Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Drives and Implies Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Diabetes Mellitus and Related Metabolic Diseases

The major roles of intestinal microbiota and TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway in acute intestinal inflammation in mice, and the improvement effect by Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharide

Acute enteritis, an intestinal disease with intestinal inflammation and injury as the main pathological manifestations. Inhibiting the inflammatory response is critical to the treatment of acute enteritis. Previous studies have shown that the Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharide (HRP) has strong immune-enhancing effects. However, their functions regarding the intestines and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. In this study, the role of HRP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute enteritis in mice and its related mechanisms are discussed from two aspects: intestinal inflammation and intestinal microbiota. Kunming mice were inoculated with LPS to establish animal models of acute enteritis. The results showed that HRP attenuated the histological damage and maintained the intestine mucosal barrier via up-regulating the expression of occludin, claudin-1, and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1), and suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)). The relative mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κBp65) and tumor necrosis factor-receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in the intestine tissues of LPS-induced acute enteritis mice significantly increased, whereas these adverse changes were alleviated in the HRP intervention groups. Notably, HRP may regulate the expression of the TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway by affecting the diversity of the intestinal microbiota. Microbiota analysis showed that HRP promoted the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, including Clostridia_UCG-014, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Bacteroidota, Deferribacterota, and reduced the abundance of Atopostipes, Corynebacterium, Actinobacteriota, and Desulfobacterota. The studies conformed that the gut microbiota is crucial in HRP-mediated immunity regulation. HRP shows great potential as an immune enhancer and a natural medicine for treating intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Effect of bioactive compounds in processed Camellia sinensis tea on the intestinal barrier

The human intestinal tract plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the body against noxious substances and microbial pathogens by functioning as a barrier. This barrier function is achieved through the combined action of physical, chemical, microbial, and immune components. Tea (Camellia sinensis) is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, and it is consumed and appreciated in a multitude of regions across the globe. Tea can be classified into various categories, including green, white, yellow, oolong, black, and dark teas, based on the specific processing methods employed. In recent times, there has been a notable surge in scientific investigation into the various types of tea. The recent surge in research on tea can be attributed to the plethora of bioactive compounds it contains, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, pigments, and theanine. The processing of different teas affects the active ingredients to varying degrees, resulting in a range of chemical reactions and the formation of different types and quantities of ingredients. The bioactive compounds present in tea are of great importance for the maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal barrier, operating through a variety of mechanisms. This literature review synthesizes scientific studies on the impact of the primary bioactive compounds and different processing methods of tea on the intestinal barrier function. This review places particular emphasis on the exploration of the barrier repair and regulatory effects of these compounds, including the mitigation of damage to different barriers following intestinal diseases. Specifically, the active ingredients in tea can alleviate damage to physical barriers and chemical barriers by regulating barrier protein expression. At the same time, they can also maintain the stability of immune and biological barriers by regulating the expression of inflammatory factors and the metabolism of intestinal flora. This investigation can establish a strong theoretical foundation for the future development of innovative tea products.

Hovenia dulcis (Guaizao) polysaccharide ameliorates hyperglycemia through multiple signaling pathways in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a significant threat to human health, with its incidence and mortality rates increasing annually. This study investigated the hypoglycemic effects and underlying mechanisms of pure Hovenia dulcis (Guaizao) polysaccharide (HDPs-2A) in rats subjected to a high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin-induced T2DM. Oral administration of HDPs-2A resulted in significant increases in body weight and liver glycogen levels compared to untreated controls. Moreover, a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, alleviation of hyperinsulinemia, enhanced glucose tolerance, and improved insulin resistance were observed in the HDPs-2A-treated group. HDPs-2A also effectively reversed diabetes-induced dyslipidemia, as evidenced by decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, alongside increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Histopathological analyses confirmed that HDPs-2A partially repaired liver tissue damage by mitigating oxidative stress responses in the liver. Additionally, treatment with HDPs-2A significantly elevated short-chain fatty acid levels in T2DM rats. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses indicated that HDPs-2A significantly enhanced the expression of InsR, IRS2, PI3K, Akt, and GLUT4, suggesting that HDPs-2A regulates insulin resistance and glycometabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, HDPs-2A appeared to modulate the expression of GS, GSK-3β, and FoxO1 to improve glucose metabolism and reduce insulin resistance. It also improved glucose metabolism by activating the AMPK pathway and modulating G6Pase and PEPCK expression. This study provides novel insights into the antidiabetic effects of HDPs, positioning them as promising nutritional agents for the management of T2DM.

Technical note: A biological anthropologist's guide for applying microbiome science to studies of human and non-human primates

A central goal of biological anthropology is connecting environmental variation to differences in host physiology, biology, health, and evolution. The microbiome represents a valuable pathway for studying how variation in host environments impacts health outcomes. While there are many resources for learning about methods related to microbiome sample collection, laboratory analyses, and genetic sequencing, there are fewer dedicated to helping researchers navigate the dense portfolio of bioinformatics and statistical approaches for analyzing microbiome data. Those that do exist are rarely related to questions in biological anthropology and instead are often focused on human biomedicine. To address this gap, we expand on existing tutorials and provide a "road map" to aid biological anthropologists in understanding, selecting, and deploying the data analysis and visualization methods that are most appropriate for their specific research questions. Leveraging an existing dataset of fecal samples and survey data collected from wild geladas living in Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia (Baniel et al., 2021), this paper guides researchers toward answering three questions related to variation in the gut microbiome across host and environmental factors. By providing explanations, examples, and a reproducible workflow for different analytic methods, we move beyond the theoretical benefits of considering the microbiome within anthropological research and instead present researchers with a guide for applying microbiome science to their work. This paper makes microbiome science more accessible to biological anthropologists and paves the way for continued research into the microbiome's role in the ecology, evolution, and health of human and non-human primates.

Interaction Between Early Meals (Big-Breakfast Diet), Clock Gene mRNA Expression, and Gut Microbiome to Regulate Weight Loss and Glucose Metabolism in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

The circadian clock gene system plays a pivotal role in coordinating the daily rhythms of most metabolic processes. It is synchronized with the light-dark cycle and the eating-fasting schedule. Notably, the interaction between meal timing and circadian clock genes (CGs) allows for optimizing metabolic processes at specific times of the day. Breakfast has a powerful resetting effect on the CG network. A misaligned meal pattern, such as skipping breakfast, can lead to a discordance between meal timing and the endogenous CGs, and is associated with obesity and T2D. Conversely, concentrating most calories and carbohydrates (CH) in the early hours of the day upregulates metabolic CG expression, thus promoting improved weight loss and glycemic control. Recently, it was revealed that microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, known as the gut microbiome (GM), and its derived metabolites display daily oscillation, and play a critical role in energy and glucose metabolism. The timing of meal intake coordinates the oscillation of GM and GM-derived metabolites, which in turn influences CG expression, playing a crucial role in the metabolic response to food intake. An imbalance in the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) can also reciprocally disrupt CG rhythms. Evidence suggests that misaligned meal timing may cause such disruptions and can lead to obesity and hyperglycemia. This manuscript focuses on the reciprocal interaction between meal timing, GM oscillation, and circadian CG rhythms. It will also review studies demonstrating how aligning meal timing with the circadian clock can reset and synchronize CG rhythms and GM oscillations. This synchronization can facilitate weight loss and improve glycemic control in obesity and those with T2D.

Polysaccharides in Medicinal and Food Homologous Plants regulate intestinal flora to improve type 2 diabetes: Systematic review

BACKGROUND

Medicinal and food homologous plants (MFHPs) which can improve Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) draw significant attention among the public due to their low toxicity and more safety. Polysaccharides, one of the various active components of MFHPs, are recognized as effective modulators of the intestinal flora. By altering the composition of intestinal flora and affecting their metabolic products, polysaccharides can improve T2DM, making them a central focus of anti-diabetic research.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to systematically review the mechanism by which polysaccharides from MFHPs (MFHPPs) regulate the composition of intestinal flora and its metabolic products to improve T2DM.

