Prevotellaceae produces butyrate to alleviate PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-related cardiotoxicity via PPARα-CYP4X1 axis in colonic macrophages

Eravacycline improves the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy via AP1/CCL5 mediated M1 macrophage polarization in melanoma

Screening approved library is a promising and safe strategy to overcome the limitation of low response rate and drug resistance in immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence showed that the application of antibiotics has been considered to reduce the effectiveness of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in tumor treatment, however, in this study, an antibiotic drug (Eravacycline, ERV) was identified to improve the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in melanoma through screening approved library. Administration of ERV significantly attenuated melanoma cells growth as well as directly or indirectly benefited M1 macrophage polarization. Meanwhile, ERV treatment significantly induced cellular autophagy via damage of mitochondria, leading to up-regulation of ROS production, subsequently, raised CCL5 secretion through elevation AP1 binding to CCL5 promoter via p38 or JNK1/2 activation. Knockdown of Ccl5 expression attenuated ERV triggered M1 macrophage polarization in melanoma cells. Clinical analysis revealed a positive association between high expression of CCL5 and improved prognosis as well as a favorable anti-PD1 therapy in melanoma patients. As expected, application of ERV improved the efficacy of anti-PD1. Overall, our results approved that ERV enhances the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in melanoma by promoting the polarization of M1 macrophages, which provided novel therapeutic strategy for improving the effectiveness of melanoma anti-PD1 immunotherapy.

Enhanced targeted treatment of cervical cancer using nanoparticle-based doxycycline delivery system

This study investigates a nanoparticle-based doxycycline (DOX) delivery system targeting cervical cancer cells via the CD44 receptor. Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity between hyaluronic acid (HA) and CD44 (binding energy: -7.2 kJ/mol). Characterization of the HA-Chitosan nanoparticles showed a particle size of 284.6 nm, a zeta potential of 16.9 mV, and a polydispersity index of 0.314, with SEM confirming smooth surface morphology. The encapsulation efficiency of DOX-loaded nanoparticles was 89.32%, exhibiting a sustained release profile, with 67.45% released over 72 h in acidic conditions (pH 5.5). Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated a significant reduction in HeLa cell viability to 22% at 72 h, compared to 67% in normal HEK cells. Stability tests confirmed the maintenance of nanoparticle integrity and a consistent drug release profile over three months. Cell migration was reduced by 45%, and RT-PCR analysis revealed a 53% downregulation of TNF-α expression, suggesting effective targeting of inflammatory pathways. These results underscore the potential of HA-Chitosan-based DOX nanoparticles in improving cervical cancer treatment through enhanced targeted delivery and inhibition of tumor-promoting mechanisms.

Sesamin Alleviates Allergen-Induced Diarrhea by Restoring Gut Microbiota Composition and Intestinal Barrier Function

Food allergens are the key triggers of allergic diarrhea, causing damage to the immune-rich ileum. This weakens the mucosal barrier and tight junctions, increases intestinal permeability, and exacerbates allergen exposure, thereby worsening the condition. Sesamin, a natural lignan isolated from sesame seed, has shown potential in regulating immune responses, but its effects on intestinal health remain unclear. In this study, we constructed an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic diarrhea mouse model, which demonstrated increased mast cell degranulation, reduced tight junction integrity, and impaired intestinal barrier function. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in the ileum, along with unbalanced cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) T-cell immunity, altered gut microbiota composition, and disrupted bacterial metabolism. Sesamin treatment significantly alleviated intestinal damage by modulating gut microbiota abundance, enhancing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and increasing SCFA receptor expression. This study suggests that sesamin may be a promising therapeutic candidate for allergic diarrhea and intestinal injury.

Epitranscriptomic RNA m6A Modification in Cancer Therapy Resistance: Challenges and Unrealized Opportunities

Significant advances in the development of new cancer therapies have given rise to multiple novel therapeutic options in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Although the development of resistance is often reported along with temporary disease remission, there is often tumor recurrence of an even more aggressive nature. Resistance to currently available anticancer drugs results in poor overall and disease-free survival rates for cancer patients. There are multiple mechanisms through which tumor cells develop resistance to therapeutic agents. To date, efforts to overcome resistance have only achieved limited success. Epitranscriptomics, especially related to m6A RNA modification dysregulation in cancer, is an emerging mechanism for cancer therapy resistance. Here, recent studies regarding the contributions of m6A modification and its regulatory proteins to the development of resistance to different cancer therapies are comprehensively reviewed. The promise and potential limitations of targeting these entities to overcome resistance to various anticancer therapies are also discussed.

Associations of the gut microbiome with outcomes in cervical and endometrial cancer patients treated with pembrolizumab: Insights from the phase II PRIMMO trial

BACKGROUND

The phase II PRIMMO trial investigated a pembrolizumab-based regimen in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic cervical (CC) or endometrial (EC) carcinoma who had at least one prior line of systemic therapy. Here, exploratory studies of the gut microbiome (GM) are presented.

METHODS

The microbial composition of 77 longitudinal fecal samples obtained from 35 patients (CC, n = 15; EC, n = 20) was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Analyses included assessment of alpha (Shannon index) and beta diversity (weighted UniFrac), unbiased hierarchical clustering, and linear discriminant analysis effect size. Correlative studies with demographics, disease characteristics, safety, efficacy, and immune monitoring data were performed.

RESULTS

Significant enrichment in multiple bacterial taxa was associated with the occurrence or resistance to severe treatment-related adverse events (overall or gastrointestinal toxicity specifically). Consistent differences in GM taxonomic composition before pembrolizumab initiation were observed between patients with favorable efficacy (e.g., enriched with Blautia genus) and those with poor efficacy (e.g., enriched with Enterobacteriaceae family and its higher-level taxa up to the phylum level, as well as Clostridium genus and its Clostridiaceae family). Two naturally occurring GM clusters with distinct bacterial compositions were identified. These clusters showed a more than four-fold differential risk for death (hazard ratio, 4.4 [95 % confidence interval, 1.9 to 10.3], P < 0.001) and were associated with interesting (but non-significant) trends in peripheral immune monitoring data.

CONCLUSION

Although exploratory, this study offers initial insights into the intricate interplay between the GM and clinical outcomes in patients with CC and EC treated with a pembrolizumab-based regimen.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT03192059) and EudraCT Registry (number 2016-001569-97).

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in intestinal microecology: A controller of antineoplastic drug-related cardiovascular toxicity

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is extensively studied as a pivotal role in the pathological processes associated with intestinal microecology. In antineoplastic drug treatments, ER stress is implicated in altering the permeability of the mechanical barrier, depleting the chemical barrier, causing dysbiosis, exacerbating immune responses and inflammation in the immune barrier. Enteric dysbiosis and intestinal dysfunction significantly affect the circulatory system in various heart disorders. In antineoplastic drug-related cardiovascular (CV) toxicity, ER stress constitutes a web of relationships in the host-microbiome symbiotic regulatory loop. Therefore, understanding the holobiont perspective will help de-escalate spatial and temporal restrictions. This review investigates the role of ER stress-mediated gut microecological alterations in antineoplastic treatment-induced CV toxicity.

Intestinal Microbiota Is a Key Target for Load Swimming to Improve Anxiety Behavior and Muscle Strength in Shank 3-/- Rats

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social disorder and stereotypical behavior, and its incidence rate is increasing yearly. It is considered that acritical period for the prognosis of young children with ASD exists, thus early treatment is crucial. Swimming, due to its comforting effect, is often used to induce enthusiasm in young children for completing activities and has a good effect in the treatment of ASD, but the effective path of swimming has yet to be reported. The intestinal microbiota of ASD patients and animal models has been reported to be different from that of healthy controls, and these changes may affect the brain environment. Therefore, whether the intestinal microbiota is involved in the treatment of ASD by early swimming is our concern. In this study, we used 8-day old Shank3 gene knockout rats with 8 weeks of early load swimming training and conducted behavioral, small intestine morphology, and intestinal content sequencing after training. The results showed that early load swimming significantly reduced the stereotyped and anxious behaviors of Shank3-/- rats, increased their muscle strength, increased the length of intestinal villi and the width of the muscular layer after Shank3 knockout, and affected the abundance of intestinal microorganisms. The abundances with statistical significance were Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae, and Alloprevotella. To further confirm the role of intestinal microorganisms in it, we designed a 14-day intestinal stool transplantation experiment. Fecal microbiota transplantation demonstrated that load swimming can significantly reduce the anxiety behavior of Shank3 rats, increase their muscle strength, change the structure of the small intestine, and affect the abundance of intestinal contents. The abundance of Epsilonbateraeota, Prevotella, and Bacteroides significantly changed after transplantation. Our findings confirm the possibility of early load swimming therapy for individuals with ASD and explain that the intestinal microbiota is a key pathway for early exercise therapy for patients with ASD.

