Gut microbiota exaggerates triclosan-induced liver injury via gut-liver axis

High-fat diet led to testicular inflammation and ferroptosis via dysbiosis of gut microbes

The disorder of gut microbiota has negative impact on male reproductive, and testicular damage is associated with obesity. However, the detailed mechanism of gut microbiota on the obesity-induced testis injury are still unknown. Therefore, we constructed a mouse model to investigate the effects of obesity on testis injury. In this study, we found that HFD-induced obesity could disorder gut microbiota homeostasis, which increased the abundance of Brevundimonas, Desulfovibrionaceae_unclassified and Ralstonia, ultimately leading to the overproduction of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Meanwhile, HFD-feeding promoted intestinal permeability via inhibiting expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin) and reducing excretion of mucus, leading to translocation of LPS. The over-accumulation of LPS in the bloodstream triggered an inflammatory response by activating TLR4/NF-κB pathway in testis. On the other hand, the gut microbiota produced-LPS also could induce ferroptosis in testis, as reflected by enhancing iron content and lipid peroxidation (MDA), as well as decreasing ferroptosis-related proteins, including GPX4, FTH1 and SLC1A11. Moreover, inhibition of LPS ligand (TLR4) with Resatorvid (TAK-242) alleviated obesity-induced testis injury through suppression of inflammation and ferroptosis. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of obesity-related testis injury induced by gut microbiota disorder via the gut-testis axis, thus offering potential targets to counteract obesity-induced male reproductive disorder.

Effects of triclosan on lipid metabolism and underlying mechanisms in the cyprinid fish Squalidus argentatus

The ubiquitous presence of the disinfectant triclosan (TCS) has raised global concerns regarding its potential threat to aquatic organisms. However, the effects of TCS on lipid metabolism in fish and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the effect of environmentally relevant levels of TCS on the lipid metabolism in the cyprinid fish Squalidus argentatus. Our results showed that the lipid metabolism in the cyprinid fish S. argentatus was perturbed by 28-day exposure to TCS, as evidenced by higher levels of lipid accumulation in both the liver and blood. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying toxicity, we evaluated oxidative stress, inflammatory status, and lipase activity in the liver. Our findings indicated increased ROS-specific fluorescence intensity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the livers of S. argentatus exposed to TCS, suggesting oxidative damage. Additionally, TCS treatment induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the liver of S. argentatus exposed to TCS, which suppressed hepatic lipase activity. Intestinal tissue morphology, inflammation, and blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels were also examined. Significant increases in goblet cell count and MDA levels were observed in the intestinal tract. After 28 days of TCS exposure, the serum LPS levels were significantly elevated. 16S rRNA sequencing was conducted to analyze the effects of TCS on the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to reveal global molecular alterations following TCS exposure. In conclusion, our results indicate that TCS may disrupt the lipid metabolism in S. argentatus by (i) inducing hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation, which suppress lipoprotein lipase activity, (ii) affecting the production of beneficial metabolites and endotoxins by dysregulating gut microbiota composition, and (iii) altering the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related pathways.

Therapeutic effects of fecal microbial transplantation on alcoholic liver injury in rat models

OBJECTIVE

Disruption of gut microbiota is closely related to the progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in ALD rats using a combination of microbiological and metabolomic techniques.

METHODS

Three liver injury rat models were constructed using alcohol, CCL4, and alcohol combined with CCL4, and administered an FMT treatment comprising the fecal microbiota of healthy rats via the gastric route for 12 consecutive weeks. We measured the therapeutic effect of FMT treatment on liver inflammation, intestinal mucosal barrier, and bacterial translocation in ALD rats using 16S rRNA and UPLC-Q/TOF-MS technology to detect the effects of FMT on the intestinal microbiota and metabolic patterns of ALD rats.

RESULTS

FMT treatment effectively improved liver function, prolonged survival time, improved the intestinal mucosal barrier, reduced bacterial translocation, alleviated liver inflammation, and delayed the progression of liver fibrosis in three types of liver injury models. The microbiome and metabolomic results showed that FMT can effectively improve gut microbiota disorder in ALD rats and improve metabolic patterns by regulating metabolic pathways such as the arachidonic acid and retinol pathways.

CONCLUSION

FMT treatment could reverse alcohol induced liver injury by improving gut microbiota and metabolic patterns in ALD rats, and oral FMT could be an effective therapeutic approach for ALD.

Trilobatin, a Novel Naturally Occurring Food Additive, Ameliorates Alcoholic Liver Disease in Mice: Involvement of Microbiota-Gut-Liver Axis and Yap/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Trilobatin, a novel natural food additive, exerts a protective effect on acute liver injury. However, whether Trilobatin can protect against alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has not been elucidated. This research is intended to ascertain the impact of Trilobatin on ALD in mice and decipher the potential underlying mechanisms. Lieber-DeCarli liquid alcohol diet was used to induce ALD in mice, followed by administration of Trilobatin (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 15 days. The results suggested that Trilobatin significantly alleviated ethanol-induced hepatic injury in mice. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis revealed that yes-associated protein (YAP) downregulation occurred in the liver after Trilobatin treatment. Mechanistically, Trilobatin directly bound to YAP and hindered its nuclear translocation, which activated the Nrf2 pathway to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Intriguingly, 16S rDNA analysis results revealed that Trilobatin reshaped the gut microbiota, reducing harmful bacteria and increasing beneficial bacteria. It also enhanced tight junction proteins, defending against damage to the intestinal barrier. These findings not only highlight the microbiota-gut-liver axis and YAP/Nrf2 pathway as crucial potential targets to treat ALD but also reveal that Trilobatin effectively protects against ALD, at least partly, through modulating the microbiota-gut-liver axis and YAP/Nrf2 pathway.

Exposure to toluene diisocyanate induces dysbiosis of gut-lung homeostasis: Involvement of gut microbiota

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a major industrial compound that induces occupational asthma with steroid-resistant properties. Recent studies suggest that the gastrointestinal tract may be an effective target for the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, the alterations of the gut-lung axis in TDI-induced asthma remain unexplored. Therefore, in this study, a model of stable occupational asthma caused by TDI exposure was established to detect the alteration of the gut-lung axis. Exposure to TDI resulted in dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, with significant decreases in Barnesiella_intestinihominis, Faecalicoccus_pleomorphus, Lactobacillus_apodemi, and Lactobacillus_intestinalis, but increases in Alistipes_shahii and Odoribacter_laneus. The largest change in abundance was in Barnesiella_intestinihominis, which decreased from 12.14 per cent to 6.18 per cent. The histopathological abnormalities, including shorter length of intestinal villi, thinner thickness of muscularis, reduced number of goblet cells and inflammatory cell infiltration, were found in TDI-treated mice compared to control mice. In addition, increased permeability (evidenced by significantly reduced levels of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1) and activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling were observed in the intestine of these TDI-exposed mice. Concurrently, exposure to TDI resulted in airway hyperresponsiveness, overt cytokine production (e.g., IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-25, and IL-33), and elevated IgE level within the respiratory tract. The expression of tight junction proteins is reduced and TLR4/NF-κB signaling is activated in the lung following TDI treatment. In addition, correlation analyses showed that changes in the gut microbiota were correlated with TDI exposure-induced airway inflammation. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the immune gut-lung axis may be involved in the development of TDI-induced asthma, which may have implications for potential interventions against steroid-resistant asthma.

