Metabolites of gut microbiota fermenting Poria cocos polysaccharide alleviates chronic nonbacterial prostatitis in rats

Abelmoschi Corolla polysaccharides and related metabolite ameliorates colitis via modulating gut microbiota and regulating the FXR/STAT3 signaling pathway

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract with unknown definitive etiology. Polysaccharides are among the most important active components of Abelmoschi Corolla, exhibitings various pharmacological activities such as antioxidation and immunomodulation. However, no studies have yet reported the application of Abelmoschi Corolla Polysaccharides (ACP) in treating UC. This study aims to highlight the therapeutic efficacy of ACP in UC and reveal the underlying mechanism. The potential therapeutic effect is initially verified using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model. 16S rRNA sequencing is performed using feces samples and untargeted metabolomics using serum samples to further reveal that ACP reprograms the dysbiosis triggered by UC progression, increases the abundance of Bacteroides spp., Blautia spp., and Parabacteroides spp. at the genus level and enriches the serum concentration of 7-ketodeoxycholic acid (7-KDA). Furthermore, using the FXR-/- mouse model, it is revealed that Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) is a key target for ACP and the metabolite 7-KDA to block STAT3 phosphorylation by repairing the intestinal barrier to attenuate UC. Taken together, this work highlights the therapeutic potential of ACP against UC, mainly exerting its effects via modulating gut microbiota and regulating the FXR/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Gut microbiome: a novel preventive and therapeutic target for prostatic disease

The human gut microbiome (GM) impacts various physiological processes and can lead to pathological conditions and even carcinogenesis if homeostasis is disrupted. Recent studies have indicated a connection between the GM and prostatic disease. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This review aims to provide a summary of the existing information regarding the connection between the GM and various prostatic conditions such as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PCa). Furthermore, the review aims to identify possible pathogenic mechanisms and suggest potential ways of targeting GM to prevent and treat prostatic disease. Due to the complexity of the mechanism between GM and prostatic diseases, additional research is required to comprehend the association between the two. This will lead to more effective treatment options for prostatic disease.

Berberine hydrochloride alleviates chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome by modifying gut microbiome signaling

ABSTRACT

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is highly prevalent worldwide and poses a significant threat to men's health, particularly affecting young men. However, the exact causes and mechanisms behind CP/CPPS remain unclear, leading to challenges in its treatment. In this research, a CP/CPPS rat model was established with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), and berberine hydrochloride was administered through daily gavage to assess its therapeutic effects. The alterations in the gut microbiome induced by CP/CPPS and berberine hydrochloride were investigated through 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of cecum content and colonic epithelial cells. To investigate the impact of the gut microbiome on CP/CPPS, a pseudo germ-free rat model was established, and fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) was performed on these rats. In all, berberine hydrochloride demonstrated effective reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress in the prostate, offering significant therapeutic advantages for CP/CPPS. Through analysis of the gut microbiome using 16S ribosome RNA sequencing, distinct differences were observed between CP/CPPS rats and control rats, and Clostridium butyricum was identified as a key bacteria. Pseudo germ-free rats that underwent FMT from CP/CPPS rats or rats treated with berberine hydrochloride displayed varying levels of inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress, and activity of associated signaling pathways. In conclusion, the therapeutic potential of berberine hydrochloride in addressing CP/CPPS is highly significant. The gut microbiome has emerged as a critical factor in the development of CP/CPPS and plays a pivotal role in mediating the therapeutic effects of berberine hydrochloride.

Prostate and gut: Any relationship? A narrative review on the available evidence and putative mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiome is a community of microorganisms that lives in the human intestine and exerts various functions on the host, including metabolic, immunoregulatory, and control over cell proliferation. Gut microbiome alterations have been associated with various pathological conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Gut-prostate axis is explained by the association between gut microbiome quantitative and functional alterations along with increased intestinal epithelial permeability with prostatediseases. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical importance of this association are not completely clarified yet.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative review of the most relevant articles in the Medline (US National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Scopus (Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and Web of Science Core Collection (Thomson Reuters, Toronto, ON, Canada) databases. No chronological restrictions were applied, and the most related papers published until December 2023 were included.

