Gut Microbiota, Leaky Gut, and Autoimmune Diseases

Yi-Shen-Hua-Shi regulates intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and protects against proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled study

CONTEXT

Yi-Shen-Hua-Shi (YSHS) is a traditional Chinese medicine that treats chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its efficacy in reducing proteinuria and underlying mechanisms is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This single-center randomized controlled trial explored whether YSHS could improve proteinuria and modulate the gut microbiota.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

120 CKD patients were enrolled and randomized to receive the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor plus YSHS (n = 56) or RAAS inhibitor (n = 47) alone for 4 months, and 103 patients completed the study. We collected baseline and follow-up fecal samples and clinical outcomes from participants. Total bacterial DNA was extracted, and the fecal microbiome was analyzed using bioinformatics.

RESULTS

Patients in the intervention group had a significantly higher decrease in 24-h proteinuria. After 4 months of the YSHS intervention, the relative abundance of bacteria that have beneficial effects on the body, such as Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, and Sutterella increased significantly, while pathogenic bacteria such as the Eggerthella and Clostridium innocuum group decreased. However, we could not find these changes in the control group. Redundancy analysis showed that the decline in 24-h proteinuria during follow-up was significantly correlated with various taxa of gut bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae and the Lachnoclostridium genus in the YSHS group. KEGG analysis also showed the potential role of YSHS in regulating glycan, lipid, and vitamin metabolism.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The YSHS granule reduced proteinuria associated with mitigating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in CKD patients. The definite mechanisms of YSHS to improve proteinuria need to be further explored.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2300076136, retrospectively registered.

An integrative exploration of environmental stressors on the microbiome-gut-brain axis and immune mechanisms promoting neurological disorders

The microbiome-gut-brain axis is altered by environmental stressors such as heat, diet, and pollutants as well as microbes in the air, water, and soil. These stressors might alter the host's microbiome and symbiotic relationship by modifying the microbial composition or location. Compartmentalized mutualistic microbes promote the beneficial interactions in the host leading to circulating metabolites and hormones such as insulin and leptin that affect inter-organ functions. Inflammation and oxidative stress induced by environmental stressors may alter the composition, distribution, and activities of the microbes in the microbiomes such that the resultant metabolite and hormone changes are no longer beneficial. The microbiome-gut-brain axis and immune adverse changes that may accompany environmental stressors are reviewed for effects on innate and adaptive immune cells, which may make host immunity less responsive to pathogens and more reactive to self-antigens. Cardiovascular and fluid exchanges to organs might adversely alter organ functionality. Organs, especially the brain, need a consistent supply of nutrients and clearance of debris; disruption of these exchanges by stressors, and involvement of gut microbiome are discussed regarding neural dysfunctions with Alzheimer's disease, autistic spectrum disorders, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. The focus of this review includes the manner in which environmental stressors may disrupt gut microbiota leading to adverse immune and hormonal influences on development of neuropathology related to hyperhomocysteinemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress, and how certain therapeutics may be beneficial. Strategies are explored to lessen detrimental effects of environmental stressors on central and peripheral health navigated toward (1) understanding neurological disorders and (2) promoting environmental and public health and well-being.

Bacillus coagulans BACO-17 ameliorates in vitro and in vivo progression of Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes persistent inflammation involving the joints, cartilage, and synovium. In individuals with RA, alterations in the composition of intestinal bacteria suggest the vital role of gut microbiota in immune dysfunction. Multiple therapies commonly used to treat RA can also alter the diversity of gut microbiota, further suggesting the modulation of gut microbiota as a prevention or treatment for RA. Therefore, a better understanding of the changes in the gut microbiota that accompany RA should facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In this study, B. coagulans BACO-17 not only significantly reduced paw swelling, arthritis scores, and hind paw and forepaw thicknesses but also protected articular cartilage and the synovium against RA degeneration, with a corresponding downregulation of TNF-α expression. The inhibition or even reversing of RA progression highlights B. coagulans BACO-17 as a novel therapeutic for RA worth investigating.

Possible immune mechanisms of gut microbiota and its metabolites in the occurrence and development of immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by increased platelet destruction and impaired production, leading to an elevated bleeding tendency. Recent studies have demonstrated an important link between the gut microbiota and the onset and progression of several immune diseases in humans, emphasizing that gut microbiota-derived metabolites play a non-negligible role in autoimmune diseases. The gut microbiota and its metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, oxidized trimethylamine, tryptophan metabolites, secondary bile acids and lipopolysaccharides, can alter intestinal barrier permeability by modulating immune cell differentiation and cytokine secretion, which in turn affects the systemic immune function of the host. It is therefore reasonable to hypothesize that ecological dysregulation of the gut microbiota may be an entirely new factor in the triggering of ITP. This article reviews the potential immune-related mechanisms of the gut microbiota and representative metabolites in ITP, as well as the important influence of leaky gut on the development of ITP, with a view to enriching the theoretical system of ITP-related gut microecology and providing new ideas for the study of ITP.

Gut microbiota regulation of T lymphocyte subsets during systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by disturbance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory lymphocytes. Growing evidence shown that gut microbiota participated in the occurrence and development of SLE by affecting the differentiation and function of intestinal immune cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gut microbiota in SLE and judge its associations with peripheral T lymphocytes.

METHODS

A total of 19 SLE patients and 16 HCs were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry was used to detect the number of peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, and 16 s rRNA was used to detect the relative abundance of gut microbiota. Analyzed the correlation between gut microbiota with SLEDAI, ESR, ds-DNA and complement. SPSS26.0 software was used to analyze the experimental data. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare T lymphocyte subsets. Spearman analysis was used for calculating correlation.

RESULTS

Compared with HCs, the proportions of Tregs (P = 0.001), Tfh cells (P = 0.018) and Naïve CD4 + T cells (P = 0.004) significantly decreased in SLE patients, and proportions of Th17 cells (P = 0.020) and γδT cells (P = 0.018) increased in SLE. The diversity of SLE patients were significantly decreased. Addition, there were 11 species of flora were discovered to be distinctly different in SLE group (P < 0.05). In the correlation analysis of SLE, Tregs were positively correlated with Ruminococcus2 (P = 0.042), Th17 cells were positively correlated with Megamonas (P = 0.009), γδT cells were positively correlated with Megamonas (P = 0.003) and Streptococcus (P = 0.004), Tfh cells were positively correlated with Bacteroides (P = 0.040), and Th1 cells were negatively correlated with Bifidobacterium (P = 0.005). As for clinical indicators, the level of Tregs was negatively correlated with ESR (P = 0.031), but not with C3 and C4, and the remaining cells were not significantly correlated with ESR, C3 and C4.

CONCLUSION

Gut microbiota and T lymphocyte subsets of SLE changed and related to each other, which may break the immune balance and affect the occurrence and development of SLE. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the changes of gut microbiota and provide new ideas for the treatment of SLE.

A bibliometric study of global trends in T1DM and intestinal flora research

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that seriously jeopardizes human physical and mental health and reduces quality of life. Intestinal flora is one of the critical areas of exploration in T1DM research.

Objective

This study aims to explore the research hotspot and development trend of T1DM and intestinal flora to provide research direction and ideas for researchers.

