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Journal of Animal Science and... Aug 2023Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is evidenced to be effective in the prevention and alleviation of metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease....
BACKGROUND
Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is evidenced to be effective in the prevention and alleviation of metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease. However, the role of GBE in alleviating fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in laying hens and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of GBE on relieving FLHS with an emphasis on the modulatory role of GBE in chicken gut microbiota.
RESULTS
The results showed that GBE treatment ameliorated biochemical blood indicators in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced FLHS laying hen model by decreasing the levels of TG, TC, ALT and ALP. The lipid accumulation and pathological score of liver were also relieved after GBE treatment. Moreover, GBE treatment enhanced the antioxidant activity of liver and serum by increasing GSH, SOD, T-AOC, GSH-PX and reducing MDA, and downregulated the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis (FAS, LXRα, GPAT1, PPARγ and ChREBP1) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, TLR4 and NF-κB) in the liver. Microbial profiling analysis revealed that GBE treatment reshaped the HFD-perturbed gut microbiota, particularly elevated the abundance of Megasphaera in the cecum. Meanwhile, targeted metabolomic analysis of SCFAs revealed that GBE treatment significantly promoted the production of total SCFAs, acetate and propionate, which were positively correlated with the GBE-enriched gut microbiota. Finally, we confirmed that the GBE-altered gut microbiota was sufficient to alleviate FLHS by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
CONCLUSIONS
We provided evidence that GBE alleviated FLHS in HFD-induced laying hens through reshaping the composition of gut microbiota. Our findings shed light on mechanism underlying the anti-FLHS efficacy of GBE and lay foundations for future use of GBE as additive to prevent and control FLHS in laying hen industry.
PubMed: 37533076
DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00900-w -
BMC Microbiology Jun 2024HIV-infected persons demonstrate notable disturbances in their intestinal microbiota; however, the impact of intestinal microbiota on HIV susceptibility in men who have...
BACKGROUND
HIV-infected persons demonstrate notable disturbances in their intestinal microbiota; however, the impact of intestinal microbiota on HIV susceptibility in men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as the effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on their gut microbiota, remains under active study. Thus, our research focuses on clarifying the distinctions in intestinal microbiota composition among uninfected MSM and non-MSM healthy controls, investigating the alterations in early-stage intestinal microbial communities following HIV infection, and assessing how ART affects the intestinal microbiota.
METHODS
This study enrolled four participant groups: uninfected MSM, Recent HIV-1 infection (RHI) MSM, MSM on ART, and non-MSM healthy controls, with 30 individuals in each group. We utilized 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) amplicon sequencing to analyze fecal microbiota and employed Luminex multiplex assays to measure plasma markers for microbial translocation (LBP, sCD14) and the inflammatory marker CRP.
FINDINGS
Comparing uninfected MSM to non-MSM healthy controls, no substantial variances were observed in α and β diversity. Uninfected MSM had higher average relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and Alloprevotella, while Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and Faecalibacterium had lower average relative abundances. MSM on ART had lower intestinal microbiota diversity than RHI MSM and uninfected MSM. In MSM on ART, Megasphaera and Fusobacterium increased, while Faecalibacterium and Roseburia decreased at genus level. Additionally, treatment with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) led to significant alterations in intestinal microbiota diversity and composition compared to RHI MSM. The random forest model showed that HIV infection biomarkers effectively distinguished between newly diagnosed HIV-infected MSM and HIV-negative MSM, with an ROC AUC of 76.24% (95% CI: 61.17-91.31%).
CONCLUSIONS
MSM showed early intestinal microbiota imbalances after new HIV infection. MSM on ART experienced worsened dysbiosis, indicating a combined effect of HIV and ART. NNRTI-based treatment notably changed intestinal microbiota, suggesting a potential direct impact of NNRTI drugs on intestinal microbiota.
