The hepatoprotective effect of the probiotic Clostridium butyricum against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in mice

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

ABSTRACT

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

Supplementation of Clostridium butyricum Alleviates Vascular Inflammation in Diabetic Mice

BACKGRUOUND

Gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetes and affects the prognosis of diabetic complications, and the underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. We aimed to explore the possible link between the gut microbiota and vascular inflammation of diabetic mice.

METHODS

The db/db diabetic and wild-type (WT) mice were used in this study. We profiled gut microbiota and examined the and vascular function in both db/db group and WT group. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16s rRNA sequencing. Vascular function was examined by ultrasonographic hemodynamics and histological staining. Clostridium butyricum (CB) was orally administered to diabetic mice by intragastric gavage every 2 days for 2 consecutive months. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected by fluorescence microscopy. The mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Compared with WT mice, CB abundance was significantly decreased in the gut of db/db mice, together with compromised vascular function and activated inflammation in the arterial tissue. Meanwhile, ROS in the vascular tissue of db/db mice was also significantly increased. Oral administration of CB restored the protective microbiota, and protected the vascular function in the db/db mice via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study identified the potential link between decreased CB abundance in gut microbiota and vascular inflammation in diabetes. Therapeutic delivery of CB by gut transplantation alleviates the vascular lesions of diabetes mellitus by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Extraction, purification, structural characterization and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is an edible fruit with a long history in China as a medicinal plant. The fruits of H. rhamnoides are rich in a variety of nutrients and pharmacological active compounds. As one of the most important active ingredients in sea buckthorn, polysaccharides have attracted the attention of researchers due to their antioxidant, anti-fatigue, and liver protective qualities.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review summarizes recent studies on extraction, purification, structural characterization and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from sea buckthorn. In addition, the relationship between the structure and the activities of sea buckthorn polysaccharides (SBPS) were discussed. This review would provide important research bases and up-to-date information for the future in-depth development and application of sea buckthorn polysaccharides in the field of pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By inputting the search term "Sea buckthorn polysaccharides", relevant research information was obtained from databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, China Knowledge Network (CNKI), China Master Theses Full-text Database, and China Doctoral Dissertations Full-text Database.

RESULTS

The main extraction methods of SBPS include hot water extraction (HWE), ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), flash extraction (FE), and ethanol extraction. More than 20 polysaccharides have been isolated from sea buckthorn fruits. The chemical structures of sea buckthorn polysaccharides obtained by different extraction, isolation, and purification methods are diverse. Polysaccharides from sea buckthorn display a variety of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-fatigue, liver protection, anti-obesity, regulation of intestinal flora, immunoregulation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Sea buckthorn has a long medicinal history and characteristics of an ethnic medicine and food. Polysaccharides are one of the main active components of sea buckthorn, and they have received increasing attention from researchers. Sea buckthorn polysaccharides have remarkable pharmacological activities, health benefits, and broad application prospects. In addition, further exploration of the chemical structure of SBPS, in-depth study of their pharmacological activities, identification of their material basis, characterization of disease resistance mechanisms, and potential health functions are still directions of future research. With the accumulation of research on the extraction and purification processes, chemical structure, pharmacological effects, molecular mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships, sea buckthorn polysaccharides derived from natural resources will ultimately make significant contributions to human health.

Suppression of P2X4 and P2X7 by Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1: effects on hangover symptoms

This study aimed to identify substances including Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1 (KACC 92054P) that alleviate hangover-induced emotional anxiety and liver damage. The association between emotional anxiety caused by hangover and the genes P2X4, P2X7, SLC6A4 was investigated. In vitro and in vivo analyses were conducted to assess the influence of free-panica on alcohol-induced upregulated gene expression. Additionally, the concentration of AST, ALT, alcohol, and acetaldehyde in blood was measured. Free-panica, consisting of five natural products (Phyllanthus amarus, Phoenix dactylifera, Vitis vinifera, Zingiber officinale, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus), were evaluated for their regulatory effects on genes involved in alcohol-induced emotional anxiety and liver damage. The combination of these natural products in free-panica successfully restored emotional anxiety, and the concentration of AST, ALT, alcohol, and acetaldehyde in blood to those of the normal control group. These findings support the potential development of free-panica as a health functional food or medicinal intervention for relieving hangover symptoms and protecting liver from alcohol consumption.

Degradation of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide: Structures and protective activities against ethanol-induced acute liver injury

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) possesses diverse bioactivities; however, its metabolic fate following oral administration remains poorly understood. To intuitively determine its intestinal digestion behavior after oral administration, ASP was labeled with fluorescein, and it was found to accumulate and be degraded in the cecum and colon. Therefore, we investigated the in vitro enzymatic degradation behavior and identified the products. The results showed that ASP could be degraded into fragments with molecular weights similar to those of the fragments observed in vivo. Structural characterization revealed that ASP is a highly branched acid heteropolysaccharide with AG type II domains, and its backbone is predominantly composed of 1,3-Galp, →3,6)-Galp-(1→6)-Galp-(1→, 1,4-Manp, 1,4-Rhap, 1,3-Glcp, 1,2,3,4-Galp, 1,3,4,6-Galp, 1,3,4-GalAp and 1,4-GlcAp, with branches of Araf, Glcp and Galp. In addition, the high molecular weight enzymatic degradation products (ASP H) maintained a backbone structure almost identical to that of ASP, but exhibited only partial branch changes. Then, the results of ethanol-induced acute liver injury experiments revealed that ASP and ASP H reduced the expression of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) levels, thereby relieving ethanol-induced acute liver injury.

Achieving healthy aging through gut microbiota-directed dietary intervention: Focusing on microbial biomarkers and host mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Population aging has become a primary global public health issue, and the prevention of age-associated diseases and prolonging healthy life expectancies are of particular importance. Gut microbiota has emerged as a novel target in various host physiological disorders including aging. Comprehensive understanding on changes of gut microbiota during aging, in particular gut microbiota characteristics of centenarians, can provide us possibility to achieving healthy aging or intervene pathological aging through gut microbiota-directed strategies.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review aims to summarize the characteristics of the gut microbiota associated with aging, explore potential biomarkers of aging and address microbiota-associated mechanisms of host aging focusing on intestinal barrier and immune status. By summarizing the existing effective dietary strategies in aging interventions, the probability of developing a diet targeting the gut microbiota in future is provided.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

This review is focused on three key notions: Firstly, gut microbiota has become a new target for regulating health status and lifespan, and its changes are closely related to age. Thus, we summarized aging-associated gut microbiota features at the levels of key genus/species and important metabolites through comparing the microbiota differences among centenarians, elderly people and younger people. Secondly, exploring microbiota biomarkers related to aging and discussing future possibility using dietary regime/components targeted to aging-related microbiota biomarkers promote human healthy lifespan. Thirdly, dietary intervention can effectively improve the imbalance of gut microbiota related to aging, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, but their effects vary among.

The Potential of Clostridium butyricum to Preserve Gut Health, and to Mitigate Non-AIDS Comorbidities in People Living with HIV

A dramatic reduction in mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH) has been achieved during the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. However, ART does not restore gut barrier function even after long-term viral suppression, allowing microbial products to enter the systemic blood circulation and induce chronic immune activation. In PLWH, a chronic state of systemic inflammation exists and persists, which increases the risk of development of inflammation-associated non-AIDS comorbidities such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Clostridium butyricum is a human butyrate-producing symbiont present in the gut microbiome. Convergent evidence has demonstrated favorable effects of C. butyricum for gastrointestinal health, including maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the gut barrier, inhibition of pathogenic bacteria within the intestine, and reduction of microbial translocation. Moreover, C. butyricum supplementation has been observed to have a positive effect on various inflammation-related diseases such as diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and cancer, which are also recognized as non-AIDS comorbidities associated with epithelial gut damage. There is currently scant published research in the literature, focusing on the influence of C. butyricum in the gut of PLWH. In this hypothesis review, we speculate the use of C. butyricum as a probiotic oral supplementation may well emerge as a potential future synergistic adjunctive strategy in PLWH, in tandem with ART, to restore and consolidate intestinal barrier integrity, repair the leaky gut, prevent microbial translocation from the gut, and reduce both gut and systemic inflammation, with the ultimate objective of decreasing the risk for development of non-AIDS comorbidities in PLWH.

