The Probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei Ameliorates Diarrhea Cause by Escherichia coli O8via Gut Microbiota Modulation1

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 for chronic diarrhea in young adults: a large double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Current treatments for chronic diarrhea have limited efficacy and several side effects. Probiotics have the potential to alleviate symptoms of diarrhea. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluates the effects of administering the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 (P9) strain in young adults with chronic diarrhea (Clinical Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2000038410). The intervention period lasts for 28 days, followed by a 14-day post-intervention period. Participants are randomized into the P9 (n = 93) and placebo (n = 96) groups, with 170 individuals completing the double-blind intervention phase (n = 85 per group). The primary endpoint is the diarrhea symptom severity score. Both intention-to-treat (n = 189) and per-protocol (n = 170) analyses reveal a modest yet statistically significant reduction in diarrhea severity compared to the placebo group (20.0%, P = 0.050; 21.4%, P = 0.048, respectively). In conclusion, the results of this study support the use of probiotics in managing chronic diarrhea in young adults. However, the lack of blood parameter assessment and the short intervention period represent limitations of this study.

Protopine-Type Alkaloids Alleviate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Inflammation and Modulate the Gut Microbiota in Mice

In this study, we assessed the therapeutic effects of Macleaya cordata (Willd). R. Br.-derived protopine-type alkaloids (MPTAs) in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation. The experimental design involved the allocation of mice into distinct groups, including a control group, a model group treated with 6 mg/kg LPS, a berberine group treated with 50 mg/kg berberine hydrochloride and low-, medium- and high-dose MPTA groups treated with 6, 12 and 24 mg/kg MPTAs, respectively. Histological analysis of the ileum, jejunum and duodenum was performed using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Moreover, the quantification of intestinal goblet cells (GCs) was performed based on PAS staining. The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the mRNA levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, IL-6 and IL-1β were assessed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The protein levels of TLR4, Md-2, MyD88, NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 were determined using Western blotting. Furthermore, the 16S rDNA sequences of bacterial taxa were amplified and analysed to determine alterations in the gut microbiota of the mice following MPTA treatment. Different doses of MPTAs were found to elicit distinct therapeutic effects, leading to enhanced intestinal morphology and an increased abundance of intestinal GCs. A significant decrease was noted in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α). Additionally, the protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, NLRP3 and p-p65/p65 were markedly reduced by MPTA treatment. Furthermore, 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that the administration of 24 mg/kg MPTAs facilitated the restoration of microbial composition.

Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 on gut microbial imbalance and liver function in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBC) is a chronic disease characterized by irreversible diffuse liver damage and aggravated by intestinal microbial imbalance and metabolic dysfunction. Although the relationship between certain single probiotics and HBC has been explored, the impact of the complex ready-to-eat Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (LP N1115) supplement on patients with HBC has not been determined.

AIM

To compare the changes in the microbiota, inflammatory factor levels, and liver function before and after probiotic treatment in HBC patients.

METHODS

This study included 160 HBC patients diagnosed at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between October 2018 and December 2020. Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group that received LP N1115 supplementation and routine treatment and a control group that received routine treatment only. Fecal samples were collected at the onset and conclusion of the 12-wk intervention period. The structure of the intestinal microbiota and the levels of serological indicators, such as liver function and inflammatory factors, were assessed.

RESULTS

Following LP N1115 intervention, the intestinal microbial diversity significantly increased in the intervention group (P < 0.05), and the structure of the intestinal microbiota was characterized by an increase in the proportions of probiotic microbes and a reduction in harmful bacteria. Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated notable improvements in liver function indices and significantly lower levels of inflammatory factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LP N1115 is a promising treatment for ameliorating intestinal microbial imbalance in HBC patients by modulating the structure of the intestinal microbiota, improving liver function, and reducing inflammatory factor levels.