Methods

We used the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection and searched up to 18 November 2023, for articles on studies of the correlation between T1DM and intestinal flora. CiteSpace, VOSviewers and R package "bibliometrix" were used to conduct this bibliometric analysis.

Results

Eventually, 534 documents met the requirements to be included, and as of 18 November 2023, there was an upward trend in the number of publications in the field, with a significant increase in the number of articles published after 2020. In summary, F Susan Wong (UK) was the author with the most publications (21), the USA was the country with the most publications (198), and the State University System of Florida (the United States) was the institution with the most publications (32). The keywords that appeared more frequently were T cells, fecal transplants, and short-chain fatty acids. The results of keywords with the most robust citation bursts suggest that Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and butyrate may become a focus of future research.

Conclusion

In the future, intestinal flora will remain a research focus in T1DM. Future research can start from Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and combine T cells, fecal bacteria transplantation, and short-chain fatty acids to explore the mechanism by which intestinal flora affects blood glucose in patients with T1DM, which may provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of T1DM.

Altered gut microbiota is associated with the formation of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a common blood transmission pathogen worldwide, can lead to viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other liver diseases. In particular, occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) may be caused by an immune response leading to suppressed virus replication. Gut microbiota can change the immunity status of the human body and, therefore, affect the replication of HBV. Thus, to identify whether there are differences in gut microbiota between HBV carriers and OBI carriers, we collected fecal samples from 18 HBV carriers, 24 OBI blood donors, and also 20 healthy blood donors as negative control. After 16S sequencing, we found that the abundance of Faecalibacterium was significantly reduced in samples from OBI blood donors compared with those from healthy blood donors. Compared with samples from HBV carriers, the samples from OBI blood donors had a significantly increased abundance of Subdoligranulum, which might stimulate immune activation, thus inhibiting HBV replication and contributing to the formation of occult infection. Our findings revealed the potential role of gut microbiota in the formation of OBI and further provided a novel strategy for the treatment of HBV infection.IMPORTANCEOccult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is a special form of hepatitis B virus infection with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative. Gut microbiota may contribute to the immune response leading to suppressed virus replication and, thus, participates in the development of OBI. The study on gut microbiota of OBI blood donors provides novel data considerably advancing our understanding of the immune mechanism for the determination of occult hepatitis B virus infection, which is helpful for improving the strategy of the treatment of HBV infection.

Endometriosis is a disease of immune dysfunction, which could be linked to microbiota

Background: Endometriosis, characterized by extrauterine endometrial tissue, leads to irregular bleeding and pelvic pain. Menstrual retrograde theory suggests fragments traverse fallopian tubes, causing inflammation and scar tissue. Prevalent among infertile women, risk factors include fewer pregnancies, delayed childbirth, irregular cycles, and familial predisposition. Treatments, medication, and surgery entail side effects. Studies link gut microbiota alterations to endometriosis, necessitating research to establish causation. We used Mendelian randomization to investigate the potential link between endometriosis and gut microbiota through genetic variants. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyzed gut microbiota's potential causal effects on endometriosis. Instrumental variables, robustly associated with exposures, leveraged GWAS data from MiBioGen for gut microbiota and FinnGen R8 release for endometriosis. SNPs strongly associated with exposures were instrumental variables. Rigorous assessments ensured SNP impact scrutiny on endometriosis. Results: At the genus level, Anaerotruncus, Desulfovibrio, Haemophilus, and Holdemania showed causal association with endometriosis. Specific gut microbiota exhibited causal effects on different endometriosis stages. Holdemania and Ruminococcaceae UCG002 exerted reversible, stage-specific impacts. Conclusion: Mendelian randomization provides evidence for the causal link between specific gut microbiotas and endometriosis, emphasizing the pivotal role of gut microbiota dysbiosis. Modulating gut microbiota emerges as a promising strategy for preventing and treating endometriosis.

Exploring Functional Products and Early-Life Dynamics of Gut Microbiota

Research on the microbiome has progressed from identifying specific microbial communities to exploring how these organisms produce and modify metabolites that impact a wide range of health conditions, including gastrointestinal, metabolic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides an overview of the bacteria commonly found in the intestinal tract, focusing on their main functional outputs. We explore biomarkers that not only indicate a well-balanced microbiota but also potential dysbiosis, which could foreshadow susceptibility to future health conditions. Additionally, it discusses the establishment of the microbiota during the early years of life, examining factors such as gestational age at birth, type of delivery, antibiotic intake, and genetic and environmental influences. Through a comprehensive analysis of current research, this article aims to enhance our understanding of the microbiota's foundational development and its long-term implications for health and disease management.

Metabolomic changes in children with autism

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Metabolomic profiling has emerged as a valuable tool for understanding the underlying metabolic dysregulations associated with ASD.

AIM

To comprehensively explore metabolomic changes in children with ASD, integrating findings from various research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, and a book chapter.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, LISA, and NLM catalog up until January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed research articles (83), review articles (145), meta-analyses (6), systematic reviews (6), case reports (2), editorials (2), and a book chapter (1) related to metabolomic changes in children with ASD. Exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of included studies.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified specific metabolites and metabolic pathways showing consistent differences in children with ASD compared to typically developing individuals. These metabolic biomarkers may serve as objective measures to support clinical assessments, improve diagnostic accuracy, and inform personalized treatment approaches. Metabolomic profiling also offers insights into the metabolic alterations associated with comorbid conditions commonly observed in individuals with ASD.

CONCLUSION

Integration of metabolomic changes in children with ASD holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding personalized treatment approaches, monitoring treatment response, and improving outcomes. Further research is needed to validate findings, establish standardized protocols, and overcome technical challenges in metabolomic analysis. By advancing our understanding of metabolic dysregulations in ASD, clinicians can improve the lives of affected individuals and their families.

Vitamin D: An Essential Nutrient in the Dual Relationship between Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases and Celiac Disease-A Comprehensive Review

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are among the most frequent autoimmune disorders, with a multifactorial etiology in which both genetic and environmental determinants are probably involved. Celiac disease (CeD) also represents a public concern, given its increasing prevalence due to the recent improvement of screening programs, leading to the detection of silent subtypes. The two conditions may be closely associated due to common risk factors, including genetic setting, changes in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, and deficiency of nutrients like vitamin D. This comprehensive review discussed the current evidence on the pivotal role of vitamin D in modulating both gut microbiota dysbiosis and immune system dysfunction, shedding light on the possible relevance of an adequate intake of this nutrient in the primary prevention of AITD and CeD. While future technology-based strategies for proper vitamin D supplementation could be attractive in the context of personalized medicine, several issues remain to be defined, including standardized assays for vitamin D determination, timely recommendations on vitamin D intake for immune system functioning, and longitudinal studies and randomized controlled trials to definitely establish a causal relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the onset of AITD and CeD.

Microbial dysbiosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a scientometric study

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. Mounting evidence suggests microbiota dysbiosis augment autoimmune response. This study aims to provide a systematic overview of this research field in SLE through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search and retrieval of literature related to microbial researches in SLE from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. The retrieved articles were subjected to bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Bibliometricx to explore annual publication output, collaborative patterns, research hotspots, current research status, and emerging trends.

