Gut Immunity and Microbiota Dysbiosis Are Associated with Altered Bile Acid Metabolism in LPS-Challenged Piglets

Genetic Connectivity of Gut Microbiota and Oral Ulcers: A Mendelian Randomization Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship, if any, between gut microbiota and oral ulcers.

METHODS

We performed a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to estimate the roles of gut microbiota in mouth ulcers. The summary datasets of gut microbiota were from the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by MiBioGen, and data of mouth ulcers were obtained from UK Biobank. Random effect inverse variance-weighted, weighted median, MR Egger, simple mode and weighted mode were used to estimate the relationship. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of instrumental variables. MR Steiger filtering was also applied to orient the causal direction.

RESULTS

Three gut microbiota taxa were positively associated with mouth ulcers: Holdemania (odds ratio [OR] = 1.005, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.009, P = .019), Oxalobacter (OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.000-1.007, P = .032), and Ruminococcaceae UCG011 (OR = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.001-1.011, P = .029), while 4 gut microbiota taxa were negatively associated with mouth ulcers: Actinobacteria (OR = 0.992, 95% CI: 0.985-1.000, P = .042), Lactobacillales (OR = 0.995, 95% CI: 0.990-1.000, P = .034), Oscillospira (OR = 0.990, 95% CI: 0.984-0.997, P = .007) and Phascolarctobacterium (OR = 0.992, 95% CI: 0.986-0.997, P = .003). Sensitivity analyses validated the robustness of the association in between.

CONCLUSIONS

This MR study identified a strong association between the quality of gut microbiota and oral ulcers. The findings are likely to expand the therapeutic targets for mouth ulcers.

Farnesoid X receptor: From Structure to Function and Its Pharmacology in Liver Fibrosis

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, plays a crucial role in regulating bile acid metabolism within the enterohepatic circulation. Beyond its involvement in metabolic disorders and immune imbalances affecting various tissues, FXR is implicated in microbiota modulation, gut-to-brain communication, and liver disease. The liver, as a pivotal metabolic and detoxification organ, is susceptible to damage from factors such as alcohol, viruses, drugs, and high-fat diets. Chronic or recurrent liver injury can culminate in liver fibrosis, which, if left untreated, may progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer, posing significant health risks. However, therapeutic options for liver fibrosis remain limited in terms of FDA-approved drugs. Recent insights into the structure of FXR, coupled with animal and clinical investigations, have shed light on its potential pharmacological role in hepatic fibrosis. Progress has been achieved in both fundamental research and clinical applications. This review critically examines recent advancements in FXR research, highlighting challenges and potential mechanisms underlying its role in liver fibrosis treatment.

Microbiome and metabolome analyses reveal significant alterations of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in ETEC-challenged weaned piglets by dietary berberine supplementation

This study mainly investigated the effects of berberine (BBR) on the bile acid metabolism in gut-liver axis and the microbial community in large intestine of weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) by microbiome and metabolome analyses. Sixty-four piglets were randomly assigned to four groups including Control group, BBR group, ETEC group, and BBR + ETEC group. Dietary BBR supplementation upregulated the colonic mRNA expression of Occludin, Claudin-5, trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), and interleukin (IL)-10, and downregulated colonic IL-1β and IL-8 mRNA expression in piglets challenged with ETEC K88 (p < 0.05). The hepatic non-targeted metabolome results showed that dietary BBR supplementation enriched the metabolic pathways of primary bile acid biosynthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and taurine metabolism. The hepatic targeted metabolome analyses showed that BBR treatment increased the hepatic concentrations of taurocholic acid (TCA) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), but decreased the hepatic cholic acid (CA) concentration (p < 0.05). Further intestinal targeted metabolome analyses indicated that the deoxycholic acid (DCA), hyocholic acid (HCA), 7-ketodeoxycholic acid (7-KDCA), and the unconjugated bile acid concentrations in ileal mucosa was decreased by dietary BBR treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, BBR treatment significantly upregulated the hepatic holesterol 7 α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) mRNA expression, and upregulated the ileal mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) as well as the colonic mRNA expression of FXR, fibroblast growth factor19 (FGF19), takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) and organic solute transporters beta (OST-β) in piglets (p < 0.05). Moreover, the microbiome analysis showed that BBR significantly altered the composition and diversity of colonic and cecal microbiota community, with the abundances of Firmicutes (phylum), and Lactobacillus and Megasphaera (genus) significantly increased in the large intestine of piglets (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the relative abundances of Megasphaera (genus) were positively correlated with Claudin-5, Occludin, TFF3, and hepatic TCDCA concentration, but negatively correlated with hepatic CA and glycocholic acid (GCA) concentration (p < 0.05). Moreover, the relative abundances of Firmicute (phylum) and Lactobacillus (genus) were positively correlated with hepatic TCDCA concentration (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary BBR supplementation could regulate the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism through modulation of gut-liver axis, and attenuate the decreased intestinal tight junction expression caused by ETEC, which might help maintain intestinal homeostasis in weaned piglets.

TRAIP suppressed apoptosis and cell cycle to promote prostate cancer proliferation via TRAF2-PI3K-AKT pathway activation

BACKGROUND

TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP) is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, which has been implicated in various cellular processes and participated in various cancers as an oncogene. However, the function and potential mechanism of TRAIP in prostate cancer (PCa) have not been investigated so far.