Exploring the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate on tadpole health: A comprehensive analysis of intestinal microbiota and hepatic transcriptome

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), a chlorinated organophosphate ester, is commonly found in aquatic environments. Due to its various toxic effects, it may pose a risk to the health of aquatic organisms. However, the potential impacts of TCEP exposure on the intestinal microbiota and hepatic function in amphibians have not been reported. This study investigated the impact of long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TCEP (0, 3, and 90 μg/L) on the intestinal microbiota and hepatic transcriptome of Polypedates megacephalus tadpoles. The results showed that the body size of the tadpoles decreased significantly with an increase in TCEP concentration. Additionally, TCEP exposure affected the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota in tadpoles, leading to significant changes in the relative abundance of certain bacterial groups (the genera Aeromonas decreased and Citrobacter increased) and potentially promoting a more even distribution of microbial species, as indicated by a significant increase in the Simpson index. Moreover, the impact of TCEP on hepatic gene expression profiles in tadpoles was significant, with the majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (709 out of 906 total DEGs in 3 μg/L of TCEP versus control, and 344 out of 387 DEGs in 90 μg/L of TCEP versus control) being significantly down-regulated, which were primarily related to immune response and immune system process. Notably, exposure to TCEP significantly reduced the relative abundance of the genera Aeromonas and Cetobacterium in the tadpole intestine. This reduction was positively correlated with the down-regulated expression of immune-related genes in the liver of corresponding tadpoles. In summary, these findings provide empirical evidence of the potential health risks to tadpoles exposed to TCEP at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal the Attenuating Role of Cordycepin and Cordyceps militaris Extract on Acute Liver Injury Induced by LPS in Piglets

Cordyceps militaris extract (CME) contains many bioactive compounds, mainly cordycepin (CPN). This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the amelioration of LPS-induced acute liver injury in piglets by CME or CPN supplementation using multi-omics analysis. Twenty-four weaned piglets were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n = 6): the control and LPS groups were fed basal diets; the CPN + LPS (CPN-LPS) and CME + LPS (CME-LPS) groups were fed the basal diets supplemented with CME or CPN. The results showed that CPN or CME supplementation significantly decreased the C-reactive protein level (p < 0.05) and improved liver tissue pathology to prevent acute liver injury after LPS treatment. Compared with LPS, the transcriptomic analysis indicated that CPN supplementation significantly downregulated cell adhesion molecules, while CME supplementation significantly downregulated inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, complement and coagulation cascades and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. The metabolomic results showed that CPN or CME supplementation significantly reduced disease biomarker of bicyclo-prostaglandin E2, and increased levels of deoxyinosine and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (p < 0.05). The combined transcriptome and metabolome helped identify two metabolites PC 34:2 and PC 36:0, which may be associated with the restoration of liver cell morphology. In conclusion, CPN and CME could attenuate LPS-induced acute liver injury by regulating immune-related genes and metabolites. This study elucidates the potential protective mechanism of CPN or CME supplementation against acute liver injury.

Black phosphorus quantum dots induced neurotoxicity, intestinal microbiome and metabolome dysbiosis in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The potential toxicity of BPQDs has received considerable attention due to their increasing use in biomedical applications. In this study, the toxicity of BPQDs at concentrations of 5 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 500 μg/mL on the brain-gut axis was assessed in zebrafish. Following 35 days of exposure, the neurotransmitter, locomotor behavior, gut barrier (physical barrier, chemical barrier, and microbial barrier), and gut content metabolism in zebrafish were evaluated. The results indicated that BPQDs induced the locomotor behavior abnormalities, inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity, induced dopaminase activity, and promoted apoptosis in zebrafish brain tissue. Meanwhile, BPQDs caused damage to the physical and chemical barriers in zebrafish intestinal tissue, which increased the permeability of the intestinal mucosa, and induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that BPQDs caused dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, resulting in decreased diversity. Specifically, the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria decreased, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Clostriobacteria increased. At the genus level, the high concentration BPQDs showed a significant increase in Cetobacterium, Pleisionomas, Aeromonas, and other bacteria. Bioinformatic analysis revealed a correlation between the relative abundance of the gut microbiota and antioxidant levels, immune response, and apoptosis. Statistical analysis of the metabolomic revealed significant perturbations in several metabolic pathways, including amino acid, lipid, nucleotide, and energy metabolism. In addition, correlation analysis between microbiota and metabolism confirmed that gut microbiota dysbiosis was closely associated with metabolic dysfunction. The histopathologic injury supported the changes in biomarkers and the expression of related marker genes in the gut-brain axis, indicating the communication between the gut peripheral nerves and the CNS. The results indicate that BPQDs induce gut microbiota dysbiosis, disrupt metabolic function, and induce neurotoxicity, probably by disrupting the homeostasis of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In summary, this study demonstrates the effects of BPQDs on physiological changes within the zebrafish brain-gut axis and provides valuable data for assessing the toxicological risks of BPQDs in aquatic ecosystems.

Effects of regulating gut microbiota by electroacupuncture in the chronic unpredictable mild stress rat model

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on depression, and the potential molecular mechanism of EA in depression-like behaviors rats.

METHODS

A total of 40 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: normal control, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and EA (CUMS + EA). The rats in CUMS and EA groups underwent chronic stress for 10 weeks, and EA group rats received EA treatment for 4 weeks starting from week 7. Body weight and behavioral tests, including the sucrose preference test (SPT), the forced swimming test (FST), and the open field test (OFT) were monitored. Gut microbiota composition was assessed via 16S rDNA sequencing, and lipid metabolism was analyzed by using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology.

RESULTS

In comparison to CUMS group, EA could improve the behavior including bodyweight, immovability time, sucrose preference index, crossing piece index and rearing times index. After 4 weeks of EA treatment, 5-HT in hippocampus, serum and colon of depressive rats were simultaneously increased, indicating a potential alleviation of depression-like behaviors. In future studies revealed that EA could regulate the distribution and functions of gut microbiota, and improve the intestinal barrier function of CUMS rats. The regulation of intestinal microbial homeostasis by EA may further affect lipid metabolism in CUMS rats, and thus play an antidepressant role.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that EA has potential antidepressant effects by regulating gut microbiota composition and abundance, subsequently affecting lipid metabolism.

Triclosan exposure causes abnormal bile acid metabolism through IL-1β-NF-κB-Fxr signaling pathway

Triclosan (TCS) is an eminent antibacterial agent. However, extensive usage causes potential health risks like hepatotoxicity, intestinal damage, kidney injury, etc. Existing studies suggested that TCS would disrupt bile acid (BA) enterohepatic circulation, but its toxic mechanism remains unclear. Hence, the current study established an 8-week TCS exposure model to explore its potential toxic mechanism. The results discovered 8 weeks consecutive administration of TCS induced distinct programmed cell death, inflammatory cell activation and recruitment, and excessive BA accumulation in liver. Furthermore, the expression of BA synthesis and transport associated genes were significantly dysregulated upon TCS treatment. Additional mechanism exploration revealed that Fxr inhibition induced by TCS would be the leading cause for unusual BA biosynthesis and transport. Subsequent Fxr up-stream investigation uncovered TCS exposure caused pyroptosis and its associated IL-1β would be the reason for Fxr reduction mediated by NF-κB. NF-κB blocking by dimethylaminoparthenolide ameliorated TCS induced BA disorder which confirmed the contribution of NF-κB in Fxr repression. To sum up, our findings conclud TCS-caused BA disorder is attributed to Fxr inhibition, which is regulated by the IL-1β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Hence, we suggest Fxr would be a potential target for abnormal BA stimulated by TCS and its analogs.

The toxic effect of lead exposure on the physiological homeostasis of grouper: Insight from gut-liver axis

The heavy metal lead (Pb) pollution in marine environment has been widely concerned. The liver and intestine are important for the health of fish. In this study, the grouper were exposed to 1 μg/L Pb for 14 days, and the physiological homeostasis changes were explored via gut-liver axis. The results showed that Pb stress caused liver morphological changes, oxidative stress, and the accumulation and peroxidation of the lipids. The liver metabolism were disturbed, especially amino acid metabolism and the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Pb stress also caused intestinal mucosal ablation, tight junction dysfunction and inflammatory response. Additionally, intestinal microbial diversity was decreased, and the community composition was altered especially several bacteria genera (Ruminococcus UCG-005, Ruminococcus UCG-014, Oscillibacter, and Streptococcus) were significantly correlated with the physiological indexes and metabolites of the liver. These results reveal that Pb stress negatively affect the physiological homeostasis of the grouper via gut-liver axis.

Indole alleviates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in an ACE2-dependent manner

Indole is a microbial metabolite produced by the gut microbiota through the degradation of dietary tryptophan, known for its well-established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, we collected fecal samples from mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and those on a standard diet (SD), then conducted 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze their gut microbiota. The analysis revealed distinct differences in the dominant bacterial species between the two groups, with a significant decrease in indole-producing probiotics in the HFD mice compared to the SD group. Then we administered oral indole treatment to male C57BL/6J mice with HFD-induced NAFLD and observed a significant improvement in hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Notably, indole alleviated the HFD-induced decline in serum Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] levels and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression. To further investigate the role of indole and ACE2 in NAFLD, we conducted experiments using ACE2 knockout (ACE2KO) mice that were also induced with HFD-induced NAFLD and treated with indole. Interestingly, the protective effects of indole were compromised in the absence of ACE2. In HepG2 cells, indole similarly stimulated ACE2 expression and, in an ACE2-dependent manner, reduced ROS generation, maintained mitochondrial membrane potential stability, and increased SIRT3 expression. In summary, our results highlight the formation of a biologically active gut-liver axis between the gut microbiota and the liver through the tryptophan metabolite indole, which mitigates NAFLD in an ACE2-dependent manner. Elevating dietary tryptophan and increasing indole levels may represent an effective approach for preventing and treating NAFLD.

