The Endotoxemia Marker Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein is Reduced in Overweight-Obese Subjects Consuming Pomegranate Extract by Modulating the Gut Microbiota: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Gut microbial metabolites: The bridge connecting diet and atherosclerosis, and next-generation targets for dietary interventions

Mounting evidence indicates that gut microbial metabolites are central hubs linking the gut microbiota to atherosclerosis (AS). Gut microbiota enriched with pathobiont bacteria responsible for producing metabolites like trimethylamine N-oxide and phenylacetylglutamine are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, gut microbiota enriched with bacteria responsible for producing short-chain fatty acids, indole, and its derivatives, such as indole-3-propionic acid, have demonstrated AS-protective effects. This study described AS-related gut microbial composition and how microbial metabolites affect AS. Summary findings revealed gut microbiota and their metabolites-targeted diets could benefit AS treatment. In conclusion, dietary interventions centered on the gut microbiota represent a promising strategy for AS treatment, and understanding diet-microbiota interactions could potentially be devoted to developing novel anti-AS therapies.

Targeting gut microbiota to regulate the adaptive immune response in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death worldwide, is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to the accumulation of lipid-rich plaques in the intima of large and medium-sized arteries. Accumulating evidence indicates the important regulatory role of the adaptive immune system in atherosclerosis during all stages of the disease. The gut microbiome has also become a key regulator of atherosclerosis and immunomodulation. Whilst existing research extensively explores the impact of the microbiome on the innate immune system, only a handful of studies have explored the regulatory capacity of the microbiome on the adaptive immune system to modulate atherogenesis. Building on these concepts and the pitfalls on the gut microbiota and adaptive immune response interaction, this review explores potential strategies to therapeutically target the microbiome, including the use of prebiotics and vaccinations, which could influence the adaptive immune response and consequently plaque composition and development.

Effect of anthocyanins on metabolic syndrome through interacting with gut microbiota

Metabolic syndrome, as a complex pathological condition, is caused by a series of pathogenic factors and has become a global public health challenge. Anthocyanins, a natural water-soluble flavonoid pigment, have attracted much attention due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer biological activities. After ingestion, a majority of anthocyanins is not directly absorbed but rather reaches the colon. Hence, the exertion of their biological benefits is closely intertwined with the role played by gut microbiota. In this review, we introduce the pathogenesis and intervention methods of metabolic syndrome, as well as the interaction between anthocyanins and gut microbiota. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of anthocyanins through gut microbiota in addressing a range of metabolic syndrome conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis, and cancer.

Perspective on the Coevolutionary Role of Host and Gut Microbiota in Polyphenol Health Effects: Metabotypes and Precision Health

"Personalized nutrition" aims to establish nutritional strategies to improve health outcomes for non-responders. However, it is utopian since most people share similar nutritional requirements. "Precision health," encompassing lifestyles, may be more fitting. Dietary (poly)phenols are "healthy" but non-nutritional molecules (thus, we can live without them). The gut microbiota influences (poly)phenol effects, producing metabolites with different activity than their precursors. Furthermore, producing distinctive metabolites, like urolithins, lunularin, and equol, leads to the term "polyphenol-related gut microbiota metabotypes," grouping individuals based on a genuine microbial metabolism of ellagic acid, resveratrol, and isoflavones, respectively. Additionally, (poly)phenols exert prebiotic-like effects through their antimicrobial activities, typically reducing microbial diversity and modulating microbiota functionality by impacting its composition and transcriptomics. Since the gut microbiota perceives (poly)phenols as a threat, (poly)phenol effects are mostly a consequence of microbiota adaptation through differential (poly)phenol metabolism (e.g., distinctive reductions, dehydroxylations, etc.). This viewpoint is less prosaic than considering (poly)phenols as essential nutritional players in human health, yet underscores their health significance in a coevolutionary partnership with the gut microbiota. In the perspective on the gut microbiota and (poly)phenols interplay, microbiota metabotypes could arbiter health effects. An innovative aspect is also emphasized: modulating the interacting microbial networks without altering the composition.

A One-Week Elderberry Juice Intervention Augments the Fecal Microbiota and Suggests Improvement in Glucose Tolerance and Fat Oxidation in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Obesity is a costly and ongoing health complication in the United States and globally. Bioactive-rich foods, especially those providing polyphenols, represent an emerging and attractive strategy to address this issue. Berry-derived anthocyanins and their metabolites are of particular interest for their bioactive effects, including weight maintenance and protection from metabolic aberrations. Earlier findings from small clinical trials suggest modulation of substrate oxidation and glucose tolerance with mediation of prospective benefits attributable to the gut microbiota, but mixed results suggest appropriate anthocyanin dosing poses a challenge. The objective of this randomized, placebo-controlled study was to determine if anthocyanin-dense elderberry juice (EBJ) reproduces glucoregulatory and substrate oxidation effects observed with other berries and if this is mediated by the gut microbiota. Overweight or obese adults (BMI > 25 kg/m2) without chronic illnesses were randomized to a 5-week crossover study protocol with two 1-week periods of twice-daily EBJ or placebo (PL) separated by a washout period. Each treatment period included 4 days of controlled feeding with a 40% fat diet to allow for comparison of measurements in fecal microbiota, meal tolerance testing (MTT), and indirect calorimetry between test beverages. Eighteen study volunteers completed the study. At the phylum level, EBJ significantly increased Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, and decreased Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, EBJ increased Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae, and Bifidobacterium and decreased Bacteroides and lactic acid-producing bacteria, indicating a positive response to EBJ. Supporting the changes to the microbiota, the EBJ treatment significantly reduced blood glucose following the MTT. Fat oxidation also increased significantly both during the MTT and 30 min of moderate physical activity with the EBJ treatment. Our findings confirm the bioactivity of EBJ-sourced anthocyanins on outcomes related to gut health and obesity. Follow-up investigation is needed to confirm our findings and to test for longer durations.

Revealing the Potential Impacts of Nutraceuticals Formulated with Freeze-Dried Jabuticaba Peel and Limosilactobacillus fermentum Strains Candidates for Probiotic Use on Human Intestinal Microbiota

This study evaluated the impacts of novel nutraceuticals formulated with freeze-dried jabuticaba peel (FJP) and three potentially probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains on the abundance of bacterial groups forming the human intestinal microbiota, metabolite production, and antioxidant capacity during in vitro colonic fermentation. The nutraceuticals had high viable counts of L. fermentum after freeze-drying (≥ 9.57 ± 0.09 log CFU/g). The nutraceuticals increased the abundance of Lactobacillus ssp./Enterococcus spp. (2.46-3.94%), Bifidobacterium spp. (2.28-3.02%), and Ruminococcus albus/R. flavefaciens (0.63-4.03%), while decreasing the abundance of Bacteroides spp./Prevotella spp. (3.91-2.02%), Clostridium histolyticum (1.69-0.40%), and Eubacterium rectale/C. coccoides (3.32-1.08%), which were linked to positive prebiotic indices (> 1.75). The nutraceuticals reduced the pH and increased the sugar consumption, short-chain fatty acid production, phenolic acid content, and antioxidant capacity, besides altering the metabolic profile during colonic fermentation. The combination of FJP and probiotic L. fermentum is a promising strategy to produce nutraceuticals targeting intestinal microbiota.

