exploring whether the modified GQD achieves its therapeutic mechanism for T2DM by regulating the intestinal microbiota.

PURPOSE

To explore the mechanism of modified GQD in the treatment of T2DM based on multi-omics, focusing on its effect on the "intestinal flora bile acid TGR5'' axis.

METHODS

The T2DM model was established using db/db mice, which were randomly divided into a model group, metformin group, high-dose GQD group, medium-dose GQD group, low-dose GQD group, while m/m mice were used as blank control. The drug intervention lasted for 12 weeks, during which the general conditions, oral glucose tolerance (OGT), blood glucose, and lipid-related indexes were recorded. Additionally, the fasting insulin (FINS), c-peptide, GLP-1 in serum, and cAMP in the ileum were measured by ELISA assay. Furthermore, the composition, abundance, and function of the intestinal microbiota were determined by macro genome sequencing, while bile acid was detected by targeted metabonomics. For histological evaluation, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the ileum and pancreas, and the ultrastructure of the ileum and pancreas was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis in the ileum tissue was detected by Tunel staining. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expressions of TGR5, PKA, CREB, PC1/3, GLP-1, and their phosphorylation levels in the ileum were detected by qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot; The expression of INS in the pancreas was also evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Finally, double immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the co-localization expression of TGR5 and GLP-1, NeuroD1, and GLP-1 in the ileum.

RESULTS

The modified GQD was found to significantly reduce blood glucose, improve oral glucose tolerance, and blood lipid levels, as well as alleviate the injury of the ileum and pancreas in T2DM mice. Furthermore, modified GQD was found to effectively regulate intestinal flora, improve bile acid metabolism, activate the TRG5/cAMP/PKA/CREB signal pathway, and stimulate GLP-1 secretion.

CONCLUSION

GQD can regulate the "intestinal flora-bile acid-TGR5" axis and has a therapeutic effect on T2DM in mice.

Investigating the mechanism of Zn cross-linking of chitin in a mycelium-based leather substitute and its performance evaluation

Mycelium-based leather substitutes with a three-dimensional reticulated structure have attracted attention owing to the negative environmental impacts of natural and synthetic leather. This study utilised Ganoderma lucidum mycelium to prepare a mycelium-based leather substitute with zinc cross-linking (MF-Zn) and evaluated its physicochemical properties and sensory performance; the conventional Cr3+ tanning method was used as reference. Results demonstrated that Zn2+ and Cr3+ formed cross-links with the -OH and -NHOCH3 groups in the polysaccharides of chitin, while Zn2+ selectively bonded to a fraction of -NH2 groups in cystine and phenylalanine. The mycelium-based leather substitute with Zn cross-linking exhibited impressive tensile strength and tear strength of 7.0 MPa and 16.4 kN/m, respectively, while demonstrating desirable organoleptic properties. The free radical-scavenging capacity of MF-Zn was assessed, revealing a DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging rates of 39.4% and 52.7%, respectively. By successfully investigating the cross-linking mechanism of mycelial fibres with Zn2+ and obtaining the stabilised mycelium-based leather substitute, this study establishes a fundamental basis for the development of sustainable leather substitutes, meeting the requirements and facilitating significant advancements in low-carbon leather substitute production.

Is chromium(III) pharmacologically relevant? An update focused on studies with diabetic rodent models

A decade ago, the author assessed the status of chromium as the trivalent ion as an essential element and as a therapeutic agent based on rodent studies for this journal. The current review was undertaken to update considerations regarding the status of chromium, focusing on studies of Cr supplementation of diabetic rodent models over the last decade. Cr can no longer be considered an essential trace element for humans. Observed effects of Cr on rodent models of insulin resistance and diabetes are best interpreted in terms of a pharmacological role for Cr. The review of studies on the effects of Cr on rat models of diabetes is updated, and the results continue to suggest Cr increases insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues of the rodent models. The lack of effects in human studies may stem from humans receiving a comparably smaller dose than the rodent models. However, given the different responses to Cr in the rodent models, humans could potentially have different responses to Cr. Recent studies primary utilizing rodents suggest two potential complementary but also contradictory modes of action for Cr(III) at a molecular level.

Transfer of modified gut viromes improves symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome in obese male mice

Metabolic syndrome encompasses amongst other conditions like obesity and type-2 diabetes and is associated with gut microbiome (GM) dysbiosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been explored to treat metabolic syndrome by restoring the GM; however, concerns on accidentally transferring pathogenic microbes remain. As a safer alternative, fecal virome transplantation (FVT, sterile-filtrated feces) has the advantage over FMT in that mainly bacteriophages are transferred. FVT from lean male donors have shown promise in alleviating the metabolic effects of high-fat diet in a preclinical mouse study. However, FVT still carries the risk of eukaryotic viral infections. To address this, recently developed methods are applied for removing or inactivating eukaryotic viruses in the viral component of FVT. Modified FVTs are compared with unmodified FVT and saline in a diet-induced obesity model on male C57BL/6 N mice. Contrasted with obese control, mice administered a modified FVT (nearly depleted for eukaryotic viruses) exhibits enhanced blood glucose clearance but not weight loss. The unmodified FVT improves liver pathology and reduces the proportions of immune cells in the adipose tissue with a non-uniform response. GM analysis suggests that bacteriophage-mediated GM modulation influences outcomes. Optimizing these approaches could lead to the development of safe bacteriophage-based therapies targeting metabolic syndrome through GM restoration.

Therapeutic Potential of Fungal Polysaccharides in Gut Microbiota Regulation: Implications for Diabetes, Neurodegeneration, and Oncology

This review evaluates the therapeutic effects of polysaccharides derived from mushroom species that have medicinal and edible properties. The fungal polysaccharides were recently studied, focusing on their modulation of the gut microbiota and their impact on various diseases. The study covers both clinical and preclinical studies, detailing the results and highlighting the significant influence of these polysaccharides on gut microbiota modulation. It discusses the potential health benefits derived from incorporating these polysaccharides into the diet for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the interaction between fungal polysaccharides and the gut microbiota, underscoring their role in modulating the gut microbial community. It presents a systematic analysis of the findings, demonstrating the substantial impact of fungal polysaccharides on gut microbiota composition and function, which may contribute to their therapeutic effects in various chronic conditions. We conclude that the modulation of the gut microbiota by these polysaccharides may play a crucial role in mediating their therapeutic effects, offering a promising avenue for further research and potential applications in disease prevention and treatment.