Perinatal Exposure to Phenols and Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Gut Microbiota in One-Year-Old Children

The role of the gut microbiota in human health calls for a better understanding of its determinants. In particular, the possible effects of chemicals with widespread exposure other than pharmaceuticals are little known. Our aim was to characterize the sensitivity of the early-life gut microbiota to specific chemicals with possible antimicrobial action. Within the SEPAGES French couple-child cohort, we assessed 12 phenols in repeated urine samples from 356 pregnant women and their offspring and 19 poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in serum from the pregnant women. We collected stool samples from the children at one year of age, in which the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced, allowing for gut bacterial profiling. Associations of each chemical with α- and β-diversity indices of the gut microbiota and with the relative abundance of the most abundant taxa were assessed using single-pollutant and mixture (BKMR) models. Perinatal exposure to certain parabens was associated with gut microbiota α- and β-diversity and with Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Suggestive associations of certain phenols with genera of the Lachnospiraceae and Enterobacteriaceae families were observed, but these were not maintained after correction for multiple testing. Parabens, which have known antimicrobial properties, might disrupt the child gut microbiota, but larger studies are required to confirm these findings.

Subchronic toxic effects of bisphenol A on the gut-liver-hormone axis in rats via intestinal flora and metabolism

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA), a characteristic endocrine disruptor, is a substance that seriously interferes with the human endocrine system and causes reproductive disorders and developmental abnormalities. However, its toxic effects on the gut-liver-hormone axis are still unclear.

Method

Male and female rats were exposed to BPA (300 mg/kg) by oral gavage for 60 consecutive days. H&E staining was used for histopathological evaluation, and the serum biochemical indexes were determined using an automatic analyzer. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect the intestinal microbial diversity, and the GC-MS was used to analyze the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colon contents. UPLC-QTOF MS was used to analyze the related metabolites. The ELISA method was used to assess the levels of serum inflammatory factors.

Results

Histopathological analysis indicated that the liver, heart, and testis were affected by BPA. There was a significant effect on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the male-BPA group (P < 0.05), and globulin (GLB), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ALT, TG, TC, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and creatinine (Cr) in the female-BPA group (P < 0.05). Metagenomics (16S rRNA gene sequencing) analysis indicated that BPA reduced the diversity and changed the composition of gut microbiota in rats significantly. Compared with the control and blank groups, the contents of caproic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and propanoic acid in the colon contents decreased in the male-BPA group (P < 0.05), and caproic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid in the colon contents decreased in the female-BPA group (P < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis of the serum indicated that BPA could regulate bile acid levels, especially ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its conjugated forms. The contents of amino acids, hormones, and lipids were also significantly affected after exposure to BPA. The increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-23 (IL-23), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the serum of the male-BPA group suggests that BPA exposure affects the immune system.

Conclusion

BPA exposure will cause toxicity to rats via disrupting the gut-liver-hormone axis.

Tannic acid protects against colitis by regulating the IL17 - NFκB and microbiota - methylation pathways

Tannic acid, a bioactive polyphenol found in various phytogenic foods and medicinal plants, has potential prevention effects on colitis, though more evidence and mechanistic studies are required to substantiate this. In this study, we investigated the effects of different doses from 0 to 3 mg/mL of tannic acid on mice, ultimately selecting a dose of 3 mg/mL for the anti-colitis trial based on growth and intestinal morphology assessments. Using the DSS-induced colitis model, we found that tannic acid may alleviate colitis by inhibiting the IL-17 - NF-κB p65 signaling pathway and modulating epigenetic pathways, particularly methylation modifications. Additionally, tannic acid altered the gut microbiota, increasing the abundances of Prevotella, Eubacterium_siraeum_group, and Enterorhabdus in the colon. Supplementation with Eubacterium siraeum via gavage also inhibited colitis, accompanied by increased folate and methylation regulators in the colon. These findings suggest that tannic acid may inhibit colitis through the suppression of the IL-17 - NF-κB pathway and the enhancement of microbiota-mediated methylation pathways.

Polystyrene nanoplastics exacerbate aflatoxin B1-induced hepatic injuries by modulating the gut-liver axis

Dietary pollution of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a great threat to global food safety, which can result in serious hepatic injuries. Following the widespread use of plastic tableware, co-exposure to microplastics and AFB1 has dramatically increased. However, whether microplastics could exert synergistic effects with AFB1 and amplify its hepatotoxicity, and the underlying mechanisms are still unelucidated. Here, mice were orally exposed to 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (NPs) and AFB1 to investigate the influences of NPs on AFB1-induced hepatic injuries. We found that exposure to only NPs or AFB1 resulted in colonic inflammation and the impairment of the intestinal barrier, which was exacerbated by combined exposure to NPs and AFB1. Meanwhile, co-exposure to NPs exacerbated AFB1-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota and remodeling of the fecal metabolome. Moreover, NPs and AFB1 co-exposure exhibited higher levels of systemic inflammatory factors compared to AFB1 exposure. Additionally, NPs co-exposure further exacerbated AFB1-induced hepatic fibrosis and inflammation, which could be associated with the overactivation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Notably, Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the exacerbation of NPs co-exposure was closely associated with microbial dysbiosis. Furthermore, microbiota from NPs-exposed mice (NPsFMT) partly reproduced the exacerbation of NPs on AFB1-induced systemic and hepatic inflammation, but not fibrosis. In summary, our findings indicate that gut microbiota could be involved in the exacerbation of NPs on AFB1-induced hepatic injuries, highlighting the health risks of NPs.

Gut microbiota causally affects drug-induced liver injury via plasma metabolites: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

The gut microbiota and plasma metabolites play important roles in the progression of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). We investigated the causal associations between the gut microbiota, plasma metabolome, and DILI.

Methods

The summary data for gut microbiota (n = 18,340), plasma metabolome (n = 8,299), and DILI (n = 366,838) were obtained from the large genome-wide association studies. A two-sample Mendelian randomization was performed to explore the associations between the gut microbiota, plasma metabolome, and DILI. Additionally, a two-step Mendelian randomization was performed to explore the potential metabolites.

Results

Five taxa were causally associated with DILI, including Oscillospira [odds ratio (OR) = 2.257, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.110-4.590], Blautia (OR = 2.311, 95% CI = 1.010-5.288), Roseburia (OR = 2.869, 95% CI = 1.429-5.761), Fusicatenibacter (OR = 1.995, 95% CI = 1.024-3.890), and Prevotella 7 (OR = 1.549, 95% CI = 1.065-2.253). Moreover, 53 metabolites were causally associated with DILI. After mediation analysis, four taxa were found to affect DILI through five mediation metabolites. N6-carbamoylthreonyladenosine mediated the effect of Blautia on DILI. Acetylcarnitine mediated the effect of Fusicatenibacter on DILI. In addition, 4-cholesten-3-one mediated the effect of Prevotella 7 on DILI. Furthermore, 5,6-dihydrothymine levels and the salicylate-to-citrate ratio mediated the effect of Oscillospira on DILI.

Conclusion

We found that the gut microbiota could affect DILI through plasma metabolites, which could serve as potential biomarkers for risk stratification and elucidate underlying mechanisms for further investigation of DILI.

Analysis of key circRNA events in the AOP framework of TCS acting on zebrafish based on the data-driven

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in various personal care products. Research has found that exposure to TCS can cause toxic effects on organisms including neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, disorders of lipid metabolism, and abnormal vascular development, and the corresponding toxic mechanisms are gradually delving into the level of abnormal expression of miRNA regulating gene expression. Although the downstream mechanism of TCS targeting miRNA abnormal expression to induce toxicity is gradually improving, its upstream mechanism is still in a fog. Starting from the abnormal expression data of circRNA in zebrafish larvae induced by TCS, this study conducted a hierarchical analysis of the expression levels of all circRNAs, differential circRNAs, and trend circRNAs, and identified 29 key circRNA events regulating miRNA abnormal expression. In combination with GO and KEGG, the effects of TCS exposure were analyzed from the function and signaling pathway of the corresponding circRNA host gene. Furthermore, based on existing literature evidence about the biological toxicity induced by TCS targeting miRNA as data support, a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network characterizing the regulatory relationship between circRNA and miRNA was constructed and optimized. Finally, a comprehensive Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework of multiple levels of events including circRNA, miRNA, mRNA, pathway, and toxicity endpoints was established to systematically elucidate the toxic mechanism of TCS. Moreover, the rationality of the AOP framework was verified from the expression level of miRNA and adverse outcomes such as neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response by knockdown of circRNA48. This paper not only provides the key circRNA events for exploring the upstream mechanism of miRNA regulating gene expression but also provides an AOP framework for comprehensively demonstrating the toxicity mechanism of TCS on zebrafish, which is a theoretical basis for subsequent hazard assessment and prevention and control of TCS.

