Depletion of the diabetic gut microbiota resistance enhances stem cells therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Trilobatin, a Novel Naturally Occurring Food Additive, Ameliorates Alcoholic Liver Disease in Mice: Involvement of Microbiota-Gut-Liver Axis and Yap/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Trilobatin, a novel natural food additive, exerts a protective effect on acute liver injury. However, whether Trilobatin can protect against alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has not been elucidated. This research is intended to ascertain the impact of Trilobatin on ALD in mice and decipher the potential underlying mechanisms. Lieber-DeCarli liquid alcohol diet was used to induce ALD in mice, followed by administration of Trilobatin (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 15 days. The results suggested that Trilobatin significantly alleviated ethanol-induced hepatic injury in mice. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis revealed that yes-associated protein (YAP) downregulation occurred in the liver after Trilobatin treatment. Mechanistically, Trilobatin directly bound to YAP and hindered its nuclear translocation, which activated the Nrf2 pathway to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Intriguingly, 16S rDNA analysis results revealed that Trilobatin reshaped the gut microbiota, reducing harmful bacteria and increasing beneficial bacteria. It also enhanced tight junction proteins, defending against damage to the intestinal barrier. These findings not only highlight the microbiota-gut-liver axis and YAP/Nrf2 pathway as crucial potential targets to treat ALD but also reveal that Trilobatin effectively protects against ALD, at least partly, through modulating the microbiota-gut-liver axis and YAP/Nrf2 pathway.

Gut microbiome shifts in people with type 1 diabetes are associated with glycaemic control: an INNODIA study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The gut microbiome is implicated in the disease process leading to clinical type 1 diabetes, but less is known about potential changes in the gut microbiome after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and implications in glucose homeostasis. We aimed to analyse potential associations between the gut microbiome composition and clinical and laboratory data during a 2 year follow-up of people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, recruited to the Innovative approaches to understanding and arresting type 1 diabetes (INNODIA) study. In addition, we analysed the microbiome composition in initially unaffected family members, who progressed to clinical type 1 diabetes during or after their follow-up for 4 years.

METHODS

We characterised the gut microbiome composition of 98 individuals with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (ND cohort) and 194 autoantibody-positive unaffected family members (UFM cohort), representing a subgroup of the INNODIA Natural History Study, using metagenomic sequencing. Participants from the ND cohort attended study visits within 6 weeks from the diagnosis and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months later for stool sample collection and laboratory tests (HbA1c, C-peptide, diabetes-associated autoantibodies). Participants from the UFM cohort were assessed at baseline and 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months later.

RESULTS

We observed a longitudinal increase in 21 bacterial species in the ND cohort but not in the UFM cohort. The relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was inversely associated with the HbA1c levels at diagnosis (p=0.0019). The rate of the subsequent disease progression in the ND cohort, as assessed by change in HbA1c, C-peptide levels and insulin dose, was associated with the abundance of several bacterial species. Individuals with rapid decrease in C-peptide levels in the ND cohort had the lowest gut microbiome diversity. Nineteen individuals who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the UFM cohort had increased abundance of Sutterella sp. KLE1602 compared with the undiagnosed UFM individuals (p=1.2 × 10-4).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our data revealed associations between the gut microbiome composition and the disease progression in individuals with recent-onset type 1 diabetes. Future mechanistic studies as well as animal studies and human trials are needed to further validate the significance and causality of these associations.

Regulated intestinal microbiota and gut immunity to ameliorate type 1 diabetes mellitus: A novel mechanism for stem cell-based therapy

Although stem cell transplantation is an effective strategy in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain unclear. We hypothesized that stem cells target gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal immunity to promote therapeutic effects against T1DM. We investigated the effects of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) on intestinal microbiota and mucosal immunity in streptozotocin-induced T1DM mice. hAMSCs promoted significant reductions in blood glucose levels and increased the number of insulin-secreting cells in the T1DM model. Compared with T1DM model mice, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed significant differences in the composition, diversity, and abundance of microbiota in the ileum of hAMSC-treated mice. Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, and Alcaligenes species were among the 15 most abundant differential bacterial species. LC-MS revealed significant changes in ileal metabolites, and among the top 100 differential metabolites identified, we found that a significant increase in taurine was closely associated with hAMSC therapy. Additionally, we detected significant differences between the two groups with respect to the frequency and phenotype of CD4+ T cell subsets in mesenteric lymph nodes, and hAMSCs promoted significant increases in Th2 and Treg cell frequencies and reduced the frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed pairwise correlations between differential microflora and differential metabolites and immune signatures. hAMSCs thus have positive effects on the microbiota and their metabolites in the ileum and intestinal mucosal immunity in T1DM. Our findings indicate that gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal immunity may play vital roles in the hAMSC-based treatment of T1DM.

Intestinal flora: a potential pathogenesis mechanism and treatment strategy for type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia, and its incidence is increasing year by year. The pathogenesis of T1DM is complex, mainly including genetic and environmental factors. Intestinal flora is the largest microbial community in the human body and plays a very important role in human health and disease. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that intestinal flora and its metabolites, as an environmental factor, regulate the development of T1DM through various mechanisms such as altering the intestinal mucosal barrier, influencing insulin secretion and body immune regulation. Intestinal flora transplantation, probiotic supplementation, and other approaches to modulate the intestinal flora appear to be potential therapeutic approaches for T1DM. This article reviews the dysbiosis of the intestinal flora in T1DM, the potential mechanisms by which the intestinal flora affects T1DM, as well as discusses potential approaches to treating T1DM by intervening in the intestinal flora.