Exosomes from human bone marrow MSCs alleviate PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-induced myocardial injury in melanoma mice by regulating macrophage polarization and pyroptosis

Myocarditis, which can be triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment, represents a critical and severe adverse effect observed in cancer therapy. Thus, elucidating the underlying mechanism and developing effective strategies to mitigate its harmful impact is of utmost importance. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential role and regulatory mechanism of exosomes derived from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC-Exos) in providing protection against myocardial injury induced by ICIs. We observed that the administration of programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitor BMS-1 in tumor-bearing mice led to evident cardiac dysfunction and myocardial injury, which were closely associated with M1 macrophage polarization and cardiac pyroptosis. Remarkably, these adverse effects were significantly alleviated through tail-vein injection of hBMSC-Exos. Moreover, either BMS-1 or hBMSC-Exos alone demonstrated the ability to reduce tumor size, while the combination of hBMSC-Exos with BMS-1 treatment not only effectively improved the probability of tumor inhibition but also alleviated cardiac anomalies induced by BMS-1.

Shenxiang Suhe pill improves cardiac function through modulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites in rats after acute myocardial infarction

CONTEXT

Shenxiang Suhe pill (SXSH), a traditional Chinese medicine, is clinically effective against coronary heart disease, but the mechanism of cardiac-protective function is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the cardiac-protective mechanism of SXSH via modulating gut microbiota and metabolite profiles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8): Sham, Model, SXSH (Low, 0.063 g/kg; Medium, 0.126 g/kg; High, 0.252 g/kg), and Ato (atorvastatin, 20 mg/kg). Besides the Sham group, rats were modelled with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery (LAD). After 3, 7, 14 days' administration, ultrasound, H&E staining, serum enzymic assay, 16S rRNA sequencing were conducted to investigate the SXSH efficacy. Afterwards, five groups of rats: Sham, Model, Model-ABX (AMI with antibiotics-feeding), SXSH (0.126 g/kg), SXSH-ABX were administrated for 14 days to evaluate the gut microbiota-dependent SXSH efficacy, and serum untargeted metabolomics test was performed.

RESULTS

0.126 g/kg of SXSH intervention for 14 days increased ejection fraction (EF, 78.22%), fractional shortening (FS, 109.07%), and aortic valve flow velocities (AV, 21.62%), reduced lesion area, and decreased serum LDH (8.49%) and CK-MB (10.79%). Meanwhile, SXSH upregulated the abundance of Muribaculaceae (199.71%), Allobaculum (1744.09%), and downregulated Lactobacillus (65.51%). The cardiac-protective effect of SXSH was disrupted by antibiotics administration. SXSH altered serum metabolites levels, such as downregulation of 2-n-tetrahydrothiophenecarboxylic acid (THTC, 1.73%), and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC, 4.61%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The cardiac-protective effect and suggested mechanism of SXSH could provide a theoretical basis for expanding its application in clinic.

Rewiring Tryptophan Metabolism via Programmable Probiotic Integrated by Dual-Layered Microcapsule Protects against Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice

Intestinal dysbiosis and the associated l-tryptophan metabolic disorder are pivotal in inflammatory bowel disease progression, leading to a compromised intestinal barrier integrity. Remedying the dysfunction in tryptophan metabolism has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Herein, we reprogram the tryptophan metabolism in situ by EcN-TRP@A/G, encapsulating the engineered probiotic, EcN-TRP, with enhanced tryptophan synthesis capacity, for sustained modulation, thereby restoring intestinal barrier function and microbial homeostasis. The pH-responsive dual-layered EcN-TRP@A/G microcapsule developed via high-voltage electrospraying and liquid interface self-assembly, preserved probiotic viability in the harsh gastrointestinal milieu, and facilitated targeted colon release. Bioluminescent tracking in mice reveals a 22.84-fold increase in EcN-TRP@A/G viability and distribution compared to naked EcN-TRP. Targeted metabolomics highlights EcN-TRP@A/G's modulation of the tryptophan-indole pathway. Oral administration of EcN-TRP@A/G sustained elevates indole metabolites, particularly indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-propionic acid, in colon tissue for up to 7 days. In IBD mice, EcN-TRP@A/G improves intestinal permeability, reduces inflammation, and recovers the gut microbiome by enhancing beneficial bacteria abundance like Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Anaerostipes while suppressing pathogenic strains like Escherichia-Shigella. Our findings offer a cost-effective approach, harnessing the probiotic metabolic potential in situ through engineered modifications for effective IBD treatment.

Effects of various supplemental levels of multi-enzyme complex on amino acid profiles in egg yolk, antioxidant capacity, cecal microbial community and metabolites of laying hens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of multi-enzyme (alkaline protease, xylanase, glucanase, β-mannanase, cellulase, acid protease, glucoamylase, and α-galactosidase) on antioxidant capacity, egg quality, amino acid profiles in yolk, cecal microflora and metabolites in laying hens. A total of 384 Jingfen No.6 laying hens aged 65 weeks were randomly divided into 4 treatments groups (6 replicates per group) and fed diets containing 0, 150, 300, or 600 mg kg-1 multi-enzyme over an 8-week feeding duration. Our findings revealed that supplementation with 600 mg kg-1 of multi-enzyme significantly increased the albumen height (P < 0.05) and haugh unit (P < 0.05). Moreover, as the levels of multi-enzyme supplementation in the diet increased, there were significant increases in activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum (P < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver (P < 0.05). Different levels of multi-enzyme supplementation significantly affected the composition of amino acid profiles in the yolk. Furthermore, the results from 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis of cecal content revealed that multi-enzyme supplementation altered the cecal microflora and metabolite profiles. We found the relative abundance of the Bacteroidota phyla in T600 group was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to CON and T150 groups, but the relative abundance of the Firmicutes phylum in T600 group were significantly lower than T150 group (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of the Parabacteroides genera in T300 group, the Faecalibacterium genera in T300 and T600 groups, the norank_f_Prevotellaceae genera in treatment groups (T150, T300 and T600), the norank_f_Peptococcaceae genera in T600 group, and the Monoglobus genera in T1 group were significantly increased. The KEGG pathway analysis showed that the common enrichment metabolic pathways of each treatment group compared to the CON group were glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, foxo signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway, and the enrichment metabolic pathways shared by T300 vs CON and T600 vs CON was galactose metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Correlation analysis identified notable relationships between specific microbes and metabolites with T-AOC in serum, GSH-Px activity in the liver, amino acids in yolk, albumen height, and haugh units. Overall, this study suggests that multi-enzyme supplementation regulated the cecal microbial community and metabolism, potentially influencing amino acid profiles in yolk, antioxidant capacity, and egg quality.

Epigenetics and alternative splicing in cancer: old enemies, new perspectives

In recent years, significant strides in both conceptual understanding and technological capabilities have bolstered our comprehension of the factors underpinning cancer initiation and progression. While substantial insights have unraveled the molecular mechanisms driving carcinogenesis, there has been an overshadowing of the critical contribution made by epigenetic pathways, which works in concert with genetics. Mounting evidence demonstrates cancer as a complex interplay between genetics and epigenetics. Notably, epigenetic elements play a pivotal role in governing alternative pre-mRNA splicing, a primary contributor to protein diversity. In this review, we have provided detailed insights into the bidirectional communication between epigenetic modifiers and alternative splicing, providing examples of specific genes and isoforms affected. Notably, succinct discussion on targeting epigenetic regulators and the potential of the emerging field of epigenome editing to modulate splicing patterns is also presented. In summary, this review offers valuable insights into the intricate interplay between epigenetics and alternative splicing in cancer, paving the way for novel approaches to understanding and targeting this critical process.

Atomoxetine suppresses radioresistance in glioblastoma via circATIC/miR-520d-5p/Notch2-Hey1 axis

BACKGROUND

Resistance acquired after radiotherapy is directly related to the failure of various cancer treatments, including GBM. Because the mechanism for overcoming radioresistance has not yet been clearly identified, the development of diagnostic and therapeutic markers to treat radioresistance is necessary. Since increased expression of stemness- and EMT-related markers are reported to be closely correlated with radioresistance, research is underway to develop new drugs targeting these factors.