RESULTS

Gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites are capable of modifying host androgen level, as well as prostate cancer (PCa) therapy response. Moreover, patients with inflammatory bowel disease have higher rates of prostatitis-like symptoms and a potential risk of developing PCa.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence that interventions on the GM and its metabolites have a high potential to serve as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for prostate diseases, including PCa.

Genetic insights into gut microbiota and risk of prostatitis: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

The dysbiosis of gut microbiota (GM) is considered a contributing factor to prostatitis, yet the causality remains incompletely understood.

Methods

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for GM and prostatitis were sourced from MiBioGen and FinnGen R10, respectively. In the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode, and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were utilized to investigate the causal relationship between GM and prostatitis. A series of sensitivity analysis were conducted to confirm the robustness of the main results obtained from the MR analysis.

Results

According to the IVW results, genus Sutterella (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09-1.71, p = 0.006) and genus Holdemania (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.43, p = 0.028) were associated with an increased risk of prostatitis. The phylum Verrucomicrobia (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-0.98, p = 0.033) and genus Parasutterella (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.70-1.00, p = 0.045) exhibited a negative association with prostatitis, indicating a potential protective effect. Sensitivity analysis showed that these results were not affected by heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. Furthermore, the majority of statistical methods yielded results consistent with those of the IVW analysis.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified two GM taxon that might be protective against prostatitis and two GM taxon that could increase the risk of developing prostatitis. These findings could potentially provide a valuable theoretical basis for the future development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for prostatitis.

In vitro digestive properties of Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide by steam explosion pretreatment methods

Dictyophora indusiata is medicinal and edible fungi containing various nutrients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficient extraction and structural evolution of Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide during the vitro digestion based on steam explosion pretreatment methods. In this study, the extraction rate of Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide was optimized by steam explosion pretreatment methods, which was 2.46 folds that of the water extraction method. In addition, the digestion and fermentation properties of Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide before and after steam explosion were evaluated in vitro by the changes of molecular weights, total and reducing sugars levels, surface morphology and functional groups, which showed that the structure of Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide remained stable after salivary-gastric digestion, and partially entered the large intestine, where it could be utilized by gut microbiota. Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide promoted the increase of beneficial bacteria Megamonas and increased the content of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, which was 2.17, 2.81, 2.43 folds that of the CON group after fermentation for 24 h, and 1.87, 2.77, 1.90 folds that of the CON group after fermentation for 48 h, respectively. This study will provide theoretical basis for the high value utilization of Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide.

Anti-inflammatory activity of β-glucans from different sources before and after fermentation by fecal bacteria in vitro

BACKGROUND

β-Glucans are widely sourced and have various physiological effects, including anti-inflammatory effects. However, the strength of the anti-inflammatory activity of β-glucans from different sources remains unknown due to the lack of rapid and effective biomarkers. This study therefore aimed to screen out the β-glucans with strong anti-inflammatory activity from five different sources and to further screen out possible biomarkers in metabolites after fermenting the β-glucans with gut microorganisms.

RESULTS

The results showed that all five β-glucans inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressed the mRNA expression level of TLR4/MyD88. Their anti-inflammatory mechanisms involved the inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppression of mRNA expression of the NF-κB pathway and JNK pathway. Among them, barley β-glucan exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory effect, followed by Ganoderma lucidum β-glucan. Enhanced anti-inflammatory activity of β-glucan was found after fermentation and may be related to the increased abundance of metabolites such as vanillin, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, caffeic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid. They were strongly positively correlated to the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Blautia, suggesting that the production of those metabolites may be responsible for the flourishing of the beneficial bacteria.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, barley was a preferred raw material for the preparation of β-glucans with strong anti-inflammatory activity. Vanillin, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, caffeic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid were the possible biomarkers that could be utilized to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of β-glucans. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Preliminary study of the effect of gut microbiota on the development of prostatitis

BACKGROUND

Dysbacteriosis of intestinal tract may cause systemic inflammation, making distant anatomical locations more susceptible to illness. Recent research has demonstrated that the microbiome can affect both prostatitis and the inflammation of the prostate that is linked to prostate cancer. It is still unclear, though, whether this relationship indicates causation. We conducted a Mendelian randomization investigation on two samples to fully uncover gut microbiota's potential genetic causal role in prostatitis.

