Lactobacillus plantarum Reduces Low-Grade Inflammation and Glucose Levels in a Mouse Model of Chronic Stress and Diabetes

Novel food isolates with striking α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and probiotic potential for an antidiabetic role

In the current study, ten lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates exhibiting anti-α-glucosidase activity were isolated from fermented food. It is directed at novel supplementary diets to prevent/improve diet-induced carbohydrate metabolism disorders and related chronic diseases. Moreover, to evaluate their safety, functionality, and probiotic potential via in vitro simulated test conditions. From 16s-rRNA sequencing, Pediococcus acidilactici (NKUST 803, 845, 858), Lactobacillus plantarum (NKUST 817, 828, 851), Levilactobacillus brevis (NKUST 816, 855) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (NKUST 803, 863) were identified. The results showed that the isolates possessed anti-pathogenic activity, auto-aggregation ability, hydrophobicity (47.44-96.4%), and gastric acid-resistant activity (79-99.1%), which proved their potential for probiotics in nutraceuticals to render hypoglycemic activity or antidiabetic effects to the host positively. Among tested isolates, L. plantarum 817 and P. acidilactici 858 exhibited maximum α-glucosidase inhibitory (AGI) activity of 35-40%. The heat map clearly showed that L. plantarum 817 exhibited the best AGI activity and probiotic potential, among others. These were studied under various simulated gut conditions and safety tests. However, all isolates possess the potential to be used as probiotics in commercial-scale health applications. Pediococcus sp. possesses notable AGI activity but relatively less colonization potential in the gut hence recommended daily intake for positive health effects.

Effect of postbiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 supplemented in powdered milk on type 2 diabetes in mice

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic multifactorial disease characterized by a combination of insulin resistance and impaired glucose regulation. The alleviative effects of probiotics on T2D have been widely studied. However, studies on the effects of postbiotics, known as inactivated probiotics, on dairy products are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of postbiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 in milk powder (MP-LRCC5314) in a stress-T2D mouse model. Compared with probiotic MP-LRCC5314, postbiotic MP-LRCC5314 significantly influenced stress-T2D-related factors. The administration of heat-killed MP-LRCC5314 reduced corticosterone levels, increased short-chain fatty acid production by modulating gut microbiota, and regulated immune response, glucose metabolism, stress-T2D-related biomarkers in the brain, gut, and adipose tissues, as well as glucose and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, heat-killed MP-LRCC5314 treatment led to a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. Overall, these findings suggest that adding postbiotic MP-LRCC5314 to milk powder could serve as a potential supplement for stress-T2D mitigation.

Fish Responses to Alternative Feeding Ingredients under Abiotic Chronic Stress

Aquaculture has become one of the most attractive food production activities as it provides high-quality protein for the growing human population. However, the abiotic chronic stress of fish in intensive fish farming leads to a detrimental condition that affects their health and somatic growth, comprising productive performance. This work aims to comprehensively review the impact of alternative and novel dietary protein sources on fish somatic growth, metabolism, and antioxidative capacity under environmental/abiotic stressors. The documental research indicates that ingredients from rendered animal by-products, insects, bacteria as single-cell proteins, and fungal organisms (e.g., yeast, filamentous fungus, and mushrooms) benefit fish health and performance. A set of responses allows fish growth, health, and survival to remain unaffected by feeding with alternative ingredients during chronic environmental stress. Those ingredients stimulate the production of enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and selenoproteins that counteract ROS effects. In addition, the humoral immune system promotes immunoglobulin production (IgM) and cortisol plasmatic reduction. Further investigation must be carried out to establish the specific effect by species. Additionally, the mixture and the pre-treatment of ingredients such as hydrolysates, solid fermentations, and metabolite extraction potentialize the beneficial effects of diets in chronically stressed fish.

