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Jinato T, Anuntakarun S, Satthawiwat N, Chuaypen N, Tangkijvanich P. Distinct alterations of gut microbiota between viral- and non-viral-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:34. [PMID: 38183473 PMCID: PMC10771587 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12845-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Altered gut microbiota has been connected to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence and advancement. This study was conducted to identify a gut microbiota signature in differentiating between viral-related HCC (Viral-HCC) and non-hepatitis B-, non-hepatitis C-related HCC (NBNC-HCC). Fecal specimens were obtained from 16 healthy controls, 33 patients with viral-HCC (17 and 16 cases with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, respectively), and 18 patients with NBNC-HCC. Compositions of fecal microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis was performed by the DADA2 pipeline in the R program. Significantly different genera from the top 50 relative abundance were used to classify between subgroups of HCC by the Random Forest algorithm. Our data demonstrated that the HCC group had a significantly decreased alpha-diversity and changed microbial composition in comparison with healthy controls. Within the top 50 relative abundance, there were 11 genera including Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter, and Coprococcus that were significantly enhanced in Viral-HCC, while 5 genera such as Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Ruminococcus gnavus group, Parabacteroides, and Erysipelatoclostridium were enhanced in NBNC-HCC. Compared to Viral-HCC, the NBNC-HCC subgroup significantly reduced various short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, as well as declined fecal butyrate but elevated plasma surrogate markers of microbial translocation. Based on the machine learning algorithm, a high diagnostic accuracy to classify HCC subgroups was achieved with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.94. Collectively, these data revealed that gut dysbiosis was distinct according to etiological factors of HCC, which might play an essential role in hepatocarcinogenesis. These findings underscore the possible use of a gut microbiota signature for the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches regarding different subgroups of HCC. KEY POINTS: • Gut dysbiosis is connected to hepatocarcinogenesis and can be used as a novel biomarker. • Gut microbiota composition is significantly altered in different etiological factors of HCC. • Microbiota-based signature can accurately distinguish between Viral-HCC and NBNC-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thananya Jinato
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Doctor of Philosophy Program in Medical Sciences, Graduate Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Songtham Anuntakarun
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Nantawat Satthawiwat
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Natthaya Chuaypen
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Giannakogeorgou A, Roden M. Role of lifestyle and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss in obesity, type 2 diabetes and steatotic liver diseases. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59 Suppl 1:S52-S75. [PMID: 38813830 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current obesity pandemic has given rise to associated comorbidities and complications, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). During the last decade, certain glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), originally developed as antihyperglycemic drugs, also demonstrated efficacy for weight loss. AIMS To review shared pathophysiologic features of common metabolic diseases and compare therapeutic strategies to reduce body weight and related complications. METHODS We performed an extensive literature research to describe the effects of lifestyle modification, first-generation anti-obesity drugs, and GLP-1RA on weight loss in humans with obesity, type 2 diabetes and MASLD. RESULTS Until recently, treatment of obesity has been limited to lifestyle modification, which offer moderate degree and sustainability of weight loss. The few approved first-generation anti-obesity drugs are either limited to short term use or to certain forms of obesity. Some GLP-1RA significantly decrease caloric intake and body weight. Liraglutide and semaglutide have therefore been approved for treating people with obesity. They also lead to a reduction of hepatic fat content and inflammation in people with biopsy-confirmed MASLD. Possible limitations comprise adverse effects, treatment adherence and persistence. CONCLUSION Certain GLP-1RA are superior to lifestyle modification and first-generation anti-obesity drugs in inducing weight loss. They have therefore markedly changed the portfolio of obesity treatment with additional beneficial effects on steatotic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Giannakogeorgou
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abdelhameed F, Kite C, Lagojda L, Dallaway A, Chatha KK, Chaggar SS, Dalamaga M, Kassi E, Kyrou I, Randeva HS. Non-invasive Scores and Serum Biomarkers for Fatty Liver in the Era of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A Comprehensive Review From NAFLD to MAFLD and MASLD. Curr Obes Rep 2024:10.1007/s13679-024-00574-z. [PMID: 38809396 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-024-00574-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide, making it the leading cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. Currently, liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessing individuals with steatohepatitis and fibrosis. However, its invasiveness, sampling variability, and impracticality for large-scale screening has driven the search for non-invasive methods for early diagnosis and staging. In this review, we comprehensively summarise the evidence on the diagnostic performance and limitations of existing non-invasive serum biomarkers and scores in the diagnosis and evaluation of steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis. RECENT FINDINGS Several non-invasive serum biomarkers and scores have been developed over the last decade, although none has successfully been able to replace liver biopsy. The introduction of new NAFLD terminology, namely metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and more recently metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), has initiated a debate on the interchangeability of these terminologies. Indeed, there is a need for more research on the variability of the performance of non-invasive serum biomarkers and scores across the diagnostic entities of NAFLD, MAFLD and MASLD. There remains a significant need for finding valid and reliable non-invasive methods for early diagnosis and assessment of steatohepatitis and fibrosis to facilitate prompt risk stratification and management to prevent disease progression and complications. Further exploration of the landscape of MASLD under the newly defined disease subtypes is warranted, with the need for more robust evidence to support the use of commonly used serum scores against the new MASLD criteria and validation of previously developed scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Abdelhameed
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- Institute for Cardiometabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Chris Kite
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK
- Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Shrewsbury, SY3 8HQ, UK
| | - Lukasz Lagojda
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- Clinical Evidence-Based Information Service (CEBIS), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Alexander Dallaway
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | - Kamaljit Kaur Chatha
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- Institute for Cardiometabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | | | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Propaupedic and Internal Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK.
- Institute for Cardiometabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK.
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855, Athens, Greece.
| | - Harpal S Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK.
- Institute for Cardiometabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
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Mei EH, Yao C, Chen YN, Nan SX, Qi SC. Multifunctional role of oral bacteria in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:688-702. [DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of liver disorders of varying severity, ultimately leading to fibrosis. This spectrum primarily consists of NAFL and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is closely associated with disturbances in the gut microbiota and impairment of the intestinal barrier. Non-gut commensal flora, particularly bacteria, play a pivotal role in the progression of NAFLD. Notably, Porphyromonas gingivalis, a principal bacterium involved in periodontitis, is known to facilitate lipid accumulation, augment immune responses, and induce insulin resistance, thereby exacerbating fibrosis in cases of periodontitis-associated NAFLD. The influence of oral microbiota on NAFLD via the “oral-gut-liver” axis is gaining recognition, offering a novel perspective for NAFLD management through microbial imbalance correction. This review endeavors to encapsulate the intricate roles of oral bacteria in NAFLD and explore underlying mechanisms, emphasizing microbial control strategies as a viable therapeutic avenue for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- En-Hua Mei
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
- Department of Prothodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxiofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Chao Yao
- Department of Prothodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxiofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Yi-Nan Chen
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Shun-Xue Nan
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Sheng-Cai Qi
- Department of Prothodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxiofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
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Kok CR, Rose DJ, Cui J, Whisenhunt L, Hutkins R. Identification of carbohydrate gene clusters obtained from in vitro fermentations as predictive biomarkers of prebiotic responses. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:183. [PMID: 38796418 PMCID: PMC11127362 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03344-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prebiotic fibers are non-digestible substrates that modulate the gut microbiome by promoting expansion of microbes having the genetic and physiological potential to utilize those molecules. Although several prebiotic substrates have been consistently shown to provide health benefits in human clinical trials, responder and non-responder phenotypes are often reported. These observations had led to interest in identifying, a priori, prebiotic responders and non-responders as a basis for personalized nutrition. In this study, we conducted in vitro fecal enrichments and applied shotgun metagenomics and machine learning tools to identify microbial gene signatures from adult subjects that could be used to predict prebiotic responders and non-responders. RESULTS Using short chain fatty acids as a targeted response, we identified genetic features, consisting of carbohydrate active enzymes, transcription factors and sugar transporters, from metagenomic sequencing of in vitro fermentations for three prebiotic substrates: xylooligosacharides, fructooligosacharides, and inulin. A machine learning approach was then used to select substrate-specific gene signatures as predictive features. These features were found to be predictive for XOS responders with respect to SCFA production in an in vivo trial. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm the bifidogenic effect of commonly used prebiotic substrates along with inter-individual microbial responses towards these substrates. We successfully trained classifiers for the prediction of prebiotic responders towards XOS and inulin with robust accuracy (≥ AUC 0.9) and demonstrated its utility in a human feeding trial. Overall, the findings from this study highlight the practical implementation of pre-intervention targeted profiling of individual microbiomes to stratify responders and non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Car Reen Kok
- Complex Biosystems, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
- Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - Devin J Rose
- Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, 268 Food Innovation Center, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
| | - Juan Cui
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
| | - Lisa Whisenhunt
- Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
| | - Robert Hutkins
- Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA.
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, 268 Food Innovation Center, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA.
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, 258 Food Innovation Center, Lincoln, NE, 68588-6205, USA.