Effect of dark sweet cherry (Prunus avium) supplementation on the fecal microbiota, metabolic endotoxemia, and intestinal permeability in obese subjects: a single-blind randomized trial

This single blind placebo-controlled study has as its main objectives to investigate the influence of dark sweet cherries (DSC) consumption on obesity-related dysbiosis, metabolic endotoxemia, and intestinal permeability. Participants (>18 years old, BMI: 30-40 kg m-2) consumed 200 mL of DSC juice with 3 g of DSC powder (n = 19) or a placebo drink (n = 21) twice per day for 30 days. The gut microbiota abundance was investigated using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing on fecal DNA. Metabolic endotoxemia was evaluated by measuring lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) in fasting plasma samples. Intestinal permeability was assessed using the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) test and by measuring regeneration islet-derived protein 4 (REG4), and interleukin-22 (IL-22) mRNA levels in stool samples. Results showed that DSC supplementation decreased the abundance of Anaerostipes hadrus (p = 0.02) and Blautia (p = 0.04), whose changes were significant in BMI ≥ 35 participants (p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). Additionally, DSC prevented the increase of Alistipes shahii (p = 0.005) and Bilophila (p = 0.01) compared to placebo. Notably, DSC intervention favored the abundance of bacteria supporting a healthy gut ecosystem such as Roseburia intestinalis (p = 0.01), Turicibacter (p = 0.01), and Bacteroides vulgatus (p = 0.003) throughout the intervention, along with Clostridium leptum (p = 0.03) compared to placebo. The LBP, L/M ratio, REG-4 and IL-22 mRNA levels remained unchanged in placebo and cherry groups, implying that participants did not experience alterations in intestinal permeability. These findings highlight the potential gut-health benefits of DSC and encourage future research among individuals with BMI ≥ 35 and increased intestinal permeability.

The complex link between the gut microbiome and obesity-associated metabolic disorders: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

Microbial interactions are widespread and important processes that support the link between disease and microbial ecology. The gut microbiota is a major source of microbial stimuli that can have detrimental or beneficial effects on human health. It is also an endocrine organ that maintains energy homeostasis and host immunity. Obesity is a highly and increasingly prevalent metabolic disease and the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. An imbalance in the gut microbiome is associated with several diseases including obesity-related metabolic disorders. This review summarizes the complex association between the gut microbiome and obesity-associated metabolic diseases and validates the role and mechanisms of ecological dysregulation in the gut in obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Therapies that could potentially alleviate obesity-associated metabolic diseases by modulating the gut microbiota are discussed.

Broadening horizons: intestinal microbiota as a novel biomarker and potential treatment for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are severe complications of pregnancy with high morbidity and are a major cause of increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is a lack of effective early diagnostic indicators and safe and effective preventive strategies for HDP in clinical practice, except for monitoring maternal blood pressure levels, the degree of proteinuria, organ involvement and fetal conditions. The intestinal microbiota consists of the gut flora and intestinal environment, which is the largest microecosystem of the human body and participates in material and energy metabolism, gene expression regulation, immunity regulation, and other functions. During pregnancy, due to changes in hormone levels and altered immune function, the intestinal microecological balance is affected, triggering HDP. A dysregulated intestinal microenvironment influences the composition and distribution of the gut flora and changes the intestinal barrier, driving beneficial or harmful bacterial metabolites and inflammatory responses to participate in the development of HDP and promote its malignant development. When the gut flora is dysbiotic and affects blood pressure, supplementation with probiotics and dietary fiber can be used to intervene. In this review, the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and HDP was investigated to explore the feasibility of the gut flora as a novel biomarker of HDP and to provide a new strategy and basis for the prevention and treatment of clinical HDP.

Survival of Probiotic Bacterial Cells in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract and the Effect of the Surviving Population on the Colonic Microbial Community Activity and Composition

Many health-promoting effects have been attributed to the intake of probiotic cells. However, it is important that probiotic cells arrive at the site of their activity in a viable state in order to exert their beneficial effects. Careful selection of the appropriate probiotic formulation is therefore required as mainly the type of probiotic species/strain and the administration strategy may affect survival of the probiotic cells during the upper gastrointestinal (GIT) passage. Therefore, the current study implemented Simulator of the Human Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) technology to investigate the efficacy of different commercially available probiotic formulations on the survival and culturability of probiotic bacteria during upper GIT passage. Moreover, Colon-on-a-Plate (CoaP™) technology was applied to assess the effect of the surviving probiotic bacteria on the gut microbial community (activity and composition) of three human donors. Significantly greater survival and culturability rates were reported for the delayed-release capsule formulation (>50%) as compared to the powder, liquid, and standard capsule formulations (<1%) (p < 0.05), indicating that the delayed-release capsule was most efficacious in delivering live bacteria cells. Indeed, administration of the delayed-release capsule probiotic digest resulted in enhanced production of SCFAs and shifted gut microbial community composition towards beneficial bacterial species. These results thus indicate that careful selection of the appropriate probiotic formulation and administration strategy is crucial to deliver probiotic cells in a viable state at the site of their activity (distal ileum and colon).

Pomegranate Juice Supplemented with Inulin Modulates Gut Microbiota and Promotes the Production of Microbiota-Associated Metabolites in Overweight/Obese Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Pomegranate juice (PJ) and inulin have been reported to ameliorate diet-induced metabolic disorders by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, there was a lack of clinical evidence for the combined effects of PJ and inulin on regulating gut microbiota in individuals with metabolic disorders. A double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted, and 68 overweight/obese individuals (25 ≤ BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to receive 200 mL/d PJ, PJ supplemented with inulin, or placebo for 3 weeks. Our results showed that PJ and PJ+inulin did not significantly alter the levels of anthropometric and blood biochemical indicators after 3 weeks of treatment. However, there was an increasingly significant impact from placebo to PJ to PJ+inulin on the composition of gut microbiota. Detailed bacterial abundance analysis further showed that PJ+inulin treatment more profoundly resulted in significant changes in the abundance of gut microbiota at each taxonomic level than PJ. Moreover, PJ+inulin treatment also promoted the production of microbiota-associated short-chain fatty acids and pomegranate polyphenol metabolites, which correlated with the abundance of the bacterial genus. Our results suggested that PJ supplemented with inulin modulates gut microbiota composition and thus promotes the production of microbiota-associated metabolites that exert potential beneficial effects in overweight/obese subjects.

Dietary patterns interfere with gut microbiota to combat obesity

Obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders are global epidemics that occur when there is chronic energy intake exceeding energy expenditure. Growing evidence suggests that healthy dietary patterns not only decrease the risk of obesity but also influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Numerous studies manifest that the development of obesity is associated with gut microbiota. One promising supplementation strategy is modulating gut microbiota composition by dietary patterns to combat obesity. In this review, we discuss the changes of gut microbiota in obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders, with a particular emphasis on the impact of dietary components on gut microbiota and how common food patterns can intervene in gut microbiota to prevent obesity. While there is promise in intervening with the gut microbiota to combat obesity through the regulation of dietary patterns, numerous key questions remain unanswered. In this review, we critically review the associations between dietary patterns, gut microbes, and obesity, aiming to contribute to the further development and application of dietary patterns against obesity in humans.

Co-Supplementation of Baobab Fiber and Arabic Gum Synergistically Modulates the In Vitro Human Gut Microbiome Revealing Complementary and Promising Prebiotic Properties

Arabic gum, a high molecular weight heteropolysaccharide, is a promising prebiotic candidate as its fermentation occurs more distally in the colon, which is the region where most chronic colonic diseases originate. Baobab fiber could be complementary due to its relatively simple structure, facilitating breakdown in the proximal colon. Therefore, the current study aimed to gain insight into how the human gut microbiota was affected in response to long-term baobab fiber and Arabic gum supplementation when tested individually or as a combination of both, allowing the identification of potential complementary and/or synergetic effects. The validated Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®), an in vitro gut model simulating the entire human gastrointestinal tract, was used. The microbial metabolic activity was examined, and quantitative 16S-targeted Illumina sequencing was used to monitor the gut microbial composition. Moreover, the effect on the gut microbial metabolome was quantitatively analyzed. Repeated administration of baobab fiber, Arabic gum, and their combination had a significant effect on the metabolic activity, diversity index, and community composition of the microbiome present in the simulated proximal and distal colon with specific impacts on Bifidobacteriaceae and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Despite the lower dosage strategy (2.5 g/day), co-supplementation of both compounds resulted in some specific synergistic prebiotic effects, including a biological activity throughout the entire colon, SCFA synthesis including a synergy on propionate, specifically increasing abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Christensenellaceae in the distal colon region, and enhancing levels of spermidine and other metabolites of interest (such as serotonin and ProBetaine).

