Lotus seed oligosaccharides at various dosages with prebiotic activity regulate gut microbiota and relieve constipation in mice

The effect of supplementation with prebiotic fiber on the gut microbiota of a group of older people with Parkinson's disease from the city of Santiago de Chile. A pilot study

Introduction

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. It has been demonstrated that there is a correlation between the increase in bacterial abundance and the severity of certain symptoms associated with PD. Aim: the aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effect of supplementation with prebiotic fiber on the gut microbiota (GM) and nutritional status of elderly volunteers with Parkinson's disease. Methodology: this is a pilot study of pre and post intervention with prebiotic fiber. All subjects involved were volunteers with PD, who were given nutritional counseling and gut microbiota measured on time cero and after 30 days of prebiotic fiber intervention. Results: a statistically significant difference was found in calf circumference (p 0.0422) after the intervention with prebiotic fiber. GM analyses show an initial difference in gut bacterial abundance of older people with PD and people without PD. Furthermore, our results showed a difference in bacterial families and genera after the supplementation with prebiotic fiber. in addition, we found a statistically significant difference in the val-ue of circumference calf and a trend in the improvement of body weight, Body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, arm circumference, brachial area, and Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) for older adults. Conclusion: supplementation with 20 g of prebiotic fiber for 30 days could modify the intestinal microbiota, reducing bacterial genera and phylum that are abundant in Park-inson's disease, such as Verrucomicrobia. Therefore, the use of prebiotic fiber could represent an alternative to improve intestinal health and nutritional status of people with Parkinson's disease.

Efficacy of a postbiotic and its components in promoting colonic transit and alleviating chronic constipation in humans and mice

This study evaluates the efficacy of the postbiotic Probio-Eco in alleviating constipation in humans and mice. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 110 adults with chronic constipation (Rome IV criteria) demonstrates that a 3-week Probio-Eco intervention significantly improves constipation symptoms, stool straining, and worry scores. Gut microbiota and metabolomic analyses reveal modulations in specific gut microbiota, succinate, tryptophan derivatives, deoxycholate, propionate, butyrate, and cortisol, correlating with symptom relief. A loperamide-induced mouse model confirms that Probio-Eco and its bioactive components (succinate, 3-indoleacrylic acid, and 5-hydroxytryptophan) alleviate constipation by stimulating mucin-2 secretion, regulating intestinal transport hormones, and promoting anti-inflammatory responses. Multi-omics integration identifies key pathways, including succinate-short-chain fatty acid, tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptophan-serotonin, and tryptophan-3-indoleacrylic acid, driving intestinal homeostasis and motility. These findings highlight the comprehensive efficacy of Probio-Eco and provide robust evidence for its clinical application in constipation management. This study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100054376).

Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial function as novel strategies for treating intestinal inflammatory diseases and colorectal cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent intestinal disease, and has become a major global health issue. Individuals with IBD face an elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and recent studies have indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of both IBD and CRC. This review covers the pathogenesis of IBD and CRC, focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction, and explores pharmacological targets and strategies for addressing both conditions by modulating mitochondrial function. Additionally, recent advancements in the pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction for treating IBD and CRC, encompassing mitochondrial damage, release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and impairment of mitophagy, are thoroughly summarized. The review also provides a systematic overview of natural compounds (such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and diterpenoids), Chinese medicines, and intestinal microbiota, which can alleviate IBD and attenuate the progression of CRC by modulating mitochondrial function. In the future, it will be imperative to develop more practical methodologies for real-time monitoring and accurate detection of mitochondrial function, which will greatly aid scientists in identifying more effective agents for treating IBD and CRC through modulation of mitochondrial function.

The Role of Nondigestible Oligosaccharides in Alleviating Human Chronic Diseases by Regulating the Gut Microbiota: A Review

The gut has been a focus of chronic disease research. The gut microbiota produces metabolites that act as signaling molecules and substrates, closely influencing host health. Nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDOs), as a common dietary fiber, play an important role in regulating the structure and function of the gut microbiota. Their mechanism of action is mainly attributed to providing a carbon source as specific probiotics, producing related metabolites, and regulating the gut microbial community. However, due to the selective utilization of oligosaccharides, some factors, such as the type and structure of oligosaccharides, have different impacts on the composition of microbial populations and the production of metabolites in the colon ecosystem. This review systematically describes the key factors influencing the selective utilization of oligosaccharides by microorganisms and elaborates how oligosaccharides affect the host's immune system, inflammation levels, and energy metabolism by regulating microbial diversity and metabolic function, which in turn affects the onset and progress of chronic diseases, especially diabetes, obesity, depression, intestinal inflammatory diseases, and constipation. In this review, we re-examine the interaction mechanisms between the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites and diseases, and we explore new strategies for promoting human health and combating chronic diseases through dietary interventions.