Results

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 218 research articles and 118 review articles. The quantity of publications rises annually, notably surging in 2015 and 2018. The United States and China emerged as the leading contributors in microbial research of SLE. Mashhad University of Medical Sciences had the highest publication outputs among the institutions. Frontiers in Immunology published the most papers. Luo XM and Margolles A were the most prolific and highly cited contributors among individual authors. Microbial research in SLE primarily focused on changes in microbial composition, particularly gut microbiota, as well as the mechanisms and practical applications in SLE. Recent trends emphasize "metabolites," "metabolomics," "fatty acids," "T cells," "lactobacillus," and "dietary supplementation," indicating a growing emphasis on microbial metabolism and interventions in SLE.

Conclusion

This study provides a thorough analysis of the research landscape concerning microbiota in SLE. The microbial research in SLE mainly focused on three aspects: microbial dysbiosis, mechanism studies and translational studies (microbiota-based therapeutics). It identifies current research trends and focal points, offering valuable guidance for scholars in the field.

Alteration of Gut Microbiota Composition and Diversity in Acute and/or Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Cohort Study

Changes in gut microbiome composition have been implicated in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Our objective was to explore the microbial abundance in patients with GvHD after allo-HSCT. We conducted a single-center, prospective study in patients who underwent allo-HSCT and developed grade II or higher acute GvHD and/or moderate or severe chronic GvHD, to explore the microbial abundance of taxa at the phylum, family, genus, and species level, and we utilized alpha and beta diversity indices to further describe our findings. We collected fecal specimens at -2 to +2 (T1), +11 to +17 (T2), +25 to +30 (T3), +90 (T4), and +180 (T5) days to assess changes in gut microbiota, with day 0 being the day of allo-HSCT. We included 20 allo-HSCT recipients in the study. Compared with timepoint T1, at timepoint T4 we found a significant decrease in the abundance of Proteobacteria phylum (14.22% at T1 vs. 4.07% at T4, p = 0.01) and Enterobacteriaceae family (13.3% at T1 vs. <0.05% at T4, p < 0.05), as well as a significant increase in Enterococcus species (0.1% at T1 vs. 12.8% at T4, p < 0.05) in patients who developed acute GvHD. Regarding patients who developed chronic GvHD after allo-HSCT, there was a significant reduction in the abundance of Eurobactereaceae family (1.32% at T1 vs. 0.53% at T4, p < 0.05) and Roseruria genus (3.97% at T1 vs. 0.09% at T4, p < 0.05) at T4 compared with T1. Alpha and beta diversity analyses did not reveal a difference in the abundance of bacteria at the genus level in GvHD patients at T4 compared with T1. Our study reinforces results from previous studies regarding changes in gut microbiota in patients with acute GvHD and provides new data regarding the gut microbiome changes in chronic GvHD. Future studies will need to incorporate clinical parameters in their analyses to establish their association with specific changes in gut microbiota in patients with GvHD after allo-HSCT.

A decade of insight: bibliometric analysis of gut microbiota's role in osteoporosis (2014-2024)

Purpose

Osteoporosis represents a profound challenge to public health, underscoring the critical need to dissect its complex etiology and identify viable targets for intervention. Within this context, the gut microbiota has emerged as a focal point of research due to its profound influence on bone metabolism. Despite this growing interest, the literature has yet to see a bibliometric study addressing the gut microbiota's contribution to both the development and management of osteoporosis. This study aims to fill this gap through an exhaustive bibliometric analysis. Our objective is to uncover current research hotspots, delineate key themes, and identify future research trends. In doing so, we hope to provide direction for future studies and the development of innovative treatment methods.

Methods

Relevant publications in this field were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. We used VOSviewer, CiteSpace, an online analysis platform and the R package "Bibliometrix" for bibliometric analysis.

Results

A total of 529 publications (including 351 articles and 178 reviews) from 61 countries, 881 institutions, were included in this study. China leads in publication volume and boast the highest cumulative citation. Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Southern Medical University are the leading research institutions in this field. Nutrients contributed the largest number of articles, and J Bone Miner Res is the most co-cited journal. Of the 3,166 scholars who participated in the study, Ohlsson C had the largest number of articles. Li YJ is the most co-cited author. "Probiotics" and "inflammation" are the keywords in the research.

Conclusion

This is the first bibliometric analysis of gut microbiota in osteoporosis. We explored current research status in recent years and identified frontiers and hot spots in this research field. We investigate the impact of gut microbiome dysregulation and its associated inflammation on OP progression, a topic that has garnered international research interest in recent years. Additionally, our study delves into the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation or specific dietary interventions as promising avenues for future research, which can provide reference for the researchers who focus on this research filed.

Exploring new avenues of health protection: plant-derived nanovesicles reshape microbial communities

Symbiotic microbial communities are crucial for human health, and dysbiosis is associated with various diseases. Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have a lipid bilayer structure and contain lipids, metabolites, proteins, and RNA. They offer unique advantages in regulating microbial community homeostasis and treating diseases related to dysbiosis compared to traditional drugs. On the one hand, lipids on PDNVs serve as the primary substances that mediate specific recognition and uptake by bacteria. On the other hand, due to the multifactorial nature of PDNVs, they have the potential to enhance growth and survival of beneficial bacterial while simultaneously reducing the pathogenicity of harmful bacteria. In addition, PDNVs have the capacity to modulate bacterial metabolism, thus facilitating the establishment of a harmonious microbial equilibrium and promoting stability within the microbiota. These remarkable attributes make PDNVs a promising therapeutic approach for various conditions, including periodontitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and skin infection diseases. However, challenges such as consistency, isolation methods, and storage need to be addressed before clinical application. This review aims to explore the value of PDNVs in regulating microbial community homeostasis and provide recommendations for their use as novel therapeutic agents for health protection.

The gut metabolome in a cohort of pregnant and lactating women from Antioquia-Colombia

Nutrition during the perinatal period is an essential component of health and one that can severely impact the correct development of a human being and its overall condition, in all the subsequent stages of life. The availability of several compounds, mainly macronutrients and micronutrients, plays a key role in the balanced nutrition of both mother and baby and is a process with direct relation to the gut microbiome. Thus, we hereby refer to the set of small molecules derived from gut microbiome metabolism as the gut metabolome. These continuous processes occurring in the gut of a gestating or lactating mother related to microbial communities and nutrients, can be revealed by metabolomics. In this study, we explore for the first time the gut metabolome of pregnant and lactating women, from our region of Antioquia-Colombia, applying untargeted metabolomics by LC-QTOF-MS, and molecular networking. Regarding the gut metabolome composition of the cohort, we found, key metabolites that can be used as biomarkers of microbiome function, overall metabolic health, dietary intake, pharmacology, and lifestyle. In our cohort, pregnant women evidenced a significantly higher abundance of prostaglandins, alkaloids, corticosteroids, organosilicons, and natural toxins, while in lactating women, lipids stand out. Our results suggest that unveiling the metabolic phenotype of the gut microbiome of an individual, by untargeted metabolomics, allows a broad visualization of the chemical space present in this important niche and enables the recognition of influential indicators of the host's health status and habits, especially of women during this significant perinatal period. This study constitutes the first evidence of the use of untargeted LC-QTOF-MS coupled with molecular networking analysis, of the gut microbiome in a Colombian cohort and establishes a methodology for finding relative abundances of key metabolites, with potential use in nutritional and physiological state assessments, for future personalized health and nutrition practices.