METHODS

Public TGCA data were used to evaluate the expression profile of TRAIP in prostatic tumors. The relative expression of TRAIP and TRAF2 in PCa tissues and tumor cell lines was detected by qPCR, western blot, and IHC staining. Next, TRAIP knockdown and overexpression plasmids were constructed and transfected into PCa cell lines. Moreover, cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were measured by colony formation, Transwell, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays. Subsequently, cell cycle and signaling pathway-related proteins were tested by western blot. Finally, the effect of TRAIP on PCa was measured based on the nude mouse xenograft model.

RESULTS

TRAIP was significantly upregulated in PCa tissues and tumor cell lines. In addition, TRAIP promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of PCa cell lines. Such an oncogenic property was mediated by the cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of apoptosis, as indicated by different functional assays and the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins in cultured cells. Moreover, TRAIP combined with TRAF2 to activate PI3K/AKT pathway. Finally, TRAIP depletion suppressed the growth of tumors and cell proliferation in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study first revealed that TRAIP promoted tumor progression and identified it as a potential therapeutic target for PCa patients in the future.

RNA-Seq analysis offers insight into the TBBPA-DHEE-induced endocrine-disrupting effect and neurotoxicity in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether (TBBPA-DHEE) is the major TBBPA derivative. It has been detected in different environmental samples. Previous studies show that TBBPA-DHEE caused neurotoxicity in rats. In this study, juvenile zebrafish were exposed to various concentrations of TBBPA-DHEE to ascertain the potential neurotoxicity of TBBPA-DHEE, the chemical, and its possible molecular mechanism of action. Behavioral analysis revealed that TBBPA-DHEE could significantly increase the swimming distance and speed in the 1.5 mg/L group compared to the control. In contrast, the swimming distance and speed were significantly reduced in the 0.05 and 0.3 mg/L groups, affecting learning, memory, and neurodevelopment. Similarly, TBBPA-DHEE exposure caused a concentration-dependent significant increase in the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters, namely, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which could be attributed to the change observed in zebrafish behavior. This demonstrates the neurotoxicity of TBBPA-DHEE on juvenile zebrafish. The concentration-dependent increase in the IBR value revealed by the IBR index reveals the noticeable neurotoxic effect of TBBPA-DHEE. Transcriptomic analysis shows that TBBPA-DHEE exposure activated the PPAR signaling pathways, resulting in a disturbance of fatty acid (FA) metabolism and changes in the transcript levels of genes involved in these pathways, which could lead to lipotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Our findings demonstrate a distinct endocrine-disrupting response to TBBPA-DHEE exposure, possibly contributing to abnormal behavioral alterations. This study provides novel insights into underlying the mechanisms and effects of TBBPA-DHEE on aquatic organisms, which may be helpful forenvironmental/human health risk assessments of the emerging pollutant.

Effects of bile acid metabolism on intestinal health of livestock and poultry

Bile acids are synthesised in the liver and are essential amphiphilic steroids for maintaining the balance of cholesterol and energy metabolism in livestock and poultry. They can be used as novel feed additives to promote fat utilisation in the diet and the absorption of fat-soluble substances in the feed to improve livestock performance and enhance carcass quality. With the development of understanding of intestinal health, the balance of bile acid metabolism is closely related to the composition and growth of livestock intestinal microbiota, inflammatory response, and metabolic diseases. This paper systematically reviews the effects of bile acid metabolism on gut health and gut microbiology in livestock. In addition, our paper summarised the role of bile acid metabolism in performance and disease control.

AhR Activation Ameliorates Intestinal Barrier Damage in Immunostressed Piglets by Regulating Intestinal Flora and Its Metabolism

The primary factor leading to elevated rates of diarrhea and decreased performance in piglets is immunological stress. The regulation of immune stress through the intestinal flora is a crucial mechanism to consider. In total, 30 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to five groups: the basal diet group (Control), basal diet + lipopolysaccharides group (LPS), basal diet + 250 μg/kg 6-Formylindolo [3,2-b] carbazole + LPS group (FICZ), basal diet + 3mg/kg Cardamonin + LPS group (LCDN), and basal diet + 6mg/kg Cardamonin + LPS group (HCDN/CDN). The results showed that compared with those of the LPS group, the expression of tight junction proteins (occludin; claudin-1) in the FICZ group was significantly increased, and the mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). HCDN treatment had a better effect on LPS-induced intestinal barrier damage in this group than it did in the LCDN group. HCDN treatment leads to a higher villus height (VH), a higher ratio of villi height to crypt depth (V/C), higher tight junction proteins (ZO-1; occludin), and higher short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In addition, correlation analyses showed that Succinivibrio was positively correlated with several SCFAs and negatively correlated with prostaglandin-related derivatives in the FICZ group and CDN group (p < 0.05). In summary, Cardamonin alleviates intestinal mucosal barrier damage and inflammatory responses by regulating the intestinal microbiota and its metabolism.

Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Inflammation and Microbiota Dysbiosis of LPS-Challenged Piglets between Different Breeds

Post-weaning diarrhea is common in piglets, causing huge economic losses worldwide. Associations between LPS challenge, intestinal inflammation, and microbiota have been reported in Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) crossbred pigs. However, the effects of LPS challenge in other breeds remain unclear. In the current study, we performed a comprehensive comparative analysis of the effects of LPS challenge on jejunal mucosal morphology, jejunal microbial composition, and serum indexes in two pig breeds: DLY and Heigai, an indigenous Chinese breed. The results showed that LPS caused considerable damage to the mucosal morphology, enhanced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and the intestinal permeability index, and lowered the antioxidant capacity index. LPS challenge also changed the microbial composition and structure of the jejunum, significantly increased the abundances of Escherichia-Shigella in DLY pigs, and decreased those of Gemella and Saccharimonadales in Heigai pigs. Furthermore, LPS challenge triggered functional changes in energy metabolism and activities related to the stress response in the jejunal bacterial community, alleviating the inflammatory response in Heigai pigs. This study also revealed that Heigai pigs had a weaker immune response to LPS challenge than DLY pigs, and identified several genera related to the breed-specific phenotypes of Heigai pigs, including Gemella, Saccharimonadales, Clostridia_UCG_014, Terrisporobacter, and Dielma. Our collective findings uncovered differences between Heigai and DLY pigs in intestinal inflammation and microbiota dysbiosis induced by LPS challenge, providing a theoretical basis for unraveling the mechanism of intestinal inflammation in swine and proposing microbial candidates involved in the resistance to diarrhea in piglets.

Panax notoginseng stems and leaves affect microbial community and function in cecum of duzang pigs

Panax notoginseng is a Chinese medicine with a long history in which stems and leaves are the wastes of processing Panax notoginseng and have not been effectively utilized. The effects of diets containing Panax notoginseng stems and leaves on the cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and microbiome of independent pigs were studied. Diets containing Panax notoginseng stems and leaves did not affect the concentration of SCFA in the cecal contents of Duzang pigs but affected the microbial composition and diversity. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes dominate in the cecal of Duzang pigs. Feeding Duzang pigs with a 10% Panax notoginseng stems and leaves diet increases the abundance of Lactobacillus, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and Akkermansia in the cecal. We found 14 genera positively associated with acetate, and they were Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae UCG 005, Ruminiclostridium 6; Escherichia Shigella and Family XIII AD3011 group showed negative correlations. Solobacterium, Desulfovibrio, and Erysipelatoclostridium were positively associated with propionate. Campylobacter, Clostridium sensu stricto 11, and Angelakisella were positively associated with butyrate. In conclusion, Panax notoginseng stems and leaves could affect the cecal microbial community and functional composition of Duzang pigs. Panax notoginseng stems and leaves reduce the enrichment of lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic pathway of the cecal microbiome, which may have a positive effect on intestinal health. The higher abundance of GH25 family in Duzang pig's cecal microbiome of fed Panax notoginseng stems and leaves diet. This increase may be the reason for the microbial diversity decrease.

The Effect of Sodium Alginate-Coated Nano-Zinc Oxide on the Growth Performance, Serum Indexes and Fecal Microbial Structure of Weaned Piglets

High dose of zinc oxide (ZnO) could improve growth performance and alleviate disease status, whereas it caused serious environmental pollution and bacterial resistance. This study was to investigate whether low doses of sodium alginate-coated nano zinc oxide (saZnO), a new type of zinc resource, could serve as a potential alternative to pharmacological doses of traditional ZnO in weaned piglets. A total of 144 crossbred piglets were randomly allocated into three groups, including a basal diet without the addition of Zn (CON), a basal diet with 1600 mg Zn/kg from traditional ZnO (ZnO), and a basal diet with 500 mg Zn/kg from saZnO (saZnO). The experiment lasted for 28 days. The results showed that supplementing with ZnO and saZnO for 14 and 28 days significantly improved body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01) and markedly reduced the feed intake-to-gain ratio (F/G) (p < 0.05) and diarrhea rate. In addition, dietary ZnO and saZnO significantly increased the activities of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.01). Supplementing with saZnO also promoted the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), IgM and copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) in serum (p < 0.05), whereas a ZnO addition decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), indicating the beneficial effect of Zn on antioxidant and immune functions. Piglets fed the ZnO diet showed higher serum Zn accumulations than those fed the CON and saZnO diets at d 28 (p < 0.01), and supplementing with ZnO and saZnO markedly contributed to Zn excretion in feces, especially in the ZnO diet (p < 0.01). Additionally, piglets fed the saZnO diet had greater valeric acid concentrations (p < 0.05) in their feces, while other short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were not affected by different treatments (p > 0.05). Microbial alpha diversity was reduced in the saZnO group compared with the CON group (p < 0.05), while an obvious separation of microbial composition, the marker of beta diversity, was shown among the three groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, six genera, including Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Terrisporobacter, f_Muribaculaceae, Subdoligranulum and Intestinibacter, were pronouncedly increased in the ZnO and saZnO groups (p < 0.05); another nine species were dramatically downregulated, such as f_Lachnospiraceae, f_Prevotellaceae, f_Butyricicoccaceae and f_Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.05). Finally, a functional analysis indicated that altered microbes significantly changed the "Metabolism" pathway (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that saZnO could act as a feasible substitute for ZnO to reduce Zn emission and enhance growth performance, antioxidant and immune functions, and to adjust the structure of gut microbiota in piglets.

TRIM28 recruits E2F1 to regulate CBX8-mediated cell proliferation and tumor metastasis of ovarian cancer

Chromobox protein homolog 8 (CBX8) is a transcriptional suppressor participated in various cancers. However, the function and mechanism of CBX8 in the progression of ovarian cancer (OC) are unclear. In this study, we found that CBX8 was upregulated in OC tissues originating from GEPIA and TNM databases, OC patients' samples from hospital, and OC cell lines. Furthermore, CBX8 knockdown by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology markedly inhibited proliferation and invasion, induced migration, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, CBX8 activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to take effect. In addition, TRIM28 and E2F1 were enriched in OC tissues from the TNM database and OC patients' samples similar to the results of CBX8. Correlation analysis indicated positive correlations among TRIM28, E2F1, and CBX8. E2F1 was proved to bind to the promoter regions of CBX8 and TRIM28, while TRIM28 recruited E2F1 to increase the expression of CBX8 to further increase cell viability, proliferation, and invasion, and decrease migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression. Finally, CBX8 or TRIM28 knockdown repressed tumor growth and metastasis of OC in vivo. Therefore, our study showed that the promoting effect of CBX8 on tumor growth and metastasis of OC was participated in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, TRIM28 and E2F1. Our findings suggested that CBX8 could serve as a potential marker and therapeutic target for OC patients.