Effect of lotus seed resistant starch on the bioconversion pathway of taurocholic acid by regulating the intestinal microbiota

Taurocholic acid (TCA) is abundant in the rat intestine and has multiple health benefits. In the gut, intestinal microbiota can transform TCA into different bile acid (BA) derivatives, with the composition of microbiota playing a crucial role in the transformation process. This study aims to investigate how lotus seed resistant starch (LRS) can regulate microbiota to influence BA transformation. A fecal fermentation study was conducted in vitro, using either LRS, high-amylose maize starch (HAMS), or glucose (GLU) to analyze microbiota composition, BA content, and metabolic enzyme activities over different fermentation times. Bioinformatics analysis found that LRS increased the relative abundance of Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Lactobacillus, and decreased Escherichia-Shigella, compared with HAMS and GLU. LRS also reduced total BA content and accelerated the conversion of TCA to cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and other derivatives. These results reveal that LRS and GLU tend to mediate the dehydroxy pathway, whereas HAMS tends to secrete metabolic enzymes in the epimerization pathway. Therefore, the evidence that LRS may regulate TCA bioconversion may benefit human colon health research and provide an important theoretical basis, as well as offer new concepts for the development of functional foods.

Therapeutic effects of Bombax ceiba flower aqueous extracts against loperamide-induced constipation in mice

CONTEXT

Bombax ceiba Linnaeus (Bombacaceae) is known as silk cotton tree, the flowers of which are used in many medicinal applications.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic effect of B. ceiba flower aqueous extracts (BCE) against loperamide-induced constipation and characterize the chemical composition of BCE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty male Kunming mice were divided into control (saline), model (10 mg/kg loperamide + saline), phenolphthalein (10 mg/kg loperamide + 10 mg/kg phenolphthalein) and different dosage of BCE (10 mg/kg loperamide + 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg BCE, respectively) groups, and received intragastric administrations for eight days. Faecal water content, number of faeces, first black-stool defecation time and gastrointestinal transit rates were evaluated. Various biochemical and molecular biomarkers were assessed in blood and colon. UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was used to tentatively identify the composition of the BCE.

RESULTS

BCE treatment (160 mg/kg) could increase faecal water (15.75%), faeces number (11.65%), gastrointestinal transit rate (25.37%) and decrease first black-stool defecation time (24.04%). The BCE (80 mg/kg) increased the serum level of motilin (30.62%), gastrin (54.46%) and substance P (18.99%), and decreased somatostatin (19.47%). Additionally, the BCE (160 mg/kg) reduced the mucosal damage, restored colonic goblet cell function, down-regulated the protein expression of AQP₃ (33.60%) and increased c-kit protein expression (11.63%). Twelve known compounds, including protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid and rutin, previously reported in B. ceiba, were identified in the BCE.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that BCE is a promising agent for the treatment of constipation.

The modulation effect of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds oligosaccharides with different structures on intestinal flora and action mode of growth effects on Bifidobacterium in vivo and in vitro

Natural lotus seed oligosaccharides monomers (LOSs: LOS3-1, LOS3-2, and LOS4) were prepared by preparative chromatography and were hydroxyl-labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The prebiotic properties of LOSs by the gut microbiota of male Balb/C mice in vivo and in vitro were studied. In vivo experiment results showed that LOS4 could significantly increase the average daily food consumption, weight, liver index and the abundance of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium for mice (p < 0.05). In addition, LOS4 also had significant proliferation effect on Bifidobacterium adolescentis and longum in vitro (p < 0.05). Laser confocal microscopy observation showed interaction site between LOS4-FITC and Bifidobacterium adolescentis was located outside and inside of cell, which was completed within 1 h. The relationship between structures of LOSs and prebiotics of intestinal flora (especially Bifidobacterium), and expanded the knowledge on the effects of carbohydrate polymerization degree (DP) and glycosidic bond connection with fermentation selectivity of bacteria was studied.

Gut microbiota-metabolic axis insight into the hyperlipidemic effect of lotus seed resistant starch in hyperlipidemic mice

We investigated the hyperlipidemic effect of different doses of lotus seed resistant starch (low-, medium and high-dose LRS, named as LLRS, MLRS and HLRS, respectively) in hyperlipidemic mice using gut microbiota-metabolic axis compared to high-fat diet mice (model control group, MC). Allobaculum was significantly decreased in LRS groups compared to MC group, while MLRS promoted the abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae and norank_f_Erysipelotrichaceae. Moreover, supplementation of LRS promoted cholic acid (CA) production and inhibited deoxycholic acid compared to MC group. Among, LLRS promoted formic acid, MLRS inhibited 20-Carboxy-leukotriene B4, while HLRS promoted 3, 4-Methyleneazelaic acid and inhibited Oleic acid and Malic acid. Finally, MLRS regulate microbiota composition, and this promoted cholesterol catabolism to form CA, which inhibited serum lipid index by gut microbiota-metabolic axis. In conclusion, MLRS can promote CA and inhibit medium chain fatty acids, so as to play the best role in lowering blood lipids in hyperlipidemia mice.