Solanum nigrum L. berries extract ameliorated the alcoholic liver injury by regulating gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress

Solanum nigrum L. (SN) berry is an edible berry containing abundant polyphenols and bioactive compounds, which possess antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. However, the effects of SN on alcohol-induced biochemical changes in the enterohepatic axis remain unclear. In the current study, a chronic ethanol-fed mice ALD model was used to test the protective mechanisms of SN berries. Microbiota composition was determined via 16S rRNA sequencing, we found that SN berries extract (SNE) improved intestinal imbalance by reducing the Firmicutes to Bacteroides ratio, restoring the abundance of Akkermansia microbiota, and reducing the abundance of Allobaculum and Shigella. SNE restored the intestinal short-chain fatty acids content. In addition, liver transcriptome data analysis revealed that SNE primarily affected the genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, SNE ameliorated hepatic steatosis in alcohol-fed mice by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α). SNE reduced the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88) nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), which can indicate that SNE mainly adjusted LPS/TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway to reduce liver inflammation. SNE enhanced hepatic antioxidant capacity by regulating NRF2-related protein expression. SNE alleviates alcoholic liver injury by regulating of gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This study may provide a reference for the development and utilization of SN resources.

Parabens and triclosan in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) from China: Concentrations, tissue distribution and related human dietary intake risk

Parabens (PBs) and triclosan (TCS) are commonly found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). As a result, they have been extensively found in the environment, particularly in aquaculture operations. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption has significantly risen in China. Nevertheless, the levels of PBs and TCS in this species and the associated risk to human dietary intake remain undisclosed. This study assessed the amounts of five PBs, i.e., methyl-paraben (MeP), ethyl-paraben (EtP), propyl-paraben (PrP), butyl-paraben (BuP) and benzyl-paraben (BzP), as well as TCS in crayfish taken from five provinces of the middle-lower Yangtze River. MeP, PrP and TCS showed the highest detection rates (hepatopancreas: 46-86 %; muscle: 63-77 %) since they are commonly used in PPCPs. Significantly higher levels of ∑5PBs (median: 3.69 ng/g) and TCS (median: 7.27 ng/g) were significantly found in the hepatopancreas compared to the muscle (median: 0.39 ng/g for ∑5PBs and 0.16 ng/g for TCS) (p < 0.05), indicating bioaccumulation of these chemicals in the hepatopancreas. The estimated daily intake values of ∑5PBs and TCS calculated from the median concentrations of crayfish were 6.44-7.94 ng/kg bw/day and 11.4-14.0 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Although no health risk was predicted from consuming crayfish (HQ <1), consumption of the hepatopancreas is not recommended.

Digestive dynamics: Unveiling interplay between the gut microbiota and the liver in macronutrient metabolism and hepatic metabolic health

Although the liver is the largest metabolic organ in the body, it is not alone in functionality and is assisted by "an organ inside an organ," the gut microbiota. This review attempts to shed light on the partnership between the liver and the gut microbiota in the metabolism of macronutrients (i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids). All nutrients absorbed by the small intestines are delivered to the liver for further metabolism. Undigested food that enters the colon is metabolized further by the gut microbiota that produces secondary metabolites, which are absorbed into portal circulation and reach the liver. These microbiota-derived metabolites and co-metabolites include ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and trimethylamine N-oxide. Further, the liver produces several compounds, such as bile acids that can alter the gut microbial composition, which can in turn influence liver health. This review focuses on the metabolism of these microbiota metabolites and their influence on host physiology. Furthermore, the review briefly delineates the effect of the portosystemic shunt on the gut microbiota-liver axis, and current understanding of the treatments to target the gut microbiota-liver axis.

Astragalus Polysaccharide Enhances Voriconazole Metabolism under Inflammatory Conditions through the Gut Microbiota

Background and Aims

Voriconazole (VRC), a widely used antifungal drug, often causes hepatotoxicity, which presents a significant clinical challenge. Previous studies demonstrated that Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) can regulate VRC metabolism, thereby potentially mitigating its hepatotoxic effects. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism by which APS regulates VRC metabolism.

Methods

First, we assessed the association of abnormal VRC metabolism with hepatotoxicity using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scale. Second, we conducted a series of basic experiments to verify the promotive effect of APS on VRC metabolism. Various in vitro and in vivo assays, including cytokine profiling, immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, metabolite analysis, and drug concentration measurements, were performed using a lipopolysaccharide-induced rat inflammation model. Finally, experiments such as intestinal biodiversity analysis, intestinal clearance assessments, and Bifidobacterium bifidum replenishment were performed to examine the ability of B. bifidum to regulate the expression of the VRC-metabolizing enzyme CYP2C19 through the gut-liver axis.

Results

The results indicated that APS does not have a direct effect on hepatocytes. However, the assessment of gut microbiota function revealed that APS significantly increases the abundance of B. bifidum, which could lead to an anti-inflammatory response in the liver and indirectly enhance VRC metabolism. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that APS can hinder the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and reduce the inhibitory effect on CYP2C19 transcription through the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusions

The study offers valuable insights into the mechanism by which APS alleviates VRC-induced liver damage, highlighting its immunomodulatory influence on hepatic tissues and its indirect regulatory control of VRC-metabolizing enzymes within hepatocytes.

Assessing the hepatotoxicity of phosphogypsum leachate in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The improper disposal of large amounts of phosphogypsum generated during the production process of the phosphorus chemical industry (PCI) still exists. The leachate formed by phosphogypsum stockpiles could pose a threat to the ecological environment and human health. Nevertheless, information regarding the harmful effects of phosphogypsum leachate on organisms is still limited. Herein, the physicochemical characteristics of phosphogypsum leachate were analyzed, and its toxicity effect on zebrafish (Danio rerio), particularly in terms of hepatotoxicity and potential mechanisms, were evaluated. The results indicated that P, NH3-N, TN, F-, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Mn, and Hg of phosphogypsum leachate exceeded the V class of surface water environmental quality standards (GB 3838-2002) to varying degrees. Acute toxicity test showed that the 96 h LC50 values of phosphogypsum leachate to zebrafish was 2.08 %. Under exposure to phosphogypsum leachate, zebrafish exhibited concentration-dependent liver damage, characterized by vacuolization and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The increased in Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and altered activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver indicated the induction of oxidative stress and oxidative damage. The expression of apoptosis-related genes (P53, PUMA, Caspase3, Bcl-2, and Bax) were up-regulated at low dosage group and down-regulated at medium and high dosage groups, suggesting the occurrence of hepatocyte apoptosis or necrosis. Additionally, phosphogypsum leachate influenced the composition of the zebrafish gut microbiota by reducing the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, Vibrio, and increasing that of Rhodobacter and Pirellula. Correlation analysis revealed that gut microbiota dysbiosis was associated with phosphogypsum leachate-induced hepatotoxicity. Altogether, exposure to phosphogypsum leachate caused liver damage in zebrafish, likely through oxidative stress and apoptosis, with the intestinal flora also playing a significant role. These findings contribute to understanding the ecological toxicity of phosphogypsum leachate and promote the sustainable development of PCI.

Maternal PFOS exposure in mice induces hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation in adult female offspring: Involvement of microbiome-gut-liver axis and autophagy

Perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) are the persistent organic pollutants. In the present study, 0, 0.3, or 3-mg/kg PFOS were administered to pregnant mice from GD 11 to GD 18. The histopathology of liver and intestine, serum and hepatic lipid levels, lipid metabolism related genes, and gut microbiota were examined in adult female offspring. The results suggested that maternal PFOS exposure increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and induced F4/80+ macrophage infiltration in adult female offspring, in addition to the elevation of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels in low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively. Furthermore, maternal exposure to PFOS increased serum triglyceride (TG) and hepatic total cholesterol (TC) levels, which was associated with the alteration of the process of fatty acid transport and β-oxidation, TG synthesis and transport, cholesterol synthesis and excretion in the liver. The AMPK/mTOR/autophagy signaling was also inhibited in the liver of adult female offspring. Moreover, changes in gut microbiota were also related to lipid metabolism, especially for the Desulfovibrio, Ligilactobacillus, Enterorhabdus, HT002 and Peptococcaceae_unclassified. Additionally, maternal exposure to PFOS decreased mRNA expressions of the tight junction protein and AB+ goblet cells in the colon, while increasing the overproduction of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and F4/80+ macrophage infiltration. Collectively, maternal PFOS exposure induced liver lipid accumulation and inflammation, which strongly correlated with the disruption of the gut-liver axis and autophagy in adult female offspring, highlighting the persistent adverse effects in offspring exposed to PFOS.