Plasma non-transferrin-bound iron uptake by the small intestine leads to intestinal injury and intestinal flora dysbiosis in an iron overload mouse model and Caco-2 cells

Iron overload often occurs during blood transfusion and iron supplementation, resulting in the presence of non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) in host plasma and damage to multiple organs, but effects on the intestine have rarely been reported. In this study, an iron overload mouse model with plasma NTBI was established by intraperitoneal injection of iron dextran. We found that plasma NTBI damaged intestinal morphology, caused intestinal oxidative stress injury and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and induced intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis. In addition, plasma NTBI increased the relative abundance of Ileibacterium and Desulfovibrio in the cecum, while the relative abundance of Faecalibaculum and Romboutsia was reduced. Ileibacterium may be a potential microbial biomarker of plasma NTBI. Based on the function prediction analysis, plasma NTBI led to the weakening of intestinal microbiota function, significantly reducing the function of the extracellular structure. Further investigation into the mechanism of injury showed that iron absorption in the small intestine significantly increased in the iron group. Caco-2 cell monolayers were used as a model of the intestinal epithelium to study the mechanism of iron transport. By adding ferric ammonium citrate (FAC, plasma NTBI in physiological form) to the basolateral side, the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) values from the basolateral to the apical side were greater than 3×10-6 cm s-1. Intracellular ferritin level and apical iron concentration significantly increased, and SLC39A8 (ZIP8) and SLC39A14 (ZIP14) were highly expressed in the FAC group. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down ZIP8 and ZIP14 in Caco-2 cells. Transfection with ZIP14-specific shRNA decreased intracellular ferritin level and inhibited iron uptake. These results revealed that plasma NTBI may cause intestinal injury and intestinal flora dysbiosis due to the uptake of plasma NTBI from the basolateral side into the small intestine, which is probably mediated by ZIP14.

Response of sediment microbial communities to different levels of PAC contamination and exposure time

Coagulants such as polyaluminium chloride (PAC) are widely used for removing phosphorus from eutrophic water, but its application for water treatment can potentially harm the environment. In this study, a four-timepoint exposure experiment was performed at week 1, 3, 7 and 10 to investigate how microbial communities in lake sediments respond to different concentrations of PAC (RS (raw lake water with nothing added), Low, Medium and High). The results showed that, while PAC can efficiently decrease the amount of C, N and P in lake water, the presence of residual aluminum and aluminum precipitates can greatly affect the microbial communities in lake sediments. In particular, different concentrations of PAC and exposure time affected the microbial diversity and structure of lake sediments, with changes being especially obvious at high concentration of PAC after 10 weeks of exposure. Moreover, the use of PAC significantly increased the relative abundances of Gammaproteobacteria and Competibacter, while reducing those of Thermodesulfovibrionia, Vicinamibacterales, and BSV26 in time- and concentration-dependent manners. Network analysis further showed strong correlations between differential bacterial species of PAC in high concentration at 10 weeks, which further suggested that PAC treatment changed the complex structure of microbiota in lake sediment. Finally, correlation analysis indicated a close connection between water parameters and differential species induced by PAC treatment. Overall, PAC contamination changed the microbial communities at different taxonomy levels and influenced the functional pathways to potentiate the P removal, and the results offered interesting insights into the use of PAC in water treatment and its impact on biogeochemical cycling. These results indicated that more attention need to be paid to the potential impact of chemical phosphorus removing reagents on the environment, including eutrophic water.

Mannan Oligosaccharides Promoted Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy through the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Mice

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOSs) have been implicated in the animal growth rate, health indices, and lipid oxidative stability. MOSs have been indicated to maintain intestinal health and anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of gut microbiota. Furthermore, the role of MOSs in modulating skeletal muscle function is largely unknown. Here, this study aimed to investigate the effects of MOS supplementation on muscle function and muscle mass in mice. Additionally, the possible underlying mechanisms, including the contributions of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, were explored. In our study, 3-week-old C57BL/6J male mice (body weight of approximately 10.7 ± 1.1 g) were given pure water or pure water with 1% MOS. To study the effect of MOSs on gut-microbiota-derived metabolites, serum metabolic profiles were analyzed through untargeted metabolomic profiling. Moreover, we detected the downstream signals of differential metabolites, and decanoic acid (DA) was selected as our target spot. Then, DA was used to treat C2C12 cells, and we found that DA promotes C2C12 cell differentiation via the GPR84 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In conclusion, these results showed that MOS supplementation improves muscle function and muscle mass. Additionally, gut microbiome and microbial metabolites were regulated by MOSs, and DA may be one of the most important links between the gut microbiome and skeletal muscle function regulation.

