Phenyllactic Acid from Lactobacillus plantarum PromotesAdipogenic Activity in 3T3-L1 Adipocyte via Up-Regulationof PPAR-γ2

Enhancing bacterial cellulose production of Komagataeibacter nataicola through fermented coconut water by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: A metabonomics approach

Nata de coco, an edible bacterial cellulose (BC) product, is a traditional dessert fermented in coconut water. Production of Nata de coco by Komagataeibacter nataicola is enhanced by pre-fermented coconut water, but its instability is a challenge. Here, BC production by K. nataicola Y19 was significantly improved by Saccharomyces cerevisiae 84-3 through shaping the metabolite profile of the coconut water. Different fermentation time with S. cerevisiae 84-3 resulted in distinct metabolite profiles and different promoting effect on BC yield. Compared to unfermented coconut water, coconut water fermented by S. cerevisiae 84-3 for 1d and 7d enhanced BC yield by 14.1-fold and 5.63-fold, respectively. Analysis between unfermented coconut water and 1d-fermented coconut water showed 129 significantly different metabolites, including organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides, and their derivatives. Prolonged fermentation for 7d changed levels of 155 metabolites belongs to organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides and their derivatives. Spearman correlation analysis further revealed that 17 metabolites were positively correlated with BC yield and 21 metabolites were negatively correlated with BC yield. These metabolites may affect energy metabolism, cell signaling, membrane integrity, and BC production by K. nataicola Y19. The further verification experiment gave the view that BC yield was not only closely related to the types of metabolites but also the concentration of metabolites. This study provides a novel theoretical framework for a highly efficient BC fermentation system utilizing stable fermented coconut water mediums.

Metabolites of Kimchi Lactic Acid Bacteria, Indole-3-Lactic Acid, Phenyllactic Acid, and Leucic Acid, Inhibit Obesity-Related Inflammation in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Given the diversity of vegetables utilized in food fermentation and various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations in these materials, comprehensive studies on LAB from vegetable foods, including kimchi, are imperative. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the obesity-related inflammation response of three metabolites-phenyllactic acid (PLA), indole-3-lactic acid (ILA), and leucic acid (LA)-produced by LAB (Companilactobacillus allii WiKim39 and Lactococcus lactis WiKim0124) isolated from kimchi. Their effects on tumor necrosis factor-α-induced changes in adipokines and inflammatory response in adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells were examined. The study results showed that PLA, ILA, and LA, particularly PLA, effectively reduced lipid accumulation and triglyceride, glycerol, free fatty acid, and adiponectin levels. Furthermore, the identified metabolites were found to modulate the expression of signaling proteins involved in adipogenesis and inflammation. Specifically, these metabolites were associated with enriched expression in the chemokine signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, which are critical pathways involved in regulating immune responses and inflammation. PLA, ILA, and LA also suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and several inflammatory markers, with the PLA-treated group exhibiting the lowest levels. These results suggest that PLA, ILA, and LA are potential therapeutic agents for treating obesity and inflammation by regulating adipokine secretion and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Characterizing the metabolic divide: distinctive metabolites differentiating CAD-T2DM from CAD patients

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the metabolomic differences in plasma samples between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and those with concomitant CAD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to pinpoint distinctive metabolites indicative of T2DM risk.

METHOD

Plasma samples from CAD and CAD-T2DM patients across three centers underwent comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to discern the relationship between the identified metabolites and T2DM risk. Characteristic metabolites' metabolic impacts were further probed through hepatocyte cellular experiments. Subsequent transcriptomic analyses elucidated the potential target sites explaining the metabolic actions of these metabolites.

RESULTS

Metabolomic analysis revealed 192 and 95 significantly altered profiles in the discovery (FDR < 0.05) and validation (P < 0.05) cohorts, respectively, that were associated with T2DM risk in univariate logistic regression. Further multivariate regression analyses identified 22 characteristic metabolites consistently associated with T2DM risk in both cohorts. Notably, pipecolinic acid and L-pipecolic acid, lysine derivatives, exhibited negative association with CAD-T2DM and influenced cellular glucose metabolism in hepatocytes. Transcriptomic insights shed light on potential metabolic action sites of these metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

This research underscores the metabolic disparities between CAD and CAD-T2DM patients, spotlighting the protective attributes of pipecolinic acid and L-pipecolic acid. The comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic findings provide novel insights into the mechanism research, prophylaxis and treatment of comorbidity of CAD and T2DM.