Probiotic Clostridium butyricum ameliorates cognitive impairment in obesity via the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Obesity is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The gut microbiota-brain axis is altered in obesity and linked to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we targeted obesity-induced cognitive impairment by testing the impact of the probiotic Clostridium butyricum, which has previously shown beneficial effects on gut homeostasis and brain function. Firstly, we characterized and analyzed the gut microbial profiles of participants with obesity and the correlation between gut microbiota and cognitive scores. Then, using an obese mouse model induced by a Western-style diet (high-fat and fiber-deficient diet), the effects of Clostridium butyricum on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and hippocampal cognitive function were evaluated. Finally, fecal microbiota transplantation was performed to assess the functional link between Clostridium butyricum remodeling gut microbiota and hippocampal synaptic protein and cognitive behaviors. Our results showed that participants with obesity had gut microbiota dysbiosis characterized by an increase in phylum Proteobacteria and a decrease in Clostridium butyricum, which were closely associated with cognitive decline. In diet-induced obese mice, oral Clostridium butyricum supplementation significantly alleviated cognitive impairment, attenuated the deficit of hippocampal neurite outgrowth and synaptic ultrastructure, improved hippocampal transcriptome related to synapses and dendrites; a comparison of the effects of Clostridium butyricum in mice against human AD datasets revealed that many of the genes changes in AD were reversed by Clostridium butyricum; concurrently, Clostridium butyricum also prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis, colonic barrier impairment and inflammation, and attenuated endotoxemia. Importantly, fecal microbiota transplantation from donor-obese mice with Clostridium butyricum supplementation facilitated cognitive variables and colonic integrity compared with from donor obese mice, highlighting that Clostridium butyricum's impact on cognitive function is largely due to its ability to remodel gut microbiota. Our findings provide the first insights into the neuroprotective effects of Clostridium butyricum on obesity-associated cognitive impairments and neurodegeneration via the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis.

The antihyperuricemia activity of Astragali Radix through regulating the expression of uric acid transporters via PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Astragali Radix (AR) is the dry root of the leguminous plants Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Beg. var. mongholicus (Beg) Hsiao, and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge., being used as a medicinal and edible resource. AR is used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions to treat hyperuricemia, but this particular effect is rarely reported, and the associated mechanism of action is still need to be elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To research the uric acid (UA)-lowering activity and mechanism of AR and the representative compounds through the constructed hyperuricemia mouse and cellular models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In our study, the chemical profile of AR was analysed by UHPLC-QE-MS, as well as the mechanism of action of AR and the representative compounds on hyperuricemia was studied through the constructed hyperuricemia mouse and cellular models.

RESULTS

The main compounds in AR were terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Mice group treated with the highest AR dosage showed significantly lower (p < 0.0001) serum uric acid (208 ± 9 μmol/L) than the control group (317 ± 11 μmol/L). Furthermore, UA increased in a dose-dependence manner in urine and faeces. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen standards, as well as xanthine oxidase in mice liver, decreased (p < 0.05) in all cases, indicating that AR could relieve acute hyperuricemia. UA reabsorption protein (URAT1 and GLUT9) was down-regulated in AR administration groups, while the secretory protein (ABCG2) was up-regulated, indicating that AR could promote the excretion of UA by regulating UA transporters via PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study validated the activity, and revealed the mechanism of AR in reducing UA, which provided experimental and clinical basis for the treatment of hyperuricemia with it.

Hepatoprotective effects of natural drugs: Current trends, scope, relevance and future perspectives

BACKGROUND

The liver is a well-known player in the metabolism and removal of drugs. Drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver detoxify drugs and xenobiotics, ultimately leading to the acquisition of homeostasis. However, liver toxicity and cell damage are not only related to the nature and dosage of a particular drug but are also influenced by other factors such as aging, immune status, environmental contaminants, microbial metabolites, gender, obesity, and expression of individual genes Furthermore, factors such as drugs, alcohol, and environmental contaminants could induce oxidative stress, thereby impairing the regenerative potential of the liver and causing several diseases. Persons suffering from other ailments and those with comorbidities are found to be more prone to drug-induced toxicities. Moreover, drug composition and drug-drug interactions could further aggravate the risk of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. A plethora of mechanisms are responsible for initiating liver cell damage and further aggravating liver cell injury, followed by impairment of homeostasis, ultimately leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species, immune-suppression, and oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the potential of phytochemicals and natural bioactive compounds to treat hepatotoxicity and other liver diseases.

STUDY DESIGN

A deductive qualitative content analysis approach was employed to assess the overall outcomes of the research and review articles pertaining to hepatoprotection induced by natural drugs, along with analysis of the interventions.

METHODS

An extensive literature search of bibliographic databases, including Web of Science, PUBMED, SCOPUS, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, etc., was carried out to understand the role of hepatoprotective effects of natural drugs.

RESULTS

Bioactive natural products, including curcumin, resveratrol, etc., have been seen as neutralizing agents against the side effects induced by the drugs. Moreover, these natural products are dietary and are readily available; thus, could be supplemented along with drugs to reduce toxicity to cells. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have shown promise of improving overall liver functioning, and these should be evaluated more extensively for their hepatoprotective potential. Therefore, selecting an appropriate natural product or a bioactive compound that is free of toxicity and offers a reliable solution for drug-induced liver toxicity is quintessential.

CONCLUSIONS

The current review highlights the role of natural bioactive products in neutralizing drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Efforts have been made to delineate the possible underlying mechanism associated with the neutralization process.

Construction of Phlorotannin-Based Nanoparticles for Alleviating Acute Liver Injury

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a severe health condition with limited treatment options. Phlorotannin (PT), a natural compound extracted from seaweeds, has shown potential in improving liver function. However, its poor stability and bioavailability have limited its applications in vivo. In this study, we developed PT-based nanoparticles (NPs) through a Mannich reaction with glycine, which exhibited good biocompatibility and prolonged circulation time in vivo. Our results revealed that the PT NPs possess strong free radical scavenging ability, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviating oxidative stress and proinflammatory responses in the H2O2-induced oxidative damage model of HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the PT NPs effectively attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver tissue of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. In summary, our results suggested that the PT NPs could serve as a promising nano-therapeutic strategy for alleviating ALI.

Effect of Liver Fibrosis on Oral and Gut Microbiota in the Japanese General Population Determined by Evaluating the FibroScan-Aspartate Aminotransferase Score

The association between liver fibrosis and oral or gut microbiota has been studied before. However, epidemiological studies in the general population are limited owing to the difficulty of noninvasive liver-fibrosis assessment. FibroScan-asparate aminotransferase (FAST) scores can be used to accurately and non-invasively evaluate liver fibrosis. This study aimed to determine the association between liver fibrosis and oral or gut microbiota using the FAST score in the general population. After propensity score matching of 1059 participants based on sex, age, body mass index, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and triglyceride levels, 125 (non-liver-fibrosis group, 100; liver fibrosis group, 25) were included. The diversity of gut microbiota differed significantly between the two groups; however, no significant differences were noted in their oral microbiota. The liver fibrosis group showed an increase in the relative abundance of Fusobacteria strains and a decrease in the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, with the presence of Fusicatenibacter in the gut microbiota. Feacalibacterium was not identified as an independent factor of liver fibrosis in adjusting the fatty liver index. In the general population, gut microbiota may be more involved in liver fibrosis than oral microbiota.

