Glycolipid Metabolism and Metagenomic Analysis of the Therapeutic Effect of a Phenolics-Rich Extract from Noni Fruit on Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Phage cocktail alleviated type 2 diabetes by reshaping gut microbiota and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a global health concern, is closely associated with the gut microbiota. Restoration of a balanced microbiota and intestinal homeostasis benefit therapy of T2D. Some special phages may selectively alter the gut microbiota without causing dysbiosis, such as MS2 and P22. However, scarcely systematic analysis of cascading effects triggered by MS2 and P22 phages on the microbiota, as well as interactions between specific gut bacteria and systemic metabolism, seriously inhibit the development of positive interventions of phages. Based on multi-omic analysis, we analyzed the intrinsic correlations among specific microbiota, their bioactive metabolites, and key indicators of T2D. We found that gavage of the MS2-P22 phage cocktail could significantly alter the gut microbiome to attenuate dysbiosis of diabetic C57BL/6 mice caused by high-fat diets (HFDs) and streptozotocin (STZ), by affecting microbial compositions as well as their metabolic pathways and metabolites, especially increasing amounts of short-chain fatty acid-producing (SCFA-producing) bacteria (e.g., Blautia and Romboutsia) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Correspondingly, a noteworthy reduction in the number of several opportunistic pathogens occurred, e.g., Candidatus Saccharimonas, Aerococcus, Oscillibacter, Desulfovibrio, and Clostridium sensu stricto 1. Synchronously, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were reduced to recover gut barrier function in T2D mice. These findings might benefit the development of a new dietary intervention for T2D based on phage cocktails. KEY POINTS: • Intestinal barrier integrity of T2D mice is improved by a phage cocktail • Negative relationship between Muribaculaceae and Corynebacterium reshaped gut microbiota • Acetate, propionate, and butyrate decreased the level of proinflammatory factors.

SIRT1/AMPK-mediated pathway: Ferulic acid from sugar beet pulp mitigating obesity-induced diabetes-linked complications and improving metabolic health

Obesity-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of metabolic syndrome due to the high calorie intake. The role of sugar beet pulp (SBP) in T2D and the mechanism of its action remain unclear, though it is abundant in phenolics and has antioxidant activity. In this study, we isolated and purified ferulic acid from SBP, referred to as SBP-E, and studied the underlying molecular mechanisms in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism developing high glucose/high fat diet-induced diabetic models in vitro and in vivo. SBP-E showed no cytotoxicity and reduced the oxidative stress by increasing glutathione (GSH) in human liver (HepG2) and rat skeletal muscle (L6) cells. It also decreased body weight gain, food intake, fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL), glucose intolerance, hepatic steatosis, and lipid accumulation. Additionally, SBP-E decreased the oxidative stress and improved the antioxidant enzyme levels in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced T2D mice. Further, SBP-E reduced plasma and liver advanced glycation end products (AGEs), malondialdehyde (MDA), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in HFD-fed mice. Importantly, SBP-E significantly elevated AMPK, glucose transporter, SIRT1 activity, and Nrf2 expression and decreased ACC activity and SREBP1 levels in diabetic models. Collectively, our study results suggest that SBP-E treatment can improve obesity-induced T2D by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism via SIRT1/AMPK signalling and the AMPK/SREBP1/ACC1 pathway.

(-)-Epicatechin ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus by reshaping the gut microbiota and Gut-Liver axis in GK rats

As one of the most abundant plant polyphenols in the human diet, (-)-epicatechin (EC) can improve insulin sensitivity and regulate glucose homeostasis. However, the primary mechanisms involved in EC anti-T2DM benefits remain unclear. The present study explored the effects of EC on the gut microbiota and liver transcriptome in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Goto-Kakizaki rats for the first time. The findings showed that EC protected glucose homeostasis, alleviated systemic oxidative stress, relieved liver damage, and increased serum insulin. Further investigation showed that EC reshaped gut microbiota structure, including inhibiting the proliferation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing bacteria and reducing serum LPS. In addition, transcriptome analysis revealed that the insulin signaling pathway may be the core pathway of the EC anti-T2DM effect. Therefore, EC may modulate the gut microbiota and liver insulin signaling pathways by the gut-liver axis to alleviate T2DM. As a diet supplement, EC has promising potential in T2DM prevention and treatment.

