The development of metabolic endotoxemia is dependent on the type of sweetener and the presence of saturated fat in the diet

Nontoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis: A double-edged sword

The contribution of commensal microbes to human health and disease is unknown. Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) is an opportunistic pathogen and a common colonizer of the human gut. Nontoxigenic B. fragilis (NTBF) and enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF) are two kinds of B. fragilis. NTBF has been shown to affect the host immune system and interact with gut microbes and pathogenic microbes. Previous studies indicated that certain strains of B. fragilis have the potential to serve as probiotics, based on their observed relationship with the immune system. However, several recent studies have shown detrimental effects on the host when beneficial gut bacteria are found in the digestive system or elsewhere. In some pathological conditions, NTBF may have adverse reactions. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of NTBF ecology from the host-microbe perspective, encompassing molecular disease mechanisms analysis, bacteria-bacteria interaction, bacteria-host interaction, and the intricate ecological context of the gut. Our review provides much-needed insights into the precise application of NTBF.

Role of antioxidative activity in the docosahexaenoic acid's enteroprotective effect in the indomethacin-induced small intestinal injury model

Therapeutic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been related with gastrointestinal injury. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), can prevent gastric and small intestinal damage. Nonetheless, contribution of antioxidative action in the protective effect of DHA has not been evaluated before in the small intestine injury after indomethacin treatment. Pathogenesis of NSAID-induced small intestinal injury is multifactorial, and reactive oxidative species have been related to indomethacin's small intestinal damage. The present work aimed to evaluate antioxidative activity in the protective action of DHA in the indomethacin-induced small intestinal damage. Female Wistar rats were gavage with DHA (3 mg/kg) or omeprazole (3 mg/kg) for 10 days. Each rat received indomethacin (3 mg/kg, orally) daily to induce small intestinal damage. The total area of intestinal ulcers and histopathological analysis were performed. In DHA-treated rats, myeloperoxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione, malondialdehyde, leukotriene, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels were measured. Furthermore, the relative abundance of selective bacteria was assessed. DHA administration (3 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a significant decrease in indomethacin-induced small intestinal injury in Wistar rats after 10 days of treatment. DHA's enteroprotection resulted from the prevention of an increase in myeloperoxidase activity, and lipoperoxidation, as well as an improvement in the antioxidant defenses, such as glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity in the small intestine. Furthermore, we showed that DHA's enteroprotective effect decreased significantly LPS levels in indomethacin-induced injury in small intestine. Our data suggest that DHA's enteroprotective might be attributed to the prevention of oxidative stress.

Natural Sweetener, Glycyrrhetinic Acid 3-O-Mono-beta-d-glucuronide, for Postprandial Hyperglycemia Management

This study examines the inhibitory effects of a range of sweeteners on α-glucosidase. Our findings revealed that only one natural sweetener, namely, glycyrrhetinic acid 3-O-mono-beta-d-glucuronide (GAMG), derived from licorice, exhibited a mixed-type inhibition against α-glucosidase with a IC50 value of 0.73 ± 0.05 mg/mL. The fluorescence intensity of α-glucosidase was quenched by GAMG in the formation of an α-glucosidase-GAMG complex. GAMG has been shown to induce conformational changes in α-glucosidase, likely through hydrogen bonding, van der Waals force, and alkyl-alkyl interactions with amino acid residues, including Arg 281, Leu 283, Trp 376, Asp 404, Asp 443, Trp 481, Asp 518, Phe 525, Ala 555, and Asp 616. Additional animal validation experiments demonstrated that GAMG slowed starch digestion, thereby attenuating the postprandial glycemic response. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that GAMG is a natural sweetener with potent inhibitory activity that selectively targets α-glucosidase. This study supports the use of GAMG as a natural sweetener, which holds a high biological value and may be beneficial for managing postprandial hyperglycemia.

Consumption of the Non-Nutritive Sweetener Stevia for 12 Weeks Does Not Alter the Composition of the Human Gut Microbiota

The use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) as an alternative to caloric sugars has increased in recent years. Stevia is an NNS that has demonstrated beneficial effects on appetite and energy intake. However, the impact on the gut microbiota is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated how regular consumption of stevia, for up to 12 weeks, impacts the human gut microbiota. Healthy subjects with a normal body mass index participated in our study; the stevia group (n = 14) was asked to consume five drops of stevia twice daily, compared to control participants (n = 13). Faecal samples collected before and after treatment were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Stevia did not cause significant changes in the alpha or beta diversity when compared to the control groups. When the relative abundances of taxa were investigated, no clear differences were detected. Conversely, a random forest analysis correctly associated the gut microbiome with the control and stevia groups with an average of 75% accuracy, suggesting that there are intrinsic patterns that could discriminate between control and stevia use. However, large-scale changes in the gut microbiota were not apparent in this study, and, therefore, our data suggest that stevia does not significantly impact the gut microbiota.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin in regulating macrophage function in inflammatory cardiovascular diseases

