Myristoleic acid produced by enterococci reduces obesity through brown adipose tissue activation

Ginsenoside Rg3 enriches SCFA-producing commensal bacteria to confer protection against enteric viral infection via the cGAS-STING-type I IFN axis

The microbiota-associated factors that influence host susceptibility and immunity to enteric viral infections remain poorly defined. We identified that the herbal monomer ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) can shape the gut microbiota composition, enriching robust short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing Blautia spp. Colonization by representative Blautia coccoides and Blautia obeum could protect germ-free or vancomycin (Van)-treated mice from enteric virus infection, inducing type I interferon (IFN-I) responses in macrophages via the MAVS-IRF3-IFNAR signaling pathway. Application of exogenous SCFAs (acetate/propionate) reproduced the protective effect of Rg3 and Blautia spp. in Van-treated mice, enhancing intracellular Ca2+- and MAVS-dependent mtDNA release and activating the cGAS-STING-IFN-I axis by stimulating GPR43 signaling in macrophages. Our findings demonstrate that macrophage sensing of metabolites from specific commensal bacteria can prime the IFN-I signaling that is required for antiviral functions.

Translocation of gut microbes to epididymal white adipose tissue drives lipid metabolism disorder under heat stress

Heat stress induces multi-organ damage and serious physiological dysfunction in mammals, and gut bacteria may translocate to extra-intestinal tissues under heat stress pathology. However, whether gut bacteria translocate to the key metabolic organs and impair function as a result of heat stress remains unknown. Using a heat stress-induced mouse model, heat stress inhibited epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) expansion and induced lipid metabolic disorder but did not damage other organs, such as the heart, liver, spleen, or muscle. Microbial profiling analysis revealed that heat stress shifted the bacterial community in the cecum and eWAT but not in the inguinal white adipose tissue, blood, heart, liver, spleen, or muscle. Notably, gut-vascular barrier function was impaired, and the levels of some bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus, were higher in the eWAT, as confirmed by catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) staining when mice were under heat stress. Moreover, integrated multi-omics analysis showed that the eWAT microbiota was associated with host lipid metabolism, and the expression of genes involved in the lipid metabolism in eWAT was upregulated under heat stress. A follow-up microbial supplementation study after introducing Lactobacillus plantarum to heat-stressed mice revealed that the probiotic ameliorated heat stress-induced loss of eWAT and dyslipidemia and reduced gut bacterial translocation to the eWAT by improving gut barrier function. Overall, our findings suggest that gut bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus spp., play a crucial role in heat stress-induced lipid metabolism disorder and that there is therapeutic potential for using probiotics, such as Lactobacillus plantarum.

Combating Obesity: Harnessing the Synergy of Postbiotics and Prebiotics for Enhanced Lipid Excretion and Microbiota Regulation

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that can be induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and predisposes to a variety of complications. In recent years, various bioactive substances, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, have been widely discussed because of their good anti-lipid and anti-inflammatory activities. In this paper, soybean protein isolate was used as a substrate to prepare the postbiotic. Compound prebiotics (galactose oligosaccharides, fructose oligosaccharides, and lactitol) preparation Aunulife Postbiotics and Prebiotics Composition (AYS) is the research object. Weight loss and bowel movements in mice induced by a high-fat diet were studied. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative analyses of small-molecule metabolites in AYS were performed to identify the functional molecules in AYS. After 12 weeks of feeding, the weight gain of mice that were fed with high-dose AYS (group H) and low-dose AYS (group L) from 4 to 12 weeks was 6.72 g and 5.25 g (p < 0.05), both of which were significantly lower than that of the high-fat diet (group DM, control group) group (7.73 g) (p < 0.05). Serum biochemical analysis showed that TC, TG, and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in mice from the H and L groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the fecal lipid content of mice in the L group reached 5.89%, which was significantly higher than that of the DM group at 4.02% (p < 0.05). The study showed that AYS changed the structure of the intestinal microbiota in mice on a high-fat diet, resulting in a decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Muribaculaceae and an increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Lactobacillus. The metabolomics study results of AYS showed that carboxylic acids and derivatives, and organonitrogen compounds accounted for 51.51% of the AYS metabolites, among which pantothenate, stachyose, betaine, and citrate had the effect of preventing obesity in mice. In conclusion, the administration of prebiotics and postbiotic-rich AYS reduces weight gain and increases fecal lipid defecation in obese mice, potentially by regulating the intestinal microbiota of mice on a high-fat diet.

Effects of Supplementing Growing-Finishing Crossbred Pigs with Glycerin, Vitamin C and Niacinamide on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of supplementing the diet of growing-finishing pigs with glycerin and/or a mixture of vitamin C and niacinamide on carcass traits and pork quality. Eighty-four weaned piglets with an initial average body weight of 20.35 ± 2.14 kg were assigned, at random, to four groups for a 103-day feeding experiment: control; glycerin-supplemented group; vitamin C and niacinamide-supplemented group; and glycerin, vitamin C and niacinamide-supplemented group. At the end of the experiment, three pigs/group were randomly selected and slaughtered, and samples were collected for analysis. The results indicated that supplementing crossbred pigs with glycerin, vitamin C and niacinamide simultaneously increased the redness (a*) value (p < 0.05), glycerol content (p < 0.01) and myristoleic acid content (p < 0.01) in the longissimus dorsi and tended to increase the level of flavor amino acids, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and erucic acid, as well as the percentage and density of type I myofibers in the longissimus dorsi and the semimembranosus muscle. Glycerin had an influence (p < 0.01) on the erucic acid content in the longissimus dorsi and the semimembranosus muscle, and vitamin C and niacinamide had an interaction effect (p < 0.05) on the redness (a*) value of the longissimus dorsi. Glycerin, vitamin C and niacinamide supplementation in the diet of crossbred pigs improved the color, flavor and nutritional value of pork, which contributed to an increased intent to purchase this product.

The interaction between ginseng and gut microbiota

The importance of the gut microbiota to human health is attracting increasing attention. It is also involved in ginseng metabolism, mediating the bioactive metabolites of ginsenosides. In response, ginseng, known as the king of herbs, can regulate intestinal flora, including promoting probiotics and restricting the growth of harmful bacteria. Specifically, the interactions between ginseng or ginsenosides and gastrointestinal microbiota are complex. In this review, we summarized the effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on the composition of gut microbiota and discussed the gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation of ginsenosides. In particular, their therapeutic potential and clinical application in related diseases were also summarized.

Physical activity and batokines

Brown and beige adipose tissue share similar functionality, being both tissues specialized in producing heat through nonshivering thermogenesis and also playing endocrine roles through the release of their secretion factors called batokines. This review elucidates the influence of physical exercise, and myokines released in response, on the regulation of thermogenic and secretory functions of these adipose tissues and discusses the similarity of batokines actions with physical exercise in the remodeling of adipose tissue. This adipose tissue remodeling promoted by autocrine and paracrine batokines or physical exercise seems to optimize its functionality associated with better health outcomes.

Gut microbiota metabolites, redox status, and the related regulatory effects of probiotics

Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation. It is caused by excess levels of free radicals and leads to the damage of DNA, proteins, and lipids. The crucial role of gut microbiota in regulating oxidative stress has been widely demonstrated. Studies have suggested that the redox regulatory effects of gut microbiota are related to gut microbiota metabolites, including fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, tryptophan metabolites, trimethylamine-N-oxide and polyphenolic metabolites. In recent years, the potential benefits of probiotics have been gaining increasing scientific interest owing to their ability to modulate gut microbiota and oxidative stress. In this review, we summarise the adverse health effects of oxidative stress and discuss the role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in redox regulation. Based on the influence of gut microbiota metabolites, the roles of probiotics in preventing oxidative stress are highlighted.

