Effects of Armillariella tabescens mycelia on the growth performance and intestinal immune response and microflora of early-weaned pigs

Armillariella tabescens polysaccharide treated rats with oral ulcers through modulation of oral microbiota and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

We identified Armillariella tabescens polysaccharide (PAT-W), a compound isolated from a Chinese medicinal mushroom, as a potential novel oral ulcer (OU) drug. In treating OU rats with PAT-W, especially in the high-dose group, oral mucous tissue TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were markedly reduced, and pathological morphology and oxidative stress were effectively improved. Western blot analysis showed that the PAT-W channel ameliorated OU mucous tissue damage, which depends on the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing results showed that PAT-W regulated the maladjustment of the oral microbiota caused by OU. Therefore, based on the new viewpoint of activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and regulating oral microbiota, PAT-W is expected to become a new natural drug for treating oral ulcers and improving patients' quality of life.

Polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis via modulating intestinal microbiota in mice

Polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia (AT) have a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Nevertheless, the impact of AT on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) has not yet been illustrated. This study aimed to explore AT's impact on experimental UC mice and investigate its underlying mechanisms. Mice were given DSS, 0.2 g/kg AT or 0.4 g/kg AT for seven days, and the symptoms of UC were observed. The serum and colon samples were harvested to analyze the biochemical indices and inflammasome-related proteins. The feces were collected to analyze short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gut microbiota. The present study found that AT improved the symptoms of UC, colonic oxidative stress, and inflammation. AT treatment elevated SCFAs contents and colonic barrier function. Furthermore, AT improved microbial community structure through the selective enrichment of beneficial bacterial species. In conclusion, these results underlined that AT improved DSS-induced colitis and inhibited colonic inflammation via regulating the intestinal microbial community and enhancing the colonic mucosal barrier.

Role of ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi in meeting established and emerging sustainability opportunities: a review

Fungal biomass is the future's feedstock. Non-septate Ascomycetes and septate Basidiomycetes, famously known as mushrooms, are sources of fungal biomass. Fungal biomass, which on averagely comprises about 34% protein and 45% carbohydrate, can be cultivated in bioreactors to produce affordable, safe, nontoxic, and consistent biomass quality. Fungal-based technologies are seen as attractive, safer alternatives, either substituting or complementing the existing standard technology. Water and wastewater treatment, food and feed, green technology, innovative designs in buildings, enzyme technology, potential health benefits, and wealth production are the key sectors that successfully reported high-efficiency performances of fungal applications. This paper reviews the latest technical know-how, methods, and performance of fungal adaptation in those sectors. Excellent performance was reported indicating high potential for fungi utilization, particularly in the sectors, yet to be utilized and improved on the existing fungal-based applications. The expansion of fungal biomass in the industrial-scale application for the sustainability of earth and human well-being is in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Antibacterial effect and mechanism against Escherichia coli of polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia

The objectives of this study were (1) to prepare Armillariella tabescens mycelia polysaccharides (PAT) with remarkably growth inhibitory effect on typical food-borne pathogenic bacteria using a green and efficient polyamide method and (2) to explore the antibacterial mechanism of PAT for use as a natural antibacterial agent. The sugar and uronic acid contents of PAT were 93.41% and 12.24%, respectively. PAT could inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus cells, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 4.0, and 4.0 mg/mL, respectively. Ultra-high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed cell wall and membrane rupture of E. coli treated with PAT. Further, 0.5-4.0 mg/mL PAT was found to significantly (P < 0.01) and concentration-dependently increase the conductivity of the broth, exudation of the intracellular protein, and alkaline phosphatase and β-galactosidase activities. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed morphological changes in E. coli DNA after PAT treatment and intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation; flow cytometry revealed E. coli cell apoptosis. Our findings provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of PAT as a natural antibacterial product.

Medium chain triglycerides improve the growth performance, immune and antioxidant functions, and intestinal health of weaned rabbits

The purpose is to study the effects of different doses of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) on growth performance, immune and oxidative functions, and intestinal health of weaned rabbits. A total of 600 weaned rabbits weighing about 993.26 g and at 35 d of age were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was fed a basal diet containing 2400 mg/kg soybean oil, and the experimental group was substituted with 600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 mg/kg MCT. The whole trial period lasted for 48 d. The results showed that treatment with 2400 mg/kg MCT significantly increased the weaning survival rate and crude fat digestibility (p < 0.05) and dramatically raised the levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, IgM, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capability (p < 0.05). The villus height and crypt depth in 1800 mg/kg MCT group were observably enhanced (p < 0.05). The abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly increased in 1800 and 2400 mg/kg MCT groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 1800 and 2400 mg/kg MCT substituting soybean oil in the diet of weaned rabbits can improve the growth performance and intestinal barrier function of weaned rabbits.

Polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia ameliorate insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic mice

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia mainly due to insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia (AT) on insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat diet in combination with streptozotocin to induce T2DM. Following treatment with different doses of AT, hyperglycemia and lipid metabolism dysfunction, insulin resistance, and hepatic function-related indices were markedly ameliorated; the histopathological alterations, oxidative stress, and inflammatory reaction in hepatic tissue were also alleviated; most importantly, AT inhibited the expression of hepatic thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) to repress the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and activated the 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in a dose-dependent manner in T2DM mice. In conclusion, these findings revealed that the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of AT were associated with the alleviation of insulin resistance through repression of the TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and activation of the AMPK pathway.

Polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia ameliorate renal damage in type 2 diabetic mice

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation, is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Armillariella tabescens has potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia (AT) on the kidney in type 2 diabetic mice and explore the underlying mechanism. The mice were randomized into 4 groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), DC + 200 mg/kg AT (LAT), and DC + 400 mg/kg AT (HAT). The results showed that compared with the NC group, the levels of fasting blood glucose, renal function-related indices, and serum pro-inflammatory mediators including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 were elevated; the renal morphopathological alterations, oxidative stress, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation and renal fibrosis were aggravated; the intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and colonic inflammation and barrier dysfunction were deteriorated in the DC group. After supplementation with AT, the aforementioned indices were ameliorated in the AT treatment groups, especially in the HAT group. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that modulating the intestinal microbiota and inflammatory reaction was implicated in the effects of AT against DKD in mice.

Whole Food–Based Approaches to Modulating Gut Microbiota and Associated Diseases

Intake of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may confer health benefits to the host. The beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables were mainly attributed to their richness in polyphenols and microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs). Components in fruits and vegetables modulate composition and associated functions of the gut microbiota, whereas gut microbiota can transform components in fruits and vegetables to produce metabolites that are bioactive and important for health. The progression of multiple diseases, such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, is associated with diet and gut microbiota. Although the exact causality between these diseases and specific members of gut microbiota has not been well characterized, accumulating evidence supported the role of fruits and vegetables in modulating gut microbiota and decreasing the risks of microbiota-associated diseases. This review summarizes the latest findings on the effects of whole fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota and associated diseases.

Effects of dietary supplementation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on growth performance, immune status, antioxidant capacity and selected microbial populations of weaned piglets

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are a complex mixture of highly branched and partially characterised polysaccharides and proteoglycans extracted from the goji berry. This mixture has great potential as a novel feed supplement for pigs. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation with LBPs on the growth performance, immune status, antioxidant capacity and selected intestinal microbial populations in weaned piglets. In trial 1, a total of 400 weaned piglets [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 6.34 ± 0.16 kg (21 days of age) were divided into five groups and fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet containing 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 or 6,000 mg/kg LBPs (supplemented at the expense of corn). Supplementation with 4,000 or 6,000 mg/kg LBPs for 2 weeks significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the pigs compared with the control group (p < .05). In trial 2, thirty-two 21-days-old weaned piglets (BW: 6.33 ± 0.11 kg) were allotted to a control group (fed with a basal diet) or an experimental group (basal diet containing 4,000 mg/kg LBPs). The experiment lasted for 14 days. Pigs fed LBP diets exhibited an increased ADG and ADFI, and a decreased diarrhoeal incidence compared with those fed the basal diets (p < .05). Supplementation with LBPs increased the serum IgG and IgM levels (p < .05). Dietary LBPs effectively promoted antioxidant defence properties through enhancing the activities of serum, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in addition to decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < .05). The addition of LBPs increased the amounts of Bacteroidetes in the ileum and caecum and the caecal contents of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. (p < .05), while decreased the populations of Escherichia coli and Firmicutes in the ileum and caecum (p < .05) compared with the control group. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation with LBPs can enhance growth performance, immune status and antioxidant capacity, and improve the intestinal microbial populations of weaned piglets.

Effects of pulverized oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on diarrhea incidence, growth performance, immunity, and microbial composition in piglets

BACKGROUND

Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom (POM) is an edible mushroom with rich nutritional components and vital pharmacological properties. The present study comprised 100 cross-bred piglets, weaned at 28 days old, who were randomly assigned to four POM diets with five replicates per diet and five piglets per pen.

RESULTS

POM supplementation (P < 0.05) decreased the incidence of diarrhea, and also increased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain of pigs. Fecal acetate, butyrate and propionate increased with the addition of POM. Interleukin-2, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, tumor necrosis factor-α and immunoglobulin A increased (P < 0.05) with the addition of POM. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant microbial strains in the fecal samples, irrespective of POM supplementation. Shannon diversity, whole tree phylogenetic diversity, observed species and Chao1 analysis exhibited significant variation in species richness across the treatments. Principal coordinates analysis showed a significant (P < 0.1) increase in the microbial communities amongst all of the treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggest that the supplementation of POM in the diet of piglets might increase feed consumption, gut microbial composition and diversity, as well as short-chain fatty acids synthesis, consequently preventing the occurrence of diarrhea and increasing the growth of piglets. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Eleutheroside B increase tight junction proteins and anti-inflammatory cytokines expression in intestinal porcine jejunum epithelial cells (IPEC-J2)

Eleutheroside B (EB) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside with anti-inflammatory properties, neuroprotective abilities, immunomodulatory effects, antinociceptive effects, and regulation of blood glucose. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EB on the barrier function in the intestinal porcine epithelial cells J2 (IPEC-J2). The IPEC-J2 cells were inoculated into 96-well plates at a density of 5 × 10³ cells per well for 100% confluence. The cells were cultured in the presence of EB at concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 mg/ml for 48 hr. Then, 0.10 mg/ml was selected as the suitable concentration for the estimation of transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) value, alkaline phosphatase activity, proinflammatory cytokines mRNA expression, tight junction mRNA and protein expression. The results of this study indicated that the supplementation of EB in IPEC-J2 cells decreased cellular membrane permeability and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (INF-γ), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The supplementation of EB in IPEC-J2 cells increased tight junction protein expression and anti-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). In addition, the western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results indicated that EB significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA and protein expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, Claudin-3, Occludin, and Zonula Occludins protein-1 (ZO-1). Therefore, dietary supplementation of EB may increase intestinal barrier function, tight junction protein expression, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and decrease proinflammatory cytokines synthesis in IPEC-J2 cells.