The ameliorative effect on chemotherapy-induced injury and tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment of the polysaccharide from the rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC

Combined medication has attracted increasing attention as an important treatment option for tumors due to the serious adverse effects of chemotherapy. In this study, as a new therapy strategy, a combination treatment of MDP (a polysaccharide from the rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC.) with cyclophosphamide (CTX) was investigated. The results showed that combination treatment with MDP and CTX exerted a significantly synergistic anti-tumor effect in Lewis tumor-bearing mice, improved CTX-induced emaciation and hair loss, as well as increased the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and platelets in the peripheral blood. In addition, compared with CTX alone, the thymus index and spleen index of the MDP + CTX group were increased, the number of CD3 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, white blood cells and B cells in spleen also increased significantly. MDP could also ameliorate the increase in liver and kidney index caused by CTX. In the Lewis lung cancer model, MDP showed a certain degree of anti-tumor effects, which may be related to its promotion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to M1 phenotype polarisation, enhancement of the number of T cells in tumor tissues and promotion of Th cells in tumor tissues to Th1 phenotype polarisation, thus alleviating the immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumor tissues. This study laid the foundation for the development of MDP as a polysaccharide drug for the treatment or adjuvant therapy of tumors and has important significance for the further clinical application of polysaccharides.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CCFM1222 Ameliorated the Intestinal Barrier and Regulated Gut Microbiota in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei has been regarded as a probiotic bacterium because of its role in anti-inflammatory properties and maintenance of intestinal barrier permeability. Here, we explored the anticolitic effects and mechanism of L. paracasei CCFM1222. The results showed that L. paracasei CCFM1222 supplementation could suppress the disease activity index (DAI) and colon length shortening in colitis mice, accompanied by a moderate increase in colonic tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1). L. paracasei CCFM1222 intervention significantly suppressed the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and significantly elevated the activities of antioxidant enzymes (including SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) in the colon by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in colitis mice. In addition, L. paracasei CCFM1222 significantly shifted the gut microbiota, including elevating the abundance of Catabacter, Ruminiclostridium 9, Alistipes, and Faecalibaculum, as well as reducing the abundance of Mucispirillum, Escherichia-Shigella, and Salmonella, which was associated with the improvement of colonic barrier damage. Overall, these results suggest that L. paracasei CCFM1222 is a good candidate for probiotic of improving colonic barrier damage and associated diseases.

Test of insulin resistance in nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using glycosylated hemoglobin test and other interventions

Type 2 diabetes is common globally. Pioglitazone (PGZ) is an oral TZD antidiabetic, whereas chromium-picolinate (Cr-PL) and Cr-glucose tolerance factor (Cr-GTF) are useful type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) supplements. Cr-PL/GTF antioxidants cure T2DM. They may fail in diabetes with or without insulin-sensitizing medications. It examined how Cr-PL, Cr-GTF, PGZ, and their combination affected glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Sixty-three adult Sprague-Dawley rats (220-300 g) were selected, and nine rats were randomly assigned to a normal nondiabetic group. In contrast, 54 rats were randomly split into 9 rats per each of the 6 major groups and injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg STZ to induce T2DM. Rats were administered PGZ = 0.65 mg/kg (rat weight)/day, Cr-PL = 1 mg/kg, Cr-GTF = 1 mg/kg, and their combinations (PGZ + Cr-PL and Cr-GTF) daily for 6 weeks per intervention. The PGZ + Cr-PL and PGZ + Cr-GTF groups had substantially lower insulin levels than the PGZ group (13.38 ± 0.06, 12.98 ± 0.19 vs. 14.11 ± 0.02, respectively), with the PGZ + Cr-GTF group having the lowest insulin levels (12.98 ± 0.19 vs. 14.11 ± 0.02, 13.38±0.06, respectively). Intervention substantially reduced HOMA-IR in the PZ + Cr-PL and PZ + Cr-GTF groups compared to PGZ (7.49 ± 0.04, 6.69 ± 0.11 vs. 8.37 ± 0.04, respectively). This research found that combining PGZ with Cr-GTF resulted in considerably lower HOMA-IR levels than the PGZ and Cr-PL groups (6.69 ± 0.11 vs. 8.37 ± 0.04, 7.49 ± 0.04, respectively). Both Cr-PL and Cr-GTF may control T2DM. Both Cr complexes improved T2DM biomarkers more than the control diabetic group without medication. PGZ alone and PGZ + Cr-PL had less pharmacological synergy than Cr-GTF and PGZ in altering insulin and HOMA-IR blood levels. These encouraging discoveries need more study.

The Effects of 1-Kestose on the Abundance of Inflammation-Related Gene mRNA in Adipose Tissue and the Gut Microbiota Composition in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

Chronic inflammation in adipose tissue is thought to contribute to insulin resistance, which involves the gut microbiota. Our previous studies have demonstrated that ingestion of 1-kestose can alter the gut microbiota composition, increase cecal butyrate levels, and improve insulin resistance in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. Additionally, we found that 1-kestose supplementation ameliorated insulin resistance in obese rat models fed a high-fat diet (HFD), although the effects of 1-kestose on the abundance of inflammation-related gene in adipose tissue and gut microbiota composition in these rats were not explored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of 1-kestose on these parameters in HFD-fed rats, compared to OLETF rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two dietary groups, control or HFD, for 19 wk. Each group was further subdivided to receive either tap water or tap water supplemented with 2% (w/v) 1-kestose throughout the study. We evaluated gene expression in adipose tissue, as well as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels and microbial composition in the cecum contents. 1-Kestose intake restored the increased relative abundance of tumor necrosis factor (Tnf) mRNA in adipose tissue and the reduced level of butyrate in the cecum contents of HFD-fed rats to those observed in control diet-fed rats. Additionally, 1-kestose consumption changed the composition of the gut microbiota, increasing Butyricicoccus spp., decreasing UGC-005 and Streptococcus spp., in the cecum contents of HFD-fed rats. Our findings suggest that 1-kestose supplementation reduces adipose tissue inflammation and increases butyrate levels in the gut of HFD-fed rats, associated with changes in the gut microbiota composition, distinct from those seen in OLETF rats.

A review on the hypoglycemic effect, mechanism and application development of natural dietary polysaccharides

Diabetes mellitus (DM) as one chronic metabolic disease was greatly increased over recent decades. The major agents treating diabetes have noticeable side effects as well as the tolerability problems. The bioactive dietary polysaccharides from abundant natural resources exhibit good hypoglycemic effect with rare adverse effects, which might serve as a candidate to prevent and treat diabetes. However, the correlations between the hypoglycemic mechanism of polysaccharides and their structure were not mentioned in several studies, what's more, most of the current hypoglycemic studies on polysaccharides were based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, and there was a lack of knowledge about the effects in human clinical trials. The aim of this review is to discuss recent literature about the variety of dietary polysaccharides with hypoglycemic activity, as well the mechanism of action and the structure-function relationship are highlighted. Meanwhile, the application of dietary polysaccharides in functional foods and clinical medicine are realized with an in-depth understanding. So as to promote the exploration of dietary polysaccharides in low glycemic healthy foods or clinical medicine to prevent and treat diabetes.