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Schwenger KJP, Sharma D, Ghorbani Y, Xu W, Lou W, Comelli EM, Fischer SE, Jackson TD, Okrainec A, Allard JP. Links between gut microbiome, metabolome, clinical variables and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity in bariatric patients. Liver Int 2024; 44:1176-1188. [PMID: 38353022 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Bacterial species and microbial pathways along with metabolites and clinical parameters may interact to contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and disease severity. We used integrated machine learning models and a cross-validation approach to assess this interaction in bariatric patients. METHODS 113 patients undergoing bariatric surgery had clinical and biochemical parameters, blood and stool metabolite measurements as well as faecal shotgun metagenome sequencing to profile the intestinal microbiome. Liver histology was classified as normal liver obese (NLO; n = 30), simple steatosis (SS; n = 41) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; n = 42); fibrosis was graded F0 to F4. RESULTS We found that those with NASH versus NLO had an increase in potentially harmful E. coli, a reduction of potentially beneficial Alistipes putredinis and an increase in ALT and AST. There was higher serum glucose, faecal 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid and faecal cholic acid and lower serum glycerophospholipids. In NAFLD, those with severe fibrosis (F3-F4) versus F0 had lower abundance of anti-inflammatory species (Eubacterium ventriosum, Alistipes finegoldii and Bacteroides dorei) and higher AST, serum glucose, faecal acylcarnitines, serum isoleucine and homocysteine as well as lower serum glycerophospholipids. Pathways involved with amino acid biosynthesis and degradation were significantly more represented in those with NASH compared to NLO, with severe fibrosis having an overall stronger significant association with Superpathway of menaquinol-10 biosynthesis and Peptidoglycan biosynthesis IV. CONCLUSIONS In bariatric patients, NASH and severe fibrosis were associated with specific bacterial species, metabolic pathways and metabolites that may contribute to NAFLD pathogenesis and disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Divya Sharma
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yasaman Ghorbani
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei Xu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wendy Lou
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena M Comelli
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra E Fischer
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy D Jackson
- Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allan Okrainec
- Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Johane P Allard
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ratiner K, Ciocan D, Abdeen SK, Elinav E. Utilization of the microbiome in personalized medicine. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:291-308. [PMID: 38110694 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Inter-individual human variability, driven by various genetic and environmental factors, complicates the ability to develop effective population-based early disease detection, treatment and prognostic assessment. The microbiome, consisting of diverse microorganism communities including viruses, bacteria, fungi and eukaryotes colonizing human body surfaces, has recently been identified as a contributor to inter-individual variation, through its person-specific signatures. As such, the microbiome may modulate disease manifestations, even among individuals with similar genetic disease susceptibility risks. Information stored within microbiomes may therefore enable early detection and prognostic assessment of disease in at-risk populations, whereas microbiome modulation may constitute an effective and safe treatment tailored to the individual. In this Review, we explore recent advances in the application of microbiome data in precision medicine across a growing number of human diseases. We also discuss the challenges, limitations and prospects of analysing microbiome data for personalized patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Ratiner
- Systems Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dragos Ciocan
- Systems Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Suhaib K Abdeen
- Systems Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Eran Elinav
- Systems Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Division of Cancer-Microbiome Research, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Tang R, Liu R, Zha H, Cheng Y, Ling Z, Li L. Gut microbiota induced epigenetic modifications in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis. Eng Life Sci 2024; 24:2300016. [PMID: 38708414 PMCID: PMC11065334 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202300016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a growing global health concern that can lead to liver disease and cancer. It is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, unrelated to excessive alcohol consumption. Studies indicate that the gut microbiota-host crosstalk may play a causal role in NAFLD pathogenesis, with epigenetic modification serving as a key mechanism for regulating this interaction. In this review, we explore how the interplay between gut microbiota and the host epigenome impacts the development of NAFLD. Specifically, we discuss how gut microbiota-derived factors, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can modulate the DNA methylation and histone acetylation of genes associated with NAFLD, subsequently affecting lipid metabolism and immune homeostasis. Although the current literature suggests a link between gut microbiota and NAFLD development, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying this crosstalk remains limited. Therefore, more comprehensive epigenomic and multi-omic studies, including broader clinical and animal experiments, are needed to further explore the mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to NAFLD-associated genes. These studies are anticipated to improve microbial markers based on epigenetic strategies and provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of NAFLD, ultimately addressing a significant unmet clinical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Rongrong Liu
- Center of Pediatric Hematology‐oncologyPediatric Leukemia Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology Research Center of Zhejiang ProvinceNational Clinical Research Center for Child HealthChildren's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Hua Zha
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yiwen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Zongxin Ling
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinanChina
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinanChina
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Yang K, Zeng J, Wu H, Liu H, Ding Z, Liang W, Wu L, Lin Z, Huang W, Xu J, Dong F. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Changes in Gut Microbiota and Blood Lipids. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2024; 12:333-345. [PMID: 38638378 PMCID: PMC11022063 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is 25%. This study aimed to explore differences in the gut microbial community and blood lipids between normal livers and those affected by NAFLD using 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing. Methods Gut microbiome profiles of 40 NAFLD and 20 non-NAFLD controls were analyzed. Information about four blood lipids and 13 other clinical features was collected. Patients were divided into three groups by ultrasound and FibroScan, those with a normal liver, mild FL (FL1), and moderate-to-severe FL (FL2). FL1 and FL2 patients were divided into two groups, those with either hyperlipidemia or non-hyperlipidemia based on their blood lipids. Potential keystone species within the groups were identified using univariate analysis and a specificity-occupancy plot. Significant difference in biochemical parameters ion NAFLD patients and healthy individuals were identified by detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis. Results Decreased gut bacterial diversity was found in patients with NAFLD. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes decreased as NAFLD progressed. Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcus 2 were the most representative fatty-related bacteria. Glutamate pyruvic transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and white blood cell count were selected as the most significant biochemical indexes. Calculation of areas under the curve identified two microbiomes combined with the three biochemical indexes that identified normal liver and FL2 very well but performed poorly in diagnosing FL1. Conclusions Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcus 2, combined with glutamate pyruvic transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and white blood cell count distinguished NAFLD. We speculate that regulating the health of gut microbiota may release NAFLD, in addition to providing new targets for clinicians to treat NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Huaiyu Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Huiyu Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Zhimin Ding
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Weiyu Liang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Linghu Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Ziwei Lin
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Wenhui Huang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Jinfeng Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
| | - Fajin Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen,Guangdong, China
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10
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Facchin S, Bertin L, Bonazzi E, Lorenzon G, De Barba C, Barberio B, Zingone F, Maniero D, Scarpa M, Ruffolo C, Angriman I, Savarino EV. Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Human Health: From Metabolic Pathways to Current Therapeutic Implications. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:559. [PMID: 38792581 PMCID: PMC11122327 DOI: 10.3390/life14050559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of diverse microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiota, which play a pivotal role in breaking down undigested foods, such as dietary fibers. Through the fermentation of these food components, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are produced, offering numerous health benefits to the host. The production and absorption of these SCFAs occur through various mechanisms within the human intestine, contingent upon the types of dietary fibers reaching the gut and the specific microorganisms engaged in fermentation. Medical literature extensively documents the supplementation of SCFAs, particularly butyrate, in the treatment of gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiovascular, and gut-brain-related disorders. This review seeks to provide an overview of the dynamics involved in the production and absorption of acetate, propionate, and butyrate within the human gut. Additionally, it will focus on the pivotal roles these SCFAs play in promoting gastrointestinal and metabolic health, as well as their current therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Facchin
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Luisa Bertin
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Erica Bonazzi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Greta Lorenzon
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Caterina De Barba
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Brigida Barberio
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Fabiana Zingone
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Daria Maniero
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35138 Padua, Italy (C.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Cesare Ruffolo
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35138 Padua, Italy (C.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Imerio Angriman
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35138 Padua, Italy (C.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
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11
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Tulone A, Pennisi G, Ciccioli C, Infantino G, La Mantia C, Cannella R, Mercurio F, Petta S. Are we ready for genetic testing in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease? United European Gastroenterol J 2024. [PMID: 38659291 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), with its steadily increasing prevalence, represents now a major problem in public health. A proper referral could benefit from tools allowing more precise risk stratification. To this end, in recent decades, several genetic variants that may help predict and refine the risk of development and progression of MASLD have been investigated. In this review, we aim to discuss the role genetics in MASLD plays in everyday clinical practice. We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed for relevant publications. Available evidence highlights the emergence of genetic-based noninvasive algorithms for diagnosing fatty liver, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, fibrosis progression and occurrence of liver-related outcomes including hepatocellular carcinoma. Nevertheless, their accuracy is not optimal and application in everyday clinical practice remains challenging. Furthermore, susceptible genetic markers have recently become subjects of great scientific interest as therapeutic targets in precision medicine. In conclusion, decisional algorithms based on genetic testing in MASLD to facilitate the clinician decisions on management and treatment are under growing investigation and could benefit from artificial intelligence methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Tulone
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Grazia Pennisi
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carlo Ciccioli
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Infantino
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia La Mantia
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Cannella
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Mercurio
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Petta
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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12
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Zhang F, Lo EKK, Chen J, Wang K, Felicianna, Ismaiah MJ, Leung HKM, Zhao D, Lee JCY, El-Nezami H. Probiotic Mixture Ameliorates a Diet-Induced MASLD/MASH Murine Model through the Regulation of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and the Gut Microbiome. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:8536-8549. [PMID: 38575146 PMCID: PMC11037262 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent metabolic disease that has no effective treatment. Our proprietary probiotic mixture, Prohep, has been proven in a previous study to be helpful in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vivo. However, its prospective benefits on the treatment of other liver diseases such as MASLD, which is one of the major risk factors in the development of HCC, are unclear. To investigate the potential of Prohep in modulating the development and progression of MASLD, we first explored the effect of Prohep supplementation via voluntary intake in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASLD/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) murine model. Our results indicated that Prohep alleviated HFD-induced liver steatosis and reduced excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and improved the plasma lipid profile when compared with HFD-fed control mice through suppressing hepatic de novo lipogenesis and cholesterol biosynthesis gene expressions. In addition, Prohep was able to modulate the gut microbiome, modify the bile acid (BA) profile, and elevate fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. Next, in a prolonged HFD-feeding MASLD/MASH model, we observed the effectiveness of Prohep in preventing the transition from MASLD to MASH via amelioration in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Taken together, Prohep could ameliorate HFD-induced MASLD and control the MASLD-to-MASH progression in mice. Our findings provide distinctive insights into the development of novel microbial therapy for the management of MASLD and MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfei Zhang
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Emily Kwun Kwan Lo
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Jiarui Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Department
of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Leibniz
Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans
Knöll Institute-Microbiome Dynamics, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Ke Wang