Exploring a novel therapeutic strategy: the interplay between gut microbiota and high-fat diet in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders

In the past two decades, the rapid increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and hyperuricemia, has been attributed to high-fat diets (HFD) and decreased physical activity levels. Although the phenotypes and pathologies of these metabolic diseases vary, patients with these diseases exhibit disease-specific alterations in the composition and function of their gut microbiota. Studies in germ-free mice have shown that both HFD and gut microbiota can promote the development of metabolic diseases, and HFD can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota. Therefore, investigating the interaction between gut microbiota and HFD in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This review takes HFD as the starting point, providing a detailed analysis of the pivotal role of HFD in the development of metabolic disorders. It comprehensively elucidates the impact of HFD on the balance of intestinal microbiota, analyzes the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota dysbiosis leading to metabolic disruptions, and explores the associated genetic factors. Finally, the potential of targeting the gut microbiota as a means to address metabolic disturbances induced by HFD is discussed. In summary, this review offers theoretical support and proposes new research avenues for investigating the role of nutrition-related factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in the organism.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviate oxidative stress-induced islet impairment via the Nrf2/HO-1 axis

Hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress may disrupt insulin secretion and β-cell survival in diabetes mellitus by overproducing reactive oxygen species. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) exhibit antioxidant properties. However, the mechanisms by which hUC-MSCs protect β-cells from high glucose-induced oxidative stress remain underexplored. In this study, we showed that intravenously injected hUC-MSCs engrafted into the injured pancreas and promoted pancreatic β-cell function in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The in vitro study revealed that hUC-MSCs attenuated high glucose-induced oxidative stress and prevented β-cell impairment via the Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway. Nrf2 knockdown partially blocked the anti-oxidative effect of hUC-MSCs, resulting in β-cell decompensation in a high-glucose environment. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into how hUC-MSCs protect β-cells from high glucose-induced oxidative stress.

Effect of lawsone-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells on the regeneration of pancreatic β cells in Type 1 diabetic rats

Diabetes is one of the major health issues globally. Type 1 diabetes mellitus develops due to the destruction of pancreatic β cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) having remarkable self-renewal and differentiation potential, can regenerate β cells. MSCs preconditioned with bioactive small molecules possess enhanced biological features and therapeutic potential under in vivo environment. Interestingly, compounds of naphthoquinone class possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be explored as potential candidates for preconditioning MSCs. This study analyzed the effect of lawsone-preconditioned human umbilical cord MSCs (hUMSCs) on the regeneration of β cells in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Type 1 diabetes (T1D) rats. hUMSCs were isolated and characterized for the presence of surface markers. MSCs were preconditioned with optimized concentration of lawsone. T1D rat model was established by injecting 50 mg/kg of STZ intraperitoneally. Untreated and lawsone-preconditioned hUMSCs were transplanted into the diabetic rats via tail vein. Fasting blood sugar and body weight were monitored regularly for 4 weeks. Pancreas was harvested and β cell regeneration was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and gene expression analysis. Immunohistochemistry was also done to assess the insulin expression. Lawsone-preconditioned hUMSCs showed better anti-hyperglycemic effect in comparison with untreated hUMSCs. Histological analysis presented the regeneration of islets of Langerhans with upregulated expression of βcell genes and reduced expression of inflammatory markers. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong insulin expression in the preconditioned hUMSCs compared with the untreated hUMSCs. It is concluded from the present study that lawsone-preconditioned hMSCs were able to exhibit pronounced anti-hyperglycemic effect in vivo compared with hUMSCs alone.

Nd:YAG-photobiomodulation enhanced ADSCs multilineage differentiation and immunomodulation potentials

To investigate the effects of Nd: YAG (1064 nm) photobiomodulation on multilineage differentiation and immunomodulation potentials of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro experiments, cells were divided into the control group (non-irradiated control ADSCs) and photobiomodulation groups. 0.5 J/cm2, 1 J/cm2, 2 J/cm2, and 4 J/cm2 were used for proliferation assays; for ADSCs adipogenic differentiation assays, 0.5 J/cm2, 1 J/cm2 were applied; 1 J/cm2 was used for migration and immunomodulation assays. The differentiation abilities were assessed by qPCR, Oil Red O staining, and Alizarin Red staining. The immunomodulation potential was assessed by qPCR and human cytokine array. DSS-induced colitis model. was used to test the effect of photobiomodulation on ADSCs immunomodulation potentials in vivo. Nd:YAG-based photobiomodulation dose-dependently promoted ADSCs proliferation and migration; 1 J/cm2 showed the best promotion effect on proliferation. Moreover, Nd:YAG photobiomodulation promoted ADSCs osteogenic differentiation and brown adipose adipogenic differentiation. The potential immunomodulation assays showed Nd:YAG photobiomodulation improved Anti-inflammation capacity of ADSCs and photobiomodulation irradiated ADSCs effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis severity in vivo. Our study suggests Nd:YAG photobiomodulation might enhance the ADSCs multilineage differentiation and immunomodulation potentials. These results might help to enhance ADSCs therapeutic effects for clinical application. However, further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of Nd:YAG photobiomodulation promoting multilineage differentiation and immunomodulation potentials of ADSCs.