Lactobacillus reuteri derived from horse alleviates Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea by modulating gut microbiota

Diarrhea is a prevalent health issue in farm animals and poses a significant challenge to the progress of animal husbandry. Recent evidence suggested that probiotics can alleviate diarrhea by maintaining gut microbial balance and enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier. However, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the efficacy of equine Lactobacillus reuteri in relieving E. coli-induced diarrhea. Hence, this study aimed to examine the potential of equine-derived Lactobacillus reuteri in alleviating E. coli diarrhea from the perspective of gut microbiota. Results demonstrated that supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri had the potential to alleviate diarrhea induced by E. coli infection and restore the decline of tight junction genes, such as Claudin-1 and ZO-1. Additionally, Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation can restore the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and reduce colon inflammatory damage. Diversity analysis, based on amplicon sequencing, revealed a significant reduction in the diversity of gut microbiota during E. coli-induced diarrhea. Moreover, there were notable statistical differences in the composition and structure of gut microbiota among the different treatment groups. E. coli could induce gut microbial dysbiosis by decreasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Ligilactobacillus, Enterorhabdus, and Lachnospiraceae_UCG_001, in comparison to the control group. Conversely, supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri could restore the abundance of beneficial bacteria and increase the diversity of the gut microbiota, thereby reshaping gut microbiota. Additionally, we also observed that supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri alone improved the gut microbial composition and structure. In summary, the findings suggest that Lactobacillus reuteri can alleviate E. coli-induced diarrhea by preserving the integrity of the intestinal barrier and modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. These results not only contribute to understanding of the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri in relieving diarrhea, but also provide valuable insights for the development of probiotic products aimed at alleviating diarrheal diseases.

Comparative analysis of changes in diarrhea and gut microbiota in Beigang pigs

Increasing evidence indicated that the gut microbiota is a large and complex organic combination, which is closely related to the host health. Diarrhea is a disease with devastating effects on livestock that has been demonstrated to be associated with gut microbiota. Currently, studies on gut microbiota and diarrhea have involved multiple species, but changes in gut microbiota of Beigang pigs during diarrhea have not been characterized. Here, we described gut microbial changes of Beigang pigs during diarrhea. Results indicated that a total of 4423 OTUs were recognized in diarrheic and healthy Beigang pigs, and Firmicutes and Bacteroidota were the most dominant phyla regardless of health status. However, the major components of the gut microbiota changed between diarrheic and healthy Beigang pigs. Bacterial taxonomic analysis revealed that the relative abundances of 3 phyla (Synergistota, Actinobacteriota and Spirochaetota) and 30 genera increased significantly during diarrhea, whereas the relative abundances of 3 phyla (Patescibacteria, Bacteroidota and Fibrobacterota) and 41 genera decreased significantly. In conclusion, this study found significant changes in the gut microbiota of Beigang pigs during diarrhea. Meanwhile, this also lays the foundation for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in Beigang pigs and the further discovery of more anti-diarrhea probiotics.

Edwardsiella piscicida infection reshapes the intestinal microbiome and metabolome of big-belly seahorses: mechanistic insights of synergistic actions of virulence factors

Uncovering the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of Edwardsiella piscicida-induced enteritis is essential for global aquaculture. In the present study, we identified E. piscicida as a lethal pathogen of the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) and revealed its pathogenic pattern and characteristics by updating our established bacterial enteritis model and evaluation system. Conjoint analysis of metagenomic and metabolomic data showed that 15 core virulence factors could mutually coordinate the remodeling of intestinal microorganisms and host metabolism and induce enteritis in the big-belly seahorse. Specifically, the Flagella, Type IV pili, and Lap could significantly increase the activities of the representative functional pathways of both flagella assembly and bacterial chemotaxis in the intestinal microbiota (P < 0.01) to promote pathogen motility, adherence, and invasion. Legiobactin, IraAB, and Hpt could increase ABC transporter activity (P < 0.01) to compete for host nutrition and promote self-replication. Capsule1, HP-NAP, and FarAB could help the pathogen to avoid phagocytosis. Upon entering epithelial cells and phagocytes, Bsa T3SS and Dot/Icm could significantly increase bacterial secretion system activity (P < 0.01) to promote the intracellular survival and replication of the pathogen and the subsequent invasion of the neighboring tissues. Finally, LPS3 could significantly increase lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis (P < 0.01) to release toxins and kill the host. Throughout the pathogenic process, BopD, PhoP, and BfmRS significantly activated the two-component system (P < 0.01) to coordinate with other VFs to promote deep invasion. In addition, the levels of seven key metabolic biomarkers, Taurine, L-Proline, Uridine, L-Glutamate, Glutathione, Xanthosine, and L-Malic acid, significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and they can be used for characterizing E. piscicida infection. Overall, the present study systematically revealed how a combination of virulence factors mediate E. piscicida-induced enteritis in fish for the first time, providing a theoretical reference for preventing and controlling this disease in the aquaculture of seahorses and other fishes.