- Department
of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong
Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Research
Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Felicianna
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Marsena Jasiel Ismaiah
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Hoi Kit Matthew Leung
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Danyue Zhao
- Department
of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong
Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Research
Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Jetty Chung-Yung Lee
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Institute
of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland
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13
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Alghamdi W, Mosli M, Alqahtani SA. Gut microbiota in MAFLD: therapeutic and diagnostic implications. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2024; 15:20420188241242937. [PMID: 38628492 PMCID: PMC11020731 DOI: 10.1177/20420188241242937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is becoming a significant contributor to chronic liver disease globally, surpassing other etiologies, such as viral hepatitis. Prevention and early treatment strategies to curb its growing prevalence are urgently required. Recent evidence suggests that targeting the gut microbiota may help treat and alleviate disease progression in patients with MAFLD. This review aims to explore the complex relationship between MAFLD and the gut microbiota in relation to disease pathogenesis. Additionally, it delves into the therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota, such as diet, exercise, antibiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and fecal microbiota transplantation, and discusses novel biomarkers, such as microbiota-derived testing and liquid biopsy, for their diagnostic and staging potential. Overall, the review emphasizes the urgent need for preventive and therapeutic strategies to address the devastating consequences of MAFLD at both individual and societal levels and recognizes that further exploration of the gut microbiota may open avenues for managing MAFLD effectively in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Alghamdi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Mosli
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A. Alqahtani
- Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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14
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Li C, Stražar M, Mohamed AMT, Pacheco JA, Walker RL, Lebar T, Zhao S, Lockart J, Dame A, Thurimella K, Jeanfavre S, Brown EM, Ang QY, Berdy B, Sergio D, Invernizzi R, Tinoco A, Pishchany G, Vasan RS, Balskus E, Huttenhower C, Vlamakis H, Clish C, Shaw SY, Plichta DR, Xavier RJ. Gut microbiome and metabolome profiling in Framingham heart study reveals cholesterol-metabolizing bacteria. Cell 2024; 187:1834-1852.e19. [PMID: 38569543 PMCID: PMC11071153 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with an altered gut microbiome. Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms has been hindered by lack of matched multi-omic data with diagnostic biomarkers. To comprehensively profile gut microbiome contributions to CVD, we generated stool metagenomics and metabolomics from 1,429 Framingham Heart Study participants. We identified blood lipids and cardiovascular health measurements associated with microbiome and metabolome composition. Integrated analysis revealed microbial pathways implicated in CVD, including flavonoid, γ-butyrobetaine, and cholesterol metabolism. Species from the Oscillibacter genus were associated with decreased fecal and plasma cholesterol levels. Using functional prediction and in vitro characterization of multiple representative human gut Oscillibacter isolates, we uncovered conserved cholesterol-metabolizing capabilities, including glycosylation and dehydrogenation. These findings suggest that cholesterol metabolism is a broad property of phylogenetically diverse Oscillibacter spp., with potential benefits for lipid homeostasis and cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Li
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ahmed M T Mohamed
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Tina Lebar
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shijie Zhao
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julia Lockart
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Dame
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Eric M Brown
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qi Yan Ang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Dallis Sergio
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rachele Invernizzi
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio Tinoco
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Ramachandran S Vasan
- Boston University and NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA; Sections of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology and Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Emily Balskus
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Curtis Huttenhower
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hera Vlamakis
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Clary Clish
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stanley Y Shaw
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ramnik J Xavier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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15
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Song Y, Guo W, Wang J, Liu S, Li Z, Li Y. Probiotic consumption and hepatic steatosis: results from the NHANES 2011-2016 and Mendelian randomization study. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1334935. [PMID: 38650641 PMCID: PMC11033389 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1334935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent research showed that probiotics treatment may reduce insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, raise liver enzyme levels, and ameliorate inflammation in individuals with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, the possible effects of probiotic use on the progression of hepatic steatosis (HS) have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate this in a large population database. Methods The cross-sectional research was conducted among adults with complete data on probiotic yogurt consumption and HS in the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Probiotic yogurt consumption was assessed using a dietary supplement questionnaire, while HS was evaluated with HS index (HSI). To explore their relationship, weighted univariate regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and interaction analysis were conducted. To evaluate the causal association between yogurt consumption and NAFLD, mendelian randomization analysis (MR) were performed. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to analyze the relationship curve between the leves of yogurt consumption and hepatic steatosis. Results A total of 7,891 participants were included in the study represented 146.7 million non-institutionalized residents of the United States, of whom 4,322 (54.77%) were diagnosed with HS. Multivariable logistic regression showed probiotic yogurt consumption had significantly inverse relationship for HS (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72-0.97, p = 0.02) after adjusting for all covariates. Once more, the independent relationship between probiotic yogurt consumption and HS was verified by subgroup analysis and interaction analysis. The MR analysis results indicate that there is no causal relationship between yogurt consumption and NAFLD. The RCS model demonstrated a robust J-shaped link between yogurt consumption and HS, revealing a significant decrease in risk within the lower range of yogurt consumption, which attained the lowest risk close to 0.4 cup. Conclusion According to the NHANES data, the consumption of probiotics and yogurt has a beneficial effect on HS, whereas the MR results indicated it was not related to NAFLD. The RCS analysis indicates a J-shaped relationship between yogurt consumption and HS, which may account for the inconsistency in the results. Based on these findings, we recommend that adults take half a cup of yogurt daily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yancheng Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wencong Guo
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Nephrology & Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Junke Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuguang Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhaopeng Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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16
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Xiao Y, Wang Y, Tong B, Gu Y, Zhou X, Zhu N, Xu X, Yin X, Kou Y, Tan Y, Wang J, Li W. Eubacterium rectale is a potential marker of altered gut microbiota in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0115423. [PMID: 38441468 PMCID: PMC10986482 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01154-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have profiled the gut microbiota among psoriatic patients compared to that among healthy individuals. However, a comprehensive understanding of the magnitude, direction, and detailed compositional and functional profiles remains limited. Additionally, research exploring the gut microbiota in the context of both plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is lacking. To assess the taxonomic and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota in PsO and PsA patients and investigate potential links between the gut microbiota and disease pathogenesis. We collected fecal samples from 70 psoriatic patients (44 PsO and 26 PsA) and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) and employed deep metagenomic sequencing to characterize their gut microbiota. We noted significant alternations in the gut microbiota compositions of both PsO and PsA patients compared to those of HC. Despite limited effect sizes in alpha diversity (12.3% reduction of microbial richness but unchanged evenness in psoriatic patients) and beta diversity (disease accounts for 3.5% of total variations), we consistently observed substantial reductions of Eubacterium rectale in both PsO and PsA patients, with PsA patients exhibiting even lower levels of E. rectale than PsO patients. Additionally, two Alistipes species were also depleted in psoriatic patients. These microorganisms are known to play crucial roles in carbohydrate metabolism pathways, mainly producing short-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory effects. Overall, our observations supplemented the profiling of altered gut microbiota in patients with PsO and PsA at the species level and described a link between the dominant short-chain fatty acid-producing bacterial species and systemic immunity in psoriatic patients. IMPORTANCE In this observational clinical study with sufficient sample size and metagenomic sequencing to profile the gut microbiota, we identified consistent signals of the depleted abundance of Eubacterium rectale and related functional genes among psoriatic patients, including those with psoriatic arthritis. E. rectale may serve as an ecologically important functional unit in the gut microbiota, holding potential as a diagnostic marker and target for therapeutic interventions to achieve lasting effects. Our findings provide comprehensive gut microbiota profiling in psoriasis, resolving previous contradictions and generating new hypotheses for further investigation. These insights may significantly impact psoriasis management and related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xiao
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiyi Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | | | - Yuanxia Gu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingli Zhou
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wei Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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17
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Pinto E, Meneghel P, Farinati F, Russo FP, Pelizzaro F, Gambato M. Efficacy of immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: Does liver disease etiology have a role? Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:579-588. [PMID: 37758610 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.08.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is changing rapidly. After a decade of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), as the only therapeutic option for the treatment of advanced HCC, in the last few years several phase III trials demonstrated the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The combination of the anti-PD-L1 atezolizumab and the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) bevacizumab demonstrated the superiority over sorafenib and currently represents the standard of care treatment for advanced HCC. In addition, the combination of durvalumab (an anti-PD-L1) and tremelimumab (an anti-CTLA4) proved to be superior to sorafenib, and in the same trial durvalumab monotherapy showed non-inferiority compared to sorafenib. However, early reports suggest an influence of HCC etiology in modulating the response to these drugs. In particular, a lower effectiveness of ICIs has been suggested in patients with non-viral HCC (in particular non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials available to date have not been stratified for etiology and data suggesting a possible impact of etiology in the outcome of patients managed with ICIs derive from subgroup not pre-specified analyses. In this review, we aim to examine the potential impact of HCC etiology on the response to immunotherapy regimens for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pinto
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Meneghel
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
| | - Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Gambato
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
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18
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Schwärzler J, Grabherr F, Grander C, Adolph TE, Tilg H. The pathophysiology of MASLD: an immunometabolic perspective. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:375-386. [PMID: 38149354 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2294046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Metabolic-associated liver diseases have emerged pandemically across the globe and are clinically related to metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The new nomenclature and definition (i.e. metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease - MASLD; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis - MASH) reflect the nature of these complex systemic disorders, which are characterized by inflammation, gut dysbiosis and metabolic dysregulation. In this review, we summarize recent advantages in understanding the pathophysiology of MASLD, which we parallel to emerging therapeutic concepts. AREAS COVERED We summarize the pathophysiologic concepts of MASLD and its transition to MASH and subsequent advanced sequelae of diseases. Furthermore, we highlight how dietary constituents, microbes and associated metabolites, metabolic perturbations, and immune dysregulation fuel lipotoxicity, hepatic inflammation, liver injury, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation. Deciphering the intricate pathophysiologic processes that contribute to the development and progression of MASLD is essential to develop targeted therapeutic approaches to combat this escalating burden for health-care systems. EXPERT OPINION The rapidly increasing prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease challenges health-care systems worldwide. Understanding pathophysiologic traits is crucial to improve the prevention and treatment of this disorder and to slow progression into advanced sequelae such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Schwärzler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Felix Grabherr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Grander
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Timon E Adolph
