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Microorganisms May 2024The role of species and microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and human milk oligosaccharides in controlling intestinal inflammation and the...
The role of species and microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and human milk oligosaccharides in controlling intestinal inflammation and the pathogenesis of obesity and type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been largely studied in recent years. This paper discusses the discovery of signature biomarkers for obesity and T1D based on data from a novel test for profiling several species, combined with metabolomic analysis. Through the NUTRISHIELD clinical study, a total of 98 children were recruited: 40 healthy controls, 40 type 1 diabetics, and 18 obese children. profiles were assessed in stool samples through an innovative test allowing high taxonomic resolution and precise quantification, while SCFAs and branched amino acids were measured in urine samples through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). KIDMED questionnaires were used to evaluate the children's dietary habits and correlate them with the and metabolomic profiles. We found that subs. and were higher in individuals with obesity, while and subs. were lower compared to healthy individuals. In individuals with T1D, alterations were found at the metabolic level, with an overall increase in the level of the most measured metabolites. The high taxonomic resolution of the test used meant strong correlations between the concentrations of valine and isoleucine, and the relative abundance of some species such as subs. , , and could be observed.
PubMed: 38792760
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050931 -
Journal of Clinical and Translational... May 2024Voriconazole (VRC), a widely used antifungal drug, often causes hepatotoxicity, which presents a significant clinical challenge. Previous studies demonstrated that...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Voriconazole (VRC), a widely used antifungal drug, often causes hepatotoxicity, which presents a significant clinical challenge. Previous studies demonstrated that polysaccharide (APS) can regulate VRC metabolism, thereby potentially mitigating its hepatotoxic effects. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism by which APS regulates VRC metabolism.
METHODS
First, we assessed the association of abnormal VRC metabolism with hepatotoxicity using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scale. Second, we conducted a series of basic experiments to verify the promotive effect of APS on VRC metabolism. Various and assays, including cytokine profiling, immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, metabolite analysis, and drug concentration measurements, were performed using a lipopolysaccharide-induced rat inflammation model. Finally, experiments such as intestinal biodiversity analysis, intestinal clearance assessments, and replenishment were performed to examine the ability of to regulate the expression of the VRC-metabolizing enzyme CYP2C19 through the gut-liver axis.
RESULTS
The results indicated that APS does not have a direct effect on hepatocytes. However, the assessment of gut microbiota function revealed that APS significantly increases the abundance of , which could lead to an anti-inflammatory response in the liver and indirectly enhance VRC metabolism. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that APS can hinder the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and reduce the inhibitory effect on transcription through the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
The study offers valuable insights into the mechanism by which APS alleviates VRC-induced liver damage, highlighting its immunomodulatory influence on hepatic tissues and its indirect regulatory control of VRC-metabolizing enzymes within hepatocytes.
PubMed: 38779521
DOI: 10.14218/JCTH.2024.00024 -
Renal Failure Dec 2024Research has showcased a correlation between disruptions in gut microbiota and primary membranous nephropathy (pMN), giving rise to the concept of the 'gut-kidney axis'....
BACKGROUND
Research has showcased a correlation between disruptions in gut microbiota and primary membranous nephropathy (pMN), giving rise to the concept of the 'gut-kidney axis'. However, the precise relationship between gut microbiota and pMN remains elusive. Hence, this study endeavors to investigate whether a causal relationship exists between gut microbiota and pMN utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
METHODS
The primary method employed for MR analysis is the inverse variance weighting method, supplemented by MR-Egger and the weighted median method, to infer causality. This approach was validated within the pMN cohort across two distinct populations.
RESULTS
At the species level, the abundance of and was negatively correlated with the risk of pMN. Conversely, pMN was positively associated with abundance at the class level, abundance at the family level, and abundance at the genus level. Specifically, at the species level, pMN was positively correlated with the abundance of , , and
CONCLUSION
These findings lay the groundwork for future research exploring the interplay between pMN and the gut microbiota, with substantial implications for the prevention and treatment of pMN and its associated complications.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Bifidobacterium bifidum; Adult
PubMed: 38770992
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2024.2349136 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024The gut microbiota (GM) influences the occurrence and progression of lung cancer (LC), with potential involvement of immune cells (IC). We aimed to investigate the...