Gut Microbiota and Critical Metabolites: Potential Target in Preventing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an intractable issue that negatively impacts the quality of pregnancy. The incidence of GDM is on the rise, becoming a major health burden for both mothers and children. However, the specific etiology and pathophysiology of GDM remain unknown. Recently, the importance of gut microbiota and related metabolic molecules has gained prominence. Studies have indicated that women with GDM have significantly distinct gut microbiota and gut metabolites than healthy pregnant women. Given that the metabolic pathways of gut flora and related metabolites have a substantial impact on inflammation, insulin signaling, glucose, and lipid metabolism, and so on, gut microbiota or its metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, may play a significant role in both pathogenesis and progression of GDM. Whereas the role of intestinal flora during pregnancy is still in its infancy, this review aims to summarize the effects and mechanisms of gut microbiota and related metabolic molecules involved in GDM, thus providing potential intervention targets.

Depletion of gut microbiota resistance in 5×FAD mice enhances the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSCs-exo) can be used for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by promoting amyloid-β (Aβ) degradation, modulating immune responses, protecting neurology, promoting axonal growth, and improving cognitive impairment. Increasing evidence suggests that the alteration of gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we hypothesized that dysbiosis of gut microbiota might limit the therapy of MSCs-exo, and the application of antibiotics would improve the therapy.

METHODS

In this original research study, we used MSCs-exo to treat 5 ×FAD mice and fed them antibiotic cocktails for 1 week to detect cognitive ability and neuropathy. The mice's feces were collected to investigate alterations in the microbiota and metabolites.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the AD gut microbiota eliminated the therapeutic effect of MSCs-exo, whereas antibiotic modulation of disordered gut microbiota and associated metabolites enhanced the therapeutic effect of MSCs-exo.

CONCLUSIONS

These results encourage the research of novel therapeutics to enhance MSCs-exo treatment for AD, which could benefit a broader range of patients with AD.

Construction of model animals to explore intestinal microbiome for detection of breast cancer

Breast cancer ranks first among female cancers and has become a major public health problem in the current society. More studies indicated that these cancers are related to the change in the gut microbiome that can cause metabolic and immune system disorders in the body. However, there are few studies on the changes in gut microbiome caused by the onset of breast cancer, and the relationship between breast cancer and gut microbiome needs to be further clarified. In this study, we inoculated 4T1 breast cancer cells to induce breast cancer tumorigenesis in mice and collected their feces samples at different stages during this process. These intestinal florae were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the results showed that at the phylum level, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes decreased with the development of the tumor; at the family level, the intestinal microbiome had obvious variations of Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, etc. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and COG annotation demonstrated that decreased abundance of cancer-related signaling pathways. This study elucidated the relationship between breast cancer and intestinal microbiome, and the research results can be used as an important biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Gut Microbiota Modulation for Therapeutic Management of Various Diseases: A New Perspective Using Stem Cell Therapy

Dysbiosis has been linked to various diseases ranging from cardiovascular, neurologic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and metabolic illnesses to cancer. Restoring of gut microbiota balance represents an outstanding clinical target for the management of various multidrug-resistant diseases. Preservation of gut microbial diversity and composition could also improve stem cell therapy which now has diverse clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine. Gut microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy may be considered a highly promising field that could add up towards the improvement of different diseases, increasing the outcome and efficacy of each other through mutual interplay or interaction between both therapies. Importantly, more investigations are required to reveal the cross-talk between microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy to pave the way for the development of new therapies with enhanced therapeutic outcomes. This review provides an overview of dysbiosis in various diseases and their management. It also discusses microbiota modulation via antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplant to introduce the concept of dysbiosis correction for the management of various diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrate the beneficial interactions between microbiota modulation and stem cell therapy as a way for the development of new therapies in addition to limitations and future challenges regarding the applications of these therapies.

hUCMSCs carrying exenatide prevent T1DM by improving intestinal microflora composition and islet tissue damage repair

BACKGROUND

Exenatide is a stable analogue of glucagon-like peptide 1 that can reduce postprandial hyperglycemia and has been utilized as adjunctive therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The human umbilical cord is a rich source of MSCs, and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) also show potential to enhance insulin secretion. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of hUCMSCs carrying exenatide in T1DM and further identify the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS

hUCMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord tissues, identified, and transduced with recombinant lentivirus carrying exenatide to obtain exenatide-carrying hUCMSCs (hUCMSCs@Ex-4).

RESULTS

The results showed that hUCMSCs@Ex-4 restored the blood glucose levels and body weight of NOD mice, and repressed immune cell infiltration and islet tissue changes. Additionally, in T1DM mice, treatment with hUCMSCs@Ex-4 reduced the blood glucose levels and promoted repair of islet tissue damage. Moreover, hUCMSCs@Ex-4 attenuated renal tissue lesions in T1DM mice. Applying bioinformatic analysis, the effects of hUCMSCs@Ex-4 were suggested to correlate with decreased abundance of pro-inflammatory intestinal bacteria and increased abundance of anti-inflammatory intestinal bacteria.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the study indicated that hUCMSCs carrying exenatide might improve beneficial intestinal microflora abundance and promote islet tissue damage repair, thereby alleviating T1DM.

Safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases.