Relationships between Habitual Polyphenol Consumption and Gut Microbiota in the INCLD Health Cohort

While polyphenol consumption is often associated with an increased abundance of beneficial microbes and decreased opportunistic pathogens, these relationships are not completely described for polyphenols consumed via habitual diet, including culinary herb and spice consumption. This analysis of the International Cohort on Lifestyle Determinants of Health (INCLD Health) cohort uses a dietary questionnaire and 16s microbiome data to examine relationships between habitual polyphenol consumption and gut microbiota in healthy adults (n = 96). In this exploratory analysis, microbial taxa, but not diversity measures, differed by levels of dietary polyphenol consumption. Taxa identified as exploratory biomarkers of daily polyphenol consumption (mg/day) included Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Eubacterium ventriosum group, Ruminococcus torques group, and Sutterella. Taxa identified as exploratory biomarkers of the frequency of polyphenol-weighted herb and spice use included Lachnospiraceae UCG-001, Lachnospiraceae UCG-004, Methanobrevibacter, Lachnoclostridium, and Lachnotalea. Several of the differentiating taxa carry out activities important for human health, although out of these taxa, those with previously described pro-inflammatory qualities in certain contexts displayed inverse relationships with polyphenol consumption. Our results suggest that higher quantities of habitual polyphenol consumption may support an intestinal environment where opportunistic and pro-inflammatory bacteria are represented in a lower relative abundance compared to those with less potentially virulent qualities.

Urolithin A production drives the effects of pomegranate on the gut microbial metabolism of bile acids and cholesterol in mild dyslipidaemic overweight and obese individuals

The metabolism of (poly)phenols and some host metabolites, including bile acids (BAs) and cholesterol, varies among individuals depending on their gut microbiota. The gut microbial metabolism of ellagitannins (ETs) and ellagic acid (EA) produces urolithins (Uros), yielding three metabotypes with quantitative and qualitative differences based on dissimilar Uro-producing profiles (UM-A, UM-B, and UM-0, i.e., non-producers). Previous animal studies demonstrated that polyphenols impact BAs and cholesterol microbial metabolism, but data on their effects in humans and data regarding the inter-individual variability of these metabolic conversions are scant. We evaluated whether UMs, as distinctive functional gut-microbiome signatures, could determine the potential effect of a pomegranate extract (PE) rich in ET-EA on the metabolism of BAs and cholesterol in mild dyslipidaemic overweight-obese individuals, with possible consequences on host-lipid homeostasis and gut health. At the baseline, UM-B presented the highest levels of faecal total and secondary BAs and coprostanol, suggesting that the lipid absorption capacity and gut cytotoxic risk could be augmented in UM-B. PE intake significantly reduced faecal coprostanol and BA production, especially secondary BAs, and modulated the gut microbiome, reducing the gut cytotoxic risk, especially in UM-B individuals. The lowering of faecal microbial coprostanol and BAs and some BA-metabolising bacteria was quantitatively correlated with Uro concentrations, mainly faecal Uro-A. This suggests that PE consumption could exert cardiovascular and gut protection through Uro-A production as a direct driver of the effects and indirectly by reducing the Coriobacteriaceae family and BA pool, known factors involved in the gut absorption of lipids.

Dietary (poly)phenols and cardiometabolic health: from antioxidants to modulators of the gut microbiota

(Poly)phenols are plant secondary metabolites widely abundant in plant foods and beverages comprising a very large number of compounds with diverse structure and biological activities. Accumulating evidence indicates that these compounds exert beneficial effects against cardiometabolic diseases, and this review will provide a summary of current knowledge in this area. Epidemiological and clinical data collectively suggest that intake of flavonoids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the evidence being particularly strong for the flavan-3-ol subclass. However, to provide adequate dietary recommendations, a better understanding of their estimated content in foods and intake among the general public is needed. Regarding mechanisms of action, we now know that it is unlikely that (poly)phenols act as direct antioxidants in vivo, as it was hypothesised for decades with the popularity of in vitro antioxidant capacity assays. One of the reasons is that upon ingestion, (poly)phenols are extensively metabolised into a wide array of circulating metabolites with different bioactivities than their precursors. Well-conducted in vitro and in vivo studies and human nutrigenomic analysis have revealed new molecular targets that may be underlying the health benefits of (poly)phenols, such as the nitric oxide pathway. Recently, a bi-directional relationship was established between (poly)phenols and the gut microbiota, suggesting that individual gut microbial metabolising capacity may be a key factor explaining the variability in the cardiometabolic response to (poly)phenols. Future research is needed to elucidate which are the key factors affecting such capacity, and whether it can be modulated, along with the mechanisms of action.

Next-generation prebiotics: Maillard-conjugates of 2'-fucosyllactose and lactoferrin hydrolysates beneficially modulate gut microbiome composition and health promoting activity in a murine model

Current prebiotics are predominantly carbohydrates. However, great competition exists among gut microbes for the scarce protein in the colon, as most consumed protein is digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Herein we evaluated in-vivo novel next-generation prebiotics: protein-containing-prebiotics, for selectively-targeted delivery of protein to colonic probiotics, to boost their growth. This system is based on micellar-particles, composed of Maillard-glycoconjugates of 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL, human-milk-oligosaccharide) shell, engulfing lactoferrin peptic-then-tryptic hydrolysate (LFH) core. This core-shell structure lowers protein-core digestibility, while the prebiotic glycans are hypothesized to serve as molecular-recognition ligands for selectively targeting probiotics. To study the efficacy of this novel prebiotic, we fed C57BL/6JRccHsd mice with either 2'-FL-LFH Maillard-glycoconjugates, unconjugated components (control), or saline (blank). Administration of 2'-FL-LFH significantly increased the levels of short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFAs)-producing bacterial families (Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae) and genus (Odoribacter) and the production of the health-related metabolites, SCFAs, compared to the unconjugated components and to saline. The SCFAs-producing genus Prevotella significantly increased upon 2'-FL-LFH consumption, compared to only moderate increase in the unconjugated components. Interestingly, the plasma-levels of inflammation-inducing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which indicate increased gut-permeability, were significantly lower in the 2'-FL-LFH group compared to the unconjugated-components and the saline groups. We found that Maillard-glycoconjugates of 2'-FL-LFH can serve as novel protein-containing prebiotics, beneficially modulating gut microbial composition and its metabolic activity, thereby contributing to host health more effectively than the conventional carbohydrate-only prebiotics.

An Update on Prebiotics and on Their Health Effects

Prebiotic compounds were originally defined as "a nondigestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health"; however, a significant modulation of the definition was carried out in the consensus panel of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), and the last definition states that "prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit". Health effects of prebiotics compounds attracted the interest of researchers, food companies and Regulatory Agencies, as inferred by the number of articles on Scopus for the keywords "prebiotic" and "health effects", that is ca. 2000, for the period January 2021-January 2024. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on these topics by offering an overview of existing knowledge and advances in this field. A literature search was performed for the period 2012-2023 and after the selection of the most relevant items, the attention was focused on seven conditions for which at least 8-10 different studies were found, namely colorectal cancer, neurological or psychiatric conditions, intestinal diseases, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and immune system disorders. In addition, the analysis of the most recent articles through the software VosViewer version 1.6.20 pointed out the existence of five clusters or macro-categories, namely: (i) pathologies; (ii) metabolic condvitions; (iii) structure and use in food; (iv) immunomodulation; (v) effect on gut microbiota.