Anti-Diabetic Potentials of Lactobacillus Strains by Modulating Gut Microbiota Structure and β-Cells Regeneration in the Pancreatic Islets of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus, a most common endocrine disorder of glucose metabolism, has become a global epidemic and poses a serious public health threat with an increased socio-economic burden. Escalating incidence of diabetes is correlated with changes in lifestyle and food habits that cause gut microbiome dysbiosis and β-cells damage, which can be addressed with dietary interventions containing probiotics. Hence, the search for probiotics of human origin with anti-diabetic, anti-AGE, and anti-ACE potentials has gained renewed interest for the effective management of diabetes and its associated complications. The present study used an alloxan (AXN)-induced diabetic rat model to investigate the effects of potential probiotic Lacticaseibacillus casei MKU1, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus MKU3, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MKU7 administration individually on physiochemical parameters related to diabetic pathogenesis. Experimental animals were randomly allotted into six groups viz. NCG (control), DCG (AXN), DGM (metformin), DGP1 (MKU1), DGP2 (MKU3), and DGP3 (MKU7), and biochemical data like serum glucose, insulin, AngII, ACE, HbA1c, and TNF-α levels were measured until 90 days. Our results suggest that oral administration with MKU1, MKU3, or MKU7 significantly improved serum insulin levels, glycemic control, glucose tolerance, and body weight. Additionally, β-cell mass was increased by preserving islet integrity in Lactobacillus-treated diabetic rats, whereas TNF-α (~40%), AngII (~30%), and ACE levels (~50%) were strongly inhibited and enhanced sIgA production (5.8 folds) abundantly. Furthermore, Lactobacillus administration positively influenced the gut microbiome with a significant increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus species and the beneficial Bacteroides uniformis and Bacteroides fragilis, while decreased the pathogenic Proteus vulgaris and Parabacteroides distasonis. Among the probiotic treatment groups, L. pentosus MKU3 performed greatly in almost all parameters, indicating its potential use for alleviating diabetes-associated complications.

The Intervention of Probiotics on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Animal Models

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of diabetes patients with the incidence and prevalence continuously rising globally. As a prospective therapy strategy for type 2 diabetes, probiotics have shown beneficial effects both in animal experiments and human clinical trials. This review summarizes the commonly used animal models in probiotic intervention research and presents the evidence and mechanism of diabetes intervention with probiotics in these animal models. Probiotics can help maintain glucose homeostasis, improve lipid metabolism, promote the production of short-chain fatty acids, and reduce inflammatory reactions in animal models. However, the clinical translation of benefits from probiotics is still challenged by intrinsic differences between experimental animal models and humans, and the application of humanized non-rodent diabetic animal models may contribute to the clinical translation of probiotics in the future.

Post-stress changes in the gut microbiome composition in rats with different levels of nervous system excitability

The gut-brain axis is a critical communication system influencing the interactions between the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and the central nervous system (CNS). The gut microbiota plays a significant role in this axis, affecting the development and function of the nervous system. Stress-induced psychopathologies, such as depression and anxiety, have been linked to the gut microbiota, but underlying mechanisms and genetic susceptibility remain unclear. In this study, we examined stress-induced changes in the gut microbiome composition in two rat strains with different levels of nervous system excitability: high threshold (HT strain) and low threshold (LT strain). Rats were exposed to long-term emotional and painful stress using the Hecht protocol, and fecal samples were collected at multiple time points before and after stress exposure. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we assessed the qualitative and quantitative changes in the gut microbiota. Our results revealed distinct microbial diversity between the two rat strains, with the HT strain displaying higher diversity compared to the LT strain. Notably, under prolonged stress, the HT strain showed an increase in relative abundance of microorganisms from the genera Faecalibacterium and Prevotella in fecal samples. Additionally, both strains exhibited a decrease in Lactobacillus abundance following stress exposure. Our findings provide valuable insights into the impact of hereditary nervous system excitability on the gut microbiome composition under stress conditions. Understanding the gut-brain interactions in response to stress may open new avenues for comprehending stress-related psychopathologies and developing potential therapeutic interventions targeted at the gut microbiota. However, further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying these changes and their implications for stress-induced disorders. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the gut-brain axis and its significance in stress-related neurobiology.

Metagenomic and targeted metabolomic analyses reveal distinct phenotypes of the gut microbiota in patients with colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), and the patients with CRC and T2DM have worse survival. The human gut microbiota (GM) is linked to the development of CRC and T2DM, respectively. However, the GM characteristics in patients with CRC and T2DM remain unclear.

