Association of the Gut Microbiota with Weight-Loss Response within a Retail Weight-Management Program

Effects of dietary rosemary ultrafine powder supplementation on aged hen health and productivity: a randomized controlled trial

Recently, poultry industry has been seeking antibiotic residue-free poultry products and safe nutritious feed additives. Whether rosemary ultrafine powder (RUP) affects productive performance by regulating the intestinal microbiome of aged layers remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary RUP supplementation on the production performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbial structure, and metabolome of aged hens. The results indicate that RUP had no significant effect on production performance but significantly enhanced Thick albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk color (P < 0.05), daily feed intake, and qualified egg rate. Serum content of non-esterified fatty acids, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase increased significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the liver total protein content was significantly increased (P < 0.05). 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed that RUP significantly impacted both α- and β-diversity of the caecum microbiota. Linear discriminant analysis of effect size and random forest identified Bacteroides, Muribaculum, Butyricimonas, Odoribacter, and Prevotella as biomarkers in groups A and B. In comparing groups A and C, Barnesiella, Turicibacter, and Acholeplasma were critical bacteria, while comparing groups A and D highlighted Barnesiella and Candidatus Saccharimonas as differential bacteria. FAPROTAX analysis of the caecum microbiota revealed that the functional genes associated with harmful substance biodegradation were significantly increased in the RUP-fed group. Based on Spearman correlation analysis, alterations in microbial genera were associated with divergent metabolites. In summary, dietary RUP can improve egg quality and antioxidant capacity and regulate the intestinal microbiome and metabolome in aged breeders. Therefore, RUP can potentially be used as a feed additive to extend breeder service life at an appropriate level of 1.0 g/kg.

Genetically predicted blood metabolites mediate relationships between gut microbiota and ovarian cancer: a Mendelian randomization study

Background and purpose

While there is evidence that gut microbiota (GM) and blood metabolites are associated with ovarian cancer (OC), the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to elucidate the causal connections between GM, blood metabolite biomarkers, and OC.

Methods

In this study, we leveraged summary data for GM (5,959 individuals with genotype-matched GM), blood metabolites (233 circulating metabolic traits with 136,016 participants), and OC (63,702 participants with 23,564 cases and 40,138 controls) from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). We performed MR analysis to explore the causal relationship between GM and OC. Further, we harnessed univariable MR (UVMR) analysis to evaluate the causal associations between GM and circulating metabolites. Finally, we employed a two-step approach based on multivariable MR (MVMR) to evaluate the total genetic prediction effect of metabolites mediating the GM on the risk of OC to discover a potential causal relationship.

Results

In the MR analysis, 24 gut bacteria were causally associated with the pathogenesis of OC, including 10 gut bacteria (Dorea phocaeense, Succinivibrionaceae, Raoultella, Phascolarctobacterium sp003150755, Paenibacillus J, NK4A144, K10, UCG-010 sp003150215, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Planococcaceae) that were risk factors, and 14 gut bacteria (CAG-177 sp002438685, GCA-900066135 sp900066135, Enorma massiliensis, Odoribacter laneus, Ruminococcus E sp003521625, Streptococcus sanguinis, Turicibacter sp001543345, Bacillus velezensis, CAG-977, CyanobacteriaStaphylococcus A fleurettii, Caloranaerobacteraceae, RUG472 sp900319345, and CAG-269 sp001915995) that were protective factors. The UVMR analysis showed that these 24 positive gut bacteria were causally related to lipoproteins, lipids, and amino acids. According to the MVMR analysis, Enorma massiliensis could reduce the risk of OC by raising the total cholesterol to total lipids ratio in large low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesteryl esters to total lipids ratio in intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL). Turicibacter sp001543345, however, could reduce the risk of OC by lowering free cholesterol in small high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increasing the ratios of saturated fatty acids to total fatty acids, total cholesterol to total lipids ratio in very small very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and cholesteryl esters to total lipids ratio in very small VLDL.

Conclusion

The current MR study provides evidence that genetically predicted blood metabolites can mediate relationships between GM and OC.