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans and is one of the most fundamental pathways of living organisms. Since its discovery three decades ago, mTOR has been recognized as the center of nutrient sensing and growth, homeostasis, metabolism, life span, and aging. The role of dysregulated mTOR in common diseases, especially cancer, has been extensively studied and reported. Emerging evidence supports that mTOR critically regulates innate immune responses that govern the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. This review discusses the regulatory role of mTOR in macrophage functions in acute inflammation triggered by ischemia and in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), in which chronic inflammation plays critical roles. Specifically, we discuss the role of mTOR in trained immunity, immune senescence, and clonal hematopoiesis. In addition, this review includes a discussion on the architecture of mTOR, the function of its regulatory complexes, and the dual-arm signals required for mTOR activation to reflect the current knowledge state. We emphasize future research directions necessary to understand better the powerful pathway to take advantage of the mTOR inhibitors for innovative applications in patients with cardiovascular diseases associated with aging and inflammation.

Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study

BACKGROUND

Artificial sweetener (ArtSw) intakes have been previously associated with higher BMI in observational studies and may promote visceral and skeletal muscle adipose tissue (AT) accumulation. This study aimed to determine whether habitual, long-term ArtSw or diet beverage intakes are related to greater AT depot volumes and anthropometry-related outcomes.

METHODS

A validated diet history questionnaire was administered at baseline, year 7, and year 20 examinations in 3088 men and women enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults cohort (CARDIA), mean age of 25.2 years and mean BMI of 24.5 kg/m2 at baseline. Volumes of visceral (VAT), intermuscular (IMAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were assessed by computed tomography at year 25. Linear regression evaluated associations of aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, total ArtSw, and diet beverage intakes with AT volumes, anthropometric measures, and 25-year change in anthropometry. Cox regression estimated associations of ArtSw with obesity incidence. Adjustments were made for demographic and lifestyle factors, total energy intake, and the 2015 healthy eating index.

RESULTS

Total ArtSw, aspartame, saccharin, and diet beverage intakes were positively associated with VAT, SAT, and IMAT volumes (all ptrend ≤ 0.001), but no associations were observed for sucralose intake (all ptrend > 0.05). In addition, total ArtSw, saccharin, aspartame, and diet beverage intakes were associated with greater body mass index, body weight, waist circumference, and their increases over a 25-year period. Except for saccharin (ptrend = 0.13), ArtSw, including diet soda, was associated with greater risks of incident obesity over a median 17.5-year follow-up (all ptrend < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that long-term intakes of aspartame, saccharin, or diet soda may increase AT deposition and risk of incident obesity independent of diet quality or caloric intake. Coupled with previous evidence, alternatives to national recommendations to replace added sugar with ArtSw should be considered since both may have health consequences.

Acute Intake of Sucrose but Not of the Intense Sweetener Sucralose Is Associated with Post-Prandial Endotoxemia in Healthy Young Adults-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sugar-rich diets, but also the use of intense sweeteners, may alter intestinal barrier function. Here, we assessed the effect of sucrose and sucralose on post-prandial endotoxemia in a randomized placebo-controlled single-blinded crossover-designed study. Following a 2-day standardization of their diet, healthy men and women received a beverage containing either sucrose, sucralose (iso-sweet) or an isocaloric combination of sucralose + maltodextrin. Plasma endotoxin levels were measured after consumption of the respective beverages. Moreover, the effect of sucrose and sucralose on intestinal permeability was assessed in Caco-2 cells and ex vivo in an everted gut sac model. The nutritional standardization recommended by nutrition societies was associated with a significant decrease in plasma endotoxin levels. The intake of the sucrose-sweetened beverage resulted in a significant increase in plasma endotoxin levels while being unchanged after the intake of sucralose-sweetened beverages. In Caco-2 cells, the challenge with sucrose but not with sucralose significantly increased the permeation of the bacterial endotoxin across the cell monolayer. Xylose permeation in small intestinal everted tissue sacs was significantly higher upon the challenge with sucrose while remaining unchanged in sucralose-challenged sacs. Our data suggest that an acute intake of physiologically relevant amounts of sucrose but not of sucralose can result in post-prandial endotoxemia.

Gut colonization with an obesity-associated enteropathogenic microbe modulates the premetastatic niches to promote breast cancer lung and liver metastasis

Introduction

Obesity, an independent risk factor for breast cancer growth and metastatic progression, is also closely intertwined with gut dysbiosis; and both obese state and dysbiosis promote each other. Enteric abundance of Bacteroides fragilis is strongly linked with obesity, and we recently discovered the presence of B. fragilis in malignant breast cancer. Given that enterotoxigenic B. fragilis or ETBF, which secretes B. fragilis toxin (BFT), has been identified as a procarcinogenic microbe in breast cancer, it is necessary to examine its impact on distant metastasis and underlying systemic and localized alterations promoting metastatic progression of breast cancer.