Methods

Relevant literature was retrieved from the PubMed database, Embase database, Cochrane Library database, etc. The search period is from the establishment of the database to January 2022. The outcomes include clinical symptoms, improvement in biochemistry, improvement in intestinal microbiota, improvement in the immune system, and adverse events. Literature screening and data extraction were independently carried out by two researchers according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and RevMan 5.3 software was used for statistics and analysis.

Results

Overall, a total of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving six types of autoimmune diseases were included. The results showed the following. 1) Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM): compared with the autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) group (control group), the fasting plasma C peptide in the allogenic FMT group at 12 months was lower. 2) Systemic sclerosis: at week 4, compared with one of two placebo controls, three patients in the experimental group reported a major improvement in fecal incontinence. 3) Ulcerative colitis, pediatric ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease: FMT may increase clinical remission, clinical response, and endoscopic remission for patients with ulcerative colitis and increase clinical remission for patients with Crohn's disease. 4) Psoriatic arthritis: there was no difference in the ratio of ACR20 between the two groups.

Conclusion

Based on current evidence, the application of FMT in the treatment of autoimmune diseases is effective and relatively safe, and it is expected to be used as a method to induce remission of active autoimmune diseases.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021235055, identifier CRD42021235055.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Different Insulin Administration and Blood Glucose Monitoring Methods in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children

Objective

To compare the clinical efficacy of different insulin administration methods and blood glucose monitoring methods in treating type 1 diabetes mellitus in children.

Methods

Patients were divided into four groups: multiple daily injection (MDI) + fingertip blood glucose detection, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) + fingertip blood glucose detection, MDI + continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), and CSII + CGMS. After six months of treatment, followed by telephone and at least once a month in an outpatient clinic, insulin doses were adjusted according to the children's blood glucose levels. Blood glucose control and the daily dose of insulin were compared among the four groups after treatment, and the incidence of hypoglycemia in each group was recorded during the treatment. We also compare the incidence of the adverse event among the four groups.

Results

6 months later, the levels of HbA1c, FBG, and two h PG in each group were lower than those before treatment. There were significant differences in HbA1c, two h PG, and the daily insulin dose among the four groups. There were differences in the frequency of hypoglycemia among all the groups. The frequency of hypoglycemia in groups C and D was lower than in group A.

Conclusions

CSII was better than MDI, and the blood glucose monitoring effect of CGMS was better than the fingertip blood glucose detection. The patients treated with CSII combined with CGMS had the best clinical efficacy. The patients treated with CSII combined with CGMS had the lowest adverse events incidence.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate experimental colitis by normalizing the gut microbiota

Background

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease. Current CD therapeutics cannot fundamentally change the natural course of CD. Therefore, it is of great significance to find new treatment strategies for CD. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic approach. However, the mechanism by which MSCs alleviate CD and how MSCs affect gut microbes are still unclear and need further elucidation.

Methods

We used 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce experimental colitis in mice and analysed the microbiota in faecal samples from the control group, the TNBS group and the TNBS + MSC group with faecal 16S rDNA sequencing. Subsequent analyses of alpha and beta diversity were all performed based on the rarified data. PICRUStII analysis was performed on the 16S rRNA gene sequences to infer the gut microbiome functions.

Results

MSC Treatment improved TNBS-induced colitis by increasing survival rates and relieving symptoms. A distinct bacterial signature was found in the TNBS group that differed from the TNBS + MSC group and controls. MSCs prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis, including increasing α-diversity and the amount of Bacteroidetes Firmicutes and Tenericutes at the phylum level and decreasing the amount of Proteobacteria at the phylum level. MSCs alleviated the increased activities of sulphur and riboflavin metabolism. Meanwhile some metabolic pathways such as biosynthesis of amino acids lysine biosynthesis sphingolipid metabolism and secondary bile acid biosynthesis were decreased in the TNBS group compared with the control group and the TNBS + MSC group

Conclusions

Overall, our findings preliminarily confirmed that colitis in mice is closely related to microbial and metabolic dysbiosis. MSC treatment could modulate the dysregulated metabolism pathways in mice with colitis, restoring the abnormal microbiota function to that of the normal control group. This study provides insight into specific intestinal microbiota and metabolism pathways linked with MSC treatment, suggesting a new approach to the treatment of CD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-03118-1.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord and bone marrow in the treatment of type 1 diabetes

Background

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical studies. MSCs that have been used in research on T1D are derived from various tissue sources, with bone marrow (BM) and umbilical cord (UC) tissues being the most commonly used. However, the influence of tissue origin on the functional properties and therapeutic effects of MSCs in T1D remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of UC-MSCs and BM-MSCs in a mouse model of T1D as well as in patients with T1D.

Methods

In non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, the development of diabetes was accelerated by streptozotocin injections. Thereafter, diabetic mice were randomized and treated intravenously with UC-MSCs, BM-MSCs or phosphate-buffered saline as a control. Blood glucose and serum insulin were measured longitudinally after transplantation. At 14 days post-transplantation, pancreatic tissues were collected to assess insulitis and the β-cell mass. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the composition of T lymphocytes in the spleen and pancreatic lymph nodes of the NOD mice. In our retrospective study of patients with T1D, 28 recipients who received insulin therapy alone or a single transplantation of UC-MSCs or BM-MSCs were enrolled. The glycaemic control and β-cell function of the patients during the first year of follow-up were compared.

