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Thomsen M, Vemuri R, Huygens F, Clarke S, Vitetta L. An exploratory study of a multi-species probiotic formulation and markers of health in a real-world oncological cohort in the time of covid. Inflammopharmacology 2024:10.1007/s10787-024-01503-1. [PMID: 38926298 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-024-01503-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The efficacy of cancer treatments has links to the intestinal microbiome. Mucositis is a dose-limiting intestinal pro-inflammatory side effect of cancer treatments, that increases the risk of diarrhoea, mucositis, and in severe cases, febrile neutropenia. METHODS The effect of cancer treatments on Quality of Life (QoL) was assessed using the FACT C questionnaire that included patient wellbeing and gut adverse symptoms (e.g. diarrhoea). Participants rated faecal samples via the Bristol Stool Chart. In addition, bacterial DNA was extracted from faecal samples, sequenced, and taxonomically examined. The incidence / severity of neutropenia was assessed with white blood cell and neutrophil counts. Circulating SCFAs and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin levels were recorded and correlated to intestinal mucositis. RESULTS Improvement in bowel function, with reduction in constipation and or diarrhoea or absence of significant disturbance to bowel function was recorded in 85% of the participants. One participant developed febrile neutropenia and two developed bowel toxicity during the study, that was unrelated to the test formulation. No significant changes in microbiota alpha- and beta-diversity at the phylum and species levels respectively from baseline to end of study treatment was observed. None of the participants had raised plasma-endotoxin levels from baseline to the first and subsequent treatment cycles for their cancers. Probiotics in this cohort were deemed safe and tolerable. Significant improvement in emotional QoL scores (p = 0.015) was reported with increased number of chemotherapy cycles. In a related observational study of exceptional responders to chemotherapy, participants were found to have had a high intake of fruits, vegetables, and fibre possibly indicative of a more balanced intestinal microbiota. CONCLUSION A multi-strain probiotic formulation was safe and tolerated in this chronically ill cohort that were undergoing oncological treatment. The probiotic formulation alleviated diarrhoea, constipation and maintained stool consistency/frequency during the multiple treatments with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Intestinal dysbiosis that is characterised by decreased microbial diversity and increased pro-inflammatory species was not observed. Probiotic supplementation may have helped reduce dysbiosis during cancer treatments. These improvements may have been critical with the observation that emotional wellbeing was significantly improved from baseline. Hence albeit that the study had limitations, the probiotic intervention provided adjunctive treatment support to the patients. What is of scientifically plausible interest is that probiotics have a long association historically with human hosts and as such ratify their inclusion offering a significant adjunctive therapeutic potential. Future studies warrant larger sample sizes, control groups and should limit recruitment to a largely homogenous group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Thomsen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Ravichandra Vemuri
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Flavia Huygens
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen Clarke
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Luis Vitetta
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Mascaretti F, Haider S, Amoroso C, Caprioli F, Ramai D, Ghidini M. Role of the Microbiome in the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Cancers. J Gastrointest Cancer 2024; 55:662-678. [PMID: 38411876 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-024-01021-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stomach and esophageal cancers are among the highest mortality from cancers worldwide. Microbiota has an interplaying role within the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dysbiosis occurs when a disruption of the balance between the microbiota and the host happens. With this narrative review, we discuss the main alterations in the microbiome of gastroesophageal cancer, revealing its potential role in the pathogenesis, early detection, and treatment. RESULTS Helicobacter pylori plays a major role the development of a cascade of preneoplastic conditions ranging from atrophic gastritis to metaplasia and dysplasia, ultimately culminating in gastric cancer, while other pathogenic agents are Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides fragilis, Escherichia coli, and Lactobacillus. Campylobacter species (spp.)'s role in the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma may parallel that of Helicobacter pylori in the context of gastric cancer, with other esophageal carcinogenic agents being Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Moreover, gut microbiome could significantly alter the outcomes of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The gut microbiome can be modulated through interventions such as antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics intake. Fecal microbiota transplantation has emerged as a therapeutic strategy as well. CONCLUSIONS Nowadays, it is widely accepted that changes in the normal gut microbiome causing dysbiosis and immune dysregulation play a role gastroesophageal cancer. Different interventions, including probiotics and prebiotics intake are being developed to improve therapeutic outcomes and mitigate toxicities associated with anticancer treatment. Further studies are required in order to introduce the microbiome among the available tools of precision medicine in the field of anticancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mascaretti
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Salman Haider
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chiara Amoroso
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Caprioli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daryl Ramai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Michele Ghidini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122, Via Sforza 28, Milan, Italy.