METHODS

This study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and conducts a comprehensive search on the PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases. All experimental articles published up to March 4, 2024, are included in the search.

RESULTS

Among the 5733 articles reviewed, 29 were selected, covering 22 different MFHPs. MFHPPs can improve T2DM, particularly in lowering blood glucose levels, with consistent results. MFHPPs can regulate the diversity of intestinal flora in T2DM animal models, primarily affecting four phyla: decreasing Firmicutes and Proteobacteria while increasing Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteriota. At the genus level, the improvement of T2DM by MFHPPs is associated with the modulation of 12 key genera: Allobaculum, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Helicobacter, Halomonas, Olsenella, Oscillospira, Shigella, Escherichia-Shigella, Romboutsia and Bacteroides. At the molecular level, MFHPPs primarily act by modulating the intestinal flora to increase short-chain fatty acid levels, promote the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1, influence the IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, or the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway, to lower blood glucose levels. They may also improve T2DM by working in glucose metabolism through the "microbiota-gut-organ" axis. MFHPPs can also alleviate T2DM by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress: MFHPPs regulate intestinal flora to reduce lipopolysaccharide "leakage" and enhance intestinal mucosal permeability to tackle the inflammation associated with T2DM; MFHPPs enhance the expression of oxidative stress-related enzymes to alleviate oxidative stress and improve T2DM. Lastly, from a metabolic pathway perspective, MFHPPs are primarily involved in the metabolism of amino acids and their derivatives, carbohydrate metabolism and glutathione metabolism.

CONCLUSION

MFHPPs can improve T2DM by enhancing the composition of intestinal flora, regulating its metabolic products to promote insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon-like peptide secretion, facilitating glycogen synthesis, reducing inflammation levels and alleviating oxidative stress. Furthermore, MFHPPs demonstrate potential protective effects on critical organs such as the pancreas, liver, kidneys and heart. Therefore, MFHPPs demonstrate significant clinical potential. However, most studies can only indicate the potential of MFHPPs intervention in improving T2DM through the intestinal flora. The causality between MFHPPs regulating the intestinal flora and T2DM requires further investigation.

Study on the protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa extract on type 2 diabetes by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism through intestinal flora

Aronia melanocarpa, a plant rich in anthocyanins, has been studied for its potential to regulate blood sugar and blood lipids, although the specific mechanism is not yet understood. This research aims to identify the differential bacterial flora and elucidate the mechanism by which it improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders through 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The study reveals the protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) on liver damage in type 2 diabetic rats. Experimental results demonstrate that AME can effectively modulate the abundance of intestinal flora, reduce colon tissue damage, enhance the weight of diabetic rats, and lower levels of fasting blood sugar, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG). Additionally, liver morphology analysis shows that AME can effectively mitigate liver tissue structural damage in type 2 diabetic rats. In conclusion, AME regulates glucose and lipid metabolism by influencing intestinal flora, ultimately regulating glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats.

Lactobacillus paracasei ZFM54 alters the metabolomic profiles of yogurt and the co-fermented yogurt improves the gut microecology of human adults

Gut microbiota imbalance could lead to various diseases, making it important to optimize the structure of the gut flora in adults. Lactobacillus paracasei ZFM54 is a bacteriocin- and folic acid-producing Lactobacillus strain. Herein, L. paracasei ZFM54 was used as the potentially probiotic bacterium to ferment milk together with a yogurt starter. We optimized the fermentation conditions, and the obtained yogurts were then subjected to volatile and nonvolatile metabolome analysis, showing that L. paracasei ZFM54 can not only improve the acidity, water holding capacity and live lactic acid bacteria counts, but also improve many volatile acid contents and increase some beneficial nonvolatile metabolites, such as N-ethyl glycine and l-lysine, endowing the yogurt with more flavor and better function. The regulatory effects of the co-fermented yogurt on the intestinal microecology of volunteers were investigated by 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis after consuming the yogurt for a 2-wk period, showing a better effect to increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Ruminococcus and Alistipes, decrease harmful bacteria (Escherichia-Shigella and Enterobacter), and enhance the production of SCFA (acetate, propionate, and butyric acid) compared with the control yogurt. We found that L. paracasei ZFM54 can significantly improve the health benefits of yogurt, laying the foundation for its commercial application in improving gut microbiota.

Multistrain Probiotics with Fructooligosaccharides Improve Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Driven Neurological Deficits by Revamping Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Recent burgeoning literature unveils the importance of gut microbiota in the neuropathology of post-stroke brain injury and recovery. Indeed, ingestion of prebiotics/probiotics imparts positive effects on post-stroke brain injury, neuroinflammation, gut dysbiosis, and intestinal integrity. However, information on the disease-specific preference of selective prebiotics/probiotics/synbiotics and their underlying mechanism is yet elusive. Herein, we examined the effect of a new synbiotic formulation containing multistrain probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri UBLRu-87, Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP-40, Lactobacillus rhamnosus UBLR-58, Lactobacillus salivarius UBLS-22, and Bifidobacterium breve UBBr-01), and prebiotic fructooligosaccharides using a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of cerebral ischemia in female and male rats. Three weeks pre-MCAO administration of synbiotic rescinded the MCAO-induced sensorimotor and motor deficits on day 3 post-stroke in rotarod, foot-fault, adhesive removal, and paw whisker test. We also observed a decrease in infarct volume and neuronal death in the ipsilateral hemisphere of synbiotic-treated MCAO rats. The synbiotic treatment also reversed the elevated levels/mRNA expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), NeuN, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and caspase-3 and decreased levels of occludin and zonula occludens-1 in MCAO rats. 16S rRNA gene-sequencing data of intestinal contents indicated an increase in genus/species of Prevotella (Prevotella copri), Lactobacillus (Lactobacillus reuteri), Roseburia, Allobaculum, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and decreased abundance of Helicobacter, Desulfovibrio, and Akkermansia (Akkermansia muciniphila) in synbiotic-treated rats compared to the MCAO surgery group. These findings confer the potential benefits of our novel synbiotic preparation for MCAO-induced neurological dysfunctions by reshaping the gut-brain-axis mediators in rats.

Predicting the role of the human gut microbiome in type 1 diabetes using machine-learning methods

Gut microbes is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it is still unclear which gut microbiota are the key factors affecting T1D and their influence on the development and progression of the disease. To fill these knowledge gaps, we constructed a model to find biomarker from gut microbiota in patients with T1D. We first identified microbial markers using Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) and random forest (RF) methods. Furthermore, by constructing co-occurrence networks for gut microbes in T1D, we aimed to reveal all gut microbial interactions as well as major beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in healthy populations and type 1 diabetic patients. Finally, PICRUST2 was used to predict Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional pathways and KO gene levels of microbial markers to investigate the biological role. Our study revealed that 21 identified microbial genera are important biomarker for T1D. Their AUC values are 0.962 and 0.745 on discovery set and validation set. Functional analysis showed that 10 microbial genera were significantly positively associated with D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, spliceosome in transcription, steroid hormone biosynthesis and glycosaminoglycan degradation. These genera were significantly negatively correlated with steroid biosynthesis, cyanoamino acid metabolism and drug metabolism. The other 11 genera displayed an inverse correlation. In summary, our research identified a comprehensive set of T1D gut biomarkers with universal applicability and have revealed the biological consequences of alterations in gut microbiota and their interplay. These findings offer significant prospects for individualized management and treatment of T1D.

Microbial-Derived Exerkines Prevent Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Regular exercise yields a multitude of systemic benefits, many of which may be mediated through the gut microbiome. Here, we report that cecal microbial transplants (CMTs) from exercise-trained vs. sedentary mice have modest benefits in reducing skeletal muscle atrophy using a mouse model of unilaterally hindlimb-immobilization. Direct administration of top microbial-derived exerkines from an exercise-trained gut microbiome preserved muscle function and prevented skeletal muscle atrophy.