METHODS

To develop an anticancer drug that overcomes radioresistance, a library of drugs already approved by the FDA was used. After treating radioresistant GBM cells with each drug, the expression of stemness- and EMT-related markers was confirmed by qRT-PCR, and as a result, Atomoxetine (ATX) was selected. It was confirmed that radioresistance-induced cell migratory, invasive, sphere formation abilities, and tumor growth using a xenograft mouse model were suppressed upon ATX treatment. Using a miRNA prediction tool, we discovered miR-520d-5p, which targets Notch2 and Hey1, key factors in radioresistance, and discovered circATIC targeting this miRNA, revealing its relationship with ATX. We demonstrated the expression regulation mechanism and signaling mechanism between circATIC, miR-520d-5p, Notch2, and Hey1 factors using a luciferase reporter assay. In addition, the results at the cellular level were clinically verified by confirming the correlation between radiation, miR-520d-5p, and circATIC using patient plasma by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

ATX showed potential as a treatment for radioresistance by suppressing the malignant phenotype by regulating the circATIC/miR-520d-5p/Notch2-Hey1 signaling mechanism in vitro and in vivo using radioresistant GBM cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that ATX suppresses radioresistance through the circATIC/miR-520d-5p/Notch2-Hey1 signaling pathway. These results showed the potential of ATX as a new drug that can overcome radioresistance, a major challenge in cancer treatment, and the signaling factors identified in this mechanism suggest the possibility of use as potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of radioresistance.

Combination of lipopolysaccharide and polygalacturonic acid exerts antitumor activity and augments anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy

Polygalacturonic acid (PGA) restored the alpha-diversity of gut microbiota and promoted T cells infiltration in tumors. Here, we investigated whether oral administration of PGA could improve the anti-cancer effect of lipopolysaccharide-encapsulated PLGA-PEG-PLGA (LPS/PPP) in mice bearing CT26 tumors. Hydrogels with rapid thermogelling properties can achieve localized and controlled release of LPS, thus retaining the anti-cancer effect of LPS and avoiding a robust inflammatory storm. LPS/PPP promoted M1 macrophage polarization, TLR4 expression, and phagocytosis in tumors. The combination of PGA and LPS/PPP (PGA_LPS) notably repressed CT26 tumor growth and the inhibition rate reached 67.6 %. PGA_LPS triggered the recruitment of helper and cytotoxic T cells, IFN-γ level, decreased the proportion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. PGA_LPS also restored the beta-diversity of gut microbiota and increased short chain fatty acids abundance (butyric acid, 608.93 % vs. model group, P < 0.01). PGA_LPS followed by αPD-L1 resulted in obvious inhibition of both CT26 and 4T1 tumor growth, promoted cleaved-caspase 3 and Bax expression, T cell responses and the rescue of T cells exhaustion. These results confirmed that PGA_LPS reinforced the anticancer effect of αPD-L1, probably by reshaping the tumor microenvironment and intestinal flora, which sheds light on the combination approach to intensify the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Prebiotics Mitigate the Detrimental Effects of High-Fat Diet on memory, anxiety and microglia functionality in Ageing Mice

Ageing is characterised by a progressive increase in systemic inflammation and especially neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is associated with altered brain states that affect behaviour, such as an increased level of anxiety with a concomitant decline in cognitive abilities. Although multiple factors play a role in the development of neuroinflammation, microglia have emerged as a crucial target. Microglia are the only macrophage population in the CNS parenchyma that plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and in the immune response, which depends on the activation and subsequent deactivation of microglia. Therefore, microglial dysfunction has a major impact on neuroinflammation. The gut microbiota has been shown to significantly influence microglia from birth to adulthood in terms of development, proliferation, and function. Diet is a key modulating factor that influences the composition of the gut microbiota, along with prebiotics that support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Although the role of diet in neuroinflammation and behaviour has been well established, its relationship with microglia functionality is less explored. This article establishes a link between diet, animal behaviour and the functionality of microglia. The results of this research stem from experiments on mouse behaviour, i.e., memory, anxiety, and studies on microglia functionality, i.e., cytochemistry (phagocytosis, cellular senescence, and ROS assays), gene expression and protein quantification. In addition, shotgun sequencing was performed to identify specific bacterial families that may play a crucial role in the brain function. The results showed negative effects of long-term consumption of a high fat diet on ageing mice, epitomised by increased body weight, glucose intolerance, anxiety, cognitive impairment and microglia dysfunction compared to ageing mice on a control diet. These effects were a consequence of the changes in gut microbiota modulated by the diet. However, by adding the prebiotics fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides, we were able to mitigate the deleterious effects of a long-term high-fat diet.

Oxymatrine alleviates NSAID-associated small bowel mucosal injury by regulating MIP-1/CCR1 signalling and gut microbiota

Oxymatrine (OMT) as a quinazine alkaloid extracted from matrine has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour effects. However, the protective mechanism of OMT on NSAID-associated small bowel mucosal injury remains unreported. We found that OMT could improve the clinical symptoms and pathological inflammation scoring, reduce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and cell apoptosis, promote cell proliferation and protect intestinal mucosal barrier as compared with the Diclofenac Sodium (DS) group. Further RNA-seq and KEGG analysis uncovered that the differentially expressed genes between DS and control groups were mainly enriched in immune regulation, of which MIP-1γ and its receptor CCR1 expression were validated to be repressed by OMTH. MAPK/NF-κB as the MIP-1 upstream signalling was also inactivated by OMT treatment. In this study, OMT regulated gut microbiota. Venn diagrams visualized and identified 1163 shared OTUs between DS group and OMTH group. The results showed that the α diversity index in the DS group was lower than that in the OMTH group, indicating that the complexity of the flora was reduced in the intestinal inflammatory state. β diversity mainly includes Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Principal Co-ordinates Analysis (PCoA). The differences between groups can be observed through PCA. The more similar the composition of the flora, the closer the samples are. We found that the difference was smaller in the DS group than in the OMTH group. The results of PcoA showed that the sample similarity between OMTH groups was the highest. Moreover, gut microbiota analysis unveiled that the abundances of Ruminococcus 1, Oscillibacter and Prevotellaceae at the genus level as well as Lactobacillus SP-L-Yj at the species level were increased in OMTH group as compared with the DS group but the abundance of Allobaculum, Ruminococceos-UCG-005, Ruminococceos-NK4A214 and Clostridium associated with DS-induced small bowel mucosal injury could be decreased by OMTH. MIP-1α and CCR1 were upregulated in human small bowel injury samples as compared with the normal ileal mucosa tissues. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that OMT could alleviate NSAID-associated small bowel mucosal injury by inhibiting MIP-1γ/CCR1 signalling and regulating gut microbiota.

Gut Microbiota Composition Positively Correlates with Sports Performance in Competitive Non-Professional Female and Male Runners

There is still a pressing need for further investigation to bridge the gap in understanding the differences in gut microbiota composition between female runners and their male counterparts. We aimed to determine the gut microbiota composition in competitive non-professional female and male runners and to correlate the gut bacteria to performance. Our study included 40 subjects, of which 22 were runners (13 males and 9 females) and 18 control subjects (9 males and 9 females, representing the general population who perform light physical activity with a weekly running volume of ≤5 km per week). Fecal specimens were collected and analyzed for taxonomic profiling to compare species' relative abundances between males and females based on the results of 16SrRNA analysis. Bacterial alpha and beta diversity were assessed to determine the differences in microbial composition between runners and controls, and between sexes. Each participant underwent a maximal oxygen consumption test and a time-to-exhaustion test at 85% of the measured VO2max. Blood lactate was collected every 5 min during the tests. Bacterial alpha diversity showed a significant difference (p = 0.04) between runners and controls. Taxonomic analysis of gut microbiota composition showed a lower Enterobacteriaceae abundance and a higher Methanosphaera abundance in runners compared with the control group. Ten different bacteria (Methanosphaera, Mitsuokella, Prevotellaceae, Megamonas, Rothia, Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Odoribacter, Blautia massiliensis, Butyricicoccus_pullicaecorum) were positively correlated with exercise (VO2max, lactate blood levels, time to exhaustion, and weekly training volume). We found no significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between male and female runners. Gut microbiota composition positively correlates with sports performance in competitive non-professional female and male runners, and female runners show similar gut microbiome diversity to male runners.

In Situ Expression of Yak IL-22 in Mammary Glands as a Treatment for Bovine Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Mastitis in Mice

Since the development of dairy farming, bovine mastitis has been a problem plaguing the whole industry, which has led to a decrease in milk production, a reduction in dairy product quality, and an increase in costs. The use of antibiotics to treat mastitis can cause a series of problems, which can bring a series of harm to the animal itself, such as the development of bacterial resistance and dramatic changes in the gut flora. However, the in vivo and in vitro antibacterial activity of yak Interleukin-22 (IL-22) and its application in mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus have not been reported. In this study, the mammary gland-specific expression plasmid pLF-IL22 of the yak IL-22 gene was constructed and expressed in MAC-T cells and mammary tissue of postpartum female mice. The coding region of the IL-22 gene in yaks is 573 bp, which can encode 190 amino acids, and the homology difference in the IL-22 gene in yaks is less than 30%, which indicates certain conservation. IL-22 is a hydrophilic protein with a total positive charge of four, the presence of a signal peptide, and the absence of a transmembrane domain. Sufficient expression of IL-22 effectively inhibited the high expression of inflammatory factors caused by Staphylococcus aureus, reduced the symptoms of mammary gland histopathology, and alleviated mastitis. Under the action of IL-22, the intestinal flora of mastitis mice also changed, the abundance of intestinal Bacilli, Prevotellaceae, and Alloprevotella in mice increased after treatment, and the pathogenic bacteria decreased. These findings provide new insights into the potential application of the yak IL-22 gene in the treatment of bovine mastitis in the future.