The INHABIT (synergIstic effect of aNtHocyAnin and proBIoTics in) Inflammatory Bowel Disease trial: a study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, controlled, multi-arm trial

Ulcerative Colitis (UC), a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), is a chronic, relapsing gastrointestinal condition with increasing global prevalence. The gut microbiome profile of people living with UC differs from healthy controls and this may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical management of UC. Probiotics have been shown to induce remission in UC; however, their impact on the gut microbiome and inflammation is less clear. Anthocyanins, a flavonoid subclass, have shown anti-inflammatory and microbiota-modulating properties; however, this evidence is largely preclinical. To explore the combined effect and clinical significance of anthocyanins and a multi-strain probiotic, a 3-month randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 100 adults with UC. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: anthocyanins (blackcurrant powder) + placebo probiotic, probiotic + placebo fruit powder, anthocyanin + probiotic, or double placebo. The primary outcome is a clinically significant change in the health-related quality-of-life measured with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire-32. Secondary outcomes include shotgun metagenomic sequencing of the faecal microbiota, faecal calprotectin, symptom severity, and mood and cognitive tests. This research will identify the role of adjuvant anti-inflammatory dietary treatments in adults with UC and elucidate the relationship between the gut microbiome and inflammatory biomarkers in this disease, to help identify targeted individualised microbial therapies. ANZCTR registration ACTRN12623000630617.

Human gut microbiome: Therapeutic opportunities for metabolic syndrome-Hype or hope?

Shifts in gut microbiome composition and metabolic disorders are associated with one another. Clinical studies and experimental data suggest a causal relationship, making the gut microbiome an attractive therapeutic goal. Diet, intake of probiotics or prebiotics and faecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) are methods to alter a person's microbiome composition. Although FMT may allow establishing a proof of concept to use microbiome modulation to treat metabolic disorders, studies show mixed results regarding the effects on metabolic parameters as well as on the composition of the microbiome. This review summarizes the current knowledge on diet, probiotics, prebiotics and FMT to treat metabolic diseases, focusing on studies that also report alterations in microbiome composition. Furthermore, clinical trial results on the effects of common drugs used to treat metabolic diseases are synopsized to highlight the bidirectional relationship between the microbiome and metabolic diseases. In conclusion, there is clear evidence that microbiome modulation has the potential to influence metabolic diseases; however, it is not possible to distinguish which intervention is the most successful. In addition, a clear commitment from all stakeholders is necessary to move forward in the direction of developing targeted interventions for microbiome modulation.

Direct and Indirect Evidence of Effects of Bacteroides spp. on Obesity and Inflammation

Metabolic disorders present a significant public health challenge globally. The intricate relationship between the gut microbiome, particularly Bacteroides spp. (BAC), and obesity, including their specific metabolic functions, remains partly unresolved. This review consolidates current research on BAC's role in obesity and lipid metabolism, with three objectives: (1) To summarize the gut microbiota's impact on obesity; (2) To assess BAC's efficacy in obesity intervention; (3) To explore BAC's mechanisms in obesity and lipid metabolism management. This review critically examines the role of BAC in obesity, integrating findings from clinical and preclinical studies. We highlight the changes in BAC diversity and concentration following successful obesity treatment and discuss the notable differences in BAC characteristics among individuals with varying obesity levels. Furthermore, we review recent preclinical studies demonstrating the potential of BAC in ameliorating obesity and related inflammatory conditions, providing detailed insights into the methodologies of these in vivo experiments. Additionally, certain BAC-derived metabolites have been shown to be involved in the regulation of host lipid metabolism-related pathways. The enhanced TNF production by dendritic cells following BAC administration, in response to LPS, also positions BAC as a potential adjunctive therapy in obesity management.

Gut dysbiosis-related thrombosis in inflammatory bowel disease: Potential disease mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolic events, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality. Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic events in patients with IBD. However, many unresolved questions remain, particularly regarding the mechanisms that determine the persistent inflammatory state independent of disease activity. This review explored the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction, which are considered distinctive features of IBD, in determining pro-thrombotic tendencies. Gut-derived endotoxemia due to the translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the intestine to the bloodstream and the bacterial metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) are the most important molecules involved in gut dysbiosis-related thrombosis. The pathogenic prothrombotic pathways linked to LPS and TMAO have been discussed. Finally, we present emerging therapeutic approaches that can help reduce LPS-mediated endotoxemia and TMAO, such as restoring intestinal eubiosis, normalizing intestinal barrier function, and counterbalancing the effects of LPS and TMAO.

Unveiling metabotype clustering in resveratrol, daidzein, and ellagic acid metabolism: Prevalence, associated gut microbiomes, and their distinctive microbial networks

The gut microbiota (GM) produces different polyphenol-derived metabolites, yielding high interindividual variability and hampering consistent health effects. GM metabotypes associated with ellagic acid (urolithin metabotypes A (UMA), B (UMB), and 0 (UM0)), resveratrol (lunularin -producers (LP) and non-producers (LNP)), and daidzein (equol-producers (EP) and non-producers (ENP)) are known. However, individual polyphenol-related metabotypes do not occur individually. In contrast, different combinations coexist (i.e., metabotype clusters, MCs). We report here for the first time these MCs, their distribution, and their associated GM in adult humans (n = 127) after consuming for 7 days a nutraceutical (pomegranate, Polygonum cuspidatum, and red clover extracts) containing ellagitannins + ellagic acid, resveratrol, and isoflavones. Urine metabolites (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) and fecal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were analyzed. Ten MCs were identified: LP + UMB + ENP (22.7%), LP + UMA + ENP (21.3%), LP + UMA + EP (16.7%), LP + UMB + EP (16%), LNP + UMA + ENP (11.3%), LNP + UMB + ENP (5.3%), LNP + UMA + EP (3.3%), LNP + UMB + EP (2%), LNP + UM0 + EP (0.7%), and LNP + UM0 + ENP (0.7%). Sex, BMI, and age did not affect the distribution of metabotypes or MCs. Multivariate analysis (MaAslin2) revealed genera differentially present in individual metabotypes and MCs. Network analysis (MENA) showed the taxa acting as module hubs and connectors. Compositional and functional profiling, alpha and beta diversities, topological network features, and GM modulation by the nutraceutical differed depending on whether the entire cohort or each MC was considered. The nutraceutical did not change the composition of LP + UMA + EP (the most robust GM with the most associated functions) but increased its network connectors. This pioneering approach, joining GM's compositional, functional, and network features in polyphenol metabolism, paves the way for identifying personalized GM-targeted strategies to improve polyphenol health benefits.

Linking Migraine to Gut Dysbiosis and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases

In the world, migraine is one of the most common causes of disability in adults. To date, there is no a single cause for this disorder, but rather a set of physio-pathogenic triggers in combination with a genetic predisposition. Among the factors related to migraine onset, a crucial role seems to be played by gut dysbiosis. In fact, it has been demonstrated how the intestine is able to modulate the central nervous system activities, through the gut-brain axis, and how gut dysbiosis can influence neurological pathologies, including migraine attacks. In this context, in addition to conventional pharmacological treatments for migraine, attention has been paid to an adjuvant therapeutic strategy based on different nutritional approaches and lifestyle changes able to positively modulate the gut microbiota composition. In fact, the restoration of the balance between the different gut bacterial species, the reconstruction of the gut barrier integrity, and the control of the release of gut-derived inflammatory neuropeptides, obtained through specific nutritional patterns and lifestyle changes, represent a possible beneficial additive therapy for many migraine subtypes. Herein, this review explores the bi-directional correlation between migraine and the main chronic non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, obesity, cancer, and chronic kidney diseases, whose link is represented by gut dysbiosis.