Saponins from Momordica charantia exert hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice by multiple pathways

The antidiabetic activity of saponins extracted from Momordica charantia (MCS) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice was investigated in order to elucidate the mechanism of MCS for exerting hypoglycemic effects. Saponins were first extracted from M. charantia L. and their composition was analyzed. The diabetic Kunming mice were fed low-dose saponins from M. charantia L. and high-dose MCS, using normal mice and diabetic mice as controls. Body weight, blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance, serum C-peptide level, hepatic antioxidant capacity, hepatic glycogen and hexokinase in liver tissues, serum blood lipid level, and alpha-glucosidase activity in small intestines were measured, and microstructure of pancreatic islet was analyzed. The results showed that the total content of seven triterpenoid compounds in MCS was 18.24 μg/mg, with Momordicoside K having the highest content at 11.66 μg/mg. Diabetic mice treated with MCS at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days showed a maximum glucose reduction (p < .05) of 12.63% and 26.47%, respectively. MCS significantly decreased levels of postprandial hyperglycemia, serum lipid, α-glucosidase activity, and liver malondialdehyde. Additionally, levels of serum C-peptide and liver glycogen, as well as hexokinase and antioxidant enzyme activity, were significantly increased compared to the diabetic control groups. Histopathological results showed that MCS markedly reduced degenerative changes in islet β-cells. It is concluded that MCS exerts antidiabetic effects by improved hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects, increased hexokinase activity and glycogen synthesis, and enhanced reparative effects on the histological architecture and insulin secretion function of the pancreas.

The Effects of Dietary Chromium Supplementation along with Discontinuing a High-Fat Diet on the Microbial Enzymatic Activity and the Production of SCFAs in the Faeces of Rats

The present study assessed the changes in faecal microbial activity in obese Wistar rats fed high-fat or low-fat diets supplemented with various forms of chromium (picolinate or nanoparticles). The 18-week study was divided into two phases: an introductory period (9 weeks; obesity status induction via a high-fat diet) and an experimental period (9 weeks; maintained on a high-fat diet or switched to a low-fat diet and Cr supplementation). During the experimental period (10-18 weeks of feeding), samples of fresh faeces were collected on chosen days. The bacterial enzymatic activity and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration were assessed to characterise the dynamism of the changes in faecal microbial metabolic activity under the applied dietary treatments. The results indicated that faecal microbial metabolic activity displayed several adaptation mechanisms in response to modifications in dietary conditions, and a beneficial outcome resulted from a pro-healthy dietary habit change, that is, switching from a high-fat to a low-fat diet. Dietary supplementation with chromium nanoparticles further modulated the aforementioned microbial activity, i.e., diminished the extracellular and total enzymatic activities, while the effect of chromium picolinate addition was negligible. Both the high-fat diet and the addition of chromium nanoparticles reduced SCFA concentrations and increased the faecal pH values.

Fucus vesiculosus polysaccharide alleviates type 2 diabetes in rats via remodeling gut microbiota and regulating glycolipid metabolism-related gene expression

The antidiabetic activity and underlying mechanisms of Fucus vesiculosus polysaccharide (FVP) were studied in type 2 diabetic rats. Our results exhibited that FVP intervention reversed body weight loss, alleviated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. FVP also had the potential to ameliorate dyslipidemia, liver and kidney dysfunction, decrease oxidative stress, promote glycogen synthesis, and boost short-chain fatty acid production and total bile acid excretion. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis suggested that FVP interfered with the gut microbiota in a beneficial manner. Moreover, RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the antidiabetic activity of FVP in connection with the acceleration of blood glucose absorption and glycogen synthesis, the inhibition of gluconeogenesis, and the regulation of lipid metabolism in the liver. These findings suggested that FVP had antidiabetic effects on high-fat diet and STZ-induced diabetic rats and could be a potential resource for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Structural Characterization of Zinc-Sucrose Complex and Its Ability to Promote Zinc Absorption in Caco-2 Monolayer Cells and Mice

Sucrose emerges as a metal-ion chelating agent with excellent stability that may increase metal-ion absorption. This study aimed to characterize the structure of zinc-sucrose complex and investigate its ability to promote zinc absorption in Caco-2 monolayer cells and mice. Based on the results of the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP-ES), scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), it can be inferred that zinc and sucrose were chelated at a 1:1 ratio, with the hydroxyl groups playing a significant role. The Caco-2 monolayer cell model revealed that zinc-sucrose complex increased the amount of zinc uptake, retention, and transport in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Through the upregulation of genes and proteins for ZIP4, MT1, and DMT1, treatment with zinc-sucrose complex improved the proportion of absorbed zinc utilized for transport compared to ZnCl2 (26.21 ± 4.96 versus 8.50 ± 1.51%). Pharmacokinetic analysis of mice confirmed the zinc absorption-promoting effect of zinc-sucrose complex, as indicated by the considerably higher serum zinc level (4.16 ± 0.53 versus 2.56 ± 0.45 mg/L) and intestinal ZIP4, MT1, and DMT1 gene expression than ZnCl2. Further treatment of different zinc channel inhibitors and CETSA demonstrated the direct interaction of zinc-sucrose complex with ZIP4 protein and ZIP4-mediated cellular transport of zinc-sucrose complex. These findings provide a novel insight into the zinc absorption-promoting mechanism of zinc-sucrose complex, which could be used as an ingredient in functional foods to treat zinc deficiency.

Gut microbiome and reproductive endocrine diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Observation studies have confirmed the association between the gut microbiome and reproductive endocrine diseases (REDs), namely, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and female infertility. However, their association has never been confirmed by a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample MR analysis to evaluate the relationship between the gut microbiome and the three aforementioned REDs. In order to get more comprehensive results, two different thresholds were adopted to select instrumental variables (IVs): one was a locus-wide significance threshold (P <1.0×10-5) and the other was a genome-wide significance level (P< 5×10-8). Summary-level statistics for the gut microbiome and REDs were collected from public databases. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) was the main method used to estimate causality, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the MR results.

Results

At the locus-wide significance level, we identified that the genera Streptococcus (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.13-2.06, P=0.006) and RuminococcaceaeUCG005 (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.04-1.86, P=0.028) were associated with a high risk of PCOS, while Sellimonas (OR= 0.69, 95%CI: 0.58-0.83, P=0.0001) and RuminococcaceaeUCG011(OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.60-0.95, P=0.017) were linked to a low PCOS risk. The genus Coprococcus2 (OR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.01-1.43, P=0.039) was correlated with an increased risk of female infertility, while Ruminococcus torques (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.54-0.88, P=0.002) were negatively associated with the risk of female infertility. The genera Olsenella (OR= 1.11, 95%CI: 1.01-1.22, P=0.036), Anaerotruncus (OR= 1.25, 95%CI: 1.03-1.53, P=0.025), and Oscillospira (OR= 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01-1.46, P=0.035) were linked to a high risk of endometriosis. However, the results showed that the gut microbiome did not possess a causal link with REDs risk based on the genome-wide significance level. Sensitivity analyses further confirmed the robustness of the MR results.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence that gut microbiome is closely related with REDs. Subsequent studies should be conducted to promote microbiome-orientated therapeutic strategies for managing REDs.

