Intervening Effects of Total Alkaloids of Corydalis saxicola Bunting on Rats With Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Based on 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and Untargeted Metabolomics Analyses

Protective effects of oyster polypeptide on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rats

BACKGROUND

Oyster polypeptide (OP) is a mixture of oligopeptides extracted from oysters through enzyme lysis, separation, and purification. It is associated with immunomodulatory effects, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. This study therefore combined proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) urinary metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the gut microbiome to determine the immunoprotective mechanisms of OP in rats subjected to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression.

RESULTS

Oyster polypeptide restored the body weight and the structure of spleen and thymus in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. It upregulated the levels of white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), platelets (PLT), red blood cells (RBCs), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), cytokines such as interleukin‑6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increased the numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in the immunosuppressed rats. The 1H-NMR metabolomics results showed that OP significantly reversed the levels of ten metabolites in urine, including 2-oxoglutarate, citrate, dimethylamine, taurine, N-phenylacetylglycine, alanine, betaine, creatinine, uracil, and benzoate. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that OP restored the gut microbiome homeostasis by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Finally, a combination of metabolomics and microbiomics found that the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine, and the metabolism of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate were disturbed, but these metabolic pathways were restored by OP.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that OP had immunoprotective effects in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression by restoring key metabolic pathways and the gut microbiome homeostasis. Our findings provide a framework for further research into the immunoregulatory mechanisms of OP and its potential use in drugs and nutritional supplements. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antibacterial activity of corydalis saxicola bunting total alkaloids against Porphyromonas gingivalis in vitro

Aim: To investigate the antibacterial effects of Corydalis Saxicola bunting total alkaloid (CSBTA) on Porphyromonas gingivalis. Methods: SEM, chemical staining, RT-qPCR and ELISA were used to detect effects of CSBTA on P. gingivalis. Results: CSBTA treatment caused shrinkage and rupture of P. gingivalis morphology, decreased biofilm density and live bacteria in biofilm, as well as reduced mRNA expression of virulence genes hagA, hagB, kgp, rgpA and rgpB of P. gingivalis. Furthermore, NOK cells induced by CSBTA-treated P. gingivalis exhibited lower IL-6 and TNF-α expression levels. Conclusion: CSBTA is able to kill free P. gingivalis, disrupt the biofilm and weaken the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis. It has the potential to be developed as a drug against P. gingivalis infection.

Polysaccharides from Phellinus linteus attenuate type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats via modulation of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most prevalent metabolic disorder. Polysaccharides from Phellinus linteus (PLP) have been found to have anti-diabetes effects, but the mechanism has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of PLP on T2DM through the gut microbiota and bile acids metabolism. The T2DM rat model was induced by a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet and streptozocin (30 mg/kg). We found that PLP ameliorated diabetes symptoms. Besides, PLP intervention increased the abundance of g_Bacteroides, g_Parabacteroides, and g_Alistioes, which are associated with the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs) metabolism. Meanwhile, untargeted and targeted metabolomics indicated that PLP could regulate the composition of BAs and increase the levels of SCFAs. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to analyze the expression levels of BAs metabolism enzymes in the liver. Finally, the results of correlation analysis and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) showed that PLP stimulated the release of GLP-1 by regulating SCFAs and BAs. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that PLP can regulate gut microbiota and BAs metabolism to promote GLP-1 secretion, thereby increasing insulin release, decreasing blood glucose and attenuating T2DM.

The therapeutic effect of wine-processed Corni Fructus on chronic renal failure in rats through the interference with the LPS/IL-1-mediated inhibition of RXR function

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Corni Fructus, derived from the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc, is a widely utilized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with established efficacy in the treatment of diverse chronic kidney diseases. Crude Corni Fructus (CCF) and wine-processed Corni Fructus (WCF) are the main processed forms of Corni Fructus. Generally, TCM is often used after processing (paozhi). Despite the extensive use of processed TCM, the underlying mechanisms of processing for most TCMs have been unclear so far.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, an integrated strategy combined renal metabolomics with proteomics was established and investigated the potential processing mechanisms of CCF or WCF on chronic renal failure (CRF) models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the differences in biochemical parameters and pathological histology were compared to evaluate the effects of CCF and WCF on CRF model rats. Then, the tissue differential metabolites and proteins between CCF and WCF on CRF model rats were screened based on metabolomics and proteomics technology. Concurrently, a combined approach of metabolomics and proteomics was employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms associated with these marker metabolic products and proteins.

RESULTS

Compared to the MG group, there were 27 distinct metabolites and 143 different proteins observed in the CCF-treatment group, while the WCF-treatment group exhibited 24 distinct metabolites and 379 different proteins. Further, the integration interactions analysis of the protein and lipid metabolite revealed that both WCF and CCF improved tryptophan degradation and LPS/IL-1-mediated inhibition of RXR function. WCF inhibited RXR function more than CCF via the modulation of LPS/IL-1 in the CRF model. Experimental results were validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Notably, the gene expression amount and protein levels of FMO3 and CYP2E1 among 8 genes influenced by WCF were higher compared to CCF.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further study of Corni Fructus with different processing techniques in CRF. The findings also offer guidance for investigating the mechanism of action of herbal medicines in diseases employing diverse processing techniques.

