Intestinal microbiota regulates diabetes and cancer progression by IL-1β and NOX4 dependent signaling cascades

Dietary Fatty Acid Composition Alters Gut Microbiome in Mice with Obesity-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

BACKGROUND

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), a complication of diabetes and obesity, progresses through a complex pathophysiology. Lifestyle interventions to manage systemic metabolism are recommended to prevent or slow PN, given the multifactorial risks of diabetes and obesity. A high-fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) induces PN, which a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) rescues, independent of weight loss, suggesting factors beyond systemic metabolism impact nerve health. Interest has grown in gut microbiome mechanisms in PN, which is characterized by a distinct microbiota signature that correlates with sciatic nerve lipidome.

METHODS

Herein, we postulated that SFA- versus MUFA-rich diet would impact gut microbiome composition and correlate with PN development. To assess causality, we performed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from donor mice fed SFA- versus MUFA-rich diet to lean recipient mice and assessed metabolic and PN phenotypes.

RESULTS

We found that the SFA-rich diet altered the microbiome community structure, which the MUFA-rich diet partially reversed. PN metrics correlated with several microbial families, some containing genera with feasible mechanisms of action for microbiome-mediated effects on PN. SFA and MUFA FMT did not impact metabolic phenotypes in recipient mice although SFA FMT marginally induced motor PN.

CONCLUSIONS

The involvement of diet-mediated changes in the microbiome on PN and gut-nerve axis may warrant further study.

Exploring biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of Type 2 diabetes mellitus promotes colorectal cancer progression based on transcriptomics

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been confirmed as an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) in many studies. However, the mechanisms behind T2DM's role in the progression of CRC remain unclear. This study aims to explore the potential biomarkers and molecular mechanisms involved in T2DM-promoted CRC progression. The limma package was used to identify differentially expressed genes in tumor tissue from CRC patients with or without T2DM. The key biological processes were screened by gene ontology and gene set enrichment analysis. A diagnostic model for co-morbidities was constructed by logistic regression model with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regularization method. The diagnostic performance was assessed by supplementing external datasets to draw ROC curves on the diagnostic model. The diagnostic model was further screened for key genes by prognostic analysis. The relationship of key genes with immune cells and other cells was evaluated by immune infiltration algorithm and single-cell transcription analysis. Drug prediction was performed by cMAP and the obtained drugs were molecularly docked with the key genes. The differentially expressed genes of T2DM-promoted CRC progression were mainly enriched to O-linked glycosylation-related processes. The diagnostic model constructed based on Lasso logistic regression had good diagnostic performance (AUC > 0.8). COX11 was the key gene for co-morbidities: in tumor tissues, COX11 expression was significantly higher than that in normal colon tissues. However, COX11 gene expression was significantly lower in patients with comorbidities than in patients without T2DM in tumor tissue. External datasets confirmed from both mRNA and protein expression levels that low COX11 expression was significantly associated with poor CRC prognosis. Immune infiltration analysis suggested that its expression related to the proportion of M2 macrophages. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed a close association of COX11 expression with endothelial cells and macrophages. The top4 drugs predicted bound well to COX11. Our study revealed that the pathogenesis of T2DM-promoted CRC progression related to O-linked glycosylation. We constructed a diagnostic model for T2DM-CRC co-morbidity. Meanwhile, we identified COX11 as a potential immune-related molecular marker closely associated with T2DM-promoted CRC progression. These mechanisms and molecular markers may provide new ideas for further studies of T2DM-promoted CRC progression and contribute to drug discovery for the treatment of co-morbidities.

Do Lifestyle Interventions Mitigate the Oxidative Damage and Inflammation Induced by Obesity in the Testis?

Obesity results from a disproportionate accumulation of fat and has become a global health concern. The increase in adipose tissue is responsible for several systemic and testicular changes including hormone levels (leptin, adiponectin, testosterone, estrogen), inflammatory cytokines (increase in TNF-α and IL-6 and decrease in IL-10), and redox state (increase in reactive oxygen species and reduction in antioxidant enzymes). This results in poor sperm quality and compromised fertility in men with obesity. Lifestyle modifications, particularly diet transition to caloric restriction and physical exercise, are reported to reverse these negative effects. Nevertheless, precise mechanisms mediating these benefits, including how they modulate testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism, remain to be fully elucidated. The main pathway described by which these lifestyle interventions reverse obesity-induced oxidative damage is the Nrf2-SIRT1 axis, which modulates the overexpression of antioxidant defenses. Of note, some of the detrimental effects of obesity on the testis are inherited by the descendants of individuals with obesity, and while caloric restriction reverses some of these effects, no significant work has been carried out regarding physical exercise. This review discusses the consequences of obesity-induced testicular oxidative stress on adult and pediatric populations, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of lifestyle to mitigate these detrimental effects.