Multi-trajectories of body mass index, waist circumference, gut microbiota, and incident dyslipidemia: a 27-year prospective study

Background

Evidence is insufficient to establish a longitudinal association between combined trajectories of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and dyslipidemia. Our study aimed to explore the association between multi-trajectories of BMI and WC and incident dyslipidemia and identify microbiota and metabolite signatures of these trajectories.

Methods

Stratified by sex, we used a group-based trajectory modeling approach to identify distinct multi-trajectories of BMI and WC among 10,678 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey over a 24-year period. For each sex, we examined the associations between these multi-trajectories (1991-2015) and the onset dyslipidemia (2018) using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyles factors. We characterized the gut microbial composition and performed LASSO and logistic regression to identify gut microbial signatures associated with these multi-trajectories in males and females, respectively.

Results

We identified four multi-trajectories of BMI and WC among both males and females: Normal (Group 1), BMI&WC normal increasing (Group 2), BMI&WC overweight increasing (Group 3), and BMI&WC obesity increasing (Group 4). Among males, Group 2 (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.28-3.46), Group 3 (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.56-4.63) and Group 4 (OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.85-6.83) had higher odds of developing dyslipidemia. However, among females, only those in Group 2 (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.03-2.30) were more likely to develop dyslipidemia. In males, compared with Group 1, we observed lower alpha-diversity within Groups 2,3, and 4, and significant beta-diversity differences within Groups 3 and 4 (p 0.001). We also identified 3, 8, and 4 characteristic bacterial genera in male Groups 2, 3 and 4, and 2 genera in female Group 2. A total of 23, 25 and 10 differential metabolites were significantly associated with the above genera, except for Group 2 in males.

Conclusions

The ascending combined trajectories of BMI and WC are associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia, even with normal baseline levels, especially in males. Shared and unique gut microbial and metabolic signatures among these high-risk trajectories could enhance our understanding of the mechanisms connecting obesity to dyslipidemia.

Targeting microbiota in dietary obesity management: a systematic review on randomized control trials in adults

Obesity is an alarming public health problem. Tailored nutritional therapy is advisable since emerging evidence on complex cross-talks among multifactorial agents. In this picture, the gut microbiota is highly individualized and intricately dependent on dietary patterns, with implications for obesity management. Most of the papers on the topic are observational and often conflicting. This review aimed to systematically organize the body of evidence on microbiota deriving from dietary trials in adult obesity giving the most certain phylogenetic, and metabolomic signatures in relation to both the host metabolism and phenotype changes published until now. We retrieved 18 randomized control trials on 1385 subjects with obesity who underwent several dietary interventions, including standard diet and healthy dietary regimens. Some phyla and species were more related to diets rich in fibers and others to healthy diets. Weight loss, metabolism improvements, inflammatory markers decrease were specifically related to different microorganisms or functions. The Prevotella/Bacteroides ratio was one of the most reported predictors. People with the burden of obesity comorbidities had the most significant taxonomic changes in parallel with a general improvement. These data emphasize the possibility of using symbiotic approaches involving tailored diets, microbiota characteristics, and maybe drugs to treat obesity and metabolic disorders. We encourage Authors to search for specific phylogenetic associations beyond a too generally reported Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio.

A Keystone Gut Bacterium Christensenella minuta-A Potential Biotherapeutic Agent for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases

A new next-generation probiotic, Christensenella minuta was first discovered in 2012 from healthy human stool and described under the phylum Firmicutes. C. minuta is a subdominant commensal bacterium with highly heritable properties that exhibits mutual interactions with other heritable microbiomes, and its relative abundance is positively correlated with the lean host phenotype associated with a low BMI index. It has been the subject of numerous studies, owing to its potential health benefits. This article reviews the evidence from various studies of C. minuta interventions using animal models for managing metabolic diseases, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes, characterized by gut microbiota dysbiosis and disruption of host metabolism. Notably, more studies have presented the complex interaction between C. minuta and host metabolism when it comes to metabolic health. Therefore, C. minuta could be a potential candidate for innovative microbiome-based biotherapy via fecal microbiota transplantation or oral administration. However, the detailed underlying mechanism of action requires further investigation.