Curative effect of the total saponins of Panax japonicus (TSPJ) on type 2 diabetes: Focusing on VEGFA

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the total saponins of Panax japonicus (TSPJ) on Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESULTS

The intervention of TSPJ was found to have the ability to reverse physiological indicators associated with T2DM, while also enhancing the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism and intestinal homeostasis. Additionally, alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota were observed. Based on the findings of experimental results and network pharmacology analysis, it is evident that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) serves as a prominent shared target between TSPJ and diabetes. The outcomes observed in T2DM mice overexpressing VEGFA align with those observed in T2DM mice treated with TSPJ.

CONCLUSIONS

TSPJ administration and VEGFA overexpression yield similar effects on T2DM in mice. Thus, in terms of mechanism, by upregulating the expression of VEGFA, TSPJ may ameliorate metabolic imbalance, preserve intestinal homeostasis, and lessen the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. The findings demonstrated the viability of using VEGFA as a type 2 diabetes therapy option and offered important insights into the therapeutic mechanisms by TSPJ in the management of T2DM. To determine the exact mechanisms behind the effects of TSPJ and VEGFA and to assess their potential therapeutic uses, more research efforts are necessary.

Vitamin D and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): Novel Mechanistic Insights

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an increasingly prevalent condition characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in the liver, often associated with metabolic disorders. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and the development and progression of MASLD. The current review provides a concise overview of recent studies uncovering novel mechanistic insights into the interplay between vitamin D and MASLD. Several epidemiological studies have highlighted a significant association between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of MASLD. Vitamin D, traditionally known for its role in bone health, has now been recognized as a key player in various physiological processes, including immune regulation and inflammation. Experimental studies using animal models have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency exacerbates liver steatosis and inflammation, suggesting a potential protective role against MASLD. Mechanistically, vitamin D appears to modulate MASLD through multiple pathways. Firstly, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is abundantly expressed in liver cells, indicating a direct regulatory role in hepatic function. Activation of the VDR has been shown to suppress hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation, providing a mechanistic basis for the observed protective effects. Additionally, vitamin D influences insulin sensitivity, a critical factor in MASLD pathogenesis. Improved insulin sensitivity may mitigate the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, thus attenuating MASLD progression. In parallel, vitamin D exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in MASLD pathophysiology. Experimental evidence suggests that the immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D extend to the liver, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, key drivers of MASLD, and the likelihood of hepatocyte injury and fibrosis. Understanding the complex interplay between vitamin D and MASLD provides a basis for exploring targeted therapeutic strategies and preventive interventions. As vitamin D deficiency is a modifiable risk factor, addressing this nutritional concern may prove beneficial in mitigating the burden of MASLD and associated metabolic disorders.

NURECON: A Novel Online System for Determining Nutrition Requirements Based on Microbial Composition

Dietary habits have been proven to have an impact on the microbial composition and health of the human gut. Over the past decade, researchers have discovered that gut microbiota can use nutrients to produce metabolites that have major implications for human physiology. However, there is no comprehensive system that specifically focuses on identifying nutrient deficiencies based on gut microbiota, making it difficult to interpret and compare gut microbiome data in the literature. This study proposes an analytical platform, NURECON, that can predict nutrient deficiency information in individuals by comparing their metagenomic information to a reference baseline. NURECON integrates a next-generation bacterial 16S rRNA analytical pipeline (QIIME2), metabolic pathway prediction tools (PICRUSt2 and KEGG), and a food compound database (FooDB) to enable the identification of missing nutrients and provide personalized dietary suggestions. Metagenomic information from total number of 287 healthy subjects was used to establish baseline microbial composition and metabolic profiles. The uploaded data is analyzed and compared to the baseline for nutrient deficiency assessment. Visualization results include gut microbial composition, related enzymes, pathways, and nutrient abundance. NURECON is a user-friendly online platform that provides nutritional advice to support dietitians' research or menu design.

Solid organ transplantation and gut microbiota: a review of the potential immunomodulatory properties of short-chain fatty acids in graft maintenance

Transplantation is the treatment of choice for several end-stage organ defects: it considerably improves patient survival and quality of life. However, post-transplant recipients may experience episodes of rejection that can favor or ultimately lead to graft loss. Graft maintenance requires a complex and life-long immunosuppressive treatment. Different immunosuppressive drugs (i.e., calcineurin inhibitors, glucocorticoids, biological immunosuppressive agents, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and antiproliferative or antimetabolic agents) are used in combination to mitigate the immune response against the allograft. Unfortunately, the use of these antirejection agents may lead to opportunistic infections, metabolic (e.g., post-transplant diabetes mellitus) or cardiovascular (e.g., arterial hypertension) disorders, cancer (e.g., non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and other adverse effects. Lately, immunosuppressive drugs have also been associated with gut microbiome alterations, known as dysbiosis, and were shown to affect gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production. SCFA play a key immunomodulatory role in physiological conditions, and their impairment in transplant patients could partly counterbalance the effect of immunosuppressive drugs leading to the activation of deleterious pathways and graft rejection. In this review, we will first present an overview of the mechanisms of graft rejection that are prevented by the immunosuppressive protocol. Next, we will explain the dynamic changes of the gut microbiota during transplantation, focusing on SCFA. Finally, we will describe the known functions of SCFA in regulating immune-inflammatory reactions and discuss the impact of SCFA impairment in immunosuppressive drug treated patients.

Phytochemicals and Their Usefulness in the Maintenance of Health

Inflammation is the immune system's first biological response to infection, injury, or irritation. Evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by the regulation of various inflammatory cytokines, such as nitric oxide, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor alpha-α, interferon gamma-γ, as well as the non-cytokine mediator, prostaglandin E2. Currently, the mechanism of action and clinical usefulness of phytochemicals is known; their action on the activity of cytokines, free radicals, and oxidative stress. The latter are of great relevance in the development of diseases, such that the evidence collected demonstrates the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in maintaining health. Epidemiological evidence indicates that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to a low risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases.

Hypersampsonone H attenuates ulcerative colitis via inhibition of PDE4 and regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent intestinal inflammatory disease which poses a serious threat to the life of patients. However, there are no specific drugs for UC yet. Hypericum sampsonii Hance (HS) is a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used to treat enteritis and dysentery. Our previous studies have demonstrated that HS holds potential anti-UC effects, and a novel compound named Hypersampsonone H (HS-1) isolated from HS possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity. However, the beneficial effects of HS-1 on UC remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of HS-1 on UC and its potential mechanisms, both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The in vitro model was employed using LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of HS-1 and its possible mechanisms. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of HS-1 against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis were assessed through histopathological examination, biochemical analysis, and molecular docking.

RESULTS

In vitro, HS-1 significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses, as indicated by inhibiting NO production, down-regulating the overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS, as well as regulating the imbalanced levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Moreover, HS-1 also inhibited the expression of PDE4, elevated the intracellular cAMP level, and promoted the phosphorylation of CREB, thereby activating the PKA/CREB pathway in RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, HS-1 demonstrated therapeutic capacity against DSS-induced colitis by alleviating the symptoms of colitis mice, regulating the abnormal expression of inflammatory mediators, protecting the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier, and reducing tissue fibrosis. Consistently, HS-1 was found to decrease the expression of PDE4 isoforms, subsequently activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the molecular docking results indicated that HS-1 exhibited a high affinity for PDE4, particularly PDE4D. Further mechanistic validation in vitro demonstrated that HS-1 possessed a synergistic effect on forskolin and an antagonistic effect on H-89 dihydrochloride, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects through the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

We disclose that HS-1 serves as a promising candidate drug for the treatment of UC by virtue of its ability to reduce DSS-induced colitis via the inhibition of PDE4 and the activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

Alterations of the glutamatergic system in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels caused by a lack of insulin production (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). It is well known that DM is associated with cognitive deficits and metabolic and neurophysiological changes in the brain. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory processes. An increasing number of studies have suggested that abnormal activity of the glutamatergic system is implicated in the pathophysiology of DM. Dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system can provide an important neurobiological substrate for many disorders. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that allows a better understanding of the central nervous system factors by measuring in vivo the concentrations of brain metabolites within the area of interest. Here, we briefly review the MRS studies that have examined glutamate levels in the brain of patients with DM. The present article also summarizes the available data on abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission observed in different animal models of DM. In addition, the role of gut microbiota in the development of glutamatergic alterations in DM is addressed. We speculate that therapeutic strategies targeting the glutamatergic system may be beneficial in the treatment of central nervous system-related changes in diabetic patients.