INTRODUCTION
The gut microbiota (GM) influences the occurrence and progression of lung cancer (LC), with potential involvement of immune cells (IC). We aimed to investigate the causal impact of GM on LC and identify potential immune cell mediators.
METHODS
The utilized data for the Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) were summarized as follows: gut microbiota data from the Dutch Microbiome Project (DMP) ( = 7,738), lung cancer data from the Transdisciplinary Research in Cancer of the Lung (TRICL) and International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) ( = 29,266, = 56,450) included four types of cancer: NSCLC, LUAD, LUSC, and SCLC, and immune cell data from European populations ( = 3,757). We employed bi-directional two-sample univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR), multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR), and mediation analysis to assess the causal relationship between GM and LC and potential immune cell mediators.
RESULTS
Bi-directional UVMR analysis revealed that 24 gut microbiota species can affect LC, while LC can affect the abundance of 17 gut microbiota species. Mediation analysis demonstrated that six immune cells mediated the causal relationships of seven gut microbiota species on LC: "CCR7 on naive CD8+ T cell" mediated the causal relationship between s_Alistipes_putredinis and LUAD, with a mediation proportion of 9.5% and = 0.018; "IgD- CD27- B cell %lymphocyte" mediated the causal relationships between g_Gordonibacter and s_Gordonibacter_pamelaeae with LUSC, with mediation proportions of 11.8% and 11.9%, respectively and = 0.029; "CD20- CD38- B cell %lymphocyte" mediated the causal relationship between s_Bacteroides_clarus and SCLC, with a mediation proportion of 13.8% and = 0.005; "CD20 on IgD+ CD38- unswitched memory B cell" mediated the causal relationship between s_Streptococcus_thermophilus and SCLC, with a mediation proportion of 14.1% and = 0.023; "HLA DR on CD14- CD16+ monocyte" mediated the causal relationship between s_Bifidobacterium_bifidum and SCLC, with a mediation proportion of 8.7% and = 0.012; "CD45 on Granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells" mediated the causal relationship between f_Lactobacillaceae and SCLC, with a mediation proportion of 4.0% and = 0.021.
CONCLUSION
This Mendelian randomization study identified several specific gut microbiotas that exhibit causal relationships with lung cancer and potentially mediate immune cells.
PubMed: 38765682
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1390722 -
Gut Pathogens May 2024Enhancing our understanding of the underlying influences of medical interventions on the microbiome, resistome and mycobiome of preterm born infants holds significant...
BACKGROUND
Enhancing our understanding of the underlying influences of medical interventions on the microbiome, resistome and mycobiome of preterm born infants holds significant potential for advancing infection prevention and treatment strategies. We conducted a prospective quasi-intervention study to better understand how antibiotics, and probiotics, and other medical factors influence the gut development of preterm infants. A controlled neonatal mice model was conducted in parallel, designed to closely reflect and predict exposures. Preterm infants and neonatal mice were stratified into four groups: antibiotics only, probiotics only, antibiotics followed by probiotics, and none of these interventions. Stool samples from both preterm infants and neonatal mice were collected at varying time points and analyzed by 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing, ITS amplicon sequencing and whole genome shotgun sequencing.
RESULTS
The human infant microbiomes showed an unexpectedly high degree of heterogeneity. Little impact from medical exposure (antibiotics/probiotics) was observed on the strain patterns, however, Bifidobacterium bifidum was found more abundant after exposure to probiotics, regardless of prior antibiotic administration. Twenty-seven antibiotic resistant genes were identified in the resistome. High intra-variability was evident within the different treatment groups. Lastly, we found significant effects of antibiotics and probiotics on the mycobiome but not on the microbiome and resistome of preterm infants.
CONCLUSIONS
Although our analyses showed transient effects, these results provide positive motivation to continue the research on the effects of medical interventions on the microbiome, resistome and mycobiome of preterm infants.