Emerging role of gut microbiota in autoimmune diseases

Accumulating studies have indicated that the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the onset of autoimmune diseases by engaging in complex interactions with the host. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literatures concerning the relationship between the gut microbiota and autoimmune diseases, shedding light on the complex interplay between the gut microbiota, the host and the immune system. Furthermore, we aim to summarize the impacts and potential mechanisms that underlie the interactions between the gut microbiota and the host in autoimmune diseases, primarily focusing on systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, type 1 diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. The present review will emphasize the clinical significance and potential applications of interventions based on the gut microbiota as innovative adjunctive therapies for autoimmune diseases.

The role of the "gut microbiota-mitochondria" crosstalk in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic autoimmune disease whose exact pathophysiologic mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Recent studies have shown that the onset and progression of MS are associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Similarly, a large body of evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may also have a significant impact on the development of MS. Endosymbiotic theory has found that human mitochondria are microbial in origin and share similar biological characteristics with the gut microbiota. Therefore, gut microbiota and mitochondrial function crosstalk are relevant in the development of MS. However, the relationship between gut microbiota and mitochondrial function in the development of MS is not fully understood. Therefore, by synthesizing previous relevant literature, this paper focuses on the changes in gut microbiota and metabolite composition in the development of MS and the possible mechanisms of the crosstalk between gut microbiota and mitochondrial function in the progression of MS, to provide new therapeutic approaches for the prevention or reduction of MS based on this crosstalk.

Advances in fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of chronic diseases with global prevalence, characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from various etiologies. DM can harm various organ systems and lead to acute or chronic complications, which severely endanger human well-being. Traditional treatment mainly involves controlling blood sugar levels through replacement therapy with drugs and insulin; however, some patients still find a satisfactory curative effect difficult to achieve. Extensive research has demonstrated a close correlation between enteric dysbacteriosis and the pathogenesis of various types of DM, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota to manage DM. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a method for re-establishing the intestinal microbiome balance, offers new possibilities for treating diabetes. This article provides a comprehensive review of the correlation between DM and the gut microbiota, as well as the current advancements in FMT treatment for DM, using FMT as an illustrative example. This study aims to offer novel perspectives and establish a theoretical foundation for the clinical diagnosis and management of DM.

Updated Progress on Polysaccharides with Anti-Diabetic Effects through the Regulation of Gut Microbiota: Sources, Mechanisms, and Structure-Activity Relationships

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide. The disturbance of the gut microbiota has a complex influence on the development of DM. Polysaccharides are one type of the most important natural components with anti-diabetic effects. Gut microbiota can participate in the fermentation of polysaccharides, and through this, polysaccharides regulate the gut microbiota and improve DM. This review begins by a summary of the sources, anti-diabetic effects and the gut microbiota regulation functions of natural polysaccharides. Then, the mechanisms of polysaccharides in regulating the gut microbiota to exert anti-diabetic effects and the structure-activity relationship are summarized. It is found that polysaccharides from plants, fungi, and marine organisms show great hypoglycemic activities and the gut microbiota regulation functions. The mechanisms mainly include repairing the gut burrier, reshaping gut microbiota composition, changing the metabolites, regulating anti-inflammatory activity and immune function, and regulating the signal pathways. Structural characteristics of polysaccharides, such as monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and type of glycosidic linkage, show great influence on the anti-diabetic activity of polysaccharides. This review provides a reference for the exploration and development of the anti-diabetic effects of polysaccharides.

The influence and therapeutic effect of microbiota in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic erythematosus lupus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving multiple organs that poses a serious risk to the health and life of patients. A growing number of studies have shown that commensals from different parts of the body and exogenous pathogens are involved in SLE progression, causing barrier disruption and immune dysregulation through multiple mechanisms. However, they sometimes alleviate the symptoms of SLE. Many factors, such as genetic susceptibility, metabolism, impaired barriers, food, and sex hormones, are involved in SLE, and the microbiota drives the development of SLE either by depending on or interacting with these factors. Among these, the crosstalk between genetic susceptibility, metabolism, and microbiota is a hot topic of research and is expected to lay the groundwork for the amelioration of the mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of SLE. Furthermore, the microbiota has great potential for the treatment of SLE. Ideally, personalised therapeutic approaches should be developed in combination with more specific diagnostic methods. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role and mechanism of microbiota in lupus of the intestine, oral cavity, skin, and kidney, as well as the therapeutic potential of the microbiota.

Resveratrol and vascular health: evidence from clinical studies and mechanisms of actions related to its metabolites produced by gut microbiota

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with dietary factors being the main risk contributors. Diets rich in bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, have been shown to potentially exert positive effects on vascular health. Among them, resveratrol has gained particular attention due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Nevertheless, the results in humans are conflicting possibly due to interindividual different responses. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, has been called out as potentially responsible for modulating the biological activities of phenolic metabolites in humans. The present review aims to summarize the main findings from clinical trials on the effects of resveratrol interventions on endothelial and vascular outcomes and review potential mechanisms interesting the role of gut microbiota on the metabolism of this molecule and its cardioprotective metabolites. The findings from randomized controlled trials show contrasting results on the effects of resveratrol supplementation and vascular biomarkers without dose-dependent effect. In particular, studies in which resveratrol was integrated using food sources, i.e., red wine, reported significant effects although the resveratrol content was, on average, much lower compared to tablet supplementation, while other studies with often extreme resveratrol supplementation resulted in null findings. The results from experimental studies suggest that resveratrol exerts cardioprotective effects through the modulation of various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive pathways, and microbiota composition. Recent studies on resveratrol-derived metabolites, such as piceatannol, have demonstrated its effects on biomarkers of vascular health. Moreover, resveratrol itself has been shown to improve the gut microbiota composition toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Considering the contrasting findings from clinical studies, future research exploring the bidirectional link between resveratrol metabolism and gut microbiota as well as the mediating effect of gut microbiota in resveratrol effect on cardiovascular health is warranted.

Gut microbiome in atypical depression

BACKGROUND

Recent studies showed that immunometabolic dysregulation is related to unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) and that it more consistently maps to MDD patients endorsing an atypical symptom profile, characterized by energy-related symptoms including increased appetite, weight gain, and hypersomnia. Despite the documented influence of the microbiome on immune regulation and energy homeostasis, studies have not yet investigated microbiome differences among clinical groups in individuals with MDD.

METHODS

Fifteen MDD patients with atypical features according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)-5, forty-four MDD patients not fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria for the atypical subtype, and nineteen healthy controls were included in the study. Participants completed detailed clinical assessment and stool samples were collected. Samples were sequenced for the prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene, in the V3-V4 variable regions. Only samples with no antibiotic exposure in the previous 12 months and a minimum of >2000 quality-filtered reads were included in the analyses.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in alpha- and beta-diversity between the MDD groups and healthy controls. However, within the atypical MDD group, there was an increase in the Verrucomicrobiota phylum, with Akkermansia as the predominant bacterial genus.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional data, modest sample size, and significantly increased body mass index in the atypical MDD group.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no overall differences among the investigated groups. However, differences were found at several taxonomic levels. Studies in larger longitudinal samples with relevant confounders are needed to advance the understanding of the microbial influences on the clinical heterogeneity of depression.