Mulberry leaf flavonoids activate BAT and induce browning of WAT to improve type 2 diabetes via regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a well-established traditional Chinese botanical and culinary resource. It has found widespread application in the management of diabetes. The bioactive constituents of mulberry leaf, specifically mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs), exhibit pronounced potential in the amelioration of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This potential is attributed to their ability to safeguard pancreatic β cells, enhance insulin resistance, and inhibit α-glucosidase activity. Our antecedent research findings underscore the substantial therapeutic efficacy of MLFs in treating T2D. However, the precise mechanistic underpinnings of MLF's anti-T2D effects remain the subject of inquiry. Activation of brown/beige adipocytes is a novel and promising strategy for T2D treatment. In the present study, our primary objective was to elucidate the impact of MLFs on adipose tissue browning in db/db mice and 3T3-L1 cells and elucidate its underlying mechanism. The results manifested that MLFs reduced body weight and food intake, alleviated hepatic steatosis, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased lipolysis and thermogenesis in db/db mice. Moreover, MLFs activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) and induced the browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing the expressions of brown adipocyte marker genes and proteins such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and beige adipocyte marker genes such as transmembrane protein 26 (Tmem26), thereby promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Mechanistically, MLFs facilitated the activation of BAT and the induction of WAT browning to ameliorate T2D primarily through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling pathway. These findings highlight the unique capacity of MLF to counteract T2D by enhancing BAT activation and inducing browning of IWAT, thereby ameliorating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. As such, MLFs emerge as a prospective and innovative browning agent for the treatment of T2D.

Exploring the Antimicrobial Potential and Stability of Black Soldier Fly (Hermentia illucens) Larvae Fat for Enhanced Food Shelf-Life

The larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) have been introduced as one of the tools to create a circular economy model, which will be used in areas such as waste management and the treatment of industrial by-products to produce high-added-value food grade ingredients. The main aim of this research was to investigate the fat composition and antimicrobial activity against food pathogens and spoilers of Black Soldier Fly larvae. The research revealed that the Black Soldier Fly larvae fats are predominantly lauric fatty (40.93%), which are followed by palmitic, oleic, myristic, linolenic and palmitoleic fatty acids, accounting for 19.11, 17.34, 6.49, 8.79 and 3.89% of the fatty acid content, respectively. The investigation of the fats showed stability through a one-year monitoring period with no indication of chemical or microbiological spoilage. Different fat fractions were tested for antimicrobial activity, which showed efficiency against Candida albicans (the inhibition zone varied from 10.5 to 12.5 mm), Bacillus subtilis (from 12.5 to 16.5 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (12.5 mm) and Escherichia coli (10.0 mm). The inhibitory effect on Candida albicans was confirmed by shelf-life studies using larvae fat-based oleogel in a model food matrix. GraphPad Prism (ver. 8.0.1) was used for the statistical data processing. This research revealed the potential of Black Soldier Fly larvae fat as a very stable ingredient with promising antibacterial properties that can extend the product shelf-life in food matrixes even when used in relatively small amounts.

In-depth insight into correlations between gut microbiota and dietary fiber elucidates a dietary causal relationship with host health

Dietary fiber exerts a wide range of biological benefits on host health, which not only provides a powerful source of nutrition for gut microbiota but also supplies key microbial metabolites that directly affect host health. This review mainly focuses on the decomposition and metabolism of dietary fiber and the essential genera Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium in dietary fiber fermentation. Dietary fiber plays an essential role in host health by impacting outcomes related to obesity, enteritis, immune health, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the gut microbiota-independent pathway of dietary fiber affecting host health is also discussed. Personalized dietary fiber intake combined with microbiome, genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle and other factors has been highlighted for development in the future. A higher level of evidence is needed to demonstrate which microbial phenotype benefits from which kind of dietary fiber. In-depth insights into the correlation between gut microbiota and dietary fiber provide strong theoretical support for the precise application of dietary fiber, which elucidates a dietary causal relationship with host health.

Polysaccharide from Ziyang Selenium-Enriched Green Tea Prevents Obesity and Promotes Adipose Thermogenesis via Modulating the Gut Microbiota

The objective of the current study was to explore the potential mechanism of Ziyang selenium-enriched green tea polysaccharide (Se-GTP) against obesity. The results showed that Se-GTP significantly alleviated obesity and related metabolic disorders caused by high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results revealed that Se-GTP improved gut microbiota disturbance of obese mice and facilitated proliferation of probiotics such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia. In addition, the colonic content of succinate, a product of microbial metabolite in connection with adipocyte thermogenesis, was significantly enhanced by Se-GTP treatment. Therefore, Se-GTP facilitated brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) browning in obese mice, which could be revealed by increased expressions of thermogenic marker proteins UCP1, PGC-1α, and CIDEA in BAT and iWAT. Interestingly, Se-GTP intervention also observably increased the content of M2-like macrophages in iWAT of obese mice. To summarize, the results of this study are the first to show that Se-GTP can stimulate the browning of iWAT and BAT thermogenesis to counteract obesity, which may be pertinent with the alteration of gut microbiota in obese mice.

Crotonylation and disease: Current progress and future perspectives

Histone lysine crotonylation was first identified as a new type of post-translational modification in 2011. In recent years, prominent progress has been made in the study of histone and nonhistone crotonylation in reproduction, development, and disease. Although the regulatory enzyme systems and targets of crotonylation partially overlap with those of acetylation, the peculiar CC bond structure of crotonylation suggests that crotonylation may have specific biological functions. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress regarding crotonylation, especially its regulatory factors and relationship with diseases, which suggest further research directions for crotonylation and provide new ideas for developing disease intervention and treatment regimens.

Exercise in cold: Friend than foe to cardiovascular health

Exercise has been proven to benefit human health comprehensively regardless of the intensity, time, or environment. Recent studies have found that combined exercise with a cold environment displays a synergistical beneficial effect on cardiovascular system compared to exercise in thermoneutral environment. Cold environment leads to an increase in body heat loss, and has been considered a notorious factor for cardiovascular system. Exercise in cold increases the stress of cardiovascular system and risks of cardiovascular diseases, but increases the body tolerance to detrimental insults and benefits cardiovascular health. The biological effects and its underlying mechanisms of exercise in cold are complex and not well studied. Evidence has shown that exercise in cold exerts more noticeable effects on sympathetic nervous activation, bioenergetics, anti-oxidative capacity, and immune response compared to exercise in thermoneutral environment. It also increases the secretion of a series of exerkines, including irisin and fibroblast growth factor 21, which may contribute to the cardiovascular benefits induced by exercise in cold. Further well-designed studies are needed to advance the biological effects of exercise in cold. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the benefits of exercise in cold will help prescribe cold exercise to those who can benefit from it.

Dingkun pill alleviates metabolic abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome through brown adipose tissue activation

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for a long time to treat a variety of gynecological diseases. Among various traditional Chinese medicine, Dingkun Pill (DK) has been used for the treatment of female gynecological diseases. However, DK therapeutic effect on PCOS and the target tissue for its potential effect need to be explored. This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect of DK for PCOS in mice from three aspects: metabolism, endocrine and fertility, and determine whether the brown adipose tissue is the target organ to alleviate the PCOS phenotype.