Alterations in the gut microbiota and the efficacy of adjuvant probiotic therapy in liver cirrhosis

Background

Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of various chronic liver diseases (CLDs). The gut microbiota can impact the liver environment and trigger chronic liver inflammation through the gut-liver axis. Alteration of the gut microbiota has become an effective strategy in the biological treatment of cirrhosis.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients with liver cirrhosis and 16 healthy individuals were included, and fresh stool samples were collected. We analyzed changes in the gut microbiota between groups by 16S rRNA sequencing and evaluated the association between microbiota alterations and hepatic function. Additionally, 102 cirrhotic patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into a probiotic group (n=44) and a nonprobiotic group (n=58) in addition to standard treatment for cirrhosis. Patients were monitored for hematological parameters and hepatic function during the six-month follow-up.

Results

The gut microbiota profile of patients with cirrhosis was greatly different from that of healthy individuals, presenting with significantly reduced α diversity and decreased abundance of representative SCFA-producing bacteria including Firmicutes, Coprococcus and Clostridium IV. The pathogenic bacteria Gammaproteobacteria, Veillonella, and Bacilli were greatly enriched in cirrhotic patients. Additionally, patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DCPC) had a significantly reduced abundance of Oscillibacter compared to compensated cirrhosis (CPC), which is also a SCFA-producing bacteria, and the lower Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and enhanced MDR values were also shown in DCPC patients compared to CPC patients. In addition, the abundance of Firmicutes was negatively related to hepatic function in cirrhotic patients, including the levels of ALT, AST, and DBIL. From the retrospective study, we found that biochemical improvements in alanine transaminase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were obtained in DCPC patients who received oral probiotic therapy compared with the nonprobiotic group.

Conclusion

Severe microbial dysbiosis existed in patients with liver cirrhosis, especially patients who reached the decompensatory stage. SCFA-producing bacteria were significantly reduced in cirrhosis. Altered gut microbiota cause changes in functional modules, which may contribute to cirrhosis progression and are associated with clinical prognosis. Adjuvant probiotic supplementation to enhance SCFA-producing bacteria can be a prospective therapy for patients with cirrhosis.

Butyric acid inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation injury in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis by targeting CYP2C9

This study investigates the mechanism by which butyric acid can protect against calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis. To do so, a rat model was used with 0.75% ethylene glycol administration to induce CaOx crystal formation. Histological and von Kossa staining revealed calcium deposits and renal injury, while dihydroethidium fluorescence staining was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Flow cytometry and TUNEL assays were used to assess apoptosis, respectively. Treatment with sodium butyrate (NaB) was found to partially reverse the oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis associated with CaOx crystallization in the kidney. In addition, in HK-2 cells, NaB reversed the decreased cell viability, increased ROS levels and apoptosis damage caused by oxalate exposure. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the target genes of butyric acid, CYP2C9. Subsequently, NaB was found to significantly reduce CYP2C9 levels in vivo and in vitro, and inhibition of CYP2C9 by Sulfaphenazole (a specific CYP2C9 inhibitor), was able to reduce ROS levels, inflammation injury, and apoptosis in oxalate-induced HK-2 cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that butyric acid may inhibit oxidative stress and reduce inflammation injury in CaOx nephrolithiasis by suppressing CYP2C9.

Insights into the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of apigenin in liver injuries and diseases

Background

Liver diseases are a spectrum of diseases that include hepatic steatosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatic cancer. These diseases not only severely decrease the quality of life for patients, but also cause financial burden. Although apigenin (APG) has recently become the primary treatment for liver injuries and diseases (LIADs), there has been no systematic review of its use.

Purpose

To review the existing literature and put forward novel strategies for future APG research on LIADs.

Methods

A search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, Web of Science, VIP, Wanfang, and CNKI, and 809 articles were obtained. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 135 articles were included.

Results

APG is promising in treating LIADs via various mechanisms arising from its anti-inflammation, anti-proliferation, anti-infection, anti-oxidation, and anti-cancer properties.

Conclusion

This review summarizes the evidence supporting the use of APG as a treatment for LIADs and provides an insight into the intestinal microbiota, which may have important implications in its future clinical use.

Integrative analysis of transcriptome and metabolome reveals probiotic effects on cecal metabolism in broilers

BACKGROUND

Probiotics play an important role in the host and have attracted widespread attention as an alternative to antibiotics. Arbor Acres broilers were used in the present experiment and fed different doses of compound probiotics at 1, 5, and 10 g kg^-1 . The effects of compound probiotics on broiler growth performance and cecal transcriptome and metabolome were investigated.

RESULTS

We discovered 425 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; upregulated: 256; downregulated: 169) in the cecal transcriptome study. These DEGs were assigned to fat metabolic pathways, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, according to KEGG analysis. Probiotics downregulated LPL and upregulated PPARα expression in the cecum. In metabolome analysis of the cecum of cecum, we screened 86 differential metabolites and performed KEGG enrichment analysis of these metabolites. The KEGG analysis showed that these differentially expressed metabolites were annotated to nucleotide metabolism-related pathways, such as purine metabolism. In the cecum, probiotics upregulated the content of guanine, AMP, 3'-AMP, adenylosuccinate, deoxyguanosine, and ADP-ribose, whereas they downregulated the content of 5-hydroxyisourate. Comprehensive transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed that glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways were jointly enriched in cecum of broilers fed a probiotic-containing diet.

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable information for studying the regulation and gene metabolism network of probiotics on cecal metabolism in broilers. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Linum corymbulosum Protects Rats against CCl4-Induced Hepatic Injuries through Modulation of an Unfolded Protein Response Pathway and Pro-Inflammatory Intermediates

Liver fibrosis is a major pathological feature of chronic liver disease and effective therapies are limited at present. The present study focuses on the hepatoprotective potential of L. corymbulosum against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in rats. Analysis of Linum corymbulosum methanol extract (LCM) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of rutin, apigenin, catechin, caffeic acid and myricetin. CCl₄ administration lowered (p < 0.01) the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione (GSH) content as well as soluble proteins, whereas the concentration of H₂O₂, nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was higher in hepatic samples. In serum, the level of hepatic markers and total bilirubin was elevated followed by CCl₄ administration. The expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), x-box binding protein-1 total (XBP-1 t), x-box binding protein-1 spliced (XBP-1 s), x-box binding protein-1 unspliced (XBP-1 u) and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) was enhanced in CCl₄-administered rats. Similarly, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was strongly increased with CCl₄ administration to rats. Co-administration of LCM along with CCl₄ to rats lowered (p < 0.05) the expression of the above genes. Histopathology of the liver showed hepatocyte injury, leukocyte infiltration and damaged central lobules in CCl₄-treated rats. However, LCM administration to CCl₄-intoxicated rats restored the altered parameters towards the levels of control rats. These outcomes indicate the existence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents in the methanol extract of L. corymbulosum.

Structural characteristics and ameliorative effect of a polysaccharide from Corbicula fluminea industrial distillate against acute liver injury induced by CCl4 in mice

Corbicula fluminea distillate as an important industrial by-product of C. fluminea during steaming process is rich in amino acids, proteins and polysaccharides, showing potential hepatoprotective effect. In this study, a polysaccharide (CFDP) was obtained from C. fluminea distillate by three-phase partitioning combined with (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation at a saturation of 60 %. The structural characteristics, antioxidant activity in vitro, and hepatoprotection against mice CCl₄-induced acute liver damage of CFDP were studied. Results demonstrated that CFDP was a water-soluble homogenous polysaccharide predominantly comprising glucose (>98 %), with a weight-average molecular weight of 1.4 × 10⁷ Da, and exhibiting potent antioxidant benefits in vitro. CFDP had a backbone of (1 → 4)-α-d-glucopyranosyl (Glcp) and a small amount of (1 → 4, 6)-α-D-Glcp. The branch formed at C-6 comprised by (1→)-α-D-Glcp and (1→)-α-D-N-acetylglucosamine. CFDP possessed excellent hepatoprotective activity against acute liver damage caused by CCl₄ in mice, mainly by ameliorating weight reduction and organ injures, alleviating hepatic function and serum lipid metabolism, suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, as directly verified by histopathological examination. Moreover, CFDP improved gut microbiota by up-regulating the relative abundance of total bacteria and probiotics such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidete, Rumminococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, accompanied by promoting short chain fatty acid production. Therefore, our findings indicated that CFDP can be developed as a healthy food supplement for the prevention of chemical livery injury.