Communal interaction of glycation and gut microbes in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease pathogenesis

Diabetes and its complications, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) are increasing gradually, reflecting a global threat vis-à-vis expressing the essentiality of a substantial paradigm shift in research and remedial actions. Protein glycation is influenced by several factors, like time, temperature, pH, metal ions, and the half-life of the protein. Surprisingly, most proteins associated with metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders are generally long-lived and hence susceptible to glycation. Remarkably, proteins linked with diabetes, AD, and PD share this characteristic. This modulates protein's structure, aggregation tendency, and toxicity, highlighting renovated attention. Gut microbes and microbial metabolites marked their importance in human health and diseases. Though many scientific shreds of evidence are proposed for possible change and dysbiosis in gut flora in these diseases, very little is known about the mechanisms. Screening and unfolding their functionality in metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders is essential in hunting the gut treasure. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the role of glycation as a common link in diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, which helps to clarify if modulation of nonenzymatic glycation may act as a beneficial therapeutic strategy and gut microbes/metabolites may answer some of the crucial questions. This review briefly emphasizes the common functional attributes of glycation and gut microbes, the possible linkages, and discusses current treatment options and therapeutic challenges.

Rapeseed bee pollen alleviates chronic non-bacterial prostatitis via regulating gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Rapeseed bee pollen has been recognized as a critical treatment for chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) and it also can modulate gut microbiota and improve gut health. This study aimed to explore the anti-prostatitis effects of rapeseed bee pollen with or without wall-disruption, and to investigate the connection between this treatment and gut microbiota.

RESULTS

The results reveal that rapeseed bee pollen can effectively alleviate chronic non-bacteria prostatitis by selectively regulating gut microbiota, with higher doses and wall-disrupted pollen showing greater efficacy. Treatment with a high dose of wall-disrupted rapeseed bee pollen (WDH, 1.26 g kg-1 body weight) reduced prostate wet weight and prostate index by approximately 32% and 36%, respectively, nearly the levels observed in the control group. Wall-disrupted rapeseed bee pollen treatment also reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α), as confirmed by immunofluorescence with laser scanning confocal microscope. Our results show that rapeseed bee pollen can inhibit pathogenic bacteria and enhance probiotics, particularly in the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and the abundance of Prevotella (genus).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to investigate the alleviation of CNP with rapeseed bee pollen through gut microbiota. These results seem to provide better understanding for the development of rapeseed bee pollen as a complementary medicine. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Radioprotective potential of probiotics against gastrointestinal and neuronal toxicity: a preclinical study

PURPOSE

Radiotherapy is a critical component of cancer treatment, along with surgery and chemotherapy. Approximately, 90% of cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy show gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including bloody diarrhea, and gastritis, most of which are associated with gut dysbiosis. In addition to the direct effect of radiation on the brain, pelvic irradiation can alter the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and breakdown of the gut-blood barrier. This allows toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. Probiotics have been proven to prevent GI toxicity by producing short-chain fatty acids and exopolysaccharides beneficial for protecting mucosal integrity and oxidative stress reduction in the intestine and also shown to be beneficial in brain health. Microbiota plays a significant role in maintaining gut and brain health, so it is important to study whether bacterial supplementation will help in maintaining the gut and brain structure after radiation exposure.

METHODS

In the present study, male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control, radiation, probiotics, and probiotics + radiation groups. On the 7th day, animals in the radiation and probiotics + radiation groups received a single dose of 4 Gy to  whole-body. Posttreatment, mice were sacrificed, and the intestine and brain tissues were excised for histological analysis to assess GI and neuronal damage.

RESULTS

Radiation-induced damage to the villi height and mucosal thickness was mitigated by the probiotic treatment significantly (p < 0.01). Further, radiation-induced pyknotic cell numbers in the DG, CA2, and CA3 areas were substantially reduced with bacterial supplementation (p < 0.001). Similarly, probiotics reduced neuronal inflammation induced by radiation in the cortex, CA2, and DG region (p < 0.01). Altogether, the probiotics treatment helps mitigate radiation-induced intestinal and neuronal damage.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the probiotic formulation could attenuate the number of pyknotic cells in the hippocampal brain region and decrease neuroinflammation by reducing the number of microglial cells.

Prebiotic effects of plant-derived (poly)phenols on host metabolism: Is there a role for short-chain fatty acids?

The gut microbiota has been extensively investigated during the last decade because of its effects on host neuroendocrine pathways and other processes. The imbalance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, known as dysbiosis, may be a determining predisposing factor for many noncommunicable chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, interventions aiming to reestablish the balance between microbiota components have been suggested as potential preventive therapeutic strategies against these disorders. Among these interventions, dietary supplementation with (poly)phenols has been highlighted due to the modulatory effects exerted by those compounds on the gut microbiota. In addition, (poly)phenol consumption is associated with increased production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a set of microbial metabolites whose actions are ascribed to improving the abovementioned metabolic disorders. Thus, this review discusses the modulation of the gut microbiota by prebiotic (poly)phenols based on in vivo studies performed with isolated (poly)phenolic compounds, their interaction with the gut microbiota and the production of SCFAs in pursuit of the molecular mechanisms underlying the health effects of (poly)phenols on host metabolism.

Insights into the role of vitamin D in targeting the culprits of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Vitamin D (VD) is a secosteroid hormone that is renowned for its crucial role in phospho-calcium homeostasis upon binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). Over and above, the pleiotropic immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic roles VD plays in different disease settings started to surface in the past few decades. On the other hand, a growing body of evidence suggests a correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive inflammatory form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) owing to the former's ingrained link with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Accordingly, a better understanding of the contribution of disrupted VDR signalling to NAFLD incidence and progression would provide further insights into its diagnosis, treatment modalities, and prognosis. This is especially significant as, hitherto, no drug for NAFLD has been approved. This review, therefore, sought to set forth the likely contribution of VDR signalling in NAFLD and how it might influence its multiple drivers.

Effects of Medications on Heat Loss Capacity in Chronic Disease Patients: Health Implications Amidst Global Warming

Pharmacological agents used to treat or manage diseases can modify the level of heat strain experienced by chronically ill and elderly patients via different mechanistic pathways. Human thermoregulation is a crucial homeostatic process that maintains body temperature within a narrow range during heat stress through dry (i.e., increasing skin blood flow) and evaporative (i.e., sweating) heat loss, as well as active inhibition of thermogenesis, which is crucial to avoid overheating. Medications can independently and synergistically interact with aging and chronic disease to alter homeostatic responses to rising body temperature during heat stress. This review focuses on the physiologic changes, with specific emphasis on thermolytic processes, associated with medication use during heat stress. The review begins by providing readers with a background of the global chronic disease burden. Human thermoregulation and aging effects are then summarized to give an understanding of the unique physiologic changes faced by older adults. The effects of common chronic diseases on temperature regulation are outlined in the main sections. Physiologic impacts of common medications used to treat these diseases are reviewed in detail, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which these medications alter thermolysis during heat stress. The review concludes by providing perspectives on the need to understand the effects of medication use in hot environments, as well as a summary table of all clinical considerations and research needs of the medications included in this review. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Long-term medications modulate thermoregulatory function, resulting in excess physiological strain and predisposing patients to adverse health outcomes during prolonged exposures to extreme heat during rest and physical work (e.g., exercise). Understanding the medication-specific mechanisms of altered thermoregulation has importance in both clinical and research settings, paving the way for work toward refining current medication prescription recommendations and formulating mitigation strategies for adverse drug effects in the heat in chronically ill patients.