Targeted protein degradation combined with PET imaging reveals the role of host PD-L1 in determining anti-PD-1 therapy efficacy

PURPOSE

Immunohistochemical staining of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in tumor biopsies acquired through invasive procedures is routinely employed in clinical practice to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy. Nevertheless, PD-L1 expression is observed in various cellular subsets within tumors and their microenvironments, including tumor cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. The impact of PD-L1 expression across these different cell types on the responsiveness to anti-PD-1 treatment is yet to be fully understood.

METHODS

We synthesized polymer-based lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs) that incorporate both PD-L1-targeting motifs and liver cell-specific asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) recognition elements. Small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of PD-L1 expression was also conducted using a PD-L1-specific radiotracer 89Zr-αPD-L1/Fab.

RESULTS

The PD-L1 LYTAC platform was capable of specifically degrading PD-L1 expressed on liver cancer cells through the lysosomal degradation pathway via ASGPR without impacting the PD-L1 expression on host cells. When coupled with whole-body PD-L1 PET imaging, our studies revealed that host cell PD-L1, rather than tumor cell PD-L1, is pivotal in the antitumor response to anti-PD-1 therapy in a mouse model of liver cancer.

CONCLUSION

The LYTAC strategy, enhanced by PET imaging, has the potential to surmount the limitations of knockout mouse models and to provide a versatile approach for the selective degradation of target proteins in vivo. This could significantly aid in the investigation of the roles and mechanisms of protein functions associated with specific cell subsets in living subjects.

The fatty acid omega hydroxylase genes (CYP4 family) in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): An RNA sequence database analysis and review

Fatty acid omega hydroxylase P450s consist of enzymes that hydroxylate various chain-length saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) and bioactive eicosanoid lipids. The human cytochrome P450 gene 4 family (CYP4) consists of 12 members that are associated with several human diseases. However, their role in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) remains largely unknown. It has long been thought that the induction of CYP4 family P450 during fasting and starvation prevents FA-related lipotoxicity through FA metabolism to dicarboxylic acids that are chain-shortened in peroxisomes and then transported to the mitochondria for complete oxidation. Several studies have revealed that peroxisome succinate transported to the mitochondria is used for gluconeogenesis during fasting and starvation, and recent evidence suggests that peroxisome acetate can be utilized for lipogenesis and lipid droplet formation as well as epigenetic modification of gene transcription. In addition, omega hydroxylation of the bioactive eicosanoid arachidonic acid to 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is essential for activating the GPR75 receptor, leading to vasoconstriction and cell proliferation. Several mouse models of diet-induced MASLD have revealed the induction of selective CYP4A members and the suppression of CYP4F during steatosis and steatohepatitis, suggesting a critical metabolic role in the progression of fatty liver disease. Thus, to further investigate the functional roles of CYP4 genes, we analyzed the differential gene expression of 12 members of CYP4 gene family in datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) from patients with steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We also observed the differential expression of various CYP4 genes in the progression of MASLD, indicating that different CYP4 members may have unique functional roles in the metabolism of specific FAs and eicosanoids at various stages of fatty liver disease. These results suggest that targeting selective members of the CYP4A family is a viable therapeutic approach for treating and managing MASLD.

Dissecting the causal links between gut microbiome, immune traits and polyp using genetic evidence

Background

Previous research has demonstrated an association between gut microbiota and immune status with the development of several diseases. However, whether these factors contribute to polyps remains unclear. This study aims to use Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and 4 types of polyps (nasal, gallbladder, colon, and gastric polyps), as well as to analyze the mediating role of immune traits.

Methods

This study utilized large-scale GWAS meta-analyses of gut microbiota (MiBioGen Consortium), 731 immune traits, and 4 types of polyps (one from the FinnGen Consortium and three from the NBDC Human Database). Univariate MR with the inverse variance weighted (IVW) estimation method was employed as the primary analytical approach. A two-step MR analysis was performed to identify potential mediating immune traits. Additionally, multivariable MR approach based on Bayesian model averaging (MR-BMA) was employed to further prioritize gut microbiota and immune traits associated with polyp development.

Results

Based on IVW method in univariate MR analysis, we identified 39 gut microbial taxa and 135 immune traits significantly causally associated with at least one type of polyp. For nasal polyps, 13 microbial taxa and 61 immune traits were causally associated. After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, CD3 on Central Memory CD8+ T cells and CD3 on CD4 regulatory T cells remained significant. MR-BMA identified 4 gut microbial taxa and 4 immune traits as high priority. For gallbladder polyps, 9 microbial taxa and 30 immune traits were causally associated. MR-BMA identified 8 microbial taxa and 6 immune traits as higher importance. For colon polyps, 6 microbial taxa and 21 immune traits were causally associated. MR-BMA identified 4 microbial taxa and 3 immune traits as higher importance. For gastric polyps, 12 microbial taxa and 33 immune traits were causally associated. Actinobacteria remained significant after FDR correction, and MR-BMA identified 7 gut microbial taxa and 6 immune traits as high priority. We identified 16 causal pathways with mediator directions consistent with the direction of gut microbiome-polyp association. Of these, 6 pathways were associated with the mechanism of nasal polyps, 1 with gallbladder polyps, 2 with colon polyps, and 7 with gastric polyps.

Conclusions

Our findings shed light on the causal relationships between gut microbiota, immune traits, and polyp development, underscoring the crucial roles of gut microbiota and immune status in polypogenesis. Furthermore, these findings suggest potential applications in polyp prevention, early screening, and the development of effective strategies to reduce polyp risk.

Succession of rumen microbiota and metabolites across different reproductive periods in different sheep breeds and their impact on the growth and development of offspring lambs

BACKGROUND

The microbiota and metabolites in the gastrointestinal tracts of female animals at different reproductive periods are very important to the growth, development, and health of themselves and their offspring. However, the changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota and metabolites throughout reproductive period of different sheep breeds and their effects on the growth and development of offspring lambs are still unclear. Hence, this study presents an assessment of the reproductive hormone levels, immune levels, rumen microbiota, and metabolites in Hu sheep and Suffolk ewes at different reproductive periods and their effects on the growth and development of offspring lambs.

RESULTS

Hu sheep and Suffolk during non-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation were used as the research objects to determine reproductive and immune indexes of ewes at different periods, analyze rumen microbiome and metabolome, and track the growth performance and development of offspring lambs. The results showed that the reproductive hormone and immune levels of Hu sheep and Suffolk underwent adaptive changes across different reproductive periods. Compared with non-pregnancy, the microbial energy metabolism and lipid metabolism function decreased during Hu sheep pregnancy, and energy metabolism function decreased during lactation. In Suffolk, energy metabolism, glycan biosynthesis, and metabolism function were enhanced during pregnancy, and the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins was enhanced during lactation. Prevotella increased in Suffolk during pregnancy and lactation (P < 0.05) and was positively correlated with the birth weight and body size of the lambs (P < 0.05). Moreover, the abundances of Butyrivibrio and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group during pregnancy were positively correlated with the intestinal immunity of the offspring lambs (P < 0.05), thereby regulating the intestinal immunity level of the lambs. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the protein digestion, absorption, and amino acid metabolism of Hu sheep were enhanced during pregnancy, which provided amino acids for the growth and development of pregnant ewes and fetuses and was significantly correlated with the birth weight, body size, and intestinal immunity of lambs (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, there was an increase in acetate and propionate during the pregnancy and lactation period of both Hu sheep and Suffolk, providing energy for ewes during reproductive period. Moreover, the microbiota during the lactation period was significantly correlated with the milk quality and lambs daily gain (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the characteristic succession changes in the rumen microbiota and its metabolites at different reproductive periods in sheep breeds and their regulation of reproductive hormone and immune levels and identified their potential effects on the growth and development of offspring lambs. The findings provide valuable insights into the health and feeding management of different sheep breeds during the reproductive stage. Video Abstract.

Causal associations between gut microbiota and premature rupture of membranes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background

Previous study has indicated a potential link between gut microbiota and maternal pregnancy outcomes. However, the causal relationship between gut microbiota and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) remains a topic of ongoing debate.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) study was used to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and PROM. Genetic data on gut microbiota was obtained from the MiBioGen consortium's largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) (n=14,306). Genetic data on PROM (3011 cases and 104247 controls) were sourced from publicly available GWAS data from the Finnish National Biobank FinnGen consortium. Various methods including Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, simple mode, weighted median, and weighted mode were utilized to assess the causal relationship by calculating the odd ratio (OR) value and confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analyses for quality control were performed using MR-Egger intercept tests, Cochran's Q tests, and leave-one-out analyses.

