The ameliorative effects of probiotic‐fermented soymilk on acute alcoholic liver injury

Green Radish Polysaccharide Prevents Alcoholic Liver Injury by Interfering with Intestinal Bacteria and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Mice

This study aimed to ascertain the potential benefits of green radish polysaccharide (GRP) in treating alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in mice and explore its mechanism of action. Using biochemical analysis, high-throughput sequencing of gut microbiota, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces, we found that GRP intervention significantly improved lipid metabolism and hepatic function in mice subjected to excessive alcohol intake. The GRP intervention reduced malondialdehyde levels by 66% and increased total superoxide dismutase levels by 22%, thereby mitigating alcohol-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, GRP intervention in mice with alcohol consumption resulted in a reduction in tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and lipopolysaccharide levels by 12%, 9%, and 25%, respectively, effectively attenuating alcoholic liver inflammation. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing demonstrated that excessive alcohol consumption markedly altered the gut microbiota composition in mice. The GRP treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the number of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group) and an increase in the proportion of harmful bacteria (Muribaculaceae and Verrucomicrobiota). The metabolomic analyses of the SCFAs demonstrated an increase in the contents of SCFAs, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, following GRP supplementation. Furthermore, the metabolic levels of cholinergic synapses and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis were found to be modulated. In conclusion, these findings suggest that GRP may attenuate alcohol-induced oxidative damage in the liver by modulating the gut microbiota and hepatic metabolic pathways. This may position GRP as a potential functional component for ALD prevention.

Effects of Scallop Mantle Toxin on Intestinal Microflora and Intestinal Barrier Function in Mice

Previous studies have shown that feeding mice with food containing mantle tissue from Japanese scallops results in aggravated liver and kidney damage, ultimately resulting in mortality within weeks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of scallop mantle in China's coastal areas and explore the impact of scallop mantle toxins (SMT) on intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota in mice. The Illumina MiSeq sequencing of V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S ribosomal RNA was employed to study the alterations in gut microbiota in the feces of SMT mice. The results showed that intestinal flora abundance and diversity in the SMT group were decreased. Compared with the control group, significant increases were observed in serum indexes related to liver, intestine, inflammation, and kidney functions among SMT-exposed mice. Accompanied by varying degrees of tissue damage observed within these organs, the beneficial bacteria of Muribaculaceae and Marinifilaceae significantly reduced, while the harmful bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacter were significantly increased. Taken together, this article elucidates the inflammation and glucose metabolism disorder caused by scallop mantle toxin in mice from the angle of gut microbiota and metabolism. SMT can destroy the equilibrium of intestinal flora and damage the intestinal mucosal barrier, which leads to glucose metabolism disorder and intestinal dysfunction and may ultimately bring about systemic toxicity.