Topics: Humans; Male; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; HIV Infections; Homosexuality, Male; Adult; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Bacteria; Feces; Middle Aged; HIV-1; Dysbiosis
PubMed: 38831399
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03351-z -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Imbalance of the immune system caused by alterations of the gut microbiome is considered to be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of infant eczema, but the exact role...
Imbalance of the immune system caused by alterations of the gut microbiome is considered to be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of infant eczema, but the exact role of the gut microbiome in adult atopic dermatitis (AD) patients remains to be clarified. To investigate the differences of the gut microbiome between adult AD patients and healthy individuals, stool samples of 234 adults, containing 104 AD patients and 130 healthy subjects, were collected for 16S rRNA gene amplicon. Altered structure and metabolic dysfunctions of the gut microbiome were identified in adult AD patients. Our results illustrated that the adult AD patients were more likely to have allergies, particularly non-food allergies. In addition, the gut microbiome composition of the AD and normal groups were considerably different. Moreover, and was enriched in the normal group, whereas , , , , , , , and dominated in the AD group. Additionally, purine nucleotide degradation pathways were significantly enriched in the AD group, and the enrichment of proteinogenic amino acid biosynthesis pathways was found in the normal group. This study provides insights into new therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiome for AD and evidence for the involvement of the gut-skin axis in AD patients.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Adult; Dermatitis, Atopic; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; East Asian People; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Hypersensitivity; Clostridiaceae; Lactobacillales
PubMed: 37629036
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612856 -
Journal of Crohn's & Colitis Jul 2023Crohn's disease [CD] is a major subtype of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] with increasing incidence and prevalence. Results of studies using available small and large...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Crohn's disease [CD] is a major subtype of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] with increasing incidence and prevalence. Results of studies using available small and large animal models are often poorly translatable to patients, and few CD models show small intestinal pathology. Due to its similarities to humans, the pig has emerged as a highly suitable translational disease model, particularly for testing novel nutritional and technological interventions. Our goal was to develop a physiologically relevant porcine CD model to facilitate translation of findings and interventions towards the clinic.
METHODS
We generated pigs bearing a 93-bp deletion of the adenosine-uracil-rich element [ARE] and a constitutive-decay element within the 3' untranslated region of the TNF gene. Comparative analysis of physiological, molecular, histological and microbial characteristics was performed between wild-type, TNFΔARE/+ and TNFΔARE/ΔARE animals. Alterations in the microbiome were compared to the TNFΔARE mouse model and IBD patients.
RESULTS
TNF ΔARE pigs recapitulate major characteristics of human CD, including ulcerative transmural ileocolitis, increased abundance of proinflammatory cytokines, immune cell infiltration and dysbiotic microbial communities. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed enrichment in members belonging to Megasphaera, Campylobacter, Desulfovibrio, Alistipes and Lachnoclostridum in faecal or mucosa-associated bacteria compared to wild-type littermates. Principal components analysis clustering with a subset of TNFΔARE/+ mice and human IBD patients suggests microbial similarity based on disease severity.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that the TNFΔARE pig resembles a CD-like ileocolitis pathophenotype recapitulating human disease. The ability to conduct long-term studies and test novel surgical procedures and dietary interventions in a physiologically relevant model will benefit future translational IBD research studies.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Swine; Crohn Disease; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Ileitis; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
PubMed: 36821422
DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad034 -
Microorganisms Jan 2024The Gram-negative, strictly anaerobic bacterium was first isolated from the rumen in 1953 and is common in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Its ability to use... (Review)
Review
The Gram-negative, strictly anaerobic bacterium was first isolated from the rumen in 1953 and is common in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Its ability to use either lactate or glucose as its major energy sources for growth has been well documented, although it can also ferment amino acids into ammonia and branched-chain fatty acids, which are growth factors for other bacteria. The ruminal abundance of usually increases in animals fed grain-based diets due to its ability to use lactate (the product of rapid ruminal sugar fermentation), especially at a low ruminal pH (<5.5). has been proposed as a potential dietary probiotic to prevent ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle and high-producing dairy cows. However, this bacterium has also been associated with milk fat depression (MFD) in dairy cows, although proving a causative role has remained elusive. This review summarizes the unique physiology of this intriguing bacterium and its functional role in the ruminal community as well as its role in the health and productivity of the host animal. In addition to its effects in the rumen, the ability of to produce C-C carboxylic acids-potential precursors for industrial fuel and chemical production-is examined.