METHOD

Prostatitis (1859 prostatitis cases and 72,799 controls) was utilized as the outcome, while SNPs highly linked with 196 microbial taxa (18 340 people) were chosen as instrumental factors. Random effects, inverse variance weighting, weighted medians, and MR-Egger were used to analyze causal effects. The Cochran's Q test, funnel plot, leave-one-out analysis, and MR-Egger intercept test were all used in the sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

A causal effect in lowering the incidence of prostatitis is anticipated for five gut microorganisms (Methanobacteria, Methanobacteriaceae, Erysipelatoclostridium, Parasutterella, and Slackia; P < 0.05). Four gut bacteria, including Faecalibacterium, LachnospiraceaeUCG004, Sutterella, and Gastranaerophilales, are predicted to play a causal role in increasing the risk of prostatitis (P < 0.05). There were no discernible estimates of pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

Our investigation established the genetic links between nine gut microorganisms and prostatitis, which may offer fresh perspectives and a theoretical framework for the future prevention and management of prostatitis.

Thermosensitive hydrogel with emodin-loaded triple-targeted nanoparticles for a rectal drug delivery system in the treatment of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

BACKGROUND

The complex etiology and pathogenesis underlying Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis (CNP), coupled with the existence of a Blood Prostate Barrier (BPB), contribute to a lack of specificity and poor penetration of most drugs. Emodin (EMO), a potential natural compound for CNP treatment, exhibits commendable anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrosis properties but suffers from the same problems as other drugs.

METHODS

By exploiting the recognition properties of lactoferrin (LF) receptors that target intestinal epithelial cells (NCM-460) and prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1), a pathway is established for the transrectal absorption of EMO to effectively reach the prostate. Additionally, hyaluronic acid (HA) is employed, recognizing CD44 receptors which target macrophages within the inflamed prostate. This interaction facilitates the intraprostatic delivery of EMO, leading to its pronounced anti-inflammatory effects. A thermosensitive hydrogel (CS-Gel) prepared from chitosan (CS) and β-glycerophosphate disodium salt (β-GP) was used for rectal drug delivery with strong adhesion to achieve effective drug retention and sustained slow release. Thus, we developed a triple-targeted nanoparticle (NPs)/thermosensitive hydrogel (Gel) rectal drug delivery system. In this process, LF, with its positive charge, was utilized to load EMO through dialysis, producing LF@EMO-NPs. Subsequently, HA was employed to encapsulate EMO-loaded LF nanoparticles via electrostatic adsorption, yielding HA/LF@EMO-NPs. Finally, HA/LF@EMO-NPs lyophilized powder was added to CS-Gel (HA/LF@EMO-NPs Gel).

RESULTS

Cellular assays indicated that NCM-460 and RWPE-1 cells showed high uptake of both LF@EMO-NPs and HA/LF@EMO-NPs, while Raw 264.7 cells exhibited substantial uptake of HA/LF@EMO-NPs. For LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells, HA/LF@EMO-NPs can reduce the inflammatory responses by modulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways. Tissue imaging corroborated the capacity of HA/LF-modified formulations to breach the BPB, accumulating within the gland's lumen. Animal experiments showed that rectal administration of HA/LF@EMO-NPs Gel significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine expression, oxidative stress levels and fibrosis in the CNP rats, in addition to exerting anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway without obvious toxicity.

CONCLUSION

This triple-targeted NPs/Gel rectal delivery system with slow-release anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrosis properties shows great potential for the effective treatment of CNP.