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Hang Nghiem-Rao T, Johnson JS, Pan A, Atkinson SN, Behling C, Simpson PM, Holtz ML, Weinstock GM, Schwimmer JB, Salzman NH. A serum-induced gene signature in hepatocytes is associated with pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2024; 78:886-897. [PMID: 38390691 DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing problem, but its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We used transcriptomic reporter cell assays to investigate differences in transcriptional signatures induced in hepatocyte reporter cells by the sera of children with and without NAFLD. METHODS We studied serum samples from 45 children with NAFLD and 28 children without NAFLD. The sera were used to induce gene expression in cultured HepaRG cells and RNA-sequencing was used to determine gene expression. Computational techniques were used to compare gene expression patterns. RESULTS Sera from children with NAFLD induced the expression of 195 genes that were significantly differentially expressed in hepatocytes compared to controls with obesity. NAFLD was associated with increased expression of genes promoting inflammation, collagen synthesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Additionally, there was lower expression of genes involved in endobiotic and xenobiotic metabolism, and downregulation of peroxisome function, oxidative phosphorylation, and xenobiotic, bile acid, and fatty acid metabolism. A 13-gene signature, including upregulation of TREM1 and MMP1 and downregulation of CYP2C9, was consistently associated with all diagnostic categories of pediatric NAFLD. CONCLUSION The extracellular milieu of sera from children with NAFLD induced specific gene profiles distinguishable by a hepatocyte reporter system. Circulating factors may contribute to inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling and impair xenobiotic and endobiotic metabolism in pediatric NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hang Nghiem-Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jethro S Johnson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
- Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Amy Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Quantitative Health Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Microbiome Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samantha N Atkinson
- Center for Microbiome Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Cynthia Behling
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Pathology, Sharp Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Pippa M Simpson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Quantitative Health Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mary L Holtz
- Center for Microbiome Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - George M Weinstock
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jeffrey B Schwimmer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Nita H Salzman
- Center for Microbiome Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Hatton-Jones KM, West NP, Thang MW, Chen PY, Davoren P, Cripps AW, Cox AJ. Gut Microbiome and Metabolic and Immune Indices in Males with or without Evidence of Metabolic Dysregulation. J Obes Metab Syndr 2024; 33:64-75. [PMID: 38508778 PMCID: PMC11000514 DOI: 10.7570/jomes23022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The contributions of the gut microbiota to obesity and metabolic disease represent a potentially modifiable factor that may explain variation in risk between individuals. This study aimed to explore relationships among microbial composition and imputed functional attributes, a range of soluble metabolic and immune indices, and gene expression markers in males with or without evidence of metabolic dysregulation (MetDys). Methods This case-control study included healthy males (n=15; 41.9±11.7 years; body mass index [BMI], 22.9±1.2 kg/m2) and males with evidence of MetDys (n=14; 46.6±10.0 years; BMI, 35.1±3.3 kg/m2) who provided blood and faecal samples for assessment of a range of metabolic and immune markers and microbial composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Metagenomic functions were imputed from microbial sequence data for analysis. Results In addition to elevated values in a range of traditional metabolic, adipokine and inflammatory indices in the MetDys group, 23 immunomodulatory genes were significantly altered in the MetDys group. Overall microbial diversity did not differ between groups; however, a trend for a higher relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes (P=0.06) and a lower relative abundance of the Verrucomicrobia (P=0.09) phyla was noted in the MetDys group. Using both family- and genera-level classifications, a partial least square discriminant analysis revealed unique microbial signatures between the groups. Conclusion These findings confirm the need for ongoing investigations in human clinical cohorts to further resolve the relationships between the gut microbiota and metabolic and immune markers and risk for metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M. Hatton-Jones
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Nicholas P. West
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Mike W.C. Thang
- QCIF Facility for Advanced Bioinformatics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Pin-Yen Chen
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Peter Davoren
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Australia
| | - Allan W. Cripps
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Amanda J. Cox
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
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21
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Zhang J, Wang W, Cui X, Zhu P, Li S, Yuan S, Peng D, Peng C. Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extracts ameliorate hepatic fibrosis and promote the communication between metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus through the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117656. [PMID: 38154526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional edible medicinal mushroom, has been widely reported to improve liver diseases as a dietary intervention for people. Ganoderma lucidum extracts, primarily total triterpenoids (GLTTs), are one of the bioactive ingredients that have excellent beneficial effects on hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, its prevention and reversal are particularly critical due to the increasing number of patients with chronic liver diseases worldwide. AIM OF THE STUDY The study aimed to evaluate whether GLTTs had a hepatoprotective effect against hepatic fibrosis through metabolic perturbations and gut microbiota changes and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The compound compositions of GLTTs were quantified, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis rats were used to investigate the cause of the improvement in various physiological states with GLTTs treatment, and to determine whether its consequent effect was associated with endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota using UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. RESULTS GLTTs alleviated physical status, reduced liver pathological indicators, proinflammatory cytokines, and deposition of hepatic collagen fibers via regulating the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways. The untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 16 potential metabolites that may be the most relevant metabolites for gut microbiota dysbiosis and the therapeutic effects of GLTTs in hepatic fibrosis. Besides, although GLTTs did not significantly affect the α-diversity indexes, significant changes were observed in the composition of microflora structure. In addition, Spearman analysis revealed strong correlations between endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus with hepatic fibrosis. CONCLUSION GLTTs could provide a potential target for the practical design and application of novel functional food ingredients or drugs in the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Wen Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Xinge Cui
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Pengling Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Siyu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Shujie Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Daiyin Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Generic Technology Research Center for Anhui TCM Industry, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; MOE-Anhui Joint Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Improvement of Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Can Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Rural Revitalization Collaborative Technical Service Center of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; MOE-Anhui Joint Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Improvement of Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
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Mao Q, Lin B, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Cao Q, Xu M. Understanding the role of ursodeoxycholic acid and gut microbiome in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: current evidence and perspectives. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1371574. [PMID: 38576492 PMCID: PMC10991717 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1371574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, resulting in a huge medical burden worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome and bile acids play pivotal roles during the development of NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD exhibit unique signatures of the intestinal microbiome marked by the priority of Gram-negative bacteria, decreased ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B), and increased Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae. The intestinal microbiota is involved in the metabolism of bile acids. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a key determinant in maintaining the dynamic communication between the host and gut microbiota. It generally shows surprising therapeutic potential in NAFLD with several mechanisms, such as improving cellular autophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial functions. This action is based on its direct or indirect effect, targeting the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and various other nuclear receptors. This review aims to discuss the current studies on the involvement of the microbiome-UDCA interface in NAFLD therapy and provide prospective insights into future preventative and therapeutic approaches for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyi Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Beibei Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenluo Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengque Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Li H, Liang J, Han M, Gao Z. Polyphenols synergistic drugs to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via signal pathway and gut microbiota: A review. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00091-2. [PMID: 38471648 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease with an increasing incidence worldwide. Single drug therapy may have toxic side effects and disrupt gut microbiota balance. Polyphenols are widely used in disease intervention due to their distinctive nutritional properties and medicinal value, which a potential gut microbiota modulator. However, there is a lack of comprehensive review to explore the efficacy and mechanism of combined therapy with drugs and polyphenols for NAFLD. AIM OF REVIEW Based on this, this review firstly discusses the link between NAFLD and gut microbiota, and outlines the effects of polyphenols and drugs on gut microbiota. Secondly, it examined recent advances in the treatment and intervention of NAFLD with drugs and polyphenols and the therapeutic effect of the combination of the two. Finally, we highlight the underlying mechanisms of polyphenol combined drug therapy in NAFLD. This is mainly in terms of signaling pathways (NF-κB, AMPK, Nrf2, JAK/STAT, PPAR, SREBP-1c, PI3K/Akt and TLR) and gut microbiota. Furthermore, some emerging mechanisms such as microRNA potential biomarker therapies may provide therapeutic avenues for NAFLD. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW Drawing inspiration from combination drug strategies, the use of active substances in combination with drugs for NAFLD intervention holds transformative and prospective potential, both improve NAFLD and restore gut microbiota balance while reducing the required drug dosage. This review systematically discusses the bidirectional interactions between gut microbiota and NAFLD, and summarizes the potential mechanisms of polyphenol synergistic drugs in the treatment of NAFLD by modulating signaling pathways and gut microbiota. Future researches should develop multi-omics technology to identify patients who benefit from polyphenols combination drugs and devising individualized treatment plans to enhance its therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongcai Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengzhen Han
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenpeng Gao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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Lu J, Zeng Y, Zhong H, Guo W, Zhang Y, Mai W, Qin Y, Su X, Zhang B, Wu W, Zhu Y, Huang Q, Ye Y. Dual-Stimuli-Responsive Gut Microbiota-Targeting Nitidine Chloride-CS/PT-NPs Improved Metabolic Status in NAFLD. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2409-2428. [PMID: 38476281 PMCID: PMC10929648 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s452194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Nitidine chloride (NC) is a botanical drug renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and hepatocellular carcinoma-inhibiting properties; however, its limited solubility poses challenges to its development and application. To address this issue, we have devised a colon-targeted delivery system (NC-CS/PT-NPs) aimed at modulating the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota by augmenting the interaction between NC and the intestinal microbiota, thereby exerting an effect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods The NC-CS/PT-NPs were synthesized using the ion gel method. Subsequently, the particle size distribution, morphology, drug loading efficiency, and release behavior of the NC-CS/PT-NPs were characterized. Furthermore, the impact of NC-CS/PT-NPs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice was investigated through serum biochemical analysis, ELISA, and histochemical staining. Additionally, the influence of NC-CS/PT-NPs on intestinal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Results The nanoparticles prepared in this study have an average particle size of (255.9±5.10) nm, with an encapsulation rate of (72.83±2.13) % and a drug loading of (4.65±0.44) %. In vitro release experiments demonstrated that the cumulative release rate in the stomach and small intestine was lower than 22.0%, while it reached 66.75% in the colon. In vivo experiments conducted on HFD-induced NAFLD mice showed that treatment with NC-CS/PT-NPs inhibited weight gain, decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lipid levels, improved liver and intestinal inflammation, and altered the diversity of gut microbiota in mice. Conclusion This study provides new evidence for the treatment of NAFLD through the regulation of gut microbiota using active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmei Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- The Second Nanning People’s Hospital, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongzhu Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huashuai Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wanting Mai
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yucui Qin
- Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaodan Su
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weisen Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiujie Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Ye
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Precision Detection and Screening, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Micro-Nanoscale Bioanalysis and Drug Screening of Guangxi Education Department, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
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Targher G, Byrne CD, Tilg H. MASLD: a systemic metabolic disorder with cardiovascular and malignant complications. Gut 2024; 73:691-702. [PMID: 38228377 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has rapidly become the most common chronic liver disease globally and is currently estimated to affect up to 38% of the global adult population. NAFLD is a multisystem disease where systemic insulin resistance and related metabolic dysfunction play a pathogenic role in the development of NAFLD and its most relevant liver-related morbidities (cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma) and extrahepatic complications, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and certain types of extrahepatic cancers. In 2023, three large multinational liver associations proposed that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) should replace the term NAFLD; the name chosen to replace non-alcoholic steatohepatitis was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests an excellent concordance rate between NAFLD and MASLD definitions-that is, ~99% of individuals with NAFLD meet MASLD criteria. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the literature on (a) the recent epidemiological data on MASLD and the risk of developing CVD and malignant complications, (b) the underlying mechanisms by which MASLD (and factors strongly linked with MASLD) may increase the risk of these extrahepatic complications and (c) the diagnosis and assessment of CVD risk and potential treatments to reduce CVD risk in people with MASLD or MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Targher
- Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital and Department of Medicine University of Verona, Negrar di Valpolicella (VR), Italy
| | | | - Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medizinische Universitat Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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26
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Pirola CJ, Salatino A, Fernández Gianotti T, Castaño GO, Garaycoechea M, Sookoian S. Cross talk between the liver microbiome and epigenome in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. EBioMedicine 2024; 101:104996. [PMID: 38320344 PMCID: PMC10862506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.104996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), including its severe clinical forms, involves complex processes at all levels of biological organization. This study examined the potential link between the liver microbiome profile and epigenetic factors. METHODS Liver microbial DNA composition was analysed using high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 116 individuals, with 55% being female, across the spectrum of liver disease severity. Total activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and acetyltransferases (HATs) was assayed in nuclear extracts from fresh liver samples. In addition, we measured the global 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) levels of liver DNA. FINDINGS Patients with MASLD showed a 2.07-fold increase (p = 0.013) in liver total HAT activity. Moreover, a correlation was observed between liver total HAT activity and the score for histological steatosis (Spearman's R = 0.60, p = 1.0E-3) and disease severity (R = 0.40, p = 2.0E-2). Liver HAT and HDAC activities also showed associations with the abundance of several liver bacterial DNAs. Additionally, liver global levels of 5-hmC showed negative correlation with the read number of Bacteroidetes (R = -0.62, p = 9.3E-4) and Gammaproteobacteria (R = -0.43, p = 3.2E-2), while it was positively correlated with the abundance of Acidobacteria (R = 0.42, p = 4.1E-2) and Actinobacteria (R = 0.47, p = 1.8E-2). INTERPRETATION The host liver epigenome, including the activity of enzymes involved in maintaining the balance between protein acetylation and deacetylation and the global DNA hydroxy-methylation status, may be the target of microbial signals. FUNDING Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, FonCyT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Jose Pirola
- Systems Biology of Complex Diseases, Translational Health Research Center (CENITRES), Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Faculty of Health Science, Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Adrian Salatino
- Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Bioinformatics Facility, Germany
| | - Tomas Fernández Gianotti
- Systems Biology of Complex Diseases, Translational Health Research Center (CENITRES), Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Osvaldo Castaño
- Liver Unit, Medicine and Surgery Department, Hospital Abel Zubizarreta, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martin Garaycoechea
- Department of Surgery, Hospital de Alta Complejidad en Red "El Cruce", Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Faculty of Health Science, Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Translational Health Research Center (CENITRES), Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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27
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Qiu XX, Cheng SL, Liu YH, Li Y, Zhang R, Li NN, Li Z. Fecal microbiota transplantation for treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Mechanism, clinical evidence, and prospect. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:833-842. [PMID: 38516241 PMCID: PMC10950639 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i8.833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The population of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients along with relevant advanced liver disease is projected to continue growing, because currently no medications are approved for treatment. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is believed a novel and promising therapeutic approach based on the concept of the gut-liver axis in liver disease. There has been an increase in the number of pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating FMT in NAFLD treatment, however, existing findings diverge on its effects. Herein, we briefly summarized the mechanism of FMT for NAFLD treatment, reviewed randomized controlled trials for evaluating its efficacy in NAFLD, and proposed the prospect of future trials on FMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xia Qiu
- Research and Education Department, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Sheng-Li Cheng
- Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan-Hui Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Taihe County People’s Hospital of Anhui Province, Fuyang 236600, Anhui Province, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People’s Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Nan-Nan Li
- University of Science and Technology of China, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of Cardiovascular Drugs Targeting Endothelial Cells, College of Health Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
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Ding Y, Yanagi K, Yang F, Callaway E, Cheng C, Hensel ME, Menon R, Alaniz RC, Lee K, Jayaraman A. Oral supplementation of gut microbial metabolite indole-3-acetate alleviates diet-induced steatosis and inflammation in mice. eLife 2024; 12:RP87458. [PMID: 38412016 PMCID: PMC10942630 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in Western countries. There is growing evidence that dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and disruption of microbiota-host interactions contribute to the pathology of NAFLD. We previously demonstrated that gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolite indole-3-acetate (I3A) was decreased in both cecum and liver of high-fat diet-fed mice and attenuated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages and Tnfa and fatty acid-induced inflammatory responses in an aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent manner in hepatocytes. In this study, we investigated the effect of orally administered I3A in a mouse model of diet-induced NAFLD. Western diet (WD)-fed mice given sugar water (SW) with I3A showed dramatically decreased serum ALT, hepatic triglycerides (TG), liver steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation, and hepatic production of inflammatory cytokines, compared to WD-fed mice given only SW. Metagenomic analysis show that I3A administration did not significantly modify the intestinal microbiome, suggesting that I3A's beneficial effects likely reflect the metabolite's direct actions on the liver. Administration of I3A partially reversed WD-induced alterations of liver metabolome and proteome, notably, decreasing expression of several enzymes in hepatic lipogenesis and β-oxidation. Mechanistically, we also show that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of I3A in macrophages. The potency of I3A in alleviating liver steatosis and inflammation clearly demonstrates its potential as a therapeutic modality for preventing the progression of steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufang Ding
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Karin Yanagi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts UniversityMedfordUnited States
| | - Fang Yang
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Evelyn Callaway
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Clint Cheng
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Martha E Hensel
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Rani Menon
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Robert C Alaniz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas Health Science Center, Texas A&M UniversityBryanUnited States
| | - Kyongbum Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts UniversityMedfordUnited States
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas Health Science Center, Texas A&M UniversityBryanUnited States
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Liu Q, Li X, Pan Y, Liu Q, Li Y, He C, Zheng N, Wang Y, Wang H, Wang Y, Sheng L, Zhang B, Shen T, Wu G, Li H, Wang X, Zhang W, Hu Y, Zhao Y. Efficacy and safety of Qushi Huayu, a traditional Chinese medicine, in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a randomized controlled trial. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 130:155398. [PMID: 38788390 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effective treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an unmet medical need. Qushi Huayu (QSHY) is an empirical herbal formula with promising effects in NAFLD rodent models and a connection to gut microbiota regulation. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the effects of QSHY in patients with NAFLD through a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy clinical trial. STUDY DESIGN A total of 246 eligible patients with NAFLD and liver dysfunction were evenly divided to receive either QSHY and Dangfei Liganning capsule (DFLG) simulant or QSHY simulant and DFLG (an approved proprietary Chinese medicine for NAFLD in China) for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes were changes in liver fat content, assessed using vibration-controlled transient elastography, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels from baseline to Week 24. RESULTS Both QSHY and DFLG led to reductions in liver fat content and liver enzyme levels post-intervention (p < 0.05). Compared to DFLG, QSHY treatment improved ALT (β, -0.128 [95 % CI, -0.25, -0.005], p = 0.041), aspartate transaminase (β, -0.134 [95 % CI, -0.256 to -0.012], p = 0.032), and fibrosis-4 score (β, -0.129 [95 % CI, -0.254 to -0.003], p = 0.044) levels. QSHY markedly improved gut dysbiosis compared to DFLG, with changes in Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides abundance linked to its therapeutic effect on reducing ALT. Patients with a high ALT response after QSHY treatment showed superior reductions in peripheral levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine, along with an elevation in the related microbial metabolite p-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate favorable clinical potential for QSHY in the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuqing Pan
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of gastroenterology, Baoshan District Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanghai, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Infectious disease, Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Cong He
- Department of gastroenterology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Ningning Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional ChineseMedicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huichao Wang
- Department of gastroenterology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Infectious disease, Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lili Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional ChineseMedicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Binbin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tianbai Shen
- Department of Infectious disease, Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gaosong Wu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Houkai Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional ChineseMedicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaosu Wang
- Department of gastroenterology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Infectious disease, Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yiyang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Kei N, Cheung KK, Ma KL, Yau TK, Lauw S, Wong VWS, You L, Cheung PCK. Effects of Oat β-Glucan and Inulin on Alleviation of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Aggravated by Circadian Disruption in C57BL/6J Mice. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:3520-3535. [PMID: 38333950 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
This was the first study that examined the effects of oat β-glucan and inulin on diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in circadian-disrupted (CD)-male C57BL/6J mice. CD intensified NASH, significantly increasing alanine aminotransferase and upregulating hepatic tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFβ1). However, these observations were significantly alleviated by oat β-glucan and inulin treatments. Compared to CD NASH mice, oat β-glucan significantly decreased the liver index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and insulin. In prebiotic-treated and CD NASH mice, significant negative correlations were found between enrichment of Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate-036 (Harlan), Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate-001 (NCI), and Bacteroides ovatus after oat β-glucan supplementation with TNFα and TGFβ1 levels; and enrichment of Muribaculaceae bacterium Isolate-110 (HZI) after inulin supplementation with AST level. In conclusion, oat β-glucan and inulin exhibited similar antiliver injury, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities but had no effect on cecal short-chain fatty acids and gut microbiota diversity in CD NASH mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Kei
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kam Kuen Cheung
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Food Research Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Ka Lee Ma
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tsz Kwan Yau
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Susana Lauw
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Food Research Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Vincent Wai Sun Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lijun You
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Peter Chi Keung Cheung
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Food Research Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR , China
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31
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Dong R, Zhang R, Shen C, Shen Y, Shen Z, Tian T, Wang J. Urinary caffeine and its metabolites in association with advanced liver fibrosis and liver steatosis: a nationwide cross-sectional study. Food Funct 2024; 15:2064-2077. [PMID: 38295369 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo04957d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Aim: This study used urinary caffeine and its metabolites to evaluate their relationships with liver steatosis and advanced liver fibrosis. Methods: A total of 2068 adult participants with required data were filtered from the 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. Non-invasive scores were applied to define liver steatosis and advanced liver fibrosis. Logistic regression models, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models, quantile-based g-computation (QG-Comp) models, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models were used to assess the associations of urinary caffeine and its metabolites with liver steatosis and advanced liver fibrosis. A series of additional analyses were conducted to examine the subgroup-specific differences and test the robustness of the observed results. Results: The major caffeine metabolite mixture and most individual caffeine metabolites were found to be negatively associated with the risk of advanced liver fibrosis with subgroup-specific variations. Only 7-MX consistently showed a negative association with liver steatosis in all analyses, while no association was observed between the major caffeine metabolite mixture and liver steatosis. Conclusion: The major caffeine metabolite mixture and most individual urinary caffeine metabolites exhibited inverse associations with advanced liver fibrosis with subgroup differences. Further prospective and experimental studies are urgently needed to verify our results and further identify the possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dong
- Department of Fundamental and Community Nursing, School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ru Zhang
- Jiangsu College of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Huaian, China
| | - Chao Shen
- Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Ya Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.