Probiotics in Allergy and Immunological Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

Allergy and immunological disorders like autoimmune diseases are vastly prevalent worldwide. These conditions account for a substantial amount of personal and social burden. Such illnesses have lengthy, uncertain, and spotted courses with unpredictable exacerbations. A definite tendency for improving the overall quality of life of individuals suffering from such diseases is crucial to tackling these diseases, especially through diet or lifestyle modification. Further, interventions like microbiome-based therapeutics such as prebiotics or probiotics were explored. Changes in the microbial population were evident during the flare-up of autoimmune and allergic conditions. The realization that the human microbiome is a central player in immunological diseases is a hallmark of its potential usefulness in therapy for such illnesses. This review focuses on the intricate symphony in the orchestra of the human microbiome and the immune system. New therapeutic strategies involving probiotics appear to be the future of personalized medicine. Through this review, we explore the narrative of probiotics and reaffirm their use as therapeutic and preventive agents in immunological disorders.

The relationship between thyroid and human-associated microbiota: A systematic review of reviews

In recent years, a growing number of studies have examined the relationship between thyroid pathophysiology and intestinal microbiota composition. The reciprocal influence between these two entities has been proven so extensive that some authors coined the term "gut-thyroid axis". However, since some papers reported conflicting results, several aspects of this correlation need to be clarified. This systematic review was conceived to achieve more robust information about: 1)the characteristics of gut microbiota composition in patients with the more common morphological, functional and autoimmune disorders of the thyroid; 2)the influence of gut microbial composition on micronutrients that are essential for the maintenance of thyroid homeostasis; 3)the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, some of the most popular over-the-counter products, on thyroid balance; 4)the opportunity to use specific dietary advice. The literature evaluation was made by three authors independently. A five steps strategy was a priori adopted. After duplicates removal, 1106 records were initially found and 38 reviews were finally included in the analysis. The systematic reviews of reviews found that: 1) some significant variations characterize the gut microbiota composition in patients with thyroid disorders. However, geographical clustering of most of the studies prevents drawing definitive conclusions on this topic; 2) the available knowledge about the effect of probiotics and synbiotics are not strong enough to suggest the routine use of these compounds in patients with thyroid disorders; 3) specific elimination nutrition should not be routine suggested to patients, which, instead have to be checked for possible micronutrients and vitamins deficiency, often owed to gastrointestinal autoimmune comorbidities.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Dysbiosis or imbalance of microbes in the gut has been associated with susceptibility and progression of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The present systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on fasting blood glucose (FBG), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide, and insulin requirements in T1DM patients. A systematic search for trials published up to October 2022 was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and the Central Cochrane Library. Random effect models were used to synthesise quantitative data by STATA14 . After the evaluation of 258 identified entries, five randomised controlled trials (n = 356; mean age = 11.7 years old) were included. The pooled effect size showed that FBG decreased following probiotic supplementation (weighted mean difference = -31.24 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval = -45.65, -16.83; p < 0.001), however, there was no significant improvement in serum HbA1c, C-peptide, and insulin requirements. Probiotic supplementation could be a complementary therapeutic strategy in T1DM. The evidence is limited; therefore, it is crucial to conduct more trials.

Tlr5 deficiency exacerbates lupus-like disease in the MRL/lpr mouse model

Introduction

Leaky gut has been linked to autoimmune disorders including lupus. We previously reported upregulation of anti-flagellin antibodies in the blood of lupus patients and lupus-prone mice, which led to our hypothesis that a leaky gut drives lupus through bacterial flagellin-mediated activation of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5).

Methods

We created MRL/lpr mice with global Tlr5 deletion through CRISPR/Cas9 and investigated lupus-like disease in these mice.

Result

Contrary to our hypothesis that the deletion of Tlr5 would attenuate lupus, our results showed exacerbation of lupus with Tlr5 deficiency in female MRL/lpr mice. Remarkably higher levels of proteinuria were observed in Tlr5 -/- MRL/lpr mice suggesting aggravated glomerulonephritis. Histopathological analysis confirmed this result, and Tlr5 deletion significantly increased the deposition of IgG and complement C3 in the glomeruli. In addition, Tlr5 deficiency significantly increased renal infiltration of Th17 and activated cDC1 cells. Splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy were also aggravated in Tlr5-/- MRL/lpr mice suggesting impact on lymphoproliferation. In the spleen, significant decreased frequencies of regulatory lymphocytes and increased germinal centers were observed with Tlr5 deletion. Notably, Tlr5 deficiency did not change host metabolism or the existing leaky gut; however, it significantly reshaped the fecal microbiota.

Conclusion

Global deletion of Tlr5 exacerbates lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice. Future studies will elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which Tlr5 deficiency modulates host-microbiota interactions to exacerbate lupus.

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and hidradenitis suppurativa: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that alterations in gut microbiota composition are associated with the hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, the causal association between gut microbiota and HS remain undetermined.

Methods

We performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genome-wide association study summary data of gut microbiota and hidradenitis suppurativa from the MiBioGen consortium which concluded 18,340 individuals analyzed by the MiBioGen Consortium, comprising 211 gut microbiota. HS data were acquired from strictly defined HS data collected by FinnGenbiobank analysis, which included 211,548 European ancestors (409 HS patients, 211,139 controls). The inverse variance weighted method (IVW), weighted median (WME), simple model, weighted model, weighted median, and MR-Egger were used to determine the changes of HS pathogenic bacterial taxa, followed by sensitivity analysis including horizontal pleiotropy analysis. The MR Steiger test evaluated the strength of a causal association and the leave-one-out method assessed the reliability of the results. Additionally, a reverse MR analysis was carried out to seek for possible reverse causality.

Results

By combining the findings of all the MR steps, we identified four causal bacterial taxa, namely, Family XI, Porphyromonadaceae, Clostridium innocuum group and Lachnospira. The risk of HS might be positively associated with a high relative abundance of Clostridium innocuum group (Odds ratio, OR 2.17, p = 0.00038) and Lachnospira (OR 2.45, p = 0.017) but negatively associated with Family XI (OR 0.67, p = 0.049) and Porphyromonadaceae (OR 0.29, p = 0.014). There were no noticeable outliers, horizontal pleiotropy, or heterogeneity. Furthermore, there was no proof of reverse causation found in the reverse MR study.

Conclusion

This study indicates that Clostridium innocuum group and Lachnospira might have anti-protective effect on HS, whereas Family XI and Porphyromonadaceae might have a protective effect on HS. Our study reveals that there exists a beneficial or detrimental causal effect of gut microbiota composition on HS and offers potentially beneficial methods for therapy and avoidance of HS.