Methods

We used syngeneic mammary intraductal (MIND) model harboring gut colonization with ETBF to query distant metastasis of breast cancer cells. Alterations in the immune network and cytokines/chemokines in the tumor microenvironment and distant metastatic sites were examined using flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and multiplex arrays.

Results

ETBF infection initiates a systemic inflammation aiding in the establishment of the premetastatic niche formation in vital organs via increased proinflammatory and protumorigenic cytokines like IL17A, IL17E, IL27p28, IL17A/F, IL6, and IL10 in addition to creating a prometastatic immunosuppressive environment in the liver and lungs rich in myeloid cells, macrophages, and T regulatory cells. It induces remodeling of the tumor microenvironment via immune cell and stroma infiltration, increased vasculogenesis, and an EMT-like response, thereby encouraging early metastatic dissemination ready to colonize the conducive environment in liver and lungs of the breast tumor-bearing mice.

Discussion

In this study, we show that enteric ETBF infection concomitantly induces systemic inflammation, reshapes the tumor immune microenvironment, and creates conducive metastatic niches to potentiate early dissemination and seeding of metastases to liver and lung tissues in agreement with the "seed and soil hypothesis." Our results also support the ETBF-induced "parallel model" of metastasis that advocates for an early dissemination of tumor cells that form metastatic lesions independent of the primary tumor load.

A New Approach to Personalized Nutrition: Postprandial Glycemic Response and its Relationship to Gut Microbiota

A prolonged and elevated postprandial glucose response (PPGR) is now considered a main factor contributing for the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, which could be prevented by dietary interventions. However, dietary recommendations to prevent alterations in PPGR have not always been successful. New evidence has supported that PPGR is not only dependent of dietary factors like the content of carbohydrates, or the glycemic index of the foods, but is also dependent on genetics, body composition, gut microbiota, among others. In recent years, continuous glucose monitoring has made it possible to establish predictions on the effect of different dietary foods on PPGRs through machine learning methods, which use algorithms that integrate genetic, biochemical, physiological and gut microbiota variables for identifying associations between them and clinical variables with aim of personalize dietary recommendations. This has allowed to improve the concept of personalized nutrition, since it is now possible to recommend through these predictions specific dietary foods to prevent elevated PPGRs that are highly variable among individuals. Additional components that can enrich the predictive algorithms are findings of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics and metabolomics. Thus, this review aims to summarize the evidence of the components that integrate personalized nutrition focused on the prevention of PPGRs, and to show the future of personalized nutrition by laying the groundwork for the development of individualized dietary management and its impact on the improvement of metabolic diseases.

Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are commonly integrated into human diet and presumed to be inert; however, animal studies suggest that they may impact the microbiome and downstream glycemic responses. We causally assessed NNS impacts in humans and their microbiomes in a randomized-controlled trial encompassing 120 healthy adults, administered saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and stevia sachets for 2 weeks in doses lower than the acceptable daily intake, compared with controls receiving sachet-contained vehicle glucose or no supplement. As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses. Importantly, gnotobiotic mice conventionalized with microbiomes from multiple top and bottom responders of each of the four NNS-supplemented groups featured glycemic responses largely reflecting those noted in respective human donors, which were preempted by distinct microbial signals, as exemplified by sucralose. Collectively, human NNS consumption may induce person-specific, microbiome-dependent glycemic alterations, necessitating future assessment of clinical implications.

Non-nutritive sweeteners and their impacts on the gut microbiome and host physiology

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are broadly incorporated into foods, especially those representing a growing share of the beverage market. NNS are viewed as a noncaloric and desirable alternative to sugar-based sweeteners and are thought to contribute to reducing overall caloric intake. While these compounds have been studied extensively and have long been considered inert, new research has presented a different view and raises new questions about the effects of NNS on human physiology. Namely, the influence on glucose responses, the gastrointestinal epithelium, and the gut microbiome. As the gut microbiome is now recognized as a major mediator of human health and perturbations to this community are generally associated with negative health trajectories or overt disease, interactions between NNS and the gut microbiome are of increasing interest to clinicians and researchers. Several NNS compounds are now hypothesized to affect human physiology by modulating the gut microbiome, though the mechanism for this action remains unclear. The purpose of this review is to discuss the history and current knowledge of NNS, their reported utility and effects on host physiology and the gut microbiome, and describes a model for investigating the underlying mechanism behind reported effects of NNS on the gut microbiome.