| | - Zhengkai Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ting Tian
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Fundamental and Community Nursing, School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Cernea S. NAFLD Fibrosis Progression and Type 2 Diabetes: The Hepatic-Metabolic Interplay. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:272. [PMID: 38398781 PMCID: PMC10890557 DOI: 10.3390/life14020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The bidirectional relationship between type 2 diabetes and (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) NAFLD is indicated by the higher prevalence and worse disease course of one condition in the presence of the other, but also by apparent beneficial effects observed in one, when the other is improved. This is partly explained by their belonging to a multisystemic disease that includes components of the metabolic syndrome and shared pathogenetic mechanisms. Throughout the progression of NAFLD to more advanced stages, complex systemic and local metabolic derangements are involved. During fibrogenesis, a significant metabolic reprogramming occurs in the hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes, and immune cells, engaging carbohydrate and lipid pathways to support the high-energy-requiring processes. The natural history of NAFLD evolves in a variable and dynamic manner, probably due to the interaction of a variable number of modifiable (diet, physical exercise, microbiota composition, etc.) and non-modifiable (genetics, age, ethnicity, etc.) risk factors that may intervene concomitantly, or subsequently/intermittently in time. This may influence the risk (and rate) of fibrosis progression/regression. The recognition and control of the factors that determine a rapid progression of fibrosis (or its regression) are critical, as the fibrosis stages are associated with the risk of liver-related and all-cause mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cernea
- Department M3, Internal Medicine I, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureş, 540142 Târgu Mureş, Romania; or
- Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Outpatient Unit, Emergency County Clinical Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureş, Romania
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33
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Wei J, Luo J, Yang F, Dai W, Pan X, Luo M. Identification of commensal gut bacterial strains with lipogenic effects contributing to NAFLD in children. iScience 2024; 27:108861. [PMID: 38313052 PMCID: PMC10835367 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota is known to have a significant impact on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), particularly in children with obesity. However, the specific functions of microbiota at the strain level in this population have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we successfully isolated and identified several commensal gut bacterial strains that were dominant in children with obesity and NAFLD. Among these, four novel isolates were found to have significant lipogenic effects in vitro. These strains exhibited a potential link to hepatocyte steatosis by regulating the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation. Moreover, a larger cohort analysis confirmed that these identified bacterial strains were enriched in the NAFLD group. The integrated analysis of these strains effectively distinguished NASH from NAFL. These four strains might serve as potential biomarkers in children with NAFLD. These findings provided new insights into the exploration of therapeutic targets for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wei
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Jiayou Luo
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Wen Dai
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xiongfeng Pan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Miyang Luo
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
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34
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Liu H, Nie C, Hu X, Li J. Highland barley β-glucan supplementation attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in Western diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease mice by modulating gut microbiota. Food Funct 2024; 15:1250-1264. [PMID: 38194248 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo03386d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. NAFLD is caused by numerous factors, including the genetic susceptibility, oxidative stress, unhealthy diet, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Among these, gut microbiota is a key factor and plays an important role in the development of NAFLD. Therefore, modulating the composition and structure of gut microbiota might provide a new intervention strategy for NAFLD. Highland barley β-glucan (HBG) is a polysaccharide that can interact with gut microbiota after entering the lower gastrointestinal tract and subsequently improves NAFLD. Therefore, a Western diet was used to induce NAFLD in mouse models and the intervention effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of HBG on NAFLD mice based on gut microbiota were explored. The results indicated that HBG could regulate the composition of gut microbiota in NAFLD mice. In particular, HBG increased the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Prevotella-9, Bacteroides, and Roseburia) as well as SCFA contents. The increase in SCFA contents might activate the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, thereby improving the liver lipid metabolism disorder and reducing liver lipid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huicui Liu
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai Province 810016, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxi Nie
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinzhong Hu
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710062, People's Republic of China
| | - Juxiu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, People's Republic of China.
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35
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Sheng X, Zhan P, Wang P, He W, Tian H. Mitigation of high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis by thyme ( Thymus quinquecostatus Celak) polyphenol-rich extract (TPE): insights into gut microbiota modulation and bile acid metabolism. Food Funct 2024. [PMID: 38305590 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo05235d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Our previous study demonstrated that thyme polyphenol-rich extract (TPE) mitigated hepatic injury induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) through the regulation of lipid metabolism, promotion of short-chain fatty acid production, enhancement of intestinal barrier function, and attenuation of inflammation. In this study, we aimed to further elucidate additional mechanisms underlying TPE-mediated preventive effects on hepatic steatosis, with a specific focus on its impact on the gut microbiota and bile acid (BA) metabolism in HFD-fed mice. TPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum total BA levels and a notable increase in fecal total BA levels. In particular, elevations in fecal conjugated BA levels, in turn, impede intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling, thereby enhancing hepatic synthesis and fecal excretion of BAs. The downregulated mRNA expression levels of intestinal Fxr and Fgf15, and hepatic Fgfr4, along with the upregulated mRNA expression levels of Cyp7a1 and Cyp27a1 after TPE treatment also prove the above inference. Meanwhile, TPE appeared to promote BA efflux and enterohepatic circulation, as evidenced by changes in the mRNA levels of Bsep, Ntpc, Shp, Asbt, Ibabp, and Ostα/β. TPE also modulated the gut microbiota and was characterized by an increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment depleted the intestinal flora in mice, also abrogating the hepatoprotective effect of TPE against NAFLD. These findings collectively indicate that TPE effectively mitigates HFD-induced NAFLD by modulating the gut-liver axis, specifically targeting the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xialu Sheng
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
| | - Ping Zhan
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
| | - Wanying He
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
| | - Honglei Tian
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
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Rodrigues SG, van der Merwe S, Krag A, Wiest R. Gut-liver axis: Pathophysiological concepts and medical perspective in chronic liver diseases. Semin Immunol 2024; 71:101859. [PMID: 38219459 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Susana G Rodrigues
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Schalk van der Merwe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University hospital Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Centre for Liver Research, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Reiner Wiest
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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37
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Parola M, Pinzani M. Liver fibrosis in NAFLD/NASH: from pathophysiology towards diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 95:101231. [PMID: 38056058 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, as an excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, results from chronic liver injury as well as persistent activation of inflammatory response and of fibrogenesis. Liver fibrosis is a major determinant for chronic liver disease (CLD) progression and in the last two decades our understanding on the major molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the fibrogenic progression of CLD has dramatically improved, boosting pre-clinical studies and clinical trials designed to find novel therapeutic approaches. From these studies several critical concepts have emerged, starting to reveal the complexity of the pro-fibrotic microenvironment which involves very complex, dynamic and interrelated interactions between different hepatic and extrahepatic cell populations. This review will offer first a recapitulation of established and novel pathophysiological basic principles and concepts by intentionally focus the attention on NAFLD/NASH, a metabolic-related form of CLD with a high impact on the general population and emerging as a leading cause of CLD worldwide. NAFLD/NASH-related pro-inflammatory and profibrogenic mechanisms will be analysed as well as novel information on cells, mediators and signalling pathways which have taken advantage from novel methodological approaches and techniques (single cell genomics, imaging mass cytometry, novel in vitro two- and three-dimensional models, etc.). We will next offer an overview on recent advancement in diagnostic and prognostic tools, including serum biomarkers and polygenic scores, to support the analysis of liver biopsies. Finally, this review will provide an analysis of current and emerging therapies for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Parola
- Dept. Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, Corso Raffaello 30, 10125, Torino, Italy.