Anti-Type II Diabetic Effects of Coix Seed Prolamin Hydrolysates: Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses

Previous studies have demonstrated that enzymatically prepared coix seed prolamin hydrolysates (CHPs) contain several bioactive peptides that efficiently inhibit the activity of target enzymes (α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl kinase-IV) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the anti-T2DM effects and potential mechanisms of CHPs as a whole in vivo have not yet been systematically explored. Therefore, we evaluated the preventive, therapeutic, and modifying effects of CHPs on T2DM by combining physiological and liver transcriptomics with a T2DM mouse model. The results showed that sustained high-fructose intake led to prediabetic symptoms in mice, with abnormal fluctuations in blood glucose and blood lipid levels. Intervention with CPHs effectively prevented weight loss; regulated abnormal changes in blood glucose; improved impaired glucose tolerance; inhibited the abnormal expression of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins; alleviated insulin resistance; and restored pancreatic islet tissue function in mice fed a high-fructose diet. In addition, we found that CHPs also play a palliative role in the loss of liver function and protect various organ tissues (including the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and heart), and are effective in preventing damage to the liver and pancreatic islet cells. We also found that the intake of CHPs reversed the abnormally altered hepatic gene profile in model mice and identified 381 differentially expressed genes that could serve as key genes for preventing the development of T2DM, which are highly correlated with multiple glycolipid metabolic pathways. We demonstrated that CHPs play a positive role in the normal functioning of the insulin signalling pathway dominated by the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT (insulin receptor substrates-1/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B) pathway. In summary, CHPs can be used as effective food-borne glucose-modifying components of healthy foods.

3α-Hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-23,28-dioic Acid as a Phytogenic Chemical Marker for Authenticating Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms Monofloral Honey

The monofloral honey from Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms (MH-Sco) are of high economic value due to their rarity and potential medicinal benefits. However, the limited investigations on the relationship of phytogenic components between the plant S. octophylla (P-Sco) and MH-Sco have an impact on MH-Sco authentication. Herein, the tentative phytogenic markers of MH-Sco were screened by comparing the metabolites of MH-Sco obtained by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS)-based untargeted metabolomics with the identified phytogenic chemicals from P-Sco. Combined with the mass and NMR spectral information, 3α-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-23,28-dioic acid (HLEDA) was finally identified as the phytogenic marker of MH-Sco. A targeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS)-based method was established and validated based on the purified monomer standard to measure HLEDA levels in honey samples. HLEDA determined in MH-Sco was with the content from 0.303 to 0.440 mg/kg, while HLEDA was absent in honey samples from other botanical origins, indicating the reliability of HLEDA as a chemical marker in MH-Sco authentication. This study provides the theoretical basis and industry guidance for honey quality control for commercial consumption.

The polysaccharides from seeds of Glycyrrhiza uralensis ameliorate metabolic disorders and restructure gut microbiota in type 2 diabetic mice

T2D and its complications are significant threats to human health and are among the most concerning metabolic diseases worldwide. Previous studies have revealed that Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide extract (GUP) exhibits remarkable antioxidant capabilities and inhibits alpha-glucosidase activity. However, whether GUP improves glycemic control in T2D is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of GUP on glucose and lipid metabolism as well as the intestinal microbiota in HFD/STZ-induced T2D. The results demonstrated that GUP could significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and reduce liver lipid levels in T2D mice. Furthermore, it also enhanced the integrity of the intestinal barrier in T2D mice by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum LPS levels. Interestingly, GUP treatment significantly lowered serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, mitigating renal function deterioration and interstitial fibrosis. Additionally, GUP intervention increased the α diversity of gut microbiota, promoting beneficial species like Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum, while decreasing harmful ones such as Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 in T2D mice. Overall, this study highlights the potential of GUP in alleviating complications and enhancing intestinal health in T2D mice, providing valuable insights into dietary strategies for diabetes control and overall health improvement.