METHODS

PCOS mouse model was constructed by subcutaneous injection of DHEA. The estrous cycle, ovulation, and pregnancy outcome was examined in mice. The level of hormone including the LH, FSH, estrogen and testosterone in the serum were measured by ELISA. Both the glucose sensitivity and insulin sensitivity were determined in mice with different treatment. The histomorphology and lipid contents in the brown adipose tissue were analyzed. RNA-Seq was conducted for the brown adipose tissue and different expression of critical metabolism marker genes was confirmed by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The data showed that the fertility in PCOS mice with DK treatment was significantly increased, and the metabolic disorder was partially restored. Both the whiten of brown adipose tissue and reduced UCP1 expression induced by DHEA was rescued by the DK. The RNA-Seq data further demonstrated both the DHEA induced downregulation of lipolysis genes and oxidative phosphorylation genes were at least partially rescued by DK in the brown adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

DK has therapeutic effect on PCOS in DHEA treated mice and the brown adipose tissue is at least one critical target organ to alleviate the PCOS. This is achieved by not only regulating the lipid mobilization of brown adipose, but also restoring its thermogenic function.

Metabolomics in drug research and development: The recent advances in technologies and applications

Emerging evidence has demonstrated the vital role of metabolism in various diseases or disorders. Metabolomics provides a comprehensive understanding of metabolism in biological systems. With advanced analytical techniques, metabolomics exhibits unprecedented significant value in basic drug research, including understanding disease mechanisms, identifying drug targets, and elucidating the mode of action of drugs. More importantly, metabolomics greatly accelerates the drug development process by predicting pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug response. In addition, metabolomics facilitates the exploration of drug repurposing and drug-drug interactions, as well as the development of personalized treatment strategies. Here, we briefly review the recent advances in technologies in metabolomics and update our knowledge of the applications of metabolomics in drug research and development.

Research progress on the regulation of production traits by gastrointestinal microbiota in dairy cows

The composition and abundance of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of cows are complex and extensive, and they play a crucial role in regulating nutrient digestion, absorption, maintaining digestive tract stability, and promoting the production and health of the host. The fermentation carried out by these microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract is fundamental to the health and productivity of cows. Rumen microorganisms produce the majority of enzymes required to break down feed substrates, such as cellulose, protein, lipids, and other plant materials, through fermentation. This process provides energy metabolism substrates that satisfy approximately 70% of the host's energy requirements for physiological activities. Gut microorganisms primarily decompose cellulose that is difficult to digest in the rumen, thereby providing heat and energy to the hosts. Additionally, they have an impact on host health and productivity through their role in immune function. Understanding the composition and function of the cow gut microbiota can help regulate dairy cattle breeding traits and improve their health status. As a result, it has become a popular research topic in dairy cattle breeding. This article provides a review of the composition, structure, physiological characteristics, and physiological effects of the cow gut microbiota, serving as a theoretical foundation for future studies that aim to utilize the gut microbiota for dairy cattle breeding or improving production traits. It may also serve as a reference for research on gut microbiota of other ruminants.

Effects of multi-organ crosstalk on the physiology and pathology of adipose tissue

In previous studies, adipocytes were found to play an important role in regulating whole-body nutrition and energy balance, and are also important in energy metabolism, hormone secretion, and immune regulation. Different adipocytes have different contributions to the body, with white adipocytes primarily storing energy and brown adipocytes producing heat. Recently discovered beige adipocytes, which have characteristics in between white and brown adipocytes, also have the potential to produce heat. Adipocytes interact with other cells in the microenvironment to promote blood vessel growth and immune and neural network interactions. Adipose tissue plays an important role in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Dysfunction in adipose tissue endocrine and immune regulation can cause and promote the occurrence and development of related diseases. Adipose tissue can also secrete multiple cytokines, which can interact with organs; however, previous studies have not comprehensively summarized the interaction between adipose tissue and other organs. This article reviews the effect of multi-organ crosstalk on the physiology and pathology of adipose tissue, including interactions between the central nervous system, heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and intestines, as well as the mechanisms of adipose tissue in the development of various diseases and its role in disease treatment. It emphasizes the importance of a deeper understanding of these mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of related diseases. Determining these mechanisms has enormous potential for identifying new targets for treating diabetes, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidant Capacity and Protective Effects on H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells of the Active Fraction of Brassica rapa L

Brassica rapa L. (BR), a traditional biennial herb belonging to the Brassica species of Brassicaceae, has been widely used for functions of anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidation, antiaging, and regulation of immunity. In this study, antioxidant activity and protective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells of the active fractions of BR were investigated in vitro. Among all active fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from BR (BREE-Ea) showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Additionally, it was noted that BREE-Ea and n-butyl alcohol fraction of ethanol extract from BR (BREE-Ba) both have protective effects in oxidatively damaged PC12 cells, while BREE-Ea displayed the best protective effect in all determined experimental doses. Furthermore, flow cytometry (DCFH-DA staining) analysis indicated that BREE-Ea could reduce the H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by reducing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Moreover, BREE-Ea could decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduce the release of extracellular lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from H2O2-induced PC12 cells. All these results demonstrate that BREE-Ea has a good antioxidant capacity and protective effect on PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by H2O2 and that it can be used as a good edible antioxidant to improve the body's endogenous antioxidant defense.

Nobiletin Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Myristoleic Acid Metabolism

Disturbance of the gut microbiota plays a critical role in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Increasing evidence supports that natural products may serve as prebiotics to regulate the gut microbiota in the treatment of NAFLD. In the present study, the effect of nobiletin, a naturally occurring polymethoxyflavone, on NAFLD was evaluated, and metabolomics, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and transcriptomics analysis were performed to determine the underlying mechanism of nobiletin, and the key bacteria and metabolites screened were confirmed by in vivo experiment. Nobiletin treatment could significantly reduce lipid accumulation in high-fat/high-sucrose diet-fed mice. 16S rRNA analysis demonstrated that nobiletin could reverse the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in NAFLD mice and nobiletin could regulate myristoleic acid metabolism, as revealed by untargeted metabolomics analysis. Treatment with the bacteria Allobaculum stercoricanis, Lactobacillus casei, or the metabolite myristoleic acid displayed a protective effect on liver lipid accumulation under metabolic stress. These results indicated that nobiletin might target gut microbiota and myristoleic acid metabolism to ameliorate NAFLD.

N-carbamoyl aspartate reduced body weight by stimulating the thermogenesis of iBAT

Uridine has formerly been shown to alleviate obesity and hepatic lipid accumulation. N-carbamoyl aspartate (NCA) provides carbon atoms to uridine in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. However, whether NCA is involved in the lipid metabolism remains elusive. Here we showed that NCA supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels of mice, and significantly increased (P < 0.05) relative mRNA expression of genes related to the synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Besides, supplemented with NCA significantly decreased body weight and area under the curve (AUC), and increased body temperature in the high-fat diet fed mice. For further, relative protein expression of uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1(SREBP-1) and phosphorylated hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (P-HSL) in the liver, and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) in interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) also showed upregulated in the high-fat diet fed mice. Thus, NCA promoted de novo synthesis of pyrimidine and polyunsaturated fatty acid, and reduced body weight by stimulating high-fat diet-induced thermogenesis of iBAT.