A Narrative Review: The Effect and Importance of Carotenoids on Aging and Aging-Related Diseases

Aging is generally defined as a time-dependent functional decline that affects most living organisms. The positive increase in life expectancy has brought along aging-related diseases. Oxidative stress caused by the imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants can be given as one of the causes of aging. At the same time, the increase in oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is main reason for the increase in aging-related diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, liver, skin, and eye diseases and diabetes. Carotenoids, a natural compound, can be used to change the course of aging and aging-related diseases, thanks to their highly effective oxygen-quenching and ROS-scavenging properties. Therefore, in this narrative review, conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases and complying with the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines, the effects of carotenoids on aging and aging-related diseases were analyzed. Carotenoids are fat-soluble, highly unsaturated pigments that occur naturally in plants, fungi, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. A large number of works have been conducted on carotenoids in relation to aging and aging-related diseases. Animal and human studies have found that carotenoids can significantly reduce obesity and fatty liver, lower blood sugar, and improve liver fibrosis in cirrhosis, as well as reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and erythema formation, while also lowering glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose levels. Carotenoid supplementation may be effective in preventing and delaying aging and aging-related diseases, preventing and treating eye fatigue and dry eye disease, and improving macular function. These pigments can be used to stop, delay, or treat aging-related diseases due to their powerful antioxidant, restorative, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. As an increasingly aging population emerges globally, this review could provide an important prospective contribution to public health.

Combined effect of microplastic and triphenyltin: Insights from the gut-brain axis

Microplastics (MPs), an emerging group of pollutants, not only have direct toxic effects on aquatic organisms but also cause combined toxicity by absorbing other pollutants. Triphenyltin (TPT), one of the most widely used organotin compounds, has adverse effects on aquatic organisms. However, little is known about the combined toxicity of MPs and TPT to aquatic organisms. To investigate the individual and combined toxicity of MPs and TPT, we selected the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) for a 42-day exposure experiment. Based on the environmental concentrations in a heavily polluted area, the experimental concentrations of MPs and TPT were set at 0.5 mg L-1 and 1 μg L-1, respectively. The effects of MPs combined with TPT on the carp gut-brain axis were evaluated by detecting gut physiology and biochemical parameters, gut microbial 16S rRNA, and brain transcriptome sequencing. Our results suggest that a single TPT caused lipid metabolism disorder and a single MP induced immunosuppression in carp. When MPs were combined with TPT, the involvement of TPT amplified the immunotoxic effect induced by MPs. In this study, we also explored the gut-brain axis relationship of carp immunosuppression, providing new insights for assessing the combined toxicity of MPs and TPT. At the same time, our study provides a theoretical basis for evaluating the coexistence risk of MPs and TPT in the aquatic environment.

Exploring the complex role of gut microbiome in the development of precision medicine strategies for targeting microbial imbalance-induced colon cancer

The gut microbiome has been increasingly recognized as a key player in the development and progression of colon cancer. Alterations in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can lead to a variety of medical issues. Microbial adaptation through signals and small molecules can enhance pathogen colonization and modulate host immunity, significantly impacting disease progression. Quorum sensing peptides and molecules have been linked to the progression of colon cancer. Various interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and antibiotics, have been used to reverse dysbiosis with mixed results and potential side effects. Thus, a personalized approach to treatment selection based on patient characteristics, such as individual gut microbiota manipulation, is necessary to prevent and treat diseases like colon cancer. With advances in metagenomic sequencing and other omics technologies, there has been a growing interest in developing precision medicine strategies for microbial imbalance-induced colon cancer. This review serves as a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the gut microbiome involvement in colon cancer. By exploring the potential of utilizing the gut microbiome as a target for precision medicine, this review underscores the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Although challenges exist, the integration of microbiome data into precision medicine approaches has the potential to revolutionize the management of colon cancer, providing patients with more personalized and effective treatment options.

Baseline gut microbiota and metabolome predict durable immunogenicity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

The role of gut microbiota in modulating the durability of COVID-19 vaccine immunity is yet to be characterised. In this cohort study, we collected blood and stool samples of 121 BNT162b2 and 40 CoronaVac vaccinees at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months post vaccination (p.v.). Neutralisation antibody, plasma cytokine and chemokines were measured and associated with the gut microbiota and metabolome composition. A significantly higher level of neutralising antibody (at 6 months p.v.) was found in BNT162b2 vaccinees who had higher relative abundances of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Roseburia faecis as well as higher concentrations of nicotinic acid (Vitamin B) and γ-Aminobutyric acid (P < 0.05) at baseline. CoronaVac vaccinees with high neutralising antibodies at 6 months p.v. had an increased relative abundance of Phocaeicola dorei, a lower relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and a higher concentration of L-tryptophan (P < 0.05) at baseline. A higher antibody level at 6 months p.v. was also associated with a higher relative abundance of Dorea formicigenerans at 1 month p.v. among CoronaVac vaccinees (Rho = 0.62, p = 0.001, FDR = 0.123). Of the species altered following vaccination, 79.4% and 42.0% in the CoronaVac and BNT162b2 groups, respectively, recovered at 6 months. Specific to CoronaVac vaccinees, both bacteriome and virome diversity depleted following vaccination and did not recover to baseline at 6 months p.v. (FDR < 0.1). In conclusion, this study identified potential microbiota-based adjuvants that may extend the durability of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Gut microbiota and sepsis: bidirectional Mendelian study and mediation analysis

Background

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests a connection between the composition of gut microbiota and sepsis. However, more research is needed to better understand the causal relationship between the two. To gain a deeper insight into the association between gut microbiota, C-reactive protein (CRP), and sepsis, we conducted several Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.

Methods

In this study, publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics were examined to determine the correlation between gut microbiota and sepsis, including various sepsis subgroups (such as under 75, 28-day death, Critical Care Units (ICU), 28-day death in ICU). Initially, two-sample and reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted to identify causality between gut microbiota and sepsis. Subsequently, multivariable and two-step MR analyses revealed that the relationship between microbiota and sepsis was mediated by CRP. The robustness of the findings was confirmed through several sensitivity analyses.

Findings

In our study, we revealed positive correlations between 24 taxa and different sepsis outcomes, while 30 taxa demonstrated negative correlations with sepsis outcomes. Following the correction for multiple testing, we found that the Phylum Lentisphaerae (OR: 0.932, p = 2.64E-03), class Lentisphaeria, and order Victivallales (OR: 0.927, p = 1.42E-03) displayed a negative relationship with sepsis risk. In contrast, Phylum Tenericutes and class Mollicutes (OR: 1.274, p = 2.89E-03) were positively related to sepsis risk and death within 28 days. It is notable that Phylum Tenericutes and class Mollicutes (OR: 1.108, p = 1.72E-03) also indicated a positive relationship with sepsis risk in individuals under 75. From our analysis, it was shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) mediated 32.16% of the causal pathway from Phylum Tenericutes and class Mollicutes to sepsis for individuals under 75. Additionally, CRP was found to mediate 31.53% of the effect of the genus Gordonibacter on sepsis. Despite these findings, our reverse analysis did not indicate any influence of sepsis on the gut microbiota and CRP levels.