PubMed: 38276203
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010219 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Understanding the relationships between social stress and the gastrointestinal microbiota, and how they influence host health and performance is expected to have many...
Understanding the relationships between social stress and the gastrointestinal microbiota, and how they influence host health and performance is expected to have many scientific and commercial implementations in different species, including identification and improvement of challenges to animal welfare and health. In particular, the study of the stress impact on the gastrointestinal microbiota of pigs may be of interest as a model for human health. A porcine stress model based on repeated regrouping and reduced space allowance during the last 4 weeks of the finishing period was developed to identify stress-induced changes in the gut microbiome composition. The application of the porcine stress model resulted in a significant increase in salivary cortisol concentration over the course of the trial and decreased growth performance and appetite. The applied social stress resulted in 32 bacteria being either enriched (13) or depleted (19) in the intestine and feces. Fecal samples showed a greater number of microbial genera influenced by stress than caecum or colon samples. Our trial revealed that the opportunistic pathogens and were enriched in colonic and fecal samples from stressed pigs. Additionally, genera such as , , , , , and were found to be enriched in response to social stress. In contrast, the genera , , , , , , and were depleted. These depleted bacteria are of great interest because they synthesize metabolites [e.g., short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), in particular, butyrate] showing beneficial health benefits due to inhibitory effects on pathogenic bacteria in different animal species. Of particular interest are and , as their depletion was identified in a human study to be associated with inferior quality of life and depression. We also revealed that some pigs were more susceptible to pathogens as indicated by large enrichments of opportunistic pathogens of and . Generally, our results provide further evidence for the microbiota-gut-brain axis as indicated by an increase in cortisol concentration due to social stress regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and a change in microbiota composition, particularly of bacteria known to be associated with pathogenicity and mental health diseases.
PubMed: 38029169
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1197371 -
Sexual Medicine Aug 2023The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to treat cervical dysplasia (CD) is known to alter the cervical microbiota, the community of bacteria that play a...
BACKGROUND
The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to treat cervical dysplasia (CD) is known to alter the cervical microbiota, the community of bacteria that play a central role in female genital health. Perturbations to the microbiota of the female urogenital tract (FUT), including the urethra, vagina, and cervix, have been linked with symptoms of sexual dysfunction (SD), though correlations among LEEP, the microenvironment, and SD have not yet been described.
AIMS
To characterize the FUT microbiota before and after LEEP and investigate possible associations with SD.
METHODS
Females undergoing LEEP for CD were recruited to participate in the study. Urinary samples and vaginal and cervical swabs were collected immediately before and 3 months after treatment. Bacterial communities were characterized by 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing. Self-report surveys assessing demographics, medical history, and sexual function were completed at the same intervals.
OUTCOMES
Microbiota taxonomy and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores.
RESULTS
Alpha diversity revealed a significant decrease in species richness in the FUT microbiota post-LEEP. Beta diversity demonstrated significant differences among the cervical, urinary, and vaginal microenvironments pre- and post-LEEP. spp were the dominant microbial genus in the cervical microenvironment pre- and post-LEEP. Although the vaginal and urinary microenvironments were characterized by pre-LEEP, they were colonized by post-LEEP. Following LEEP, some participants experienced a significant increase in proinflammatory bacteria, including the genera , , , , and Others experienced significant decreases in inflammatory and protective bacteria post-LEEP, including , , , and Overall there were no significant changes in pre- and post-LEEP FSFI scores. However, post-LEEP FSFI scores were seemingly associated with changes in inflammatory bacteria in some participants.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
There is an overall reduction in FUT microbiota dysbiosis post-LEEP. However, we show variability as some participants experienced persistent dysbiosis of FUT microbiota and elevated FSFI scores, suggesting that therapies to treat dysbiosis of FUT microbiota may reduce FSFI scores, thereby improving SD symptoms.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
We demonstrate novel associations among urogenital sites, microbiota changes, LEEP, and SD. The small sample size and inability of species classification are limitations.