Ginsenoside Rg1 activates brown adipose tissue to counteract obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice by regulating gut microbes and bile acid composition

Obesity is a global health problem strongly linked to gut microbes and their metabolites. In this study, ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) reduced lipid droplet size and hepatic lipid accumulation by activating uncoupling protein 1 expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT), which in turn inhibited high-fat diet (HFD)-induced weight gain in mice. Furthermore, the intestinal flora of mice was altered, the abundance of Lachnoclostridium, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus and Erysipelatoclostridium was upregulated, and the concentrations of fecal bile acids were altered, with cholic acid and taurocholic acid concentrations being significantly increased. In addition, the beneficial effects of Rg1 were eliminated in mice treated with a combination of antibiotics. In conclusion, these results suggest that Rg1 activates BAT to counteract obesity by regulating gut microbes and bile acid composition in HFD-fed mice.

The Trichinella spiralis-derived antigens alleviate HFD-induced obesity and inflammation in mice

Obesity, an increasingly prevalent disease worldwide, is accompanied by chronic inflammation and intestinal dysbiosis. Helminth infections have been increasingly proved to exhibit a protective role in several inflammation-associated diseases. Considering the side effects of live parasite therapy, efforts have been made to develop helminth-derived antigens as promising candidates with fewer adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of TsAg (T. spiralis-derived antigens) on obesity and the associated inflammation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or HFD with or without TsAg treatment. The results reported that TsAg treatment alleviated body weight gain and chronic inflammation induced by HFD. In the adipose tissue, TsAg treatment prevented macrophage infiltration, reduced the expression of Th1-type (IFN-γ) and Th17-type (IL-17A) cytokines while upregulating the production of Th2-type (IL-4) cytokines. Furthermore, TsAg treatment enhanced brown adipose tissue activation and energy and lipid metabolism and reduced intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal barrier permeability and LPS/TLR4 axis inflammation. Finally, the protective role of TsAg against obesity was transmissible via the fecal microbiota transplantation approach. For the first time, our findings showed that TsAg alleviated HFD-induced obesity and inflammation via modulation of the gut microbiota and balancing the immune disorders, suggesting that TsAg might be a safer promising therapeutic strategy for obesity.

Assessing the causal relationships between human blood metabolites and the risk of NAFLD: A comprehensive mendelian randomization study

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver disease associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome. The risk factors for NAFLD have not been identified. Metabolic dysfunction has been found to be an important factor in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. However, the causal impact of blood metabolites on NAFLD is unclear.

Methods: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 7824 participants provided data on 486 human blood metabolites. Outcome information was obtained from a large-scale GWAS meta-analysis of NAFLD, which contained 8,434 cases and 770,180 controls of Europeans. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) model was chosen as the primary two-sample MR analysis approach, followed by sensitivity analyses such as the heterogeneity test, horizontal pleiotropy test, and leave-one-out analysis. In addition, we performed replication, meta-analysis, and metabolic pathway analysis. We further conducted colocalization analysis to deeply reflect the causality.

Results: After rigorous genetic variant selection, IVW, sensitivity analysis, replication, and meta-analysis, two known metabolites were identified as being associated with the development of NAFLD [biliverdin: OR = 1.45; 95% CI 1.20-1.75; p = 0.0001; myristoleate: OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.39-0.83; p = 0.0030].

Conclusion: By combining genomics with metabolomics, our findings provide a new perspective on the underlying mechanisms of NAFLD and have important implications for the screening and prevention of NAFLD.

Amelioration of Colitis by a Gut Bacterial Consortium Producing Anti-Inflammatory Secondary Bile Acids

The Integrative Human Microbiome Project and other cohort studies have indicated that inflammatory bowel disease is accompanied by dysbiosis of gut microbiota, decreased production of secondary bile acids, and increased levels of primary bile acids. Secondary bile acids, such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA), have been reported to be anti-inflammatory, yet it remains to be studied whether introducing selected bacteria strains to restore bile acid metabolism of the gut microbiome can alleviate intestinal inflammation. In this study, we screened human gut bacterial strains for bile acid metabolism and designed a consortium of three species, including Clostridium AP sp000509125, Bacteroides ovatus, and Eubacterium limosum, and named it BAC (bile acid consortium). We showed that the three-strain gut bacterial consortium BAC is capable of converting conjugated primary bile acids taurochenodeoxycholic acid and glycochenodeoxycholic acid to secondary bile acids UDCA and LCA in vitro. Oral gavage treatment with BAC in mice resulted in protective effects against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, including reduced weight loss and increased colon length. Furthermore, BAC treatment increased the fecal level of bile acids, including UDCA and LCA. BAC treatment enhanced intestinal barrier function, which may be attributed to the increased activation of the bile acid receptor TGR5 by secondary bile acids. Finally, we examined the remodeling of gut microbiota by BAC treatment. Taken together, the three-strain gut bacterial consortium BAC restored the dysregulated bile acid metabolism and alleviated DSS-induced colitis. Our study provides a proof-of-concept demonstration that a rationally designed bacterial consortium can reshape the metabolism of the gut microbiome to treat diseases. IMPORTANCE Secondary bile acids have been reported to be anti-inflammatory, yet it remains to be studied whether introducing selected bacteria strains to restore bile acid metabolism of the gut microbiome can alleviate intestinal inflammation. To address this gap, we designed a consortium of human gut bacterial strains based on their metabolic capacity to produce secondary bile acids UDCA and LCA, and we evaluated the efficacy of single bacterial strains and the bacterial consortium in treating the murine colitis model. We found that oral gavage of the bacterial consortium to mice restored secondary bile acid metabolism to increase levels of UDCA and LCA, which induced the activation of TGR5 to improve gut-barrier integrity and reduced the inflammation in murine colitis. Overall, our study demonstrates that rationally designed bacterial consortia can reshape the metabolism of the gut microbiome and provides novel insights into the application of live biotherapeutics for treating IBD.

Herbal formula BaWeiBaiDuSan alleviates polymicrobial sepsis-induced liver injury via increasing the gut microbiota Lactobacillus johnsonii and regulating macrophage anti-inflammatory activity in mice

Sepsis-induced liver injury (SILI) is an important cause of septicemia deaths. BaWeiBaiDuSan (BWBDS) was extracted from a formula of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Lilium brownie F. E. Brown ex Miellez var. viridulum Baker, Polygonatum sibiricum Delar. ex Redoute, Lonicera japonica Thunb., Hippophae rhamnoides Linn., Amygdalus Communis Vas, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., and Cortex Phelloderdri. Herein, we investigated whether the BWBDS treatment could reverse SILI by the mechanism of modulating gut microbiota. BWBDS protected mice against SILI, which was associated with promoting macrophage anti-inflammatory activity and enhancing intestinal integrity. BWBDS selectively promoted the growth of Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii) in cecal ligation and puncture treated mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation treatment indicated that gut bacteria correlated with sepsis and was required for BWBDS anti-sepsis effects. Notably, L. johnsonii significantly reduced SILI by promoting macrophage anti-inflammatory activity, increasing interleukin-10+ M2 macrophage production and enhancing intestinal integrity. Furthermore, heat inactivation L. johnsonii (HI-L. johnsonii) treatment promoted macrophage anti-inflammatory activity and alleviated SILI. Our findings revealed BWBDS and gut microbiota L. johnsonii as novel prebiotic and probiotic that may be used to treat SILI. The potential underlying mechanism was at least in part, via L. johnsonii-dependent immune regulation and interleukin-10+ M2 macrophage production.

