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Microorganisms Feb 2023The diversity and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the camel gut remains largely unexplored. An abundant SRB community has been previously revealed in the...
The diversity and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the camel gut remains largely unexplored. An abundant SRB community has been previously revealed in the feces of Bactrian camels (). This study aims to combine the 16S rRNA gene profiling, sulfate reduction rate (SRR) measurement with a radioactive tracer, and targeted cultivation to shed light on SRB activity in the camel gut. Fresh feces of 55 domestic Bactrian camels grazing freely on semi-arid mountain pastures in the Kosh-Agach district of the Russian Altai area were analyzed. Feces were sampled in early winter at an ambient temperature of -15 °C, which prevented possible contamination. SRR values measured with a radioactive tracer in feces were relatively high and ranged from 0.018 to 0.168 nmol S cm day. The 16S rRNA gene profiles revealed the presence of Gram-negative and spore-forming . Targeted isolation allowed us to obtain four pure culture isolates belonging to and . An active SRB community may affect the iron and copper availability in the camel intestine due to metal ions precipitation in the form of sparingly soluble sulfides. The copper-iron sulfide, chalcopyrite (CuFeS), was detected by X-ray diffraction in 36 out of 55 analyzed camel feces. In semi-arid areas, gypsum, like other evaporite sulfates, can be used as a solid-phase electron acceptor for sulfate reduction in the camel gastrointestinal tract.
PubMed: 36838366
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020401 -
Poultry Science Aug 2023Feather pecking (FP) is a multifactorial abnormal behavior in laying hens where they display harmful pecks in conspecifics. FP has been associated with the altered...
Feather pecking (FP) is a multifactorial abnormal behavior in laying hens where they display harmful pecks in conspecifics. FP has been associated with the altered functioning of the microbiome-gut-brain axis affecting host emotions and social behavior. The altered levels of serotonin (5-HT), a key monoaminergic neurotransmitter at both terminals of the gut-brain axis, affect the development of abnormal behavior, such as FP in laying hens. However, the underlying mechanism involving reciprocal interactions along the microbiota-gut-brain axis, particularly about the metabolism of 5-HT, remains unclear in FP phenotypes. This study examined the microbiota diversity, intestinal microbial metabolites, inflammatory responses, and 5-HT metabolism in divergently selected high (HFP; n = 8) and low (LFP; n = 8) FP hens to investigate the possible interconnections between FP behavior and the examined parameters. The 16S rRNA analysis revealed that compared to LFP birds, the gut microbiota of HFP birds exhibited a decrease in the abundance of phylum Firmicutes and genera Lactobacillus, while an increase in the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria and genera Escherichia Shigella and Desulfovibrio. Furthermore, the intestinal differential metabolites associated with FP phenotypes were mainly enriched in the tryptophan metabolic pathway. HFP birds had higher tryptophan metabolites and possibly a more responsive immune system compared to the LFP birds. This was indirectly supported by altered TNF-α levels in the serum and expression of inflammatory factor in the gut and brain. Moreover, HFP birds had lower serum levels of tryptophan and 5-HT compared to LFP birds, which was consistent with the downregulation of 5-HT metabolism-related genes in the brain of HFP birds. The correlation analysis revealed that genera Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio were associated with differences in intestinal metabolites, 5-HT metabolism, and inflammatory response between the LFP and HFP birds. In conclusion, differences in the cecal microbiota profile, immune response and 5-HT metabolism drive FP phenotypes, which could be associated with the gut abundance of genera Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio.
Topics: Animals; Female; Serotonin; Feathers; Brain-Gut Axis; Behavior, Animal; Chickens; Tryptophan; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 37327743
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102686 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of compound probiotics on intestinal microflora and metabolome of Shaoxing ducks. A total of 640 1-day-old...