Oral supplementation of a cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 stimulates superoxide dismutase production in the livers of healthy and arthritis-induced mice

Hepatitis, a major human chronic inflammation disease, has been linked to oxidative stress, which can be initiated by radicals produced during the oxidative metabolism. Oxidative damage has been also observed in arthritis-induced mice. Here we evaluated whether supplementation of a cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis EC-12 could induce superoxide dismutase activity and/or damage in the livers of healthy mice or mice with arthritis. In Experiment 1, both healthy and arthritis-induced mice were orally given a saline solution, or a solution with a low (0.2 mg/mouse/day) or a high (2.0 mg/mouse/day) concentration of E. faecalis EC-12 for 49 consecutive days. Manganese superoxide dismutase activity increased in E. faecalis EC-12-supplemented mice but with no arthritis. In Experiment 2, mice received orally either a saline or an E. faecalis EC-12 suspension (10 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 28 consecutive days. No changes in tissues and levels of function markers and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine were observed in mouse livers, inferring that E. faecalis EC-12 supplementation caused no damage. While mRNA expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase remained unaltered, that of manganese superoxide dismutase increased in E. faecalis EC-12 administration mice. In conclusion, at least in healthy mice, E. faecalis EC-12 supplementation stimulated manganese superoxide dismutase activity in liver tissues with no side effects.

The protective effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effects of oral administration of Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) on inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut flora in rats with hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI).

METHODS

The rats from C. butyricum group were given C. butyricum for 5 days. Then, hepatic ischemia for 30 min and reperfusion for 6 h were performed in all the rats. After the animals were sacrificed, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in serum, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and gut microbiota composition in feces, and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65) and histological analysis in the liver were performed.

RESULTS

The rats given C. butyricum showed decreased ALT, AST, LPS, and MDA; improved GSH and histological damage; changes in SCFAs; declined TNF-α, IL-6, TLR4, and pNF-κBp65/NF-κBp65; and changes in the gut microbial composition, which decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased the relative abundance (RA) of probiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

C. butyricum supplementation protected against HIRI by regulating gut microbial composition, which contributed to the decreased LPS and attenuation of inflammation and oxidative stress. These indicate C. butyricum may be a potent clinical preoperative dietary supplement for HIRI.

Clostridium butyricum potentially improves inflammation and immunity through alteration of the microbiota and metabolism of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy

Background

Gastrectomy is the most effective treatment to improve the clinical survival rate of patients with gastric cancer. However, the pathophysiological changes caused by gastrectomy have seriously affected the postoperative recovery.

Methods

In the present trial, Ataining (containing C. butyricum, CGMCC0313.1) was applied in patients after gastrectomy to investigate the effect of C. butyricum on the early postoperative recovery by monitoring the inflammatory immune response with blood indicators, detecting the gut microbiota with high-throughput sequencing, and analyzing the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with targeted metabolomics. This study is registered with the number ChiCTR2000040915.

Results

Our outcomes revealed that C. butyricum had significantly reduced the number of Leucocyte (P < 0.001), the percentage of Neutrophil (P < 0.001), the expression of IL-1β (P < 0.01), IL-6 (P < 0.05), and TNF-α (P < 0.01), while markedly enhanced the immunity indexes (immunoglobulin and lymphocyte) (P < 0.05) and nutrition indexes (albumin and total protein) (P < 0.05). In addition, the use of the C. butyricum greatly enriched the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium and Gemmiger, while the abundance of pathogenic Streptococcus, Desulfovibrio and Actinomyces were markedly decreased at genus level. We also observed significant up-regulation of SCFAs, including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and isobutyric acid, after C. butyricum administration in patients receiving gastrectomy.

Conclusion

Therefore, evidence supported that oral administration of C. butyricum after gastrectomy can reduce early postoperative inflammation, enhance immune ability, restore intestinal microbiota eubiosis, increase intestinal SCFAs, reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications, and ultimately promote the early recovery of the patient.

Clinical trial registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier (ChiCTR2000040915).

Prospects of Probiotic Adjuvant Drugs in Clinical Treatment

In modern society, where new diseases and viruses are constantly emerging, drugs are still the most important means of resistance. However, adverse effects and diminished efficacy remain the leading cause of treatment failure and a major determinant of impaired health-related quality of life for patients. Clinical studies have shown that the disturbance of the gut microbial structure plays a crucial role in the toxic and side effects of drugs. It is well known that probiotics have the ability to maintain the balance of intestinal microecology, which implies their potential as an adjunct to prevent and alleviate the adverse reactions of drugs and to make medicines play a better role. In addition, in the past decade, probiotics have been found to have excellent prevention and alleviation effects in drug toxicity side effects, such as liver injury. In this review, we summarize the development history of probiotics, discuss the impact on drug side effects of probiotics, and propose the underlying mechanisms. Probiotics will be a new star in the world of complementary medicine.

Novel Candidate Microorganisms for Fermentation Technology: From Potential Benefits to Safety Issues

Fermentation is one of the oldest known production processes and the most technologically valuable in terms of the food industry. In recent years, increasing nutrition and health awareness has also changed what is expected from fermentation technology, and the production of healthier foods has started to come a little more forward rather than increasing the shelf life and organoleptic properties of foods. Therefore, in addition to traditional microorganisms, a new generation of (novel) microorganisms has been discovered and research has shifted to this point. Novel microorganisms are known as either newly isolated genera and species from natural sources or bacterial strains derived from existing bacteria. Although novel microorganisms are mostly studied for their use in novel food production in terms of gut-microbiota modulation, recent innovative food research highlights their fermentative effects and usability, especially in food modifications. Herein, Clostridium butyricum, Bacteroides xylanisolvens, Akkermansia muciniphila, Mycobacterium setense manresensis, and Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) can play key roles in future candidate microorganisms for fermentation technology in foods. However, there is also some confusion about the safety issues related to the use of these novel microorganisms. This review paper focuses on certain novel candidate microorganisms for fermentation technology with a deep view of their functions, benefits, and safety issues.

Gut Bacteria and Neurotransmitters

Gut bacteria play an important role in the digestion of food, immune activation, and regulation of entero-endocrine signaling pathways, but also communicate with the central nervous system (CNS) through the production of specific metabolic compounds, e.g., bile acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), glutamate (Glu), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and histamine. Afferent vagus nerve (VN) fibers that transport signals from the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) and gut microbiota to the brain are also linked to receptors in the esophagus, liver, and pancreas. In response to these stimuli, the brain sends signals back to entero-epithelial cells via efferent VN fibers. Fibers of the VN are not in direct contact with the gut wall or intestinal microbiota. Instead, signals reach the gut microbiota via 100 to 500 million neurons from the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the submucosa and myenteric plexus of the gut wall. The modulation, development, and renewal of ENS neurons are controlled by gut microbiota, especially those with the ability to produce and metabolize hormones. Signals generated by the hypothalamus reach the pituitary and adrenal glands and communicate with entero-epithelial cells via the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA). SCFAs produced by gut bacteria adhere to free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and interact with neurons or enter the circulatory system. Gut bacteria alter the synthesis and degradation of neurotransmitters. This review focuses on the effect that gut bacteria have on the production of neurotransmitters and vice versa.

Do Bacteria Provide an Alternative to Cancer Treatment and What Role Does Lactic Acid Bacteria Play?