An insight into the neuroprotective effects and molecular targets of pomegranate (Punica granatum) against Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that still has no permanent cure. The drugs prescribed in the present days are only for symptomatic relief for the patients. Many studies correlating the reduction in the incidence of AD with the diet consumed have been published. These studies showed that a diet rich in polyphenols is associated with a decrease in the incidence of AD. The present review is focused on the ability of pomegranate and its bioactive components to ameliorate the progression of AD and their ability to exert a neuroprotective effect. Various studies showing the ability of pomegranate in inhibiting enzymes, reducing reactive oxygen species, inhibition of microglial activation, inhibition of tau protein hyperphosphorylation, maintenance of synaptic plasticity, anti-inflammatory activity and its ability to inhibit Beta secretase-1 (BACE-1) has been reviewed in this article. In spite of the lack of studies on humans, there are compelling evidence indicating that pomegranate can reduce various risk factors involved in the causation of AD and thus can be used as a persistent nutraceutical to slow ageing and for providing neuroprotection for the treatment of AD.Highlights An overview of traditional and pharmacological uses of pomegranate (POM).Potential of POM in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases especially in AD.Insight into the molecular mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of POM in AD.Clinical evaluation studies involving POM and its bioactive components.

Cardiometabolic Risk: Characteristics of the Intestinal Microbiome and the Role of Polyphenols

Cardiometabolic diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and obesity have been associated with changes in the gut microbiota structure, or dysbiosis. The beneficial effect of polyphenols on reducing the incidence of this chronic disease has been confirmed by numerous studies. Polyphenols are primarily known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but they can also modify the gut microbiota. According to recent research, polyphenols positively influence the gut microbiota, which regulates metabolic responses and reduces systemic inflammation. This review emphasizes the prebiotic role of polyphenols and their impact on specific gut microbiota components in patients at cardiometabolic risk. It also analyzes the most recent research on the positive effects of polyphenols on cardiometabolic health. While numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the interaction involving polyphenols and gut microbiota, additional clinical investigations are required to assess this effect in people.

Crosstalk between dietary pomegranate and gut microbiota: evidence of health benefits

Gut microbiota (GM) is an invisible organ that plays an important role in human health. Increasing evidence suggests that polyphenols in pomegranate (punicalagin, PU) could serve as prebiotics to modulate the composition and function of GM. In turn, GM transform PU into bioactive metabolites such as ellagic acid (EA) and urolithin (Uro). In this review, the interplay between pomegranate and GM is thoroughly described by unveiling a dialog in which both actors seem to affect each other's roles. In a first dialog, the influence of bioactive compounds from pomegranate on GM is described. The second act shows how the GM biotransform pomegranate phenolics into Uro. Finally, the health benefits of Uro and that related molecular mechanism are summarized and discussed. Intake of pomegranate promotes beneficial bacteria in GM (e.g. Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp.) while reducing the growth of harmful bacteria (e.g. Bacteroides fragilis group, Clostridia). Akkermansia muciniphila, and Gordonibacter spp., among others, biotransform PU and EA into Uro. Uro contributes to strengthening intestinal barrier and reducing inflammatory processes. Yet, Uro production varies greatly among individuals and depend on GM composition. Uro-producing bacteria and precise metabolic pathways need to be further elucidated therefore contributing to personalized and precision nutrition.

Changes in the Gut Microbiota after the Use of Herbal Medicines in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicine is a low-cost treatment and has been increasingly applied in obesity treatment. Gut microbiota (GM) is strongly associated with obesity pathogenesis.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review guided by the question: "Does the use of herbal medicine change the GM composition in obese individuals?" Randomized clinical trials with obese individuals assessing the effects of herbal medicine intervention in GM were retrieved from the Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, including the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Two reviewers independently extracted data using standardized piloted data extraction forms and assessed the study-level risk of bias using an Excel template of the Cochrane "Risk of bias" tool 2-RoB 2.

RESULTS

We identified 1094 articles in the databases. After removing duplicates and reading the title and abstract, 14 publications were fully evaluated, of which seven publications from six studies were considered eligible. The herbs analyzed were Moringa oleifera, Punica granatum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis, W-LHIT and WCBE. The analysis showed that Schisandra chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis had significant effects on weight loss herbal intervention therapy composed by five Chinese herbal medicines Ganoderma lucidum, Coptis chinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Nelumbo nucifera gaertn, and Fructus aurantii (W-LHIT) and white common bean extract (WCBE) on GM, but no significant changes in anthropometry and laboratory biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Herbal medicine modulates GM and is associated with increased genera in obese individuals.

Gut microbiome and cancer implications: Potential opportunities for fermented foods

There is a critical opportunity to improve response to immunotherapies and overall cancer survivorship via dietary interventions targeted to modify the gut microbiome, and in turn, potentially enhance anti-cancer immunity. A promising dietary intervention is fermented foods, which may alter gut microbiome composition and, in turn, improve immunity. In this article, we summarize the state of the literature pertaining to the gut microbiome and response to immunotherapy and other cancer treatments, potential clinical implications of utilizing a fermented foods dietary approach to improve cancer treatment outcomes, and existing gaps in the literature regarding the implementation of fermented food interventions among individuals with cancer or with a history of cancer. This review synthesizes a compelling rationale across different disciplines to lay a roadmap for future fermented food dietary intervention research aimed at modulating the gut microbiome to reduce cancer burden.

Association of gut microbiota and glucose metabolism in children with disparate degrees of adiposity

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of gut microbiota in children with disparate degrees of adiposity, and analyze the association between gut microbiota, glucose metabolism indicators, and inflammatory factors.

METHODS

Clinical data were examined in 89 Chinese children. Children with a body fat percentage ≥ 30% were diagnosed as obese, and ≥ 35% in males and ≥ 40% in females were further defined as severe obesity. The composition of gut microbiota was determined by 16S rDNA-based metagenomics.

RESULTS

The study population (9.75 ± 1.92-year-old) was characterized as normal weight (n = 29), mild obesity (n = 27) and severe obesity (n = 33) groups. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis found that compared to the severe obesity group, subjects with mild obesity had more prevalent members of the phylum Fusobacteria, the genus Alistipes, and fewer members of genus Granulicatella and Clostridium (p < 0.05). For subjects with mild obesity, Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that fasting plasma glucose positively correlated with species A. indistinctus, A. putredinis, and negatively correlated with species Ruminococcus gnavus; LBP negatively correlated with species Clostridium hathewayi, and Blautia producta. For subjects with severe obesity, oral glucose tolerance test 2 h plasma glucose (OGTT2HPG) negatively correlated with the phylum Synergistetes, genus Pyramidobacter, species Veillonella parvula, P. piscolens, and positively correlated with species B. producta, INS and HOMA-IR negatively correlated with the genus Haemophilus, species H. parainfluenzae, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) negatively correlated with the phylum Actinobacteria, genus Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and species B. longum (all p < 0.05). Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states 2 (PICRUSt2) analysis discerned that the glucose metabolism pathway, gluconeogenesis I was curtailed in the severe obesity group.

CONCLUSION

The gut microbiota could favourably compensate for glucose metabolism in children with obesity. Genus Haemophilus and Bifidobacterium longum may influence glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in children with severe obesity.