Effect of Chromium Nanoparticles and Switching from a High-Fat to a Low-Fat Diet on the Cecal Microenvironment in Obese Rats

Previous studies showed that chromium nanoparticles (Cr-NPs) might be used as dietary compounds against some obesity-related disorders; however, there is little information on how these compounds influence the gut microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the negative effects of a high-fat diet in the large intestine of rats might be mitigated by switching to a low-fat diet and supplementation with Cr-NPs. Microbiota sequencing analysis revealed that the main action of the Cr-NPs was focused on changing the gut microbiota's activity. Supplementation with nanoparticles decreased the activity of β-glucuronidase and enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of dietary oligosaccharides and, thus, lowered the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum. In this group, there was also an elevated level of cecal lithocholic acid. The most favorable effect on the regulation of obesity-related disorders was observed when a high-fat diet was switched to a low-fat diet. This dietary change enhanced the production of short-chain fatty acids, reduced the level of secondary bile acids, and increased the microbial taxonomic richness, microbial differences, and microbial enzymatic activity in the cecum. To conclude, supplementation of a high-fat diet with Cr-NPs primarily had an effect on intestinal microbial activity, but switching to a low-fat diet had a powerful, all-encompassing effect on the gut that improved both microbial activity and composition.

Characterization of manganized soluble dietary fiber complexes from tigernut meal and study of the suppressive activity of digestive enzymes in vitro

In this study, manganized soluble dietary fiber (SDF-Mn(II)) was prepared from tigernut meal using a microwave solid-phase synthesis method with SDF. Microscopic morphological and structural analyses of SDF-Mn(II) were carried out using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, UV full-band scanning, X-ray diffraction, a thermal analyzer, gel permeation chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance, and its in vitro hypoglycemic activity was initially investigated. The results of these analyses revealed that the reaction of Mn(II) with SDF mainly involved hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, with the Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showing that specific covalent binding was produced and substitution was mainly carried out at the C₆ position. Moreover, compared with SDF, the SDF-Mn(II) complex exhibited a porous structure, red-shifted, and color-enhancing effects on the UV characteristic peaks, significantly increased crystallinity and decreased molecular weight, and improved thermal stability; in addition, SDF-Mn(II) afforded significantly enhanced inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase and possesses good in vitro digestive enzyme inhibition activity.

CM3-SII polysaccharide obtained from Cordyceps militaris ameliorates hyperlipidemia in heterozygous LDLR-deficient hamsters by modulating gut microbiota and NPC1L1 and PPARα levels

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that polysaccharides derived from edible fungi have lipid-lowering effects in mice. However, the lipid metabolism mechanisms in mice and humans are different. We have previously elucidated the structural characteristics of the alkali-extracted polysaccharide CM3-SII obtained from Cordyceps militaris. This study aimed to investigate whether CM3-SII could ameliorate hyperlipidemia in a heterozygous low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient hamster model of hyperlipidemia. Our data demonstrated that CM3-SII significantly decreased total plasma cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in heterozygous LDLR-deficient hamsters. Unlike ezetimibe, CM3-SII could enhance the concentration of plasma apolipoprotein A1 and the expression of liver X receptor α/ATP-binding cassette transporter G8 mRNA pathway and suppress the expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1, which help to reduce cholesterol levels further. Moreover, the results of molecular docking analysis demonstrated that CM3-SII could directly bind to Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 with high affinity. The triglyceride-lowering mechanisms of CM3-SII were related to its downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c and upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. Importantly, CM3-SII increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and Faecalibaculum and the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes. Thus, CM3-SII attenuated hyperlipidemia by modulating the expression of multiple molecules involved in lipid metabolism and the gut microbiota.

Structural elucidation and hypoglycemic effect of an inulin-type fructan extracted from Stevia rebaudiana roots

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common chronic medical condition characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from abnormal insulin functionality, of which type 2 DM (T2DM) is the predominant form. An inulin-type fructan, denoted as SRRP, was obtained from Stevia rebaudiana roots via hot-water extraction and alcoholic precipitation, which was subsequently purified by column chromatography. The extracted SRRP sample had a molecular weight of 5.4 × 10³ Da. Structural analyses indicated that SRRP was composed of 2,1-linked-β-D-fructofuranosyl and α-D-glucopyranosyl residues in a ratio of approximately 29 : 1. In vivo assays revealed that SRRP significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved insulin resistance, decreased oxidative stress, and regulated lipid metabolism in T2DM mouse models. In addition, SRRP altered the diversity of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in T2DM mice; it increased probiotic bacteria and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids and decreased harmful bacteria. The findings demonstrate the potential of SRRP in the treatment of T2DM.

Garlic polysaccharide-Cr (III) complexes with enhanced in vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic activities

This study aimed to prepare a complex of Cr (III) and garlic polysaccharides (GPs) and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic activities of GPs and GP-Cr (III) complexes. The chelation of GPs with Cr (III) increased molecular weight, modified crystallinity, and altered morphological characteristics, through targeting the OH of hydroxyl groups and involving the C-O/O-C-O structure. The GP-Cr (III) complex had a higher thermal stability over 170-260 °C and higher stability throughout the gastrointestinal digestion. In vitro, the GP-Cr (III) complex exhibited a significantly stronger inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase compared with the GP. In vivo, the GP-Cr (III) complex at a high dose (4.0 mg Cr/kg body weight) generally had a higher hypoglycemic activity than the GP in (pre)-diabetic mice induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet, based on indices like body weight, blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, blood lipid levels, and hepatic morphology and function. Therefore, GP-Cr (III) complexes could be a potential Cr (III) supplement with an enhanced hypoglycemic activity.

Chromium exposure altered metabolome and microbiome-associated with neurotoxicity in zebrafish

In recent years, chromium (Cr) has been found to induce neurotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chromium exposure on the metabolome and microbiome that may contribute to neurotoxicity in juvenile zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 1 mg/L Cr (III) and 1 mg/L Cr (VI) for 7 days, respectively. Swimming distance and locomotor behavior was decreased, and acetylcholinesterase activity was reduced in Cr-exposed groups. Total cholesterol levels were decreased in Cr-exposed groups. The differential-expressed metabolites due to Cr exposure were mainly enriched in primary bile acid biosynthesis, which indicated that Cr exposure may promote cholesterol conversion. The abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased and the abundance of Actinomycetes increased in Cr-exposed groups, as compared with that in the control group. At the genus level, the abundance of Acinetobacter, Acidophorax, Mycobacterium, Aeromonas, Hydrophagophaga, and Brevundimonas increased, whereas Chryseobacterium, Pseudomonas, Delftia, and Ancylobacter decreased in the Cr-exposed groups. Analysis of the correlation between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolites showed that changes of gut microbial community due to Cr exposure may be related to secondary bile acid metabolism. Collectively, chromium exposure may disturb cholesterol metabolism, including primary bile acid and microbiota-related secondary bile acid metabolism. This study provides potential mechanism of the effects of chromium on neurotoxicity based on modulation of metabolome and gut microbiota diversity, which needs further verification.