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 10 million deaths have been reported in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cancer cases world-wide could increase to 21.6 million by 2030. Breast, lung, thyroid, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, kidney, pelvis, colon, and rectum cancers are the most prevalent. Each year, approximately 400,000 children develop cancer. Treatment between countries vary, but usually includes either surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Modern treatments such as hormone-, immuno- and antibody-based therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Several recent reports have been published on toxins, antibiotics, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, phenylflavonoids, purine nucleosides, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and enzymes with anticancer properties. Most of these molecules target cancer cells in a selective manner, either directly or indirectly through specific pathways. This review discusses the role of bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, and their metabolites in the treatment of cancer.

Influences of Oral Administration of Probiotics on Posthepatectomy Recovery in Patients in Child-Pugh Grade

Objective

This study is aimed at investigating the influences of oral administration of probiotics on posthepatectomy recovery in patients in Child-Pugh grade.

Methods

100 patients (50 cases in Child-Pugh A grade and 50 cases in Child-Pugh B grade) underwent hepatectomy in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were involved in this study. Subsequently, Child-Pugh A grade and Child-Pugh B grade patients were set as probiotics group (taking Clostridium butyricum, n = 25) and control group (no probiotics, n = 25). The general information, infectious indexes, and liver function indexes on days 1, 3, and 5 after operation were collected.

Results

In Child-Pugh B grade subgroup patients, the procalcitonin, alanine aminotransferase, and prothrombin time of the probiotics group were statistically significantly lower than that of the control group on days 3 (P < 0.05) and 5 (P < 0.05) after surgery. In Child-Pugh A grade subgroup patients, there were no significant differences between probiotics group and control group after operation.

Conclusion

Child-Pugh A grade subgroup patients with hepatectomy could not benefit from oral probiotics. However, Child-Pugh B grade subgroup patients taking probiotics after hepatectomy could reduce postoperative infection and accelerate recovery of liver function.

Probiotics: Evolving as a Potential Therapeutic Option against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Acetaminophen (APAP) is the most common prescription medicine around the world for the treatment of pain and fever and is considered to be a safe drug at its therapeutic dose. However, a single overdose or frequent use of APAP can cause severe acute liver injury. APAP hepatotoxicity is a prevalent cause of acute liver disease around the world and the lack of suitable treatment makes it a serious problem. In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in using probiotics and probiotic-derived products, known as postbiotics, as health and disease negotiators. A growing body of evidence revealed that they can be equally effective against APAP hepatotoxicity. Different probiotic bacteria were found to be pre-clinically effective against APAP hepatotoxicity. Different postbiotics have also shown exciting results in preclinical models of APAP hepatotoxicity. This review summarized the protective roles and mechanisms of the different probiotic bacteria and postbiotics against APAP hepatotoxicity, with critical discussion. A brief discussion on potential novel probiotics and postbiotics for oxidative liver injury was also included. This review was written in an attempt to pique the interest of researchers in developing a safe therapeutic option against oxidative liver damage using probiotics and/or postbiotics as dietary supplements.

Rubus chingii Hu. unripe fruits extract ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and improves the associated gut microbiota imbalance

BACKGROUND

The unripe fruits of Rubus chingii Hu. ("Fu-peng-zi" in Chinese) is a well-known herbal tonic in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for tonifying liver and kidney. However, little is known regarding its therapeutic efficacy against liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The current research aims to explore the potential of Rubus chingii Hu. unripe fruits extract (RF) in the treatment of liver fibrosis and explore the underlying mechanism. RF was administered (450 and 900 mg·kg^- 1 of body weight per day) orally to male C57BL/6 mice with CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis for 3 weeks. The histopathological changes and fibrosis stage in liver tissue were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Sirius red staining. The distribution of α-SMA and Col1A1 in the liver was analyzed to determine the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent analysis. Various biochemical markers in serum (ALT, AST) and liver (Hyp, IL1-β, IL6, TNF-α and MCP-1) were observed to assess the liver's injury, fibrosis, and inflammation. In liver tissue, fibrosis-associated proteins including α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3, and Smad4 were detected through a Western blot assay. Pyrosequencing-based analysis of bacterial 16 S ribosomal RNA from variable regions V3-V4 of fecal samples characterized the gut microbiota. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed for the association between altered bacterial genera by RF and pharmacodynamics parameters.

RESULTS

Three weeks of RF treatment can significantly lower liver inflammatory levels, pathological abnormalities, and collagen fibrous deposition in mice with CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. The expressions of α-SMA and Col1A1 were lowered by RF, while the expression levels of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway-related proteins, including TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3, and Smad4, were dramatically decreased by RF. The RF treatment significantly increased or reduced 18 different bacterial species, restoring the CCl₄-induced gut microbiota imbalance to the normal group's levels. According to correlation analysis, the bacterial genera Bifidobacterium and Turicibacter were the most significant in restoring CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

RF can reduce liver damage and delay the onset of liver fibrosis through modulating TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway. Furthermore, RF's anti-liver fibrosis effect was related to balancing the gut microbial community, partly attained by increasing Bifidobacterium and Turicibacter in liver fibrosis.

Characteristics of the gut microbiota in Bifidobacterium catenulatum LI10 pre-treated rats with lower levels of D-galactosamine-induced liver damage

AIMS

Liver damage has caused great illness in human beings. Bifidobacterium catenulatum LI10 has been determined with protective effect against D-galactosamine-induced liver damage. However, due to the sample limitation, the individual difference in its protective effect was not determined. The current study was designed to characterise the gut microbiota of LI10-pretreated rats with lower levels of liver damage.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A series of experiments and bioinformatic analyses were carried out. Two rat cohorts with different levels of liver damage were determined, i.e., Non-Severe and Severe cohorts. Six out of the seven measured liver function variables were lower in the Non-Severe cohort, while four cytokine variables also yielded differences between the two cohorts. The Non-Severe and Severe cohorts were determined with distinct gut microbiota, among which, ASV14_Parabacteroides and ASV7_Bacteroides were most associated with Non-Severe and Severe cohorts, respectively. Five phylotypes were determined as structural gatekeepers in the microbiota network of Non-Severe cohort, ASV135_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 of which contributed most to the stability of the network.

CONCLUSIONS

The relevant findings suggest that some gut bacteria could benefit the protective effect of LI10 on lowering the severity of rat liver damage.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The bacteria benefiting the protective effects of potential probiotics could be further investigated for future clinical application.

Optimization of an economical medium composition for the coculture of Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus coagulans

Clostridium butyricum is a spore-forming probiotic which can promote the enhancement of beneficial bacteria and maintain intestinal microecological balance. However, it is difficult to improve the production level of C. butyricum by conventional fermentation process. In this study, a co-fermentation process of C. butyricum DL-1 and Bacillus coagulans ZC2-1 was established to improve the viable counts and spore yield of C. butyricum, and the formula of coculture medium was optimized by flask fermentation. The results showed that the optimum medium composition is 10 g/L bran, 15 g/L corn steep powder, 15 g/L peptone, 1 g/L K₂HPO₄ and 0.5 g/L MnSO₄.Cultured stationarily in the optimal medium for 36 h, the number of viable bacteria of C. butyricum DL-1 reached 1.5 × 10⁸ cfu/mL, Which was 375 times higher than that incubated in the initial medium. The sporulation rate reach 92.6%. The results revealed an economical and effective medium composition for the coculture of C. butyricum and B. coagulans, which achieved a 64.6% cost reduction. The co-fermentation process established in this study provides a new fermentation mode for the industrial production of other absolute anerobic bacteria.

Butyrate-producing human gut symbiont, Clostridium butyricum, and its role in health and disease

Clostridium butyricum is a butyrate-producing human gut symbiont that has been safely used as a probiotic for decades. C. butyricum strains have been investigated for potential protective or ameliorative effects in a wide range of human diseases, including gut-acquired infection, intestinal injury, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative disease, metabolic disease, and colorectal cancer. In this review we summarize the studies on C. butyricum supplementation with special attention to proposed mechanisms for the associated health benefits and the supporting experimental evidence. These mechanisms center on molecular signals (especially butyrate) as well as immunological signals in the digestive system that cascade well beyond the gut to the liver, adipose tissue, brain, and more. The safety of probiotic C. butyricum strains appears well-established. We identify areas where additional human randomized controlled trials would provide valuable further data related to the strains' utility as an intervention.