Comparing the gut microbiome of obese, African American, older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment

Those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to dementia, have a gut microbiome distinct from healthy individuals, but this has only been shown in healthy individuals, not in those exhibiting several risk factors for dementia. Using amplicon 16S rRNA gene sequencing in a case-control study of 60 older (ages 55-76), obese, predominately female, African American adults, those with MCI (cases) had different gut microbiota profiles than controls. While microbial community diversity was similar between cases and controls, the abundances of specific microbial taxa weren't, such as Parabacteroides distasonis (lower in cases) and Dialister invisus (higher in cases). These differences disappeared after adjusting for markers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Cognitive scores were positively correlated with levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium associated with reduced inflammation. Our study shows that gut microbial composition may be associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and MCI in those at high risk for dementia.

Effectiveness of the pomegranate extract in improving hepatokines and serum biomarkers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized double blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pomegranate as a functional food has various properties and effects on health. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pomegranate extract on serum levels of liver enzymes, hepatokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and total antioxidant capacity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 44 patients with NAFLD were divided into two groups: pomegranate extract tablets and placebo. The intervention period was 12 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), fetuin-A, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and total antioxidant capacity were assessed in both groups.

RESULTS

Pomegranate extract reduced the level of ALT (P < 0.001), AST (P < 0.001), GGT (P < 0.001), fetuin-A (P < 0.001), FGF-21(P < 0.001) and IL-6 (P = 0.04) compared to the placebo. Pomegranate extract also led to an increase in total antioxidant capacity (P˂0.001) but had no effect on ALP.

CONCLUSION

It seems that the pomegranate extract improves several markers of NAFLD, and can be useful as a treatment supplement. The clinical trial approved by Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (grant No. NRC-9811).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20140107016123N14, https://www.irct.ir/trial/42739.

The effects of dietary ellagic acid supplementation on growth performance, immune response, antioxidant activity, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal functions in yellow-feathered broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with ellagic acid (EA) on the performance, immune function, antioxidant activity, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal functions in yellow-feathered broilers. In total, 288 healthy yellow-feathered broilers with an average body weight of 39 ± 0.24 g were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Broilers were given a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg EA. In the finisher period and the overall period, the inclusion of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg EA increased the average daily gain (P < 0.05), and the inclusion of 200 or 400 mg/kg EA decreased the feed/gain ratio compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The best immune activity (immunoglobulin G [IgG] and immunoglobulin M [IgM] concentrations) in serum was shown in the 200 mg/kg EA group (P < 0.05). Broilers fed with 200 or 400 mg/kg EA-containing diets exhibited higher serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities (P < 0.05) than control broilers. The inclusion of 200 mg/kg EA in the broiler diets increased intestinal chymotrypsin, pepsin, and lipase activities (P < 0.05). Broilers fed 200 mg/kg EA-containing diets had higher villus height in the jejunum and ileum, a higher ratio between villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum, and a deeper crypt in the duodenum compared to control broilers (P < 0.05). EA reduced the diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate concentration in serum. Furthermore, in birds fed EA-containing diets, the abundance of Rikenella and norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_UCG-014 in cecum were decreased compared with control birds (P < 0.05). Moreover, in birds fed EA-containing diets, the levels of acetate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids in the cecum were higher (P < 0.05) than those in control birds. These findings indicated that dietary EA had ameliorative effects on antioxidant capability, digestive enzyme activity, immune function, and intestinal functions, which led to strengthened growth performance.

A review on the gastrointestinal protective effects of tropical fruit polyphenols

Tropical fruits are popular because of their unique, delicious flavors and good nutritional value. Polyphenols are considered to be the main bioactive ingredients in tropical fruits, and these exert a series of beneficial effects on the human gastrointestinal tract that can enhance intestinal health and prevent intestinal diseases. Moreover, they are distinct from the polyphenols in fruits grown in other geographical zones. Thus, the comprehensive effects of polyphenols in tropical fruits on gut health warrant in-depth review. This article reviews, first, the biological characteristics of several representative tropical fruits, including mango, avocado, noni, cashew apple, passion fruit and lychee; second, the types and content of the main polyphenols in these tropical fruits; third, the effects of each of these fruit polyphenols on gastrointestinal health; and, fourth, the protective mechanism of polyphenols. Polyphenols and their metabolites play a crucial role in the regulation of the gut microbiota, increasing intestinal barrier function, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and regulating immune function. Thus, review highlights the value of tropical fruits, highlighting their significance for future research on their applications as functional foods that are oriented to gastrointestinal protection.

Urolithins: a Comprehensive Update on their Metabolism, Bioactivity, and Associated Gut Microbiota

Urolithins, metabolites produced by the gut microbiota from the polyphenols ellagitannins and ellagic acid, are discovered by the research group in humans almost 20 years ago. Pioneering research suggests urolithins as pleiotropic bioactive contributors to explain the health benefits after consuming ellagitannin-rich sources (pomegranates, walnuts, strawberries, etc.). Here, this study comprehensively updates the knowledge on urolithins, emphasizing the review of the literature published during the last 5 years. To date, 13 urolithins and their corresponding conjugated metabolites (glucuronides, sulfates, etc.) have been described and, depending on the urolithin, detected in different human fluids and tissues (urine, blood, feces, breastmilk, prostate, colon, and breast tissues). There has been a substantial advance in the research on microorganisms involved in urolithin production, along with the compositional and functional characterization of the gut microbiota associated with urolithins metabolism that gives rise to the so-called urolithin metabotypes (UM-A, UM-B, and UM-0), relevant in human health. The design of in vitro studies using physiologically relevant assay conditions (molecular forms and concentrations) is still a pending subject, making some reported urolithin activities questionable. In contrast, remarkable progress has been made in the research on the safety, bioactivity, and associated mechanisms of urolithin A, including the first human interventions.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) alters secretome trace amine profile of probiotic and commensal microbes in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren (rooibos) tea is anecdotally renowned for its calming effect in the context of gastrointestinal discomfort, but little scientific support is available to elucidate potential mechanisms of action. Enhancement of dietary polyphenol content to improve gut health via prebiotic-like modulation of the gut microbiota has gained significant research interest. Given the known high polyphenol content of rooibos, rooibos tea may potentially exert a prebiotic effect in the gut to facilitate an improvement in chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to determine the prebiotic or health-modulating potential of rooibos tea in terms of its effect on gut microbial growth and secretome trace amine composition, as well as to determine how differential rooibos processing alters this activity.

METHODS

Three rooibos preparations (green and fermented leave aqueous extracts, as well as a green leaf ethanol extract) were compared in terms of their phenolic composition (qTOF-LC/MS). Moreover, the effect of rooibos exposure on growth and secretome trace amine levels of probiotic and commensal microbes were assessed (LC/MS). In addition, given the known female bias prevalent for many gastrointestinal disorders, experiments were conducted in the absence and presence of estradiol.

RESULTS

Polyphenolic composition of rooibos was drastically reduced by fermentation. Aqueous extracts of both green and fermented rooibos improved microbial growth, although fermented rooibos had the most pronounced effect (p < 0.01). In terms of secretome trace amine profile, both aqueous extracts of rooibos seemed to facilitate increased putrescine secretion (p < 0.0001) and decreased tryptamine production (p < 0.0001). Estradiol seemed to suppress trace amine secretion by bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri and Enterococcus mundtii) but increased it in yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii).

CONCLUSION

Rooibos altered gut probiotic and commensal microbial growth and secretome trace amine profiles in vitro, suggesting it has potential to modulate gut microbial composition and functionality as a prebiotic. Current data suggest that these effects are highly dependent on raw material processing. Finally, rooibos may be able to prevent estradiol-associated alterations in trace amine profile, which may have important implications for patient management in female-predominant gastrointestinal disorders.