Effects of Intra-Amniotic Administration of the Hydrolyzed Protein of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei on Intestinal Functionality, Morphology, and Bacterial Populations, In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

As a protein source, chia contains high concentrations of bioactive peptides. Probiotics support a healthy digestive tract and immune system. Our study evaluated the effects of the intra-amniotic administration of the hydrolyzed chia protein and the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei on intestinal bacterial populations, the intestinal barrier, the inflammatory response, and brush border membrane functionality in ovo (Gallus gallus). Fertile broiler (Gallus gallus) eggs (n = 9/group) were divided into 5 groups: (NI) non-injected; (H₂O) 18 MΩ H₂O; (CP) 10 mg/mL hydrolyzed chia protein; (CPP) 10 mg/mL hydrolyzed chia protein + 10⁶ colony-forming unit (CFU) L. paracasei; (P) 10⁶ CFU L. paracasei. The intra-amniotic administration was performed on day 17 of incubation. At hatching (day 21), the animals were euthanized, and the duodenum and cecum content were collected. The probiotic downregulated the gene expression of NF-κβ, increased Lactobacillus and E. coli, and reduced Clostridium populations. The hydrolyzed chia protein downregulated the gene expression of TNF-α, increased OCLN, MUC2, and aminopeptidase, reduced Bifidobacterium, and increased Lactobacillus. The three experimental groups improved in terms of intestinal morphology. The current results suggest that the intra-amniotic administration of the hydrolyzed chia protein or a probiotic promoted positive changes in terms of the intestinal inflammation, barrier, and morphology, improving intestinal health.

The modulatory effects of gut microbes and metabolites on blood–brain barrier integrity and brain function in sepsis-associated encephalopathy

Background

Intestinal microbiota homeostasis and the gut-brain axis are key players associated with host health and alterations in metabolic, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disorders. Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE), which is closely associated with bacterial translocation, is a common secondary organ dysfunction and an urgent, unsolved problem affecting patient quality of life. Our study examined the neuroprotective effects of the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites on SAE.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were administered SCFAs in drinking water, then subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery to induce SAE. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to investigate gut microbiome changes. The open field test (OFT) and Y-maze were performed to evaluate brain function. The permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was assessed by Evans blue (EB) staining. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to examine intestinal tissue morphology. The expression levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins and inflammatory cytokines was assessed by western blots and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, bEND.3 cells were incubated with SCFAs and then with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immunofluorescence was used to examine the expression of TJ proteins.

Results

The composition of the gut microbiota was altered in SAE mice; this change may be related to SCFA metabolism. SCFA treatment significantly alleviated behavioral dysfunction and neuroinflammation in SAE mice. SCFAs upregulated occludin and ZO-1 expression in the intestine and brain in SAE mice and LPS-treated cerebromicrovascular cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that disturbances in the gut microbiota and SCFA metabolites play key roles in SAE. SCFA supplementation could exert neuroprotective effects against SAE by preserving BBB integrity.