Results

In NOD mice, UC-MSC and BM-MSC transplantation showed similar effects on decreasing blood glucose levels and preserving β cells. The regulation of islet autoimmunity was examined, and no significant difference between UC-MSCs and BM-MSCs was observed in the attenuation of insulitis, the decrease in T helper 17 cells or the increase in regulatory T cells. In patients with T1D, MSC transplantation markedly lowered haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and reduced insulin doses compared to conventional insulin therapy. However, the therapeutic effects were comparable between UC-MSCs and BM-MSCs, and they also exerted similar effects on the endogenous β-cell function in the patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both UC-MSCs and BM-MSCs exhibited comparable therapeutic effects on improving glycaemic control and preserving β-cell function in T1D. Considering their abundance and higher cell yields, UC-MSCs appear to be more promising than BM-MSCs in clinical applications.

Trial registration NCT02763423. Registered on May 5, 2016—Retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/.

Typical antibiotic exposure and dysglycemia risk in an elderly Chinese population

Studies examined the connection between antibiotic exposure in urine and dysglycemia risk (including prediabetes and diabetes) in the elderly were limited. Multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and stratified analysis were applied to analyze the relationship between antibiotic exposure and dysglycemia risk. We observed that sulfaclozine exposure 0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.23) significantly increased fasting blood glucose (FBG) level. By mechanism, usage, and antimicrobial action, sulfonamides 0.08 (95% CI: 0.06-0.36), veterinary antibiotics (VA) 0.07 (95% CI: 0.01-0.30), or bacteriostatic antibiotics 0.07 (95% CI: 0.02-0.29) significantly increased FBG level. Additionally, sulfaclozine exposure 1.54 (95% CI: 1.02-2.33) resulted in a higher dysglycemia risk, while doxycycline exposure 0.53 (95% CI: 0.30-0.95) resulted in a lower dysglycemia risk. By mechanism, usage, and antimicrobial action, sulfonamides 1.44 (95% CI: 1.02-2.04), VA 1.68 (95% CI: 1.21-2.35), or bacteriostatic antibiotics 1.40 (95% CI: 1.02-1.93) exposure had a higher dysglycemia risk. Taken together, exposure to sulfonamides, VA, especially sulfaclozine, was correlated with a higher dysglycemia risk in the elderly. Exposure to bacteriostatic antibiotics was associated with a higher dysglycemia risk in the female.

Adipose‑derived stem cells postpone the progression of Sjögren's syndrome by upregulating the Hippo signaling pathway

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect and mechanism of action of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on Sjögren syndrome (SS) to develop novel and more effective methods for SS treatment. ADSCs, dexamethasone or normal saline was injected into the submandibular gland (SMG) of three 12-week-old non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. The degree of lymphocyte infiltration was considered as a criterion for judging disease progression, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological state, and the expression levels of TAZ, E-cadherin and α-catenin were assessed by western blotting. ADSC transplantation triggered an inhibitory effect on the progression of SS, which was slightly stronger compared with that of dexamethasone treatment. This was found to be related to the Hippo signaling pathway. In addition, TAZ protein expression levels decreased gradually with the progression of the disease; immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of E-cadherin and TAZ followed similar trends. Notably, the expression of TAZ, p-TAZ, E-cadherin and α-catenin in NOD mice were lower compared with that in Control mice. Similarly, the ratio of p-TAZ/TAZ also decreased, which means that the activation level of Hippo signal pathway decreased. The results suggest that ADSCs may exert a therapeutic effect against SS and may postpone its progression by upregulating the Hippo signaling pathway.

Gut Microbiota Mediates the Protective Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Qiong-Yu-Gao against Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Our previous study found that Qiong-Yu-Gao (QYG), a traditional Chinese medicine formula derived from Rehmanniae Radix, Poria, and Ginseng Radix, has protective effects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the potential role of gut microbiota in the nephroprotective effects of QYG was investigated. We found that QYG treatment significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced AKI and gut dysbiosis, altered the levels of bacterial metabolites, with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic acid and butyric acid increasing and uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate reducing, and suppressed histone deacetylase expression and activity. Spearman's correlation analysis found that QYG-enriched fecal bacterial genera Akkermansia, Faecalibaculum, Bifidobacterium, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group were correlated with the altered metabolites, and these metabolites were also correlated with the biomarkers of AKI, as well as the indicators of fibrosis and inflammation. The essential role of gut microbiota was further verified by both the diminished protective effects with antibiotics-induced gut microbiota depletion and the transferable renal protection with fecal microbiota transplantation. All these results suggested that gut microbiota mediates the nephroprotective effects of QYG against cisplatin-induced AKI, potentially via increasing the production of SCFAs, thus suppressing histone deacetylase expression and activity, and reducing the accumulation of uremic toxins, thereby alleviating fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis in renal tissue. IMPORTANCE Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury is the main limiting factor restricting cisplatin's clinical application. Accumulating evidence indicated the important role of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of acute kidney injury. In the present study, we have demonstrated that gut microbiota mediates the protective effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula Qiong-Yu-Gao against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. The outputs of this study would provide scientific basis for future clinical applications of QYG as prebiotics to treat cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, and gut microbiota may be a promising therapeutic target for chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity.