This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of compound probiotics on intestinal microflora and metabolome of Shaoxing ducks. A total of 640 1-day-old Shaoxing ducks were randomly divided into two treatments with eight replicates and forty ducks for each replicate. The ducks were fed basal diet (Ctrl) and basal diet supplemented with 0.15% compound probiotics (MixP). The experiment lasted for 85 days. The results showed that the abundance of and in MixP was higher than that in Ctrl ( < 0.05). However, the abundance of and and in MixP was lower than that in Ctrl ( < 0.05). Concentrations of 71 metabolites differed significantly ( < 0.05) between the MixP and the Ctrl groups; for example, Pyridoxal (Vitamin B6), L-Arginine, and Betaine aldehyde were up-regulated ( < 0.05), and 7-oxocholesterol, 3-hydroxy-L-kynureni-ne, and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine were down-regulated ( < 0.05). KEGG was enriched in 15 metabolic pathways. The pathways of Vitamin B6 metabolism, Vascular smooth muscle contraction, Vitamin digestion and absorption, and Protein digestion and absorption were influenced by compound probiotics supplementation. Thus, supplementation of compound probiotics improved cecal heath through shifts in the cecal microbiome and metabolome.
PubMed: 35087506
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.813598 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2020Transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family proteins are sensors for pain, which sense a variety of thermal and noxious chemicals. Sensory neurons innervating the...
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family proteins are sensors for pain, which sense a variety of thermal and noxious chemicals. Sensory neurons innervating the gut abundantly express TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels and are in close proximity of gut microbes. Emerging evidence indicates a bi-directional gut-brain cross-talk in several entero-neuronal pathologies; however, the direct evidence of TRP channels interacting with gut microbial populations is lacking. Herein, we examine whether and how the knockout (KO) of TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels individually or combined TRPA1/V1 double-knockout (dKO) impacts the gut microbiome in mice. We detect distinct microbiome clusters among the three KO mouse models versus wild-type (WT) mice. All three TRP-KO models have reduced microbial diversity, harbor higher abundance of Bacteroidetes, and a reduced proportion of . Specifically distinct arrays in the KO models are determined mainly by , , , and . A1KO mice have lower , and higher and ; V1KO mice demonstrate higher and ; and A1V1dKO mice exhibit higher and and lower and abundance. Furthermore, the abundance of taxa involved in biosynthesis of lipids and primary and secondary bile acids is higher while that of fatty acid biosynthesis-associated taxa is lower in all KO groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating distinct gut microbiome signatures in TRPA1, V1 and dKO models and should facilitate prospective studies exploring novel diagnostic/ therapeutic modalities regarding the pathophysiology of TRP channel proteins.
PubMed: 32947778
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090753 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2020Gut dysbiosis has been associated with several disease outcomes including diabetes in human populations. Currently, there are no studies of the gut microbiome...
Gut dysbiosis has been associated with several disease outcomes including diabetes in human populations. Currently, there are no studies of the gut microbiome composition in relation to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Africans. Here, we describe the profile of the gut microbiome in non-diabetic adults (controls) and investigate the association between gut microbiota and T2D in urban West Africans. Gut microbiota composition was determined in 291 Nigerians (98 cases, 193 controls) using fecal 16S V4 rRNA gene sequencing done on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Data analysis of operational taxonomic units (OTU) was conducted to describe microbiome composition and identify differences between T2D and controls. The most abundant phyla were , and . , and were significantly lower in cases than controls ( < 0.001). Feature selection analysis identified a panel of 18 OTUs enriched in cases that included . A panel of 17 OTUs that was enriched in the controls included , and . OTUs with strain-level annotation showing the largest fold-change included (logFC = -3.1; = 4.2 × 10), (logFC = -2.5; = 0.005), (logFC = -1.76; = 0.01), all lower in cases. These findings are notable because supplementation with and has been shown to improve hyperglycemia and reduce insulin resistance in murine models. This first investigation of gut microbiome and diabetes in urban Africans shows that T2D is associated with compositional changes in gut microbiota highlighting the possibility of developing strategies to improve glucose control by modifying bacterial composition in the gut.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Bacteroidetes; Black People; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dysbiosis; Female; Firmicutes; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Male; Metformin; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Urban Health
PubMed: 32158702
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00063 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2021The association between the gut microbiota and the development of lupus is unclear. We investigated alterations in the gut microbiota after induction of lupus in a...