The Effects of Bacillus subtilis QST713 and β-mannanase on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and the gut microbiota in weaned piglets

We investigated the effects of different Bacillus subtilis QST713 doses and a B. subtilis QST713 and β-mannanase mix on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. In total, 320 healthy piglets were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) control group (basal diet), 2) BS100 group (basal diet plus 100 mg/kg B. subtilis QST713), 3) BS200 group (basal diet plus 200 mg/kg B. subtilis QST713), and 4) a BS100XT group (basal diet plus 100 mg/kg B. subtilis QST713 and 150 mg/kg β-mannanase). The study duration was 42 d. We showed that feed intake in weaned piglets on days 1 to 21 was increased in group BS100 (P < 0.05), and that the feed conversion ratio in group BS100XT animals decreased throughout the study (P < 0.05). In terms of microbial counts, the BS100XT group showed reduced Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens numbers on day 21 (P < 0.05). Moreover, no significant α-diversity differences were observed across all groups during the study (P > 0.05). However, principal coordinates analysis indicated clear separations in bacterial community structures across groups (analysis of similarities: P < 0.05) on days 21 and 42. Additionally, E-cadherin, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression in piglet feces increased (P < 0.05) by adding B. subtilis QST713 and β-mannanase to diets. Notably, this addition decreased short-chain fatty acid concentrations. In conclusion, B. subtilis QST713 addition or combined B. subtilis QST713 plus β-mannanase effectively improved growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and microbial balance in weaned piglets.

Araceae root and citrus fibers tend to decrease Escherichia coli adhesion and myeloperoxidase levels in weaned piglets

Introduction

Weaning is a stressful experience in the piglet's life, and it often coincides with impaired gut health. Post-weaning diarrhea in piglets is frequently caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). The first step of an E. coli infection is the adhesion to host-specific receptors present on enterocytes, leading to pro-inflammatory immune responses. The aim of this study was to examine if specific fiber fractions in the piglet diet can prevent E. coli adhesion and subsequent immune responses.

Methods

The trial included 200 piglets (Danbred × Piétrain): 10 piglets/pen × 10 pens/dietary treatment × 2 dietary treatments. From weaning until 14 days (d14) post-weaning, piglets were fed a control diet or test diet with 2 kg/ton of a mixture of specific fiber fractions derived from Araceae root and citrus. Afterwards, 1 piglet per pen was euthanized, a section was taken at 75% of small intestinal length and E. coli colonization on the mucosal epithelium was quantified by scraping and conventional plating. From the same small intestinal section, histo-morphological indices were assessed, and mucosal scrapings were analyzed for gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and NF-kB. Analyses of specific intestinal bacteria and SCFA were performed on samples of intestinal content (small intestine, caecum, colon). Fecal samples were taken to measure myeloperoxidase (MPO), calprotectin and PAP/RAG3A as biomarkers for intestinal inflammation.

Results and discussion

Piglets fed the fiber mixture tended to have decreased E. coli colonization to the mucosal epithelium (5.65 vs. 4.84 log10 CFU/g; P = 0.07), less E. coli in the caecum (8.91 vs. 7.72 log10 CFU/g; P = 0.03) and more Lachnospiraceae in the colon (11.3 vs. 11.6 log10 CFU/g; P = 0.03). Additionally, the fiber mixture tended to increase cecal butyric acid (10.4 vs. 19.1 mmol/kg; P = 0.07). No significant effect on histo-morphological indices and on gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and NF-kB was observed. The fecal MPO concentration tended to decrease (20.2 vs. 10.4 ng/g; P = 0.07), indicating less intestinal inflammation. In conclusion, this study showed that specific fiber fractions from Araceae root and citrus in piglet weaner diets may decrease the risk of pathogen overgrowth by reducing E. coli adhesion and intestinal inflammation.

Hydrogen-Rich Water Mitigates LPS-Induced Chronic Intestinal Inflammatory Response in Rats via Nrf-2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Long-term exposure to low-dose lipopolysaccharide can impair intestinal barriers, causing intestinal inflammation and leading to systemic inflammation. Hydrogen-rich water possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions and exerts inhibitory effects on various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated whether oral hydrogen-rich water could prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic intestinal inflammation. An experimental model was established by feeding hydrogen-rich water, followed by the injection of lipopolysaccharide (200 μg/kg) in the tail vein of rats after seven months. ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and other methods were used to detect related cytokines, proteins related to the NF-κB and Nrf-2 signaling pathways, and tight-junction proteins to study the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of hydrogen-rich water. The obtained results show that hydrogen-rich water significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and structural proteins; activated the Nrf-2 signaling pathway; downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors cyclooxygenase-2, myeloperoxidase, and ROS; and decreased the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest that hydrogen-rich water could protect against chronic intestinal inflammation in rats caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by regulating the Nrf-2 signaling pathway.

Maternal nucleotide supplementation improves the intestinal morphology and immune function in lipopolysaccharide-challenged newborn piglets