[Yifei Sanjie Pills alleviates cancer-related skeletal muscle atrophy in mice possibly by lowering inflammatory insulin resistance]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Yifei Sanjie Pills (YFSJ) on weight, strength, pathology, glycogen and lipid contents and metabolism of skeletal muscles in tumor-bearing mice and explore the therapeutic mechanism of YFSJ for cancer-related skeletal muscle atrophy.

METHODS

Sixteen female ICR mice bearing intraperitoneal Lewis lung adenocarcinoma xenografts were randomized into model group and YFSJ treatment group (daily dose of 4 g/kg for 21 days, n=8), with another 8 normal mice as the normal control group. The changes in body weight and gastrocnemius muscle weight of the mice were recorded. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to analyze the drug components in YFSJ entering the blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum blood glucose and insulin concentrations and inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum and gastrocnemius. RNA-seq was performed to analyze the signaling pathways involved in the pathologies of the gastrocnemius muscle, and lipid contents in the muscle were observed using Oil red O staining. Adenosine triphosphatase staining was used to assess the metabolic intensity of the gastrocnemius muscle, and inflammatory cell infiltration and P-AKT level were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining; the contents of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and myoglobin in the gastrocnemius muscle were also detected.

RESULTS

Treatment with YFSJ significantly increased skeletal muscle strength and gastrocnemius muscle weight (P < 0.001) and reduced the levels of gastrocnemius muscle injury markers in the tumor-bearing mice (P < 0.01). RNA-seq and LC-MS showed that YFSJ alleviated gastrocnemius muscle injury in the tumor-bearing mice possibly by improving inflammatory infiltration, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). YFSJ lowered inflammatory cytokine levels in both the serum and gastrocnemius muscle (P < 0.05), reduced pro-inflammatory cell infiltration, increased P-AKT level, and improved glycogen and lipid contents and metabolic levels in the gastrocnemius muscle.

CONCLUSION

YFSJ alleviates cancer-related skeletal muscle atrophy possibly by reducing inflammatory insulin resistance.

An early-life microbiota metabolite protects against obesity by regulating intestinal lipid metabolism

The mechanisms by which the early-life microbiota protects against environmental factors that promote childhood obesity remain largely unknown. Using a mouse model in which young mice are simultaneously exposed to antibiotics and a high-fat (HF) diet, we show that Lactobacillus species, predominant members of the small intestine (SI) microbiota, regulate intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to limit diet-induced obesity during early life. A Lactobacillus-derived metabolite, phenyllactic acid (PLA), protects against metabolic dysfunction caused by early-life exposure to antibiotics and a HF diet by increasing the abundance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in SI IECs. Therefore, PLA is a microbiota-derived metabolite that activates protective pathways in the small intestinal epithelium to regulate intestinal lipid metabolism and prevent antibiotic-associated obesity during early life.

Schisandrin C isolated from Schisandra chinensis fruits inhibits lipid accumulation by regulating adipogenesis and lipolysis through AMPK signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

In this study, lignans of Schisandra chinensis fruits (SCF) were profiled using HPLC-MS/MS, and the inhibitory effects of nine of these lignans were evaluated on triglyceride (TG) accumulation. We then examined the effects and molecular mechanisms on adipogenesis and lipolysis of schisandrin C (SC), which most inhibited TG levels during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with SC markedly decreased adipocyte differentiation but did not influence cell proliferation. During adipogenesis, SC significantly reduced total lipid and TG contents and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of C/EBPα, PPARγ, SREBP1c, aP2, and FAS. In addition, SC significantly increased p-AMPK, and this activation regulated the protein levels of major adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ and C/EBPα). Furthermore, SC lowered the mRNA expressions of HSL and perilipin and inhibited pancreatic lipase levels, which are both related to lipolysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Our results indicate that SC regulates lipogenesis and lipolysis by increasing AMPK phosphorylation and suggest that it may be beneficial for preventing obesity and related metabolic diseases. Thus, this study proposes a mechanical basis for developing SC-containing foods as a beneficial dietary strategy.