The Interaction between Mushroom Polysaccharides and Gut Microbiota and Their Effect on Human Health: A Review

Mushroom polysaccharides are a kind of biological macromolecule extracted from the fruiting body, mycelium or fermentation liquid of edible fungi. In recent years, the research on mushroom polysaccharides for alleviating metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancers and other symptoms by changing the intestinal microenvironment has been increasing. Mushroom polysaccharides could promote human health by regulating gut microbiota, increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids, improving intestinal mucosal barrier, regulating lipid metabolism and activating specific signaling pathways. Notably, these biological activities are closely related to the molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and type of the glycosidic bond of mushroom polysaccharide. This review aims to summarize the latest studies: (1) Regulatory effects of mushroom polysaccharides on gut microbiota; (2) The effect of mushroom polysaccharide structure on gut microbiota; (3) Metabolism of mushroom polysaccharides by gut microbiota; and (4) Effects of mushroom polysaccharides on gut microbe-mediated diseases. It provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism of mushroom polysaccharides for regulating gut microbiota and gives a reference for developing and utilizing mushroom polysaccharides as promising prebiotics in the future.

Jiangtang Sanhao formula ameliorates skeletal muscle insulin resistance via regulating GLUT4 translocation in diabetic mice

Jiangtang Sanhao formula (JTSHF), one of the prescriptions for treating the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in traditional Chinese medicine clinic, has been demonstrated to effectively ameliorate the clinical symptoms of diabetic patients with overweight or hyperlipidemia. The preliminary studies demonstrated that JTSHF may enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycolipid metabolism in obese mice. However, the action mechanism of JTSHF on skeletal muscles in diabetic mice remains unclear. To this end, high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were subjected to JTSHF intervention. The results revealed that JTSHF granules could reduce food and water intake, decrease body fat mass, and improve glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscles of diabetic mice. These effects may be linked to the stimulation of GLUT4 expression and translocation via regulating AMPKα/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. The results may offer a novel explanation of JTSHF to prevent against diabetes and IR-related metabolic diseases.

Therapeutic potential of non-starch polysaccharides on type 2 diabetes: from hypoglycemic mechanism to clinical trials

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) have been reported to exert therapeutic potential on managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Various mechanisms have been proposed; however, several studies have not considered the correlations between the anti-T2DM activity of NSPs and their molecular structure. Moreover, the current understanding of the role of NSPs in T2DM treatment is mainly based on in vitro and in vivo data, and more human clinical trials are required to verify the actual efficacy in treating T2DM. The related anti-T2DM mechanisms of NSPs, including regulating insulin action, promoting glucose metabolism and regulating postprandial blood glucose level, anti-inflammatory and regulating gut microbiota (GM), are reviewed. The structure-function relationships are summarized, and the relationships between NSPs structure and anti-T2DM activity from clinical trials are highlighted. The development of anti-T2DM medication or dietary supplements of NSPs could be promoted with an in-depth understanding of the multiple regulatory effects in the treatment/intervention of T2DM.

Characterization and macrophages immunomodulatory activity of two water-soluble polysaccharides from Abrus cantoniensis

The study aims to elucidate the physicochemical properties and immunomodulatory activity of two polysaccharides (ACP_t0 and ACP_t2) from Abrus cantoniensis. Results revealed that ACP_t0 with a molecular weight of 26.0 kDa, was mainly composed of glucose (83.1%) and galactose (6.1%), and that ACP_t2 with a molecular weight of 145.6/8.9 kDa, consisted of galactose (25.6%), galacturonic acid (22.2%), arabinos (16.6%) and galactose (11.0%) respectively. AFM and Congo red experiments suggested that ACP_t0 and ACP_t2 might be spherical particles with triple-helix conformation in aqueous solution. ACP_t0 and ACP_t2 exhibited immunomodulatory activity by promoting the proliferation, augmenting pinocytic and phagocytic capacities, releasing immunoactive molecules such as ROS, NO, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, upregulation of the mRNA levels of corresponding cytokines in macrophages. Moreover, ACP_t0 and ACP_t2 were recognized by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and exerted immunomodulatory effects via activating Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathways in macrophages. Notably, ACP_t2 had higher immunomodulatory activity than ACP_t0. Based on the present findings, ACP_t0 and ACP_t2 could be explored as an active component of immunomodulators in the food and pharmaceutical fields.

The potential mechanisms of Macrocystis pyrifera polysaccharides mitigating type 2 diabetes in rats

Our previous studies have proved that the anti-digestive polysaccharide from Macrocystis pyrifera possesses potential hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering activities; however, its potential mechanisms for improving diabetes have not been elucidated. The current study was aimed to determine the anti-diabetic effects and possible mechanisms of Macrocystis pyrifera polysaccharides (MPP) in diabetic rats. After 8-week MPP treatment, the serum profiles, gut bacteria composition and relative gene expressions of rats were determined. MPP administration effectively ameliorated the diabetic symptoms, dyslipidemia, liver and kidney damage, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in diabetic rats. In addition, MPP treatment could also notably improve the microbial dysbiosis by increasing the beneficial bacteria and decreasing a bacterial pathogen in the diabetic rats. The RT-qPCR analysis indicated that MPP intervention significantly up-regulated the IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and down-regulated the relative expressions of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in diabetic rats. These results demonstrated that MPP had the potential to be exploited as functional foods or pharmaceutical supplements for preventing and treating diabetes.

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.

Hypolipidemic activity and safety evaluation of a rhamnan-type sulfated polysaccharide-chromium (III) complex

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidaemia is a chronic disorder characterized by imbalance of energy metabolism and high blood lipid level. The rhamnan-type sulfated polysaccharide is an excellent metal-ion chelating ligands. In this study, hypolipidemic activity and safety evaluation of a rhamnan-type sulfated polysaccharide-chromium (III) complex (RSPC) were studied.

METHODS

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the structure of RSPC. The effects of the RSPC on lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic mice were evaluated by lipid contents, histopathological observation, immunofluorescent analysis, and adipocytokine levels. Moreover, sub-acute toxicity evaluation of RSPC was carried out on ICR mice.