The Protective Effects of Bushen Daozhuo Granule on Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis

Background: Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP), one of the most common chronic diseases in urology, leads to pain in the prostate and dysuria, critically affecting the physical or mental health of patients. However, there are no standard treatment approaches for the treatment of CNP in the clinic. Although the clinical application of Bushen Daozhuo granule (BSDZG) offers hope to CNP patients in China, the mechanisms of BSDZG in treating CNP are still not entirely clear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic mechanisms of BSDZG on CNP. Methods: In this study, we first assayed the prostate index of rats and then determined the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of BSDZG on CNP in vivo and in vitro by employing ELISA kits and TUNEL staining. Next, we investigated whether the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms of BSDZG on prostate protein-induced rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RWPE-1 cells were related to the AKT, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways with the help of Western blot. Finally, the influence of BSDZG on the interaction between the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathway in LPS-induced RWPE-1 cells was explored by adopting dehydrocorydaline (DHC, p38 MAPK activator) with the help of ELISA kits and Western blot. Results: In vivo, BSDZG effectively reduced the prostate index. In vivo and in vitro, BSDZG dramatically declined the level of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as the apoptosis rate. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro, BSDZG memorably upregulated the expression level of p-AKT, and substantially downregulated the expression level of p-p38 MAPK and NF-κB2. The activation of p38 MAPK significantly reversed the moderation effects of BSDZG on the level of TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as the expression level of p-p38 MAPK and NF-κB2 in vitro. Conclusion: To sum up, the in vivo and in vitro therapeutic mechanisms of BSDZG on CNP were reflected as the anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis that was formed by inhibiting the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, to regulate the AKT, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways, and the anti-inflammatory effect of BSDZG was realized by suppressing the p38 MAPK pathway to inhibit the downstream NF-κB pathway.

Hypoglycemic Effect of Edible Fungi Polysaccharides Depends on Their Metabolites from the Fermentation of Human Fecal Microbiota

Edible fungi polysaccharides are widely sourced and have various physiological activities, including hypoglycemic. Current studies mainly focus on the hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharides themselves, while the strength of the hypoglycemic activity of edible fungi polysaccharides from different sources remained elusive. This study compared the hypoglycemic activity of different edible fungi polysaccharides after in vitro fermentation by fecal bacteria, combined with non-targeted metabolomics and 16S rDNA analysis, to screen out potential key metabolites related to the hypoglycemic activity. The results show that the fermentation supernatants of all four edible fungi polysaccharides significantly increased the glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis of IR-HepG2, also up-regulated the level of hexokinase and down-regulated the level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. All fermentation supernatants could alleviate the insulin resistance of IR-HepG2 cells by regulating the expression levels of genes related to the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Gingerglycolipid A, sphinganine 1-phosphate, matricin, tricarballylic acid, N-carbamoylputrescine, nomega-acetylhistamine, tyramine, and benzamide could be considered as potential key metabolites to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects. Their levels were strongly positively correlated with the abundance of Candidatus_Stoquefichu, Faecalibacterium, Coprococcus, Bacteroides, Eubacterium_ventriosum_group, Anaerostipes, Parabacteroides, and Agathobacter. These metabolites and microorganisms are closely related to the hypoglycemic activity of edible fungi polysaccharides.

Gut microbiota: A magical multifunctional target regulated by medicine food homology species

BACKGROUND

The relationship between gut microbiota and human health has gradually been recognized. Increasing studies show that the disorder of gut microbiota is related to the occurrence and development of many diseases. Metabolites produced by the gut microbiota are responsible for their extensive regulatory roles. In addition, naturally derived medicine food homology species with low toxicity and high efficiency have been clearly defined owing to their outstanding physiological and pharmacological properties in disease prevention and treatment.

AIM OF REVIEW

Based on supporting evidence, the current review summarizes the representative work of medicine food homology species targeting the gut microbiota to regulate host pathophysiology and discusses the challenges and prospects in this field. It aims to facilitate the understanding of the relationship among medicine food homology species, gut microbiota, and human health and further stimulate the advancement of more relevant research.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

As this review reveals, from the initial practical application to more mechanism studies, the relationship among medicine food homology species, gut microbiota, and human health has evolved into an irrefutable interaction. On the one hand, through affecting the population structure, metabolism, and function of gut microbiota, medicine food homology species maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment and human health by affecting the population structure, metabolism, and function of gut microbiota. On the other hand, the gut microbiota is also involved in the bioconversion of the active ingredients from medicine food homology species and thus influences their physiological and pharmacological properties.