METHODS

We performed fecal metagenomic and targeted metabolomics studies on 36 samples from CRC patients with T2DM (DCRC group, n = 12), CRC patients without diabetes (CRC group, n = 12), and healthy controls (Health group, n = 12). We analyzed the fecal microbiomes, characterized the composition and function based on the metagenomics of DCRC patients, and detected the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs) levels in all fecal samples. Finally, we performed a correlation analysis of the differential bacteria and metabolites between different groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the CRC group, LefSe analysis showed that there is a specific GM community in DCRC group, including an increased abundance of Eggerthella , Hungatella , Peptostreptococcus , and Parvimonas , and decreased Butyricicoccus , Lactobacillus , and Paraprevotella . The metabolomics analysis results revealed that the butyric acid level was lower but the deoxycholic acid and 12-keto-lithocholic acid levels were higher in the DCRC group than other groups ( P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the dominant bacterial abundance in the DCRC group ( Parvimonas , Desulfurispora , Sebaldella , and Veillonellales , among others) was negatively correlated with butyric acid, hyodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid and glycocholate. However, the abundance of mostly inferior bacteria was positively correlated with these metabolic acid levels, including Faecalibacterium , Thermococci , and Cellulophaga .

CONCLUSIONS

Unique fecal microbiome signatures exist in CRC patients with T2DM compared to those with non-diabetic CRC. Alterations in GM composition and SCFAs and secondary BAs levels may promote CRC development.

Butterflies in the gut: the interplay between intestinal microbiota and stress

Psychological stress is a global issue that affects at least one-third of the population worldwide and increases the risk of numerous psychiatric disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut and its inhabiting microbes may regulate stress and stress-associated behavioral abnormalities. Hence, the objective of this review is to explore the causal relationships between the gut microbiota, stress, and behavior. Dysbiosis of the microbiome after stress exposure indicated microbial adaption to stressors. Strikingly, the hyperactivated stress signaling found in microbiota-deficient rodents can be normalized by microbiota-based treatments, suggesting that gut microbiota can actively modify the stress response. Microbiota can regulate stress response via intestinal glucocorticoids or autonomic nervous system. Several studies suggest that gut bacteria are involved in the direct modulation of steroid synthesis and metabolism. This review provides recent discoveries on the pathways by which gut microbes affect stress signaling and brain circuits and ultimately impact the host's complex behavior.

The Effect of Probiotic Supplements on Metabolic Parameters of People with Type 2 Diabetes in Greece-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

The role of probiotic supplementation in type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment is controversial. The present study aimed to assess the effects of a multi-strain probiotic supplement (LactoLevureR (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Saccharomyces boulardii)) over 6 months, primarily on glycemic control as well as on lipid levels and alterations in the gut microbiome, among individuals with T2D residing in Greece. A total of 91 adults with T2D (mean age [±SD] 65.12 ± 10.92 years, 62.6% males) were randomized to receive the probiotic supplement or a matching placebo capsule, once daily, for 6 months. Blood chemistries and anthropometric parameters were conducted every 3 months, and stool samples were collected at baseline and at 6 months. Significant reductions in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol were observed in participants treated with the probiotic supplement (n = 46) compared to the controls (n = 45), even after adjustment for a greater decrease in adiposity (waist circumference). Although there were no statistically significant differences in the diversity of the gut microbiome (α and β diversity), the administration of probiotics did influence several genera, metabolites, and key enzymes associated with diabetes. Overall, the administration of the multi-strain probiotic LactoLevureR over a 6-month period in individuals with T2D was well-tolerated and had a positive impact on metabolic parameters, alongside improvements in indices of adiposity.

Screening of Potential Probiotic Lactobacillaceae and Their Improvement of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Promoting PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in db/db Mice