Dynamic changes in intestinal microbiota and metabolite composition of pre-weaned beef calves

Gut microbes and their metabolites are essential for maintaining host health and production. The intestinal microflora of pre-weaned calves gradually tends to mature with growth and development and has high plasticity, but few studies have explored the dynamic changes of intestinal microbiota and metabolites in pre-weaned beef calves. In this study, we tracked the dynamics of faecal microbiota in 13 new-born calves by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysed changes in faecal amino acid levels using metabolomics. Calves were divided into the relatively high average daily gain group (HA) and the relatively low average daily gain group (LA) for comparison. The results demonstrated that the alpha diversity of the faecal microbiota increased with calf growth and development. The abundance of Porphyromonadaceae bacterium DJF B175 increased in the HA group, while that of Lactobacillus reuteri decreased. The results of the LEfSe analysis showed that the microbiota of faeces of HA calves at eight weeks of age was enriched with P. bacterium DJF B175, while Escherichia coli and L. reuteri were enriched in the microbiota of faeces of LA calves. Besides, the total amino acid concentration decreased significantly in the eighth week compared with that in the first week (P < 0.05). Overall, even under the same management conditions, microorganisms and their metabolites interact to play different dynamic regulatory roles. Our results provide new insights into changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites of pre-weaned calves.

Virtual screening of gut microbiome bacteriocins as potential inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 to regulate adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis to combat obesity

The gut bacterial strains and their metabolites have been shown to play a significant role in obesity, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this association are largely unresolved. Obesity is a multifactorial problem and is controlled by various mechanisms and pathways to produce and store fat cells. Bacteriocins are secondary metabolites produced by gut bacteria to defend themselves against their competitors. Recently, they have gained great attention due to their role in metabolic disorders, including obesity. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a key enzyme involved in the differentiation of adipocytes. The aim of this study is to show the regulation of SCD1 by bacteriocins and thus their importance in obesity control. We screened the human gut bacteriome for the presence of bacteriocins, predicted their structures, and showed their inhibitory role by molecular docking with SCD1. Further, to confirm the docking results, MDS of six top scoring SCD1-bacteriocin complexes were carried out for 100 ns. These six bacteriocins namely, Plantaricin S-beta, Carnolysin, Lactococcin B, Bacteriocin Iic, Plantaricin N, and Thermophilin A, with strong binding affinities, are primarily produced by bacterial strains from the Lactobacillaeacea family. These findings can be the basis of further experiments for enhanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms for obesity control, specifically bacteriocins driven regulation of the SCD1 enzyme. In addition, a consortium of bacterial strains producing these bacteriocins can be developed and used as probiotics for the amelioration of obesity and other metabolic complications.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Promotes Beige Adipocyte Reconstruction by Modulating the Gut Microbiota in Obese Mice

Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, the white-to-beige adipocyte conversion has attracted interest as a target for obesity treatment. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment can reduce obesity, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanism by which GABA triggers weight loss by improving the beiging of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and the role of gut microbiota in this process. The results showed that GABA reduced body weight and adipose inflammation and promoted the expression of thermogenic genes in the iWAT. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis of gut microbiota showed that GABA treatment increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Akkermansia, and Romboutsia and reduced that of Firmicutes and Erysipelatoclostridium in obese mice. Additionally, serum metabolomic analysis revealed that GABA treatment increased 3-hydroxybutyrate and reduced oxidized lipid levels in obese mice. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that Akkermansia and Romboutsia were negatively associated with the levels of oxidized lipids. Fecal microbiota transplantation analysis confirmed that the gut microbiota was involved in the white-to-beige adipocyte reconstruction by GABA. Overall, our findings suggest that GABA treatment may promote iWAT beiging through the gut microbiota in obese mice. GABA may be utilized to protect obese people against metabolic abnormalities brought on by obesity and gut dysbiosis.

Temperature-dependent metabolite orchestration to acute submaximal exercise indicates cardiorespiratory fitness in humans

AIMS

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), an important biomarker of human health, is impaired in cold environment compared to thermoneutral condition. The study aimed to investigate the role of metabolome response to acute exercise in regulation of CRF at different ambient temperatures.

MAIN METHODS

A total of 27 young adults were recruited, and each subject underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and a constant load submaximal exercise at both room temperature (25 °C) and cold temperature (0 °C). The serum samples were collected before and immediately after constant load exercise.

KEY FINDINGS

Acute cold exposure decreased CRF by 41 %, accompanied by a metabolic shift to anaerobic respiration. It also decreased VO₂ and increased respiratory quotient during constant load exercise. Metabolome profiling revealed that acute exercise reprogrammed serum metabolome in an ambient temperature-dependent manner. Specifically, exercise increased a cluster of fatty acids during cold exposure, possibly due to impaired fatty acid oxidation. The correlations between metabolite responses to acute exercise and exercise parameters were analyzed using partial least squares regression and machine learning, revealing that metabolite responses to acute exercise were highly correlated with exercise parameters and predictive of CRF. Among the contributors, tryptophan and its metabolites stood out as important ones.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggested that the metabolite responses to acute submaximal exercise unmasks the exercise performance at different ambient temperatures, highlighting the role of metabolite orchestration in the physiological regulation of CRF.

The mechanism of intestinal microbiota regulating immunity and inflammation in ischemic stroke and the role of natural botanical active ingredients in regulating intestinal microbiota: A review

Intestinal microbiota is a unique ecosystem, known as the "second genome" of human beings. With the widespread application of next generation sequencing (NGS), especially 16 S rRNA and shotgun sequencing, numerous studies have shown that dysregulation of intestinal microbiota is associated with many central nervous system diseases. Ischemic stroke (IS) is a cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. Brain damage in IS affects intestinal function, and intestinal dysfunction further aggravates brain damage, forming a vicious circle of mutual interference in pathology. The microbiota-gut-brain axis study based on the intestinal microbiota has opened up broader ideas for exploring its pathogenesis and risk factors, and also provided more possibilities for the selection of therapeutic targets for this type of drug. This review discussed the application of NGS technology in the study of intestinal microbiota and the research progress of microbiota-gut-brain axis in recent years, and systematically sorts out the literature on the relationship between ischemic stroke and intestinal microbiota. It starts with the characteristics of microbiota-gut-brain axis' bidirectional regulation, respectively discusses the high risk factors of IS under intestinal microbiota imbalance and the physiological and pathological changes of intestinal microbiota after IS, and summarizes the related targets, in order to provide reliable reference for the treatment of IS from intestinal microbiota. In addition, natural botanical active ingredients have achieved good results in the treatment of IS based on regulating the homeostasis of gut microbiota, providing new evidence for studying the potential targets and therapies of IS based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Probiotics intervention in preventing conversion of impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes: The PPDP follow-on study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after 6 years in patients with IGT who received early probiotic intervention in the Probiotics Prevention Diabetes Program (PPDP) trial.

METHODS

77 patients with IGT in the PPDP trial were randomized to either probiotic or placebo. After the completion of the trial, 39 non-T2DM patients were invited to follow up glucose metabolism after the next 4 years. The incidence of T2DM in each group was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to analyze gut microbiota's structural composition and abundance changes between the groups.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of T2DM was 59.1% with probiotic treatment versus 54.5% with placebo within 6 years, there was no significant difference in the risk of developing T2DM between the two groups (P=0.674).

CONCLUSIONS

Supplemental probiotic therapy does not reduce the risk of IGT conversion to T2DM.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5543, identifier ChiCTR-TRC-13004024.