A Systematic Review on the Research Progress on Polysaccharides from Fungal Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates from a wide range of sources containing plants, animals and minerals, and among them, plant-based Chinese medicine also includes fungi. Fungal traditional Chinese medicine is a medicinal resource with a long history and widespread application in China. Accumulating evidence confirms that polysaccharide is the main pharmacodynamic material on which fungal TCM is based. The purpose of the current systematic review is to summarize the extraction, isolation, structural identification, biological functions, quality control and medicinal and edible applications of polysaccharides from fungal TCM in the past three years. This paper will supplement and deepen the understanding and application of polysaccharides from fungal TCM, and propose some valuable insights for further research and development of drugs and functional foods.

Effects of Houpo Mahuang Decoction on serum metabolism and TRPV1/Ca2+/TJs in asthma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Houpo Mahuang Decoction (HPMHD is one of the classic traditional Chinese prescriptions that has been used in the treatment of asthma. The therapeutic effects and mechanism of HPMHD in aggravated asthma remain to be explored, especially from the perspective of metabolomics and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-1 (TRPV1)/Ca²⁺/Tight junction (TJ) regulation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the therapeutic and metabolic regulatory effects and the underlying mechanism of HPMHD in asthmatic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The asthmatic rats were administered with the corresponding HPMHD (at dosages of 5.54, 11.07, 22.14 mg/kg). Then inflammatory cells in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted, the levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in BALF were measured, and the changes in enhanced pause (Penh) and pathological damage of lung tissues were also detected to evaluate the protective effects of HPMHD. The serum metabolic profile of HPMHD in asthmatic rats was explored using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS), and the regulatory effects on TRPV1 and TJs of HPMHD in asthmatic rats were detected by Western blotting analysis. In vitro, 16HBE cells were stimulated with IL-4 plus SO₂ derivatives and then administered HPMHD. The intracellular Ca²⁺ regulated by TRPV1, and the expression levels of TRPV1 and TJ proteins (TJs) were then detected by calcium imaging and Western blotting. The effects were verified by inhibition of TRPV1 and in short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated TRPV1 silencing cells.

RESULTS

HPMHD significantly attenuated the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats, and reduced the levels of inflammatory cells in peripheral blood and BALF as well as the levels of IL-4 plus IL-13 in BALF. In addition, the airway hyperresponsiveness and lung pathological damage were alleviated. Serum metabolomic analysis showed that 31 metabolites were differentially expressed among the normal saline-, model-, and HPMHD-treated rats. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the metabolites were involved in 45 pathways, among which, TJs regulation-relevant pathway was associated with the Ca²⁺ concentration change mediated by the TRP Vanilloid channel. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that HPMHD reduced the concentration of intracellular Ca²⁺ via suppressing the expression and activation of TRPV1, increased the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-3, and protected the integrity of TJs.

CONCLUSION

The current study indicates that HPMHD alleviates rat asthma and participates in the regulation of serum metabolism. The anti-asthma effects of HPMHD might be related to the protection of TJs by inhibiting the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration via TRPV1.

Flaxseed Polysaccharide Alters Colonic Gene Expression of Lipid Metabolism and Energy Metabolism in Obese Rats

Obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges. Recently, we found that flaxseed polysaccharides (FPs) had an anti-obesity effect through promoting lipid metabolism, but the obesity-inhibiting pathway of FP is still unclear. In this study, after FP intervention in an obese rat model, a transcriptome study was performed to further investigate how FP intervention alters the gene expression of colonic epithelial tissues (CETs). The results showed that there were 3785 genes differentially expressed due to the FP intervention, namely 374 downregulated and 3411 upregulated genes. After analyzing all the differentially expressed genes, two classical KEGG pathways were found to be related to obesity, namely the PPAR-signaling pathway and energy metabolism, involving genes Fabp1–5, Lpl, Gyk, Qqp7, Pparg, Rxrg, Acsl1, Acsl4, Acsl6, Cpt1c, Car1–4, Ca5b, Car8, Car12–14, Cps1, Ndufa4l2, Cox6b2, Atp6v1g2, Ndufa4l2 and Cox4i2. QRT-PCR results showed a consistent expression trend. Our results indicate that FP promotes lipid metabolism by changing the expression of some key genes of CETs, thus inhibiting obesity.