PubMed: 38735967
DOI: 10.1186/s13099-024-00616-w -
Nutrients Apr 2024Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complexes that play a crucial role in shaping the early-life gut microbiota. This study intends to explore whether HMO patterns...
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complexes that play a crucial role in shaping the early-life gut microbiota. This study intends to explore whether HMO patterns are associated with the gut microbiota of infants. We included 96 Chinese breastfeeding mother-infant dyads. Breast milk and infant faecal samples were collected and tested. With milk 2'-fucosyllactose, difucosyllactose, and lacto--fucopentaose-I as biomarkers, we divided the mothers into secretor and non-secretor groups. HMO patterns were extracted using principal component analysis. The majority (70.7%) of mothers were categorised as secretor and five different HMO patterns were identified. After adjustment, the infants of secretor mothers exhibited a lower relative abundance of (β = -0.245, 95%CI: -0.465~-0.025). An HMO pattern characterised by high levels of 3-fucosyllactose, lacto--fucopentaose-III, and lacto--neodifucohexaose-II was positively associated with the relative abundance of ( = 0.014), while the pattern characterised by lacto--neotetraose, 6'-sialyllactose, and sialyllacto--tetraose-b was negatively associated with ( = 0.027). The pattern characterised by high levels of monofucosyl-lacto--hexaose-III and monofucosyl-lacto--neohexaose was positively associated with ( = 0.025) and ( < 0.001), respectively. This study suggests that HMO patterns from mature breast milk were associated with certain gut microbiota of breastfed infants.
Topics: Humans; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Female; Infant; Feces; Breast Feeding; Adult; Male; Bifidobacterium bifidum; Infant, Newborn; Trisaccharides
PubMed: 38732534
DOI: 10.3390/nu16091287 -
Food Science & Nutrition May 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of yogurt prepared with the addition of Persian shallot and probiotic bacteria. The effect of Persian...
The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of yogurt prepared with the addition of Persian shallot and probiotic bacteria. The effect of Persian shallot on the viability of probiotic bacteria ( and ) was evaluated. Furthermore, the antimicrobial effects of shallot and probiotic bacteria on and species were investigated. The experiments were performed on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21. The results showed that the survival of lactic acid bacteria increased significantly in the presence of shallots ( < .05). The addition of two different probiotic bacteria to the yogurt samples inhibited the pathogenic bacteria. While bacteria had a 3-log reduction, did not grow at all in the presence of probiotic bacteria and shallots. Based on these experiments, it was concluded that the addition of shallots not only increased the survival of probiotic bacteria but also reduced the growth of food-borne pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the addition of probiotic bacteria increased the acceptance of sensory properties of yogurt samples.
PubMed: 38726396
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4036 -
Current Developments in Nutrition May 2024The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a promising target to alleviate the growing burden of neurologic and mental health disorders. Dietary polyphenols act on multiple...
Effects of a Flavonoid-Rich Blackcurrant Beverage on Markers of the Gut-Brain Axis in Healthy Females: Secondary Findings From a 4-Week Randomized Crossover Control Trial.
The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a promising target to alleviate the growing burden of neurologic and mental health disorders. Dietary polyphenols act on multiple components of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, but this complex relationship requires further attention. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial (ACTRN12622000850774) compared 4 wk of a commercially available flavonoid-rich blackcurrant beverage (FBB; 151 mg anthocyanins, 308 mg total polyphenols) with placebo in 40 healthy females (18-45 y). The primary outcome of stress reactivity was assessed by change in present feelings of stress, mood, and fatigue before and after completing a 20-min cognitive stressor [Purple multitasking framework (MTF)]. Secondary end points included cognitive performance (MTF), mood [profile of mood states (POMS)], sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), fecal microbiome composition and functional potential (shotgun sequencing), and blood biomarker concentrations (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tryptophan, kynurenine, and interleukin 6). Statistical analyses were conducted on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed-effect models. Thirty-eight participants completed both intervention arms. There was no significant treatment effect on the primary outcome of stress reactivity. Compared with placebo, working memory (letter retrieval scores from MTF), and anxiety/tension and anger/hostility domains of the POMS improved with FBB supplementation (time × intervention interaction; < 0.05). There were no treatment effects on gut microbiome composition or functional potential. Baseline abundances of genera and species ( and ) tended to be higher in participants with the greatest improvements in letter retrieval scores with FBB supplementation (nominally significant, < 0.05) In conclusion, 4-wk FBB supplementation improved secondary outcomes of working memory performance during multitasking and mood outcomes in healthy adult females. These results should be confirmed in a larger cohort with a longer duration of follow-up.