The study aimed to isolate Lactobacillaceae strains with in vitro hypoglycemic activity and probiotic properties and to determine their antidiabetic abilities in vivo. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 22, L. plantarum 25, Limosilactobacillus fermentum 11, and L. fermentum 305 with high in vitro hypoglycemic activity were screened from 23 strains of Lactobacillaceae isolated from human feces and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the mice was recorded weekly. After 12 weeks, liver, kidney, and pancreas tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to observe histomorphology; the inflammatory factors were assayed by Quantitative Real-time PCR; PI3K and AKT were measured by Western blot; the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined by LC-MS/MS. Inhibitory activities of L. plantarum 22, L. plantarum 25, L. fermentum 11, and L. fermentum 305 against α-amylase were 62.29 ± 0.44%, 51.81 ± 3.65%, 58.40 ± 1.68%, and 57.48 ± 5.04%, respectively. Their inhibitory activities to α-glucosidase were 14.89 ± 0.38%, 15.32 ± 0.89%, 52.63 ± 3.07%, and 51.79 ± 1.13%, respectively. Their survival rate after simulated gastrointestinal test were 12.42 ± 2.84%, 9.10 ± 1.12%, 5.86 ± 0.52%, and 8.82 ± 2.50% and their adhesion rates to Caco-2 cell were 6.09 ± 0.39%, 6.37 ± 0.28%, 6.94 ± 0.27%, and 6.91 ± 0.11%, respectively. The orthogonal tests of bacterial powders of the four strains showed that the maximum inhibitory activities to α-amylase and α-glucosidase were 93.18 ± 1.19% and 75.33 ± 2.89%, respectively. The results showed that the mixture of Lactobacillaceae could lower FBG, reduce inflammation, and liver, kidney, and pancreas damage, promote PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and increase the content of SCFAs. The combination of L. plantarum 22, L. plantarum 25, L. fermentum 11, and L. fermentum 305 can potentially improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Discrimination between Korean and Chinese Kimchi using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry: A multivariate analysis of Kimchi

Kimchi has been designated as one of the world's five healthiest foods, and it is a traditional Korean fermented food. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the origin of Kimchi can be discriminated against by using inorganic elements to develop a more accurate method. The OPLS-DA showed that the R² and Q² values were 0.908 and 0.81, a high-quality model. We selected 24 elements (¹³³Cs, ²³⁸U, ⁸⁸Sr, K, ¹⁵⁷Gd, Na, Mg, ¹³⁹La, P, ¹⁴¹Pr, ⁷²Ge, ¹⁴⁶Nd, ¹⁴⁷Sm, ¹⁵³Eu, ⁵⁵Mn, ¹⁶⁵Ho, ¹⁶³Dy, ¹⁶⁶Er, Fe, ¹⁷²Yb, ¹⁶⁹Tm, ¹⁸⁵Re, ¹⁷⁵Lu, and ¹¹⁸Sn) with VIP 1 or higher in the OPLS-DA model. In ROC, the selected elements had an accuracy of 100%. The heatmap confirmed the contents of rare earth elements (REEs) in Korean and Chinese Kimchi, the accuracy of distinguishing classification in CDA is 100%. Such results will help to distinguish the origin of agricultural products through inorganic analysis.

Astragalus polysaccharides alleviate type 1 diabetes via modulating gut microbiota in mice

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a serious health problem that needs to be addressed worldwide. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), the main chemical components of Astragali Radix, have anti-diabetic activity. As most plant polysaccharides are difficult to digest and absorb, we hypothesised that APS exert hypoglycaemic effects through the gut. This study intends to investigate the modulation of T1D associated with gut microbiota by neutral fraction of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS-1). T1D mice were induced with streptozotocin and then treated with APS-1 for 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels were decreased and the insulin levels were increased in T1D mice. The results demonstrated that APS-1 improved gut barrier function by regulating ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1 expression, and reconstructed gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of Muribaculum, Lactobacillus and Faecalibaculum. In addition, APS-1 significantly increased the levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in T1D mice. Further exploration revealed that APS-1 alleviation of T1D may be associated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, and that SCFAs binds to GPRs and HDACs proteins and modulate the inflammatory responses. In conclusion, the study supports the potential of APS-1 as a therapeutic agent for T1D.

Hypoglycemic Effects of Inactivated Lactobacillus brevis YM 1301 on T2DM Mice

Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) is a widely used probiotic with health-promoting properties. Previous studies reported that L. brevis has beneficial impacts on T2DM mice. On the other hand, the differences in effects between live and inactivated L. brevis are still inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of inactivated L. brevis YM1301 (YM1301) on T2DM mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozocin (STZ). T2DM mice were randomly stratified into four groups and administered either saline (model group), metformin (positive control group), live YM1301 (LB group), or inactivated YM1301 (ILB group). Results demonstrated that inactivated YM1301 reduced serum content of fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin, enhanced the level of glucose tolerance, and decreased insulin resistance in T2DM mice. Inactivated YM1301 also decreased fat accumulation in T2DM mice. In addition, inactivated YM1301 effectively promoted serum GLP-1 levels. These results showed that inactivated YM1301 can significantly improve symptoms of T2DM. This study provides theoretical feasibility for the development of low-cost, easy to store, safer, and more effective probiotic products related to L. brevis.