Modulation Effects of Sargassum pallidum Extract on Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of the extract from Sargassum pallidum (SPPE) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice. SPPE treatment alleviated hyperglycemia, insulin resistance (IR), liver and pancreatic tissue damage, hyperlipidemia and hepatic oxidative stress resulting from T2DM. SPPE reversed phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK) and hexokinase (HK) activities to improve gluconeogenesis and glycogen storage in the liver. Furthermore, SPPE modulated glucose metabolism by regulating the levels of mRNA expression involving the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1/G6pase/GLUT2 pathway and could inhibit fatty acid synthesis by reducing the gene expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (ACC-1). A 16 sRNA analysis indicated that SPPE treatment also reversed gut dysbiosis by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Bacteroides and Lactobacillus) and suppressing the proliferation of harmful bacteria (Enterococcus and Helicobacter). Untargeted metabolomics results indicated that histidine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly influenced by SPPE. Thus, SPPE may be applied as an effective dietary supplement or drug in the management of T2DM.

Phenolics from Dendrobium officinale Leaf Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Chronic Colitis by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier

The increasing incidence of colitis and the side effects of its therapeutic drugs have led to the search for compounds of natural origin, including phenolics, as new treatments for colitis. In this study, the potential mechanism of Dendrobium officinale leaf phenolics (DOP) on the relief of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was explored. The results showed that DOP treatment for 36 days reduced the symptoms of colitis caused by DSS, including reduction of the disease activity index and alleviation of colonic tissue damage. In addition, DOP downregulated the expression of key proteins of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, DOP could enhance the expression of tight junction proteins including ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 to restore intestinal mucosal barrier function. DOP also effectively regulates disordered intestinal flora and enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids, which is also beneficial in modulating gut internal environmental homeostasis, inhibiting inflammation, and restoring the intestinal barrier. These findings indicated that DOP can ameliorate DSS-induced chronic colitis by regulating gut microbiota, intestinal barrier, and inflammation, and it is a promising ingredient from D. officinale.

Exploring the potential mechanism of Rubus corchorifolius L. fruit polyphenol-rich extract in mitigating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics profiling

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as the commonest chronic liver disease, is accompanied by liver oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Herein, the extract obtained from Rubus corchorifolius fruits was purified and characterized for its polyphenol composition. The liver protective effect of the purified R. corchorifolius fruit extract (RCE) on mice with high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD were investigated, and the potential mechanisms were explored through the integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics. Results showed that the polyphenolic compounds in RCE mainly included (-)-epigallocatechin, procyanidin B2, keracyanin, vanillin, dihydromyricetin, and ellagic acid. In addition, RCE intervention ameliorated liver and mitochondrial damage, which was evidenced by decreased indices of oxidative stress, liver function markers, and lipid profile levels. The liver metabonomics research revealed that RCE intervention affected the metabolic pathways of metabolites, including linoleic acid metabolism, galactose metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, retinol metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, riboflavin metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Additionally, liver transcriptomics research indicated that pathways like fatty acid degradation, circadian rhythm, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, primary bile acid biosynthesis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, adipocytokine signaling pathway, glutathione metabolism, lipid and atherosclerosis were significantly enriched. The transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis demonstrated that RCE intervention had significant modulatory effects on the metabolic pathways associated with glycolipid metabolism. Moreover, RT-PCR results verified that RCE intervention regulated liver mRNA levels associated with the inflammatory response. Therefore, our findings suggest that the intake of RCE might be an effective strategy to alleviate liver damage.