Results

The IVW method revealed that class Mollicutes (IVW, OR=0.773, 95%CI: 0.61-0.981, pval = 0.034), genus Marvinbryantia (IVW, OR=00.736, 95%CI: 0.555-0.977, pval = 0.034), genus Ruminooccaceae UCG003 (IVW, OR=0.734, 95%CI: 0.568-0.947, pval = 0.017) and phylum Tenericutes (IVW, OR=0.773, 95%CI: 0.566-1.067, pval = 0.034) were associated with a reduced risk of PROM, while genus Collinsella (IVW, OR=1.444, 95%CI: 1.028-2.026, pval = 0.034), genus Intestinibacter (IVW, OR=1.304, 95%CI: 1.047-1.623, pval = 0.018) and genus Turicibacter (IVW, OR=1.282, 95%CI: 1.02-1.611, pval = 0.033) increased the risk of PROM. Based on the other four supplementary methods, six gut microbiota may have a potential effect on PROM. Due to the presence of pleiotropy (pval=0.045), genus Lachnoclostridium should be ruled out. No evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity was found in other microbiota (pval >0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, we have discovered a causal relationship between the presence of specific probiotics and pathogens in the host and the risk of PROM. The identification of specific gut microbiota associated with PROM through MR studies offers a novel approach to diagnosing and treating this condition, thereby providing a new strategy for clinically preventing PROM.

Immunotherapy efficacy and toxicity: Reviewing the evidence behind patient implementable strategies

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in cancer treatment is expanding, offering promising outcomes but with an important risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These events, stemming from an overstimulated immune system attacking healthy cells, can necessitate immunosuppressant treatment, disrupt treatment courses, and impact patients' quality of life. The analysis of ICI efficacy data has led to a better understanding of the characteristics of responders. Similarly, we are gaining clearer insights into the characteristics of patients who develop irAEs, prompting an increasing emphasis on modifiable factors associated with irAE risk. These factors include lifestyle choices and the composition of the gut microbiome. Despite comprehensive reviews exploring the microbiome's role in therapy efficacy, understanding its connection with immune-related toxicity remains incomplete. While endeavours to identify predictive biomarkers continue, lifestyle modifications emerge as a promising avenue for enhancing treatment outcomes. This review consolidates the current evidence regarding the impact of the gut microbiome on irAE occurrence. Furthermore, it focuses on actionable strategies for mitigating these adverse events, elucidating the evidence supporting dietary adjustments, supplementation, medication management, and physical activity. With the expanding range of indications for ICI therapy, a significant proportion of oncology patients, including those in early disease stages, are now exposed to these treatments. Acknowledging the importance of averting irAEs in this context, our review offers timely insights crucial for addressing the evolving challenges associated with immunotherapy across diverse oncological settings.

Exploring the impact of circRNAs on cancer glycolysis: Insights into tumor progression and therapeutic strategies

Cancer cells exhibit altered metabolic pathways, prominently featuring enhanced glycolytic activity to sustain their rapid growth and proliferation. Dysregulation of glycolysis is a well-established hallmark of cancer and contributes to tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Increased glycolysis supplies the energy necessary for increased proliferation and creates an acidic milieu, which in turn encourages tumor cells' infiltration, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as pivotal players in diverse biological processes, including cancer development and metabolic reprogramming. The interplay between circRNAs and glycolysis is explored, illuminating how circRNAs regulate key glycolysis-associated genes and enzymes, thereby influencing tumor metabolic profiles. In this overview, we highlight the mechanisms by which circRNAs regulate glycolytic enzymes and modulate glycolysis. In addition, we discuss the clinical implications of dysregulated circRNAs in cancer glycolysis, including their potential use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. All in all, in this overview, we provide the most recent findings on how circRNAs operate at the molecular level to control glycolysis in various types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prostate cancer (PCa), colorectal cancer (CRC), cervical cancer (CC), glioma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, and gastric cancer (GC). In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of circRNAs in cancer glycolysis, shedding light on their intricate roles in tumor development and presenting innovative therapeutic avenues.

Advanced approaches of the use of circRNAs as a replacement for cancer therapy

Cancer is a broad name for a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control and are characterized by their complexity and recurrence. Although there has been progress in cancer therapy with the entry of precision medicine and immunotherapy, cancer incidence rates have increased globally. Non-coding RNAs in the form of circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in the pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and therapy of different diseases, including cancer. According to recent studies, circRNAs appear to serve as accurate indicators and therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. However, circRNAs are promising candidates for cutting-edge cancer therapy because of their distinctive circular structure, stability, and wide range of capabilities; many challenges persist that decrease the applications of circRNA-based cancer therapeutics. Here, we explore the roles of circRNAs as a replacement for cancer therapy, highlight the main challenges facing circRNA-based cancer therapies, and discuss the key strategies to overcome these challenges to improve advanced innovative therapies based on circRNAs with long-term health effects.

Microencapsulated rice bran alleviates hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet via regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

Hyperlipidemia has been suggested to be associated with dysregulation of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. The present study prepared microencapsulated rice bran (MRB) with high stability based on in situ rice bran oil embedding and investigated the effects of MRB on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD). Results showed that compared to HFD fed mice, lipid levels in serum and hepatic lipid accumulation were reduced in mice fed with MRB, which was potentially associated with the fact that MRB decreased the expression of genes related to lipogenesis (Srebp1c, Acc, Hmgcr, and Fas) and increased the expression of genes related to lipid catabolism (Hsl, Atgl) and oxidation (Acox, Cpt1, Ucp1) (p < 0.05). In gut, MRB supplementation significantly elevated the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Dubosiella and Faecalibaculum. In addition, significant increase in short-chain fatty acid was observed in mice from MRB groups when compared to HFD groups (p < 0.05). Overall, this study suggested that MRB could alleviate the hyperlipidemia induced by HFD, which was related to the alteration of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

The gut microbiota improves the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy against tumors: From association to cause and effect

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapeutic antibodies, have markedly enhanced survival across numerous cancer types. However, the limited number of patients with durable benefits creates an urgent need to identify response biomarkers and to develop novel strategies so as to improve response. It is widely recognized that the gut microbiome is a key mediator in shaping immunity. Additionally, the gut microbiome shows significant potential in predicting the response to and enhancing the efficacy of ICI immunotherapy against cancer. Recent studies encompassing mechanistic analyses and clinical trials of microbiome-based therapy have shown a cause-and-effect relationship between the gut microbiome and the modulation of the ICI immunotherapeutic response, greatly contributing to the establishment of novel strategies that will improve response and overcome resistance to ICI treatment. In this review, we outline the current state of research advances and discuss the future directions of utilizing the gut microbiome to enhance the efficacy of ICI immunotherapy against tumors.

Gut microbial metabolites in lung cancer development and immunotherapy: Novel insights into gut-lung axis

Metabolic derivatives of numerous microorganisms inhabiting the human gut can participate in regulating physiological activities and immune status of the lungs through the gut-lung axis. The current well-established microbial metabolites include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), tryptophan and its derivatives, polyamines (PAs), secondary bile acids (SBAs), etc. As the study continues to deepen, the critical function of microbial metabolites in the occurrence and treatment of lung cancer has gradually been revealed. Microbial derivates can enter the circulation system to modulate the immune microenvironment of lung cancer. Mechanistically, oncometabolites damage host DNA and promote the occurrence of lung cancer, while tumor-suppresive metabolites directly affect the immune system to combat the malignant properties of cancer cells and even show considerable application potential in improving the efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy. Considering the crosstalk along the gut-lung axis, in-depth exploration of microbial metabolites in patients' feces or serum will provide novel guidance for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment selection strategies. In addition, targeted therapeutics on microbial metabolites are expected to overcome the bottleneck of lung cancer immunotherapy and alleviate adverse reactions, including fecal microbiota transplantation, microecological preparations, metabolite synthesis and drugs targeting metabolic pathways. In summary, this review provides novel insights and explanations on the intricate interplay between gut microbial metabolites and lung cancer development, and immunotherapy through the lens of the gut-lung axis, which further confirms the possible translational potential of the microbiome metabolome in lung cancer treatment.

Combining Gut Microbiota Modulation and Enzymatic-Triggered Colonic Delivery by Prebiotic Nanoparticles Improves Mouse Colitis Therapy

The efficacy of ulcerative colitis (UC) therapy is closely connected to the composition of gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotic-based nanoparticles (NPs) provide a more precise approach to alleviate UC via modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis. The present study develops an efficient prebiotic-based colon-targeted drug delivery system (PCDDS) by using prebiotic pectin (Pcn) and chitosan (Csn) polysaccharides as a prebiotic shell, with the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine (SAS) loaded into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) core to construct SAS@PLGA-Csn-Pcn NPs. Then, we examine its characterization, cellular uptake, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy. The results of our study indicate that the Pcn/Csn shell confers efficient pH-sensitivity properties. The gut microbiota-secreted pectinase serves as the trigger agent for Pcn/Csn shell degradation, and the resulting Pcn oligosaccharides possess a substantial prebiotic property. Meanwhile, the formed PCDDSs exhibit robust biodistribution and accumulation in the colon tissue, rapid cellular uptake, efficient in vivo therapeutic efficacy, and modulation of gut microbiota dysbiosis in a mouse colitis model. Collectively, our synthetic PCDDSs demonstrate a promising and synergistic strategy for UC therapy.