The Differing Roles of Flavins and Quinones in Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is a lactic acid bacterium that is commonly found in the human gut and fermented food products. Despite its overwhelmingly fermentative metabolism, this microbe can perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) when provided with an exogenous quinone, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA), and riboflavin. However, the separate roles of DHNA and riboflavin in EET in L. plantarum have remained unclear. Here, we seek to understand the role of quinones and flavins in EET by monitoring iron and anode reduction in the presence and absence of these small molecules. We found that addition of either DHNA or riboflavin can support robust iron reduction, indicating electron transfer to extracellular iron occurs through both flavin-dependent and DHNA-dependent routes. Using genetic mutants of L. plantarum, we found that flavin-dependent iron reduction requires Ndh2 and EetA, while DHNA-dependent iron reduction largely relies on Ndh2 and PplA. In contrast to iron reduction, DHNA-containing medium supported more robust anode reduction than riboflavin-containing medium, suggesting electron transfer to an anode proceeds most efficiently through the DHNA-dependent pathway. Furthermore, we found that flavin-dependent anode reduction requires EetA, Ndh2, and PplA, while DHNA-dependent anode reduction requires Ndh2 and PplA. Taken together, we identify multiple EET routes utilized by L. plantarum and show that the EET route depends on access to environmental biomolecules and on the electron acceptor. This work expands our molecular-level understanding of EET in Gram-positive microbes and provides additional opportunities to manipulate EET for biotechnology. IMPORTANCE Lactic acid bacteria are named because of their nearly exclusive fermentative metabolism. Thus, the recent observation of EET activity-typically associated with anaerobic respiration-in this class of organisms has forced researchers to rethink the rules governing microbial metabolic strategies. Our identification of multiple routes for EET in L. plantarum that depend on two different redox active small molecules expands our understanding of how microbes metabolically adapt to different environments to gain an energetic edge and how these processes can be manipulated for biotechnological uses. Understanding the role of EET in lactic acid bacteria is of great importance due to the significance of lactic acid bacteria in agriculture, bioremediation, food production, and gut health. Furthermore, the maintenance of multiple EET routes speaks to the importance of this process to function under a variety of environmental conditions.

Are Fermented Foods Effective against Inflammatory Diseases?

Fermented foods have been used over the centuries in various parts of the world. These foods are rich in nutrients and are produced naturally using various biological tools like bacteria and fungi. Fermentation of edible foods has been rooted in ancient cultures to keep food for preservation and storage for a long period of time with desired or enhanced nutritional values. Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic inflammatory pain are chronic disorders that are difficult to treat, and current treatments for these disorders fail due to various adverse effects of prescribed medications over a long period of time. Fermented foods containing probiotic bacteria and fungi can enhance the immune system, improve gastrointestinal health, and lower the risk of developing various inflammatory diseases. Foods prepared from vegetables by fermentation, like kimchi, sauerkraut, soy-based foods, or turmeric, lack proper clinical and translational experimental studies. The current review has focused on the effectiveness of various fermented foods or drinks used over centuries against inflammation, arthritis, and oxidative stress. We also described potential limitations on the efficacies or usages of these fermented products to provide an overarching picture of the research field.

Dietary administration with hydrolyzed silk sericin improves the intestinal health of diabetic rats

Type II diabetes (T2D) is a global epidemic disease with an increased incidence and prevalence. Gut microbiota plays an important role in controlling T2D development. Dietary administration of prebiotics, probiotics, and drugs, including metformin, showed the regulatory impact on the change of gut microbiota, which is associated with the improvement of glucose tolerance. In this study, silk sericin was manufactured into hydrolyzed sericin peptide (HSP) powders as a dietary additive to investigate the effect on the gut microbiota of T2D model rats. The results indicated that the HSP-augmented dietary administration lowers the fast glucose level of diabetic rats, and HSP augmentation induces a change in the gut microbiota composition of T2D model rats toward the normal rats. Some key taxa, including Lactobacillus gasseri, were suggested to be involved in controlling T2D development. This finding provides new insight into developing sericin as functional food or therapeutic prebiotics against T2D in clinical practice.