Strain-level screening of human gut microbes identifies Blautia producta as a new anti-hyperlipidemic probiotic

Compelling evidence has tightly linked gut microbiota with host metabolism homeostasis and inspired novel therapeutic potentials against metabolic diseases (e.g., hyperlipidemia). However, the regulatory profile of individual bacterial species and strain on lipid homeostasis remains largely unknown. Herein, we performed a large-scale screening of 2250 human gut bacterial strains (186 species) for the lipid-decreasing activity. Different strains in the same species usually displayed distinct lipid-modulatory actions, showing evident strain-specificity. Among the tested strains, Blautia producta exhibited the most potency to suppress cellular lipid accumulation and effectively ameliorated hyperlipidemia in high fat diet (HFD)-feeding mice. Taking a joint comparative approach of pharmacology, genomics and metabolomics, we identified an anteiso-fatty acid, 12-methylmyristic acid (12-MMA), as the key active metabolite of Bl. Producta. In vivo experiment confirmed that 12-MMA could exert potent hyperlipidemia-ameliorating efficacy and improve glucose metabolism via activating G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). Altogether, our work reveals a previously unreported large-scale lipid-modulatory profile of gut microbes at the strain level, emphasizes the strain-specific function of gut bacteria, and provides a possibility to develop microbial therapeutics against hyperlipidemia based on Bl. producta and its metabolite.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri and caffeoylquinic acid synergistically promote adipose browning and ameliorate obesity-associated disorders

OBJECTIVE

High intake of caffeoylquinic acid (CQA)-rich dietary supplements, such as green coffee bean extracts, offers health-promoting effects on maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Similar to many active herbal ingredients with high pharmacological activities but low bioavailability, CQA has been reported as a promising thermogenic agent with anti-obesity properties, which contrasts with its poor oral absorption. Intestinal tract is the first site of CQA exposure and gut microbes might react quickly to CQA. Thus, it is of interest to explore the role of gut microbiome and microbial metabolites in the beneficial effects of CQA on obesity-related disorders.

RESULTS

Oral CQA supplementation effectively enhanced energy expenditure by activating browning of adipose and thus ameliorated obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions in high fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Here, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that CQA treatment remodeled the gut microbiota to promote its anti-obesity actions, as confirmed by antibiotic treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation. CQA enriched the gut commensal species Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and stimulated the production of short-chain fatty acids, especially propionate. Mono-colonization of L. reuteri or low-dose CQA treatment did not reduce adiposity in DIO mice, while their combination elicited an enhanced thermogenic response, indicating the synergistic effects of CQA and L. reuteri on obesity. Exogenous propionate supplementation mimicked the anti-obesity effects of CQA alone or when combined with L. reuteri, which was ablated by the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) inhibitor 7ACC1 or MCT1 disruption in inguinal white adipose tissues to block propionate transport.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate a functional axis among L. reuteri, propionate, and beige fat tissue in the anti-obesity action of CQA through the regulation of thermogenesis. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the therapeutic use of herbal ingredients with poor bioavailability via their interaction with the gut microbiota. Video Abstract.

Novel investigations in retinoic-acid-induced cleft palate about the gut microbiome of pregnant mice

Introduction

Cleft palate (CP) is one of the most common congenital birth defects in the craniofacial region, retinoic acid (RA) gavage is the most common method for inducing cleft palate model. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to illuminate RA-induced cleft palate during embryonic development, these findings are far from enough. Many efforts remain to be devoted to studying the etiology and pathogenesis of cleft palate. Recent research is gradually shifting the focus to the effect of retinoic acid on gut microbiota. However, few reports focus on the relationship between the occurrence of CP in embryos and gut microbiota.

Methods

In our research, we used RA to induce cleft palate model for E10.5 the feces of 5 RA-treated pregnant mice and 5 control pregnant mice were respectively metagenomics analysis.

Results

Compared with the control group, Lactobacillus in the gut microbiome the RA group was significantly increased. GO, KEGG and CAZy analysis of differentially unigenes demonstrated the most abundant metabolic pathway in different groups, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and histidine metabolism.

Discussion

Our findings indicated that changes in the maternal gut microbiome palatal development, which might be related to changes in Lactobacillus and These results provide a new direction in the pathogenesis of CP induced by RA.

Gastrodia elata Blume extract improves high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes by regulating gut microbiota and bile acid profile

In this study, we aimed to characterize the anti-type 2 diabetes (T2D) effects of Gastrodia elata Blume extract (GEBE) and determine whether these are mediated through modification of the gut microbiota and bile acids. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), with or without GEBE, and we found that GEBE significantly ameliorated the HFD-induced hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation by upregulating glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and inhibiting the toll-like receptor 4-nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in white adipose tissue (WAT). In addition, we found that GEBE increased the abundance of Faecalibaculum and Lactobacillus, and altered the serum bile acid concentrations, with a significant increase in deoxycholic acid. The administration of combined antibiotics to mice to eliminate their intestinal microbiota caused a loss of the protective effects of GEBE. Taken together, these findings suggest that GEBE ameliorates T2D by increasing GLUT4 expression in WAT, remodeling the gut microbiota, and modifying serum bile acid concentrations.

High-protein diet prevents fat mass increase after dieting by counteracting Lactobacillus-enhanced lipid absorption

Dietary restriction is widely used to reduce fat mass and lose weight in individuals with or without obesity; however, weight regain after dieting is still a big challenge, and the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here we show that refeeding after various types of dieting induces quick fat accumulation in mice and enhanced intestinal lipid absorption contributes to post-dieting fat mass increase. Moreover, refeeding after short-term dietary restriction is accompanied by an increase in intestinal Lactobacillus and its metabolites, which contributes to enhanced intestinal lipid absorption and post-dieting fat mass increase; however, refeeding a high-protein diet after short-term dietary restriction attenuates intestinal lipid absorption and represses fat accumulation by preventing Lactobacillus growth. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying fat mass increase after dieting. We also propose that targeting intestinal Lactobacillus to inhibit intestinal lipid absorption via high-protein diet or antibiotics is likely an effective strategy to prevent obesity after dieting.

Gut microbiome alterations in preclinical Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Although some human studies have reported gut microbiome changes in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), gut microbiome alterations in preclinical AD, i.e., cerebral amyloidosis without cognitive impairment, is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify gut microbial alterations associated with preclinical AD by comparing cognitively normal (CN) older adults with cerebral Aβ deposition (Aβ+ CN) and those without cerebral Aβ deposition (Aβ- CN).

METHODS

Seventy-eight CN older participants (18 Aβ+ CN and 60 Aβ- CN) were included, and all participants underwent clinical assessment and Pittsburg compound B-positron emission tomography. The V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene of genomic DNA extracted from feces was amplified and sequenced to establish the microbial community.

RESULTS

Generalized linear model analysis revealed that the genera Megamonas (B = 3.399, q<0.001), Serratia (B = 3.044, q = 0.005), Leptotrichia (B = 5.862, q = 0.024) and Clostridium (family Clostridiaceae) (B = 0.788, q = 0.034) were more abundant in the Aβ+ CN group than the Aβ- CN group. In contrast, genera CF231 (B = -3.237, q< 0.001), Victivallis (B = -3.447, q = 0.004) Enterococcus (B = -2.044, q = 0.042), Mitsuokella (B = -2.119, q = 0.042) and Clostridium (family Erysipelotrichaceae) (B = -2.222, q = 0.043) were decreased in Aβ+ CN compared to Aβ- CN. Notably, the classification model including the differently abundant genera could effectively distinguish Aβ+ CN from Aβ- CN (AUC = 0.823).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that specific alterations of gut bacterial taxa are related to preclinical AD, which means these changes may precede cognitive decline. Therefore, examining changes in the microbiome may be helpful in preclinical AD screening.