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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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Yarahmadi A, Afkhami H. The role of microbiomes in gastrointestinal cancers: new insights. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1344328. [PMID: 38361500 PMCID: PMC10867565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1344328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute more than 33% of new cancer cases worldwide and pose a considerable burden on public health. There exists a growing body of evidence that has systematically recorded an upward trajectory in GI malignancies within the last 5 to 10 years, thus presenting a formidable menace to the health of the human population. The perturbations in GI microbiota may have a noteworthy influence on the advancement of GI cancers; however, the precise mechanisms behind this association are still not comprehensively understood. Some bacteria have been observed to support cancer development, while others seem to provide a safeguard against it. Recent studies have indicated that alterations in the composition and abundance of microbiomes could be associated with the progression of various GI cancers, such as colorectal, gastric, hepatic, and esophageal cancers. Within this comprehensive analysis, we examine the significance of microbiomes, particularly those located in the intestines, in GI cancers. Furthermore, we explore the impact of microbiomes on various treatment modalities for GI cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Additionally, we delve into the intricate mechanisms through which intestinal microbes influence the efficacy of GI cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aref Yarahmadi
- Department of Biology, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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Dong Y, Chen J, Sun H, Chen Y, Jiao Y, Gu W, Chen H, Liu S. Traditional Chinese medicine as a novel therapy for colorectal cancer by modulating intestinal flora. J Cancer 2023; 14:2720-2725. [PMID: 37779871 PMCID: PMC10539393 DOI: 10.7150/jca.87719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a common clinical malignant tumor of the digestive tract, and intestinal flora has played an important role in the development of colorectal cancer. Bifidobacteria, as one of the main dominant florae in intestinal tract, can inhibit the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer through various mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the abundance of bifidobacteria in intestinal tract and exhibit anti-tumor effects on colorectal cancer. Detailed investigations have revealed that the mechanisms of bifidobacteria in the treatment of colorectal cancer involve three aspects: the production of short-chain fatty acids, the regulation of the body's immunity, and the regulation of cell apoptosis and differentiation. In this review, we provide an updated summary of recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine regulate intestinal flora to inhibit colorectal cancer development and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Dong
- Graduate School of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, 150040
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 1, Xiyuan Playground, Haidian District, Beijing, 100091
| | - Heng Sun
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine No.26, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, 150040
| | - Yuhan Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China, 100091
| | - Yan Jiao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Weikuan Gu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 72 Xiangan Street, Xiangfang District, Harbin, China, 150036
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 72 Xiangan Street, Xiangfang District, Harbin, China, 150036
| | - Songjiang Liu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine No.26, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, 150040
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Zhen J, Liu C, Liao F, Zhang J, Xie H, Tan C, Dong W. The global research of microbiota in colorectal cancer screening: a bibliometric and visualization analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1169369. [PMID: 37213286 PMCID: PMC10196493 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1169369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims We conducted bibliometric and visualization analyses to evaluate the current research status, hotspots, and trends related to the human microbiota markers in colorectal cancer screening. Methods The related studies were acquired from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database on 5 January 2023. Analyses of the co-occurrence and cooperation relationships between the cited authors, institutions, countries/regions, cited journals, cited articles, and keywords in the studies were carried out using CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software and the Online Analysis platform of Literature Metrology. Additionally, relevant knowledge graphs were drawn to perform visualization analyses; a keywords cluster analysis and a burst analysis were also conducted. Results After analyzing 700 relevant articles, this bibliometric analysis found that the annual publications showed an increasing trend from 1992 to 2022. Yu Jun from the Chinese University of Hong Kong had the highest cumulative number of publications, whereas Shanghai Jiao Tong University was the most productive institution. China and the USA have contributed the largest number of studies. The keywords frequency analysis demonstrated that "colorectal cancer," "gut microbiota," "Fusobacterium nucleatum," "risk," and "microbiota" were the most frequent keywords, and the keywords cluster analysis found that the current hotspots were as follows: (a) the precancerous lesions of colorectal cancer (CRC) that need to be screened, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and advanced adenoma, (b) the gut-derived microbiome for CRC screening, and (c) the early detection of CRC. The burst analysis further showed that the combination of microbiomics with metabolomics might be the future research trend in the field of CRC screening. Conclusion The findings of the current bibliometric analysis firstly provide an insight into the current research status, hotspots, and future trends in the field of CRC screening based on the microbiome; the research in this field is becoming more in-depth and diversified. Some human microbiota markers, especially "Fusobacterium nucleatum," are promising biomarkers in CRC screening, and a future hotspot might be the combined analysis of microbiomics and metabolomics for CRC risk screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhai Zhen