Interaction between the PNPLA3 Gene and Nutritional Factors on NAFLD Development: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

Genetic and nutritional factors contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, gene-diet interactions in NAFLD development are poorly understood. In this case-control study, a large dataset from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study cohort (n = 72,299) comprising genomic data, medical records, social history, and dietary data was used. We investigated the interactions between the PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype and nutritional factors and their possible effect on the risk of NAFLD development in 2950 patients with NAFLD and 12,907 controls. In the PNPLA3 risk allele group, high protein, fat, sodium, phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin B6 intakes were associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD. In the non-risk allele group, only high fat intake was associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD. Among these nutrients, high sodium intake had a significant protective interaction with the PNPLA3 genotype against NAFLD (p = 0.002). Among salty foods, only kimchi had a significant protective effect against the PNPLA3 genotype (p = 0.012). Thus, the PNPLA3 genotype is differentially associated with nutritional factors. In particular, it interacts with kimchi, a fermented vegetable dish. Therefore, fermented vegetables may serve as a tailored therapeutic food for people with the PNPLA3 risk allele.

Anti-diabetic prospects of dietary bio-actives of millets and the significance of the gut microbiota: A case of finger millet

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is a staple food in several parts of the world because of its high nutritional value. In addition to its high nutrient content, finger millet contains numerous bioactive compounds, including polyphenol (10.2 mg/g TAE), flavonoid (5.54 mg/g CE), phytic acid (0.48%), and dietary fiber (15-20%). Polyphenols are known for their anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic role. Phytic acid, previously considered an anti-nutritive substance, is now regarded as a nutraceutical as it reduces carbohydrate digestibility and thus controls post-prandial glucose levels and obesity. Thus, finger millet is an attractive diet for patients with diabetes. Recent findings have revealed that the anti-oxidant activity and bio-accessibility of finger millet polyphenols increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the colon, confirming the role of the gut microbiota. The prebiotic content of finger millet was also utilized by the gut microbiota, such as Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium, and Roseburia, to generate colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and probiotic Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are known to be anti-diabetic in nature. Notably, finger millet-induced mucus-degrading Akkermansia muciniphila can also help in alleviate diabetes by releasing propionate and Amuc_1100 protein. Various millet bio-actives effectively controlled pathogenic gut microbiota, such as Shigella and Clostridium histolyticum, to lower gut inflammation and, thus, the risk of diabetes in the host. In the current review, we have meticulously examined the role of gut microbiota in the bio-accessibility of millet compounds and their impact on diabetes.

Evaluation of Probiotic and Antidiabetic Attributes of Lactobacillus Strains Isolated From Fermented Beetroot

Fermented foods are sources of functionally salient microbes. These microbes when ingested can regulate biomolecule metabolism which has a plethora of health benefits. Lactic acid bacteria species (LABs) isolated from fermented beetroot were biochemically characterized and validated using 16s rRNA sequence. Also, an in vitro assay was conducted to confirm the probiotic activity of the isolates. The cell-free supernatant (CS), cell-free extract (CE), and intact cell (IC) were evaluated for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition. The six isolates RAMULAB01–06 were categorized to be Lactobacillus spp. by observing phenotypic and biochemical characters. Molecular validation using 16S rDNA sequencing, followed by homology search in NCBI database, suggested that the isolates are >95% similar to L. paracasei and L. casei. Also, isolates exhibited probiotic potential with a high survival rate (>96%) in the gastrointestinal condition, and adherence capability (>53%), colonization (>86%), antibacterial, and antibiotic activity. The safety assessments expressed that the isolates are safe. The α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition by CS, CE, and IC ranged from 3.97 ± 1.42% to 53.91 ± 3.11% and 5.1 ± 0.08% to 57.15 ± 0.56%, respectively. Hence, these species have exceptional antidiabetic potential which could be explicated to its use as a functional food and health-related food products.

Heat-Killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 Mitigates the Effects of Stress-Related Type 2 Diabetes in Mice via Gut Microbiome Modulation

The incidence of stress-related type 2 diabetes (stress-T2D), which is aggravated by physiological stress, is increasing annually. The effects of Lactobacillus, a key component of probiotics, have been widely studied in diabetes; however, studies on the effects of postbiotics are still limited. Here, we aimed to examine the mechanism through which heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 (HK-LRCC5314) alleviates stress-T2D in a cold-induced stress-T2D C57BL/6 mouse model. HK-LRCC5314 markedly decreased body weight gain, adipose tissue (neck, subcutaneous, and epididymal) weight, and fasting glucose levels. In the adipose tissue, mRNA expression levels of stress-T2D associated factors (NPY, Y2R, GLUT4, adiponectin, and leptin) and pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and CCL-2) were also altered. Furthermore, HK-LRCC5314 increased the abundance of Barnesiella, Alistipes, and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Akkermansia, in feces and decreased the abundance of Ruminococcus, Dorea, and Clostridium. Thus, these findings suggest that HK-LRCC5314 exerts protective effects against stress-T2D via gut microbiome modulation, suggesting its potential as a supplement for managing stress-T2D.