Interplay Between Drug-Induced Liver Injury and Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Overview

Drug-induced liver injury is a prevalent severe adverse event in clinical settings, leading to increased medical burdens for patients and presenting challenges for the development and commercialization of novel pharmaceuticals. Research has revealed a close association between gut microbiota and drug-induced liver injury in recent years. However, there has yet to be a consensus on the specific mechanism by which gut microbiota is involved in drug-induced liver injury. Gut microbiota may contribute to drug-induced liver injury by increasing intestinal permeability, disrupting intestinal metabolite homeostasis, and promoting inflammation and oxidative stress. Alterations in gut microbiota were found in drug-induced liver injury caused by antibiotics, psychotropic drugs, acetaminophen, antituberculosis drugs, and antithyroid drugs. Specific gut microbiota and their abundance are associated closely with the severity of drug-induced liver injury. Therefore, gut microbiota is expected to be a new target for the treatment of drug-induced liver injury. This review focuses on the association of gut microbiota with common hepatotoxic drugs and the potential mechanisms by which gut microbiota may contribute to the pathogenesis of drug-induced liver injury, providing a more comprehensive reference for the interaction between drug-induced liver injury and gut microbiota.

Litchi pulp-derived gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) extract counteracts liver inflammation induced by litchi thaumatin-like protein

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the predominant amino acid in litchi pulp, known for its neuroregulatory effects and anti-inflammatory properties. Although previous research has highlighted the pro-inflammatory characteristics of litchi thaumatin-like protein (LcTLP), interplay between GABA and LcTLP in relation to inflammation remains unclear. This study aims to explore the hepatoprotective effects of the litchi pulp-derived GABA extract (LGE) against LcTLP-induced liver inflammation in mice and LO2 cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that LGE significantly reduced the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, and protected the liver against infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and histological injury induced by LcTLP. Pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also diminished by LGE. The LGE appeared to modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway to exert its anti-inflammatory effects, as evidenced by a reduction of 47%, 35%, and 31% in phosphorylated p38, JNK, and ERK expressions, respectively, in the liver of the high-dose LGE group. Additionally, LGE effectively improved the translocation of gut microbiota by modulating its microbiological composition and abundance. In vitro studies have shown that LGE effectively counteracts the increase in reactive oxygen species, calcium ions, and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LcTLP. These findings may offer new perspectives on the health benefits and safety of litchi consumption.

Reproductive endocrine disruption effect and mechanism in male zebrafish after life cycle exposure to environmental relevant triclosan

Triclosan (TCS) is a wide-spectrum antibacterial agent that is found in various water environments. It has been reported to have estrogenic effects. However, the impact of TCS exposure on the reproductive system of zebrafish (Danio rerio) throughout their life cycle is not well understood. In this study, zebrafish fertilized eggs were exposed to 0, 10, and 50 μg/L TCS for 120 days. The study investigated the effects of TCS exposure on brain and testis coefficients, the expression of genes related to the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, hormone levels, vitellogenin (VTG) content, histopathological sections, and performed RNA sequencing of male zebrafish. The results revealed that life cycle TCS exposure had significant effects on zebrafish reproductive parameters. It increased the testis coefficient, while decreasing the brain coefficient. TCS exposure also led to a decrease in mature spermatozoa and altered the expression of genes related to the HPG axis. Furthermore, TCS disrupted the balance of sex hormone levels and increased VTG content of male zebrafish. Transcriptome sequencing analysis indicated that TCS affected reproductive endocrine related pathways, including PPAR signaling pathway, cell cycle, GnRH signaling pathway, steroid biosynthesis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis confirmed the enrichment of hub genes in these pathways, including bub1bb, ccnb1, cdc20, cdk1, mcm2, mcm5, mcm6, plk1, and ttk in the brain, as well as fabp1b.1, fabp2, fabp6, ccr7, cxcl11.8, hsd11b2, and hsd3b1 in the testis. This study sheds light on the reproductive endocrine-disrupting mechanisms of life cycle exposure to TCS.

Jian Gan powder ameliorates immunological liver injury in mice by modulating the gut microbiota and metabolic profiles

BACKGROUND

Immunological liver injury (ILI) is a common liver disease associated with the microbiota-gut-liver axis. Jian Gan powder (JGP) exhibits both protective and therapeutic effects on hepatitis virus-induced ILI in the clinic. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the hepatoprotective effects and associated mechanisms of JGP in the context of gut microbiota, utilizing a mouse model of ILI.

METHODS

The mouse model was established employing Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following treatment with JGP (7.5, 15, or 30 g/kg), serum, liver, and fresh fecal samples were analyzed. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics profiling were performed to assess the role of JGP on the gut microbiota and its metabolites.

RESULTS

JGP treatment markedly reduced serum IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-22, and hepatic p-STAT3 (phosphorylated transducer and activator of transcription-3) expression. In contrast, JGP increased the percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive liver cells in treated mice. Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that JGP treatment restored the levels of Alloprevotella, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Muribaculum, Streptococcus, and Stenotrophomonas. Additionally, metabolomics analysis of fecal samples showed that JGP restored the levels of allylestrenol, eplerenone, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (P-20:0/0:0), sphingomyelin (SM) d27:1, soyasapogenol C, chrysin, and soyasaponin I.

CONCLUSIONS

JGP intervention improves ILI by restoring gut microbiota and modifying its metabolic profiles. These results provide a novel insight into the mechanism of JGP in treating ILI and the scientific basis to support its clinical application.

Application of intelligent tongue image analysis in Conjunction with microbiomes in the diagnosis of MAFLD

Background

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a widespread liver disease that can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Therefore, it is essential to develop early diagnosic and screening methods.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional observational study. In this study, based on data from 92 patients with MAFLD and 74 healthy individuals, we observed the characteristics of tongue images, tongue coating and intestinal flora. A generative adversarial network was used to extract tongue image features, and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed using the tongue coating and intestinal flora. We then applied tongue image analysis technology combined with microbiome technology to obtain an MAFLD early screening model with higher accuracy. In addition, we compared different modelling methods, including Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), random forest, neural networks(MLP), stochastic gradient descent(SGD), and support vector machine(SVM).

Results

The results show that tongue-coating Streptococcus and Rothia, intestinal Blautia, and Streptococcus are potential biomarkers for MAFLD. The diagnostic model jointly incorporating tongue image features, basic information (gender, age, BMI), and tongue coating marker flora (Streptococcus, Rothia), can have an accuracy of 96.39%, higher than the accuracy value except for bacteria.

Conclusion

Combining computer-intelligent tongue diagnosis with microbiome technology enhances MAFLD diagnostic accuracy and provides a convenient early screening reference.

Trophic transfer of micro- and nanoplastics and toxicity induced by long-term exposure of nanoplastics along the rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis)-marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) food chain

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging pollutants in the ocean, but their transfer and toxicity along the food chains are unclear. In this study, a marine rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis)-marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) food chain was constructed to evaluate the transfer of polystyrene MPs and NPs (70 nm, 500 nm, and 2 μm, 2000 μg/L) and toxicity of 70 nm PS-NPs (0, 20, 200, and 2000 μg/L) on marine medaka after long-term food chain exposure. The results showed that the amount of 70 nm NPs accumulated in marine medaka was 1.24 μg/mg, which was significantly higher than that of 500 nm NPs (0.87 μg/mg) and 2 μm MP (0.69 μg/mg). Long-term food chain exposure to NPs caused microflora dysbiosis, resulting in activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, which induced liver inflammation. Moreover, NPs food chain exposure increased liver and muscle tissue triglyceride and lactate content, but decreased the protein, sugar, and glycogen content. NPs food chain exposure impaired reproductive function and inhibited offspring early development, which might pose a threat to the sustainability of marine medaka population. Overall, the study revealed the transfer of MPs and NPs and the effects of NPs on marine medaka along the food chain.