From Birth to Weaning: A Window of Opportunity for Microbiota

(1) Background: The first 1000 days of life constitute a critical window of opportunity for microbiota development. Nutrients play a crucial role in enriching and diversifying the microbiota, derived not only from solid food but also from maternal dietary patterns during gestation. (2) Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using the PubMed database, covering eleven years (2013-2023). We included English-language reviews, original research papers, and meta-analyses, while excluding case reports and letters. (3) Results: Consensus in the literature emphasizes that our interaction with a multitude of microorganisms begins in the intrauterine environment and continues throughout our lives. The existing data suggest that early nutritional education programs, initiated during pregnancy and guiding infant diets during development, may influence the shaping of the gut microbiota, promoting long-term health. (4) Conclusions: Further research is necessary in the coming years to assess potential interventions and early nutritional models aimed at modulating the pediatric microbiota, especially in vulnerable populations such as premature newborns.

Single-cell transcriptional profiling reveals aberrant gene expression patterns and cell states in autoimmune diseases

Multiple sclerosis(MS), primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) share numerous clinical symptoms and serological characteristics. We analyzed 153550 cells of scRNA-seq data of 17 treatment-naive patients (5 MS, 5 pSS, and 7 SLE) and 10 healthy controls, and we examined the enrichment of biological processes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), immune cell types, and their subpopulations, and cell-cell communication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The percentage of B cells, megakaryocytes, monocytes, and proliferating T cells presented significant changes in autoimmune diseases. The enrichment of cell types based on gene expression revealed an elevated monocyte. MIF, MK, and GALECTIN signaling networks were obvious differences in autoimmune diseases. Taken together, our analysis provides a comprehensive map of the cell types and states of ADs patients at the single-cell level to understand better the pathogenesis and treatment of these ADs.

Benefits and concerns of probiotics: an overview of the potential genotoxicity of the colibactin-producing Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain

Recently, the mounting integration of probiotics into human health strategies has gathered considerable attention. Although the benefits of probiotics have been widely recognized in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, immune system modulation, and chronic-degenerative diseases, there is a growing need to evaluate their potential risks. In this context, new concerns have arisen regarding the safety of probiotics as some strains may have adverse effects in humans. Among these strains, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) exhibited traits of concern due to a pathogenic locus in its genome that produces potentially genotoxic metabolites. As the use of probiotics for therapeutic purposes is increasing, the effects of potentially harmful probiotics must be carefully evaluated. To this end, in this narrative review article, we reported the findings of the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the expanding applications of probiotics and their impact on human well-being addressing concerns arising from the presence of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic elements, with a focus on the polyketide synthase (pks) pathogenic island of EcN. In this context, the literature data here discussed encourages a thorough profiling of probiotics to identify potential harmful elements as done for EcN where potential genotoxic effects of colibactin, a secondary metabolite, were observed. Specifically, while some studies suggest EcN is safe for gastrointestinal health, conflicting findings highlight the need for further research to clarify its safety and optimize its use in therapy. Overall, the data here presented suggest that a comprehensive assessment of the evolving landscape of probiotics is essential to make evidence-based decisions and ensure their correct use in humans.

Noxious ramifications of cosmetic pollutants on gastrointestinal microbiome: A pathway to neurological disorders

On exposure to cosmetic pollutants, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, which is characterised by a disturbance in the gut microbiota, has come into focus as a possible contributor to the occurrence of neurotoxic consequences. It is normal practice to use personal care products that include parabens, phthalates, sulphates, triclosans/triclocarbans and micro/nano plastics. These substances have been found in a variety of bodily fluids and tissues, demonstrating their systemic dispersion. Being exposed to these cosmetic pollutants has been linked in recent research to neurotoxicity, including cognitive decline and neurodevelopmental problems. A vital part of sustaining gut health and general well-being is the gut flora. Increased intestinal permeability, persistent inflammation, and impaired metabolism may result from disruption of the gut microbial environment, which may in turn contribute to neurotoxicity. The link between gastrointestinal dysbiosis and the neurotoxic effects brought on by cosmetic pollutants may be explained by a number of processes, primarily the gut-brain axis. For the purpose of creating preventative and therapeutic measures, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate interactions involving cosmetic pollutants, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, and neurotoxicity. This review provides an in-depth understanding of the various hazardous cosmetic pollutants and its potential role in the occurrence of neurological disorders via gastrointestinal dysbiosis, providing insights into various described and hypothetical mechanisms regarding the complex toxic effects of these industrial pollutants.

Gut microbiota and immunotherapy of renal cell carcinoma

The gut microbiome has recently been proposed as a key player in cancer development and progression. Several studies have reported that the composition of the gut microbiome plays a role in the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The gut microbiome modulation has been investigated as a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer, mainly in patients undergoing therapy with ICIs. In particular, modulation through probiotics, FMT or other microbiome-related approaches have proven effective to improve the response to ICIs. In this review, we examine the role of the gut microbiome in enhancing clinical responses to ICIs in the treatment of renal cancer.

Possible Role of Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiome in SLE

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The resident gut microbiota serves as a double-edged sword that aids the host in multiple ways to preserve a healthy equilibrium and serve as early companions and boosters for the gradual evolution of our immune defensive layers; nevertheless, the perturbation of the symbiotic resident intestinal communities has a profound impact on autoimmunity induction, particularly in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we seek to critically evaluate the microbiome research in SLE with a focus on intestinal dysbiosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

SLE is a complex and heterogeneous disorder with self-attack due to loss of tolerance, and there is aberrant excessive immune system activation. There is mounting evidence suggesting that intestinal flora disturbances may accelerate the formation and progression of SLE, presumably through a variety of mechanisms, including intestinal barrier dysfunction and leaky gut, molecular mimicry, bystander activation, epitope spreading, gender bias, and biofilms. Gut microbiome plays a critical role in SLE pathogenesis, and additional studies are warranted to properly define the impact of gut microbiome in SLE, which can eventually lead to new and potentially safer management approaches for this debilitating disease.

The Relationships between Intestinal Permeability and Target Antibodies for a Spectrum of Autoimmune Diseases

The worldwide prevalence of autoimmune diseases that have limited treatment options and preventive strategies is rapidly rising. There is growing evidence that the microbiota and the integrity of the intestinal barrier play a role in autoimmune diseases. The potential to evaluate intestinal barrier integrity for susceptible individuals and to determine whether restoring intestinal junction integrity impacts autoimmune diseases is an important area of research that requires further attention. In the intestinal permeability model of autoimmune diseases, the breakdown of the intestinal tight junction proteins (zonulin/occludin) allows bacteria, toxins, undigested dietary proteins, and other antigens to pass into the lumen, thereby increasing the number of inflammatory reactions and the activation of immune cells throughout the body. In this study, we investigate the relationship between zonulin/occludin antibodies, which are used to determine intestinal permeability, with autoantibodies used to diagnose autoimmunity. Our investigation may identify significant levels of circulating autoantibodies in human subjects with intestinal permeability compared to those without intestinal permeability. Furthermore, we identified that significant positive linear correlations between serum occludin/zonulin antibodies and circulating autoantibodies could be used to determine autoimmune diseases.

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in inflammatory bowel disease: insights from gut microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease that affects more than 3.5 million people, with rising prevalence. It deeply affects patients' daily life, increasing the burden on patients, families, and society. Presently, the etiology of IBD remains incompletely clarified, while emerging evidence has demonstrated that altered gut microbiota and decreased aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activity are closely associated with IBD. Furthermore, microbial metabolites are capable of AHR activation as AHR ligands, while the AHR, in turn, affects the microbiota through various pathways. In light of the complex connection among gut microbiota, the AHR, and IBD, it is urgent to review the latest research progress in this field. In this review, we describe the role of gut microbiota and AHR activation in IBD and discussed the crosstalk between gut microbiota and the AHR in the context of IBD. Taken as a whole, we propose new therapeutic strategies targeting the AHR-microbiota axis for IBD, even for other related diseases caused by AHR-microbiota dysbiosis.