Taking Microbiota into Consideration in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Research

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapy in regenerative medicine, but the clinical efficacy has yet to be identified, because the functions of MSCs are modulated by many factors, including the age and health condition of donors, origin of the tissue, and several other unknown factors. Recently, it has been revealed that, besides host factors, the microbiota that inhabits the human body is a modulator of MSCs as well. Here, we highlight the role of microbiota in the alteration of MSCs functions, with a specific focus on the self-renewal ability, multiple differentiation potential, and the immunomodulation capacity of MSCs. We also review the clinical trials and model research on the synergic and antagonistic effects of microbiota in stem cell therapy. In addition, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of the interplay between microbiota and MSCs, which are elucidated using omics approaches followed by verification experiments. As oral and maxillofacial tissues are important sources of MSCs, as well as a major access to diverse microbes, further studies are needed to elucidate these interactions in the oral field to make greater advancements in regenerative medicine.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Locomotor Function in Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model Through Regulating Intestinal Microorganisms

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by loss of neurons that synthesize dopamine, and subsequent impaired movement. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) exerted neuroprotection effects in a rodent model of PD. However, the mechanism underlying UC-MSC-generated neuroprotection was not fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that intranasal administration of UC-MSCs significantly alleviated locomotor deficits and rescued dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting neuroinflammation in a PD mouse model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, a toxic agent which selectively destroys nigrostriatal neurons but does not affect dopaminergic neurons elsewhere). Furthermore, UC-MSC treatment altered gut microbiota composition characterized by decreased phylum Proteobacteria, class Gammaproteobacteria, family Enterobacteriaceae, and genus Escherichia-Shigella. In addition, the neurotransmitter dopamine in the striatum and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the colon were also modulated by UC-MSCs. Meanwhile, UC-MSCs significantly maintained intestinal goblet cells, which secrete mucus as a mechanical barrier against pathogens. Furthermore, UC-MSCs alleviate the level of TNF-α and IL-6 as well as the conversion of NF-κB expression in the colon, indicating that inflammatory responses were blocked by UC-MSCs. PICRUSt showed that some pathways including bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, fluorobenzoate degradation, and pathogenic Escherichia coli infection were significantly reversed by UC-MSCs. These data suggest that the beneficial effects were detected following UC-MSC intranasal transplantation in MPTP-treated mice. There is a possible neuroprotective role of UC-MSCs in MPTP-induced PD mice by cross talk between the brain and gut.

Antibiotic Azithromycin inhibits brown/beige fat functionality and promotes obesity in human and rodents

Obesity, a metabolic disease caused by multiple factors, has become a global health problem. In addition to nutrient intake and sedentary lifestyle, environmental pollutants exposure has been shown to be involved in obesity epidemics. Antibiotics, a new type of environmental pollutant, have been widely used in animal husbandry, aquaculture and microorganism. However, the effects of antibiotics exposure on fat metabolism and metabolic diseases are largely unknown. Methods: We screened major types of antibiotics to examine their effects on the differentiation capacity and thermogenic functionality of brown and beige adipocytes, and found that azithromycin, one major kind of macrolide antibiotics suppressed brown and beige adipocyte functionality. We thus examined azithromycin accretion in adipose tissues of obese patients that correlates with BMI by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and systematically explore the influences of azithromycin on adiposity and metabolic performance in mice under high diet. Results: Azithromycin (macrolides) inhibits the mitochondrial and thermogenic gene programs of brown and beige adipocytes, thus disrupting their mitochondrial function and thermogenic response. Consistently, azithromycin treatment are more prone to diet-induced obesity in mice, and this was associated with impaired energy expenditure. Importantly, azithromycin is more accumulated in adipose tissue of obese patients and correlates with BMI and body weight. Mechanistically, we found that azithromycin inhibits mitochondria respiratory complex I protein levels and increases reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels, which causes damage of mitochondrial function in brown and beige adipocytes. The deleterious effects of azithromycin can be ameliorated by antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Conclusions: Taken together, this work highlights the possible role of azithromycin in obesity epidemic and presents strategies for safe applications of antibiotics in the future.

The Impact of Intestinal Microorganisms and Their Metabolites on Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease with a complex etiology comprising numerous genetic and environmental factors; however, many of the mechanisms underlying disease development remain unclear. Nevertheless, a critical role has recently been assigned to intestinal microorganisms in T1DM disease pathogenesis. In particular, a decrease in intestinal microbial diversity, increase in intestinal permeability, and the translocation of intestinal bacteria to the pancreas have been reported in patients and animal models with T1DM. Moreover, intestinal microbial metabolites differ between healthy individuals and patients with T1DM. Specifically, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which contributes to intestinal barrier integrity and immune response regulation, is significantly reduced in patients with T1DM. Considering this correlation between intestinal microorganisms and T1DM, many studies have investigated the potential of intestinal microbiota in preventive and therapeutic strategies for T1DM.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to provide further support for the notion that intestinal microbiota contributes to the regulation of T1DM occurrence and development. In particular, this article reviews the involvement of the intestinal microbiota and the associated metabolites in T1DM pathogenesis, as well as recent studies on the involvement of the intestinal microbiota in T1DM prevention and treatment.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal microbes and their metabolites contribute to T1DM occurrence and development and may become a potential target for novel therapeutics.