Coix seed polysaccharides alleviate type 2 diabetes mellitus via gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids activation of IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a worldwide concern in recent years. Coix seed (CS) as a homologous substance of traditional Chinese medicine and food, its polysaccharides can improve the symptoms of patients with metabolic disorders. Since most plant polysaccharides are difficult to digest and absorb, we hypothesized that Coix seed polysaccharides (CSP) exert hypoglycemic effects through the gut. In this study, the underlying mechanisms regulating hypoglycemic effects of CSP on a T2DM mouse model were investigated. After treatment with CSP, serum insulin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased, while total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were decreased in T2DM mice. In addition, CSP treatment helped repair the intestinal barrier and modulated the gut microbial composition in T2DM mice, mainly facilitating the growth of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, Spearman's analysis revealed these bacteria were positively related with the hypoglycemic efficacy of CSP. Colonic transcriptome analysis indicated the hypoglycemic effect of CSP was associated with the activation of the IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Correlative analysis revealed that this activation may result from the increase of SCFAs-producing bacteria by CSP. GC-MS detection verified that CSP treatment increased fecal SCFAs levels. Molecular docking revealed that SCFAs could bind with IGF1, PI3K, and AKT. Our findings demonstrated that CSP treatment modulates gut microbial composition, especially of the SCFAs-producing bacteria, activates the IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and exhibits hypoglycemic efficacy.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314 includes a gene for serotonin biosynthesis via the tryptophan metabolic pathway

As the functions of probiotics within the same species may not be shared, it is important to analyze the genetic characteristics of strains to determine their safety and usefulness before industrial applications. Hence the present study was undertaken to determine functional genes, and beneficial activities of strain LRCC5314, a bacterial strain isolated from kimchi through comparative genomic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain LRCC5314 was a member of the species L. plantarum. Whole genome size of strain LRCC5314 was sequence was 3.25 Mb long, with a G + C content of 44.5 mol% and 3,031 predicted genes. Strain LRCC5314 could metabolize hexoses through homofermentation, which produces only lactic acid from hexoses. According to gene annotation, strain LRCC-5314 contained genes of EPS production and CRISPR. Moreover, the strain contained genes that could encode a complete biosynthetic pathway for the production of tryptophan, which can be used as a precursor of serotonin. Notably, the tryptophan and serotonin activities strain LRCC5314 were higher than those of reference strains, L. plantarum ATCC 14917^T, DSM 20246, DSM 2601, and ATCC 8014, which reach tryptophan amount of 0.784 ± 0.045 μM/ml in MRS broth and serotonin concentration of 19.075 ± 0.295 ng/ml in HT-22 cells. These findings indicated that L. plantarum LRCC5314 could provide a source for serotonin production and could be used as a functional probiotic for stress regulation.

Comparison of Quality Characteristics of Commercial Kimchi Manufactured in Korea, China, and the United States

Recently, kimchi has been recognized as a healthy food worldwide, prompting increased interest in its health benefits and quality characteristics. Although commercial kimchi is manufactured in various countries, little is known about quality differences between the kimchi from different countries. To clarify differences in quality characteristics, minerals, free sugars, organic acids, free amino acids, and volatile compounds, commercial kimchi manufactured in Korea, China, and the United States were investigated. The composition of the microbial community and antioxidant activity were compared. Mineral and free sugar contents were high in Korean commercial kimchi, while the organic acid content was relatively low. The free amino acid content was markedly higher in Korean kimchi than that in kimchi manufactured in China and the United States. In addition, the volatile compound content differed between the kimchi produced in different countries. Considering the microbial communities, Leuconostoc and Weissella were more abundant in commercial kimchi from Korea than that from China or the United States. Commercial kimchi in Korea showed the highest antioxidant activity. These results support the high quality and antioxidant activity of commercial kimchi manufactured in Korea, emphasizing its importance in the global kimchi industry.