Toxic effects of triclosan on hepatic and intestinal lipid accumulation in zebrafish via regulation of m6A-RNA methylation

Triclosan (TCS), recognized as an endocrine disruptor, has raised significant concerns due to its widespread use and potential health risks. To explore the impact of TCS on lipid metabolism, both larval and adult zebrafish were subjected to acute and chronic exposure to TCS. Through analyzes of biochemical and physiological markers, as well as Oil Red O (ORO) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, our investigation revealed that TCS exposure induced hepatic and intestinal lipid accumulation in larval and adult zebrafish, leading to structural damage and inflammatory responses in these tissues. The strong affinity of TCS with PPARγ and subsequent pathway activation indicate that PPARγ pathway plays a crucial role in TCS-induced lipid buildup. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in m6A-RNA methylation levels in the TCS-treated group, which attributed to the increased activity of the demethylase FTO and concurrent suppression of the methyltransferase METTL3 gene expression by TCS. The alteration in methylation dynamics is identified as a potential underlying mechanism behind TCS-induced lipid accumulation. To address this concern, we explored the impact of folic acid-a methyl donor for m6A-RNA methylation-on lipid accumulation in zebrafish. Remarkably, folic acid administration partially alleviated lipid accumulation by restoring m6A-RNA methylation. This restoration, in turn, contributed to a reduction in inflammatory damage observed in both the liver and intestines. Additionally, folic acid partially mitigates the up-regulation of PPARγ and related genes induced by TCS. These findings carry substantial implications for understanding the adverse effects of environmental pollutants such as TCS. They also emphasize the promising potential of folic acid as a therapeutic intervention to alleviate disturbances in lipid metabolism induced by environmental pollutants.

Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extracts ameliorate hepatic fibrosis and promote the communication between metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus through the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional edible medicinal mushroom, has been widely reported to improve liver diseases as a dietary intervention for people. Ganoderma lucidum extracts, primarily total triterpenoids (GLTTs), are one of the bioactive ingredients that have excellent beneficial effects on hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, its prevention and reversal are particularly critical due to the increasing number of patients with chronic liver diseases worldwide.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to evaluate whether GLTTs had a hepatoprotective effect against hepatic fibrosis through metabolic perturbations and gut microbiota changes and its underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The compound compositions of GLTTs were quantified, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis rats were used to investigate the cause of the improvement in various physiological states with GLTTs treatment, and to determine whether its consequent effect was associated with endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota using UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology.

RESULTS

GLTTs alleviated physical status, reduced liver pathological indicators, proinflammatory cytokines, and deposition of hepatic collagen fibers via regulating the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways. The untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 16 potential metabolites that may be the most relevant metabolites for gut microbiota dysbiosis and the therapeutic effects of GLTTs in hepatic fibrosis. Besides, although GLTTs did not significantly affect the α-diversity indexes, significant changes were observed in the composition of microflora structure. In addition, Spearman analysis revealed strong correlations between endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus with hepatic fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

GLTTs could provide a potential target for the practical design and application of novel functional food ingredients or drugs in the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.

Triclosan induces liver injury in long-life exposed mice via activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway

Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used synthetic, with broad-spectrum antibacterial properties found in both pharmaceuticals and personal care products. More specifically, it is hepatotoxic in rodents and exhibits differential effects in mice and humans. However, the mechanisms underlying TCS-induced liver toxicity have not been elucidated. This study examined the role of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/ nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/ nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway in TCS-exposed liver toxicity by established a long-life TCS-exposed mice liver injury model. The 24 C57BL/6 pregnant mice exposed to TCS (0, 50 and 100 mg/kg) every day during the gestation and nursing period. After weaning, the male mice were left to continue administrate with TCS until 8 weeks of age. Then, mice in each group were sacrificed for investigation. Long-life exposure to TCS resulted in a reduction of body weight in growth mice. TCS exposure caused the increase of serum ALT, AST and ALP. The situation of inflammatory cell infiltration, macrophage recruitment and collagen fiber deposition in TCS-exposed mice liver tissues were performed by histological analysis including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, Sirius red, and immunohistochemistry staining. Protein expression levels in TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway was measured through Western blot, and the NLRP3 inflammasome activation was measured using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results showed that exposure to TCS elevated TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88), TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), enhanced NF-κB activation, and affected NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice liver. Collectively, these findings indicate that long-life exposure to TCS-induced mice by upregulating the TLR4-Myd88-TRAF6 pathway, activating the NF-κB signaling cascade, initiating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, and ultimately leading to liver injury, including inflammation, hepatocyte pyroptosis and hepatofibrosis. Henceforth, the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway may now provide a theoretical basis and valuable therapeutic targets for overcoming TCS-induced liver toxicity.

Deficiency of ASGR1 promotes liver injury by increasing GP73-mediated hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress

Liver injury is a core pathological process in the majority of liver diseases, yet the genetic factors predisposing individuals to its initiation and progression remain poorly understood. Here we show that asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1), a lectin specifically expressed in the liver, is downregulated in patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and male mice with liver injury. ASGR1 deficiency exacerbates while its overexpression mitigates acetaminophen-induced acute and CCl4-induced chronic liver injuries in male mice. Mechanistically, ASGR1 binds to an endoplasmic reticulum stress mediator GP73 and facilitates its lysosomal degradation. ASGR1 depletion increases circulating GP73 levels and promotes the interaction between GP73 and BIP to activate endoplasmic reticulum stress, leading to liver injury. Neutralization of GP73 not only attenuates ASGR1 deficiency-induced liver injuries but also improves survival in mice received a lethal dose of acetaminophen. Collectively, these findings identify ASGR1 as a potential genetic determinant of susceptibility to liver injury and propose it as a therapeutic target for the treatment of liver injury.

Altered metabolome and microbiome associated with compromised intestinal barrier induced hepatic lipid metabolic disorder in mice after subacute and subchronic ozone exposure

Exposure to ozone has been associated with metabolic disorders in humans, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the role of the gut-liver axis and the potential mechanism behind the metabolic disorder were investigated by histological examination, microbiome and metabolome approaches in mice during the subacute (4-week) and subchronic (12-week) exposure to 0.5 ppm and 2.5 ppm ozone. Ozone exposure resulted in slowed weight gain and reduced hepatic lipid contents in a dose-dependent manner. After exposure to ozone, the number of intestinal goblet cells decreased, while the number of tuft cells increased. Tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was significantly downregulated, and the apoptosis of epithelial cells increased with compensatory proliferation, indicating a compromised chemical and physical layer of the intestinal barrier. The hepatic and cecal metabolic profiles were altered, primarily related to lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. The abundance of Muribaculaceae increased dose-dependently in both colon and cecum, and was associated with the decrease of metabolites such as bile acids, betaine, and L-carnitine, which subsequently disrupted the intestinal barrier and lipid metabolism. Overall, this study found that subacute and subchronic exposure to ozone induced metabolic disorder via disturbing the gut-liver axis, especially the intestinal barrier. These findings provide new mechanistic understanding of the health risks associated with environmental ozone exposure and other oxidative stressors.

Conceptualizing the Role of the Microbiome as a Mediator and Modifier in Environmental Health Studies: A Scoping Review of Studies of Triclosan and the Microbiome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting antimicrobial additive that is suspected of contributing to antibiotic resistance and altering the microbiome. In this scoping review, we summarize what is known about the association between triclosan exposure and the microbiome using evidence from in vivo and epidemiologic studies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Our review includes 11 rodent studies, seven fish studies, and five human studies. Evidence from animal studies suggests that triclosan decreases the diversity of the microbiome, although only one epidemiologic study agreed. Most studies suggest that triclosan alters the microbial community beta diversity, but disagree on which taxa contributed to compositional differences. Taxa in the Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria may be more influenced by triclosan than those in other phyla. Studies on triclosan and the microbiome were scarce and were inconclusive as to the effects of triclosan on the microbiome. Additional research is needed to clarify windows of heightened susceptibility of the microbiome to triclosan. We recommend guidelines for future microbiome research in environmental health to increase comparability across studies.