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Novel Insights into Mechanisms and Promising Therapeutic Strategies

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that was traditionally thought to be closely related to genetic and environmental risk factors. Although treatment options for SLE with hormones, immunosuppressants, and biologic drugs are now available, the rates of clinical response and functional remission of these drugs are still not satisfactory. Currently, emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis may play crucial roles in the occurrence and development of SLE, and manipulation of targeting the gut microbiota holds great promises for the successful treatment of SLE. The possible mechanisms of gut microbiota dysbiosis in SLE have not yet been well identified to date, although they may include molecular mimicry, impaired intestinal barrier function and leaky gut, bacterial biofilms, intestinal specific pathogen infection, gender bias, intestinal epithelial cells autophagy, and extracellular vesicles and microRNAs. Potential therapies for modulating gut microbiota in SLE include oral antibiotic therapy, fecal microbiota transplantation, glucocorticoid therapy, regulation of intestinal epithelial cells autophagy, extracellular vesicle-derived miRNA therapy, mesenchymal stem cell therapy, and vaccination. This review summarizes novel insights into the mechanisms of microbiota dysbiosis in SLE and promising therapeutic strategies, which may help improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE and provide novel therapies for SLE.

Repigmentation by combined narrow‑band ultraviolet B/adipose‑derived stem cell transplantation in the mouse model: Role of Nrf2/HO‑1‑mediated Ca2+ homeostasis

Vitiligo is a depigmentation disease commonly seen in clinical practice, mainly involving loss of functional epidermal pigment cells and hair follicle melanocytes. Narrow‑band ultraviolet B (NB‑UVB) has emerged as the first choice of treatment for vitiligo, but long‑term exposure may have serious consequences. Recently, it was reported that adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) improve melanocyte growth and the efficacy of melanocyte transplantation. The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of NB‑UVB/ADSC‑transplantation combined therapy on a mouse vitiligo model and explore the underlying mechanisms by focusing on endoplasmic reticulum stress and cellular calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis. Vitiligo mice models were established by applying 40% monobenzone (MBZ) cream twice daily and treated with NB‑UVB/ADSC combination therapy. Some treated mice were also given ML385, a nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (Nr2) inhibitor. Histopathological changes were evaluated using a depigmentation evaluation score and observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining on skin tissues. ELISA was used to measure diagnostic markers in plasma. Flow cytometric assay was performed to quantify CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ levels. Expression levels of associated proteins were detected with western blot and immunofluorescence. Treatment of mice with MBZ‑induced depigmentation patches on the skin was accompanied with loss of redox balance and disruption of cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Oxidative stress and Ca²⁺ unbalancing were improved after the mice were treated by NB‑UVB/ADSCs transplantation combination therapy. ML385, strongly negated the protective effect of NB‑UVB/ADSC transplantation combination therapy, indicating the critical role of Nr2 signaling. The findings improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of vitiligo and will guide future development of therapeutic strategies against it.

Enterochromaffin Cells: Sentinels to Gut Microbiota in Hyperalgesia?

In recent years, increasing studies have been conducted on the mechanism of gut microbiota in neuropsychiatric diseases and non-neuropsychiatric diseases. The academic community has also recognized the existence of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Chronic pain has always been an urgent difficulty for human beings, which often causes anxiety, depression, and other mental symptoms, seriously affecting people's quality of life. Hyperalgesia is one of the main adverse reactions of chronic pain. The mechanism of gut microbiota in hyperalgesia has been extensively studied, providing a new target for pain treatment. Enterochromaffin cells, as the chief sentinel for sensing gut microbiota and its metabolites, can play an important role in the interaction between the gut microbiota and hyperalgesia through paracrine or neural pathways. Therefore, this systematic review describes the role of gut microbiota in the pathological mechanism of hyperalgesia, learns about the role of enterochromaffin cell receptors and secretions in hyperalgesia, and provides a new strategy for pain treatment by targeting enterochromaffin cells through restoring disturbed gut microbiota or supplementing probiotics.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis in Chinese children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is reportedly actively involved in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, the alterations in the gut microbiota and their correlation with fasting blood glucose (FBG) in Chinese children with T1DM remain unclear.

AIM

To investigate alterations in the gut microbiota in Chinese children with T1DM and their associations with clinical indicators.

METHODS

Samples from 51 children with T1DM and 47 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls were obtained, to explore the structural and functional alterations in the fecal microbiota. The V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were sequenced on a MiSeq instrument, and the association with FBG were analyzed.

RESULTS

We found that the bacterial diversity was significantly increased in the T1DM-associated fecal microbiota, and changes in the microbial composition were observed at different taxonomic levels. The T1DM-reduced differential taxa, such as Bacteroides vulgatus ATCC8482, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides xylanisolvens, and Flavonifractor plautii, were negatively correlated with FBG, while the T1DM-enriched taxa, such as Blautia, Eubacterium hallii group, Anaerostipes hadrus, and Dorea longicatena, were positively correlated with FBG. Bacteroides vulgatus ATCC8482, Bacteroides ovatus, the Eubacterium hallii group, and Anaerostipes hadrus, either alone or in combination, could be used as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers to discriminate children with T1DM from healthy controls. In addition, the functional changes in the T1DM-associated fecal microbiota also suggest that these fecal microbes were associated with altered functions and metabolic activities, such as glycan biosynthesis and metabolism and lipid metabolism, which might play vital roles in the pathogenesis and development of T1DM.

CONCLUSION

Our present comprehensive investigation of the T1DM-associated fecal microbiota provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of the disease and sheds light on the diagnosis and treatment of T1DM.