Sex-specific effects of intermittent fasting on hippocampal neurogenesis via the gut-brain axis

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a widely used dietary strategy that has shown several advantageous impacts on general health and aging. IF has recently been linked to the control of neurogenesis, a crucial process for emotional control, memory, and learning, in the hippocampus. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about the sex-specific impacts of IF on hippocampal neurogenesis and the related mechanisms, which were investigated in this study among both male and female rats, together with analyzing the involvement of the flora-gut-brain axis in facilitating these effects. Our findings show that IF favorably affects hippocampus neurogenesis in female mice relative to male mice, suggesting a sex-specific mechanism. In addition, IF influenced the diversity of the gut microbiota and decreased the synthesis of fructose-1-phosphate (F-1-P), which is believed together with fructose metabolism to be linked to neurological damage and cognitive decline. Collectively, these data indicate that the connection between the flora-gut-brain axis and hippocampus neurogenesis is significant.

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and thyroid nodules: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Objective

Emerging evidence suggests alterations in gut microbiota (GM) composition following thyroid nodules (TNs) development, yet the causal relationship remains unclear. Utilizing Mendelian Randomization (MR), this study aims to elucidate the causal dynamics between GM and TNs.

Methods

Employing summary statistics from the MiBioGen consortium (n=18,340) and FinnGen consortium (1,634 TNs cases, 263,704 controls), we conducted univariable and multivariable MR analyses to explore the GM-TNs association. Techniques including inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO were utilized for causal inference. Instrumental variable heterogeneity was assessed through Cochran's Q statistic and leave-one-out analysis. Reverse MR was applied for taxa showing significant forward MR associations, with multivariate adjustments for confounders.

Results

Our findings suggest that certain microbiota, identified as Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group (OR, 1.89; 95%CI, 0.47-7.64; p = 0.040), Senegalimassilia (OR, 1.72; 95%CI, 1.03-2.87; p =0.037), Lachnospiraceae (OR,0.64; 95%CI,0.41-0.99; p =0.045), exhibit a protective influence against TNs' development, indicated by negative causal associations. In contrast, microbiota categorized as Desulfovibrionales (OR, 0.63; 95%CI, 0.41-0.95; p =0.028), Prevotella_7 (OR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.63-1.00; p =0.049), Faecalibacterium (OR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.44-1.00; p =0.050), Desulfovibrionaceae (OR, 0.55; 95%CI, 0.35-0.86; p =0.008), Deltaproteobacteria (OR, 0.65; 95%CI, 0.43-0.97; p =0.036) are have a positive correlation with with TNs, suggesting they may serve as risk factors. Reverse MR analyses did not establish significant causal links. After comprehensive adjustment for confounders, taxa Desulfovibrionales (Order), Desulfovibrionaceae (Family), Deltaproteobacteria (Class) remain implicated as potential contributors to TNs' risk.

Discussion

This study substantiates a significant causal link between GM composition and TNs development, underscoring the thyroid-gut axis's relevance. The findings advocate for the integration of GM profiles in TNs' prevention and management, offering a foundation for future research in this domain.

Quercetin ameliorates bone loss in OVX rats by modulating the intestinal flora-SCFAs-inflammatory signaling axis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common systemic skeletal disorder characterized by an imbalance in bone homeostasis, involving increased osteoclastic bone formation and decreased osteoblastic bone resorption. Quercetin is a plant polyphenol that has been found to exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Previous studies have demonstrated its potential to improve postmenopausal OP, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the anti-osteoporotic mechanism of quercetin based on the "intestinal flora - short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - inflammatory" signaling axis.

METHODS

In this study, we established an ovariectomized (OVX)-induced rat model, quercetin intervention and evaluated the effects on rats following antibiotic (ABX) treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). After 6 weeks of intervention, the rats were euthanized, and samples from their femur, tibia, lumbar spine, serum, colon and feces were collected, and bone strength, intestinal flora structure, SCFAs levels and cytokine levels were assessed.

RESULTS

Quercetin modulates the intestinal flora by increasing potentially probiotic bacteria (i.e., Lactobacillales, Prevotellaceae, and Blautia) and decreasing potentially pathogenic bacteria (Desulfobacterota, Erysipelotrichales, Romboutsia, and Butyricoccaceae). It also increases SCFAs content and reduces colonic permeability by enhancing tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin). Furthermore, quercetin lowers proinflammatory cytokine levels (LPS, IL-1β, and TNF-α), which enhances bone strength and prevents OVX-induced bone loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Quercetin may effectively reduce bone loss in OVX rats via the "intestinal flora - SCFAs - inflammatory" signaling pathway.

Lactobacillus plantarum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Macrophage Polarization and Gut Homeostasis for Alleviating Ulcerative Colitis

Extracellular vesicles released by probiotics have been demonstrated to effectively alleviate intestinal inflammation, yet the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this research, for the first time, Lactobacillus plantarum UJS001 (LP-UJS) was isolated from fermented sauerkraut in Zhenjiang, China. Thereafter, the therapeutic effect of LP-UJS-derived extracellular vesicles (LP-UJS-EVs) on dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice was analyzed to elucidate the immune mechanisms. According to our findings, LP-UJS-EVs played a pivotal role in restoring the intestinal barrier and alleviating intestinal inflammation. Notably, LP-UJS-EVs induced M2 polarization of macrophages, promoted the release of IL-10 and TGF-β, inhibited the release of histamine, IL-6, and TNF-α, and exerted regulatory effects on intestinal microflora, as evidenced by the reduced abundances of Coprococcus, Parabacteroides, Staphylococcus, and Allobaculum, alongside the enhanced abundance of Prevotella. Furthermore, both LP-UJS and LP-UJS-EVs affected the lysine degradation pathway and significantly increased the abundance of related metabolites, especially oxoadipic acid. In summary, our results underscore the substantial therapeutic potential of LP-UJS and its secreted EVs in the treatment of UC.

Antibiotics affect the pharmacokinetics of n-butylphthalide in vivo by altering the intestinal microbiota

OBJECTIVE

N-butylphthalide (NBP) is a monomeric compound extracted from natural plant celery seeds, whether intestinal microbiota alteration can modify its pharmacokinetics is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of intestinal microbiota alteration on the pharmacokinetics of NBP and its related mechanisms.

METHODS

After treatment with antibiotics and probiotics, plasma NBP concentrations in SD rats were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The effect of intestinal microbiota changes on NBP pharmacokinetics was compared. Intestinal microbiota changes after NBP treatment were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Expressions of CYP3A1 mRNA and protein in the liver and small intestine tissues under different intestinal flora conditions were determined by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. KEGG analysis was used to analyze the effect of intestinal microbiota changes on metabolic pathways.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the values of Cmax, AUC0-8, AUC0-∞, t1/2 in the antibiotic group increased by 56.1% (P<0.001), 56.4% (P<0.001), 53.2% (P<0.001), and 24.4% (P<0.05), respectively. In contrast, the CL and Tmax values decreased by 57.1% (P<0.001) and 28.6% (P<0.05), respectively. Treatment with antibiotics could reduce the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota. CYP3A1 mRNA and protein expressions in the small intestine of the antibiotic group were 61.2% and 66.1% of those of the control group, respectively. CYP3A1 mRNA and protein expressions in the liver were 44.6% and 63.9% of those in the control group, respectively. There was no significant change in the probiotic group. KEGG analysis showed that multiple metabolic pathways were significantly down-regulated in the antibiotic group. Among them, the pathways of drug metabolism, bile acid biosynthesis and decomposition, and fatty acid synthesis and decomposition were related to NBP biological metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic treatment could affect the intestinal microbiota, decrease CYP3A1 mRNA and protein expressions and increase NBP exposure in vivo by inhibiting pathways related to NBP metabolism.