Chronic administration of triclosan leads to liver fibrosis through hepcidin-ferroportin axis-mediated iron overload

Triclosan (TCS) has been manufactured as an antibacterial compound for half a century. Currently, it is widely used in various personal care products; however, its potential adverse effects raise a lot of attention. Here, we create a long-term oral administration mouse model and identify the corresponding hepatotoxicity of TCS. We discover that daily intragastric administration of 10 mg/kg TCS to mice for 12 weeks results in severe hepatic fibrosis. Further study displays that hepatic iron increased 18%, 23% and 29% upon oral TCS treatment for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Accompanied by hepatic iron variation, splenic and duodenal iron are increased, which indicates systemic iron disorder. Not only excessive iron accumulated in the liver, abnormal hepatic malondialdehyde, prostaglandin synthase 2 and glutathione peroxidase 4 are pointed to ferroptosis. Additional study uncovers that hepcidin expression increases 7%, 10%, 4% in serum and 2.4-, 4.8-, and 2.3-fold on transcriptional levels upon TCS exposure for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, individually. Taken together, the mice in the TCS-treated group show disordered systemic iron homeostasis via the upregulated hepatic hepcidin-ferroportin axis. Meanwhile, both hepatic iron overload (systemic level) and hepatocyte ferroptosis (cellular level) are accused of TCS-induced liver fibrosis. Ferriprox®, an iron scavenger, significantly ameliorates TCS-induced liver fibrosis. In summary, this study confirms the impact of TCS on liver fibrosis; a critical signal pathway is also displayed. The significance of the current study is to prompt us to reevaluate the "pros and cons" of TCS applications.

Involvement of Bile Acid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in the Amelioration of Experimental Metabolism-Associated Fatty Liver Disease by Nobiletin

Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a growing health problem worldwide, is one of the major risks for the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Oral administration of nobiletin (NOB), a natural citrus flavonoid, modulates the gut microbes and their metabolites in mice. In the present study, we established a mouse model of MAFLD by subjecting mice to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Throughout this timeframe, NOB was administered to investigate its potential benefits on gut microbial balance and bile acid (BA) metabolism using various techniques, including 16S rRNA sequencing, targeted metabolomics of BA, and biological assays. NOB effectively slowed the progression of MAFLD by reducing serum lipid levels, blood glucose levels, LPS levels, and hepatic IL-1β and TNF-α levels. Furthermore, NOB reinstated diversity within the gut microbial community, increasing the population of bacteria that produce bile salt hydrolase (BSH) to enhance BA excretion. By exploring further, we found NOB downregulated hepatic expression of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and its associated small heterodimer partner (SHP), and it increased the expression of downstream enzymes, including cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and cytochrome P450 27A1 (CYP27A1). This acceleration in cholesterol conversion within the liver contributes to mitigating MAFLD. The present findings underscore the significant role of NOB in regulating gut microbial balance and BA metabolism, revealing that long-term intake of NOB plays beneficial roles in the prevention or intervention of MAFLD.

Bifidobacterium mediate gut microbiota-remedied intestinal barrier damage caused by cyproconazole in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The widespread use of cyproconazole (CPZ) enhances food security but may pose potential risks to non-target organisms. Therefore, we applied Multi-omics techniques to reveal the response of the intestinal barrier to CPZ exposure and explore whether the Bifidobacterium intervention experiment can repair the damage. First, we found that exposure to CPZ at environmentally relevant concentrations led to intestinal injury phenotype, significantly down-regulated intestinal protein gene expression, and up-regulated pro-inflammatory gene expression, further causing intestinal dysbacteriosis and metabolic disorders. In particular, by combining analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites, we noticed acetate, a key metabolite, which decreased sharply after exposure to high concentration of CPZ. Expectedly, after supplementing with Bifidobacterium (a core bacterium that produces acetate), we noticed that the acetate content was quickly restored. Further, we also verified that the increase in acetate content after Bifidobacterium supplementation at least partially promoted IL-22 secretion, which in turn stimulated the secretion of β-defensins (zfbd-1, zfbd-2, zfbd-3), thereby repairing the intestinal damage. In conclusion, our work confirms the potential of Bifidobacterium to improve intestinal damage and metabolic dysbiosis caused by CPZ exposure. It provides directional recommendations for the application of probiotics to repair the toxicological risk of pesticide exposure.

Gut-Liver Axis as a Therapeutic Target for Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a liver disease that remains difficult to predict and diagnose, and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully clarified. The gut-liver axis refers to the reciprocal interactions between the gut and the liver, and its homeostasis plays a prominent role in maintaining liver health. It has been recently reported that patients and animals with DILI have a disrupted gut-liver axis, involving altered gut microbiota composition, increased intestinal permeability and lipopolysaccharide translocation, decreased short-chain fatty acids production, and impaired bile acid metabolism homeostasis. The present review will summarize the evidence from both clinical and preclinical studies about the role of the gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of DILI. Moreover, we will focus attention on the potential therapeutic strategies for DILI based on improving gut-liver axis function, including herbs and phytochemicals, probiotics, fecal microbial transplantation, postbiotics, bile acids, and Farnesoid X receptor agonists.

Gut microbiota influence frailty syndrome in older adults: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Frailty syndrome denotes a decreased capacity of the body to maintain the homeostasis and stress of the internal environment, which simultaneously increases the risk of adverse health outcomes in older adults, including disability, hospitalization, falls, and death. To promote healthy aging, we should find strategies to cope with frailty. However, the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome is not yet clear. Recent studies have shown that the diversity, composition, and metabolites of gut microbiota significantly changed in older adults with frailty. In addition, several frailty symptoms were alleviated by adjusting gut microbiota with prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiosis. Therefore, we attempt to explore the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome in older people from gut microbiota and summarize the existing interventions for frailty syndrome targeting gut microbiota, with the aim of providing timely and necessary interventions and assistance for older adults with frailty.

Effects of chronic triclosan exposure on nephrotoxicity and gut microbiota dysbiosis in adult mice

Triclosan (TCS), a broad-spectrum, lipophilic, and antibacterial agent, has been commonly used in cosmetics, medical devices, and household products. The toxicity of TCS has recently become a research hotspot. Emerging evidence has shown that TCS can easily migrate to humans and animals and cause adverse effects on various target organs. However, the effects of TCS exposure on nephrotoxicity and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore TCS-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, we establish a mouse model based on adult male mice to explore the effects of 10-week TCS exposure (50 mg/kg) on kidney. After mice were sacrificed, their blood, feces, and renal tissues were harvested for further analysis. We found that TCS treatment dramatically caused kidney structural damage, and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) expression levels, which indicated renal dysfunction. In addition, TCS exposure increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total cholesterol (TCHO) expression levels, which indicated oxidative stress and lipid metabolism changes. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of kidney tissue identified 221 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in 50 pathways, including drug metabolism-other enzymes, oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione metabolism, and inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels signaling pathways. The full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that TCS exposure altered the community of gut microbiota, which was closely related to renal function damage. The above findings provide new insights into the mechanism of TCS-induced nephrotoxicity.

Polysaccharide Isolated from Agaricus blazei Murill Alleviates Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through Regulating Gut Microbiota and Mitigating Inflammation in Mice

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious disease in medical settings, and gut dysbiosis is a major contributor to its development. Polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) showed a range of pharmacological activities, yet no studies assessed the potential of ABM polysaccharides for alleviating intestinal I/R injury. Here, we purified a major polysaccharide (ABP1) from an ABM fruit body and subsequently tested its potential to mitigate intestinal I/R injury in a mouse model of temporary superior mesenteric artery occlusion. The results reveal that ABP1 pretreatment enhances gut barrier function via upregulation of the expression of tight junction proteins such as ZO-1 and occludin. Additionally, ABP1 intervention reduces the recruitment of neutrophils and the polarization of M1 macrophages and limits inflammation by blocking the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, the role of ABP1 in regulating the gut microbiota was confirmed via antibiotic treatment. The omics data reveals that ABP1 reprograms gut microbiota compositions, characterized by a decrease of Proteobacteria and an increase of Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae, especially the SCFA-producing genera such as Ligilactobacillus and Blautia. Overall, this work highlights the therapeutic potential of ABP1 against intestinal I/R injury, which mainly exhibits its effects via regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the overactivated inflammation response.

Noxious ramifications of cosmetic pollutants on gastrointestinal microbiome: A pathway to neurological disorders

On exposure to cosmetic pollutants, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, which is characterised by a disturbance in the gut microbiota, has come into focus as a possible contributor to the occurrence of neurotoxic consequences. It is normal practice to use personal care products that include parabens, phthalates, sulphates, triclosans/triclocarbans and micro/nano plastics. These substances have been found in a variety of bodily fluids and tissues, demonstrating their systemic dispersion. Being exposed to these cosmetic pollutants has been linked in recent research to neurotoxicity, including cognitive decline and neurodevelopmental problems. A vital part of sustaining gut health and general well-being is the gut flora. Increased intestinal permeability, persistent inflammation, and impaired metabolism may result from disruption of the gut microbial environment, which may in turn contribute to neurotoxicity. The link between gastrointestinal dysbiosis and the neurotoxic effects brought on by cosmetic pollutants may be explained by a number of processes, primarily the gut-brain axis. For the purpose of creating preventative and therapeutic measures, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate interactions involving cosmetic pollutants, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, and neurotoxicity. This review provides an in-depth understanding of the various hazardous cosmetic pollutants and its potential role in the occurrence of neurological disorders via gastrointestinal dysbiosis, providing insights into various described and hypothetical mechanisms regarding the complex toxic effects of these industrial pollutants.