RNA editing events and expression profiles of mitochondrial protein-coding genes in the endemic and endangered medicinal plant, Corydalis saxicola

Corydalis saxicola, an endangered medicinal plant endemic to karst habitats, is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat hepatitis, abdominal pain, bleeding hemorrhoids and other conditions. However, to date, the mitochondrial (mt) genome of C. saxicola has not been reported, which limits our understanding of the genetic and biological mechanisms of C. saxicola. Here, the mt genome of C. saxicola was assembled by combining the Nanopore and Illumina reads. The mt genome of C. saxicola is represented by a circular chromosome which is 587,939 bp in length, with an overall GC content of 46.50%. 40 unique protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes and three rRNA genes were identified. Codon usage of the PCGs was investigated and 167 simple sequence repeats were identified. Twelve homologous fragments were identified between the mt and ct genomes of C. saxicola, accounting for 1.04% of the entire mt genome. Phylogenetic examination of the mt genomes of C. saxicola and 30 other taxa provided an understanding of their evolutionary relationships. We also predicted 779 RNA editing sites in 40 C. saxicola mt PCGs and successfully validated 506 (65%) of these using PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. In addition, we transcriptionally profiled 24 core mt PCGs in C. saxicola roots treated with different concentrations of CaCl2, as well as in other organs. These investigations will be useful for effective utilization and molecular breeding, and will also provide a reference for further studies of the genus Corydalis.

Integrating metabonomics and metagenomics sequencing to study the anti-liver fibrosis effects of palmatine in Corydalis saxicola Bunting

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Corydalis saxicola Bunting (CS), a traditional Chinese folk medicine, has been effectively used for treating liver disease in Zhuang nationality in South China. However, the main anti-liver fibrosis ingredients in CS are incompletely understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elucidate the main anti-liver fibrosis ingredients in CS and its underlying mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Firstly, spectrum-effect relationship (SER) strategy was applied to identify the major ingredients against liver fibrosis in CS. Subsequently, ¹H NMR metabonomics and metagenomics sequencing techniques were used to clarify the intervention of palmatine (PAL) on liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the expression of tight junction proteins and the levels of liver inflammation factors were examination, the effect of PAL on microbiota was verified by FMT.

RESULTS

The SER model revealed that PAL was the most important active ingredient in CS. ¹H NMR fecal metabonomics showed that PAL could reserve the abnormal levels of gut microbial-mediated metabolites of liver fibrosis, such as isoleucine, taurine, butyrate, propionate, lactate, glucose, which mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, intestinal flora metabolism and energy metabolism. Metagenomics sequencing found that PAL could callback the abundance of s__Lactobacillus_murinus, s__Lactobacillus_reuteri, s__Lactobacillus_johnsonii, s__Lactobacillus_acidophilus and s__Faecalibaculum_rodentium to varying degree. Furthermore, the intestinal barrier function and the levels of hepatic inflammation factors were significantly ameliorated by PAL. FMT demonstrated that the therapeutic efficiency of PAL was closely associated with gut microbiota.

CONCLUSION

The effects of CS on liver fibrosis were attributed in part to PAL by alleviating metabolic disorders and rebalancing gut microbiota. The SER strategy may be a useful method for the discovery of active constituents in natural plants.

Combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis to decipher the mechanisms of total flavonoids of Litchi seed against prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

To explore the underlying mechanism of total flavonoids of Litchi seed (TFLS) in treating prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU incorporation assay, trypan blue dye assay and colony formation assay were employed to evaluate the effect of TFLS on PCa in vitro. The xenograft mouse model was established to explore the anti-tumour effect of TFLS in vivo. Alterations in the metabolic profiles of the PC3 cells and mouse serum were obtained by untargeted metabolomics. Combination with metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology strategies, the potential targets were predicted and further validated by RT-qPCR.

KEY FINDINGS

TFLS attenuated PCa progression both in vitro and in vivo. Metabolomics results yielded from cells and serum indicated that the anti-cancer effect of TFLS was correlated with synergistic modulation of five common metabolic pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and steroid biosynthesis. Using in silico prediction and RT-qPCR analysis, we further revealed that TFLS exerted anti-PCa activities via regulating the expressions of nine genes, including MAOA, ACHE, ALDH2, AMD1, ARG1, PLA2G10, PLA2G1B, FDFT1 and SQLE.

CONCLUSIONS

TFLS suppressed tumour proliferation in PCa, which may be associated with regulating lipid and amino acid metabolisms.