Unraveling the mystery of efficacy in Chinese medicine formula: New approaches and technologies for research on pharmacodynamic substances

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to unlock treasures of Chinese civilization. TCM and its compound play a beneficial role in medical activities to cure diseases, especially in major public health events such as novel coronavirus epidemics across the globe. The chemical composition in Chinese medicine formula is complex and diverse, but their effective substances resemble "mystery boxes". Revealing their active ingredients and their mechanisms of action has become focal point and difficulty of research for herbalists. Although the existing research methods are numerous and constantly updated iteratively, there is remain a lack of prospective reviews. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive account of existing new approaches and technologies based on previous studies with an in vitro to in vivo perspective. In addition, the bottlenecks of studies on Chinese medicine formula effective substances are also revealed. Especially, we look ahead to new perspectives, technologies and applications for its future development. This work reviews based on new perspectives to open horizons for the future research. Consequently, herbal compounding pharmaceutical substances study should carry on the essence of TCM while pursuing innovations in the field.

New opportunities and challenges of natural products research: When target identification meets single-cell multiomics

Natural products, and especially the active ingredients found in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), have a thousand-year-long history of clinical use and a strong theoretical basis in TCM. As such, traditional remedies provide shortcuts for the development of original new drugs in China, and increasing numbers of natural products are showing great therapeutic potential in various diseases. This paper reviews the molecular mechanisms of action of natural products from different sources used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer, introduces the methods and newly emerging technologies used to identify and validate the targets of natural active ingredients, enumerates the expansive list of TCM used to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer, and summarizes the patterns of action of emerging technologies such as single-cell multiomics, network pharmacology, and artificial intelligence in the pharmacological studies of natural products to provide insights for the development of innovative natural product-based drugs. Our hope is that we can make use of advances in target identification and single-cell multiomics to obtain a deeper understanding of actions of mechanisms of natural products that will allow innovation and revitalization of TCM and its swift industrialization and internationalization.

Non-Histone Lysine Crotonylation Is Involved in the Regulation of White Fat Browning

Lysine crotonylation modification is a novel acylation modification that is similar to acetylation modification. Studies have found that protein acetylation plays an important regulatory part in the occurrence and prevention of obesity and is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, white fat browning and fatty acid metabolism. Therefore, we speculate that protein crotonylation may also play a more vital role in regulating the browning of white fat. To verify this conjecture, we identified 7254 crotonyl modification sites and 1629 modified proteins in iWAT of white fat browning model mice by affinity enrichment and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We selected five representative proteins in the metabolic process, namely glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (GPD1), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), adenylate kinase 2 (AK2), triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1) and NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha subcomplex 8 (NDUFA8). Through qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, Oil Red O staining and HE staining, we demonstrated that GPD1 and FABP4 inhibited white fat browning, while AK2, TPI1 and NDUFA8 promoted white fat browning. GPD1 and FABP4 proteins were downregulated by crotonylation modification, while AK2, TPI1 and NDUFA8 proteins were upregulated by crotonylation modification. Further detection found that the crotonylation modification of GPD1, FABP4, AK2, TPI1 and NDUFA8 promoted white fat browning, which was consistent with the sequencing results. These results indicate that the protein crotonylation is involved in regulating white fat browning, which is of great significance for controlling obesity and treating obesity-related diseases.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide promotes adipose thermogenesis and decreases obesity by shaping the gut microbiota

This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) against obesity. Here, our results showed that ASKP considerably reduced body weight gain and metabolic disorders in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that ASKP relieved the gut microbiota disorder caused by HFD and promoted the proliferation of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Blautia. Interestingly, the fecal levels of succinate, a microbial metabolite associated with adipose thermogenesis, were dramatically elevated by ASKP treatment in obese mice. Accordingly, ASKP promoted thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice fed with a HFD, as revealed by the elevated expression of thermogenic marker genes (UCP1, CIDEA and PGC1α) in BAT and iWAT. Importantly, antibiotic treatment significantly decreased the ASKP-elevated fecal levels of succinate and further abolished the adipose thermogenesis effects of ASKP. Taken together, our results show that ASKP prevents obesity through iWAT browning and BAT activation, a mechanism that is dependent on the gut microbiota metabolism.

Maternal Supplementation of Probiotics, Prebiotics or Postbiotics to Prevent Offspring Metabolic Syndrome: The Gap between Preclinical Results and Clinical Translation

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an extremely prevalent complex trait and it can originate in early life. This concept is now being termed the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). Increasing evidence supports that disturbance of gut microbiota influences various risk factors of MetS. The DOHaD theory provides an innovative strategy to prevent MetS through early intervention (i.e., reprogramming). In this review, we summarize the existing literature that supports how environmental cues induced MetS of developmental origins and the interplay between gut microbiota and other fundamental underlying mechanisms. We also present an overview of experimental animal models addressing implementation of gut microbiota-targeted reprogramming interventions to avert the programming of MetS. Even with growing evidence from animal studies supporting the uses of gut microbiota-targeted therapies start before birth to protect against MetS of developmental origins, their effects on pregnant women are still unknown and these results require further clinical translation.

SCD1 is nutritionally and spatially regulated in the intestine and influences systemic postprandial lipid homeostasis and gut-liver crosstalk

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane resident protein that inserts a double bond into saturated fatty acids, converting them into their monounsaturated counterparts. Previous studies have demonstrated an important role for SCD1 in modulating tissue and systemic health. Specifically, lack of hepatic or cutaneous SCD1 results in significant reductions in tissue esterified lipids. While the intestine is an important site of lipid esterification and assimilation into the body, the regulation of intestinal SCD1 or its impact on lipid composition in the intestine and other tissues has not been investigated. Here we report that unlike other lipogenic enzymes, SCD1 is enriched in the distal small intestine and in the colon of chow-fed mice and is robustly upregulated by acute refeeding of a high-sucrose diet. We generated a mouse model lacking SCD1 specifically in the intestine (iKO mice). These mice have significant reductions not only in intestinal lipids, but also in plasma triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, cholesterol esters, and free cholesterol. Additionally, hepatic accumulation of diacylglycerols is significantly reduced in iKO mice. Comprehensive targeted lipidomic profiling revealed a consistent reduction in the myristoleic (14:1) to myristic (14:0) acid ratios in intestine, liver, and plasma of iKO mice. Consistent with the reduction of the monounsaturated fatty acid myristoleic acid in hepatic lipids of chow fed iKO mice, hepatic expression of Pgc-1α, Sirt1, and related fatty acid oxidation genes were reduced in chow-fed iKO mice. Further, lack of intestinal SCD1 reduced expression of de novo lipogenic genes in distal intestine of chow-fed mice and in the livers of mice fed a lipogenic high-sucrose diet. Taken together, these studies reveal a novel pattern of expression of SCD1 in the intestine. They also demonstrate that intestinal SCD1 modulates lipid content and composition of not only intestinal tissues, but also that of plasma and liver. Further, these data point to intestinal SCD1 as a modulator of gut-liver crosstalk, potentially through the production of novel signaling lipids such as myristoleic acid. These data have important implications to understanding how intestinal SCD1 may modulate risk for post-prandial lipemia, hepatic steatosis, and related pathologies.