Chronic supplementation of noni in diabetic type 1-STZ rats: effects on glycemic levels, kidney toxicity and exercise performance

Noni is a fruit with potential medicinal use preventing elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus. Its effects have been attributed to an antioxidant property in several other diseases. However, the effects of noni-chronic supplementation on exercise performance in the presence of diabetes conditions are not known. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were used to verify the effects of chronic noni (Morinda citrifolia L) juice administration on glycemia, triglyceride levels, and its relation to physical performance. In addition, it was verified if chronic noni supplementation is safe for clinical use through kidney morphology analysis. In half of the rats, diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced with STZ. All rats were submitted to an incremental workload running test (IWT) until fatigued so that oxygen consumption and performance indexes (exercise time to fatigue and workload) could be analyzed before noni administration. Then, the control and DM groups received a placebo (saline solution) or noni juice (dilution 2:1) at a dose of 2 mL/kg once a day for 60 days. The result was four groups: control + placebo (CP), control + noni (CN), DM + placebo (DMP), and DM + noni (DMN). Our dose was based on in previous study by Nayak et al. (2011) that observed a significant reduction in glycemia with 2 ml/kg of the noni juice without any toxicity effect cited. Groups were then given a third IWT to verify the effect of the noni juice on exercise performance (exercise time to fatigue, workload, maximal oxygen consumption) and glycemia. Twenty-four hours after the third test, all animals were euthanized and blood and kidneys were removed for posterior analysis. The DM induction with STZ impaired the performance by 39%. Noni administration improved the time to fatigue and workload in DM rats beyond reducing hyperglycemia. These results could be associated with an improved energy efficiency promoted by noni ingestion, since the oxygen consumption was not different between the groups, although the exercise was longer in animals with noni ingestion. Our results provided evidence that chronic noni administration causes kidney damage since increased Bowman's space area in the control rats, suggesting glomerular hyperfiltration at the same magnitude as the non-treated DM group.In conclusion, chronic noni ingestion promoted glycemic control and improved the performance in DM rats but caused kidney toxicity.

Physicochemical properties and anti-diabetic ability of polysaccharides from a thinned peach fruit

Thinned peach fruit is a by-product with abundant yields. However, it is barely utilized. This study aimed to study the physicochemical properties and anti-diabetic ability of polysaccharides (PPSs) from a thinned peach fruit to investigate its application potential. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizations were performed together with tests to determine rheology properties, monosaccharide composition, and molecular weight of the obtained polysaccharide. Moreover, the antioxidant activity, α-amylase inhibitory activity, binding abilities to bile salts, and effects on type 2 diabetic mice were analyzed. The results indicated that PPS consisted of two components with molecular weights of 287.38 kDa and 12.02 kDa, accounting for 89.83% and 10.17% of the composition, respectively. The dominant monosaccharides were galactose, galacturonic acid, and arabinose, exhibiting α-configurations. The concentration was positively related to the viscosity of PPS. As the temperature was increased from 25 °C to 37 °C and the pH from 2.0 to 7.0, the viscosity decreased. The IC50 values for scavenging DPPH and ABTS were around 0.22 and 1.47 mg mL-1. Also, PPS could inhibit α-amylase ability and bind bile salts. The administration of PPS significantly inhibited emaciation, organ damage, improved oral glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, enhanced the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and regulated blood lipid profiles and the composition and structure of colon microbiota in type-2 diabetic mice. These results provide new evidence for the potential of PPS as a bioactive ingredient with anti-diabetic properties for use in the food industry.