Effects of interaction between mesenchymal stem cells and gut microbiota in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a chronic recurrent non-specific enteropathy whose etiology and pathology have yet been fully elucidated. Abnormal immune regulation between gut microbiota and the intestinal mucosa plays a crucial role in the development of IBD. Accordingly, intestinal microecological therapy to correct the imbalance of gut microbiota has important clinical significance. The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in IBD has shown a promising therapeutic prospect based on its ability of immunosuppression and tissue repair, and more importantly, MSCs contribute to restoring the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota. And in the same way, gut microbiota produces indispensable effects in regulating the functional activities of MSCs. Therefore, the combined application of MSCs and intestinal microecological therapy may lead to higher clinical remission rates in the context of IBD. This paper reviews the characteristics of gut microbiota in IBD, the current status of microbe-targeted therapies, the gut microbiota-intestinal mucosal epithelium interaction, and the effects of interaction between MSCs and gut microbiota interaction in the treatment of IBD, with an aim to provide meaningful guidance for the further investigation of MSCs-gut microbiota interaction in this new field.

Effects of altitude on human oral microbes

Human oral microbes play a vital role maintaining host metabolic homeostasis. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is mainly characterized by a high altitude, dry, cold, and hypoxic environment. The oral microbiota is subject to selective pressure from the plateau environment, which affects oral health. Only a few studies have focused on the characteristics of oral microbiota in high-altitude humans. We collected saliva samples from 167 Tibetans at four altitudes (2800 to 4500 m) in Tibet to explore the relationship between the high altitude environment and oral microbiota. We conducted a two (high- and ultra-high-altitude) group analysis based on altitude, and adopted the 16S rRNA strategy for high-throughput sequencing. The results show that the alpha diversity of the oral microbiota decreased with altitude, whereas beta diversity increased with altitude. A LEfSe analysis revealed that the oral microbial biomarker of the high-altitude group (< 3650 m) was Streptococcus, and the biomarker of the ultra-high-altitude group (> 4000 m) was Prevotella. The relative abundance of Prevotella increased with altitude, whereas the relative abundance of Streptococcus decreased with altitude. A network analysis showed that the microbial network structure was more compact and complex, and the interaction between the bacterial genera was more intense in the high altitude group. Gene function prediction results showed that the amino acid and vitamin metabolic pathways were upregulated in the ultra-high-altitude group. These result show that altitude is an important factor affecting the diversity and community structure of the human oral microbiota.

Akkermansia, a Possible Microbial Marker for Poor Glycemic Control in Qataris Children Consuming Arabic Diet-A Pilot Study on Pediatric T1DM in Qatar

In Qatar, Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most prevalent disorders. This study aimed to explore the gut microbiome's relation to the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy, dietary habits, and the HbA1c level in the pediatric T1DM subjects in Qatar. We recruited 28 T1DM subjects with an average age of 10.5 ± 3.53 years. The stool sample was used to measure microbial composition by 16s rDNA sequencing method. The results have revealed that the subjects who had undergone CSII therapy had increased microbial diversity and genus Akkermansia was significantly enriched in the subjects without CSII therapy. Moreover, genus Akkermansia was higher in the subjects with poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 7.5%). When we classified the subjects based on dietary patterns and nationality, Akkermansia was significantly enriched in Qataris subjects without the CSII therapy consuming Arabic diet than expatriates living in Qatar and eating a Western/mixed diet. Thus, this pilot study showed that abundance of Akkermansia is dependent on the Arabic diet only in poorly controlled Qataris T1DM patients, opening new routes to personalized treatment for T1DM in Qataris pediatric subjects. Further comprehensive studies on the relation between the Arabic diet, ethnicity, and Akkermansia are warranted to confirm this preliminary finding.

GPR43 deficiency protects against podocyte insulin resistance in diabetic nephropathy through the restoration of AMPKα activity

Rationale: Albuminuria is an early clinical feature in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Podocyte insulin resistance is a main cause of podocyte injury, playing crucial roles by contributing to albuminuria in early DN. G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) is a metabolite sensor modulating the cell signalling pathways to maintain metabolic homeostasis. However, the roles of GPR43 in podocyte insulin resistance and its potential mechanisms in the development of DN are unclear.

Methods: The experiments were conducted by using kidney tissues from biopsied DN patients, streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice with or without global GPR43 gene knockout, diabetic rats treated with broad-spectrum oral antibiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation, and cell culture model of podocytes. Renal pathological injuries were evaluated by periodic acid-schiff staining and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of GPR43 with other podocyte insulin resistance related molecules was checked by immunofluorescent staining, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. Serum acetate level was examined by gas chromatographic analysis. The distribution of gut microbiota was measured by 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing with faeces.

Results: Our results demonstrated that GPR43 expression was increased in kidney samples of DN patients, diabetic animal models, and high glucose-stimulated podocytes. Interestingly, deletion of GPR43 alleviated albuminuria and renal injury in diabetic mice. Pharmacological inhibition and knockdown of GPR43 expression in podocytes increased insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation through the restoration of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) activity. This effect was associated with the suppression of AMPKα activity through post-transcriptional phosphorylation via the protein kinase C-phospholipase C (PKC-PLC) pathway. Antibiotic treatment-mediated gut microbiota depletion, and faecal microbiota transplantation from the healthy donor controls substantially improved podocyte insulin sensitivity and attenuated glomerular injury in diabetic rats accompanied by the downregulation of the GPR43 expression and a decrease in the level of serum acetate.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that dysbiosis of gut microbiota-modulated GPR43 activation contributed to albuminuria in DN, which could be mediated by podocyte insulin resistance through the inhibition of AMPKα activity.