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal nucleotide (NT) supplementation on intestinal morphology and immune function in lipopolysaccharide-challenged newborn piglets. At 85 d gestation, 12 sows were selected and assigned to two groups: the CON group (basal diet, n = 6) and the NT group (basal diet with 1 g/kg NT mixture, n = 6). After parturition, newborn piglets were collected without suckling. Piglets from the CON group were intraperitoneally injected with sterile saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg body weight), and divided into the C-CON (n = 6) and C-LPS groups (n = 6). Piglets from the NT group received the same treatment and were divided into the N-CON (n = 6) and N-LPS groups (n = 6). The blood and small intestinal samples of piglets were collected 1 h after injection. The results showed that: (1) maternal NT supplementation increased the concentrations of serum complement C3 and C4 (P < 0.05), and suppressed the increase in serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein in LPS-challenged newborn piglets (P < 0.05); (2) maternal NT supplementation increased the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum of newborn piglets (P < 0.05) and inhibited the LPS-induced decrease in the villus height in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). (3) The LPS-induced increased levels of interleukin-6 in the jejunum and tumor necrosis factor-α in the ileum of newborn piglets were suppressed by maternal NT supplementation (P < 0.05). (4) In the jejunum of newborn piglets, maternal NT supplementation inhibited the LPS-induced increase in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.05) and the decrease of nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α (IκBα) protein expression (P < 0.05). In the ileum, piglets had a lower nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) mRNA expression in the NT groups than the CON groups (P < 0.05), and maternal NT supplementation suppressed the decrease of IκBα mRNA in LPS-treated piglets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal NT supplementation could promote the intestinal development and immune function of newborn piglets, and may improve LPS-induced intestinal inflammatory responses via the TLR4/IκBα/NFκB pathway.

Features of the clinical manifestation of subcompensated intestinal dysbiosis in cats in assessing the effectiveness of its correction

Formation and reproduction of gut microbiome begins at birth, while change in its composition depends mainly on various genetic, nutritional and environmental factors. The article considers the features of clinical manifestation of subcompensated intestinal dysbiosis in cats in assessing the effectiveness of its treatment. The studies were carried out on the basis of Department of Veterinary Medicine, RUDN University, and the clinical work was conducted at private veterinary clinics: Avettura, Epiona, In the World with Animals. Cats were selected for the experiment as they arrived at the initial appointment at veterinary clinics. The diagnosis of suspected intestinal dysbacteriosis was made considering anamnesis, clinical examination, and microbiological tests. The severity of intestinal dysbacteriosis was assessed on the results of clinical and laboratory studies. During the research, clinical and diagnostic approaches for subcompensated intestinal dysbacteriosis in cats were improved. Furthermore, effective ways of its treatment were developed. For subcompensated intestinal dysbacteriosis, administration of Lactobifadol probiotic, Vetelakt prebiotic and Azoksivet immunomodulator showed the greatest therapeutic effect, which led to an overall clinical improvement in 5.50 days. Therapeutic efficacy of B3 regimen was also clearly evidenced by the positive changes in intestinal microbiota and hematological blood parameters during the pharmacorrection. Improvement of clinical diagnostic approaches, prognosis of intestinal dysbiosis of varying severity and treatment effectiveness in cats require will allow to study intestinal dysbiotic disorders in other animal species.

Characteristics of gut microbiota of term small gestational age infants within 1 week and their relationship with neurodevelopment at 6 months

Introduction

Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are at a higher risk of neurodevelopmental delay than infants appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Previous studies have confirmed that gut microbiota in early life influences subsequent neurodevelopment. However, few studies have reported corresponding data in SGA populations.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the gut microbiota of term SGA infants and the associations between the gut microbiota in SGA infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 months of age.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 from term SGA and AGA infants born between June 2020 and June 2021 at the Peking University First Hospital. 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid amplicon sequencing was used to analyze the fecal microbiota. We followed up for 6 months and used the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-3 (ASQ-3) to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes among SGA infants.

Results

A total of 162 neonates were enrolled, with 41 SGA infants (25.3%) in the study group and 121 AGA infants (74.7%) in the control group. The gut microbial diversity in the SGA group was lower than that in the AGA group on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarities showed significant differences between the two groups. The SGA group had increased relative abundances of Ralstonia (3, 5, and 7 days) and Clostridium (3 and 7 days). The dominant microorganisms of the SGA group were Ralstonia on day 1, Escherichia_Shigella on days 3 and 7, and Clostridia on day 5. We found that the gut microbial diversity of SGA infants with poor communication scores was higher than that of SGA infants with good communication scores on day 3. Fine motor scores were negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroides_fragilis on day 1. A negative correlation was observed between gross motor scores and relative abundance of Clostridium_saccharobutylicum on day 7. Bacteroidota, Bacteroidia, Bacteroides, and Bacteroides_fragilis were the dominant microorganisms in the good communication score group on day 7. Communication scores were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Bacteroides, and Bacteroides_fragilis on day 7.

Conclusion

The gut microbial diversity of term SGA infants was significantly lower in the first week of life than that of term AGA infants. Certain pathogenic and conditional pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia_Shigella, Ralstonia and Clostridium increased or formed the dominant microbiota in SGA infants. Alpha diversity, Bacteroidota, Bacteroides, Bacteroides_fragilis, and Clostridium_saccharobutylicum found in SGA infants may be associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 months of age, indicating possible therapeutic targets for clinical intervention.

Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction Prevents the Occurrence of Intestinal Tumors by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota and Gasdermin E

Background: Intestinal tumors are the third most common malignant tumors worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all new cancer cases worldwide. Cancer prevention is a promising way to limit the intestinal tumor incidence rate; however, challenges remain. Qingchang Wenzhong decoction (QCWZD) can clinically treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis symptoms. Moreover, the mechanism by which it prevents intestinal tumors has not been clarified. In this study, we explored the mechanism by which QCWZD prevents the occurrence of intestinal tumors.

Methods: To study the preventive mechanism of QCWZD on intestinal tumors, we used two model mice with azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)- and Apcmin/+-induced intestinal tumor formation. The two models exhibited colitis-associated cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis, respectively. Colon and small intestine tissues were collected and analyzed based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry analyses. Fecal samples were collected, and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the correlation between intestinal microbiota and the prevention of intestinal tumors.