Gut microbiota Turicibacter strains differentially modify bile acids and host lipids

Bacteria from the Turicibacter genus are prominent members of the mammalian gut microbiota and correlate with alterations in dietary fat and body weight, but the specific connections between these symbionts and host physiology are poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we characterize a diverse set of mouse- and human-derived Turicibacter isolates, and find they group into clades that differ in their transformations of specific bile acids. We identify Turicibacter bile salt hydrolases that confer strain-specific differences in bile deconjugation. Using male and female gnotobiotic mice, we find colonization with individual Turicibacter strains leads to changes in host bile acid profiles, generally aligning with those produced in vitro. Further, colonizing mice with another bacterium exogenously expressing bile-modifying genes from Turicibacter strains decreases serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and adipose tissue mass. This identifies genes that enable Turicibacter strains to modify host bile acids and lipid metabolism, and positions Turicibacter bacteria as modulators of host fat biology.

Impact of caloric restriction on the gut microbiota

Caloric restriction (CR) and related time-restricted diets have been popularized as means of preventing metabolic disease while improving general well-being. However, evidence as to their long-term efficacy, adverse effects, and mechanisms of activity remains incompletely understood. The gut microbiota is modulated by such dietary approaches, yet causal evidence to its possible downstream impacts on host metabolism remains elusive. Herein, we discuss the positive and adverse influences of restrictive dietary interventions on gut microbiota composition and function, and their collective impacts on host health and disease risk. We highlight known mechanisms of microbiota influences on the host, such as modulation of bioactive metabolites, while discussing challenges in achieving mechanistic dietary-microbiota insights, including interindividual variability in dietary responses as well as other methodological and conceptual challenges. In all, causally understanding the impact of CR approaches on the gut microbiota may enable to better decode their overall influences on human physiology and disease.

Resistant starch type-4 intake alters circulating bile acids in human subjects

Background

Resistant starch (RS) type 4 (RS4) is a type of RS, a class of non-digestible prebiotic dietary fibers with a range of demonstrated metabolic health benefits to the host. On the other hand, bile acids (BA) have recently emerged as an important class of metabolic function mediators that involve host-microbiota interactions. RS consumption alters fecal and cecal BA in humans and rodents, respectively. The effect of RS intake on circulating BA concentrations remains unexplored in humans.

Methods and results

Using available plasma and stool samples from our previously reported double-blind, controlled, 2-arm crossover nutrition intervention trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01887964), a liquid-chromatography/mass-spectrometry-based targeted multiple reaction monitoring, and absolute quantifications, we assessed BA changes after 12 weeks of an average 12 g/day RS4-intake. Stool BA concentrations were lower post RS4 compared to the control, the two groups consuming similar macronutrients (n = 14/group). Partial least squares-discriminant analysis revealed distinct BA signatures in stool and plasma post interventions. The increased circulating BA concentrations were further investigated using linear mixed-effect modeling that controlled for potential confounders. A higher plasma abundance of several BA species post RS4 was observed (fold increase compared to control in parenthesis): taurocholic acid (1.92), taurodeoxycholic acid (1.60), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (1.58), glycodeoxycholic acid (1.79), and deoxycholic acid (1.77) (all, p < 0.05). Distinct microbiome ortholog-signatures were observed between RS4 and control groups (95% CI), derived using the Piphillin function-prediction algorithm and principal component analysis (PCA) of pre-existing 16S rRNA gene sequences. Association of Bifidobacterium adolescentis with secondary BA such as, deoxycholic acid (rho = 0.55, p = 0.05), glycodeoxycholic acid (rho = 0.65, p = 0.02), and taurodeoxycholic acid (rho = 0.56, p = 0.04) were observed in the RS4-group, but not in the control group (all, p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our observations indicate a previously unknown in humans- RS4-associated systemic alteration of microbiota-derived secondary BA. Follow-up investigations of BA biosynthesis in the context of RS4 may provide molecular targets to understand and manipulate microbiome-host interactions.