Evaluation of a Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Male Athletes: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

The gut microbiota has emerged as a factor that influences exercise performance and recovery. The present study aimed to test the effect of a polyherbal supplement containing ginger and annatto called "ReWin(d)" on the gut microbiota of recreational athletes in a pilot, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-four participants who practice physical activity at least three times weekly were randomly allocated to two groups, a ReWin(d) group or a maltodextrin (placebo) group. We evaluated the gut microbiota, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharide at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results showed that ReWin(d) supplementation slightly increased gut microbiota diversity. Pairwise analysis revealed an increase in the relative abundance of Lachnospira (β-coefficient = 0.013; p = 0.001), Subdoligranulum (β-coefficient = 0.016; p = 0.016), Roseburia (β-coefficient = 0.019; p = 0.001), and Butyricicoccus (β-coefficient = 0.005; p = 0.035) genera in the ReWin(d) group, and a decrease in Lachnoclostridium (β-coefficient = - 0.008; p = 0.009) and the Christensenellaceae R7 group (β-coefficient = - 0.010; p < 0.001). Moreover, the Christensenellaceae R-7 group correlated positively with serum interleukin-6 (ρ = 0.4122; p = 0.032), whereas the Lachnospira genus correlated negatively with interleukin-6 (ρ = - 0.399; p = 0.032). ReWin(d) supplementation had no effect on short-chain fatty acid production or on interleukin-6 or lipopolysaccharide levels.

Mediterranean Diet on Sleep: A Health Alliance

The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based, antioxidant-rich, unsaturated fat dietary pattern that has been consistently associated with lower rates of noncommunicable diseases and total mortality, so that it is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns. Clinical trials and mechanistic studies have demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet and its peculiar foods and nutrients exert beneficial effects against inflammation, oxidative stress, dysmetabolism, vascular dysfunction, adiposity, senescence, cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and tumorigenesis, thus preventing age-associated chronic diseases and improving wellbeing and health. Nocturnal sleep is an essential physiological function, whose alteration is associated with health outcomes and chronic diseases. Scientific evidence suggests that diet and sleep are related in a bidirectional relationship, and the understanding of this association is important given their role in disease prevention. In this review, we surveyed the literature concerning the current state of evidence from epidemiological studies on the impact of the Mediterranean diet on nighttime sleep quantity and quality. The available studies indicate that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with adequate sleep duration and with several indicators of better sleep quality. Potential mechanisms mediating the effect of the Mediterranean diet and its foods and nutrients on sleep are described, and gap-in-knowledge and new research agenda to corroborate findings are discussed.

Research progress of anthocyanin prebiotic activity: A review

BACKGROUND

Anthocyanins are a kind of flavonoids and natural water-soluble pigments, which endow fruits, vegetables, and plants with multiple colors. They are important source of new products with prebiotic activity. However, there is no systematic review documenting prebiotic activity of anthocyanins and their structural analogues. This study aims to fill this gap in literature.

PURPOSE

The objective of this review is to summarize and evaluate the prebiotic activity of anthocyanin's, and discuss the physical and molecular modification methods to improve their biological activities.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this review, the databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Researchgate and Elsevier) were searched profoundly with keywords (anthocyanin's, prebiotics, probiotics, physical embedding and molecular modification).

RESULTS

A total of 34 articles were considered for reviewing. These studies approved that anthocyanins play an important role in promoting the proliferation of probiotics, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and improving the intestinal environment. In addition, physical embedding and molecular modification have also been proved to be effective methods to improve the prebiotic activity of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins could promote the production of short chain fatty acids, accelerate self degradation and improve microbial related enzyme activities to promote the proliferation of probiotics. They inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria by inhibiting the expression of harmful bacteria genes, interfering with the role of metabolism related enzymes and affecting respiratory metabolism. They promoted the formation of a complete intestinal barrier and regulated the intestinal environment to keep the body healthy. Physical embedding, including microencapsulation and colloidal embedding, greatly improved the stability of anthocyanins. On the other hand, molecular modification, especially enzymatic modification, significantly improved the biological activities (antioxidant, prebiotic activity and so on) of anthocyanins.

CONCLUSION

All these research results displayed by this review indicate that anthocyanins are a useful tool for developing prebiotic products. The better activities of the new anthocyanins formed by embedding and modification may make them become more effective raw materials. Our review provides a scientific basis for the future research and application of anthocyanins.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and Protective Role of Dietary Polyphenols

Pathogenetically characterized by the absence of celiac disease and wheat allergy, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a clinical entity triggered by the consumption of gluten-containing foods that relieved by a gluten-free diet. Since it is very difficult to maintain a complete gluten-free diet, there is a high interest in discovering alternative strategies aimed at reducing gluten concentration or mitigating its toxic effects. Plant-based dietary models are usually rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, recognized to prevent, delay, or even reverse chronic diseases, including intestinal disorders. However, research on the role of polyphenols in mitigating the toxicity of gluten-containing foods is currently limited. We address the metabolic fate of dietary polyphenols, both as free and bound macromolecule-linked forms, with particular reference to the gastrointestinal compartment, where the concentration of polyphenols can reach high levels. We analyze the potential targets of polyphenols including the gluten peptide bioavailability, the dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier, intestinal immune response, oxidative stress and inflammation, and dysbiosis. Overall, this review provides an updated overview of the effects of polyphenols as possible dietary strategies to counteract the toxic effects of gluten, potentially resulting in the improved quality of life of patients with gluten-related disorders.

Artificial Gastrointestinal Models for Nutraceuticals Research—Achievements and Challenges: A Practical Review

Imitating the human digestive system as closely as possible is the goal of modern science. The main reason is to find an alternative to expensive, risky and time-consuming clinical trials. Of particular interest are models that simulate the gut microbiome. This paper aims to characterize the human gut microbiome, highlight the importance of its contribution to disease, and present in vitro models that allow studying the microbiome outside the human body but under near-natural conditions. A review of studies using models SHIME, SIMGI, TIM-2, ECSIM, EnteroMix, and PolyfermS will provide an overview of the options available and the choice of a model that suits the researcher’s expectations with advantages and disadvantages.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity and Gut Microbiota Modulatory Effects of Different Kinds of Berries

Berries are fairly favored by consumers. Phenolic compounds are the major phytochemicals in berries, among which anthocyanins are one of the most studied. Phenolic compounds are reported to have prebiotic-like effects. In the present study, we identified the anthocyanin profiles, evaluated and compared the antioxidant capacities and gut microbiota modulatory effects of nine common berries, namely blackberry, black goji berry, blueberry, mulberry, red Chinese bayberry, raspberry, red goji berry, strawberry and white Chinese bayberry. Anthocyanin profiles were identified by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS. In vitro antioxidant capacity was evaluated by four chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and ORAC). In vivo antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota modulatory effects evaluation was carried out by treating healthy mice with different berry extracts for two weeks. The results show that most berries could improve internal antioxidant status, reflected by elevated serum or colonic T-AOC, GSH, T-SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX levels, as well as decreased MDA content. All berries significantly altered the gut microbiota composition. The modulatory effects of the berries were much the same, namely by the enrichment of beneficial SCFAs-producing bacteria and the inhibition of potentially harmful bacteria. Our study shed light on the gut microbiota modulatory effect of different berries and may offer consumers useful consumption guidance.