Microbe-bridged disease-metabolite associations identification by heterogeneous graph fusion

MOTIVATION

Metabolomics has developed rapidly in recent years, and metabolism-related databases are also gradually constructed. Nowadays, more and more studies are being carried out on diverse microbes, metabolites and diseases. However, the logics of various associations among microbes, metabolites and diseases are limited understanding in the biomedicine of gut microbial system. The collection and analysis of relevant microbial bioinformation play an important role in the revelation of microbe-metabolite-disease associations. Therefore, the dataset that integrates multiple relationships and the method based on complex heterogeneous graphs need to be developed.

RESULTS

In this study, we integrated some databases and extracted a variety of associations data among microbes, metabolites and diseases. After obtaining the three interconnected bilateral association data (microbe-metabolite, metabolite-disease and disease-microbe), we considered building a heterogeneous graph to describe the association data. In our model, microbes were used as a bridge between diseases and metabolites. In order to fuse the information of disease-microbe-metabolite graph, we used the bipartite graph attention network on the disease-microbe and metabolite-microbe bipartite graph. The experimental results show that our model has good performance in the prediction of various disease-metabolite associations. Through the case study of type 2 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel disease and liver cirrhosis, it is noted that our proposed methodology are valuable for the mining of other associations and the prediction of biomarkers for different human diseases.Availability and implementation: https://github.com/Selenefreeze/DiMiMe.git.

Biological characterization of D-lactate dehydrogenase responsible for high-yield production of D-phenyllactic acid in Sporolactobacillus inulinus

PLA (3‐D‐phenyllactic acid) is an ideal antimicrobial and immune regulatory compound present in honey and fermented foods. Sporolactobacillus inulinus is regarded as a potent D‐PLA producer that reduces phenylpyruvate (PPA) with D‐lactate dehydrogenases. In this study, PLA was produced by whole‐cell bioconversion of S. inulinus ATCC 15538. Three genes encoding D‐lactate dehydrogenase (d‐ldh1, d‐ldh2, and d‐ldh3) were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and their biochemical and structural properties were characterized. Consequently, a high concentration of pure D‐PLA (47 mM) was produced with a high conversion yield of 88%. Among the three enzymes, D‐LDH1 was responsible for the efficient conversion of PPA to PLA with kinetic parameters of Km (0.36 mM), k_cat (481.10 s⁻¹), and k_cat/Km (1336.39 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹). In silico structural analysis and site‐directed mutagenesis revealed that the Ile307 in D‐LDH1 is a key residue for excellent PPA reduction with low steric hindrance at the substrate entrance. This study highlights that S. inulinus ATCC 15538 is an excellent PLA producer, equipped with a highly specific and efficient D‐LDH1 enzyme.

Different Types and Functional Effects of Probiotics on Human Health through Regulating Glucose Homeostasis

With the increasing improvement of people's living standards, hyperglycemia has become one of the most frequent diseases in the world. The current drug therapy may have some negative effects and even cause some complications. As one of the most popular functional ingredients, probiotic bacteria have been proven to play important roles in balancing the glucose homeostasis level in animal and human clinic trials. In this perspective, we sorted three types of probiotics, discussed probiotic safety evaluation, and listed the known probiotic functional foods that assist to control glucose homeostasis. Then, the further summarization of the mechanisms on how probiotic bacteria could regulate glucose homeostasis and the developing trend of probiotic functional foods were discussed.