Clostridium butyricum Alleviates Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88-Induced Oxidative Damage Through Regulating the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 Signaling Pathway and Remodeling the Cecal Microbial Community

Clostridium butyricum (CB) can enhance antioxidant capacity and alleviate oxidative damage, but the molecular mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear. This study used enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 as a pathogenic model, and the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway and intestinal microbiota as the starting point to explore the mechanism through which CB alleviates oxidative damage. After pretreatment with CB for 15 d, mice were challenged with ETEC K88 for 24 h. The results suggest that CB pretreatment can dramatically reduce crypt depth (CD) and significantly increase villus height (VH) and VH/CD in the jejunum of ETEC K88-infected mice and relieve morphological lesions of the liver and jejunum. Additionally, compared with ETEC-infected group, pretreatment with 4.4×10⁶ CFU/mL CB can significantly reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) level and dramatically increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the serum. This pretreatment can also greatly increase the mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins and genes related to the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in the liver and jejunum in ETEC K88-infected mice. Meanwhile, 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing revealed that Clostridium disporicum was significantly enriched after ETEC K88 challenge relative to the control group, while Lactobacillus was significantly enriched after 4.4×10⁶ CFU/mL CB treatment. Furthermore, 4.4×10⁶ CFU/mL CB pretreatment increased the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents in the cecum of ETEC K88-infected mice. Moreover, we found that Lachnoclostridium, Roseburia, Lactobacillus, Terrisporobacter, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides are closely related to SCFA contents and oxidative indicators. Taken together, 4.4×10⁶ CFU/mL CB pretreatment can alleviate ETEC K88-induced oxidative damage through activating the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway and remodeling the cecal microbiota community in mice.

Protective Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1201 Combined with Galactooligosaccharide on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Acute liver injury (ALI) has a high mortality rate of approximately 20–40%, and it is imperative to find complementary and alternative drugs for treating ALI. A carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced ALI mouse model was established to explore whether dietary intervention can alleviate ALI in mice. Intestinal flora, intestinal integrity, biomarkers of hepatic function, systemic inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis signals were detected through a real-time PCR, hematoxylin-eosin staining, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and so on. The results showed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1201 had a strongly antioxidant ability, and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) could boost its growth. Based on these findings, the combination of L. plantarum 1201 and GOS, the synbiotic, was applied to prevent CCl₄-induced ALI in mice. The current research proved that GOS promoted the intestinal colonization of L. plantarum 1201, and the synbiotic improved the antioxidant capacity of the host, regulated the intestinal flora, repaired the intestinal barrier, inhibited the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway, and then inhibited the apoptosis and autophagy pathways, relieving inflammation and liver oxidation; thereby, the ALI of mice was alleviated. These results suggest that synbiotics may become a new research direction for liver-protecting drugs.

Dietary Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus subtilis Promote Goose Growth by Improving Intestinal Structure and Function, Antioxidative Capacity and Microbial Composition

Simple Summary

In this study, the effects of dietary supplementation of Clostridium butyricum and/or Bacillus subtilis were determined on growth performance, intestinal antioxidative capacity, intestinal morphology, cytokine production, and intestinal microbial composition in Yangzhou geese. Data showed that probiotics promoted feed intake and growth, improved antioxidative capacity and intestinal morphology, increased the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus in intestinal content, decreased the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Ralstonia, and altered α-diversity and the predicted functions of intestinal microflora, but did not induce the expression of genes related to intestinal inflammation and tight junction.

Abstract

Probiotics are a substitute for antibiotics in the sense of intestinal health maintenance. Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus subtilis, as probiotic bacteria, have been widely used in animal production. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the two probiotic bacteria in geese. A total of 288 1-day old, healthy Yangzhou geese were randomly assigned into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) with 6 replicates of 12 birds each. Group A, as control, was fed a basal diet, and the treatment groups (B, C and D) were fed the basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg Clostridium butyricum (the viable count was 3.0 × 10⁶ CFU/g), 250 mg/kg Bacillus subtilis (the viable count was 2.0 × 10⁷ CFU/g), or a combination of the two probiotic bacteria for 70 days, respectively. The results indicated that: compared with the control group, dietary probiotics (1) promoted the growth and feed intake of the geese, (2) increased the absolute weight of duodenum, (3) increased the antioxidative capacity (total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX)) of intestinal mucosa, (4) improved intestinal morphology (the ratio of villus height to crypt depth), (5) but did not induce inflammation and changes of tight junction in the intestine, which was indicated by no induction of pro/inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNFAIP3) and tight junction related genes (TJP1 and OCLN). Moreover, dietary probiotics increased the relative abundances of Firmicutes phylum and Lactobacillus genus and decreased the relative abundances of Proteobacteria phylum or Ralstonia genus in the intestinal content. In addition, the alpha diversity (observed species, Chao1, and estimate the number of OTUs in the community(ACE)) was reduced and the predicted functions of intestinal microflora, including peptidases, carbon fixation and metabolic function of starch and sugar, were enhanced by dietary probiotics. In conclusion, dietary probiotics promote the growth of geese by their positive effects on intestinal structure and function, the composition and functions of gut microflora, and intestinal antioxidative capacity.

Effectiveness of Probiotics and Prebiotics Against Acute Liver Injury: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims: Acute liver injury (ALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by rapid loss of liver function, which may progress to life-threatening liver failure. We conducted this meta-analysis to examine the evidence on the effects of probiotics or prebiotics on ALI.

Methods and Results: Several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, were scrutinized from the inception through February 2021 by combining key search terms, yielding 26 eligible studies, which concluded that modulation of gut microbiota significantly decreased aspartate transaminase [standardized mean difference (SMD): −1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): −2.03 to −1.00], alanine aminotransferase (SMD: −1.42, 95% CI: −1.85 to −0.98), and bilirubin (SMD: −0.91, 95% CI: −1.33 to −0.49). In addition, administration of probiotics or prebiotics also promoted proliferation of Bifidobacterium (SMD: 1.21, 95% CI: −0.18 to 2.60) and inhibited Enterococcus (SMD: −1.00, 95% CI: −1.39 to −0.61), contributing to lower levels of endotoxin (SMD: −2.14, 95% CI: −2.91 to −1.37). Tight junction protein ZO-1 (SMD: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.14 to 3.76) was upregulated after intervention, thereby reducing bacterial translocation to the liver [odds ratio (OR) = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.13–0.44] and mesenteric lymph node (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.26), with decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (SMD: −2.84, 95% CI: −3.76 to −1.93) and interleukin-6 (SMD: −2.62, 95% CI: −4.14 to −1.10). Oxidative stress was also relieved by reducing malondialdehyde (SMD: −1.83, 95% CI: −2.55 to −1.10) while elevating superoxide dismutase (SMD: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.00–2.55) and glutathione (SMD: 1.83, 95% CI: 0.76–2.91).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that probiotics and prebiotics could be a promising therapeutic strategy in ALI and possess a potential for clinical applications.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=255888, CRD42021255888.