Conclusion

The study showcased the connection between gut microbiota, CRP, and sepsis, which sheds new light on the potential role of CRP as a mediator in facilitating the impact of gut microbiota on sepsis.

Saccharomyces boulardii protects against murine experimental colitis by reshaping the gut microbiome and its metabolic profile

Introduction

Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) has shown clinical beneficial effect in inflammatory bowel diseases recently. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The aim of present study was to tested whether S. boulardii targets gut microbiota to protect against the development of experimental colitis in mice.

Methods

Female C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with S. boulardii for 3 weeks before being challenged with dextran sulphate sodium to induce ulcerative colitis. Bodyweight, diarrhea severity, intestinal permeability, colonic histopathology, colonic inflammatory status, and epithelial cell death of mice were examined. The fecal microbiota and its metabolomic profiles were detected by 16S rDNA sequencing and UPLC-MS, respectively.

Results and Discussion

Supplementation with S. boulardii significantly prevented weight loss and colon shortening, lowered colonic inflammation, ameliorated epithelial injury, and enhanced the intestinal barrier integrity in colitis mice. By inhibiting the abundance of pathogenic bacteria and increasing the probiotics abundance, S. boulardii improved the microbial diversity and restored the microbiota dysbiosis. Moreover, it also modulated microbial metabolome and altered the relative contents of metabolites involving amino acids, lipids, energy and vitamin metabolisms. These yeast-driven shifts in gut flora and metabolites are were associated with each other and with the inflammation profile in colitis. Collectively, S. boulardii exerts protective effects on colitis in mice by reshaping gut microbiome and its metabolic profile, indicating it as a promising therapeutic avenue.

The benefits of edible mushroom polysaccharides for health and their influence on gut microbiota: a review

The gut microbiome is a complex biological community that deeply affects various aspects of human health, including dietary intake, disease progression, drug metabolism, and immune system regulation. Edible mushroom polysaccharides (EMPs) are bioactive fibers derived from mushrooms that possess a range of beneficial properties, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, antiviral, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory effects. Studies have demonstrated that EMPs are resistant to human digestive enzymes and serve as a crucial source of energy for the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. EMPs also positively impact human health by modulating the composition of the gut microbiome. This review discusses the extraction and purification processes of EMPs, their potential to improve health conditions by regulating the composition of the gut microbiome, and their application prospects. Furthermore, this paper provides valuable guidance and recommendations for future studies on EMPs consumption in disease management.

Low glycemic index potato biscuits alleviate physio-histological damage and gut dysbiosis in rats with type-2 diabetes mellitus induced by high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common type of diabetes globally and poses a major concern for human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects on T2DM of low-glycemic index (GI) potato biscuits with oat bran and inulin as functional additives. T2DM was induced in rats by streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-sugar and high-fat diet. The alleviation of T2DM by low-GI potato biscuits at different doses was evaluated based on the analysis of glycolipid levels, histological observations, inflammatory markers and gut microbiota structure. Compared to wheat biscuits, low-GI potato biscuits resulted in lower postprandial blood glucose levels. After eight weeks of intervention, fasting blood sugar levels were 16.9% lower in T2DM rats fed high-dose low-GI potato biscuits than in untreated T2DM rats. Moreover, the intervention with low-GI potato biscuits significantly alleviated T2DM-induced pathological damage, glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, and inflammation by reversing the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Moreover, the levels of short-chain fatty acids and gut microbiota structure in T2DM rats were significantly reversed. The abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Roseburia) in the gut of T2DM rats was significantly increased whereas the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Desulfovibrio decreased. The present study revealed that low-GI potato biscuits alleviated damages caused by high-sugar and high-fat diet- and STZ-induced T2DM in rats, as well as reversed disturbances in the gut microbiota. Thus, low-GI potato biscuits are potentially beneficial to T2DM patients.

A comprehensive systematic review of the effectiveness of Akkermansia muciniphila, a member of the gut microbiome, for the management of obesity and associated metabolic disorders

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

Obesity is recognised as a significant public health burden worldwide. Recently the cross-talk between gut microbiota and obesity has attracted much attention. To that end, Akkermansia muciniphila has been proposed as a promising microbe to manage obesity. In the present systematic review, we evaluated evidence on the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation in the management of obesity.

METHODS

Electronic databases of MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched thought March 2020 to identify relevant published articles, and eligible articles were systematically reviewed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Fifteen studies were included in the present study. Findings from the present review, which included human and animal (rodent) models support the effectiveness of Akkermansia supplementation as a novel therapeutic approach for the management of obesity and metabolic complications associated with obesity. However, future clinical trials are warranted to verify these outcomes.

Gut microbiota composition and function in pregnancy as determinants of prediabetes at two-year postpartum

AIMS

Deep metagenomics offers an advanced tool for examining the relationship between gut microbiota composition and function and the onset of disease; in this case, does the composition and function of gut microbiota during pregnancy differ in women who develop prediabetes and those who do not at two-year postpartum, and whether the gut microbiota composition associates with glycemic traits.

METHODS

In total, 439 women were recruited in early pregnancy. Gut microbiota was assessed by metagenomics analysis in early (13.9 ± 2.0 gestational weeks) and late pregnancy (35.1 ± 1.0 gestational weeks). Prediabetes was determined using American Diabetes Association criteria as fasting plasma glucose 5.6-6.9 mmol/l analyzed by an enzymatic hexokinase method. Of the women, 39 (22.1%) developed prediabetes by two-year postpartum.

RESULTS

The relative abundances of Escherichia unclassified (FDR < 0.05), Clostridiales bacterium 1_7_ 47FAA (FDR < 0.25) and Parabacteroides (FDR < 0.25) were higher, and those of Ruminococcaceae bacterium D16 (FDR < 0.25), Anaerotruncus unclassified (FDR < 0.25) and Ruminococcaceae noname (FDR < 0.25) were lower in early pregnancy in those women who later developed prediabetes. In late pregnancy, Porphyromonas was higher and Ruminococcus sp 5_1_39BFAA was lower in prediabetes (FDR < 0.25). Furthermore, fasting glucose concentrations associated inversely with Anaerotruncus unclassified in early pregnancy and directly with Ruminococcus sp 5_1_39BFAA in late pregnancy (FDR < 0.25). α-Diversity or β-diversity did not differ significantly between the groups. Predictions of community function during pregnancy were not associated with prediabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that some bacterial species during pregnancy contributed to the onset of prediabetes within two-year postpartum. These were attributable primarily to a lower abundance of short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria.

Effect of date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) supplementation as functional food on cardiometabolic risk factors, metabolic endotoxaemia and mental health in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a blinded randomised controlled trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Recently, the improvement of chronic hyperglycaemia-related damage of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through functional food consumption has attracted the attention of many clinicians. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of date seed powder (DSP) as a functional food (prebiotic) on the cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress, anti-/inflammatory biomarkers, metabolic endotoxaemia (gut microbiota), adipokines, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis biomarkers, immune system, anthropometric indices and mental health in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

This study protocol will be conducted as randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial with the inclusion of 48 patients with T2DM. The participants will be randomly assigned into two equal groups of intervention (n=24) and placebo (n=24) and receive 5 g/day of DSP or placebo for 8 weeks, respectively. At baseline and post-intervention, fasting blood samples will be collected to assess the serum levels of lipid profile, glycaemic indices, antioxidant and oxidative stress, anti-/inflammatory biomarkers, lipopolysaccharide, 8-hydroxy-guanine, adipokines, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis biomarkers, immune system and mental health. Data will be analysed using the SPSS software (V.16.0). To compare the quantitative variables, paired and unpaired Student's t-tests and covariance analyses will be used.

DISCUSSION

In this study, the potential effects of DSP on patients with T2DM will be evaluated for the first time. It is hoped that the results would increase the body of scientific knowledge about DSP supplementation on the cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress, anti-/inflammatory biomarkers, metabolic endotoxaemia, adipokines, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis biomarkers, immune system, anthropometric indices and mental health in patients with T2DM.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran (code: IR.TBZMED.REC.1400.752).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir/IRCT20150205020965N10).

Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide alleviates diabetic symptoms by regulating gut microbiota against TLR4/NF-κB pathway

The relationship between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has attracted increasing attention. In our work, one purified fraction a (AEPSa) was obtained from Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides, and its hypoglycemic activity and underlying mechanisms were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)- and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2DM mice. The results revealed that AEPSa reshaped gut microbiota by increasing Allobaculum, Alistipes, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and norank_f_Muribaculaceae and decreasing Enterococcus and Ruminococcus_torques_group to inhibit the colonic toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and upregulate intestinal tight junction protein expression, thereby improving glucose and serum lipid metabolism, hormone secretion and complications. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) also confirmed these findings. These results indicated that symptomatic relief of T2DM might be related to AEPSa regulating the gut microbiota against the TLR4/NF-κB pathway to protect the intestinal barrier. Therefore, AEPSa might be developed as a prebiotic agent against T2DM by regulating gut microbiota.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Improves Lipid Metabolism Disorder and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Purpose: Additional effective therapeutic strategies for Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients are urgently needed. Gut microbiota plays an important role in T2D development and is a promising treatment strategy for T2D patients. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii) is regarded as one of the most important bacterial indicators for a healthy gut, but the mechanisms of its anti-diabetic properties are still unclear. Methods and Results: The abundance of F. prausnitzii in feces of patients with T2D was detected by using qPCR. The effects of F. prausnitzii on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis and inflammation were investigated in type 2 diabetic (T2D) db/db mice. We also investigated F. prausnitzii in people. Our results showed that the abundance of F. prausnitzii was significantly lower in T2D patients compared to healthy subjects. In T2D mice, we found that F. prausnitzii treatment significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and IR index, indicating improved glucose intolerance as well as IR. Furthermore, based on evaluation of lipid-regulating enzyme activities and proinflammatory cytokine levels, F. prausnitzii was not only able to improve inflammation in both adipose tissue and liver, but also ameliorate hepatic steatosis through inhibiting the activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes. Conclusion: These results suggested that F. prausnitzii might serve as a therapeutic option for T2D by improved IR, lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Alterations of the intestinal microbiota in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in those over the age of 50. Recently, intestinal microbiota has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. The purpose of this study was to discover more about the involvement of the intestinal microbiota in AMD patients.

Methods

Fecal samples from 30 patients with AMD (AMD group) and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (control group) without any fundus disease were collected. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the samples were performed to identify intestinal microbial alterations. Further, we used BugBase for phenotypic prediction and PICRUSt2 for KEGG Orthology (KO) as well as metabolic feature prediction.

Results

The intestinal microbiota was found to be significantly altered in the AMD group. The AMD group had a significantly lower level of Firmicutes and relatively higher levels of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota compared to those in the control group. At the genus level, the AMD patient group showed a considerably higher proportion of Escherichia-Shigella and lower proportions of Blautia and Anaerostipes compared with those in the control group. Phenotypic prediction revealed obvious differences in the four phenotypes between the two groups. PICRUSt2 analysis revealed KOs and pathways associated with altered intestinal microbiota. The abundance of the top eight KOs in the AMD group was higher than that in the control group. These KOs were mainly involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated that AMD patients had different gut microbiota compared with healthy controls, and that AMD pathophysiology might be linked to changes in gut-related metabolic pathways. Therefore, intestinal microbiota might serve as non-invasive indicators for AMD clinical diagnosis and possibly also as AMD treatment targets.

MADGAN:A microbe-disease association prediction model based on generative adversarial networks

Researches have demonstrated that microorganisms are indispensable for the nutrition transportation, growth and development of human bodies, and disorder and imbalance of microbiota may lead to the occurrence of diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to study relationships between microbes and diseases. In this manuscript, we proposed a novel prediction model named MADGAN to infer potential microbe-disease associations by combining biological information of microbes and diseases with the generative adversarial networks. To our knowledge, it is the first attempt to use the generative adversarial network to complete this important task. In MADGAN, we firstly constructed different features for microbes and diseases based on multiple similarity metrics. And then, we further adopted graph convolution neural network (GCN) to derive different features for microbes and diseases automatically. Finally, we trained MADGAN to identify latent microbe-disease associations by games between the generation network and the decision network. Especially, in order to prevent over-smoothing during the model training process, we introduced the cross-level weight distribution structure to enhance the depth of the network based on the idea of residual network. Moreover, in order to validate the performance of MADGAN, we conducted comprehensive experiments and case studies based on databases of HMDAD and Disbiome respectively, and experimental results demonstrated that MADGAN not only achieved satisfactory prediction performances, but also outperformed existing state-of-the-art prediction models.

Gut Microbiota Modulation for Therapeutic Management of Various Diseases: A New Perspective Using Stem Cell Therapy

Dysbiosis has been linked to various diseases ranging from cardiovascular, neurologic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and metabolic illnesses to cancer. Restoring of gut microbiota balance represents an outstanding clinical target for the management of various multidrug-resistant diseases. Preservation of gut microbial diversity and composition could also improve stem cell therapy which now has diverse clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine. Gut microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy may be considered a highly promising field that could add up towards the improvement of different diseases, increasing the outcome and efficacy of each other through mutual interplay or interaction between both therapies. Importantly, more investigations are required to reveal the cross-talk between microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy to pave the way for the development of new therapies with enhanced therapeutic outcomes. This review provides an overview of dysbiosis in various diseases and their management. It also discusses microbiota modulation via antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplant to introduce the concept of dysbiosis correction for the management of various diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrate the beneficial interactions between microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy as a way for the development of new therapies in addition to limitations and future challenges regarding the applications of these therapies.

Polyphenols as Drivers of a Homeostatic Gut Microecology and Immuno-Metabolic Traits of Akkermansia muciniphila: From Mouse to Man

Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucosal symbiont considered a gut microbial marker in healthy individuals, as its relative abundance is significantly reduced in subjects with gut inflammation and metabolic disturbances. Dietary polyphenols can distinctly stimulate the relative abundance of A. muciniphila, contributing to the attenuation of several diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, and liver damage. However, mechanistic insight into how polyphenols stimulate A. muciniphila or its activity is limited. This review focuses on dietary interventions in rodents and humans and in vitro studies using different phenolic classes. We provide critical insights with respect to potential mechanisms explaining the effects of polyphenols affecting A. muciniphila. Anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, stilbenes, and phenolic acids are shown to increase relative A. muciniphila levels in vivo, whereas lignans exert the opposite effect. Clinical trials show consistent findings, and high intervariability relying on the gut microbiota composition at the baseline and the presence of multiple polyphenol degraders appear to be cardinal determinants in inducing A. muciniphila and associated benefits by polyphenol intake. Polyphenols signal to the AhR receptor and impact the relative abundance of A. muciniphila in a direct and indirect fashion, resulting in the restoration of intestinal epithelial integrity and homeostatic crosstalk with the gut microbiota by affecting IL-22 production. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that A. muciniphila participates in the initial hydrolysis of some polyphenols but does not participate in their complete metabolism. In conclusion, the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods targeting A. muciniphila as a pivotal intermediary represents a promising precision nutritional therapy to prevent and attenuate metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

Roseburia intestinalis Modulates PYY Expression in a New a Multicellular Model including Enteroendocrine Cells

The gut microbiota contributes to human health and disease; however, the mechanisms by which commensal bacteria interact with the host are still unclear. To date, a number of in vitro systems have been designed to investigate the host-microbe interactions. In most of the intestinal models, the enteroendocrine cells, considered as a potential link between gut bacteria and several human diseases, were missing. In the present study, we have generated a new model by adding enteroendocrine cells (ECC) of L-type (NCI-H716) to the one that we have previously described including enterocytes, mucus, and M cells. After 21 days of culture with the other cells, enteroendocrine-differentiated NCI-H716 cells showed neuropods at their basolateral side and expressed their specific genes encoding proglucagon (GCG) and chromogranin A (CHGA). We showed that this model could be stimulated by commensal bacteria playing a key role in health, Roseburia intestinalis and Bacteroides fragilis, but also by a pathogenic strain such as Salmonella Heidelberg. Moreover, using cell-free supernatants of B. fragilis and R. intestinalis, we have shown that R. intestinalis supernatant induced a significant increase in IL-8 and PYY but not in GCG gene expression, while B. fragilis had no impact. Our data indicated that R. intestinalis produced short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate whereas B. fragilis produced more propionate. However, these SCFAs were probably not the only metabolites implicated in PYY expression since butyrate alone had no effect. In conclusion, our new quadricellular model of gut epithelium could be an effective tool to highlight potential beneficial effects of bacteria or their metabolites, in order to develop new classes of probiotics.