The influence of antibiotic treatment on the behavior and gut microbiome of adult rats neonatally insulted with lipopolysaccharide

The present study investigated whether neonatal exposure to the proinflammatory endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by an antibiotic (ATB)-induced dysbiosis in early adulthood could induce neurodevelopmental disorders-like behavioral changes in adult male rats. Combining these two stressors resulted in decreased weight gain, but no significant behavioral abnormalities were observed. LPS treatment resulted in adult rats' hypoactivity and induced anxiety-like behavior in the social recognition paradigm, but these behavioral changes were not exacerbated by ATB-induced gut dysbiosis. ATB treatment seriously disrupted the gut bacterial community, but dysbiosis did not affect locomotor activity, social recognition, and acoustic reactivity in adult rats. Fecal bacterial community analyses showed no differences between the LPS challenge exposed/unexposed rats, while the effect of ATB administration was decisive regardless of prior LPS exposure. ATB treatment resulted in significantly decreased bacterial diversity, suppression of Clostridiales and Bacteroidales, and increases in Lactobacillales, Enterobacteriales, and Burkholderiales. The persistent effect of LPS on some aspects of behavior suggests a long-term effect of early toxin exposure that was not observed in ATB-treated animals. However, an anti-inflammatory protective effect of ATB cannot be assumed because of the increased abundance of pro-inflammatory, potentially pathogenic bacteria (Proteus, Suttrella) and the elimination of the bacterial families Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, which are generally considered beneficial for gut health.

The involvement of Th1 cell differentiation in the anti-tumor effect of purified polysaccharide from Sanghuangporus vaninii in colorectal cancer via multi-omics analysis

Sanghuangporus vaninii is a medicinal mushroom, which has been used as a treatment for various diseases; however, the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of S. vaninii in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. Herein, human colon adenocarcinoma cells were used to analyze the anti-CRC effects of the purified polysaccharide of S. vaninii (SVP-A-1) in vitro. In SVP-A-1-treated B6/JGpt-Apc^{em1Cin (Min)}/Gpt male (Apc^Min/+) mice, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on cecal feces, metabolites were examined in serum, and LC-MS/MS protein detection was performed in colorectal tumors. Protein changes were further confirmed by various biochemical detection methods. Water-soluble SVP-A-1 with a molecular weight of 22.5 kDa was first obtained. SVP-A-1 prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis related to metabolic pathways of L-arginine biosynthesis, increased L-citrulline levels in the serum of Apc^Min/+ mice, mediated L-arginine synthesis, and improved antigen presentation in dendritic cells and activated CD4⁺ T cells; the resulting Th1 cells released IFN-γ and TNF-α to act on tumor cells and promoted the sensitivity of tumor cells to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In summary, SVP-A-1 exerted anti-CRC effects and has excellent potential for CRC treatment.

Multiepitope array as the key for African Swine Fever diagnosis

African Swine Fever (ASF) is an acute hemorrhagic fever affecting suids with high mortality and morbidity rate. The causal agent of ASF, the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), is an icosahedral virus of 200 nm diameter, composed of an outer envelope layer of host derivation and a linear 170-190 kb long dsDNA molecule. As of today, no efficient therapeutic intervention nor prophylactic measures exist to fight ASFV diffusion, underlining the importance of the early diagnosis and the need for efficient in-field screening of ASF. Recommended guidelines for the diagnosis of ASF are unpracticable in the desirable context of the rapid in-farm screening. In this view, the design of innovative diagnostics based on a panel of multiple ASFV epitopes would amend versatility and the analytical performances of the deliverable, ensuring high quality and accuracy standards worth of implementation in rapid in-field monitoring programs. Pursuing this view, we performed epitope prediction from the major AFSV structural proteins holding the potential to be targeted in innovative rapid diagnostic tests. Selected ASFV structural protein sequences were retrieved from data repositories and their tridimensional structure was computed. Linear and 3D protein structures were subjected to the prediction of the epitope sequences, that are likely to elicit antibody production, by independent bioinformatic tools, providing a list of candidate biomarkers whose batch employment held the potential suitability for the unbiased rapid in-field diagnosis and, in turn, might be implemented in screening programs, crowing the current monitoring and control campaigns that are currently running worldwide.

Shifts in Intestinal Metabolic Profile Among Kidney Transplantation Recipients with Antibody-Mediated Rejection

Background

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is emerging as the main cause of graft loss after kidney transplantation. Our previous study revealed the gut microbiota alternation associated with AMR in kidney transplant recipients, which was predicted to affect the metabolism-related pathways.

Methods

To further investigate the shifts in intestinal metabolic profile among kidney transplantation recipients with AMR, fecal samples from kidney transplant recipients and patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were subjected to untargeted LC-MS-based metabolomics.

Results

A total of 86 individuals were enrolled in this study, including 30 kidney transplantation recipients with AMR, 35 kidney transplant recipients with stable renal function (KT-SRF), and 21 participants with ESRD. Fecal metabolome in patients with ESRD and kidney transplantation recipients with KT-SRF were parallelly detected as controls. Our results demonstrated that intestinal metabolic profile of patients with AMR differed significantly from those with ESRD. A total of 172 and 25 differential metabolites were identified in the KT-AMR group, when compared with the ESRD group and the KT-SRF group, respectively, and 14 were common to the pairwise comparisons, some of which had good discriminative ability for AMR. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the different metabolites between the KT-AMR and ESRD groups or between KT-AMR and KT-SRF groups were significantly enriched in 33 or 36 signaling pathways, respectively.

Conclusion

From the metabolic point of view, our findings may provide key clues for developing effective diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AMR after kidney transplantation.

Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of Total Alkaloids of Corydalis saxicola Bunting on CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats by LC/MS-Based Metabolomics Analysis and Network Pharmacology

Liver fibrosis is a pathological result of liver injury that usually leads to a pathophysiological wound healing response. The total alkaloids of Corydalis saxicola Bunting (TACS) have been used for hepatoprotective effects on the liver. However, its exact therapeutic mechanisms of liver fibrosis are not yet well understood. To explore the potential anti-fibrosis mechanism of TACS, metabolomics coupled with network pharmacology were applied to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analyses were performed to estimate changes in metabolic profiles. As a result, a total of 23 metabolites in rats with liver fibrosis were altered; of these, 11 had been downregulated and 12 had been upregulated compared with the control group. After TACS treatment, the levels of 13 metabolites were significantly restored compared with the CCl₄-treated group, of which 4 metabolites were up-regulated and 9 metabolites were down-regulated. Many of these metabolites are involved in the bile acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and purine metabolism. Then, three key targets, including cytochrome P450 family1 subfamily A member 1 (CYP1A1), ornithine decarboxylase 1 (OCD1) and monoamine oxidase Type B (MAOB) were predicted as potential therapeutic targets of TACS against liver fibrosis through network pharmacology analysis. Finally, palmatine, tetrahydropalmatine and dehydrocavidine were screened as potential active compounds responsible for the anti-fibrosis effect of TACS by molecular docking analysis. This study reveals that TACS exerted anti-fibrosis effects by regulating the liver metabolic pathway with multiple components and multiple targets, which is helpful to further clarify the hepatoprotective mechanisms of natural plant extracts.

Rice flowering improves the muscle nutrient, intestinal microbiota diversity, and liver metabolism profiles of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in rice-fish symbiosis

BACKGROUND

Rice-fish symbiosis, as an ecological and green aquaculture model, is an effective measure to relieve the environmental stress from intensive aquaculture. Compared with traditional aquaculture, the altered rearing pattern and environment will make differences in muscle nutrient and quality, intestinal microbiota, body metabolism, and even disease resistance in fish.

RESULTS

To investigate this, we explored the differences between rice-tilapia (aRT and bRT) and tank-tilapia (aTT and bTT) models at the periods before and after rice flowering using 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. The results showed that compared with tilapia reared in the tank model, the fish body length and weight, the muscle total umami amino acid, and monounsaturated fatty acid content were obviously higher in the rice-fish model, especially after rice flowering. Compared with other groups, the intestinal microbiota diversity of fish in the bRT group was significantly higher; the dominant microbiota was Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes at the phylum level, Bacteroides and Turicibacter at the genus level, and the relative abundances of Gram-negative, potentially pathogenic, and stress-tolerant bacteria were the highest, lowest, and highest, respectively. Besides, the differential metabolite analysis indicated that rice-fish symbiosis improved the metabolic profiles and modulated the metabolic pathways in tilapia. Moreover, the correlation analysis of 16S sequencing and metabolomics showed that Bacteroides showed a positive correlation with many metabolites related to amino acid, fatty acid, and lipid metabolism. Video Abstract CONCLUSIONS: In summary, rice flowering improves the tilapia muscle nutrient, intestinal microbiota diversity, and disease resistance and modulates the host metabolism to acclimatize the comprehensive environment in rice-fish symbiosis. Specifically, rice flowering alters the microbiota abundance involved in amino acid, fatty acid, and lipid metabolism, resulting in improving the muscle nutrient and quality through the crosstalk of gut microbial and host metabolism. Our study will provide not only new insight into the gut microbiota-metabolism-phenotype axis, but also strong support for the promotion and application of rice-fish symbiosis in aquaculture.

Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon injection exerts a potential anti-tumor effect in prostate cancer through inhibiting ErbB2-GSK3β-HIF1α signaling axis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Marsdenia tenacissima injection (MTE), a traditional Chinese medical injection extracted from the rattan of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon, has been approved for clinical use in China as an adjuvant therapeutic agent in multiple cancers, including esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer. However, the activity and mechanism of MTE on prostate cancer (PCa) remain to be defined.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the activity and the underlying mechanism of MTE in the treatment of PCa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The component characterization of MTE was analyzed by HPLC-CAD-QTOF-MS/MS technology. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess PCa cell proliferation. Colony formation assay was applied to detect the clonogenic ability of the cells. MetaboAnalyst5.0 database was employed to analyze the altered metabolites of PC3 cells treated with MTE obtained by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Combined with metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology, we predicted the potential targets, which further were verified by Western Blot, RT-qPCR, and Immunohistochemistry assays. Finally, SeeSAR software was applied to predict the potential active components of MTE against PCa.