The association between the gut microbiota and the development of lupus is unclear. We investigated alterations in the gut microbiota after induction of lupus in a murine model using viral peptide of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Three treatment arms for the animals were prepared: intraperitoneal injection of HCMVpp65 peptide, adjuvant alone, and PBS injection. Feces were collected before and after lupus induction biweekly for 16S rRNA sequencing. HCMVpp65 peptide immunization induced lupus-like effects, with higher levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, creatinine, proteinuria, and glomerular damage, compared with mice treated with nothing or adjuvant only. The Simpson diversity value was higher in mice injected with HCMVpp65 peptide, but there was no difference in ACE or Chao1 among the three groups. Statistical analysis of metagenomic profiles showed a higher abundance of various families (Saccharimonadaceae, Marinifiaceae, and Desulfovibrionaceae) and genera (Candidatus Saccharimonas, Roseburia, Odoribacter, and Desulfovibrio) in HCMVpp65 peptide-treated mice. Significant correlations between increased abundances of related genera (Candidatus Saccharimonas, Roseburia, Odoribacter, and Desulfovibrio) and HCMVpp65 peptide immunization-induced lupus-like effects were observed. This study provides insight into the changes in the gut microbiota after lupus onset in a murine model.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; DNA, Bacterial; Disease Models, Animal; Feces; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Metagenomics; Mice; Mice, Inbred NZB; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 34824318
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02422-9 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021(captivity in zoos) is regarded as an important form of conservation for endangered animals. Many studies have compared differences in the gut microbiome between...
(captivity in zoos) is regarded as an important form of conservation for endangered animals. Many studies have compared differences in the gut microbiome between captive and wild animals, but few have explained those differences at the functional level due to the limited amount of 16S rRNA data. Here, we compared the gut microbiome of captive and wild , whose high degree of dietary specificity makes it a good subject to observe the effects of the captive environment on their gut microbiome, by performing a metagenome-wide association study (MWAS). The Chao1 index was significantly higher in the captive cohort than in the wild cohort, and the Shannon index of captive was higher than that of the wild cohort but the difference was not significant. A significantly increased ratio of /, which revealed an increased ability to digest simple carbohydrates, was found in the captive cohort. A significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and enrichment of genes related to the pentose phosphate pathway were noted in the captive cohort, indicating a decreased ability of captive monkeys to digest fiber. Additionally, genes required for glutamate biosynthesis were also significantly more abundant in the captive cohort than in the wild cohort. These changes in the gut microbiome correspond to changes in the composition of the diet in captive animals, which has more simple carbohydrates and less crude fiber and protein than the diet of the wild animals. In addition, more unique bacteria in captive were involved in antibiotic resistance () and diarrhea (), and in the prevention of diarrhea () caused by . Accordingly, our data reveal the cause-and-effect relationships between changes in the exact dietary composition and changes in the gut microbiome on both the structural and functional levels by comparing of captive and wild .
PubMed: 34950117
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.763022 -
Microbiome Apr 2023Mangrove ecosystems are considered as hot spots of biogeochemical cycling, yet the diversity, function and coupling mechanism of microbially driven biogeochemical...
BACKGROUND
Mangrove ecosystems are considered as hot spots of biogeochemical cycling, yet the diversity, function and coupling mechanism of microbially driven biogeochemical cycling along the sediment depth of mangrove wetlands remain elusive. Here we investigated the vertical profile of methane (CH), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) cycling genes/pathways and their potential coupling mechanisms using metagenome sequencing approaches.
RESULTS
Our results showed that the metabolic pathways involved in CH, N and S cycling were mainly shaped by pH and acid volatile sulphide (AVS) along a sediment depth, and AVS was a critical electron donor impacting mangrove sediment S oxidation and denitrification. Gene families involved in S oxidation and denitrification significantly (P < 0.05) decreased along the sediment depth and could be coupled by S-driven denitrifiers, such as Burkholderiaceae and Sulfurifustis in the surface sediment (0-15 cm). Interestingly, all S-driven denitrifier metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) appeared to be incomplete denitrifiers with nitrate/nitrite/nitric oxide reductases (Nar/Nir/Nor) but without nitrous oxide reductase (Nos), suggesting such sulphide-utilizing groups might be an important contributor to NO production in the surface mangrove sediment. Gene families involved in methanogenesis and S reduction significantly (P < 0.05) increased along the sediment depth. Based on both network and MAG analyses, sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) might develop syntrophic relationships with anaerobic CH oxidizers (ANMEs) by direct electron transfer or zero-valent sulphur, which would pull forward the co-existence of methanogens and SRB in the middle and deep layer sediments.