Positive interactions among Corynebacterium glutamicum and keystone bacteria producing SCFAs benefited T2D mice to rebuild gut eubiosis

Accumulating evidences strongly support the correlations between the compositions of gut microbiome and therapeutic effects on Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Notably, gut microbes such as Akkermansia muciniphila are found able to regulate microecological balance and alleviate dysmetabolism of mice bearing T2D. In order to search out similarly functional bacteria, bacteriophage MS2 with a good specificity to bacteria carrying fertility (F) factor were used to treat T2D mice. Based on multi-omics analysis of microbiome and global metabolism of mice, we observed that gavage of bacteriophage MS2 and metformin led to a significant increase in the abundance of Corynebacterium glutamicum and A. muciniphila, respectively. Consequently, the gut microbiota were remodeled, leading to variations in metabolites and a substantial increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In which, the amount of acetate, propionate, and butyrate presented negative correlations to that of proinflammatory cytokines, which was beneficial to repairing the intestinal barriers and improving their functions. Moreover, main short fatty acid (SCFA) producers exhibited positive interactions, further facilitating the restoration of gut eubiosis. These findings revealed that C. glutamicum and its metabolites may be potential dietary supplements for the treatment of T2D. Moreover, our research contributes to a novel understanding of the underlying mechanism by which functional foods exert their anti-diabetic effects.

Metallothionein-Kidney Bean Polyphenol Complexes Showed Antidiabetic Activity in Type 2 Diabetic Rats by Improving Insulin Resistance and Regulating Gut Microbiota

Previous studies have shown that interaction between polyphenols and proteins can benefit health, but the mechanism of its antidiabetic effect has not been thoroughly elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of the metallothionein (MT)-kidney bean polyphenol complex on the blood glucose levels and gut microbiota of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ). After 7 weeks of intervention, the MT-kidney bean polyphenol complex can significantly improve the loss of body weight, the increase in blood glucose and blood lipids, and insulin resistance caused by T2DM in rats. In addition, it can effectively alleviate the damage to the pancreas and liver in rats. The MT-kidney bean polyphenol complex also significantly increased the concentrations of six short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intestinal contents of rats, especially acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid (296.03%, 223.86%, and 148.97%, respectively). More importantly, the MT-kidney bean polyphenol complex can significantly reverse intestinal microflora dysbiosis in rats caused by T2DM, increase intestinal microorganism diversity, improve the abundance of various beneficial bacteria, and reshape the gut microbiota. In summary, the hypoglycemic effect of the MT-kidney bean polyphenol complex and its possible mechanism was expounded in terms of blood glucose level, blood lipid level, and gut microbiota, providing a new perspective on the development of the MT-kidney bean polyphenol complex as functional hypoglycemic food.

Pterostilbene could alleviate diabetic cognitive impairment by suppressing TLR4/NF-кB pathway through microbiota-gut-brain axis

Diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI) is a serious neurodegenerative disorder caused by diabetes, with chronic inflammation being a crucial factor in its pathogenesis. Pterostilbene is a well-known natural stilbene derivative that has excellent anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting its potential medicinal advantages for treating DCI. Therefore, this study is to explore the beneficial effects of pterostilbene for improving cognitive dysfunction in DCI mice. A diabetic model was induced by a high-fat diet plus streptozotocin (40 mg·kg-1 ) for consecutive 5 days. After the animals were confirmed to be in a diabetic state, they were treated with pterostilbene (20 or 60 mg·kg-1 , i.g.) for 10 weeks. Pharmacological evaluation showed pterostilbene could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction, regulate glycolipid metabolism disorders, improve neuronal damage, and reduce the accumulation of β-amyloid in DCI mice. Pterostilbene alleviated neuroinflammation by suppressing oxidative stress and carbonyl stress damage, astrocyte and microglia activation, and dopaminergic neuronal loss. Further investigations showed that pterostilbene reduced the level of lipopolysaccharide, modulated colon and brain TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways, and decreased the release of inflammatory factors, which in turn inhibited intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, pterostilbene could also improve the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota, increase the levels of short-chain fatty acids and their receptors, and suppress the loss of intestinal tight junction proteins. In addition, the results of plasma non-targeted metabolomics revealed that pterostilbene could modulate differential metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with inflammation, thereby suppressing systemic inflammation in DCI mice. Collectively, our study found for the first time that pterostilbene could alleviate diabetic cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which may be one of the potential mechanisms for its neuroprotective effects.