CONCLUSION
Diverse inflammatory microbiota characterizes CD in the FUT, and LEEP mostly returns microenvironments to a healthy state. However, some participants have persistent inflammatory bacteria post-LEEP, suggesting a non-uniform healing response. This study provides an impetus for future longitudinal studies to monitor and restore FUT microenvironments post-LEEP, aimed at mitigating postoperative SD symptoms.
PubMed: 37588087
DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad039 -
Research Square Aug 2023Tuberculosis (TB) infection is known to lead to the unbalance of the gut microbiota and act synergistically on the decline of the host immune response, when untreated....
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis (TB) infection is known to lead to the unbalance of the gut microbiota and act synergistically on the decline of the host immune response, when untreated. Moreover, previous work has found a correlation between dysbiosis in the gut microbiota composition and the use of antibiotics. However, there is a need for an in-depth understanding of the metabolic and immune consequences of antibiotic-related microbiome alterations during first-line TB treatment.
METHODS
In a longitudinal cohort study, which included TB-infected cohorts and healthy individuals (control group), we studied the anti-TB-related changes in the gut microbiota composition and related functional consequences. Sputum, whole blood and stool samples were collected from participants at four time-points including before (Month-0), during (Month-2), at the end of drug treatment (Month-6) and 9 months after treatment (Month-15). Controls were sampled at inclusion and Month-6. We analyzed the microbiota composition and microbial functional pathways with shotgun metagenomics, analyzed the blood metabolomics using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and measured the levels of metabolites and cytokines with cytometric bead array.
RESULTS
We found that the gut microbiota of patients infected with TB was different from that of the healthy controls. The gut microbiota became similar to healthy controls after treatment but was still significantly different after 6 months treatment and at the follow up 9 months after treatment. Our data also showed disturbance in the plasma metabolites such as tryptophan and tricarboxylic acids components of patients during TB treatment. Levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ decreased during treatment and levels were maintained after treatment completion, while IL-17A known to have a strong link with the gut microbiota was highly expressed during treatment period and longer than the 9-month post treatment completion. We found that some fatty acids were negatively correlated with the abundance of taxa. For example, , and HIMB5 species were negatively correlated (rho = -0.6) with the quinolinate production.
CONCLUSION
Changes in the composition and function of gut microbiota was observed in TB patients before and after treatment compared to healthy controls. The differences persisted at nine months after treatment completion. Alterations in some bacterial taxa were correlated to the changes in metabolite levels in peripheral blood, thus the altered microbial community might lead to changes in immune status that influence the disease outcome and future resistance to infections.
PubMed: 37609282
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3232670/v1 -
Journal of Dairy Science Dec 2023The objective of this study was to improve understandings of the rumen microbial ecosystem during ruminal acidosis and responses to feed additives to improve prudent use...