Results: In the AOM/DSS mice, the QCWZD reduced the number and size of tumors, as well as tumor load. Similarly, in the Apcmin/+ mice, QCWZD can also reduce the number of tumors and the tumor load. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed that QCWZD altered the composition of intestinal microbiota in mice, a phenomenon that may prevent the occurrence of intestinal tumors by aiding the increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Ralstonia and Butyricicoccus, and reducing that of pathogenic bacteria, such as Desulfobacterota and Bacteroides, in the intestine. Further, immunohistochemistry reveald that QCWZD can improve the expression of intestinal barrier-related proteins and inhibit pyroptosis-related proteins.

Conclusions: QCWZD has the potential to prevent the occurrence of intestinal tumors. The anti-tumor activity may be achieved by regulating the intestinal microbiota, improving the function of the intestinal barrier, and inhibiting GSDME mediated pyroptosis.

Early-life galacto-oligosaccharides supplementation alleviates the small intestinal oxidative stress and dysfunction of lipopolysaccharide-challenged suckling piglets

BACKGROUND

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This study investigated the protective effect of the early-life GOS supplement on the piglets' gut function against the oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenge.

METHODS

Eighteen neonatal piglets were assigned to three groups including CON, LPS and LPS + GOS groups. The piglets in CON group and LPS group received physiological saline, while those in LPS + GOS group received GOS solution for 13 d after birth. On d 14, the piglets in LPS group and LPS + GOS group were injected with LPS solutions, while the piglets in CON group were injected with the same volume of physiological saline.

RESULTS

The results showed that the early-life GOS supplement blocked the LPS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) secretion, malondialdehyde (MDA) production and the increase of pro-apoptotic factor expression. Meanwhile, the early-life GOS supplement improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes, disaccharidase enzymes activities, and digestive enzymes activities, and increased the mRNA abundance of the gene related to nutrient digestion and absorption and the relative protein expression of tight junction. The study also showed that the early-life GOS supplement improved the expression of Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H/quinone acceptor oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1), and activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that GOS enhanced the gut function, reduced the ROS production and pro-apoptotic factors gene expression, and activated the AMPK signaling pathway in LPS-challenged piglets.

The Inhibition of LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses Is Associated with the Protective Effect of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Bovine Hepatocytes and Murine Liver

This study aimed to evaluate whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) alleviates hepatic responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and oxidation. Isolated bovine hepatocytes and BALB/c mice were used for LPS challenge and EGCG pretreatment experiments in vitro and in vivo. LPS-challenged (6 μg/mL) hepatocytes exhibited increased levels of NF-κB (p65 and IκBα) and MAPK (p38, ERK, JNK) phosphorylation as well as increased binding activity of p65 to target pro-inflammatory gene promoters, and these effects were suppressed by pretreatment with 50 μM EGCG. Moreover, the reduction in Nrf2 signaling and antioxidant enzyme activities induced by LPS stimulation were reversed upon EGCG treatment. In vivo experiments demonstrated the protective role of EGCG in response to GalN/LPS-induced mortality and oxidative damage. Together, our results suggest that EGCG is hepatoprotective via inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB signaling and activation of the Nrf2 cascade. This information might help design strategies for counteracting hepatitis in ruminants and monogastric animals.

Simotang Alleviates the Gastrointestinal Side Effects of Chemotherapy by Altering Gut Microbiota

Simotang oral liquid (SMT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consisting of four natural plants and is used to alleviate gastrointestinal side effects after chemotherapy and functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the mechanism by which SMT helps cure these gastrointestinal diseases is still unknown. Here, we discovered that SMT could alleviate gastrointestinal side effects after chemotherapy by altering gut microbiota. C57BL/6J mice were treated with cisplatin (DDP) and SMT, and biological samples were collected. Pathological changes in the small intestine were observed, and the intestinal injury score was assessed. The expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6 and the adhesive factors Occludin and ZO-1 in mouse blood or small intestine tissue were also detected. Moreover, the gut microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. SMT was found to effectively reduce gastrointestinal mucositis after DDP injection, which lowered inflammation and tightened the intestinal epithelial cells. Gut microbiota analysis showed that the abundance of the anti-inflammatory microbiota was downregulated and that the inflammatory microbiota was upregulated in DDP-treated mice. SMT upregulated anti-inflammatory and anticancer microbiota abundance, while the inflammatory microbiota was downregulated. An antibiotic cocktail (ABX) was also used to delete mice gut microbiota to test the importance of gut microbiota, and we found that SMT could not alleviate gastrointestinal mucositis after DDP injection, showing that gut microbiota might be an important mediator of SMT treatment. Our study provides evidence that SMT might moderate gastrointestinal mucositis after chemotherapy by altering gut microbiota.

Effect of Immune Stress on Growth Performance and Immune Functions of Livestock: Mechanisms and Prevention

Simple Summary

Immune stress is an important stressor in domestic animals that leads to decreased feed intake, slow growth, and reduced disease resistance of pigs and poultry. Especially in high-density animal feeding conditions, the risk factor of immune stress is extremely high, as they are easily harmed by pathogens, and frequent vaccinations are required to enhance the immunity function of the animals. This review mainly describes the causes, mechanisms of immune stress and its prevention and treatment measures. This provides a theoretical basis for further research and development of safe and efficient prevention and control measures for immune stress in animals.