Moderate-intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training alleviate glycolipid metabolism through modulation of gut microbiota and their metabolite SCFAs in diabetic rats

Glucose and lipid metabolism disorders are typical of diabetic patients and are important factors leading to macrovascular and microvascular complications. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of different exercises on glycolipid metabolism in diabetic rats and the role of gut flora in metabolic maintenance. We measured glycolipid metabolic indices and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content and sequenced and analyzed gut microbes after 8 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs in type 2 diabetic rats(T2DM). We found that Enterococcaceae, Enterococcus, Subdoligranulum, Kurthia, Bacillales, and Planococcaceae may be key bacterial taxa related to T2DM and that both programs of exercise regulated the intestinal flora of rats with T2DM, improved their glycolipid metabolism, increased the abundance of SCFA-producing intestinal bacteria, and it was found that the PWY-5676 and P163-PWY pathways which are closely related to production of SCFAs were significantly upregulated in the exercise groups. Notably, MICT appeared to be more effective than HIIT in increasing the homogeneity of rat intestinal flora, enriching species, and increasing acetic acid and butyric acid content. These results suggest that exercise improves glycolipid metabolism in diabetic rats, which may be attributed to alterations in the structure of their intestinal flora.

Diabetes and obesity: the role of stress in the development of cancer

Diabesity is a condition where an individual has both diabetes and obesity, which can lead to severe complications including cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of mortality. Recently, cancer has become a leading cause of excess hospitalizations, and both diabetes and obesity are associated with a higher risk of developing several types of cancer. In this review, we propose that chronic stress significantly increases this association. Managing diabetes and obesity is challenging as they both cause significant distress. The relationship between stress and cancer is interconnected, with anxiety and depression being common in cancer patients. Cancer diagnosis and treatment can cause lasting changes in the body's neuroendocrine system, with stress causing an excessive release of catecholamines and prostaglandins in patients undergoing cancer surgery, which promotes the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Furthermore, stress could significantly increase the risk of cancer in patients with diabetes, obesity, or both.

Uncovering the Therapeutic Potential of Lithium Chloride in Type 2 Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Targeting Tau Hyperphosphorylation and TGF-β Signaling via GSK-3β Inhibition

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The alteration in the signaling mechanism in diabetes leading to cardiomyopathy remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of tauopathy in myocardial dysfunction observed in T2DM. In that regard, diabetic Sprague Dawley rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of lithium chloride (LiCl), inhibiting tau phosphorylation. Cardiac function was evaluated, and molecular markers of myocardial fibrosis and the TGF-β signaling were analyzed. T2DM rats exhibited a decline in ejection fraction and fractional shortening that revealed cardiac function abnormalities and increased myocardial fibrosis. These changes were associated with tau hyperphosphorylation. Treating diabetic rats with LiCl attenuated cardiac fibrosis and improved myocardial function. Inhibition of GSK-3β leads to the suppression of tau phosphorylation, which is associated with a decrease in TGF-β expression and regulation of the pro-inflammatory markers, suggesting that tau hyperphosphorylation is parallelly associated with fibrosis and inflammation in the diabetic heart. Our findings provide evidence of a possible role of tau hyperphosphorylation in the pathogenesis of DCM through the activation of TGF-β and by inducing inflammation. Targeting the inhibition of tau phosphorylation may offer novel therapeutic approaches to reduce DCM burden in T2DM patients.

Nutritional Profile, Disease Severity, and Quality of Life of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Study

INTRODUCTION

Diet is thought to play an important role in the clinical course and quality of life (QOL) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, dietary habits of patients with IBD are still unknown. This case-control study aims to compare the dietary habits of patients with IBD to healthy controls and evaluate differences in disease severity and QOL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Food frequency, severity scores using the Harvey-Bradshaw and Ulcerative colitis activity index, and QOL were assessed using online questionnaires. Dietary habits were compared for patients with active disease and remission and for those with low QOL (LQOL) and high QOL (HQOL).

