The Effect of Nutritional Intervention with Lactoferrin, Galactooligosacharides and Vitamin D on the Gut Microbiota Composition of Healthy Elderly Women

Distinguishing bipolar depression, bipolar mania, and major depressive disorder by gut microbial characteristics

BACKGROUND

Gut microbial disturbance has been widely confirmed in mood disorders. However, little is known about whether gut microbial characteristics can distinguish major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depression (BP-D), and bipolar mania (BP-M).

METHODS

This was a prospective case-control study. The composition of gut microbiota was profiled using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of fecal samples and compared between healthy controls (HC; n = 46), MDD (n = 51), BP-D (n = 44), and patients with BP-M (n = 45).

RESULTS

Gut microbial compositions were remarkably changed in the patients with MDD, BP-D, and BP-M. Compared to HC, distinct gut microbiome signatures were found in MDD, BP-D, and BP-M, and some gut microbial changes were overlapping between the three mood disorders. Furthermore, we identified a signature of 7 operational taxonomic units (OUT; Prevotellaceae-related OUT22, Prevotellaceae-related OUT31, Prevotellaceae-related OTU770, Ruminococcaceae-related OUT70, Bacteroidaceae-related OTU1536, Propionibacteriaceae-related OTU97, Acidaminococcaceae-related OTU34) that can distinguish patients with MDD from those with BP-D, BP-M, or HC, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.910 to 0.996.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide the clinical rationale for the discriminative diagnosis of MDD, BP-D, and BP-M by characteristic gut microbial features.

Nutraceutical and Health-Promoting Potential of Lactoferrin, an Iron-Binding Protein in Human and Animal: Current Knowledge

Lactoferrin is a natural cationic iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family found in bovine milk and other exocrine secretions, including lacrimal fluid, saliva, and bile. Lactoferrin has been investigated for its numerous powerful influences, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-osteoporotic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and other beneficial health effects. Lactoferrin demonstrated several nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potentials and have a significant impact on improving the health of humans and animals. Lactoferrin plays a critical role in keeping the normal physiological homeostasis associated with the development of pathological disorders. The current review highlights the medicinal value, nutraceutical role, therapeutic application, and outstanding favorable health sides of lactoferrin, which would benefit from more exploration of this glycoprotein for the design of effective medicines, drugs, and pharmaceuticals for safeguarding different health issues in animals and humans.

Effects of Nutritional Interventions on Intestinal Microbiota

The gut microbiota is considered a new probable factor strongly connected with pathogenesis of many civilization's diseases [...].

Lactoferrin: Antimicrobial impacts, genomic guardian, therapeutic uses and clinical significance for humans and animals

Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein found in several bodily fluids, such as milk. This protein has a diverse range of functions and is evolutionarily conserved. Lactoferrin is a multifunction protein with distinct biological abilities affecting mammals' immune structures. Reports indicated that the daily uptake of LF from dairy products is unsatisfactory in detecting further health-promoting abilities. Research has shown that it protects against infection, mitigates cellular senescence, and improves nutritional quality. Additionally, LF is being studied as a potential treatment for various diseases and conditions, including gastrointestinal issues and infections. Studies have also demonstrated its effectiveness against various viruses and bacteria. In this article, we'll look closer at the structure of LF and its various biological activities, including its antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporotic, detoxifying, and immunomodulatory properties. More specifically, the protective effect of LF against oxidative DNA damage was also clarified through its ability to abolish DNA damaging issues without interfacing with host genetic material. Fortification with LF protects mitochondria dysfunction syndromes via sustaining redox status and biogenesis and suppressing apoptosis and autophagy singling. Additionally, we'll examine the potential benefits of lactoferrin and provide an overview of recent clinical trials conducted to examine its use in laboratory and living models.