Desulfovibrio in the Gut: The Enemy within?

Desulfovibrio (DSV) are sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) that are ubiquitously present in the environment and as resident commensal bacteria within the human gastrointestinal tract. Though they are minor residents of the healthy gut, DSV are opportunistic pathobionts that may overgrow in the setting of various intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between DSV overgrowth (bloom) and various human diseases. While the relationship between DSV bloom and disease pathology has not been clearly established, mounting evidence suggests a causal role for these bacteria in disease development. As DSV are the most predominant genera of SRB in the gut, this review summarizes current knowledge regarding the relationship between DSV and a variety of diseases. In this study, we also discuss the mechanisms by which these bacteria may contribute to disease pathology.

Surrogate fostering of mice prevents prenatal estradiol-induced insulin resistance via modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Introduction

Prenatal and early postnatal development are known to influence future health. We previously reported that prenatal high estradiol (HE) exposure induces insulin resistance in male mice by disrupting hypothalamus development. Because a foster dam can modify a pup's gut microbiota and affect its health later in life, we explored whether surrogate fostering could also influence glucose metabolism in HE offspring and examined mechanisms that might be involved.

Methods

We performed a surrogate fostering experiment in mice and examined the relationship between the metabolic markers associated to insulin resistance and the composition of the gut microbiota.

Results

HE pups raised by HE foster dams (HE-HE) developed insulin resistance, but HE pups fostered by negative control dams (NC-HE) did not. The gut microbiota composition of HE-HE mice differed from that of NC mice raised by NC foster dams (NC-NC), whereas the composition in NC-HE mice was similar to that of NC-NC mice. Compared with NC-NC mice, HE-HE mice had decreased levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids and serum intestinal hormones, increased food intake, and increased hypothalamic neuropeptide Y expression. In contrast, none of these indices differed between NC-HE and NC-NC mice. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between the altered gut microbiota composition and the insulin resistance-related metabolic indicators, indicating involvement of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that alterations in the early growth environment may prevent fetal-programmed glucose metabolic disorder via modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. These findings offer direction for development of translational solutions for adult diseases associated with aberrant microbial communities in early life.

A Thai Traditional Triple-Fruit Formulation "Phikud Tri-Phon" May Provide Fat Loss and Nutritional Benefits

Obesity and overweight have serious health outcomes. “Phikud Tri-Phon” (PTP) is a traditional Thai medicine comprising three dried fruits from Aegle marmelos L., Morinda citrifolia L., and Coriandrum sativum L. Whether this medicine impacts on metabolic disease is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the phenolic and flavonoid contents of PTP and each of its herbal components, and further assess their antioxidant and anti-adipogenetic activities. Oil-red O staining was measured for lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The chemical profiles of PTP and each herbal extract were determined by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Our results show that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of PTP water extract were 22.35–108.42 mg of gallic acid equivalents and PTP ethanolic extract was 1.19–0.93 mg of quercetin equivalents and the DPPH scavenging capacity assay of PTP ethanolic extract (1 mg/mL) was 92.45 ± 6.58 (Trolox equivalent)/g. The PTP extracts and individual herbs had inhibitory adipogenesis activity, which reduced lipid accumulation by approximately 31% in PTP water extract and 22% in PTP ethanolic extract compared with control cells. These results provided insights into the traditional preparation method of using boiling water as a vehicle for PTP. In conclusion, PTP has antioxidant and anti-adipogenesis potential, indicating it is a promising ingredient in functional food and herbal health products.