RESULTS

SEM and AFM further demonstrated formation of the polysaccharide-chromium (III) complex and revealed the intertwined network of RSPC. The RSPC significantly (p < 0.05) regulated lipid levels in the mice. The RSPC inhibited over-growth of adipocytes and reduced inflammatory infiltration induced by hyperlipidemia. The RSPC promoted differentiation of white adipose tissue into beige adipocytes and increased expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), thereby eliminating fat accumulation. Moreover, RSPC (5 mg/kg for mice; equivalent to 924 µg/d for adults) promoted secretion of adiponectin and suppressed resistin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Sub-acute toxicity evaluation showed that 1500 mg/kg of RSPC exhibited no apparent adverse effects on the mice.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that RSPC could be safely used to prevent hyperlipidemia and inflammation and may provide a new idea for the prevention of hyperlipidaemia and the related metabolic disorders.

Structural Characterization and Hypoglycemic Activity of a Novel Pumpkin Peel Polysaccharide-Chromium(III) Complex

The aim of our study was to synthesize a pumpkin peel polysaccharide (PPP)-Cr(III) complex and investigate its hypoglycemic activity. Firstly, a novel PPP-Cr(III) complex with a Cr content of 23.77 mg/g was synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical characterization indicated that PPP-Cr(III) had some changes in chemical composition, monosaccharide composition, and morphological structure compared with PPP. The molecular weights of PPP-Cr(III) and PPP were 1.398 × 106 g/mol and 3.386 × 106 g/mol, respectively, showing a lower molecular weight after the introduction of Cr(III). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that a new characteristic absorption peak of Cr-O appeared at 534 cm-1 in PPP-Cr(III), indicating that Cr(III) was successfully complexed with PPP. Secondly, the hypoglycemic activity of PPP-Cr(III) based on α-glucosidase inhibitory and insulin resistance (IR)-HepG2 cells was evaluated. Compared with PPP, PPP-Cr(III) exhibited a more significantly α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The IR-HepG2 cells confirmed an obvious increase in glucose consumption. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the treated IR-HepG2 cells were able to increase the protein levels of p-AMPK and p-GSK-3β, indicating that IR-HepG2 cells exerted hypoglycemic activity via the AMPK/GSK-3β signaling pathway. These results suggested that PPP-Cr(III) had good hypoglycemic activity, which could provide theoretical support for the development of novel hypoglycemic products.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Bioactivities of Polysaccharide Metal Complexes: A Review

Natural polysaccharides are critical to a wide range of fields (e.g., medicine, food production, and cosmetics) for their various remarkable physical properties and biological activities. However, the bioactivities of naturally acquired polysaccharides may be unsatisfactory and limit their further applications. It is generally known that the chemical structure exhibited by polysaccharides lays the material basis for their biological activities. Accordingly, possible structural modifications should be conducted on polysaccharides for their enhancement. Recently, polysaccharides complexed with metal ions (e.g., Fe, Zn, Mg, Cr, and Pt) have been reported to be possibly used to improve their bioactivities. Moreover, since the properties exhibited by metal ions are normally conserved, polysaccharides may be endowed with new applications. In this review, the synthesis methods, characterization methods, and bioactivities of polysaccharide metal complexes are summarized specifically. Then, the application prospects and limitations of these complexes are analyzed and discussed.

Oxidative, epigenetic changes and fermentation processes in the intestine of rats fed high-fat diets supplemented with various chromium forms

The aim of the study was to determine how feeding rats a high-fat diet (F) supplemented with various forms of chromium affects the responses of the immune and redox systems, as well as epigenetic changes in the ileal tissue and the course of fermentation processes in the caecum. The rats received a pharmacologically relevant dose 0.3 mg Cr/kg body weight in form of chromium(III) picolinate (Cr-Pic), chromium (III)-methionine (Cr-Met), or chromium nanoparticles (Cr-NPs). The F increased DNA oxidation and raised the level of interleukin IL-6. The F was shown to reduce the intensity of fermentation processes in the caecum while increasing the activity of potentially harmful enzymes in the faeces. The addition of Cr in the form of Cr-NPs and Cr-Met in rats fed F beneficially increased mobilization of enzymes of the DNA repair pathway. All forms of Cr, but especially Cr-NPs, beneficially decreased the activity of caecal bacterial β-glucuronidase, faecal β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase. However, due to the increase in level of cytokine IL-2 in small intestinal wall, induced by all tested forms of chromium, it is difficult to state conclusively that this element can mitigate unfavourable pro-inflammatory and oxidative changes induced by a F in the small intestinal wall.

The Microbiota and It’s Correlation With Metabolites in the Gut of Mice With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

In recent years, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease in the world. As an important model animal, the characteristics of gut microbiota alteration in mice with NAFLD have been studied but the changes in metabolite abundance in NAFLD mice and how the gut microbiota affects these intestinal metabolites remain unclear. In this experiment, a mouse model for NAFLD was established by a high-fat diet. The use of 16S rDNA technology showed that while there were no significant changes in the alpha diversity in the cecum of NAFLD mice, the beta diversity changed significantly. The abundance of Blautia, Unidentified-Lachnospiraceae, Romboutsia, Faecalibaculum, and Ileibacterium increased significantly in NAFLD mice, while Allobaculum and Enterorhabdus decreased significantly. Amino acids, lipids, bile acids and nucleotide metabolites were among the 167 significantly different metabolites selected. The metabolic pathways of amino acids, SFAs, and bile acids were significantly enhanced, while the metabolic pathways of PUFAs, vitamins, and nucleotides were significantly inhibited. Through correlation and MIMOSA2 analysis, it is suggested that gut microbiota does not affect the changes of lipids and bile acids but can reduce thiamine, pyridoxine, and promote L-phenylalanine and tyramine production. The findings of this study will help us to better understand the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolites in NAFLD.

Accumulation of chromium in plants and its repercussion in animals and humans

The untreated effluents released from industrial operations have adverse impacts on human health, environment and socio-economic aspects. Environmental pollution due to chromium is adversely affecting our natural resources and ecosystem. Chromium is hazardous carcinogenic element released from spontaneous activities and industrial procedures. Chromium toxicity, mobility and bioavailability depend mainly on its speciation. Chromium mainly exists in two forms, first as an immobile, less soluble trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] species under reducing conditions whereas hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] as a mobile, toxic and bioavailable species under oxidizing conditions. Hexavalent chromium is more pernicious in comparison to trivalent form. Chromium negatively affects crop growth, total yield and grain quality. Exposure of chromium even at low concentration enhances its accretion in cells of human-beings and animals which may show detrimental health effects. Many techniques have been utilized for the elimination of chromium. The selection of the green and cost-efficient technology for treatment of industrial effluent is an arduous task. The present review highlights the problems associated with chromium pollution and need of its immediate elimination by suitable remediation strategies. Further, investigations are required to fill the gaps to overcome the problem of chromium contamination and implementation of sustainable remediation strategies with their real-time applicability on the contaminated sites.