The comparison of changes in fecal and mucosal microbiome in metabolic endotoxemia induced by a high-fat diet

The aim of this study was to compare the mucosal and fecal microbiota in a high fat diet-induced metabolic endotoxemia (ME) model and to identify potential species that represent dysbiosis and might mediate the inflammatory process. Fourteen male wistar albino rats were fed a standard diet (n = 7) and a high-fat diet (HFD) (n = 7). The standard diet (2600 kcal/kg) contained 3% of energy from fat and HFD (6740 kcal/kg) contained 67% beef tallow. After feeding for 12 weeks, all rats were sacrificed after fasting for 12 h and blood samples were collected. Fresh faecal samples and descending colon samples of rats were collected in sterile plastic tubes using a clean technique, immediately snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and then stored at -80 °C until used for analysis. Serum glucose, TRG, TLR4, LPS, and fecal LPS increased in the HFD group. On the contrary, HDL was higher and statistically significant in the CD group. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the colon tissue of the HFD group were significant. The HFD group caused a significant increase in LPS levels in serum and feces. In addition, the gut and mucosal microbiome were positively/negatively correlated with the ME markers (IL6, TNFα, LPS). The results showed that gut and mucosal microbiome changes were associated with HFD. These changes were dense at species levels. The current study demonstrated changes in gut and mucosal microbiota in HFD-induced metabolic endotoxemia.

Sucralose, a Non-nutritive Artificial Sweetener Exacerbates High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis Through Taste Receptor Type 1 Member 3

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease globally, and it is strongly associated with obesity. To combat obesity, artificial sweeteners are often used to replace natural sugars, and sucralose is one of the most extensively used sweeteners. It was known that sucralose exerted effects on lipid metabolism dysregulation, and hepatic inflammation; however, the effects of sucralose on hepatic steatosis were still obscure. In this study, we found that supplements of sucralose enhanced high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis. In addition, treatment of sucralose increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in HepG2 cells. Pretreatment of ROS or ER stress inhibitors reversed the effects of sucralose on lipogenesis. Furthermore, pretreatment of taste receptor type 1 membrane 3 (T1R3) inhibitor or T1R3 knockdown reversed sucralose-induced lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. Taken together, sucralose might activate T1R3 to generate ROS and promote ER stress and lipogenesis, and further accelerate to the development of hepatic steatosis.

Potential Effects of Sucralose and Saccharin on Gut Microbiota: A Review

Artificial sweeteners are additives widely used in our diet. Although there is no consensus, current evidence indicates that sucralose and saccharin could influence the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to analyze the existing scientific evidence on the effects of saccharin and sucralose consumption on gut microbiota in humans. Different databases were used with the following search terms: sweeteners, non-caloric-sweeteners, sucralose, splenda, saccharin, sugartwin, sweet’n low, microbiota, gut microbiota, humans, animal model, mice, rats, and/or in vitro studies. In vitro and animal model studies indicate a dose-dependent relationship between the intake of both sweeteners and gut microbiota affecting both diversity and composition. In humans, long-term study suggests the existence of a positive correlation between sweetener consumption and some bacterial groups; however, most short-term interventions with saccharin and sucralose, in amounts below the ADI, found no significant effect on those groups, but there seems to be a different basal microbiota-dependent response of metabolic markers. Although studies in vitro and in animal models seem to relate saccharin and sucralose consumption to changes in the gut microbiota, more long-term studies are needed in humans considering the basal microbiota of participants and their dietary and lifestyle habits in all population groups. Toxicological and basal gut microbiota effects must be included as relevant factors to evaluate food safety and nutritional consequences of non-calorie sweeteners. In humans, doses, duration of interventions, and number of subjects included in the studies are key factors to interpret the results.

Gallic Acid Alleviates Gut Dysfunction and Boosts Immune and Antioxidant Activities in Puppies Under Environmental Stress Based on Microbiome-Metabolomics Analysis

Early-life exposure to environmental stress disrupts the gut barrier and leads to inflammatory responses and changes in gut microbiota composition. Gallic acid (GA), a natural plant polyphenol, has received significant interest for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that support the maintenance of intestinal health. To assess whether dietary supplementation of GA alleviates environmental stress, a total of 19 puppies were randomly allocated to the following three dietary treatments for 2 weeks: 1) basal diet (control (CON)); 2) basal diet + transportation (TS); and 3) basal diet with the addition of 500 mg/kg of GA + transportation (TS+GA). After a 1-week supplementation period, puppies in the TS and TS+GA groups were transported from a stressful environment to another livable location, and puppies in the CON group were then left in the stressful environment. Results indicated that GA markedly reduced the diarrhea rate in puppies throughout the trial period and caused a moderate decline of serum cortisol and HSP-70 levels after transportation. Also, GA alleviated the oxidative stress and inflammatory response caused by multiple environmental stressors. Meanwhile, puppies fed GA had a higher abundance of fecal Firmicutes and Lactobacillus and lower Proteobacteria, Escherichia–Shigella, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 after transportation. As a result, the TS+GA group had the highest total short-chain fatty acids and acetic acid. Also, the fecal and serum metabolomics analyses revealed that GA markedly reversed the abnormalities of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism caused by stresses. Finally, Spearman’s correlation analysis was carried out to explore the comprehensive microbiota and metabolite relationships. Overall, dietary supplementation of GA alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory response in stressed puppies by causing beneficial shifts on gut microbiota and metabolites that may support gut and host health.