Effects of Auricularia auricula Polysaccharides on Gut Microbiota Composition in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

In previous studies, Auriculariaauricula polysaccharides (AAP) has been found to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we sought to demonstrate that AAP achieves remission by altering the gut microbiota in mice with type 2 diabetes. We successfully constructed a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ), following which fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and oral glucose tolerance test (OTGG) were observed to decrease significantly after 5 weeks of AAP intervention. Furthermore, AAP enhanced the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) to alleviate the oxidative stress injury. AAP-M (200 mg/kg/d) displayed the best improvement effect. Moreover, 16S rRNA results showed that AAP decreased the abundance of Firmicutes and increased that of Bacteroidetes. The abundance of beneficial genera such as Faecalibaculum, Dubosiella, Alloprevotella, and those belonging to the family Lachnospiraceae was increased due to the intake of AAP. AAP could reduced the abundance of Desulfovibrio, Enterorhabdus, and Helicobacter. In all, these results suggest that AAP can improve the disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism by regulating the structure of the gut microbiota.

Dietary oxidized beef protein alters gut microbiota and induces colonic inflammatory damage in C57BL/6 mice

This study aimed to investigate the effect of oxidized beef protein on colon health. C57BL/6 mice were fed diets containing in vitro oxidized beef protein (carbonyl content 5.83/9.02 nmol/mg protein) or normal beef protein (control group, carbonyl content 2.27 nmol/mg protein) for 10 weeks. Histological observations showed that oxidized beef protein diet induced notable inflammatory cell infiltrations in colon. The analysis of high-throughput sequencing indicated oxidized beef protein largely altered the composition of gut microbiota (GM) by increasing proinflammatory bacteria (Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, Enterorhabdus) while reducing beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Akkermansia). In addition, oxidized beef protein remarkably increased protein fermentation in the colon, which was evidenced by the elevated i-butyrate, i-valerate, and ammonia levels in feces. Furthermore, consuming oxidized beef protein destroyed colon barrier functions by decreasing tight junction proteins expression. These changes in colonic ecosystem activated the proinflammatory pathway of lipopolysaccharide/toll-like receptor-4/nuclear factor kappa B (LPS/TLR-4/NF-κB), eventually leading to colonic inflammatory damage in mice. Taken together, these results imply that consuming oxidized beef protein detrimentally regulates GM and impairs colon health.

Reconfiguration of Gut Microbiota and Reprogramming of Liver Metabolism with Phycobiliproteins Bioactive Peptides to Rehabilitate Obese Rats

Phycobiliproteins (derived from Arthrospira platensis) bioactive peptide extracts (PPE) possess multiple pharmacological effects in the mitigation of human metabolic disorders. The role of PPE in the treatment of diet-induced obesity and the understanding of the underlying mechanism between the gut microbiome and metabolic blood circulation for obese patients remains poorly understood. In this study, we showed that PPE attenuated obesity by reducing body weight, and ameliorated glucose and lipid indexes in serum. In particular, PPE is postulated to mitigate liver steatosis and insulin resistance. On the other hand, dietary treatment with PPE was found to “reconfigure” the gut microbiota in the way that the abundances were elevated for Akkermansia_muciniphila, beneficial Lactobacillus and Romboutsia, SCFA-producing species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Lachnospiraceae_bacterium, Clostridiales_bacterium, probiotics Clostridium sp., Enterococcus faecium, and Lactobacillus_johnsonii, while the abundance of Firmicutes was reduced and that of Bacteroidetes was increased to reverse the imbalance of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Finally, the metabolomics of circulating serum using UHPLC-MS/MS illustrated that PPE supplementation indeed promoted lipid metabolism in obese rats. As summary, it was seen that PPE reprogrammed the cell metabolism to prevent the aggravation of obesity. Our findings strongly support that PPE can be regarded as a potential therapeutic dietary supplement for obesity.