Effect of ancient Khorasan wheat on gut microbiota, inflammation, and short-chain fatty acid production in patients with fibromyalgia

BACKGROUND

Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is mainly characterized by widespread pain, sleeping disorders, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. In many cases, gastrointestinal distress is also reported, suggesting the potential pathogenic role of the gut microbiota (GM). The GM is deeply influenced by several environmental factors, especially the diet, and recent findings highlighted significant symptom improvement in FM patients following various nutritional interventions such as vegetarian diet, low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols based diets, gluten-free diet, and especially an ancient grain supplementation. In particular, a recent study reported that a replacement diet with ancient Khorasan wheat led to an overall improvement in symptom severity of FM patients.

AIM

To examine the effects of ancient Khorasan wheat on the GM, inflammation, and short-chain fatty acid production in FM patients.

METHODS

After a 2-wk run-in period, 20 FM patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind crossover trial. In detail, they were assigned to consume either Khorasan or control wheat products for 8 wk and then, following an 8-wk washout period, crossed. Before and after treatments, GM characterization was performed by 16S rRNA sequencing while the fecal molecular inflammatory response and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were respectively determined with the Luminex MAGPIX detection system and a mass chromatography-mass spectrometry method.

RESULTS

The Khorasan wheat replacement diet, in comparison with the control wheat diet, had more positive effects on intestinal microbiota composition and on both the fecal immune and SCFAs profiles such as the significant increase of butyric acid levels (P = 0.054), candidatus Saccharibacteria (P = 9.95e-06) and Actinobacteria, and the reduction of Enterococcaceae (P = 4.97e-04). Moreover, the improvement of various FM symptoms along with the variation of some gut bacteria after the Khorasan wheat diet have been documented; in fact we reported positive correlations between Actinobacteria and both Tiredness Symptoms Scale (P < 0.001) and Functional Outcome of Sleep Questionnaire (P < 0.05) scores, between Verrucomicrobiae and both Widespread Pain Index (WPI) + Symptom Severity scale (SS) (P < 0.05) and WPI (P < 0.05) scores, between candidatus Saccharibacteria and SS score (P < 0.05), and between Bacteroidales and Sleep-Related and Safety Behaviour Questionnaire score (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The replacement diet based on ancient Khorasan wheat results in beneficial GM compositional and functional modifications that positively correlate with an improvement of FM symptomatology.

Impact of Food-Based Weight Loss Interventions on Gut Microbiome in Individuals with Obesity: A Systematic Review

The observation that the gut microbiota is different in healthy weight as compared with the obese state has sparked interest in the possible modulation of the microbiota in response to weight change. This systematic review investigates the effect of food-based weight loss diets on microbiota outcomes (α-diversity, β-diversity, relative bacterial abundance, and faecal short-chain fatty acids, SCFAs) in individuals without medical comorbidities who have successfully lost weight. Nineteen studies were included using the keywords ‘obesity’, ‘weight loss’, ‘microbiota’, and related terms. Across all 28 diet intervention arms, there were minimal changes in α- and β-diversity and faecal SCFA concentrations following weight loss. Changes in relative bacterial abundance at the phylum and genus level were inconsistent across studies. Further research with larger sample sizes, detailed dietary reporting, and consistent microbiota analysis techniques are needed to further our understanding of the effect of diet-induced weight loss on the gut microbiota.

Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome in Elite Cross-Country Skiers: A Controlled Study

Exercise has been shown to affect gut the microbiome and metabolic health, with athletes typically displaying a higher microbial diversity. However, research on the gut microbiota and systemic metabolism in elite athletes remains scarce. In this study, we compared the gut microbiota profiles and serum metabolome of national team cross-country skiers at the end of an exhausting training and competitive season to those of normally physically-active controls. The gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Serum metabolites were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance. Phylogenetic diversity and the abundance of several mucin-degrading gut microbial taxa, including Akkermansia, were lower in the athletes. The athletes had a healthier serum lipid profile than the controls, which was only partly explained by body mass index. Butyricicoccus associated positively with HDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol and HDL particle size. The Ruminococcus torques group was less abundant in the athlete group and positively associated with total cholesterol and VLDL and LDL particles. We found the healthier lipid profile of elite athletes to co-occur with known health-beneficial gut microbes. Further studies should elucidate these links and whether athletes are prone to mucin depletion related microbial changes during the competitive season.