Deep-fried Atractylodes lancea rhizome alleviates spleen deficiency diarrhea-induced short-chain fatty acid metabolic disorder in mice by remodeling the intestinal flora

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. is a Chinese herb that has been commonly used to treat spleen-deficiency diarrhea (SDD) in China for over a thousand years. However, the underlying mechanism of its antidiarrheal activity is not fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The antidiarrheal effects of the ethanol extract of deep-fried A. lancea rhizome (EEDAR) due to spleen deficiency induced by folium sennae (SE) were determined on the regulation of the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabonomics induced by the intestinal flora.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of EEDAR on a SE-induced mouse model of SDD were evaluated by monitoring the animal weight, fecal water content, diarrhea-grade rating, goblet cell loss, and pathological changes in the colon. The expression of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10), aquaporins (AQP3, AQP4, and AQP8), and tight junction markers (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1) in colon tissues were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. SCFA metabonomics in the feces of mice treated with EEDAR was evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, 16S rDNA sequencing was used to determine the effect of EEDAR on the intestinal flora of SDD mice, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was used to confirm whether the intestinal flora was essential for the anti-SDD effect of EEDAR.

RESULTS

Treatment with EEDAR significantly improved the symptoms of mice with SDD by inhibiting the loss of colonic cup cells, alleviating colitis, and promoting the expression of AQPs and tight junction markers. More importantly, the effect of EEDAR on the increase of SCFA content in mice with SDD was closely related to the gut microbiota composition. EEDAR intervention did not significantly improve intestinal inflammation or the barrier of germ-free SDD mice, but FMT was effective.

CONCLUSION

EEDAR alleviated SE-induced SDD in mice, as well as the induced SCFA disorder by regulating the imbalance of the intestinal microbiota.

Dynamic distribution of gut microbiota in cattle at different breeds and health states

Weining cattle is a precious species with high tolerance to cold, disease, and stress, and accounts for a large proportion of agricultural economic output in Guizhou, China. However, there are gaps in information about the intestinal flora of Weining cattle. In this study, high-throughput sequencing were employed to analyze the intestinal flora of Weining cattle (WN), Angus cattle (An), and diarrheal Angus cattle (DA), and explore the potential bacteria associated with diarrhea. We collected 18 fecal samples from Weining, Guizhou, including Weining cattle, Healthy Angus, and Diarrheal Angus. The results of intestinal microbiota analysis showed there were no significant differences in intestinal flora diversity and richness among groups (p > 0.05). The abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae, Rikenellaceae, Coprostanoligenes, and Cyanobacteria) in Weining cattle were significantly higher than in Angus cattle (p < 0.05). The potential pathogens including Anaerosporobacter and Campylobacteria were enriched in the DA group. Furthermore, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae was very high in the WN group (p < 0.05), which might explain why Weining cattle are less prone to diarrhea. This is the first report on the intestinal flora of Weining cattle, furthering understanding of the relationship between intestinal flora and health.

Weizmannia coagulans BC2000 Plus Ellagic Acid Inhibits High-Fat-Induced Insulin Resistance by Remodeling the Gut Microbiota and Activating the Hepatic Autophagy Pathway in Mice

(1) Background: Ellagic acid (EA) acts as a product of gut microbiota transformation to prevent insulin resistance, which is limited by high-fat diet (HFD)-induced dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects and mechanisms of supplementation with the probiotic Weizmannia coagulans (W. coagulans) on the prevention of insulin resistance by EA; (2) Methods: C57BL/6J mice were divided into five groups (n = 10/group): low-fat-diet group, high-fat-diet group, EA intervention group, EA + W. coagulans BC77 group, and EA + W. coagulans BC2000 group; (3) Result: W. coagulans BC2000 showed a synergistic effect on EA's lowering insulin resistance index and inhibiting high-fat diet-induced endotoxemia. The combined effect of BC2000 and EA activated the autophagy pathway in the mouse liver, a urolithin-like effect. This was associated with altered β-diversity of gut microbiota and increased Eggerthellaceae, a potential EA-converting family. Ellagic acid treatment alone and the combined use of ellagic acid and W. coagulans BC77 failed to activate the hepatic autophagy pathway; (4) Conclusions: W. coagulans BC2000 can assist EA in its role of preventing insulin resistance. This study provides a basis for the development of EA-rich functional food supplemented with W. coagulans BC2000.