RESULTS

A total of 21 components in MTE were confirmed by HPLC-CAD-QTOF-MS/MS analysis. MTE inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of PCa cells. A total of 20 metabolites closely related to glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were significantly changed in PC3 cells treated with MTE. The network pharmacology analysis revealed that MTE suppressed the growth of PC3 cells might by regulating the ErbB2-GSK3β-HIF1α signaling axis. Furthermore, we also confirmed that stimulation of MTE significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ErbB2 at Tyr877 and the activities of its downstream signal transducers (GSK3β and HIF1α) in PCa, as well as the mRNA levels of critical factors (IDH2, LDHA, and HIF1A) in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Molecular docking further suggested that Tenacissimoside E, cryptochlorogenic acid, and scopoletin might be the active ingredients of MTE for PCa treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study proposed that MTE exerts a potential anti-tumor effect in PCa through inhibiting ErbB2-GSK3β-HIF1α signaling axis, which may be related to the TCA cycle.

Metabolome, microbiome, and gene expression alterations in the colon of newborn piglets with intrauterine growth restriction

Newborn animals with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are characterized by impaired intestinal structure and function; however, their intestinal microbiota and metabolome profiles have not been fully identified. The present study investigated the differences in colonic microbiota, metabolomics, and barrier function-related gene expression profiles between the IUGR and normal birth weight (NBW) piglets at 7, 21, and 28 days of age. Forty-eight piglets (24 NBW and 24 IUGR) from 24 litters were assigned to assess the differences in colonic microbiota, metabolomics, and gene expression between IUGR and NBW piglets. Compared with the NBW piglets, IUGR piglets showed decreased Shannon index and increased Simpson index at 7 days of age and Chao1 index at 21 days of age (p < 0.05). The IUGR piglets had lower abundances of Firmicutes, Subdoligranulum, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-003 at 7 days of age, and Bacteroidetes, Phascolarctobacterium, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 at 21 days of age, when compared with the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis showed significant changes in 147 metabolites mainly involved in organic acids and their derivatives in the colon. Six differential metabolic pathways were significantly enriched, including purine metabolism, amino sugar/nucleotide sugar metabolism, ubiquinone/other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, phenylalanine/tyrosine/tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and histidine metabolism. Spearman’s correlation analysis further demonstrated significant correlations between colonic microbiota and metabolites. In addition, colonic isobutyrate at 7 days of age, isovalerate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) at 21 days of age, and acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFAs levels at 28 days of age were lower and isovalerate was higher at 28 days of age in the IUGR piglets than in the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 at 7 days of age, ZO-1, occludin, and interleukin (IL)-4 at 21 days of age were down-regulated in the IUGR piglets, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) at 28 days of age were up-regulated, when compared with the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the IUGR pigs present abnormal microbiota and nutrient metabolism in the colon, which may further affect the intestine barrier function by regulating gene expressions.

Astragali Radix-Codonopsis Radix-Jujubae Fructus water extracts ameliorate exercise-induced fatigue in mice via modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites

BACKGROUD

Astragali Radix (AR) and Codonopsis Radix (CR) are widely used as the tonic herbal medicine with efficacy of tonifying qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which showed significant antifatigue activities. In this study, AR and CR were combined, with Jujubae Fructus (JF) further added to improve the taste, to afford the ACJ extracts in the ratio of 2:1:2.

RESULTS

The results showed that ACJ water extract exhibited antifatigue effect by the weight-loaded exhaustive swimming test in mice. The untargeted fecal metabolomic approach and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that ACJ could improve exercise performance by regulating changes of gut metabolites and microbiota to alleviate fatigue. Four pathways were determined as the key pathways relating with its antifatigue effect, which included sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis and d-arginine and d-ornithine metabolism. Correlation analysis showed the complex association among bacteria, metabolites and phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study revealed new perspectives to study the antifatigue mechanism of ACJ extracts from the gut microbiota, which provided the basis for further functional food development. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of iodoacetic acid drinking water disinfection byproduct on the gut microbiota and its metabolism in rats

Iodoacetic acid (IAA) is an unregulated disinfection byproduct in drinking water and has been shown to exert cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, tumorigenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. However, the effects of IAA on gut microbiota and its metabolism are still unknown, especially the association between gut microbiota and the metabolism and toxicity of IAA. In this study, female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IAA at 0 and 16 mg/kg bw/day daily for 8 weeks by oral gavage. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that IAA could alter the diversity, relative abundance and function of gut microbiota in female and male rats. IAA also increased the abundance of genes related to steroid hormone biosynthesis in the gut microbiota of male rats. Moreover, metabolomics profiling revealed that IAA could significantly disturb 6 and 13 metabolites in the feces of female and male rats, respectively. In female rats, the level of androstanediol increased in the IAA treatment group. These results were consistent with our previous findings, where IAA was identified as an androgen disruptor. Additionally, the perturbed gut microbiota and altered metabolites were correlated with each other. The results of this study indicated that IAA could disturb gut microbiota and its metabolism. These changes in gut microbiota and its metabolism were associated with the reproductive and developmental toxicity of IAA.