- Department of General Practice, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fei Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jixiang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huabing Xie
- Department of General Practice, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cheng Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weiguo Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Weiguo Dong,
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Bahrami Y, Bouk S, Kakaei E, Taheri M. Natural Products from Actinobacteria as a Potential Source of New Therapies Against Colorectal Cancer: A Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:929161. [PMID: 35899111 PMCID: PMC9310018 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.929161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common, and deadly disease. Despite the improved knowledge on CRC heterogeneity and advances in the medical sciences, there is still an urgent need to cope with the challenges and side effects of common treatments for the disease. Natural products (NPs) have always been of interest for the development of new medicines. Actinobacteria are known to be prolific producers of a wide range of bioactive NPs, and scientific evidence highlights their important protective role against CRC. This review is a holistic picture on actinobacter-derived cytotoxic compounds against CRC that provides a good perspective for drug development and design in near future. This review also describes the chemical structure of 232 NPs presenting anti-CRC activity with the being majority of quinones, lactones, alkaloids, peptides, and glycosides. The study reveals that most of these NPs are derived from marine actinobacteria followed by terrestrial and endophytic actinobacteria, respectively. They are predominantly produced by Streptomyces, Micromonospors, Saliniospors and Actinomadura, respectively, in which Streptomyces, as the predominant contributor generating over 76% of compounds exclusively. Besides it provides a valuable snapshot of the chemical structure-activity relationship of compounds, highlighting the presence or absence of some specific atoms and chemical units in the structure of compounds can greatly influence their biological activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on natural actinobacterial compounds affecting different types of CRC. Our study reveals that the high diversity of actinobacterial strains and their NPs derivatives, described here provides a new perspective and direction for the production of new anti-CRC drugs and paves the way to innovation for drugs discovery in the future. The knowledge obtain from this review can help us to understand the pivotal application of actinobacteria in future drugs development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadollah Bahrami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Yadollah Bahrami, ; Mohammad Taheri,
| | - Sasan Bouk
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Elham Kakaei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Yadollah Bahrami, ; Mohammad Taheri,
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Human microbiota: a crucial gatekeeper in lung cancer initiation, progression, and treatment. MEDICINE IN MICROECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medmic.2022.100055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Sarid L, Ankri S. Are Metabolites From the Gut Microbiota Capable of Regulating Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Human Parasite Entamoeba histolytica? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:841586. [PMID: 35300430 PMCID: PMC8921869 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.841586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica inhabits the human gut. It has to adapt to a complex environment that consists of the host microbiota, nutritional stress, oxidative stress, and nitrosative stress. Adaptation to this complex environment is vital for the survival of this parasite. Studies have shown that the host microbiota shapes virulence and stress adaptation in E. histolytica. Increasing evidence suggests that metabolites from the microbiota mediate communication between the parasite and microbiota. In this review, we discuss the bacterial metabolites that regulate epigenetic processes in E. histolytica and the implications that this knowledge may have for the development of new anti-amebic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotem Sarid
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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The Nutrition-Microbiota-Physical Activity Triad: An Inspiring New Concept for Health and Sports Performance. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14050924. [PMID: 35267899 PMCID: PMC8912693 DOI: 10.3390/nu14050924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiota is currently the focus of converging interest in many diseases and sports performance. This review presents gut microbiota as a real “orchestra conductor” in the host’s physio(patho)logy due to its implications in many aspects of health and disease. Reciprocally, gut microbiota composition and activity are influenced by many different factors, such as diet and physical activity. Literature data have shown that macro- and micro-nutrients influence gut microbiota composition. Cumulative data indicate that gut bacteria are sensitive to modulation by physical activity, as shown by studies using training and hypoactivity models. Sports performance studies have also presented interesting and promising results. Therefore, gut microbiota could be considered a “pivotal” organ for health and sports performance, leading to a new concept: the nutrition-microbiota-physical activity triad. The next challenge for the scientific and medical communities is to test this concept in clinical studies. The long-term aim is to find the best combination of the three elements of this triad to optimize treatments, delay disease onset, or enhance sports performance. The many possibilities offered by biotic supplementation and training modalities open different avenues for future research.
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