Some Important Metabolites Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria Originated from Kimchi

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used for various food fermentations for thousands of years. Recently, LAB are receiving increased attention due to their great potential as probiotics for man and animals, and also as cell factories for producing enzymes, antibodies, vitamins, exopolysaccharides, and various feedstocks. LAB are safe organisms with GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status and possess relatively simple metabolic pathways easily subjected to modifications. However, relatively few studies have been carried out on LAB inhabiting plants compared to dairy LAB. Kimchi is a Korean traditional fermented vegetable, and its fermentation is carried out by LAB inhabiting plant raw materials of kimchi. Kimchi represents a model food with low pH and is fermented at low temperatures and in anaerobic environments. LAB have been adjusting to kimchi environments, and produce various metabolites such as bacteriocins, γ-aminobutyric acid, ornithine, exopolysaccharides, mannitol, etc. as products of metabolic efforts to adjust to the environments. The metabolites also contribute to the known health-promoting effects of kimchi. Due to the recent progress in multi-omics technologies, identification of genes and gene products responsible for the synthesis of functional metabolites becomes easier than before. With the aid of tools of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, it can be envisioned that LAB strains producing valuable metabolites in large quantities will be constructed and used as starters for foods and probiotics for improving human health. Such LAB strains can also be useful as production hosts for value-added products for food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. In this review, recent findings on the selected metabolites produced by kimchi LAB are discussed, and the potentials of metabolites will be mentioned.

Probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus strains isolated from cheese and their antibacterial properties against gastrointestinal tract pathogens

In the present study, four Lactobacillus strains from the cheese were analyzed for its probiotic potential against enteropathogenic bacteria. The probiotic properties of the selected strains were also analyzed and the selected bacterial strains showed high tolerance in bile salts and organic acid. The strain L. plantarum LP049 showed maximum survival rate (92 ± 4.2% and 93.3 ± 2%) after 3 h of treatment at 0.25% (w/v) bile salts and 0.25% (w/v) organic acid concentrations. The ability of the Lactobacillus strains to adhere to human epithelial cells (HT-29 cell lines) was evaluated and L. plantarum LP049 showed maximum adhesion property (19.2 ± 1.1%) than other tested strains. The Lactobacillus strains produced lactic acid at various concentrations. Compared with other strains, maximum level of lactic acid (3.1 g/L), hydrogen peroxide (4.31 mM) and bacteriocin (31 AU/mg) was detected in LB049. The inhibitory activity of culture supernatant against various bacterial pathogens was observed. The zone of inhibition ranged between 6 ± 2 mm and 23 ± 2 mm. The cell free extract showed activity against, Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Shigella flexneri (ATCC 29903), and Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 8459). Consequently, L. plantarum LP049 may be considered as a potential candidate for the production of novel bioactive metabolites for therapeutic and bio-protective applications.

Biological Activities of Z-Lycopenes Contained in Food

Mono-(5Z)-, -(9Z)-, and -(13Z)-lycopenes are found in food containing processed tomato products, while tetra-Z-(7Z, 9Z, 7'Z, 9'Z)-lycopene (prolycopene) is found in tangerine-strain tomatoes. We prepared pure mono-Z-lycopenes from all-E-lycopene via chemical reaction (heating in CH₂Cl₂ at 80℃ for 1 h) followed by purification using preparative silica gel HPLC, while prolycopene was isolated from tangerine tomatoes by partitioning with n-hexane and 90% MeOH followed by silica gel column chromatography. A simple method of distinguishing the mono-Z-lycopenes using the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of their Z-methyl carbons is proposed. Additionally, the ¹O₂ quenching and 3T3-L1 cell differentiation activities of the compounds were then compared with all-E-lycopene for the first time. All the evaluated Z-isomers showed ¹O₂ quenching activities that were equal to or slightly lower than that of all-E-lycopene, with the IC₅₀ values for the ¹O₂ quenching activities of (all-E)-, (5Z)-, (9Z)-, (13Z)-, and (7Z, 9Z, 7'Z, 9'Z)-lycopene being 4.4±0.36, 4.0±1.44, 5.3±1.08, 6.9±1.67, and 8.7±0.34 µM, respectively. The mouse 3T3-L1 cell differentiation activities followed the order: (all-E) > (9Z) > (5Z) ≈ (9Z) ≈ (13Z) ≈ (7Z, 9Z, 7'Z, 9'Z).