Cilostazol Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis and Intestinal Disorders in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world, which begins with liver lipid accumulation and is associated with metabolic syndrome. Also, the name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We performed focused drug screening and found that Cilostazol effectively ameliorated hepatic steatosis and might offer potential for NAFLD treatment. Our aim was to investigate the therapeutic effects of Cilostazol on the glycolipid metabolism and intestinal flora in NAFLD mice and explore the specific mechanism. In this study, 7-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce NAFLD, and then treated with intragastric administration for 12 weeks. The results showed that Cilostazol inhibited liver lipid de novo synthesis by regulating the AMPK-ACC1/SCD1 pathway and inhibited liver gluconeogenesis by the AMPK-PGC1α-G6P/PEPCK pathway. Cilostazol improved the intestinal flora diversity and intestinal microbial composition in the NAFLD mice, and specifically regulated Desulfovibrio and Akkermansia. In addition, Cilostazol increased the level of short-chain fatty acids in the NAFLD mice to a level similar to that in the blank Control group. Cilostazol reduces liver lipid accumulation in NAFLD mice by improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and intestinal dysfunction, thereby achieving the purpose of treating NAFLD.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT-1: A versatile regulator in cancer progression, metastasis, immunity, and therapeutic resistance

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins but have been linked to cancer development and metastasis. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT-1) influences crucial cancer hallmarks through intricate molecular mechanisms, including proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The current article highlights the involvement of MALAT-1 in drug resistance, making it a potential target to overcome chemotherapy refractoriness. It discusses the impact of MALAT-1 on immunomodulatory molecules, such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and PD-L1, leading to immune evasion and hindering anti-tumor immune responses. MALAT-1 also plays a significant role in cancer immunology by regulating diverse immune cell populations. In summary, MALAT-1 is a versatile cancer regulator, influencing tumorigenesis, chemoresistance, and immunotherapy responses. Understanding its precise molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies, and therapeutic strategies targeting MALAT-1 show promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes. However, further research is needed to fully uncover the role of MALAT-1 in cancer biology and translate these findings into clinical applications.

Low-protein diet supplemented with 1% L-glutamine improves growth performance, serum biochemistry, redox status, plasma amino acids, and alters fecal microbiota in weaned piglets

Glutamine, one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, has been shown to exert various beneficial effects in pigs. However, knowledge regarding the role of dietary glutamine in low-protein diet-fed piglets remains scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of L-glutamine on growth performance, serum biochemistry parameters, redox status, amino acids, and fecal microbiota in low-protein diet-fed piglets. A total of 128 healthy crossbred piglets (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 4 replicate pens, with 8 piglets per pen. Piglets in the 4 groups were fed with corn and soybean meal-based low-protein diets (crude protein level, 17%) that contained 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% L-glutamine, respectively, for 28 d. Pigs administered 1% L-glutamine had greater body weight on d 28 and average daily gain (ADG, P < 0.01), whereas a lower feed to gain ratio (F:G) from d 1 to 28 (P < 0.01), compared to the other three groups. Besides, lower body weight on d 14 and 28, ADG, average daily feed intake, and higher F:G from d 15 to 28 and d 1 to 28 were observed in response to 2% and 3% L-glutamine treatments than 0% and 1% L-glutamine treatments (P < 0.01). Moreover, 1% L-glutamine reduced serum glucose, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide concentrations and inhibited aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, myeloperoxidase activities in low-protein diet-fed piglets on d 14, with concomitantly upregulated catalase, total superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione level (P < 0.05). However, dietary 3% L-glutamine enhanced blood urea nitrogen content in pigs on d 14 (P < 0.05). Further investigation revealed that 1% L-glutamine upregulated the serum glutamine, lysine, methionine, tyrosine, and reduced plasma valine content (P < 0.05). Additionally, 1% L-glutamine upregulated the abundance of p_75_a5, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, Prevotellaceae_Prevotella, and Gemmiger in the stool of piglets on d 14, with the Streptococcus level being concomitantly reduced (P < 0.05). Collectively, dietary 1% L-glutamine enhances the growth performance and improves serum physiochemical parameters and antioxidative capacity in low-protein diet-fed piglets at an early age, which are associated with an increased synthesis of glutathione by modulating amino acid levels, and the optimization of gut microbiota.

In situ administration of STING-activating hyaluronic acid conjugate primes anti-glioblastoma immune response

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor, with a highly immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). In this work, we investigated the use of the STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING) pathway as an effective means to remodel the GBM TIME through the recruitment of both innate and adaptive immune cell populations. Using hyaluronic acid (HA), we developed a novel polymer-drug conjugate of a non-nucleotide STING agonist (MSA2), called HA-MSA2 for the in situ treatment of GBM. In JAWSII cells, HA-MSA2 exerted a greater increase of STING signaling and upregulation of STING-related downstream cyto-/chemokines in immune cells than the free drug. HA-MSA2 also elicited cancer cell-intrinsic immunostimulatory gene expression and promoted immunogenic cell death of GBM cells. In the SB28 GBM model, local delivery of HA-MSA2 induced a delay in tumor growth and a significant extension of survival. The analysis of the TIME showed a profound shift in the GBM immune landscape after HA-MSA2 treatment, with higher infiltration by innate and adaptive immune cells including dendritic, natural killer (NK) and CD8 T cell populations. The therapeutic potential of this novel polymer conjugate warrants further investigation, particularly with other chemo-immunotherapeutics or cancer vaccines as a promising combinatorial therapeutic approach.

Minimally invasive vagus nerve stimulation modulates mast cell degranulation via the microbiota-gut-brain axis to ameliorate blood-brain barrier and intestinal barrier damage following ischemic stroke

Mast cells (MCs) play a significant role in various diseases, and their activation and degranulation can trigger inflammatory responses and barrier damage. Several studies have indicated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts ameliorates neurological injury, and regulates gut MC degranulation. However, there is limited research on the modulatory effect of VNS on MCs in both the gut and brain in brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in this process. We aim to develop a minimally invasive, targeted and convenient VNS approach to assess the impact of VNS and to clarify the relationship between VNS and MCs on the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke. We utilized middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/r) to induce brain I/R injury. After the experiment, the motor function and neurofunctional impairments of the rats were detected, and the gastrointestinal function, blood-brain barrier (BBB) and intestinal barrier damage, and systemic and local inflammation were evaluated by Nissl, TTC staining, Evans blue, immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy, western blot assays, ELISA, and fecal 16S rRNA sequencing methods. Our research confirmed that our minimally invasive VNS method is a novel approach for stimulating the vagus nerve. VNS alleviated motor deficits and gastrointestinal dysfunction while also suppressing intestinal and neuroinflammation. Additionally, VNS ameliorated gut microbiota dysbiosis in rats. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that VNS reduces chymase secretion by modulating MCs degranulation and improves intestinal and BBB damage. Our results showed that VNS treatment can alleviate the damage of BBB and colonic barrier after cerebral I/R by modulating mast cell degranulation, and alleviates systemic inflammatory responses.

Role of gut microbiota in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: from pathogenesis to related interventions

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a broad-spectrum and highly efficient anticancer agent, but its clinical implication is limited by lethal cardiotoxicity. Growing evidences have shown that alterations in intestinal microbial composition and function, namely dysbiosis, are closely linked to the progression of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) through regulating the gut-microbiota-heart (GMH) axis. The role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in DIC, however, is largely unelucidated. Our review will focus on the potential mechanism between gut microbiota dysbiosis and DIC, so as to provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of DIC. Furthermore, we summarize the underlying interventions of microbial-targeted therapeutics in DIC, encompassing dietary interventions, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), probiotics, antibiotics, and natural phytochemicals. Given the emergence of microbial investigation in DIC, finally we aim to point out a novel direction for future research and clinical intervention of DIC, which may be helpful for the DIC patients.

Role of the microbiota in response to and recovery from cancer therapy

Our understanding of how the microbiota affects the balance between response to and failure of cancer treatment by modulating the tumour microenvironment and systemic immune system has advanced rapidly in recent years. Microbiota-targeting interventions in patients with cancer are an area of intensive investigation. Promisingly, phase I-II clinical trials have shown that interventions such as faecal microbiota transplantation can overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma, improve therapeutic outcomes in treatment-naive patients and reduce therapy-induced immunotoxicities. Here, we synthesize the evidence showing that the microbiota is an important determinant of both cancer treatment efficacy and treatment-induced acute and long-term toxicity, and we discuss the complex and inter-related mechanisms involved. We also assess the potential of microbiota-targeting interventions, including bacterial engineering and phage therapy, to optimize the response to and recovery from cancer therapy.

Therapeutic effect of Yinhuapinggan granules mediated through the intestinal flora in mice infected with the H1N1 influenza virus

Objective

In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of Yinhuapinggan granules (YHPGs) in influenza-infected mice. We also examined how YHPGs affect the composition of the intestinal flora and associated metabolites.

Methods

We used the nasal drip method to administer the influenza A virus (IAV) H1N1 to ICR mice. Following successful model construction, the mice were injected with 0.9% sterile saline and low (5.5 g/kg), medium (11 g/kg), and high (22 g/kg) doses of YHPGs. The pathological changes in the lungs and intestines were evaluated by gavage for 5 consecutive days. Detection of sIgA, IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ, and TGF-β cytokine levels in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the colon. To assess the influence of YHPGs on the intestinal microbiota, feces were obtained from the mice for 16s rRNA sequencing, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured in the feces.