A narrative review of the functional components of human breast milk and their potential to modulate the gut microbiome, the consideration of maternal and child characteristics, and confounders of breastfeeding, and their impact on risk of obesity later in life

Nutritional exposure and, therefore, the metabolic environment during early human development can affect health later in life. This can go beyond the nutrients consumed; there is evidence that the development and modulation of the gut microbiome during early life can affect human growth, development, and health, and the gut microbiome is associated with the risk of obesity later in life. The primary aim of this review was to evaluate existing evidence, to identify the components of human breast milk, which may modulate the gut microbiome, and to assess the impact of the gut microbiome on the risk of becoming obese later in life. This review also considers maternal and child characteristics, and confounders of breastfeeding and how they impact on the infant gut microbiome. Current evidence supports a positive association between fecal, branched short-chain fatty acids and human milk oligosaccharide diversity and a gut microbiome associated with better metabolic health. A negative correlation was found between microbiome diversity and human milk oligosaccharide evenness, which was associated with a greater fat mass and percentage of fat. The components of human breast milk, including oligosaccharides, probiotics, milk fat globule membrane, and adiponectin, were hypothesized to positively influence infant growth and body weight by modulating the microbial diversity and composition of the gut. Maternal diet, timing and duration of breast feeding, and the mode of delivery were all shown to affect the human milk microbiota. However, more experimental studies with long follow-up are required to shed light on the governing mechanisms linking breast milk components with a diverse infant microbiome and healthier body weight later in life.

Gut and obesity/metabolic disease: Focus on microbiota metabolites

Obesity is often associated with the risk of chronic inflammation and other metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The composition and activity of the gut microbiota play an important role in this process, affecting a range of physiological processes, such as nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. The active gut microbiota can produce a large number of physiologically active substances during the process of intestinal metabolism and reproduction, including short-chain/long-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and tryptophan metabolites with beneficial effects on metabolism, as well as negative metabolites, including trimethylamine N-oxide, delta-valerobetaine, and imidazole propionate. How gut microbiota specifically affect and participate in metabolic and immune activities, especially the metabolites directly produced by gut microbiota, has attracted extensive attention. So far, some animal and human studies have shown that gut microbiota metabolites are correlated with host obesity, energy metabolism, and inflammation. Some pathways and mechanisms are slowly being discovered. Here, we will focus on the important metabolites of gut microbiota (beneficial and negative), and review their roles and mechanisms in obesity and related metabolic diseases, hoping to provide a new perspective for the treatment and remission of obesity and other metabolic diseases from the perspective of metabolites.

A sensitive mitochondrial thermometry 2.0 and the availability of thermogenic capacity of brown adipocyte

The temperature of a living cell is a crucial parameter for cellular events, such as cell division, gene expressions, enzyme activities and metabolism. We previously developed a quantifiable mitochondrial thermometry 1.0 based on rhodamine B methyl ester (RhB-ME) and rhodamine 800 (Rh800), and the theory for mitochondrial thermogenesis. Given that the synthesized RhB-ME is not readily available, thus, a convenient mitochondrial thermometry 2.0 based on tetra-methyl rhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) and Rh800 for the thermogenic study of brown adipocyte was further evolved. The fluorescence of TMRM is more sensitive (∼1.4 times) to temperature than that of RhB-ME, then the TMRM-based mito-thermometry 2.0 was validated and used for the qualitatively dynamic profiles for mitochondrial thermogenic responses and mitochondrial membrane potential in living cells simultaneously. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the heterogenous thermogenesis evoked by β3 adrenoceptor agonist only used overall up to ∼46% of the thermogenic capacity evoked by CCCP stimulation. On the other hand, the results demonstrated that the maximum thermogenesis evoked by NE and oligomycin A used up to ∼79% of the thermogenic capacity, which suggested the maximum thermogenic capacity under physiological conditions by inhibiting the proton-ATPase function of the mitochondrial complex V, such as under the cold activation of sympathetic nerve and the co-release of sympathetic transmitters.

Efficacy and safety of herbal formulas with the function of gut microbiota regulation for gastric and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Currently, gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) are the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence of GC and CRC and the efficacy of chemotherapy. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of herbal formulas with the function of gut microbiota regulation (HFGMR) in the treatment of GC and CRC and to assess the quality of the synthesized evidence.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed on eight electronic databases, PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and two registries, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov, from their initiation to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the therapeutic effects of HFGMR were included. We used Stata 16 for data synthesis and Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) for methodological quality evaluation and assessed the quality of the synthesized evidence in the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Results

Fifty-three RCTs involving 4,478 patients were included. These trials involve seven herbal formulas that could regulate the gut microbiota of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, and Enterococcus faecalis. The meta-analysis results were subgrouped to three different stages in GC and CRC. 1) For the perioperative stage, HFGMR combined with conventional therapy could shorten the time to bowel sound recovery by 1.63 h [mean difference (MD) = -1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-2.62, -0.65)], the time to first flatus by 9.69 h [MD = -9.69, 95% CI (-10.89, -8.48)], and the duration of hospitalization by 2.91 days [MD = -2.91, 95% CI (-4.01, -1.80)] in GC. There were no significant differences in outcomes of gastrointestinal function recovery and adverse events in CRC. 2) For postoperative patients, combined with adjuvant chemotherapy, HFGMR could decrease the incidence of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and peripheral neurotoxicity in GC; boost Karnofsky performance status (KPS) improvement rate [risk ratio (RR) = 1.96, 95% CI (1.38, 2.79)]; and decrease the incidence of leucopenia and nausea and vomiting in CRC. 3) For advanced stage, HFGMR can significantly improve the objective response rate (ORR) [RR = 1.35, 95% CI (1.19~1.53)], disease control rate (DCR) [RR = 1.14, 95% CI (1.05~1.23)], and KPS improvement rate [RR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.17, 2.09)] and decrease the incidence of leucopenia, neutropenia, anemia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue in GC. There were no significant differences in ORR [RR = 1.32, 95% CI (0.94~1.86)] and DCR [RR = 1.22, 95% CI (0.99~1.50)], but they can improve the KPS response rate [RR = 1.62, 95% CI (1.13, 2.32)] and decrease the incidence of myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and hepatic and renal dysfunction in CRC.

Conclusion

This study indicates that herbal formulas that could regulate the composition and proportion of gut microbiota have a positive effect in three stages (perioperative, postoperative, and advanced) of GC and CRC. They could promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function, increase tumor response, improve performance status, and reduce the incidence of adverse events. Herbal formulas exerted anti-cancer efficacy through multiple mechanisms and pathways; among them, the regulation of gut microbiota has not been paid enough attention. To further support the conclusion and better understand the role of gut microbiota in the treatment of GC and CRC, more rigorously designed, large-scale, and multicenter RCTs that focus on herbal formulas and gut microbiota are needed in the future.

Codonopsis pilosula oligosaccharides modulate the gut microbiota and change serum metabolomic profiles in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Obesity has become a major health problem worldwide, linked to gut microbiota imbalance and chronic inflammation. This study aims to evaluate whether Codonopsis pilosula oligosaccharides (CPOs) can alleviate obesity and related metabolic complications in high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a HFD for 16 weeks and treated daily with CPOs (500 mg kg^-1). CPO supplementation decreased body weight and fat accumulation and improved glucose tolerance in HFD-fed mice. CPOs also reversed the effects of the HFD on inflammatory markers and improved macrophage infiltration. The results of gut microbiota analysis showed that CPOs could also regulate gut microbiota composition, significantly increasing the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Muribaculaceae spp., Alistipes and Clostridium and decreasing the abundance of the harmful bacteria Rikenella, Enterobacteriaceae spp., Collinsella and Megasphaera in HFD mice. Based on serum non-targeted metabolomics analysis, 20 key metabolites responding to CPO treatment were identified, and their biological functions were mainly related to tryptophan and bile acid metabolism. The results demonstrate that CPO supplementation can ameliorate HFD-induced obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. It can be used as a novel gut microbiota modulator to prevent HFD-induced gut dysbiosis.