The genome of Corydalis reveals the evolution of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in Ranunculales

Species belonging to the order Ranunculales have attracted much attention because of their phylogenetic position as a sister group to all other eudicot lineages and their ability to produce unique yet diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). The Papaveraceae family in Ranunculales is often used as a model system for studying BIA biosynthesis. Here, we report the chromosome-level genome assembly of Corydalis tomentella, a species of Fumarioideae, one of the two subfamilies of Papaveraceae. Based on comparisons of sequenced Ranunculalean species, we present clear evidence of a shared whole-genome duplication (WGD) event that has occurred before the divergence of Ranunculales but after its divergence from other eudicot lineages. The C. tomentella genome enabled us to integrate isotopic labeling and comparative genomics to reconstruct the BIA biosynthetic pathway for both sanguinarine biosynthesis shared by papaveraceous species and the cavidine biosynthesis that is specific to Corydalis. Also, our comparative analysis revealed that gene duplications, especially tandem gene duplications, underlie the diversification of BIA biosynthetic pathways in Ranunculales. In particular, tandemly duplicated berberine bridge enzyme-like genes appear to be involved in cavidine biosynthesis. In conclusion, our study of the C. tomentella genome provides important insights into the occurrence of WGDs during the early evolution of eudicots, as well as into the evolution of BIA biosynthesis in Ranunculales.

Multi-Omics Analyses Characterize the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Signatures of Soldiers Under Sustained Military Training

Exercise can directly alter the gut microbiome at the compositional and functional metabolic levels, which in turn may beneficially influence physical performance. However, data how the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome change, and how they interact in soldiers who commonly undergo sustained military training are limited. To address this issue, we first performed 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the gut microbial community patterns in a cohort of 80 soldiers separated into elite soldiers (ES, n = 40) and non-elite soldiers (N-ES, n = 40). We observed that the α-diversities of the ES group were higher than those of the N-ES group. As for both taxonomical structure and phenotypic compositions, elite soldiers were mainly characterized by an increased abundance of bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Prevotella_9, and Veillonella, as well as a higher proportion of oxidative stress tolerant microbiota. The taxonomical signatures of the gut microbiome were significantly correlated with soldier performance. To further investigate the metabolic activities of the gut microbiome, using an untargeted metabolomic method, we found that the ES and N-ES groups displayed significantly different metabolic profiles and differential metabolites were primarily involved in the metabolic network of carbohydrates, energy, and amino acids, which might contribute to an enhanced exercise phenotype. Furthermore, these differences in metabolites were strongly correlated with the altered abundance of specific microbes. Finally, by integrating multi-omics data, we identified a shortlist of bacteria-metabolites associated with physical performance, following which a random forest classifier was established based on the combinatorial biomarkers capable of distinguishing between elite and non-elite soldiers with high accuracy. Our findings suggest possible future modalities for improving physical performance through targeting specific bacteria associated with more energetically efficient metabolic patterns.

Metabolic response of Lactobacillus acidophilus exposed to amoxicillin

Drug-induced diarrhea is a common adverse drug reaction, especially the one caused by the widespread use of antibiotics. The reduction of probiotics is one reason for intestinal disorders induced by an oral antibiotic. However, the intrinsic mechanism of drug-induced diarrhea is still unknown. In this study, we used metabolomics methods to explore the effects of the classic oral antibiotic, amoxicillin, on the growth and metabolism of Lactobacillus acidophilus, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were employed to evaluate changes in cell activity and morphology. The results showed that cell viability gradually decreased, while the degree of cell wall rupture increased, with increasing amoxicillin concentrations. A non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified 13 potential biomarkers associated with 9 metabolic pathways. The data showed that arginine and proline metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and histidine metabolism may be involved in the different effects exerted by amoxicillin on L. acidophilus. This study provides potential targets for screening probiotics regulators and lays a theoretical foundation for the elucidation of their mechanisms.

Establishment and evaluation of a specific antibiotic-induced inflammatory bowel disease model in rats

Physical and chemical methods for generating rat models of enteritis have been established; however, antibiotic induction has rarely been used for this purpose. The present study aimed to establish and evaluate a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using antibiotics. A total of 84 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the following groups, according to the dosage and method of administration of the antibiotics: A, control; B, low-dose clindamycin; C, medium-dose clindamycin; D, high-dose clindamycin; E, low-dose clindamycin, ampicillin and streptomycin; F, medium-dose clindamycin, ampicillin and streptomycin; and G, high-dose clindamycin, ampicillin and streptomycin. Antibiotic administration was stopped on day 7; the modeling period covered days 1-7, and the recovery period covered days 8-15. Half of the animals were dissected on day 11, with the remaining animals dissected on day 15. Food and water intake, body weight and fecal weight were recorded. Intestinal flora was analyzed via microbial culture and quantitative PCR. The content of TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed in abdominal aorta blood. Colonic and rectal tissues were examined pathologically via hematoxylin-eosin staining to assess leukocyte infiltration and intestinal mucosal changes as indicators of inflammation. Rat weight, food intake, water intake and 2-h fecal weight were significantly different across the experimental groups (P = 0.040, P = 0.016, P<0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Microbial cultures revealed no significant differences between group A and B,C (P = 0.546,0.872) but significant differences betwenn group A and the other experimental groups (all P<0.001). Furthermore, significant differences in the levels of Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Dialister invisus on day 4 between groups A, C and F (P = 0.033, P = 0.025 and P = 0.034, respectively). Significant differences were detected in the levels of TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6 and CRP between the groups (all P<0.001). The colonic and rectal pathological inflammation scores of the experimental groups were significantly different compared with group A (B vs. A, P = 0.002; others, all P<0.001). These findings indicated that an antibiotic-induced IBD model was successfully established in SD rats; this animal model may serve as a useful model for clinical IBD research.

The Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Toxicity, and Applications of Corydalis saxicola Bunting: A Review

Background:Corydalis saxicola Bunting (CSB) is a perennial herb belonging to genus Corydalis (Papaveraceae), called “Yan-huang-lian” in the Chinese folk. Traditionally, it is used to treat acute conjunctivitis, corneal pannus, acute abdominal pain, hemorrhoidal bleeding, haematochezia, swelling, hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts.

Purpose: This review aims to summarize and analyze the pharmacokinetics, pharmacological and toxicological properties of CSB and its extracts; to highlight the relevance of modern pharmacology to traditional pharmacology; also to assess its therapeutic potential.

Methods: CSB related literatures were searched and screened from databases including PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI. The selected literatures provided reliable source identification evidences.

Results: In traditional medicine concepts, CSB has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxification, eliminating dampness, relieving pain, and stopping bleeding. Its modern pharmacology includes hepatoprotective, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-oxidative effects. Further, some pharmacological effects support its traditional uses. The CSB total alkaloids (CSBTA) are the main constituents isolated from this plant, and they exert the major of the pharmacological effects. Toxicological studies have shown that the toxicity of CSBTA is mild and reversible in rodents and beagle dogs.

Conclusion: Although the present study summarizes the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, toxicity, and applications of this plant, it is still necessary to systemically evaluate the chemistry, safety and parameters related to drug metabolism of the extracts or compounds from this plant before or in clinical trials in the future. Meanwhile, cancers and inflammatory-related diseases may be new research directions of this ethnomedicine.

Review of the correlation between Chinese medicine and intestinal microbiota on the efficacy of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a serious metabolic disorder that can lead to a number of life-threatening complications. Studies have shown that intestinal microbiota is closely related to the development of diabetes, making it a potential target for the treatment of diabetes. In recent years, research on the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM compounds, and prepared Chinese medicines to regulate intestinal microbiota and improve the symptoms of diabetes mellitus is very extensive. We focus on the research progress of TCM active ingredients, herbal compounds, and prepared Chinese medicines in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in this paper. When diabetes occurs, changes in the abundance and function of the intestinal microbiota disrupt the intestinal environment by disrupting the intestinal barrier and fermentation. TCM and its components can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria while decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, regulate the concentration of microbial metabolites, improve insulin sensitivity, regulate lipid metabolism and blood glucose, and reduce inflammation. TCM can be converted into active substances with pharmacological effects by intestinal microbiota, and these active substances can reverse intestinal microecological disorders and improve diabetes symptoms. This can be used as a reference for diabetes prevention and treatment.

Integration of Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics for Chinese Medicines Research: Opportunities and Challenges

Chinese medicines (CM) are gaining more attentions from all over the world. However, there are a large body of questions to be answered because of the chemical complexity of CM and intricate molecular reactions within human body. In recent years, gut microbiota and metabolomics have emerged as two cynosures in deciphering the mechanisms of how our body is functioning. Since gut microbiota and host is a closely interrelated system, paying attention only to gut microbiota or metabolites may omit the interplays among CM, gut microbiota, and hosts. To systemically study these interplays, a network understanding of CM components, gut microbiota, metabolites of gut microbiota, metabolites in human body is necessary. Although there are some obstacles impeding the application of this integrative approach, the potential areas for implementation of the integrative approach is vast. These areas include, but not limited to, elucidating the mechanisms of CM at system level, screening bioactive compounds in CM, and guiding quality control of CM.

Fermented Deer Blood Ameliorates Intense Exercise-Induced Fatigue via Modulating Small Intestine Microbiota and Metabolites in Mice

Intense and excessive exercise-induced fatigue has become an important health issue and can damage intestinal health. Deer blood, as a food byproduct with nutritional value, has been found to restore physical strength. However, little is known about the antifatigue effect of fermented deer blood (FDB) on intense exercise mice. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the antifatigue effect of FDB, and whether this effect is correlated with the altered small intestinal microbiota and metabolites in exercise mice. In this study, 5-week-old male C57BL/6J mice are given treadmill exercise with or without FDB supplementation (30 and 150 mg/kg/d) for 3 weeks. FDB significantly reduces metabolic byproduct accumulation, liver and intestinal damage, and enhances glycogen storage and antioxidant capacity in intense exercise mice. Moreover, FDB restructures the small intestinal microbiota by increasing the abundance of probiotics and butyric acid producing bacteria and decreasing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. FDB also regulates the levels of metabolites involved in TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism in urine and small intestine content. Correlation analysis shows that FDB-modulated microbiota is highly associated with its antifatigue effect. FDB may ameliorate fatigue and intestinal injury through targeting small intestinal microbiota.

Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Carriers during Fecal Microbiota Transplantation According to Decolonization Periods

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option to decolonize carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). However, the analysis of gut microbiota alteration in CRE carriers during FMT is still limited. Here, gut microbiota changes in CRE carriers were evaluated during FMT according to decolonization periods. The decolonization of 10 CRE carriers was evaluated after FMT, using serial consecutive rectal swab cultures. Alterations of gut microbiota before and after FMT (56 serial samples) were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. The decolonization rates of CRE carriers were 40%, 50%, and 90% within 1, 3 and 5 months after initial FMT, respectively. Gut microbiota significantly changed after FMT (p = 0.003). Microbiota alteration was different between the early decolonization carriers (EDC) and late decolonization carriers (LDC). Microbiota convergence in carriers to donors was detected in EDC within 4 weeks, and keystone genera within the Bacteroidetes were found in the gut microbiota of EDC before FMT. The relative abundance of Klebsiella was lower in EDC than in LDC, before and after FMT. Our results indicate that FMT is a potential option for CRE decolonization. The gut microbiota of CRE carriers could be used to predict decolonization timing after FMT, and determine repeated FMT necessity.

Corydalis Saxicola Bunting Total Alkaloids Attenuate Walker 256-Induced Bone Pain and Osteoclastogenesis by Suppressing RANKL-Induced NF-κB and c-Fos/NFATc1 Pathways in Rats

Metastatic bone pain is characterized by insufferable bone pain and abnormal bone structure. A major goal of bone cancer treatment is to ameliorate osteolytic lesion induced by tumor cells. Corydalis saxicola Bunting total alkaloids (CSBTA), the alkaloid compounds extracted from the root of C. saxicola Bunting, have been shown to possess anticancer and analgesic properties. In this study, we aimed to verify whether CSBTA could relieve cancer induced bone pain and inhibit osteoclastogenesis. The in vivo results showed that CSBTA ameliorated Walker 256 induced bone pain and osteoporosis in rats. Histopathological changes also supported that CSBTA inhibited Walker 256 cell-mediated osteolysis. Further in vitro analysis confirmed that CSBTA reduced the expression of RANKL and downregulate the level of RANKL/OPG ratio in breast cancer cells. Moreover, CSBTA could inhibit osteoclastogenesis by suppressing RANKL-induced NF-κB and c-Fos/NFATc1 pathways. Collectively, this study demonstrated that CSBTA could attenuate cancer induced bone pain via a novel mechanism. Therefore, CSBTA might be a promising candidate drug for metastatic bone pain patients.

DEHP induce cholesterol imbalance via disturbing bile acid metabolism by altering the composition of gut microbiota in rats

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most widespread environmental contaminants worldwide because of its massive production, extensive use in common products, and liability to leach from products. This study investigated the mechanisms of DEHP mediated alteration of lipid metabolism. Rats were treated with 0.5 mg kg^-1 d^-1 of DEHP for 23 weeks. Results showed that the treatment induced cholesterol imbalance. Further fecal transplantation experiments corroborated the involvement of gut microbiota in DEHP-induced cholesterol imbalance. In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of cecal contents showed that DEHP disrupted the gut microbiota diversity in rats and increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. Further cecal metabolomic analyses, bile salt hydrolase enzyme activity, and gene expression examination revealed that chronic DEHP exposure generated a bile acid profile in the gut that is a more potent activator of farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The activation of FXR in the gut induced the expression of fibroblast growth factor 15, which subsequently suppressed cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 in the liver and bile acid synthesis. These results suggest that DEHP might induce cholesterol imbalance by regulating bile acid metabolism via the remodeling of the gut microbiota.

Associations between gut microbiota and Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia

Background

Growing evidence has shown that alterations in the gut microbiota composition were associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. However, whether such associations reflect causality remains unknown. We aimed to reveal the causal relationships among gut microbiota, metabolites, and neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia (SCZ).

Methods

A two-sample bi-directional Mendelian randomization analysis was performed by using genetic variants from genome-wide association studies as instrumental variables for gut microbiota, metabolites, AD, MDD, and SCZ, respectively.

Results

We found suggestive associations of host-genetic-driven increase in Blautia (OR, 0.88; 95%CI, 0.79–0.99; P = 0.028) and elevated γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (0.96; 0.92–1.00; P = 0.034), a downstream product of Blautia-dependent arginine metabolism, with a lower risk of AD. Genetically increased Enterobacteriaceae family and Enterobacteriales order were potentially associated with a higher risk of SCZ (1.09; 1.00–1.18; P = 0.048), while Gammaproteobacteria class (0.90; 0.83–0.98; P = 0.011) was related to a lower risk for SCZ. Gut production of serotonin was potentially associated with an increased risk of SCZ (1.07; 1.00–1.15; P = 0.047). Furthermore, genetically increased Bacilli class was related to a higher risk of MDD (1.07; 1.02–1.12; P = 0.010). In the other direction, neuropsychiatric disorders altered gut microbiota composition.

Conclusions

These data for the first time provide evidence of potential causal links between gut microbiome and AD, MDD, and SCZ. GABA and serotonin may play an important role in gut microbiota-host crosstalk in AD and SCZ, respectively. Further investigations in understanding the underlying mechanisms of associations between gut microbiota and AD, MDD, and SCZ are required.