Alcohol and the Brain-Gut Axis: The Involvement of Microglia and Enteric Glia in the Process of Neuro-Enteric Inflammation

Binge or chronic alcohol consumption causes neuroinflammation and leads to alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD not only affects the central nervous system (CNS) but also leads to pathologies in the peripheral and enteric nervous systems (ENS). Thus, understanding the mechanism of the immune signaling to target the effector molecules in the signaling pathway is necessary to alleviate AUD. Growing evidence shows that excessive alcohol consumption can activate neuroimmune cells, including microglia, and change the status of neurotransmitters, affecting the neuroimmune system. Microglia, like peripheral macrophages, are an integral part of the immune defense and represent the reticuloendothelial system in the CNS. Microglia constantly survey the CNS to scavenge the neuronal debris. These cells also protect parenchymal cells in the brain and spinal cord by repairing nerve circuits to keep the nervous system healthy against infectious and stress-derived agents. In an activated state, they become highly dynamic and mobile and can modulate the levels of neurotransmitters in the CNS. In several ways, microglia, enteric glial cells, and macrophages are similar in terms of causing inflammation. Microglia also express most of the receptors that are constitutively present in macrophages. Several receptors on microglia respond to the inflammatory signals that arise from danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), endotoxins (e.g., lipopolysaccharides), and stress-causing molecules (e.g., alcohol). Therefore, this review article presents the latest findings, describing the roles of microglia and enteric glial cells in the brain and gut, respectively, and their association with neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and receptors under the influence of binge and chronic alcohol use, and AUD.

Exploring the gut microbiota: lifestyle choices, disease associations, and personal genomics

The gut microbiota is a rich and dynamic ecosystem that actively interacts with the human body, playing a significant role in the state of health and disease of the host. Diet, exercise, mental health, and other factors have exhibited the ability to influence the gut bacterial composition, leading to changes that can prevent and improve, or favor and worsen, both intestinal and extra-intestinal conditions. Altered gut microbial states, or 'dysbiosis', associated with conditions and diseases are often characterized by shifts in bacterial abundance and diversity, including an impaired Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. By understanding the effect of lifestyle on the gut microbiota, personalized advice can be generated to suit each individual profile and foster the adoption of lifestyle changes that can both prevent and ameliorate dysbiosis. The delivery of effective and reliable advice, however, depends not only on the available research and current understanding of the topic, but also on the methods used to assess individuals and to discover the associations, which can introduce bias at multiple stages. The aim of this review is to summarize how human gut microbial variability is defined and what lifestyle choices and diseases have shown association with gut bacterial composition. Furthermore, popular methods to investigate the human gut microbiota are outlined, with a focus on the possible bias caused by the lack of use of standardized methods. Finally, an overview of the current state of personalized advice based on gut microbiota testing is presented, underlining its power and limitations.

Autoimmune diseases and gut microbiota: a bibliometric and visual analysis from 2004 to 2022

Many studies have shown that gut microbiota is closely related to autoimmune diseases (ADs). Studies on gut microbiota and ADs have also increased significantly, but no bibliometric analysis has summarized the association between gut microbiota and ADs. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric and visual analysis of published studies on gut microbiota and ADs. Based on the Web of Science Core Collection SCI-expanded database, we utilize Excel 2019 and visualization analysis tools VOSviewer and co-occurrence13.2 (COOC13.2) for analysis. A total of 2516 related kinds of literature were included, and the number of papers presented an overall increasing trend. The country/region with the most publications is the USA, the institution is the Harvard Medical School, and the author is Mikael Knip from the USA. Hot research areas include intestinal regulation (such as dysbiosis, short chain fatty acids, and probiotics), multisystem ADs (such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease), and immune-related cells (such as T cells, and dendritic cells). Psoriasis, dysbiosis, autoimmune liver disease, and fecal microbiota transplantation may be the future research direction. Our research results can help researchers grasp the current status of ADs and gut microbiota research and find new research directions in the future.

Immune-mediated hematological disease in dogs is associated with alterations of the fecal microbiota: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

The dog is the most popular companion animal and is a valuable large animal model for several human diseases. Canine immune-mediated hematological diseases, including immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), share many features in common with autoimmune hematological diseases of humans. The gut microbiome has been linked to systemic illness, but few studies have evaluated its association with immune-mediated hematological disease. To address this knowledge gap, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to profile the fecal microbiota of dogs with spontaneous IMHA and ITP at presentation and following successful treatment. In total, 21 affected and 13 healthy control dogs were included in the study.

RESULTS

IMHA/ITP is associated with remodeling of fecal microbiota, marked by decreased relative abundance of the spirochete Treponema spp., increased relative abundance of the pathobionts Clostridium septicum and Escherichia coli, and increased overall microbial diversity. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that Treponema spp. were associated with decreased risk of IMHA/ITP (odds ratio [OR] 0.24-0.34), while Ruminococcaceae UCG-009 and Christensenellaceae R-7 group were associated with increased risk of disease (OR = 6.84 [95% CI 2-32.74] and 8.36 [95% CI 1.85-71.88] respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates an association of immune-mediated hematological diseases in dogs with fecal dysbiosis, and points to specific bacterial genera as biomarkers of disease. Microbes identified as positive or negative risk factors for IMHA/ITP represent an area for future research as potential targets for new diagnostic assays and/or therapeutic applications.

Fecal microbial biomarkers in older adults with autoimmune diseases

Aim: To analyze the alterations in the fecal microbiota of older adults with autoimmune disease and determine the diagnostic capabilities of microbial biomarkers. Methods: The raw data of fecal samples from 444 older adults from the publicly available American Gut Project database was analyzed. Results: It was found that there were no significant differences in the microbiota richness and evenness between older adults with autoimmune disease and healthy controls. However, significant differences were observed in the microbiota composition and structure. The subject operating characteristic curve of the eight key microbiota was obtained, and the area under curve value was 70.0%. Conclusion: Older adults with autoimmune disease showed changes in intestinal microbiota composition, which can be used as microbial biomarkers.

Revisiting the Intestinal Microbiome and Its Role in Diarrhea and Constipation

The gut microbiota represents a community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and protozoa) that colonize the gut and are responsible for gut mucosal structural integrity and immune and metabolic homeostasis. The relationship between the gut microbiome and human health has been intensively researched in the past years. It is now widely recognized that gut microbial composition is highly responsible for the general health of the host. Among the diseases that have been linked to an altered gut microbial population are diarrheal illnesses and functional constipation. The capacity of probiotics to modulate the gut microbiome population, strengthen the intestinal barrier, and modulate the immune system together with their antioxidant properties have encouraged the research of probiotic therapy in many gastrointestinal afflictions. Dietary and lifestyle changes and the use of probiotics seem to play an important role in easing constipation and effectively alleviating diarrhea by suppressing the germs involved. This review aims to describe how probiotic bacteria and the use of specific strains could interfere and bring benefits as an associated treatment for diarrhea and constipation.