PubMed: 38716086
DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102158 -
Microorganisms Apr 2024(1) Background: plays a pivotal role within the gut microbiota, significantly affecting host health through its abundance and composition in the intestine. Factors such...
(1) Background: plays a pivotal role within the gut microbiota, significantly affecting host health through its abundance and composition in the intestine. Factors such as age, gender, and living environment exert considerable influence on the gut microbiota, yet scant attention has been directed towards understanding the specific effects of these factors on the population. Therefore, this study focused on 98 adult fecal samples to conduct absolute and relative quantitative analyses of bifidobacteria. (2) Methods: Using droplet digital PCR and the PacBio Sequel II sequencing platform, this study sought to determine the influence of various factors, including living environment, age, and BMI, on the absolute content and biodiversity of intestinal bifidobacteria. (3) Results: Quantitative results indicated that the bifidobacteria content in the intestinal tract ranged from 10 to 10 CFU/g. Notably, the number of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract of the school population surpassed that of the off-campus population significantly ( = 0.003). Additionally, the group of young people exhibited a significantly higher count of bifidobacteria than the middle-aged and elderly groups ( = 0.041). The normal-weight group displayed a significantly higher bifidobacteria count than the obese group ( = 0.027). Further analysis of the relative abundance of bifidobacteria under different influencing factors revealed that the living environment emerged as the primary factor affecting the intestinal bifidobacteria structure ( = 0.046, R = 2.411). Moreover, the diversity of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract of college students surpassed that in the out-of-school population ( = 0.034). This was characterized by a notable increase in 11 strains, including , , and , in the intestinal tract of college students, forming a more intricate intestinal bifidobacteria interaction network. (4) Conclusions: In summary, this study elucidated the principal factors affecting intestinal bifidobacteria and delineated their characteristics of intestinal bifidobacteria in diverse populations. By enriching the theory surrounding gut microbiota and health, this study provides essential data support for further investigations into the intricate dynamics of the gut microbiota.
PubMed: 38674700
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040756 -
Medicine Apr 2024This retrospective study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation on elderly ischemic stroke patients. We retrospectively...
This retrospective study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation on elderly ischemic stroke patients. We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records from 153 elderly ischemic stroke patients. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: those receiving B bifidum supplementation (Intervention group, n = 73) and those receiving standard treatment without any additional supplementation (Control group, n = 80). Outcomes were assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Inflammatory markers, immunological indicators, neurotrophic factor, and gut-brain axis (GBA)-related markers were also evaluated at baseline and during 4-week follow-up. Compared to the control group, the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in the NIHSS, MoCA, SDS and SAS scores (P < .001). Enhanced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced levels of NPY were observed in the intervention group. Additionally, inflammatory markers, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α, were significantly reduced in the intervention group, as well as significant increases in immunoglobulin levels (Ig A, Ig G, and Ig M) (P < .001). Besides, lower incidences of diarrhea and constipation were observed in the intervention group (P < .001), while the incidence of abdominal pain was no significant changed. B bifidum supplementation offers promising therapeutic benefits in improving neurological, cognitive, and psychological outcomes in elderly ischemic stroke patients, which may be achieved by regulating the GBA, reducing inflammation and promoting immune function. These findings highlight the importance of integrating gut health strategies in stroke management.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Bifidobacterium bifidum; Ischemic Stroke; Stroke; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 38579074
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037682