Inhibition of Hepatic AMPK Pathway Contributes to Free Fatty Acids-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Laying Hen

Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver disease; however, the underlying processes remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the changes of free fatty acids (FFA) on the expression of genes related to the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in the primary hepatocytes of laying hens. The primary hepatocytes of laying hens were treated with FFA (containing a 2:1 ratio of oleic and palmitic acids) for 24 h. FFA significantly increased lipid droplet accumulation, decreased glycogen synthesis, increased the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glucose content in the supernatant (GLU) in the primary hepatocytes of laying hens, and decreased the levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results of the PCR array combined with Western blotting experiments showed that the activity of AMPK was inhibited. Inhibition of AMPK signaling pathway decreases the expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, increases the expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis, decreases the expression of genes involved in glycogen synthesis, increases the expression of genes involved in glycolysis, increases the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, and increases the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that FFA can affect the homeostasis of the AMPK signaling pathway by altering energy metabolic homeostasis, inducing oxidative stress, and adjusting the onset of cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Preclinical Studies of Natural Products Targeting the Gut Microbiota: Beneficial Effects on Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, with a continuously increasing morbidity and mortality. Although traditional treatments including insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range to a certain extent, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs that can effectively improve glucose metabolism and diabetes-related complications. Notably, accumulated evidence implicates that the gut microbiota is unbalanced in DM individuals and is involved in the physiological and pathological processes of this metabolic disease. In this review, we introduce the molecular mechanisms by which the gut microbiota contributes to the development of DM. Furthermore, we summarize the preclinical studies of bioactive natural products that exert antidiabetic effects by modulating the gut microbiota, aiming to expand the novel therapeutic strategies for DM prevention and management.

Dietary Ferulic Acid Ameliorates Metabolism Syndrome-Associated Hyperuricemia in Rats via Regulating Uric Acid Synthesis, Glycolipid Metabolism, and Hepatic Injury

Ferulic acid is a well-known phenolic acid compound and possesses multiple health-promoting and pharmacological effects. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hyperuricemia (HUA) have become health problems worldwide and are closely connected. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of ferulic acid on MetS-related HUA and its underlying mechanisms. Rats were administered high-fructose and high-fat diet (HFFD) with or without ferulic acid (0.05 and 0.1%) for 20 weeks. Intake of HFFD resulted in obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, which were alleviated by ferulic acid consumption. Treatment of rats with ferulic acid diminished the levels of lipids and inflammatory cytokines and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver caused by HFFD. Additionally, administration of ferulic acid blocked a HFFD-induced elevation in activities and mRNA expression of enzymes involving in uric acid (UA) synthesis. Molecular docking analysis denoted that ferulic acid bound to the active center of these enzymes, indicative of the potential interaction with each other. These two aspects might partially be responsible for the decrement in serum UA content after ferulic acid ingestion. In conclusion, ferulic acid supplementation ameliorated lipid and glucose metabolic abnormalities, hepatic damage, and UA formation in MetS rats. There was a dose correlation between lipid deposition and UA synthesis-related indicators. These findings implied that ferulic acid could be applied as a promising dietary remedy for the management of MetS-associated HUA.

Kombucha Reduces Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes of Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites

Kombucha, which is rich in tea polyphenols and organic acid, is a kind of acidic tea soup beverage fermented by acetic acid bacteria, yeasts, lactic acid bacteria. Kombucha has been reported to possess anti-diabetic activity, but the underlying mechanism was not well understood. In this study, a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection was used to induce T2DM model in mice. After four weeks of kombucha intervention, the physiological and biochemical index were measured to determine the diabetes-related indicators. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes in gut microbiota from the feces. The results showed that four weeks of kombucha intervention increased the abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria and reduced the abundance of gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. The improvement in gut microbiota reduced the damage of intestinal barrier, thereby reducing the displacement of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibiting the occurrence of inflammation and insulin resistance in vivo. In addition, the increased levels of SCFAs-producing bacteria, and thus increasing the SCFAs, improved islet β cell function by promoting the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones (GLP-1/PYY). This study methodically uncovered the hypoglycemic mechanism of kombucha through gut microbiota intervention, and the result suggested that kombucha may be introduced as a new functional drink for T2DM prevention and treatment.

Hypoglycemic effect of polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus on type 2 diabetic mice based on “gut microbiota-mucosal barrier”

Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APP), the main active constituent possesses numerous bioactivities. In this research, the T2DM model mice was combined with streptozotocin to study the hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of...