Effects of caloric restriction on the gut microbiome are linked with immune senescence

BACKGROUND

Caloric restriction can delay the development of metabolic diseases ranging from insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes and is linked to both changes in the composition and metabolic function of the gut microbiota and immunological consequences. However, the interaction between dietary intake, the microbiome, and the immune system remains poorly described.

RESULTS

We transplanted the gut microbiota from an obese female before (AdLib) and after (CalRes) an 8-week very-low-calorie diet (800 kcal/day) into germ-free mice. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate taxa with differential abundance between the AdLib- and CalRes-microbiota recipients and single-cell multidimensional mass cytometry to define immune signatures in murine colon, liver, and spleen. Recipients of the CalRes sample exhibited overall higher alpha diversity and restructuring of the gut microbiota with decreased abundance of several microbial taxa (e.g., Clostridium ramosum, Hungatella hathewayi, Alistipi obesi). Transplantation of CalRes-microbiota into mice decreased their body fat accumulation and improved glucose tolerance compared to AdLib-microbiota recipients. Finally, the CalRes-associated microbiota reduced the levels of intestinal effector memory CD8+ T cells, intestinal memory B cells, and hepatic effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

CONCLUSION

Caloric restriction shapes the gut microbiome which can improve metabolic health and may induce a shift towards the naïve T and B cell compartment and, thus, delay immune senescence. Understanding the role of the gut microbiome as mediator of beneficial effects of low calorie diets on inflammation and metabolism may enhance the development of new therapeutic treatment options for metabolic diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01105143 , "Effects of negative energy balance on muscle mass regulation," registered 16 April 2010. Video Abstract.

Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Altered Gut Microbiota and Ameliorated Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Purpose

Low-dose interleukin-2 (ld-IL-2) has been shown to regulate the balance between effector T and regulatory T (Treg) cells and has been used in several clinical trials to treat autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we investigated the effects of ld-IL-2 on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.

Methods

Arthritis severity in CIA mice was measured using the arthritis index (AI), radiographs, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokines were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gut microbiota alterations and short-chain fatty acid production were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography.

Results

The AI scores of CIA mice treated with ld-IL-2 were significantly lower compared to the model group, which significantly reduced the severity of arthritis. Ld-IL-2 also altered the gut microbiota in CIA mice. The diversity, composition, and dominant species of gut microbiota were altered by ld-IL-2 treatment. Ld-IL-2 also increased short-chain fatty acid levels. There was a strong correlation between ld-IL-2 treatment and improved gut microbiota.

Conclusion

Ld-IL-2 significantly ameliorated joint inflammation and bone damage and improved gut microbial dysbiosis in CIA, indicating that it may be a promising therapy for RA patients.

The Mediterranean Diet Positively Affects Resting Metabolic Rate and Salivary Microbiota in Human Subjects: A Comparison with the Vegan Regimen

Simple Summary

Salivary microbiota has been shown to be individualized and influenced by genetic and environmental factors, including macronutrient intake and lifestyle. Herein, the effect of two long-term dietary patterns, the Mediterranean and the vegan diet, was analyzed on oral microbiota composition and metabolic profile of human subjects. Moreover, we correlated microbial species to metabolic parameters. Subjects following the Mediterranean diet had a wider spectrum of oral bacteria and a better metabolic profile compared to the vegan diet, confirming the positive effects of a Mediterranean diet.

Abstract

Salivary microbiota, comprising bacteria shed from oral surfaces, has been shown to be individualized, temporally stable, and influenced by macronutrient intake and lifestyle. Nevertheless, the effect of long-term dietary patterns on oral microbiota composition and the relationship between oral microbiota composition and metabolic rate remains to be examined. Herein, salivary microbiota composition and metabolic profile were analyzed in human subjects with vegan (VEG) or Mediterranean (MED) long-term dietary patterns. MED subjects presented significantly higher percentages of Subflava and Prevotella species as compared to VEG ones. Moreover, MED subjects showed a lower carbohydrate and a higher lipid consumption than VEG subjects, and, accordingly, a significantly higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) and a lower respiratory quotient (RQ). Prevotella abundance was demonstrated to be inversely related to RQ and carbohydrate consumption, whereas Subflava percentages were demonstrated to be positively correlated to BMR. Lactobacillus abundance, which was inversely related to Subflava presence in MED subjects, was associated with decreased BMR (Harris–Benedict) values. Overall, our data evidence the influence of macronutrient intake on metabolic profile and oral microbiota and confirm the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on BMR and on the abundance of microbial species associated with a better macronutrient metabolism.