Neutral Polysaccharides From Hohenbuehelia serotina With Hypoglycemic Effects in a Type 2 Diabetic Mouse Model

Neutral polysaccharides (NHSPs) from the mushroom Hohenbueheliaserotina were purified by D301/D152 resin ion-exchange chromatography and DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography. The weight-average molecular weight (M_W) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) of NHSP were 1,821 and 820.55 kDa, respectively. A monosaccharide component analysis showed that NHSP was composed of glucose, galactose, and mannose in molar ratio 2.6:2.1:1.0. FT-IR and NMR (¹H and HSQC) spectroscopic analyses revealed that NHSP contained mainly 1,3-linked β-D-glucose, 1,4-linked β-D-glucose, 1,6-linked β-D-mannose, 1,6-linked α-D-mannose, and 1,6-linked β-D-galactose. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that NHSP has good thermal stability below 250°C. NHSP notably reduced the blood glucose level (hypoglycemic effect) at dose 200 mg/kg for 21 days in a type 2 diabetic mouse model. NHSP reduced the liver index significantly, suggesting that it may help prevent hepatic steatosis or hepatomegaly.

The Protective Effects of Three Polysaccharides From Abrus cantoniensis Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression and Oxidative Damage

This study was designed to systematically elucidate the immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of three polysaccharide fractions (ACP₆₀, ACP₈₀, and ACP_t2) from Abrus cantoniensis on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressive mice. The experimental mice were divided into 12 groups, then modeled and administrated with different doses of three polysaccharides (50, 150, 300 mg/kg/day) by gavage. The results showed that ACP could markedly recover the CTX-induced decline in immune organ and hemocytes indexes and promote proliferation of splenocytes, earlap swelling rate, secretion of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6), and immunoglobulin (Ig-M and Ig-G). Additionally, ACP improved the enzymatic activities of T-SOD and GSH-PX greatly, while the level of MDA was significantly decreased in the liver. In particular, ACP_t2 had higher immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities than ACP₆₀ and ACP₈₀. Based on the present findings, ACP could be utilized as an efficacious candidate for immunomodulators and antioxidants, which provide a new application prospect in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Hypolipidemic effect of chromium-modified enzymatic product of sulfated rhamnose polysaccharide from Enteromorpha prolifera in type 2 diabetic mice

Sulfated rhamnose polysaccharide (SRP) derived from Enteromorpha prolifera is a metal-ion chelating agent that could potentially be used to treat diabetes. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of a variant of SRP on DIABETES. First, we synthesized and characterized SRPE-3 chromium(III) [SRPE-3-Cr(III)] complex using an enzymatic method. The maximum chelation rate was 18.2% under optimal chelating conditions of pH 6.0, time 4 h, and temperature 60 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed important sites for Cr(III)-binding were O-H and C=O groups. We then studied the hypolipidemic effects of SRPE-3-Cr(III) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFSD). Decreased blood glucose content, body fat ratio, serum TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased serum HDL-C were observed after treatment with SRPE-3-Cr(III). In addition, SRPE-3-Cr(III) significantly reduced leptin, resistin, and TNF-α levels, and increased adiponectin contents relative to T2DM. Histopathology results also showed that SRPE-3-Cr(III) could alleviate the HFSD-lesioned tissues. SRPE-3-Cr(III) also improved lipid metabolism via a reduction in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activities in the liver. SRPE-3-Cr(III) at low doses exhibited better lipid-lowering activities, hence, could be considered to be a novel compound to treat hyperlipidemia and also act as an anti-diabetic agent.

Anti-Diabetic Effects of Ethanol Extract from Sanghuangporous vaninii in High-Fat/Sucrose Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may lead to abnormally elevated blood glucose, lipid metabolism disorder, and low-grade inflammation. Besides, the development of T2DM is always accompanied by gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic dysfunction. In this study, the T2DM mice model was established by feeding a high-fat/sucrose diet combined with injecting a low dose of streptozotocin. Additionally, the effects of oral administration of ethanol extract from Sanghuangporous vaninii (SVE) on T2DM and its complications (including hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis) were investigated. The results showed SVE could improve body weight, glycolipid metabolism, and inflammation-related parameters. Besides, SVE intervention effectively ameliorated the diabetes-induced pancreas and jejunum injury. Furthermore, SVE intervention significantly increased the relative abundances of Akkermansia, Dubosiella, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides, and decreased the levels of Lactobacillus, Flavonifractor, Odoribacter, and Desulfovibrio compared to the model group (LDA > 3.0, p < 0.05). Metabolic function prediction of the intestinal microbiota by PICRUSt revealed that glycerolipid metabolism, insulin signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and fatty acid degradation were enriched in the diabetic mice treated with SVE. Moreover, the integrative analysis indicated that the key intestinal microbial phylotypes in response to SVE intervention were strongly correlated with glucose and lipid metabolism-associated biochemical parameters. These findings demonstrated that SVE has the potential to alleviate T2DM and its complications by modulating the gut microbiota imbalance.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of polysaccharide isolated from Sphacelotheca sorghi in diet-streptozotocin-induced T2D mice

Edible fungus has attracted great interest with many health benefits, and polysaccharides from them have shown great potentials. In this study, polysaccharides were extracted from Sphacelotheca sorghi (Link) Clint. Monosaccharide composition of S. sorghi polysaccharides (SSP) was detected by high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) and mainly consists of glucose (70.5%), galactose (15.6%), mannose (7.2%), arabinose (5.8%), and rhamnose (0.9%). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by a high-fat, high-sugar diet-fed (HFSD) diet with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in mice, and hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic regulations of SSP were evaluated. After oral treatment of high dose of SSP (200 mg/kg/day), the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was reduced by 39.3%, the insulin resistance of T2D mice was relieved, the lipids metabolism disorder caused by diabetes was improved, and the levels of liver glycogen was increased by 34.1%, compared with the model control. Histopathological examination showed that SSP relieved liver damage. Furthermore, SSP regulated glucose and lipid metabolism by activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Overall, SPP is promising to be used as a functional food for the improvement of metabolic disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: For enhancing the utilization rate and economic value of an edible fungi Sphacelotheca sorghi (Link) Clint., the total polysaccharides were isolated and used to investigate the effect of fungi in terms of balancing the levels of blood glucose and lipids. The S. sorghi polysaccharide treatment resolved the symptoms and insulin resistance in mice with diabetes, signifying its potential application in producing different functional foods for preventing or controlling diabetes.

Preparation of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide microcapsules and its effect and mechanism on skin wound healing in rats

In this study, after optimizing the extraction process of CPP (Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides), CPPM (CPP microcapsules) were prepared. Subsequently, the structural characteristics and physicochemical properties were studied. The results showed that CPPM is a hollow sac-like structure with rough folds and protuberances and comes in spherical or ellipsoidal shapes with uniform particle size. CPPM has certain swelling degree, low hardness, good adhesion, and stability. Then, the effect of CPPM on wounds repair was investigated by a rat model. The results showed that CPPM could improve the wound healing rate. Histological evaluation showed CPPM could promote neovascularization and fibroblast proliferation. By investigating the healing mechanism, it was found that CPPM increased the hydroxyproline content in granulation tissue and had an excellent antioxidant ability, and then inhibited lipid peroxidation, in addition, it significantly increased the transcript levels of VEGF and miRNA-21 genes, indicating that CPPM play an influential role in vascular remodeling during wound healing by up-regulating the expression of VEGF and miRNA-21 genes.