Results

By reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the relative expression of claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 in colon tissues, YHPGs had a protective effect in tissues from the lungs and colon. When YHPGs were administered to mice with IAV infection, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Coprobacillus, Akkermansia, Prevotella, Oscillospira, and Ruminococcus increased, whereas the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio decreased.

Conclusion

The therapeutic mechanism of YHPGs against IAV infection in mice may be underpinned by modulation of the structural composition of colonic bacteria and regulation of SCFA production.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Supplementation Prevents Intestinal Barrier Injury and Gut Microflora Dysbiosis Induced by Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation (SD) leads to impaired intestinal barrier function and intestinal flora disorder, especially a reduction in the abundance of the next generation of probiotic Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii). However, it remains largely unclear whether F. prausnitzii can ameliorate SD-induced intestinal barrier damage. A 72 h SD mouse model was used in this research, with or without the addition of F. prausnitzii. The findings indicated that pre-colonization with F. prausnitzii could protect against tissue damage from SD, enhance goblet cell count and MUC2 levels in the colon, boost tight-junction protein expression, decrease macrophage infiltration, suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and reduce apoptosis. We found that the presence of F. prausnitzii helped to balance the gut microbiota in SD mice by reducing harmful bacteria like Klebsiella and Staphylococcus, while increasing beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia. Ion chromatography analysis revealed that F. prausnitzii pretreatment increased the fecal butyrate level in SD mice. Overall, these results suggested that incorporating F. prausnitzii could help reduce gut damage caused by SD, potentially by enhancing the intestinal barrier and balancing gut microflora. This provides a foundation for utilizing probiotics to protect against intestinal illnesses.

Research progress on the microbiota in bladder cancer tumors

The microbiota, also referred to as the microbial community, is a crucial component of the human microenvironment. It is located predominantly in various organs, including the intestines, skin, oral cavity, respiratory tract, and reproductive tract. The microbiota maintains a symbiotic relationship with the human body, influencing physiological and pathological functions to a significant degree. There is increasing evidence linking the microbial flora to human cancers. In contrast to the traditional belief that the urethra and urine of normal individuals are sterile, recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing technology and bacterial cultivation methods have led to the discovery of specific microbial communities in the urethras of healthy individuals. Given the prevalence of bladder cancer (BCa) as a common malignancy of the urinary system, researchers have shifted their focus to exploring the connection between disease development and the unique microbial community within tumors. This shift has led to a deeper investigation into the role of microbiota in the onset, progression, metastasis, prognosis, and potential for early detection of BCa. This article reviews the existing research on the microbiota within BCa tumors and summarizes the findings regarding the roles of different microbes in various aspects of this disease.

Polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Leaves Alleviate Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury by Modulating the Microbiota-Gut-Liver Axis in Mice

The interplay among gut microbiota, intestines, and liver is crucial in preventing acute alcoholic liver injury. In this study, the hepatoprotective potential of polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. leaves (EULP) on acute alcoholic liver injury in Kunming male mice was investigated. The structural features suggested that the EULP appeared as a heterogeneous mixture of polysaccharides with a molecular weight of 186132 Da. A 14-day pretreatment of EULP ameliorated acute alcoholic-induced hepatic inflam mation (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10), oxidative stress (GSH, SOD, and T-AOC), and liver damage (ALT and AST) via enhancing intestinal barrier (Occludin, Claudin 1, and ZO-1) and modulating microbiome, which subsequently inhibiting endotoxemia and balancing the homeostasis of the gut-liver axis. EULP restored the composition of intestinal flora with an increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae and a decrease in Lachnospiraceae and Verrucomicrobiaceae. Notably, prolonged EULP pretreatment (14 days) but no single gavage of EULP achieved excellent hepatoprotection. These findings endorsed the potential of EULP as a functional food for mitigating acute alcoholic-induce d liver damage, attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and prebiotic properties facilitated by the microbiota-gut-liver axis.

Juglone induces ferroptosis in glioblastoma cells by inhibiting the Nrf2-GPX4 axis through the phosphorylation of p38MAPK

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic form of cell death induced by accumulation of free iron ions and lipid peroxidation, its importance for cancer treatment is gradually being recognized. Research on the anti-cancer mechanism of juglone is accumulating. However, the specific mechanism by which it directs glioblastoma (GBM) to death is unknown.

METHODS

We used in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore the anti-GBM effect generated by juglone through the ferroptosis pathway.

RESULTS

Juglone mainly causes cell death by inducing ferroptosis. Mechanistically, juglone can significantly activate the phosphorylation of p38MAPK. According to transcriptome sequencing and protein interaction analysis, the Nrf2-GPX4 signaling pathway is identified as the primary pathway through which juglone mediates ferroptosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments further verified that juglone induces the ferroptosis of GBM by activating the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and negatively regulating the Nrf2-GPX4 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Juglone induces ferroptosis and inhibits the growth of GBM by targeting the Nrf2/Gpx4 signaling pathway and thus holds promise as a novel ferroptosis inducer or anti-GBM drug.

Cyclocarya paliurus leaves alleviate high-sucrose diet-induced obesity by improving intestinal metabolic disorders

High-sucrose diets are common in daily life but harmful to human health. Cyclocarya paliurus leaves (CPL) are a kind of tea used to alleviate metabolic diseases and are widely used in China. However, the effects of CPL on high-sucrose-induced obesity are unknown. This study aimed to describe the changes in gut metabolism induced by a high-sucrose diet and to reveal the potential mechanisms through which CPL alleviate high-sucrose diet-induced obesity. A high-sucrose-induced obesity model was generated in C57BL/6J and KM mice. The effects of CPL on obese mice were evaluated, and changes in the gut microbiota and intestinal metabolites induced by CPL treatment were observed. Furthermore, the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) method was used to prove that the effects of CPL on high-sucrose induced obesity depend on the changes of gut microbiota. The results of the C57BL/6J mouse experiment revealed that high-sucrose intake induced fat deposition and altered the gut microbiota. CPL treatment decreased fat deposition and alleviated disorders of the gut microbiota. Furthermore, CPL treatment increased the utilization of amnio acids, long fatty acids and saccharides and produced more bile acids, indole derivatives and less trimethylamine (TMA). A confirmatory experiment in KM mice also revealed that CPL can alleviate obesity, ameliorate intestinal metabolic disorders, and upregulate the expression of tight junction proteins in the intestinal mucosa. These results demonstrated that CPL could prevent high sucrose-induced obesity and generate more beneficial intestinal microbial metabolites but less harmful intestinal microbial metabolites.

Oral Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Inhibit Osteoclastogenesis and Ameliorate Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice by Improving Gut Microbiota

Milk-derived extracellular vesicles can improve intestinal health and have antiosteoporosis potential. In this paper, we explored the effects of bovine raw milk-derived extracellular vesicles (mEVs) on ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic mice from the perspective of the gut-bone axis. mEVs could inhibit osteoclast differentiation and improve microarchitecture. The level of osteoporotic biomarkers in OVX mice was restored after the mEVs intervened. Compared with OVX mice, mEVs could enhance intestinal permeability, reduce endotoxin levels, and improve the expression of TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-10. 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that mEVs altered the composition of gut microbiota, specifically for Bacteroides associated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In-depth analysis of SCFAs demonstrated that mEVs could restore acetic acid, propionic acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid levels in OVX mice. Correlation analysis revealed that changed gut microbiota and SCFAs were significantly associated with gut inflammation and osteoporotic biomarkers. This study demonstrated that mEVs could inhibit osteoclast differentiation and improve osteoporosis by reshaping the gut microbiota, increasing SCFAs, and decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and osteoclast differentiation-related factors in OVX mice. These findings provide evidence for the use of mEVs as a food supplement for osteoporosis.

Emerging therapeutic strategies in cancer therapy by HDAC inhibition as the chemotherapeutic potent and epigenetic regulator

In developing new cancer medications, attention has been focused on novel epigenetic medicines called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Our understanding of cancer behavior is being advanced by research on epigenetics, which also supplies new targets for improving the effectiveness of cancer therapy. Most recently published patents emphasize HDAC selective drugs and multitarget HDAC inhibitors. Though significant progress has been made in emerging HDAC selective antagonists, it is urgently necessary to find new HDAC blockers with novel zinc-binding analogues to avoid the undesirable pharmacological characteristics of hydroxamic acid. HDAC antagonists have lately been explored as a novel approach to treating various diseases, including cancer. The complicated terrain of HDAC inhibitor development is summarized in this article, starting with a discussion of the many HDAC isotypes and their involvement in cancer biology, followed by a discussion of the mechanisms of action of HDAC inhibitors, their current level of development, effect of miRNA, and their combination with immunotherapeutic.