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine - Royal Free Hospital, London, NW32PF, United Kingdom.
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Schroeder HT, De Lemos Muller CH, Heck TG, Krause M, Homem de Bittencourt PI. Resolution of inflammation in chronic disease via restoration of the heat shock response (HSR). Cell Stress Chaperones 2024; 29:66-87. [PMID: 38309688 PMCID: PMC10939035 DOI: 10.1016/j.cstres.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective resolution of inflammation via the heat shock response (HSR) is pivotal in averting the transition to chronic inflammatory states. This transition characterizes a spectrum of debilitating conditions, including insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular ailments. This manuscript explores a range of physiological, pharmacological, and nutraceutical interventions aimed at reinstating the HSR in the context of chronic low-grade inflammation, as well as protocols to assess the HSR. Monitoring the progression or suppression of the HSR in patients and laboratory animals offers predictive insights into the organism's capacity to combat chronic inflammation, as well as the impact of exercise and hyperthermic treatments (e.g., sauna or hot tub baths) on the HSR. Interestingly, a reciprocal correlation exists between the expression of HSR components in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and the extent of local tissue proinflammatory activity in individuals afflicted by chronic inflammatory disorders. Therefore, the Heck index, contrasting extracellular 70 kDa family of heat shock proteins (HSP70) (proinflammatory) and intracellular HSP70 (anti-inflammatory) in PBL, serves as a valuable metric for HSR assessment. Our laboratory has also developed straightforward protocols for evaluating HSR by subjecting whole blood samples from both rodents and human volunteers to ex vivo heat challenges. Collectively, this discussion underscores the critical role of HSR disruption in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory states and emphasizes the significance of simple, cost-effective tools for clinical HSR assessment. This understanding is instrumental in the development of innovative strategies for preventing and managing chronic inflammatory diseases, which continue to exert a substantial global burden on morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Trevisan Schroeder
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology (FisCel), Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique De Lemos Muller
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Metabolism and Exercise Research (LAPIMEX), Department of Physiology, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thiago Gomes Heck
- Post Graduate Program in Integral Health Care (PPGAIS-UNIJUÍ/UNICRUZ/URI), Regional University of Northwestern Rio Grande Do Sul State (UNIJUI) and Post Graduate Program in Mathematical and Computational Modeling (PPGMMC), UNIJUI, Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Krause
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Metabolism and Exercise Research (LAPIMEX), Department of Physiology, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paulo Ivo Homem de Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology (FisCel), Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Pu M, Zhang J, Hong F, Wang Y, Zhang C, Zeng Y, Fang Z, Qi W, Yang X, Gao G, Zhou T. The pathogenic role of succinate-SUCNR1: a critical function that induces renal fibrosis via M2 macrophage. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:78. [PMID: 38291510 PMCID: PMC10826041 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01481-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis significantly contributes to the progressive loss of kidney function in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with alternatively activated M2 macrophages playing a crucial role in this progression. The serum succinate level is consistently elevated in individuals with diabetes and obesity, both of which are critical factors contributing to CKD. However, it remains unclear whether elevated succinate levels can mediate M2 polarization of macrophages and contribute to renal interstitial fibrosis. METHODS Male C57/BL6 mice were administered water supplemented with 4% succinate for 12 weeks to assess its impact on renal interstitial fibrosis. Additionally, the significance of macrophages was confirmed in vivo by using clodronate liposomes to deplete them. Furthermore, we employed RAW 264.7 and NRK-49F cells to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS Succinate caused renal interstitial macrophage infiltration, activation of profibrotic M2 phenotype, upregulation of profibrotic factors, and interstitial fibrosis. Treatment of clodronate liposomes markedly depleted macrophages and prevented the succinate-induced increase in profibrotic factors and fibrosis. Mechanically, succinate promoted CTGF transcription via triggering SUCNR1-p-Akt/p-GSK3β/β-catenin signaling, which was inhibited by SUCNR1 siRNA. The knockdown of succinate receptor (SUCNR1) or pretreatment of anti-CTGF(connective tissue growth factor) antibody suppressed the stimulating effects of succinate on RAW 264.7 and NRK-49F cells. CONCLUSIONS The causative effects of succinate on renal interstitial fibrosis were mediated by the activation of profibrotic M2 macrophages. Succinate-SUCNR1 played a role in activating p-Akt/p-GSK3β/β-catenin, CTGF expression, and facilitating crosstalk between macrophages and fibroblasts. Our findings suggest a promising strategy to prevent the progression of metabolic CKD by promoting the excretion of succinate in urine and/or using selective antagonists for SUCNR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Pu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ultrasound, Molecular Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fuyan Hong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengwei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongcheng Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Fang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Gene Manipulation and Biomacromolecular Products, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Gene Manipulation and Biomacromolecular Products, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- China Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoquan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Program of Molecular Medicine, Affiliated Guangzhou Women and Children's Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Gene Manipulation and Biomacromolecular Products, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ti Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Gene Manipulation and Biomacromolecular Products, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- China Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.
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Thing M, Werge MP, Kimer N, Hetland LE, Rashu EB, Nabilou P, Junker AE, Galsgaard ED, Bendtsen F, Laupsa-Borge J, McCann A, Gluud LL. Targeted metabolomics reveals plasma short-chain fatty acids are associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:43. [PMID: 38262952 PMCID: PMC10804800 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) may reflect disturbances in the gut microbiota and have been linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We assessed plasma SCFAs in patients with MASLD and healthy controls. METHODS Fasting venous blood samples were collected and eight SCFAs were measured using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Relative between-group differences in circulating SCFA concentrations were estimated by linear regression, and the relation between SCFA concentrations, MASLD, and fibrosis severity was investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS The study includes 100 patients with MASLD (51% with mild/no fibrosis and 49% with significant fibrosis) and 50 healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, MASLD patients had higher plasma concentrations of propionate (21.8%, 95% CI 3.33 to 43.6, p = 0.02), formate (21.9%, 95% CI 6.99 to 38.9, p = 0.003), valerate (35.7%, 95% CI 4.53 to 76.2, p = 0.02), and α-methylbutyrate (16.2%, 95% CI 3.66 to 30.3, p = 0.01) but lower plasma acetate concentrations (- 30.0%, 95% CI - 40.4 to - 17.9, p < 0.001). Among patients with MASLD, significant fibrosis was positively associated with propionate (p = 0.02), butyrate (p = 0.03), valerate (p = 0.03), and α-methylbutyrate (p = 0.02). Six of eight SCFAs were significantly increased in F4 fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, SCFAs were associated with MASLD and fibrosis severity, but further research is needed to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying our observations and to assess the possible benefit of therapies modulating gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Thing
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Parsberg Werge
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | - Nina Kimer
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | - Liv Eline Hetland
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | - Elias Badal Rashu
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | - Puria Nabilou
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | - Anders Ellekaer Junker
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | | | - Flemming Bendtsen
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark
| | | | | | - Lise Lotte Gluud
- Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegard Alle 30, Hvidovre, 2650, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark.
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Gruzdev SK, Podoprigora IV, Gizinger OA. Immunology of gut microbiome and liver in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): mechanisms, bacteria, and novel therapeutic targets. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:62. [PMID: 38216746 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03752-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Most important contributors to its development are diet and obesity. Gut microbiome's importance for immune system and inflammatory pathways more widely accepted as an important component in NAFLD and other liver diseases' pathogenesis. In this article we review potential mechanisms of microbiome alteration of local and systemic immune responses leading to NAFLD's development, and how can modulate them for the treatment. Our review mentions different immune system pathways and microorganisms regulating metabolism, liver inflammation and fibrosis. We specifically point out TLR-4 as a potential key immune pathway activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides producing pro-inflammatory cytokines in NAFLD. Also, we discuss three endotoxin-producing strains (Enterobacter cloacae B29, Escherichia coli PY102, Klebsiella pneumoniae A7) that can promote NAFLD development via TLR4-dependent immune response activation in animal models and how they potentially contribute to disease progression in humans. Additionally, we discuss their other immune and non-immune mechanisms contributing to NAFLD pathogenesis. In the end we point out gut microbiome researches' future perspective in NAFLD as a potential new target for both diagnostic and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Konstantinovich Gruzdev
- Department of Microbiology V.S. Kiktenko, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia.