Beyond the bowel - chaos caused by leaky barriers

The current issue of the Biomedical Journal includes a study presenting a possible agent against gut aging, a review of recent results in the field of breath biomarkers, as well as the investigation of the relationship between kidney disease and leptospirosis. Furthermore, the advantages of 3D imaging in dental medicine are elucidated, the influence of afterhyperpolarization in regulating the circadian clock is discussed, and the effectiveness of apremilast against ARDS is demonstrated. A controversial factor involved in the complex process of bone homeostasis is reviewed, and prevalent non-SARS human coronavirus types in Taiwan are looked at in detail. Lastly, the impact family history has on type 2 diabetes for the identification of high risk groups is addressed, the link between postoperative delirium risk and frailty in elderly patients is examined, and elements involved in recovering walking ability after stroke are analyzed.

The Disease with a Thousand Faces and the Human Microbiome-A Physiopathogenic Intercorrelation in Pediatric Practice

Numerous interrelationships are known in the literature that have the final effect of unmasking or influencing various pathologies. Among these, the present article aims to discuss the connection between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the human microbiome. The main purpose of this work is to popularize information about the impact of dysbiosis on the pathogenesis and evolutionary course of pediatric patients with SLE. Added to this is the interest in knowledge and awareness of adjunctive therapeutic means that has the ultimate goal of increasing the quality of life. The means by which this can be achieved can be briefly divided into prophylactic or curative, depending on the phase of the condition in which the patient is. We thus reiterate the importance of the clinician acquiring an overview of SLE and the human microbiome, doubled by in-depth knowledge of the physio-pathogenic interactions between the two (in part achieved through the much-studied gut-target organ axes-brain, heart, lung, skin), with the target objective being that of obtaining individualized, multimodal and efficient management for each individual patient.

Gut microbiome and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: Current status and potential applications

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. In recent years, the occurrence rate of MAFLD has been on the rise, mainly due to lifestyle changes, high-calorie diets, and imbalanced dietary structures, thereby posing a threat to human health and creating heavy social and economic burdens. With the development of 16S sequencing and integrated multi-omics analysis, the role of the gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites in MAFLD has been further recognized. The GM plays a role in digestion, energy metabolism, vitamin synthesis, the prevention of pathogenic bacteria colonisation, and immunoregulation. The gut-liver axis is one of the vital links between the GM and the liver. Toxic substances in the intestine can enter the liver through the portal vascular system when the intestinal barrier is severely damaged. The liver also influences the GM in various ways, such as bile acid circulation. The gut-liver axis is essential in maintaining the body’s normal physiological state and plays a role in the onset and prognosis of many diseases, including MAFLD. This article reviews the status of the GM and MAFLD and summarizes the GM characteristics in MAFLD. The relationship between the GM and MAFLD is discussed in terms of bile acid circulation, energy metabolism, micronutrients, and signalling pathways. Current MAFLD treatments targeting the GM are also listed.

Pharmacologic inhibition of glycolysis prevents the development of lupus by altering the gut microbiome in mice

Gut dysbiosis has been associated with lupus pathogenesis, and fecal microbiota transfers (FMT) from lupus-prone mice shown to induce autoimmune activation into healthy mice. The immune cells of lupus patients exhibit an increased glucose metabolism and treatments with 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), a glycolysis inhibitor, are therapeutic in lupus-prone mice. Here, we showed in two models of lupus with different etiologies that 2DG altered the composition of the fecal microbiome and associated metabolites. In both models, FMT from 2DG-treated mice protected lupus-prone mice of the same strain from the development of glomerulonephritis, reduced autoantibody production as well as the activation of CD4+ T cells and myeloid cells as compared to FMT from control mice. Thus, we demonstrated that the protective effect of glucose inhibition in lupus is transferable through the gut microbiota, directly linking alterations in immunometabolism to gut dysbiosis in the hosts.

Assessment of glucocorticoid and antibiotic exposure as risk factors for diabetes mellitus in selected dog breeds attending UK primary-care clinics

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important endocrine disorder in dogs. This study explored prior exposure to glucocorticoids or antibiotic treatment as risk factors for developing DM in dogs attending primary-care VetCompass clinics in the UK.

METHODS

A breed frequency matched case-control study nested in a cohort of dogs (n = 480,469) aged 3 years or over was used to explore associations between glucocorticoid and antibiotic exposure and the odds of developing DM.

RESULTS

A total of 565 cases and 2179 controls were included. Dogs with DM had over four times the odds of exposure to glucocorticoids within 6 weeks prior to diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 4.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.41-6.89, p < 0.001) compared to controls within 6 weeks prior to a randomly selected quasi-date of diagnosis. Dogs that had only one unique documented antibiotic course had a decreased odds of developing DM (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.91, p = 0.012) compared to dogs that had no documented courses of antibiotics.

LIMITATIONS

This study only included selected breeds, so the results may not be generalisable to all dog breeds.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to glucocorticoids is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of developing DM for the dog breeds included in this analysis.

The Influence of Helicobacter pylori on Human Gastric and Gut Microbiota

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that is able to colonize the human stomach, whose high prevalence has a major impact on human health, due to its association with several gastric and extra-gastric disorders, including gastric cancer. The gastric microenvironment is deeply affected by H. pylori colonization, with consequent effects on the gastrointestinal microbiota, exerted via the regulation of various factors, including gastric acidity, host immune responses, antimicrobial peptides, and virulence factors. The eradication therapy required to treat H. pylori infection can also have detrimental consequences for the gut microbiota, leading to a decreased alpha diversity. Notably, therapy regimens integrated with probiotics have been shown to reduce the negative effects of antibiotic therapy on the gut microbiota. These eradication therapies combined with probiotics have also higher rates of eradication, when compared to standard treatments, and are associated with reduced side effects, improving the patient's compliance. In light of the deep impact of gut microbiota alterations on human health, the present article aims to provide an overview of the complex interaction between H. pylori and the gastrointestinal microbiota, focusing also on the consequences of eradication therapies and the effects of probiotic supplementation.

Complex regulatory effects of gut microbial short-chain fatty acids on immune tolerance and autoimmunity

Immune tolerance deletes or suppresses autoreactive lymphocytes and is established at multiple levels during the development, activation and effector phases of T and B cells. These mechanisms are cell-intrinsically programmed and critical in preventing autoimmune diseases. We have witnessed the existence of another type of immune tolerance mechanism that is shaped by lifestyle choices, such as diet, microbiome and microbial metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the most abundant microbial metabolites in the colonic lumen and are mainly produced by the microbial fermentation of prebiotics, such as dietary fiber. This review focuses on the preventive and immunomodulatory effects of SCFAs on autoimmunity. The tissue- and disease-specific effects of dietary fiber, SCFAs and SCFA-producing microbes on major types of autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, are discussed. Additionally, their key regulatory mechanisms for lymphocyte development, tissue barrier function, host metabolism, immunity, autoantibody production, and inflammatory effector and regulatory lymphocytes are discussed. The shared and differential effects of SCFAs on different types and stages of autoimmune diseases are discussed.