Antioxidant and Antiradical Properties of Probiotic Strains Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ssp. plantarum

The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant potential of the cell-free extracts (CFE) of two probiotic bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ssp. plantarum IMV B-7142 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ssp. plantarum IMV B-7143 and their hepatoprotective effects. These strains are the main components of the veterinary probiotic preparation endosporyn. The CFE of probiotic bacteria were able to stabilize the 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical to its neutral form at their cultivation during 24-48 h. But this index was more pronounced for the IMV B-7142 strain and amounted to 44.4-51.2%. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the CFE of probiotic bacteria increased more than 70-80% regardless of the cultivation period (24-48 h). The antioxidant potential of probiotic strains is associated with the synthesis of the multiple biologically active molecules. The phenolic and benzoic acids-antioxidants (gallic, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, and trans-cinnamic acids) were identified among metabolites of B. amyloliquefaciens ssp. plantarum strains. The CFE of probiotic strains were able to protect of rat hepatocytes from the toxic effects of the carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Post-treatment of stress-induced rat hepatocytes by CFE of the IMV B-7042 was accompanied by an increase of the catalase activity of cells by 485.2 mM/min × mg of protein, compared to stress-damaged sample. In doing so, the content of the main markers of oxidative stress: lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde decreased significantly. The results suggested that CFE of both probiotic strains have potent antioxidant properties and effectively protect of stress-damaged rat hepatocytes.

Colonization of Clostridium butyricum in Rats and Its Effect on Intestinal Microbial Composition

Gut microorganisms participate in many physiological processes. In particular, Clostridium butyricum can modulate gut microorganisms and treat diseases. The colonization and persistence of strains in the gut contribute to beneficial effects, and the colonization by C. butyricum in the gut is currently unknown. We investigated the total intestinal contents of C. butyricum at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and four and six days using real-time reverse transcription-PCR, after oral administration of C. butyricum to rats for seven consecutive days. We assessed the bacterial community structure using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The results showed that C. butyricum was mainly colonized in the colon. The total content of C. butyricum in the gut increased significantly at 12 h after administration. Exogenous C. butyricum could still be detected in the gut six days after administration. Administration of C. butyricum significantly enhanced gut microbial diversity. The relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacterial genera was shown to be higher than that of the control group, and treatment with C. butyricum elevated Firmicutes and diminished Bacteroidetes phyla compared with to the control group. These findings laid the foundation for the study of probiotic colonization capacity and the improvement of microflora for the prevention of gut diseases.

Clostridium butyricum Protects IPEC-J2 Cells from ETEC K88-Induced Oxidative Damage by Activating the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

Clostridium butyricum (CB) is a naturally occurring probiotic compound that can alleviate the oxidative damage induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC K88) in porcine intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells. In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanism underlying this effect. Based on cell viability, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) assessments, the optimal concentration of ETEC K88 was determined to be 1 × 10³ cfu/mL. Viable bacteria counts in cells pretreated with CB and then infected with ETEC K88 show that CB can adhere to IPEC-J2 cells and that optimal adhesion is achieved at the multiple infection index (MOI) of 50 at 3 h of pretreatment. The results of qPCR indicate that although ETEC significantly decreases the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes regulated by NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) compared to the control group, CB reverses this effect. To confirm that Nrf2 is directly involved in the mechanism by which CB alleviates oxidative stress, siRNA was used to silence the expression of Nrf2 gene in IPEC-J2 cells. Compared to the NC+ETEC and siRNA+ETEC groups, the expressions of SOD1, SOD2, GPX1, and GPX2 in the NC+CB+ETEC and siRNA+CB+ETEC groups are significantly increased at 12 h and 24 h. This shows that CB can reduce ETEC K88-induced oxidative damage in IPEC-J2 cells by activating the expression of antioxidant enzymes implicated in the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1- (Keap1-) Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway.

Clostridium butyricum Helps to Alleviate Inflammation in Weaned Piglets Challenged With Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

Background: Whether the probiotic Clostridium butyricum (CB) alleviates enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88-induced inflammation by regulating the activation of the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway is not clear, thus, we carried out this study. A total of 72 piglets (average body weight 7.09 ± 0.2 kg) were randomly divided into three groups of 24 piglets per group. Pigs were either fed a daily diet (NC, negative control), a diet tested every day by 1 × 10⁹ CFU/mL ETEC K88 (PC, positive control), or a basal diet supplemented with 5 × 10⁵ CFU/g CB and challenged with ETEC K88 (PC + CB group).

Results: Our results showed that CB pretreatment attenuated the effect of ETEC K88 by decreasing C-reactive protein (CRP), which resulted in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Histological examination revealed that CB pretreatment alleviated intestinal villi injury caused by ETEC K88 challenge. Furthermore, CB pretreatment promoted mRNA expression of the negative regulators of TLR signaling, including myeloid differentiation factor (MyD88), toll-interacting protein (Tollip), and B cell CLL/lymphoma 3 (Bcl-3), in the intestines of ETEC K88-challenged piglets. ETEC K88-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor alpha (IκBα) was attenuated by CB pretreatment.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that CB helps to maintain and strengthen the shape of intestinal villi and limits detrimental inflammatory responses, partly by inhibiting toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), and toll-like receptor 5 (TLR-5) expression and inhibiting NF-κB p65, and promoting IκBα activation and synergism among its negative regulators.

Probiotics Improve Eating Disorders in Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi) Induced by a Pellet Feed Diet via Stimulating Immunity and Regulating Gut Microbiota

Eating disorders are directly or indirectly influenced by gut microbiota and innate immunity. Probiotics have been shown to regulate gut microbiota and stimulate immunity in a variety of species. In this study, three kinds of probiotics, namely, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Clostridium butyricum, were selected for the experiment. The results showed that the addition of three probiotics at a concentration of 10⁸ colony forming unit/mL to the culture water significantly increased the ratio of the pellet feed recipients and survival rate of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) under pellet-feed feeding. In addition, the three kinds of probiotics reversed the decrease in serum lysozyme and immunoglobulin M content, the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione and catalase and the decrease in the expression of the appetite-stimulating regulator agouti gene-related protein of mandarin fish caused by pellet-feed feeding. In terms of intestinal health, the three probiotics reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas in the gut microbiota and increased the height of intestinal villi and the thickness of foregut basement membrane of mandarin fish under pellet-feed feeding. In general, the addition of the three probiotics can significantly improve eating disorders of mandarin fish caused by pellet feeding.

Protective effects of dietary synbiotic supplementation on meat quality and oxidative status in broilers under heat stress

This study evaluated protective effects of synbiotic on meat quality and oxidative status of breast muscle in heat-stressed broilers. Twenty 2-day-old broilers were allocated in a 2×2 factorial design, and the main factors consisted of synbiotic level (0 (basal diet) or 1.5 g/kg synbiotic) and temperature (thermoneutral or high temperature), resulting in 4 treatments. From 22 to 42 days, chickens were raised at thermoneutral temperature (22 °C) or subjected to cyclic high temperature (heat stress, HS) by keeping them at 32-33 °C for 8 h and 22 °C for rest 16 h daily. Cyclic HS decreased relative weight, redness (45 min), and pH values (45 min and 24 h) but increased contents of moisture and ether extract, lightness (45 min and 24 h), drip loss (24 h and 48 h), and cooking loss in breast muscle of broilers compared with those under thermoneutral temperature. It also increased malondialdehyde content and mRNA abundances of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and HSP90 but decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as mRNA abundances of nuclear factor (erythroid 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), GSH-Px, and copper and zinc superoxide dismutase in breast muscle in broilers. Dietary synbiotic supplementation was effective in increasing weight and reducing lightness (45 min), drip loss (24 h and 48 h) and cooking loss of breast muscle in heat-stressed broilers compared with those fed the basal diet. It also reduced malondialdehyde content and HSP70 mRNA abundance and increased GSH-Px activity, GSH content, and mRNA abundances of Nrf2, NQO1 and GSH-Px in breast muscle of heat-stressed broilers. These results suggested that synbiotic supplementation at a level of 1.5 g/kg could ameliorate compromised meat quality and oxidative status in broilers under cyclic HS.