Chronic triclosan exposure induce impaired glucose tolerance by altering the gut microbiota

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial compound incorporated into more than 2000 consumer products. This compound is frequently detected in the human body and causes ubiquitous contamination in the environment, thereby raising concerns about its impact on human health and environmental pollution. Here, we demonstrated that 20 weeks' exposure of TCS drove the development of glucose intolerance by inducing compositional and functional alterations in intestinal microbiota in rats. Fecal-transplantation experiments corroborated the involvement of gut microbiota in TCS-induced glucose-tolerance impairment. 16S rRNA gene-sequencing analysis of cecal contents showed that TCS disrupted the gut microbiota composition in rats and increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. Cecal metabolomic analyses detected that TCS altered host metabolic pathways that are linked to host glucose and amino acid metabolism, particularly branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis. BCAA measurement confirmed the increase in serum BCAAs in rats exposed to TCS. Western blot and immunostaining results further confirmed that elevated BCAAs stimulated mTOR, a nutrient-sensing complex, and following IRS-1 serine phosphorylation, resulted in insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. These results suggested that TCS may induce glucose metabolism imbalance by regulating BCAA concentration by remodeling the gut microbiota.

Gut microbiota related response of Oryzias melastigma to combined exposure of polystyrene microplastics and tetracycline

The co-existence of microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics in the coastal environment poses a combined ecological risk. Single toxic effects of MPs or antibiotics on aquatic organisms have been verified, however, the exploration of their combined toxic effects remains limited. Here, foodborne polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs, 10 μm, 0.1 % w/w in food) and waterborne tetracyclines (TC, 50 μg/L) were used to expose an estuarine fish Oryzias melastigma for four weeks. We found that the aqueous availability of TC was not significantly altered coexisting with MPs. The fish body weight gain was significantly slower in TC alone or combined groups than the control group, consistent with the lower lipid content in livers. The body length gain was significantly inhibited by the combined presence compared to the single exposure. Both exposures led to a shift of gut microbiota composition and diversity. TC and the combined group possessed similar gut microbiota which is distinct from PS-MPs and the control group. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in the TC and combined groups were significantly lower compared to the control, while the PS-MPs group showed no significant impact. Metabolomic analysis of the fish liver confirmed the shift of metabolites in specific pathways after different exposures. More, a number of gut microbiota-related metabolites on lipid metabolism was perturbed, which were annotated in arachidonic acid metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism. In all, TC modulates bacterial composition in the fish gut and disturbs their liver metabolites via the gut-liver axis, which led to the slower growth of O. melastigma. More, the adverse impact was aggravated by the co-exposure to foodborne PS-MPs.

Toxic vascular effects of polystyrene microplastic exposure

Polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) are some of the most common microplastic components, and the resulting pollution has become a global problem. Extensive studies have been conducted on the toxic effects of PSMPs on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, nerves, intestines and other tissues. However, the impact of PSMPs on vascular toxicity is poorly understood at present. The aim of this study was to reveal the vascular toxicity of microplastics (MPs). Patients were assigned to a calcification group (25 patients) or a non-calcification group (22 patients) based on the presence or absence of calcification in the thoracic aorta wall. We detected 7 polymer types in human feces. Patients with vascular calcification (VC) had higher levels of total MPs, polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) in feces than patients without VC. The thoracic aortic calcification score was significantly positively correlated with the total MP abundance (Spearman r = 0.8109, p < 0.0001), PP (Spearman r = 0.7211, p = 0.0160) and PS (Spearman r = 0.6523, p = 0.0471) in feces. We then explored the effects of PSMP exposure on normal and vitamin D3 + nicotine (VDN)-treated rats. PSMP exposure induced mild VC in normal rats and aggravated VC in VDN-treated rats. PSMP exposure disturbed the gut microbiota, causing Proteobacteria and Escherichia_Shigella to be the dominant phylum and genus, respectively. It also induced intestinal inflammatory responses in normal rats, aggravated intestinal inflammation in VDN-treated rats, impaired the intestinal mucosal barrier, and increased intestinal permeability. This study provides a theoretical basis for the risk assessment of MP-induced cardiovascular disease.

Effects of triclosan exposure on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) fate

Triclosan (TCS), a widely used broad-spectrum antibacterial agent and preservative, is commonly found in products and environments. Widespread human exposure to TCS has drawn increasing attention from researchers concerning its toxicological effect. However, minimal studies have focused on the impact of TCS exposure on human stem cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of TCS exposure on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and its molecular mechanisms. A series of experimental methods were conducted to assess cell viability, morphology, proliferation, differentiation, senescence, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress after SHED exposure to TCS. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis was applied to investigate the response of SHED to different concentrations of TCS exposure and to explore the molecular mechanisms. We demonstrated that TCS has a dose-dependent proliferation and differentiation inhibition of SHED, while promoting cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and oxidative stress, as well as significantly induces apoptosis and autophagy flux inhibition at high concentrations. Interestingly, no significant morphological changes in SHED were observed after TCS exposure. Transcriptome analysis of normal and TCS-induced SHED suggested that SHED may use different strategies to counteract stress from different concentrations of TCS and showed significant differences. We discovered that TCS mediates cellular injury of SHED by enhancing the expression of PTEN, thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT as well as mTOR expression. Collectively, our findings provide a new understanding of the toxic effects of TCS on human stem cell fate, which is important for determining the risk posed by TCS to human health.

Lactobacillus acidophilus JYLA-126 Ameliorates Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders by Positively Regulating the AMPK Signaling Pathway Through the Gut-Liver Axis

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease worldwide and is considered a major health problem in contemporary society. Lactobacillus acidophilus have demonstrated beneficial effects on obesity, but the specific mechanism of how it exerts beneficial effects has not been elucidated. Here, we found that L. acidophilus JYLA-126 had good biological properties for intestinal health, such as antioxidation, acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance, antimicrobial activity, and gut colonization. We further identified that supplementation of L. acidophilus JYLA-126 obese mice possessed a dose-dependent amelioration of body weight, intestinal imbalance, and metabolic disorders compared to HFD-induced mice. Mechanistically, the excellent slimming effect of L. acidophilus JYLA-126 was achieved mainly by reversing HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, inhibiting inflammatory factors and balancing the homeostasis of the gut-liver axis. Specifically, L. acidophilus JYLA-126 improved hepatic glycogen synthesis, lowered oxidative stress, and facilitated lipid metabolism by regulating AMPK signaling pathway-related protein expression to restore the overall metabolic level. Accordingly, L. acidophilus JYLA-126 promoted energy uptake efficiency in obese mice, resulting in significant expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) protein in brown adipose tissue (BAT), and markedly reduced the size of adipocytes. These findings indicate that the anti-obesity activity of L. acidophilus JYLA-126 correlates with activation of the AMPK signaling pathway through improved gut-liver interactions.

Effects of glyphosate exposure on gut-liver axis: Metabolomic and mechanistic analysis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicide worldwide, is potentially harmful to non-target aquatic organisms. However, the environmental health risks regarding impacts on metabolism homeostasis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated bioaccumulation, metabolism disorders and mechanisms in grass carp after exposure to glyphosate. Higher accumulation of glyphosate and its major metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid, in the gut was detected. Intestinal inflammation, barrier damage and hepatic steatosis were caused by glyphosate exposure. Lipid metabolism disorder was confirmed by the decreased triglyceride, increased total cholesterol and lipoproteins in serum and decreased visceral fat. Metabolomics analysis found that glyphosate exposure significantly inhibited bile acids biosynthesis in liver with decreased total bile acids content, which was further supported by significant downregulations of cyp27a1, cyp8b1 and fxr. Moreover, the dysbiosis of gut microbiota contributed to the inflammation in liver and gut by increasing lipopolysaccharide, as well as to the declined bile acids circulation by reducing secondary bile acids. These results indicated that exposure to environmental levels of glyphosate generated higher bioaccumulation in gut, where evoked enterohepatic injury, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and disturbed homeostasis of bile acids metabolism; then the functional dysregulation of the gut-liver axis possibly resulted in ultimate lipid metabolism disorder. These findings highlight the metabolism health risks of glyphosate exposure to fish in aquatic environment.