Intestinal microbiomics and liver metabolomics insights into the preventive effects of chromium (III)-enriched yeast on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia induced by high-fat and high-fructose diet

In recent years, organic chromium (III) supplements have received increasing attentions for their low toxicity, high bioavailability and wide range of health-promoting benefits. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of chromium (III)-enriched yeast (YCr) on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice, and further clarify its mechanism of action from the perspective of intestinal microbiomics and liver metabolomics. The results indicated that oral administration of YCr remarkably inhibited the aberrant elevations of body weight, blood glucose and lipid levels, hepatic cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels caused by HFHFD. Liver histological examination showed that oral YCr intervention inhibited HFHFD induced liver lipid accumulation. Besides, 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing showed that YCr intervention was beneficial to ameliorating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by altering the proportion of some intestinal microbial phylotypes. Correlation-based network analysis indicated that the key intestinal microbial phylotypes intervened by YCr were closely related to some biochemical parameters associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that dietary YCr intervention significantly regulated the levels of some biomarkers involved in purine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, citrate cycle, pyrimidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and so on. Moreover, dietary YCr intervention regulated the mRNA levels of key genes associated with glucose, cholesterol, fatty acids and bile acids metabolism in liver. These findings suggest that dietary YCr intervention has beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal microbiota and liver metabolic pathway, and thus can be served as a functional component to prevent hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

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Chromium-enriched yeast enhances glucose tolerance and liver glycogen synthesis.

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Chromium-enriched yeast ameliorates the disturbance of intestinal microbiota.

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Explore the hepatoprotective effect of chromium-enriched yeast based on metabolomics.

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Chromium-enriched yeast alleviates lipid metabolism through “gut-liver” axis.

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Chromium-enriched yeast intervention affects hepatic gene transcription levels.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum FZU3013-Fermented Laminaria japonica on Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Hyperlipidaemic Rats

In this study, we explored the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum FZU3013-fermented Laminaria japonica (LPLJ) supplementation to prevent hyperlipidaemia in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). The results indicate that LPLJ supplementation improved serum and hepatic biochemical indicators (p < 0.05), elevated short-chain fatty acid levels, reduced HFD-induced accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver, modulated the relative abundance of some microbial phylotypes, and reduced hyperlipidaemia in HFD-fed rats by adjusting the aminoacyl-tRNA, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthetic pathways, as well as the phenylalanine, D-glutamine and D-glutamate, and glutathione metabolic pathways. Additionally, hepatic mRNA levels of the genes involved in lipid metabolism and bile acid homeostasis were significantly reduced by LPLJ intervention (p < 0.05). These results suggest that LPLJ has a positive effect on modulating lipid metabolism and has the potential to be a functional food that can help prevent hyperlipidaemia.

Ganoderma applanatum polysaccharides and ethanol extracts promote the recovery of colitis through intestinal barrier protection and gut microbiota modulations

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with intestinal homeostasis dysregulation and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Ganoderma applanatum extracts (G. applanatum polysaccharides (GAP) and 75% ethanol extracts (GAE)) on colon inflammation and elucidate the therapeutic mechanism. GAP and GAE showed considerable protective effects against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis, as demonstrated by reduced mortality, body weight, disease activity index score, colon length, and histological score. Through GAP and GAE administration, the destroyed intestinal barrier recovered to normal, as did intestinal inflammation. We also confirmed that GAP administration promoted the recovery of colitis in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. The similarity between GAP and GAE administration was that they both altered the disordered gut microbiota damaged by DSS, exhibiting reduced abundance of Escherichia_Shigella, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus, but the modulation of the gut microbiota was distinct between GAP and GAE.

Grifola frondosa (Maitake) Extract Reduces Fat Accumulation and Improves Health Span in C. elegans through the DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 Signalling Pathways

In recent years, food ingredients rich in bioactive compounds have emerged as candidates to prevent excess adiposity and other metabolic complications characteristic of obesity, such as low-grade inflammation and oxidative status. Among them, fungi have gained popularity for their high polysaccharide content and other bioactive components with beneficial activities. Here, we use the C. elegans model to investigate the potential activities of a Grifola frondosa extract (GE), together with the underlying mechanisms of action. Our study revealed that GE represents an important source of polysaccharides and phenolic compounds with in vitro antioxidant activity. Treatment with our GE extract, which was found to be nongenotoxic through a SOS/umu test, significantly reduced the fat content of C. elegans, decreased the production of intracellular ROS and aging–lipofuscin pigment, and increased the lifespan of nematodes. Gene expression and mutant analyses demonstrated that the in vivo anti-obesity and antioxidant activities of GE were mediated through the daf-2/daf-16 and skn-1/nrf-2 signalling pathways, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that our GE extract could be considered a potential functional ingredient for the prevention of obesity-related disturbances.

Gut microbiota disorder caused by diterpenoids extracted from Euphorbia pekinensis aggravates intestinal mucosal damage

Gut microbiota disorder will lead to intestinal damage. This study evaluated the influence of total diterpenoids extracted from Euphorbia pekinensis (TDEP) on gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal barrier after long‐term administration, and the correlations between gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal barrier were analysed by Spearman correlation analysis. Mice were randomly divided to control group, TDEP groups (4, 8, 16 mg/kg), TDEP (16 mg/kg) + antibiotic group. Two weeks after intragastric administration, inflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β) and LPS in serum, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were tested by Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. The expression of tight junction (TJ) protein in colon was measured by western blotting. Furthermore, the effects of TDEP on gut microbiota community in mice have been investigated by 16SrDNA high‐throughput sequencing. The results showed TDEP significantly increased the levels of inflammatory factors in dose‐dependent manners, and decreased the expression of TJ protein and SCFAs, and the composition of gut microbiota of mice in TDEP group was significantly different from that of control group. When antibiotics were added, the diversity of gut microbiota was significantly reduced, and the colon injury was more serious. Finally, through correlation analysis, we have found nine key bacteria (Barnesiella, Muribaculaceae_unclassified, Alloprevotella, Candidatus_Arthromitus, Enterorhabdus, Alistipes, Bilophila, Mucispirillum, Ruminiclostridium) that may be related to colon injury caused by TDEP. Taken together, the disturbance of gut microbiota caused by TDEP may aggravate the colon injury, and its possible mechanism may be related to the decrease of SCFAs in feces, disrupted the expression of TJ protein in colon and increasing the contents of inflammatory factors.