Shifts in gut microbiota and their metabolites induced by bariatric surgery. Impact of factors shaping gut microbiota on bariatric surgery outcomes

Evidence suggests that bariatric surgery alters gut microbiota, although its impact at compositional and functional level is not well described. In this review, the most relevant findings, mainly described in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, are outlined. Although the number of studies has increased in the last years, conclusive assertions cannot be elaborated. An issue to address is to know the influence of these alterations on host metabolism and the contribution of gut microbiota derived metabolites. New lines of research have been focusing on analysing gut microbiota functionality rather than evaluating changes at compositional level, and the functions of gut microbiota metabolites in host metabolism, what will bring more relevant information about the influence of gut microbiota in bariatric surgery outcomes. Personalized medicine, because of the predictive value of gut microbiota, is another promising field. The possibility of a specific gut microbiota pattern that could predict type 2 diabetes remission or weight loss failure after bariatric surgery is a matter of great interest. However, little is known about how gut microbiota manipulation could contribute to the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery. Peri-operative antibiotics prophylaxis or probiotic supplementation early after surgery, are strategies barely studied so far, and could constitute a novel tool in the management of weight loss and metabolic profile improvement after surgery.

Association of Sarcopenia and Gut Microbiota Composition in Older Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, Investigation of the Interactions with Uremic Toxins, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We determined gut microbiota (gMB) composition in CKD patients with or without sarcopenia. Furthermore, we investigated whether in these patients, there was any association between gMB, uremic toxins, inflammation and oxidative stress. We analyzed gMB composition, uremic toxins (indoxyl sulphate and p-cresyl sulphate), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, interleukin 17, interleukin 12 p70, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and fetuin-A) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) of 64 elderly CKD patients (10 < eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m², not on dialysis) categorized as sarcopenic and not-sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was defined according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 criteria. Sarcopenic patients had a greater abundance of the Micrococcaceae and Verrucomicrobiaceae families and of Megasphaera, Rothia, Veillonella, Akkermansia and Coprobacillus genera. They had a lower abundance of the Gemellaceae and Veillonellaceae families and of Acidaminococcus and Gemella genera. GMB was associated with uremic toxins, inflammatory cytokines and MDA. However, uremic toxins, inflammatory cytokines and MDA were not different in sarcopenic compared with not-sarcopenic individuals, except for interleukin 10, which was higher in not-sarcopenic patients. In older CKD patients, gMB was different in sarcopenic than in not-sarcopenic ones. Several bacterial families and genera were associated with uremic toxins and inflammatory cytokines, although none of these latter substantially different in sarcopenic versus not-sarcopenic patients.

Precision nutrition based on phenotypical traits and the (epi)genotype: nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic approaches for obesity care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this article is to rationally review and critically appraise the current knowledge in the most relevant nongenetic and genetic factors influencing obesity predisposition. This information may be translated into the implementation of personalized nutrition approaches involving precision nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic strategies for obesity monitoring and weight management.

RECENT FINDINGS

The importance and influence of several nongenetic contributors to obesity onset and individual responses to weight-loss interventions have been highlighted including the role of age, sex or perinatal feeding and others related to an individual's lifestyle and modifiable. Nutrigenetic studies have analysed potential interactions between polymorphisms influencing energy homeostasis/body composition and dietary factors in relation to adiposity phenotypes and therapy responsiveness. A second approach comprises the Nutrigenomic analysis of gene expression modifications in response to the consumption of specific nutrients or dietary bioactive compounds, which may involve epigenetic mechanisms including deoxyribonucleic acid methylation and micro-ribonucleic acid expression profiles.

SUMMARY

Taken together, these findings encompass the importance of taking into account up-to-date advances in Nutrigenetic and Nutrigenomic hallmarks, globally analysing the risk of weight gain and related outcomes after following nutrition counselling, this contributing to improve obesity care considering phenotypical traits and the genetic make-up for precision obesity care.