Effects of Four Antibiotics on the Diversity of the Intestinal Microbiota

Oral antibiotics remain the therapy of choice for severe bacterial infections; however, antibiotic use disrupts the intestinal microbiota, increasing the risk of colonization by intestinal pathogens. Currently, our understanding of antibiotic-mediated disturbances of the microbiota remains at the level of bacterial families or specific species, and little is known about the effect of antibiotics on potentially beneficial and pathogenic bacteria under the conditions of gut microbiota dysbiosis. Additionally, the question of whether the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota are temporary or permanent is controversial. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of ampicillin, vancomycin, metronidazole, and neomycin on the murine intestinal microbiota. We found that the changes in the intestinal microbiota reflected the antibiotics' mechanisms of action and that dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota led to competition between different bacterial communities. In particular, an increase in Enterococcus, which accompanies a decrease in probiotics-related genera such as Lactobacillus, is commonly seen across antibiotic treatments. In addition, we found that these oral antibiotics had long-term negative effects on the intestinal microbiota and promoted the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. These results indicate that ampicillin, vancomycin, metronidazole, and neomycin have long-term negative effects and can cause irreversible changes in the diversity of the intestinal microbiota, thereby increasing the risk of host disease. IMPORTANCE The intestinal microbiota is a dynamic community of hundreds of millions of microorganisms that play important roles in human health. However, treatment with antibiotics can disrupt the delicate balance of this community, leading to deleterious effects on the host such as inflammation and enhanced susceptibility to infection. To date, most studies of the effects of antibiotic treatment on the microbiota have focused on specific intestinal pathogens and bacterial families. However, few studies have investigated the effects of antibiotic treatment on the relative abundance of probiotic bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, and opportunistic bacterial pathogens in the gut.

The hepatoprotective effects of plant-based foods based on the "gut-liver axis": a prospective review

The importance of the "gut-liver axis" in the pathogenesis of liver diseases has been revealed recently; which promotes the process of developing preventive and therapeutic strategies. However, considering that there are still many challenges in the medical treatment of liver diseases, potential preventive dietary intervention may be a good alternative choice. Plant-based foods have received much attention due to their reported health-promoting effects in targeting multiple pathways involved in the pathogenesis of liver diseases as well as the relative safety for general use. Based on the PubMed and Web of Science databases, this review emphatically summarizes the plant-based foods and their chemical constituents with reported effects to impact the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway of gut-liver axis of various liver diseases, reflecting their health benefits in preventing/alleviating liver diseases. Moreover, some plant-based foods with potential gut-liver effects are specifically analyzed from the reported studies and conclusions. This review intends to provide readers an overview of the current progress in the field of this research topic. We expect to see more hepatoprotective measures for alleviating the current prevalence of liver diseases.

Determinants of Leaky Gut and Gut Microbiota Differences in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Siblings

Leaky gut hypothesis is one of the well-known theory which tries to explain etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Unfortunately there is still a gap of evidence to investigate the corner points of the hypothesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of leaky gut in children with ASD, their siblings and healthy controls. Intestinal microbiota was found to be similar between ASD and sibling groups. Biological markers of bacterial translocation showed a significant difference in the sibling group, whereas the marker indicating local inflammation was not different between the groups. The findings from this study did not support the role of Gut microbiota or leaky gut on the etiology of autism.

Pot-pollen supplementation reduces fasting glucose and modulates the gut microbiota in high-fat/high-sucrose fed C57BL/6 mice

Pot-pollen is a mixture of pollen and nectar from flowers combined with salivary substances of stingless bees, which together are fermented inside cerumen pots. As pot-pollen is rich in polyphenols, we hypothesized that dietary ingestion could modulate obesity, glucose metabolism, and the gut microbiota in an animal model of diet-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat/low-sucrose diet (LF/LS), a HF/HS diet or a HF/HS diet containing 0.1% pot-pollen (HF/HS-PP) for 12 weeks. In HF/HS-fed mice, pot-pollen supplementation decreased fasting blood glucose and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion without modifying weight gain, body composition, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity. Intake of pot-pollen resulted in changes of the gut microbiota, including a decrease in the abundance of the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and Lactobacillus, and an increase in the abundance of Romboutsia. Correlations between genus abundances and metabolic changes in response to supplementation indicated that the gut microbiota contributed to the positive effects of pot-pollen ingestion on fasting glucose. Pot-pollen supplementation-associated changes in the gut microbiota composition correlated with the lowering of fasting glucose levels without modulating weight gain.

Bentong ginger oleoresin mitigates liver injury and modulates gut microbiota in mouse with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-fat diet

The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of Bentong ginger oleoresin (BGO) on the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanism. In the present study, 14-week BGO treatment reduced the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. The serum total cholesterol (TC) was reduced from 4.76 ± 0.30 to 3.542 ± 0.49 mmol/L and fatty liver score decreased to the normal level (1.6 ± 0.55). BGO had antihypercholesterolemia activity, alleviated abnormal lipid metabolism, and improved liver fat accumulation. In addition, liver inflammatory cytokine tests and Western blotting analysis indicated that BGO might play an anti-inflammatory role by mediating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, BGO regulated the gut microbiota in NAFLD mice and finally mediated their benefits for the host, which might be associated with reduced abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Fournierella. BGO showed effective liver protection and regulation of gut microbiota for the HFD-induced NAFLD in obese mice. As a result, BGO may serve as an effective dietary supplement for the improvement of NAFLD-related metabolic diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides a new way to improve the added value of Bentong ginger. It also provides certain experimental data on BGO as a kind of the functional food ingredient. The current work also provides new ideas for the improvement and treatment of NAFLD.

Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Transcriptional Changes in LBP-Deficient Rat and Its Possible Implications for Liver Dysregulation during Sepsis

Sepsis is an organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulated inflammatory response to infection. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) binds to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and modulates the inflammatory response. A rare systematic study has been reported to detect the effect of LBP gene during LPS-induced sepsis. Herein, we explored the RNA sequencing technology to profile the transcriptomic changes in liver tissue between LBP-deficient rats and WT rats at multiple time points after LPS administration. We proceeded RNA sequencing of liver tissue to search differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched biological processes and pathways between WT and LBP-deficient groups at 0 h, 6 h, and 24 h. In total, 168, 284, and 307 DEGs were identified at 0 h, 6 h, and 24 h, respectively, including Lrp5, Cyp7a1, Nfkbiz, Sigmar1, Fabp7, and Hao1, which are related to the inflammatory or lipid-related process. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that inflammatory response to LPS mediated by Ifng, Cxcl10, Serpine1, and Lbp was enhanced at 6 h, while lipid-related metabolism associated with C5, Cyp4a1, and Eci1 was enriched at 24 h after LPS administration in the WT samples. The inflammatory process was not found when the LBP gene was knocked out; lipid-related metabolic process and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway mediated by Dhrs7b and Tysnd1 were significantly activated in LBP-deficient samples. Our study suggested that the invading LPS may interplay with LBP to activate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and trigger uncontrolled inflammatory response. However, when inhibiting the activity of NF-κB, lipid-related metabolism would make bacteria removal via the effect on the PPAR signaling pathway in the absence of LBP gene. We also compared the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels using the biochemistry analyzer and analyzed the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and cleaved-caspase 3 with immunohistochemistry, which further validated our conclusion.

Therapeutic Potential of Pomegranate in Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic syndrome and associated disorders have become one of the major challenging health problems over the last decades. Considerable attention has been paid to natural products and herbal medicines for the management of metabolic disorders in recent years. Many studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of different parts (arils, peels, seeds, and flowers) of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) for the prevention and treatment of this syndrome. This study aims to provide an updated review on the in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials investigating the effects of pomegranate and its active compounds on different components of metabolic problems such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, as well as obesity over the last two decades. Besides, the key mechanisms by which pomegranate affects these pathogenic conditions are also discussed. The studies show that although pomegranate has promising beneficial effects on diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity in various cellular, animal, and clinical models of studies, there are some conflicting results, particularly for hyperglycemic conditions. The main mechanisms include influencing oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory responses. Overall, pomegranate seems to have positive effects on the pathogenic conditions of metabolic syndrome according to the reviewed studies. Although pomegranate is not suggested as the first line of therapy or monotherapy, it could be only used as an adjunctive therapy. Nevertheless, further large and long-term clinical studies are still required.