Dietary Components, Microbial Metabolites and Human Health: Reading between the Lines

Trillions of bacteria reside in the human gut and they metabolize dietary substances to obtain nutrients and energy while producing metabolites. Therefore, different dietary components could affect human health in various ways through microbial metabolism. Many such metabolites have been shown to affect human physiological activities, including short-chain fatty acids metabolized from carbohydrates; indole, kynurenic acid and para-cresol, metabolized from amino acids; conjugated linoleic acid and linoleic acid, metabolized from lipids. Here, we review the features of these metabolites and summarize the possible molecular mechanisms of their metabolisms by gut microbiota. We discuss the potential roles of these metabolites in health and diseases, and the interactions between host metabolism and the gut microbiota. We also show some of the major dietary patterns around the world and hope this review can provide insights into our eating habits and improve consumers' health conditions.

Probiotic BSH Activity and Anti-Obesity Potential of Lactobacillus plantarum Strain TCI378 Isolated from Korean Kimchi

Lactobacillus (Lab.) is a human probiotic beneficial for the prevention and improvement of disease, yet properties of different Lab. strains are diverse. To obtain a Lab. strain that possesses greater potential against gastrointestinal dysfunction, we isolated Lactobacillus plantarum TCI378 (TCI378) from naturally fermented Korean kimchi. TCI378 has shown potential as probiotic since it can survive at pH 3.0 and in the presence of 0.3% bile acid. The bile salt hydrolase activity of TCI378 was shown by formation of opaque granular white colonies on solid de Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) medium supplemented with taurodeoxycholic acid, and its cholesterol-lowering ability in MRS medium supplemented with cholesterol. The metabolites of TCI378 from liquid culture in MRS medium prevented emulsification of bile salts. Moreover, both the metabolites of TCI378 and the dead bacteria reduced oil droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1, as detected by Oil red O staining. The expressions of adipocyte-specific genes perilipin 1 and glucose transporter type 4 were suppressed by the metabolites of TCI378, indicating TCI378 may have anti-obesity effects in adipocytes. These in vitro data show the potential of the prophylactic applications of TCI378 and its metabolites for reducing fat and lowering cholesterol.

Reducing urinary oxalate by simultaneous using Sankol herbal drop with oxalate-degrading bacteria

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Oxalate degrading bacteria and herbal extracts are new strategy for reducing hyperoxaluria. In Iranian traditional medicine, Sankol oral drop is widely used as an antispasmodic drug to reduce stones from urinary tract. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of oxalate-degrading bacteria and Sankol oral drop in reducing urinary oxalate in rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several bacterial strains, including Lactobacillus (4), Bifidobacterium (2) and L. paracasei (2) (very strong in degrading oxalate in vitro) were used in this study. Male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6). The rats of Group I received normal diet and drinking water + 60% ethanol (positive group). Groups II (negative group), III, IV, V, and VI rats received diet containing ethylene glycol (3%) for 30 days. Groups III rats received Sankol with minimum concentration (7.5 ml/kg/b.w), Group IV rats received Sankol with maximum concentration (9 ml/kg/b.w), Group V rats received Sankol with minimum concentration + probiotic, and Group VI rats received Sankol with maximum concentration + probiotic for 30 days.

RESULTS

Treatment with Sankol (maximum concentration) and oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria significantly reduced urinary oxalate (P = .0001). At the end of treatment period, rats in groups II (negative control) showed a high score of CaOx crystal, while rats in VI groups did not show any CaOx crystal.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study on the simultaneous use of Sankol herbal drop and oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria that showed a significant reduction in urinary oxalate.

In vitro importance of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum related to medical field

Lactobacillus plantarum is a Gram positive lactic acid bacterium commonly found in fermented food and in the gastro intestinal tract and is commonly used in the food industry as a potential starter probiotic. Recently, the consumption of food together with probiotics has tremendously increased. Among the lactic acid bacteria, L. plantarum attracted many researchers because of its wide applications in the medical field with antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-obesity and antidiabetic properties. The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro importance of L. plantarum toward medical applications. Moreover, this report short listed various reports related to the applications of this promising strain. In conclusion, this study would attract the researchers in commercializing this strain toward the welfare of humans related to medical needs.