Low Dose of Sucralose Alter Gut Microbiome in Mice

Sucralose is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener (NNS) used in foods or beverages to control blood glucose levels and body weight gain. The consumption of NNS has increased in recent years over the world, and many researches have indicated long-term sucralose administration altered the gut microbiome composition of mice. These studies all focus on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defined acceptable daily intake (ADI), approximately 5 mg/kg BW/day for human. In our study, mice were given with T1-4 (0.0003, 0.003, 0.03, and 0.3 mg/mL) of sucralose, respectively, Control group mice were given normal water. In particular, 0.3 mg/mL of sucralose was equal to the ADI (5 mg/kg BW/day). After 16 weeks, all mice were weighted and sacrificed, the liver of each mouse was isolated and weighed, segments of jejunum, ileum and colon were collected for H&E-stained. The contents of jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed sucralose administration affects the intestinal barrier function evidenced by distinct lymphocyte aggregation in ileum and colon while not change the mice body weight. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the mice gut microbiome suggested sucralose administration significantly changed the composition of gut microbiota, especially in T1 and T4 group. For example, a reduction of probiotics abundance (Lachnoclostridium and Lachnospiraceae) was found in cecum of T4 group mice compared with Control group. On the other hand, Allobaculum, which was reported positively correlated with diabetes, was increased in the T1 and T4 group. In addition, the potential pathogens, including Tenacibaculum, Ruegeria, Staphylococcus were also increased in jejunum, ileum and colon by sucralose administration in T1 and T4 group. These new findings indicate that low dose of sucralose (T1) alter gut microbiome in mice, and these adverse health effects are equal to ADI level (T4). Overall, our study provides guidance and suggestions for the use of sucralose in foods and beverages.

Food Additives, a Key Environmental Factor in the Development of IBD through Gut Dysbiosis

Diet is a key environmental factor in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and, at the same time, represents one of the most promising therapies for IBD. Our daily diet often contains food additives present in numerous processed foods and even in dietary supplements. Recently, researchers and national authorities have been paying much attention to their toxicity and effects on gut microbiota and health. This review aims to gather the latest data focusing on the potential role of food additives in the pathogenesis of IBDs through gut microbiota modulation. Some artificial emulsifiers and sweeteners can induce the dysbiosis associated with an alteration of the intestinal barrier, an activation of chronic inflammation, and abnormal immune response accelerating the onset of IBD. Even if most of these results are retrieved from in vivo and in vitro studies, many artificial food additives can represent a potential hidden driver of gut chronic inflammation through gut microbiota alterations, especially in a population with IBD predisposition. In this context, pending the confirmation of these results by large human studies, it would be advisable that IBD patients avoid the consumption of processed food containing artificial food additives and follow a personalized nutritional therapy prescribed by a clinical nutritionist.

Propionate alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury aggravated by Angiotensin II dependent on caveolin-1/ACE2 axis through GPR41

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is still a lack of effective therapeutic drugs, and its molecular mechanism is urgently needed. Studies have shown that the intestinal flora plays an important regulatory role in cardiovascular injury, but the specific mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that an increase in Ang II in plasma was accompanied by an increase in the levels of myocardial injury during myocardial reperfusion in patients with cardiopulmonary bypass. Furthermore, Ang II treatment enhanced mice myocardial I/R injury, which was reversed by caveolin-1 (CAV-1)-shRNA or strengthened by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-shRNA. The results showed that CAV-1 and ACE2 have protein interactions and inhibit each other's expression. In addition, propionate, a bacterial metabolite, inhibited the elevation of Ang II and myocardial injury, while GPR41-shRNA abolished the protective effects of propionate on myocardial I/R injury. Clinically, the propionate content in the patient's preoperative stool was related to Ang II levels and myocardial I/R injury levels during myocardial reperfusion. Taken together, propionate alleviates myocardial I/R injury aggravated by Ang II dependent on CAV-1/ACE2 axis through GPR41, which provides a new direction that diet to regulate the intestinal flora for treatment of myocardial I/R injury.

Non-Centrifugal Sugar (NCS) and Health: A Review on Functional Components and Health Benefits

Non-centrifugal sugar (NCS) is the scientific term the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) uses to define a solid product, produced by sugarcane juice evaporation, which is unrefined or minimally refined. NCS is referred to in various names globally, the most significant ones are whole cane sugar, panela (Latin America), jaggery (India) and kokuto (Japan). NCS contains minerals, bioactive compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have therapeutic potentials from time immemorial. Even though the bioactive property is dependent on the composition, which relies mainly on the agronomic conditions and production process, NCS possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, substituting the consumption of refined sugar with NCS might be helpful in the control of chronic diseases generally connected to oxidative stress and inflammation. Experimental facts from in vitro and in vivo models have proven that NCS plays an essential role in weight management, maintaining insulin sensitivity and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. NCS has also shown hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. This review aims to synopsize the recent literature pertaining to the benefits of NCS in human health. The NCS can be considered a nutraceutical and functional food. However, detailed and regulated studies are important to enhance the beneficial effects in human and animal interventions.