Gut microbiota markers associated with obesity and overweight in Italian adults

In the present study, we characterized the distinctive signatures of the gut microbiota (GM) from overweight/obese patients (OB), and normal-weight controls (NW), both of Sardinian origin. Fecal bacterial composition of 46 OB patients (BMI = 36.6 ± 6.0; F/M = 40/6) was analyzed and compared to that of 46 NW subjects (BMI = 21.6 ± 2.1; F/M = 41/5), matched for sex, age and smoking status, by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing on MiSeq Illumina platform. The gut microbial community of OB patients exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of several Bacteroidetes taxa (i.e. Flavobacteriaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, Flavobacterium, Rikenella spp., Pedobacter spp., Parabacteroides spp., Bacteroides spp.) when compared to NW; instead, several Firmicutes taxa were significantly increased in the same subjects (Lachnospiraceae, Gemellaceae, Paenibacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Thermicanaceae, Gemella, Mitsuokella, Streptococcus, Acidaminococcus spp., Eubacterium spp., Ruminococcus spp., Megamonas spp., Streptococcus, Thermicanus, Megasphaera spp. and Veillonella spp.). Correlation analysis indicated that body fatness and waist circumference negatively correlated with Bacteroidetes taxa, while Firmicutes taxa positively correlated with body fat and negatively with muscle mass and/or physical activity level. Furthermore, the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family, known to exhibit endotoxic activity, was increased in the OB group compared to NW. The results extend our knowledge on the GM profiles in Italian OB, identifying novel taxa linking obesity and intestine.

Diet- and sex-related changes of gut microbiota composition and functional profiles after 4 months of weight loss intervention

PURPOSE

Obesity has been related to intestinal dysbiosis and the modification of gut microbiota composition by dietary strategies becomes a promising strategy to help manage obesity. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of two weight-loss diets on the composition and functional profile of gut microbiota.

METHODS

55 men and 124 women with BMI > 25 kg/m² were randomly assigned to moderately high-protein (MHP) or low-fat (LF) diet. Differences in fecal bacteria abundance (based on 16 s rRNA sequencing) between before and after 4 months of calorie restriction was analyzed using EdgeR tool in MicrobiomeAnalyst platform. Bacterial functional profile was predicted using Tax4Fun and metagenomeSeq analysis. Significant KEGG Orthology (KO) terms were selected for the metabolomic study using chromatography.

RESULTS

After the intervention, MHP-men showed a significant decrease in Negativicutes, Selenomonadales, Dielma and Dielma fastidiosa. LF-men showed a significant increase in Bacilli, Lactobacillales, Christensenellaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae, Peptococcus, Streptococcus and Christensenella, Duncaniella dubosii_CP039396_93.49%, Roseburia sp_AB744234_98.96% and Alistipes inops_KJ572413_99.57%. MHP-women increased Pasteurellales, Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans_LR215981_99.55% and decreased in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens_NR112902_99.56%. Finally, LF-women presented a significant decrease in Bacteroides clarus and Erysipelothrix inopinata_CP060715_84.4%. Surprisingly, no matching bacterial changes were found between these four groups. A total of 42 KO, 10 metabolic pathways and 107 related metabolites related were found implicated in these bacterial changes. Seven metabolites were confirmed in plasma.

CONCLUSION

Weight-loss-related-changes in gut microbiome composition and the functional profile occur in a sex- and diet-related manner, showing that women and men could differentially benefit from the consumption of MHP and LF diets.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02737267, 10th March 2016 retrospectively registered.

A Diet for Healthy Weight: Why Reaching a Consensus Seems Difficult

Overweight and obesity are global health problems that contribute to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The World Health Organization recognizes obesity as a primarily diet-induced, preventable condition, yet losing weight or keeping weight loss permanent is a universal challenge. In the U.S., formal dietary guidelines have existed since 1980. Over the same time-period, the incidence of obesity has skyrocketed. Here, we present our perspective on why current dietary guidelines are not always supported by a robust body of scientific data and emphasize the critical need for accelerated nutrition research funding. A clear understanding of the interaction of dietary patterns with system-level biological changes in a precise, response-specific manner can help inform evidence-based nutrition education, policy, and practice.