Role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids in nervous system disorders

During the past decade, accumulating evidence from the research highlights the suggested effects of bacterial communities of the human gut microbiota and their metabolites on health and disease. In this regard, microbiota-derived metabolites and their receptors, beyond the immune system, maintain metabolism homeostasis, which is essential to maintain the host's health by balancing the utilization and intake of nutrients. It has been shown that gut bacterial dysbiosis can cause pathology and altered bacterial metabolites' formation, resulting in dysregulation of the immune system and metabolism. The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, acetate, and succinate, are produced due to the fermentation process of bacteria in the gut. It has been noted remodeling in the gut microbiota metabolites associated with the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stress, anxiety, depression, autism, vascular dementia, schizophrenia, stroke, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, among others. This review will discuss the current evidence from the most significant studies dealing with some SCFAs from gut microbial metabolism with selected neurological disorders.

Probiotic Clostridium butyricum ameliorated motor deficits in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease via gut microbiota-GLP-1 pathway

A connection between gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease (PD) indicates that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota might represent a risk factor for PD. Microbiota-targeted interventions, including probiotic Clostridium butyricum (Cb), have been recently shown to have favorable effects in PD by regulating microbiota-gut-brain axis. However, the potential beneficial roles and its mechanisms of Cb on PD were still unknown. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a PD model-induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and were treated intragastrically with Cb for 4 weeks. The motor functions were assessed by a series of behavioral tests including pole test, beam walking teat, forced swimming test and open field test. The dopaminergic neuron loss, synaptic plasticity and microglia activation, as well as the levels of colonic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), colonic G protein-coupled receptors GPR41/43 and cerebral GLP-1 receptors were assessed. Gut microbial composition was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Our results showed that oral administration of Cb could improve motor deficits, dopaminergic neuron loss, synaptic dysfunction and microglia activation in the MPTP-induced mice. Meanwhile, Cb treatment could reverse the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the decreased levels of colonic GLP-1, colonic GPR41/43 and cerebral GLP-1 receptor in the MPTP-induced mice. These findings indicated that the neuroprotective mechanism of Cb on PD might be related to the improvement of abnormal gut microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on Growth Performance, Serum Immunity, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbiota as an Antibiotic Alternative in Weaned Piglets

This study investigated the effects of Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) use on growth performance, serum immunity, intestinal morphology, and microbiota as an antibiotic alternative in weaned piglets. Over the course of 28 days, 120 piglets were allocated to four treatments with six replicates of five piglets each. The treatments were: CON (basal diet); AGP (basal diet supplemented with 0.075 g/kg chlortetracycline, 0.055 g/kg kitasamycin, and 0.01 g/kg virginiamycin); CBN (basal diet supplemented with normal dosage of 2.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg C. butyricum); and CBH (basal diet supplemented with high dosage of 2.5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg C. butyricum). Body weight (BW) and feed consumption were recorded at the beginning and on days 14 and 28 of the experiment, and representative feed samples and fresh feces were collected from each pen between days 26 and 28. Average fecal score of diarrhea was visually assessed each morning during the experimental period. On the morning of days 14 and 28, blood samples were collected to prepare serum for immune and antioxidant parameters measurement. One male piglet close to the average group BW was selected from each replicate and was slaughtered on day 21 of the experiment. Intestinal crypt villi, and colonic microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids were measured. Compared to the CON group, the CBN and AGP groups significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the ratio of feed to weight gain by 8.86% and 8.37% between days 1 and 14, 3.96% and 13.36% between days 15 and 28, 5.47% and 11.44% between days 1 and 28. Dietary treatment with C. butyricum and AGPs significantly decreased the average fecal score during the experimental period (p < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and total carbohydrates in the CBH group were higher respectively at 3.27%, 2.90%, and 2.97%, than those in the CON or AGP groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, the CBH group significantly increased short-chain fatty acids in colon and villus height in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The CBN group had higher serum levels of immunoglobulins, interleukin 2 (IL-2), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity, but lower serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6, and a lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) activity (p < 0.05), while compared to the CON group. Dietary treatment with C. butyricum significantly increased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05). In summary, diet with C. butyricum increased the growth performance and benefited the health of weaned piglets.

Atypical immunometabolism and metabolic reprogramming in liver cancer: Deciphering the role of gut microbiome

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Much recent research has delved into understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of HCC pathogenesis, which has revealed to be heterogenous and complex. Two major hallmarks of HCC include: (i) a hijacked immunometabolism and (ii) a reprogramming in metabolic processes. We posit that the gut microbiota is a third component in an entanglement triangle contributing to HCC progression. Besides metagenomic studies highlighting the diagnostic potential in the gut microbiota profile, recent research is pinpointing the gut microbiota as an instigator, not just a mere bystander, in HCC. In this chapter, we discuss mechanistic insights on atypical immunometabolism and metabolic reprogramming in HCC, including the examination of tumor-associated macrophages and neutrophils, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (e.g., T-cell exhaustion, regulatory T-cells, natural killer T-cells), the Warburg effect, rewiring of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and glutamine addiction. We further discuss the potential involvement of the gut microbiota in these characteristics of hepatocarcinogenesis. An immediate highlight is that microbiota metabolites (e.g., short chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids) can impair anti-tumor responses, which aggravates HCC. Lastly, we describe the rising 'new era' of immunotherapies (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell transfer) and discuss for the potential incorporation of gut microbiota targeted therapeutics (e.g., probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation) to alleviate HCC. Altogether, this chapter invigorates for continuous research to decipher the role of gut microbiome in HCC from its influence on immunometabolism and metabolic reprogramming.

Protective effects of Clostridium butyricum against oxidative stress induced by food processing and lipid-derived aldehydes in Caco-2 cells

The human body is almost always facing the oxidative stress caused by foodborne aldehydes such as glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MGO), 4-hydroxyhexenal (HHE), and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). When these aldehydes build up, they can cause a range of harm. However, a probiotic, Clostridium butyricum, can increase nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and may have the potential to relieve oxidative stress. If C. butyricum is indeed resistant to aldehydes, the advantages (accessibility, convenience, and safety) will be of great significance compared with drugs. Unfortunately, whether C. butyricum can play a role in alleviating toxic effects of foodborne aldehydes in the intestine (the first line of defense against food-derived toxin) was unclear. To investigate these, we measured the viability, ROS, autophagy, and inflammatory cytokine expression of Caco-2 which were co-cultured with C. butyricum and stimulated by the four aldehydes via Nrf2 pathway (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium as controls). Then, we explored the link among C. butyricum, NLRP6, and Nrf2 signaling pathways when facing the stimuli. In the present study, we demonstrated that Clostridium butyricum relieved the oxidative stress induced by the aldehydes in Caco-2. Most interestingly, we found a "complementary" relationship between NLRP6 and Nrf2 in C. butyricum treatment under aldehyde stress. Our research not only makes a contribution to the popularization of C. butyricum as a probiotic-rich food instead of medicines but also sheds new light on the application of subsequent microecological formulation of C. butyricum. KEY POINTS: • The adverse effects are caused in a dose-dependent manner by foodborne aldehydes. • Clostridium butyricum can significantly ameliorate oxidative stress. • There is a "complementary" relationship between the NLRP6 and Nrf2 signaling pathways. • Using Clostridium butyricum foods to alleviate oxidative stress shows great prospects.

Bacterial cross talk with gut microbiome and its implications: a short review

Human gut microbiota exists in a complicated symbiotic relationship which postulates to impact health and disease conditions on the host. Interestingly, the gut microbiome shows different mechanisms to regulate host physiology and metabolism including cell-to-cell communications. But microbiota imbalance is characterized to change in the host normal functioning and lead to the development and progression of major human diseases. Therefore, the direct cross talk through the microbial metabolites or peptides suggests the evidence of host health and disease. Recent reports highlight the adaptation signals/small molecules promoting microbial colonization which allows modulating immunity of host and leads to pathogen colonization. Moreover, quorum sensing peptides are also evident in the involvement of host disease conditions. Here, we review the current understanding of the gut microbiota cross talk with mammalian cells through metabolites and peptides. These studies are providing insight into the prediction of signature molecules which significantly provide information for the understanding of the interaction for precision medicine applications.