| | - Irina Viktorovna Podoprigora
- Department of Microbiology V.S. Kiktenko, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Oksana Anatolievna Gizinger
- Department of Microbiology V.S. Kiktenko, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia
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LeFort KR, Rungratanawanich W, Song BJ. Contributing roles of mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatocyte apoptosis in liver diseases through oxidative stress, post-translational modifications, inflammation, and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:34. [PMID: 38214802 PMCID: PMC10786752 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05061-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
This review provides an update on recent findings from basic, translational, and clinical studies on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis of hepatocytes in multiple liver diseases, including but not limited to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). While the ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1) is mainly responsible for oxidizing binge alcohol via the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system, it is also responsible for metabolizing many xenobiotics, including pollutants, chemicals, drugs, and specific diets abundant in n-6 fatty acids, into toxic metabolites in many organs, including the liver, causing pathological insults through organelles such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula. Oxidative imbalances (oxidative stress) in mitochondria promote the covalent modifications of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids through enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Excessive changes stimulate various post-translational modifications (PTMs) of mitochondrial proteins, transcription factors, and histones. Increased PTMs of mitochondrial proteins inactivate many enzymes involved in the reduction of oxidative species, fatty acid metabolism, and mitophagy pathways, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, energy depletion, and apoptosis. Unique from other organelles, mitochondria control many signaling cascades involved in bioenergetics (fat metabolism), inflammation, and apoptosis/necrosis of hepatocytes. When mitochondrial homeostasis is shifted, these pathways become altered or shut down, likely contributing to the death of hepatocytes with activation of inflammation and hepatic stellate cells, causing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. This review will encapsulate how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to hepatocyte apoptosis in several types of liver diseases in order to provide recommendations for targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli R LeFort
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Wiramon Rungratanawanich
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Byoung-Joon Song
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Niu B, Pan T, Xiao Y, Wang H, Zhu J, Tian F, Lu W, Chen W. The therapeutic potential of dietary intervention: based on the mechanism of a tryptophan derivative-indole propionic acid on metabolic disorders. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38189263 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2299744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Tryptophan (TRP) contributes to individual immune homeostasis and good condition via three complex metabolism pathways (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), kynurenine (KP), and gut microbiota pathway). Indole propionic acid (IPA), one of the TRP derivatives of the microbiota pathway, has raised more attention because of its impact on metabolic disorders. Here, we retrospect increasing evidence that TRP metabolites/IPA derived from its proteolysis impact host health and disease. IPA can activate the immune system through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and/or Pregnane X receptor (PXR) as a vital mediator among diet-caused host and microbe cross-talk. Different levels of IPA in systemic circulation can predict the risk of NAFLD, T2DM, and CVD. IPA is suggested to alleviate cognitive impairment from oxidative damage, reduce gut inflammation, inhibit lipid accumulation and attenuate the symptoms of NAFLD, putatively enhance the intestinal epithelial barrier, and maintain intestinal homeostasis. Now, we provide a general description of the relationships between IPA and various physiological and pathological processes, which support an opportunity for diet intervention for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Tong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yue Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hongchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jinlin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Fengwei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Wenwei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Viebahn G, Hartmann P, Lang S, Demir M, Zhang X, Fouts DE, Stärkel P, Schnabl B. Fungal signature differentiates alcohol-associated liver disease from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2307586. [PMID: 38298161 PMCID: PMC10841010 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2307586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The fungal microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we aimed to compare changes of the fecal fungal microbiota between patients with ALD and NAFLD and to elucidate patterns in different disease stages between the two conditions. We analyzed fungal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequencing using fecal samples from a cohort of 48 patients with ALD, 78 patients with NAFLD, and 34 controls. The fungal microbiota differed significantly between ALD and NAFLD. The genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Scopulariopsis, and the species Candida albicans (C. albicans), Malassezia restricta (M. restricta), Scopulariopsis cordiae (S. cordiae) were significantly increased in patients with ALD, whereas the genera Kazachstania and Mucor were significantly increased in the NAFLD cohort. We identified the fungal signature consisting of Scopulariopsis, Kluyveromyces, M. restricta, and Mucor to have the highest discriminative ability to detect ALD vs NAFLD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93. When stratifying the ALD and NAFLD cohorts by fibrosis severity, the fungal signature with the highest AUC of 0.92 to distinguish ALD F0-F1 vs NAFLD F0-F1 comprised Scopulariopsis, Kluyveromyces, Mucor, M. restricta, and Kazachstania. For more advanced fibrosis stages (F2-F4), the fungal signature composed of Scopulariopsis, Kluyveromyces, Mucor, and M. restricta achieved the highest AUC of 0.99 to differentiate ALD from NAFLD. This is the first study to identify a fungal signature to differentiate two metabolic fatty liver diseases from each other, specifically ALD from NAFLD. This might have clinical utility in unclear cases and might hence help shape treatment approaches. However, larger studies are required to validate this fungal signature in other populations of ALD and NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Viebahn
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Phillipp Hartmann
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sonja Lang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Münevver Demir
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow Clinic and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xinlian Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Derrick E. Fouts
- Department of Genomic Medicine, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Peter Stärkel
- Université Catholique de Louvain, St. Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernd Schnabl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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Bloom PP, Bajaj JS. The Current and Future State of Microbiome Therapeutics in Liver Disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:S36-S41. [PMID: 38153225 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Banerjee G, Papri SR, Satapathy SK, Banerjee P. Akkermansia muciniphila - A Potential Next-generation Probiotic for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:426-433. [PMID: 37724669 DOI: 10.2174/1389201025666230915103052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver conditions, and its growing prevalence is a serious concern worldwide, especially in Western countries. Researchers have pointed out several genetic mutations associated with NAFLD; however, the imbalance of the gut microbial community also plays a critical role in the progression of NAFLD. Due to the lack of approved medicine, probiotics gain special attention in controlling metabolic disorders like NAFLD. Among these probiotics, Akkermansia muciniphila (a member of natural gut microflora) is considered one of the most efficient and important bacterium in maintaining gut health, energy homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. In this perspective, we discussed the probable molecular mechanism of A. muciniphila in controlling the progression of NAFLD and restoring liver health. The therapeutic potential of A. muciniphila in NAFLD has been tested primarily on animal models, and thus, more randomized human trials should be conducted to prove its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutam Banerjee
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA
| | - Suraya R Papri
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA
| | - Sanjaya K Satapathy
- 2Department of Medicine, Northwell Health Center for Liver Disease & Transplantation, North Shore, University Hospital/Northwell Health, 400 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Pratik Banerjee
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA
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Kazi IN, Kuo L, Tsai E. Noninvasive Methods for Assessing Liver Fibrosis and Steatosis. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2024; 20:21-29. [PMID: 38405045 PMCID: PMC10885415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Accurate diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis is crucial to the individualized management of patients with chronic liver disease. Liver biopsy remains the reference standard for the assessment of steatosis, necroinflammation, and fibrosis. However, over the past decade, there has been an exponential growth in noninvasive tests (NITs) designed to assess liver fibrosis and steatosis. These NITs range from serum biomarkers to imaging assessments of liver tissue stiffness. Current noninvasive methods overcome the limitations of non-specific laboratory markers, conventional imaging, and invasive procedures, and are now starting to be adopted. The Fibrosis-4 index, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test, and elastography have gained the strongest clinical footholds for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis. There remains significant interest in demonstrating superiority of any specific test or, alternatively, optimizing a sequential algorithm to provide the most accurate diagnosis of fibrosis staging. This article reviews currently available noninvasive methods for assessing liver fibrosis and steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lily Kuo
- UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Eugenia Tsai
- UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Texas Liver Institute, San Antonio, Texas
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Zhang M, Xiao B, Chen X, Ou B, Wang S. Physical exercise plays a role in rebalancing the bile acids of enterohepatic axis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14065. [PMID: 38037846 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered as one of the most common diseases of lipid metabolism disorders, which is closely related to bile acids disorders and gut microbiota disorders. Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, and processed by gut microbiota in intestinal tract, and participate in metabolic regulation through the enterohepatic circulation. Bile acids not only promote the consumption and absorption of intestinal fat but also play an important role in biological metabolic signaling network, affecting fat metabolism and glucose metabolism. Studies have demonstrated that exercise plays an important role in regulating the composition and function of bile acid pool in enterohepatic axis, which maintains the homeostasis of the enterohepatic circulation and the health of the host gut microbiota. Exercise has been recommended by several health guidelines as the first-line intervention for patients with NAFLD. Can exercise alter bile acids through the microbiota in the enterohepatic axis? If so, regulating bile acids through exercise may be a promising treatment strategy for NAFLD. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this potential connection are largely unknown. Therefore, in this review, we tried to review the relationship among NAFLD, physical exercise, bile acids, and gut microbiota through the existing data and literature, highlighting the role of physical exercise in rebalancing bile acid and microbial dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyu Zhang
- School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biyang Xiao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Xiaoqi Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Bingming Ou
- College of Life Sciences, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, China
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Wang
- School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Portincasa P, Khalil M, Graziani A, Frühbeck G, Baffy G, Garruti G, Di Ciaula A, Bonfrate L. Gut microbes in metabolic disturbances. Promising role for therapeutic manipulations? Eur J Intern Med 2024; 119:13-30. [PMID: 37802720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and steatotic liver disease is rapidly increasing worldwide with a huge economic burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. Several genetic and environmental factors are involved in the onset and development of metabolic disorders and related complications. A critical role also exists for the gut microbiota, a complex polymicrobial ecology at the interface of the internal and external environment. The gut microbiota contributes to food digestion and transformation, caloric intake, and immune response of the host, keeping the homeostatic control in health. Mechanisms of disease include enhanced energy extraction from the non-digestible dietary carbohydrates, increased gut permeability and translocation of bacterial metabolites which activate a chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, as precursors of tangible metabolic disorders involving glucose and lipid homeostasis. The ultimate causative role of gut microbiota in this respect remains to be elucidated, as well as the therapeutic value of manipulating the gut microbiota by diet, pre- and pro- synbiotics, or fecal microbial transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy.
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Annarita Graziani
- Institut AllergoSan Pharmazeutische Produkte Forschungs- und Vertriebs GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | - Gema Frühbeck
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), ISCIII, Pamplona, Spain; Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain; Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gyorgy Baffy
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Gabriella Garruti
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy.
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy
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50
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Jia X, Chen Q, Wu H, Liu H, Jing C, Gong A, Zhang Y. Exploring a novel therapeutic strategy: the interplay between gut microbiota and high-fat diet in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1291853. [PMID: 38192650 PMCID: PMC10773723 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1291853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, the rapid increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and hyperuricemia, has been attributed to high-fat diets (HFD) and decreased physical activity levels. Although the phenotypes and pathologies of these metabolic diseases vary, patients with these diseases exhibit disease-specific alterations in the composition and function of their gut microbiota. Studies in germ-free mice have shown that both HFD and gut microbiota can promote the development of metabolic diseases, and HFD can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota. Therefore, investigating the interaction between gut microbiota and HFD in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This review takes HFD as the starting point, providing a detailed analysis of the pivotal role of HFD in the development of metabolic disorders. It comprehensively elucidates the impact of HFD on the balance of intestinal microbiota, analyzes the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota dysbiosis leading to metabolic disruptions, and explores the associated genetic factors. Finally, the potential of targeting the gut microbiota as a means to address metabolic disturbances induced by HFD is discussed. In summary, this review offers theoretical support and proposes new research avenues for investigating the role of nutrition-related factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokang Jia
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Qiliang Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiwen Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hongbo Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Chunying Jing
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Aimin Gong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- The Affiliated TCM Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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