Abstract

Immune stress markedly affects the immune function and growth performance of livestock, including poultry, resulting in financial loss to farmers. It can lead to decreased feed intake, reduced growth, and intestinal disorders. Studies have shown that pathogen-induced immune stress is mostly related to TLR4-related inflammatory signal pathway activation, excessive inflammatory cytokine release, oxidative stress, hormonal disorders, cell apoptosis, and intestinal microbial disorders. This paper reviews the occurrence of immune stress in livestock, its impact on immune function and growth performance, and strategies for immune stress prevention.

Bacillus subtilis inhibits intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating gut flora and related metabolites in laying hens

Bacillus subtilis is one of the most popular commercial probiotics used in farm animal production. However, its potential mechanisms are not very clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis on intestinal histomorphology, innate immunity, microbiota composition, transcriptomics, and related metabolomics. Twenty-four 48-week-old Lohman Pink-shell laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: a basic diet and the basic diet supplemented with Bacillus subtilis (0.5 g/kg) for a 9-week experiment. At the end of the experiment, tissues of the duodenum, ileum, and jejunum as well as cecal content of each bird were collected for microstructure, PCR, transcriptome, metabolome, and 16S rRNA analyses. The results showed that dietary Bacillus subtilis supplement had no effect on the intestinal microstructure. However, Bacillus subtilis increased mRNA expression of tight junction protein occludin (P < 0.05), while reduced mRNA expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF factor (P < 0.01) in the duodenum. Moreover, transcriptomic results indicated that most of Bacillus subtilis supplement-induced differential genes were associated with inflammation and immunity, including cytochrome b-245 beta chain, transferrin, and purinergic receptor P2X 7, resulting in a decrease in Malondialdehyde level (P < 0.05) in the duodenum. In addition, at the genus level, Bacillus subtilis supplement enriched the potential beneficial bacteria, Candidatus_Soleaferrea (P = 0.02) but inhibited the harmful bacteria including Lachnospiraceae_FCS020_group, Ruminiclostridium, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, and Oxalobacter. Metabolomic results revealed that N-Acetylneuraminic acid and ADP were increased by fed Bacillus subtilis. These results suggest that dietary Bacillus subtilis could inhibit gut inflammation and improve antioxidative status and barrier integrity of the duodenum via regulating gut microbial composition in laying hens.

Protective effects of polysaccharides from Atractylodes macrocephalae Koidz. against dextran sulfate sodium induced intestinal mucosal injury on mice

In the present research, the water-soluble polysaccharides (AMP) from Atractylodes macrocephalae Koidz. were isolated and prepared. The protective effects of AMP on intestinal mucosal barrier injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice were investigated. It was found that AMP treatment significantly alleviated the body weight decreases and shorten colon length, and ameliorated colonic damage induced by DSS. Importantly, AMP prevented the over-expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and decreased the infiltration of neutrophils in colon. Additionally, AMP could raise expressions of Mucin 2 and tight junction protein Claudin-1. AMP also modulated the intestinal microbiota by enhancing the overall richness and diversity, greatly reducing the proportion of harmful bacteria, for instance, Clostridiumsensu stricto1 and Escherichia Shigella, however, augmenting the ratio of potential beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibaculum and Bifidobacterium. This work offers some important insights on protective effects of polysaccharides AMP against intestinal barrier dysfunction and provides underlying mechanism of health-beneficial properties of these biological macromolecules.

Dietary fatty acids in gut health: Absorption, metabolism and function

In biological responses, fatty acids (FA) are absorbed and metabolized in the form of substrates for energy production. The molecular structures (number of double bonds and chain length) and composition of dietary FA impact digestion, absorption and metabolism, and the biological roles of FA. Recently, increasing evidence indicates that FA are essentially utilized as an energy source and are signaling molecules that exert physiological activity of gut microbiota and immune responses. In addition, FA could serve as natural ligands for orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), also called free fatty acid receptors (FFAR), which intertwine metabolic and immune systems via multiple mechanisms. The present review explores the recent findings on FA absorption and its impact on gut health, particularly addressing the mechanism by which dietary FA potentially influences intestinal microbiota and epithelial functions. Also, this work attempts to uncover research ideas for devising future strategies for manipulating the composition of dietary FA to regulate gut health and support a normal immune system for metabolic and immune disorders.

Metagenomic Sequencing Analysis of the Effects of Colistin Sulfate on the Pig Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome plays important roles in maintaining host health, and inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause imbalance, which may contribute to serious disease. However, despite its promise, using metagenomic sequencing to explore the effects of colistin on gut microbiome composition in pig has not been reported. Herein, we evaluated the roles of colistin in gut microbiome modulation in pigs. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that overall microbial diversity was higher in the colistin group compared with the control group. Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database analysis demonstrated that following colistin treatment, expression levels of tsnr, ant6ia, tetq, oleb, norm, ant3ia, and mexh were significantly upregulated, indicating that colistin may induce transformation of antibiotic resistance genes. Colistin also affected the microbiome distribution patterns at both genus and phylum levels. In addition, at the species level, colistin significantly reduced the abundance of Prevotella copri, Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens, and Prevotella stercorea and enhanced the abundance of Treponema succinifaciens and Acidaminococcus fermentans compared to the control group. Gene Ontology analysis demonstrated that following treatment with colistin, metabolic process, cellular process, and single-organism process were the dominant affected terms. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that oxidative phosphorylation, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, various types of N-glycan biosynthesis, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, pathogenic Escherichia coli infection, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway–yeast were the dominant signaling pathways in the colistin group. Overall, our results suggested that colistin affects microbial diversity and may modulate gut microbiome composition in pig, potentially providing novel strategy or antibiotic rationalization pertinent to human and animal health.