Modulation of gut microbiota by Mantequilla and Melipona honeys decrease low-grade inflammation caused by high fructose corn syrup or sucrose in rats

Several studies have shown that consumption of honey is associated with various health benefits. However, there is scarce evidence on whether honeys modify the intestinal microbiota by preventing the inflammatory response in the host. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to study the effect of Melipona (Mel) and Mantequilla (Mtq) honeys, which contain different bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity on gut microbiota and metabolic consequences in comparison with other sweeteners, in particular sucrose (S) and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in rats. The results of the present work showed that both honeys have polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant and bactericidal activities. Rats fed with both honeys gained less weight and body fat by increasing energy expenditure compared to S or HFCS and increased gene expression of antioxidant enzymes mediated by the transcription factor Nrf2. Analysis of the gut microbiota showed that consumption of both honeys modified the beta-diversity compared to those fed S or HFCS resulting in increased abundance of a specific cluster of bacteria of the Clostridium genus particularly Coprococcus eutactus, Defluviitalea saccharophila, Ruminicoccus gnavus and Ruminicoccus flavefaciens. As a result of the changes in the gut microbiota, there was a decrease in LPS- and TLR4-mediated low-grade inflammation and an increase in sIgA. Consumption of both honeys prevented glucose intolerance and increased adipocyte size compared to S or HFCS. In conclusion, consumption of MtqH or MelH can reduce metabolic endotoxemia by modifying the gut microbiota to prevent glucose intolerance.

Yeast cell wall upregulated cell-mediated immune responses to Newcastle disease virus vaccine

A recent study has suggested that yeast cell wall product (YP) enhanced serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers and intestinal sIgA responses in chickens immunized with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. In the present study, the cell-mediated immune responses elicited by NDV and YP were investigated in commercial broilers. Broilers were fed 0 or 0.1% YP and immunized with a live NDV vaccine via an intraocular-and-intranasal route at 14 and 28 days old. After that, blood samples were collected for determination of HI titer, cytokine content, and blood analysis. Eight chickens were randomly selected from each group and sacrificed. Lymphocytes were harvested from the spleens for lymphocyte proliferation and flow cytometry analysis. Total RNA was extracted from spleen and jejunum for RT-qPCR analysis. The results showed that YP significantly increased serum concentration of IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-β, as well as promoted lymphocytes proliferation in broilers immunized with NDV vaccine. The enhanced cell-mediated immunity is correlated with the upregulated mRNA expression of TGF-β, IL-6, TLR5, GATA-3, and T-bet in the spleen and upregulated mRNA expression of CCR-9, J-chain, pIgR, and TLR3 in the jejunum of chickens. It is noteworthy that no significant side effect was observed after the administration of YP. Therefore, YP could be safely used as potential immunopotentiator assisting NDV vaccine for chickens.

Bioactive Foods Decrease Liver and Brain Alterations Induced by a High-Fat-Sucrose Diet through Restoration of Gut Microbiota and Antioxidant Enzymes

Obesity is associated with cognitive deficit and liver alterations; however, it remains unclear whether a combination of functional foods could reverse cognitive damage and to what extent it would be associated with changes in gut microbiota and liver. With this aim, male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat-5%sucrose diet (HFS) for 4 mo. And were then fed for 1 mo. with bioactive foods. At the end of this period, liver, serum, feces, intestine, and brain samples were taken. Body composition, energy expenditure, LPS, hormones, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, behavioral tests, and gut microbiota were evaluated. We showed that male rats fed high-fat-sucrose diet developed gut microbiota dysbiosis, increased in body fat, decreased antioxidant activity, decreased brain neuropeptide Y, increased the number of astrocytes and activated microglia, along with reduced spine density associated with deficits in working memory. Ingestion of a combination of nopal, soy protein, curcumin, and chia seed oil (bioactive foods) for three months was associated with an increase in a cluster of bacteria with anti-inflammatory capacity, a decrease in serum LPS levels and an increase in serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with neuroprotective properties. In the liver, ingestion of bioactive food significantly increased antioxidant enzymes, decreased lipogenesis, reduced inflammation mediated by the TLR4-TNFα pathway along with a decrease in body fat, glucose intolerance, and metabolic inflexibility. Finally, neuroinflammation in the brain was reduced and working memory improved. Our study demonstrates that consumption of bioactive foods was associated with reduced liver, brain, and gut microbiota alterations in obese rats.

Chronic consumption of food-additives lead to changes via microbiota gut-brain axis

Some food additives have demonstrated to induce dysbiosis leading to the development gut and gastrointestinal diseases. In order to clarify how this dysbiosis affects the microbiota gut-brain axis, a systematic interpretative literature review is carried out in this work. This review was made in seven academic search engines using the keywords shown below. The main finding of this work is a clear link between the changes in the gut microbiota promoted by food additives and the causes that lead to many reported diseases related to chronic food additives consumption. Despite the findings, studies on the effects of food additives on microbiota are still insufficient. Therefore, this work should serve as a motivation for future research on this subject.