RESULTS

We recruited 61 patients with IBD and 101 controls. Significance was set at p = 0.05. Controls consumed significantly more daily calories (2546 vs. 1641, p = 0.001). However, patients with IBD consumed a higher percentage of carbohydrates (50% vs. 45%, p = 0.001), more red meat (p = 0.024), and less fiber, sucrose, and lactose (p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.036). Patients with active disease had higher lipid intake, lower protein intake, and lower QOL (47 vs. 58, p = 0.001). Dietary differences between LQOL and HQOL mirrored those between active disease and remission.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to provide valuable insights into the nutritional profile of Lebanese patients with IBD.

The Hallmarks of Precancer

Research on precancers, as defined as at-risk tissues and early lesions, is of high significance given the effectiveness of early intervention. We discuss the need for risk stratification to prevent overtreatment, an emphasis on the role of genetic and epigenetic aging when considering risk, and the importance of integrating macroenvironmental risk factors with molecules and cells in lesions and at-risk normal tissues for developing effective intervention and health policy strategies.

Association between diabetes and cancer. Current mechanistic insights into the association and future challenges

Compelling pieces of epidemiological, clinical, and experimental research have demonstrated that Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality in many human neoplasms. In the pathophysiology context of DM, many of the main classical actors are relevant elements that can fuel the different steps of the carcinogenesis process. Hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, metabolic inflammation, and dyslipidemia are among the classic contributors to this association. Furthermore, new emerging actors have received particular attention in the last few years, and compelling data support that the microbiome, the epigenetic changes, the reticulum endoplasmic stress, and the increased glycolytic influx also play important roles in promoting the development of many cancer types. The arsenal of glucose-lowering therapeutic agents used for treating diabetes is wide and diverse, and a growing body of data raised during the last two decades has tried to clarify the contribution of therapeutic agents to this association. However, this research area remains controversial, because some anti-diabetic drugs are now considered as either promotors or protecting elements. In the present review, we intend to highlight the compelling epidemiological shreds of evidence that support this association, as well as the mechanistic contributions of many of these potential pathological mechanisms, some controversial points as well as future challenges.

Tumorigenesis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Microbiota-Environment Interconnections

Colo-rectal cancer (CRC) is undoubtedly one of the most severe complications of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). While sporadic CRC develops from a typical adenoma-carcinoma sequence, IBD-related CRC follows different and less understood pathways and its pathophysiological mechanisms were not completely elucidated. In contrast to chronic inflammation, which is nowadays a well-recognised drive towards neoplastic transformation in IBD, only recently was gut microbiota demonstrated to interfere with both inflammation processes and immune-mediated anticancer surveillance. Moreover, the role of microbiota appears particularly complex and intriguing when also considering its multifaceted interactions with multiple environmental stimuli, notably chronic pathologies such as diabetes and obesity, lifestyle (diet, smoking) and vitamin intake. In this review, we presented a comprehensive overview on current evidence of the influence of gut microbiota on IBD-related CRC, in particular its mutual interconnections with the environment.

Snapshot into the Type-2-Diabetes-Associated Microbiome of a Romanian Cohort

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is alarmingly increasing worldwide, urgently calling for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms in order to step up prevention and improve therapeutic approaches. It is becoming evident that the gut microbiota seem to have an endless capacity to impact T2D. In this study, we profile the gut microbiome patterns in T2D patients from Romania, by using quantitative Real-Time PCR and next generation sequencing. We enrolled a total of 150 individuals (105 T2D patients, 50 of them without metformin treatment and 45 healthy volunteers). The levels of potentially beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria were significantly reduced, while potentially pathogenic microorganisms such as Enterobacteriaceae and Fusobacterium were enriched in T2D patients. We evaluated the correlation between clinical parameters and gut microbiota and identified the genera Bacteroides, Alistipes, Dialister, Bilophila and Sutterella as possible detrimental factors in T2D. Our findings suggest that the gut microbiota may be a potential target in novel approaches to halt the development of T2D-associated complications.