CONCLUSIONS
In addition to offering a perspective on the vertical distribution of microbially driven CH, N and S cycling genes/pathways, this study emphasizes the important role of S-driven denitrifiers on NO emissions and various possible coupling mechanisms of ANMEs and SRB along the mangrove sediment depth. The exploration of potential coupling mechanisms provides novel insights into future synthetic microbial community construction and analysis. This study also has important implications for predicting ecosystem functions within the context of environmental and global change. Video Abstract.
Topics: Methane; Nitrogen; Microbiota; Desulfovibrio; Sulfur; Sulfides; Geologic Sediments
PubMed: 37020239
DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01501-5 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022This study aimed to evaluate the possible anti-obesity effects of orlistat and ezetimibe and determine the mechanism by which they alter the composition of gut...
This study aimed to evaluate the possible anti-obesity effects of orlistat and ezetimibe and determine the mechanism by which they alter the composition of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mice with a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Eighty male, specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J mice aged 3 weeks were divided into four groups ( = 20). The NCD group was fed with a normal diet, and the HFD, HFD+ORL, and HFD+EZE groups were fed with HFD for 20 weeks. From the 13th week onward, the HFD+ORL and HFD+EZE groups were administered with orlistat and ezetimibe, respectively. The glucose and lipid metabolism of the tested mice were evaluated by analyzing blood biochemical indicators during the intervention. Furthermore, the changes in the structure of the fecal microbiota and the fecal SCFA content were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. HFD induced the obesity phenotype in mice. Compared to the HFD group, the body weight, visceral fat-to-body weight ratio, serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) of the HFD+ORL group significantly decreased, whereas fecal butyric acid levels significantly increased. Ezetimibe intervention significantly reduced the OGTT, serum TC, and HDL-C levels only. The α-diversity of the gut microbiota significantly decreased after intervention with orlistat and ezetimibe. Orlistat altered the relative abundance of some bacteria in the fecal microbiota. The populations of , and decreased, whereas those of and significantly increased. Ezetimibe caused changes only in some low-abundance bacteria, as manifested by a decrease in and , and an increase in . The administration of orlistat and ezetimibe can characteristically influence the body weight and serum lipid metabolism, and glucolipid levels in diet-induced obese mice and is accompanied by significant changes in the gut microbiota and SCFAs. These results suggest that the two drugs might exert their own specific anti-obesity effects by modulating the gut microbiota in a different manner. The enhanced health-promoting effect of orlistat might result from its stronger ability to alter the gut microbiota and SCFAs, at least partly.
PubMed: 36046024
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.908327 -
Microorganisms Aug 2021Application of seawater for secondary oil recovery stimulates the development of sulfidogenic bacteria in the oil field leading to microbially influenced corrosion of...
Application of seawater for secondary oil recovery stimulates the development of sulfidogenic bacteria in the oil field leading to microbially influenced corrosion of steel equipment, oil souring, and environmental issues. The aim of this work was to investigate potential sulfide producers in the high-temperature Uzen oil field (Republic of Kazakhstan) exploited with seawater flooding and the possibility of suppressing growth of sulfidogens in both planktonic and biofilm forms. Approaches used in the study included 16S rRNA and gene sequencing, scanning electron microscopy, and culture-based techniques. Thermophilic hydrogenotrophic methanogens of the genus (phylum Euryarchaeota) predominated in water from the zone not affected by seawater flooding. Methanogens were accompanied by fermentative bacteria of the genera , , , and (phylum Thermotogae), which are potential thiosulfate- or/and sulfur-reducers. In the sulfate- and sulfide-rich formation water, the share of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) increased. , , , , and were also detected. Mesophilic denitrifying bacteria of the genera , , and inhabited the near-bottom zone of injection wells. Nitrate did not suppress sulfidogenesis in mesophilic enrichments because denitrifiers reduced nitrate to dinitrogen; however, thermophilic denitrifiers produced nitrite, an inhibitor of SRB. Enrichments and a pure culture Kaz19 formed biofilms highly resistant to biocides. Our results suggest that seawater injection and temperature of the environment determine the composition and functional activity of prokaryotes in the Uzen oil field.
PubMed: 34576714
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091818