The Role of the Human Microbiome in the Pathogenesis of Pain

Understanding of the gut microbiome's role in human physiology developed rapidly in recent years. Moreover, any alteration of this microenvironment could lead to a pathophysiological reaction of numerous organs. It results from the bidirectional communication of the gastrointestinal tract with the central nervous system, called the gut-brain axis. The signals in the gut-brain axis are mediated by immunological, hormonal, and neural pathways. However, it is also influenced by microorganisms in the gut. The disturbances in the gut-brain axis are associated with gastrointestinal syndromes, but recently their role in the development of different types of pain was reported. The gut microbiome could be the factor in the central sensitization of chronic pain by regulating microglia, astrocytes, and immune cells. Dysbiosis could lead to incorrect immune responses, resulting in the development of inflammatory pain such as endometriosis. Furthermore, chronic visceral pain, associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders, could result from a disruption in the gut microenvironment. Any alteration in the gut-brain axis could also trigger migraine attacks by affecting cytokine expression. Understanding the gut microbiome's role in pain pathophysiology leads to the development of analgetic therapies targeting microorganisms. Probiotics, FODMAP diet, and fecal microbiota transplantation are reported to be beneficial in treating visceral pain.

Assessment of Adaptation Status of Reintroduced Equus Przewalskii Based on Comparative Analysis of Fecal Bacteria with Those of Captive E. Przewalskii, Domestic Horse and Mongolian Wild Ass

Intestinal microbiota play an important role in the survival of the host. However, no study to date has elucidated the adjustment of intestinal microbiota of the host during rewilding. Thus, this study aims to describe the intestinal bacterial community of reintroduced Przewalski’s horse (RPH) after being released into their original habitat for approximately 20 years in comparison with that of captive Przewalski’s horse (CPH), sympatric domestic horse (DH) and Mongolian wild ass (MWA) by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the prevalent bacterial communities were different among CPHs, RPHs, DHs and MWAs at the family level. NMDS and ANOSIM analysis showed that the pattern of bacterial community composition in captive equines was distinct from that in the wild groups. It is shown that some bacteria had significant differences among different taxa (p < 0.001), such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Armatimonadetes, Clostrida, Bacteroidia, Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Rikenellaceae and Bacteroidales_UCG-001. These bacteria were associated with the transition from in captive to in the wild (CPH and RPH), which reflected the change of environmental conditions. Meanwhile, Proteobacteria, Clostridia, Bacilli, Negativicutes, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridiales, Bacillales, Selenomonadales, Pseudomonadales and Planococcaceae were the changed groups among RPHs, MWAs and DHs, which are related to feeding habits and diseases. Our results clearly showed the differences between intestinal microbiota in reintroduced animals and wild animals and led us to understand the survival state of reintroduced animals in the wild.

Sex hormones, intestinal inflammation, and the gut microbiome: Major influencers of the sexual dimorphisms in obesity

Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of body fat and is associated with an increased risk of developing major health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. There are clear sexual dimorphisms in the epidemiology, pathophysiology and sequelae of obesity and its accompanying metabolic disorders, with females often better protected compared to males. This protection has predominantly been attributed to the female sex hormone estrogen and differences in fat distribution. More recently, the sexual dimorphisms of obesity have also been attributed to the differences in the composition and function of the gut microbiota, and the intestinal immune system. This review will comprehensively summarize the pre-clinical and clinical evidence for these sexual dimorphisms and discuss the interplay between sex hormones, intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiome in obesity. Major gaps and limitations of this rapidly growing area of research will also be highlighted in this review.

Optimization of a GC-MS method for the profiling of microbiota-dependent metabolites in blood samples: An application to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes

Changes in serum or plasma metabolome may reflect gut microbiota dysbiosis, which is also known to occur in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Thus, developing a robust method for the analysis of microbiota-dependent metabolites (MDMs) is an important issue. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is a powerful approach enabling detection of a wide range of MDMs in biofluid samples with good repeatability and reproducibility, but requires selection of a suitable solvents and conditions. For this reason, we conducted for the first time the study in which, we demonstrated an optimisation of samples preparation steps for the measurement of 75 MDMs in two matrices. Different solvents or mixtures of solvents for MDMs extraction, various concentrations and volumes of derivatizing reagents as well as temperature programs at methoxymation and silylation step, were tested. The stability, repeatability and reproducibility of the 75 MDMs measurement were assessed by determining the relative standard deviation (RSD). Finally, we used the developed method to analyse serum samples from 18 prediabetic (PreDiab group) and 24 T2DM patients (T2DM group) from our 1000PLUS cohort. The study groups were homogeneous and did not differ in age and body mass index. To select statistically significant metabolites, T2DM vs. PreDiab comparison was performed using multivariate statistics. Our experiment revealed changes in 18 MDMs belonging to different classes of compounds, and seven of them, based on the SVM classification model, were selected as a panel of potential biomarkers, able to distinguish between patients with T2DM and prediabetes.

Plant-Derived (Poly)phenols and Their Metabolic Outcomes: The Pursuit of a Role for the Gut Microbiota

Plant-derived (poly)phenolic compounds have been undoubtedly shown to promote endocrine homeostasis through the improvement of diverse metabolic outcomes. Amongst diverse potential mechanisms, the prebiotic modulatory effects exerted by these compounds on the gut microbiota have supported their nutraceutical application in both experimental and clinical approaches. However, the comprehension of the microbiota modulatory patterns observed upon (poly)phenol-based dietary interventions is still in its infancy, which makes the standardization of the metabolic outcomes in response to a given (poly)phenol a herculean task. Thus, this narrative review sought to gather up-to-date information on the relationship among (poly)phenols intake, their modulatory effect on the gut microbiota diversity, and consequent metabolic outcomes as a supportive tool for the future design of experimental approaches and even clinical trials.

A Multi-Strain Probiotic Formulation Improves Intestinal Barrier Function by the Modulation of Tight and Adherent Junction Proteins

In healthy individuals, tight junction proteins (TJPs) maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability are observed in several diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Many studies highlight the role of probiotics in preventing intestinal barrier dysfunction. The present study aims to investigate the effects of a commercially available probiotic formulation of L. rhamnosus LR 32, B. lactis BL 04, and B. longum BB 536 (Serobioma, Bromatech s.r.l., Milan, Italy) on TJPs and the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier, and the ability of this formulation to prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced, inflammation-associated damage. An in vitro model of the intestinal barrier was developed using a Caco-2 cell monolayer. The mRNA expression levels of the TJ genes were analyzed using real-time PCR. Changes in the amounts of proteins were assessed with Western blotting. The effect of Serobioma on the intestinal epithelial barrier function was assessed using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. The probiotic formulation tested in this study modulates the expression of TJPs and prevents inflammatory damage. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which probiotics are able to prevent damage to the gut epithelial barrier.