Effects of long-term consumption of sucralose associated with high-fat diet in male mice

Sucralose is a widely consumed non-nutritive sweetener (NNS). Studies have shown that some NNS can favor weight gain by altering the intestinal microbiota, satiety hormone production, or aspects related to glucose homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ad libitum sucralose consumption in mice fed with normal or high-fat diet (HFD) for an extended period (16 weeks). Weight gain, final body composition, energy expenditure, intestinal and pancreatic hormone production, and endotoxemia during a voracity test, as well as liver and skeletal muscles were evaluated after 16 weeks. We observed that sucralose supplementation reduced weight gain in HFD-fed mice but did not change weight gain in mice fed with normal diet. The evaluation of HFD mice showed that sucralose supplementation resulted in improvements in glycemic homeostasis, hepatic steatosis, and increased energy expenditure. Our results suggest that sucralose consumption promotes different outcomes in relation to weight gain when combined with different diets, which may explain the controversial data in previous studies, and can be considered in future clinical research aimed at clarifying the impact of NNS consumption on human health.

Artificial Sweeteners: History and New Concepts on Inflammation

Since the introduction of artificial sweeteners (AS) to the North American market in the 1950s, a growing number of epidemiological and animal studies have suggested that AS may induce changes in gut bacteria and gut wall immune reactivity, which could negatively affect individuals with or susceptible to chronic inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a disorder that has been growing exponentially in westernized countries. This review summarizes the history of current FDA-approved AS and their chemical composition, metabolism, and bacterial utilization, and provides a scoping overview of the disease mechanisms associated with the induction or prevention of inflammation in IBD. We provide a general outlook on areas that have been both largely and scarcely studied, emerging concepts using silica, and describe the effects of AS on acute and chronic forms of intestinal inflammation.

A rise in Proteobacteria is an indicator of gut-liver axis-mediated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fructose-fed adult mice

Current evidence suggests that high fructose intake results in gut dysbiosis, leading to endotoxemia and NAFLD onset. Thus, the hypothesis of the study was that an enhanced Proteobacteria proportion in the cecal microbiota could be the most prominent trigger of NAFLD through enhanced endotoxin (LPS) in adult high-fructose-fed C57BL/6 mice. Male C57BL/6 mice received a control diet (n = 10, C: 76% of energy as carbohydrates, 0% as fructose) or high-fructose diet (n = 10, HFRU: 76% of energy as carbohydrate, 50% as fructose) for 12 weeks. Outcomes included biochemical analyses, 16S rDNA PCR amplification, hepatic stereology, and RT-qPCR. The groups showed similar body masses during the whole experiment. However, the HFRU group showed greater water intake and blood pressure than the C group. The HFRU group showed a significantly lower amount of Bacteroidetes and a predominant rise in Proteobacteria, implying increased LPS. The HFRU group also showed enhanced de novo lipogenesis (Chrebp expression), while beta-oxidation was decreased (Ppar-alpha expression). These results agree with the deposition of fat droplets within hepatocytes and the enhanced hepatic triacylglycerol concentrations, as observed in the photomicrographs, where the HFRU group had a higher volume density of steatosis than the C group. Thus, we confirmed that a rise in the Proteobacteria phylum proportion was the most prominent alteration in gut-liver axis-induced hepatic steatosis in HFRU-fed C57BL/6 mice. Gut dysbiosis and fatty liver were observed even in the absence of overweight in this dietary adult mouse model.

In Vitro Modulatory Effect of Stevioside, as a Partial Sugar Replacer in Sweeteners, on Human Child Microbiota

The effect of stevioside on human health is still insufficiently highlighted by recent research. The total or partial replacement of sugar with sweeteners influences the general state of health, especially the human microbiota's response as a determining factor in the onset of type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to present the long-term (one-year) in vitro effect that regular stevioside consumption had on children's pattern microbiota. A metabolomic response was established by determining the synthesis of organic acids and a correlation with antioxidant status. An increase in the number of bacterial strains and the variation of amount of butyrate and propionate to the detriment of lactic acid was observed. The effect was evidenced by the progressive pH increasing, the reduction of acetic acid, and the proliferation of Escherichia coli strains during the simulations. Synthesis of the main short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was interpreted as a response (adaptation) of the microbiota to the stevioside, without a corresponding increase in antioxidant status. This study demonstrated the modulatory role of stevioside on the human microbiota and on the fermentation processes that determine the essential SCFA synthesis in maintaining homeostasis. The protection of the microbiota against oxidative stress was also an essential aspect of reducing microbial diversity.