The objective of this study was to improve understandings of the rumen microbial ecosystem during ruminal acidosis and responses to feed additives to improve prudent use strategies for ruminal acidosis control. Rumen bacterial and archaeal community composition (BCC) and its associations with rumen fermentation measures were examined in Holstein heifers fed feed additives and challenged with starch and fructose. Heifers (n = 40) were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups: (1) control (no additives); (2) virginiamycin (VM; 200 mg/d); (3) monensin (MT; 200 mg/d) + tylosin (110 mg/d); (4) monensin (MLY; 220 mg/d) + live yeast (5.0 × 10 cfu/d); (5) sodium bicarbonate (BUF; 200 g/d) + magnesium oxide (30 g/d). Heifers were fed twice daily a 62% forage:38% concentrate total mixed ration at 1.25% of body weight (BW) dry matter (DM)/d for a 20-d adaptation period with their additive(s). Fructose (0.1% of BW/d) was added to the ration for the last 10 d of adaptation. On d 21 heifers were challenged once with a ration consisting of 1.0% of BW DM wheat and 0.2% of BW fructose plus their additive(s). A rumen sample was collected from each heifer via stomach tube weekly (d 0, 7, 14) and 5 times over a 3.6 h period at 5, 65, 115, 165, and 215 min after consumption of the challenge ration (d 21) and analyzed for pH, and ammonia, d- and l-lactate, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and histamine concentrations and total bacteria and archaea. The 16S rRNA gene spanning the V4 region was PCR amplified and sequenced. Alpha and β diversity and associations of relative abundances of taxa with rumen fermentation measures were evaluated. Rumen BCC shifted among treatment groups in the adaptation period and across the challenge sampling period, indicating the feed additives had different modes of action. The monensin-containing treatment groups, MT and MLY often had similar relative abundances of rumen bacterial phyla and families. The MLY treatment group was characterized in the challenge period by increased relative abundances of the lactate utilizing genera Anaerovibrio and Megasphaera. The MLY treatment group also had increased diversity of ruminal bacteria which may provide resilience to changes in substrates. The control and BUF treatment groups were most similar in BCC. A redundancy analysis showed the MLY treatment group differed from all other treatment groups and concentrations of histamine and valerate in the rumen were associated with the most variation in the microbiota, 5.3% and 4.8%, respectively. It was evident from the taxa common to all treatment groups that cattle have a core microbiota. Functional redundancy of rumen bacteria which was reflected in the greater sensitivity for the rumen BCC than rumen fermentation measures likely provide resilience to changes in substrate. This functional redundancy of microbes in cattle suggests that there is no single optimal ruminal microbial population and no universally superior feed additive(s). In summary, differences in modes of action suggest the potential for more targeted and improved prudent use of feed additives with no single feed additive(s) providing an optimal BCC in all heifers.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Acidosis; Animal Feed; Archaea; Bacteria; Diet; Fermentation; Fructose; Histamine; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactates; Monensin; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rumen; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Starch
PubMed: 37678787
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23486 -
Animal Microbiome Aug 2023The golden jackal (Canis aureus), is a medium canid carnivore widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and expanding into Europe. This species thrives near human...
The golden jackal (Canis aureus), is a medium canid carnivore widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and expanding into Europe. This species thrives near human settlements and is implicated in zoonoses such as rabies. This study explores for the first time, the golden jackal fecal microbiota. We analyzed 111 fecal samples of wild golden jackals using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing the connection of the microbiome to animal characteristics, burden of pathogens and geographic and climate characteristics. We further compared the fecal microbiota of the golden jackal to the black-backed jackal and domestic dog. We found that the golden jackal fecal microbiota is dominated by the phyla Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota and Firmicutes. The golden jackal fecal microbiota was associated with different variables, including geographic region, age-class, exposure to rabies oral vaccine, fecal parasites and toxoplasmosis. A remarkable variation in the relative abundance of different taxa was also found associated with different variables, such as age-class. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis found abundance of specific taxons in each region, Megasphaera genus in group 1, Megamonas genus in group 2 and Bacteroides coprocola species in group 3. We also found a different composition between the fecal microbiota of the golden jackal, blacked-backed jackal and the domestic dog. Furthermore, LEfSe analysis found abundance of Fusobacterium and Bacteroides genera in the golden jackal, Clostridia class in blacked-backed jackal and Megamonas genus in domestic dog. The golden jackal fecal microbiota is influenced by multiple factors including host traits and pathogen burden. The characterization of the microbiota of this thriving species may aid in mapping its spread and proximity to human settlements. Moreover, understanding the jackal microbiota could inform the study of potential animal and human health risks and inform control measures.
PubMed: 37542305
DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00259-3