Adipose Tissue Macrophage Polarization in Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity

Over 650 million adults are obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) worldwide. Obesity is commonly associated with several comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. However, compiled estimates suggest that from 5 to 40% of obese individuals do not experience metabolic or cardiovascular complications. The existence of the metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) and the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotypes suggests that underlying differences exist in both tissues and overall systemic function. Macrophage accumulation in white adipose tissue (AT) in obesity is typically associated with insulin resistance. However, as plastic cells, macrophages respond to stimuli in their microenvironments, altering their polarization between pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, depending on the state of their surroundings. The dichotomous nature of MHO and MUO clinical phenotypes suggests that differences in white AT function dictate local inflammatory responses by driving changes in macrophage subtypes. As obesity requires extensive AT expansion, we posit that remodeling capacity with adipose expansion potentiates favorable macrophage profiles in MHO as compared with MUO individuals. In this review, we discuss how differences in adipogenesis, AT extracellular matrix deposition and breakdown, and AT angiogenesis perpetuate altered AT macrophage profiles in MUO compared with MHO. We discuss how non-autonomous effects of remote organ systems, including the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system, interact with white adipose favorably in MHO. Preferential AT macrophage profiles in MHO stem from sustained AT function and improved overall fitness and systemic health.

Nutritional Approach Targeting Gut Microbiota in NAFLD-To Date

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant clinical and epidemiological problem that affects around 25% of the adult global population. A large body of clinical evidence highlights that NAFLD is associated with increased liver-related morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, extrahepatic cancers, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Recently, a series of studies revealed the pivotal role of gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis in NAFLD's pathogenesis. The GM plays an essential role in different metabolic pathways, including the fermentation of diet polysaccharides, energy harvest, choline regulation, and bile acid metabolism. One of the most critical factors in GM stabilization is the diet; therefore, nutritional therapyappearsto be a promising tool in NAFLD therapy. This paper aims to review the current knowledge regardingthe nutritional approach and its implications with GM and NAFLD treatment. We discuss the positive impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics in a reverse dysbiosis state in NAFLD and show the potential beneficial effects of bioactive substances from the diet. The full description of the mechanism of action and comprehensive examination of the impact of nutritional interventions on GM modulation may, in the future, be a simple but essential tool supporting NAFLD therapy.

Maternal Sweeteners Intake Modulates Gut Microbiota and Exacerbates Learning and Memory Processes in Adult Male Offspring

Background: There is increasing evidence that gut microbiota in offspring is derived in part from maternal environment such as diet. Thus, sweeteners intake including caloric or non-caloric during perinatal period can induce gut dysbiosis and program the offspring to develop cognitive problems later in life. Objective: To determine the effect of maternal high-sweeteners intake during gestation and lactation on gut microbiota shifts in adult male offspring rats and the impact on cognitive dysfunction. Methods: Thirty-four male pups from dams fed standard diet (Control-C, n = 10), high-sucrose diet (HS-C, n = 11), high-honey diet (Ho-C, n = 8), and high-stevia diet (HSt-C, n = 5) were fed standard diet after weaning, and body weight and food intake were recorded once a week for 26 weeks. Learning and memory tests were performed at week 23 of life using the Barnes maze. Fecal samples from the breastfeeding and adulthood periods were collected and analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region of gut microbiota. Results: Maternal high-sucrose and stevia diets programmed the male offspring, and changes in microbial diversity by Shannon index were observed after weaning (p < 0.01). Furthermore, maternal high-stevia diet programming lasted into adulthood. The increase of Firmicutes abundance and the decrease in phylum Bacteroidetes were significant in HS-C and HSt-C groups. This led to an increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes index, although only in HS-C group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Of note, the downstream gram-negative Bacteroidales and the upregulation of the gram-positive Clostridiales abundance contribute to cognitive dysfunction. Conclusion: These results suggest that dams fed a high-sucrose and stevia diets during gestation and lactation favor a deficient memory performance in adult male offspring rats through shifts gut microbiota diversity and relative abundance at several taxa.

Black bean protein concentrate ameliorates hepatic steatosis by decreasing lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid oxidation in rats fed a high fat-sucrose diet

The black bean is a legume widely consumed in Latin America, however its consumption has decreased significantly in recent decades. There is evidence that its consumption generates beneficial health effects due in part to the type of protein, resistant starches and polyphenols. Thus, their use in food formulation could impact health status. Therefore, the purpose of the present work was to evaluate the effects of the consumption of a bean protein concentrate (BPC) and a whole cooked bean flour (WCB) on body composition, glucose metabolism and energy expenditure in Wistar rats fed a control diet or high-fat diets with 5% sucrose in the drinking water. With this aim, rats were fed the experimental diets for 10 weeks. The results showed that consumption of either BPC or WCB reduced weight gain and body fat despite the consumption of a high-fat diet. This change was associated with a significant increase in energy expenditure and the capacity to adapt fuel oxidation to fuel availability. As a result, rats fed a bean-based diet had lower circulating glucose and insulin concentrations and normal glucose tolerance, which was associated with decreased expression of lipogenic genes in the liver. These results suggest that the type of protein and bioactive compounds particularly phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in BPC are suitable to improve the formulations used in dietary strategies for subjects with obesity or type 2 diabetes. The addition of legumes to the diet of subjects with insulin resistance, including black beans, could improve their metabolic status.