Defatted hempseed meal altered the metabolic profile of fermented yogurt and enhanced the ability to alleviate constipation in rats

BACKGROUND

Hempseeds (Cannabis sativa L.) are rich in easily digestible proteins, fats, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and insoluble fiber and are of high nutritional value. Probiotics have been found to relieve constipation, which solves a health problem that constantly troubles a lot of people. Therefore, the changes in the metabolites of fermented yogurt with or without 10% defatted hempseed meal (10% SHY or 0% SHY respectively) were studied and their laxative effects were examined through animal experiments.

RESULTS

Amino acids and peptides, terpene glycosides, carbohydrates, lineolic acids, and fatty acids were found to be the major contributors to the discrimination of the metabolic profile between 0% SHY and 10% SHY. The differentially accumulated metabolites may lead to the discrepancy in the yogurt's functionality. Animal experiments showed that the 10% SHY treatment prevented constipation by increasing feces number, fecal water content, and small intestinal transit rate and reducing inflammatory injury in loperamide-induced constipated rats. Further analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that 10% SHY gavage increased the relative abundances of the Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Turicibacter, Oscillibacter, Ruminococcus, and Phascolarctobacterium genera in the constipated rats, whereas Akkermansia, Clostridium_XIVa, Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, and Clostridium_IV were decreased. The combination of defatted hempseed meal and probiotics was found to be effective in relieving constipation, probably due to the enriched amino acids and peptides, such as Thr-Leu and lysinoalanine through correlation analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that defatted hempseed meal in yogurt altered the metabolic profile and effectively alleviated constipation in rats, which is a promising therapeutic candidate for constipation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Role of Carbohydrate Intake on the Gut Microbiome: A Weight of Evidence Systematic Review

(1) Background: Carbohydrates are the most important source of nutritional energy for the human body. Carbohydrate digestion, metabolism, and their role in the gut microbiota modulation are the focus of multiple studies. The objective of this weight of evidence systematic review is to investigate the potential relationship between ingested carbohydrates and the gut microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels. (2) Methods: Weight of evidence and information value techniques were used to evaluate the relationship between dietary carbohydrates and the relative abundance of different bacterial taxa in the gut microbiota. (3) Results: The obtained results show that the types of carbohydrates that have a high information value are: soluble fiber with Bacteroides increase, insoluble fiber with Bacteroides and Actinobacteria increase, and Firmicutes decrease. Oligosaccharides with Lactobacillus increase and Enterococcus decrease. Gelatinized starches with Prevotella increase. Starches and resistant starches with Blautia decrease and Firmicutes increase. (4) Conclusions: This work provides, for the first time, an integrative review of the subject by using statistical techniques that have not been previously employed in microbiota reviews.

Electro-acupuncture promotes gut motility and alleviates functional constipation by regulating gut microbiota and increasing butyric acid generation in mice

OBJECTIVE

Abnormalities in the gut microbiota and intestinal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of functional constipation (FC). Electro-acupuncture (EA) has been shown to improve constipation-related symptoms and rebalance the gut microbiota. However, it is currently unknown whether the gut microbiota is a key mechanistic target for EA or how EA promotes gut motility by regulating the gut microbiota and SCFAs. Therefore, we assessed the effects of EA in FC mice and pseudo-germfree (PGF) mice to address these questions.

METHODS

Forty female Kunming mice were randomly separated into a normal control group (n = 8), an FC group (n = 8), an FC + EA group (n = 8), a PGF group (n = 8) and a PGF + EA group (n = 8). The FC group and FC + EA group were treated with diphenoxylate to establish the FC model; the PGF group and PGF + EA group were given an antibiotic cocktail to initiate the PGF model. After maintaining the model for 14 d, mice in the FC + EA and PGF + EA groups received EA stimulation at the ST25 and ST37 acupoints, once a day, 5 times per week, for 2 weeks. Fecal parameters and intestinal transit rate were calculated to assess the efficacy of EA on constipation and gastrointestinal motility. Colonic contents were used to quantify gut microbial diversity using 16S rRNA sequencing, and measure SCFA concentrations using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

EA significantly shortened the first black stool defecation time (P < 0.05) and increased the intestinal transit rate (P < 0.01), and fecal pellet number (P < 0.05), wet weight (P < 0.05) and water content (P < 0.01) over 8 h, compared with the FC group, showing that EA promoted gut motility and alleviated constipation. However, EA treatment did not reverse slow-transit colonic motility in PGF mice (P > 0.05), demonstrating that the gut microbiota may play a mechanistic role in the EA treatment of constipation. In addition, EA treatment restored the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and significantly increased butyric acid generation in FC mice (P < 0.05), most likely due to the upregulation of Staphylococcaceae microorganisms (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

EA-mediated resolution of constipation occurs through rebalancing the gut microbiota and promoting butyric acid generation. Please cite this article as: Xu MM, Guo Y, Chen Y, Zhang W, Wang L, Li Y. Electro-acupuncture promotes gut motility and alleviates functional constipation by regulating gut microbiota and increasing butyric acid generation in mice. J Integr Med. 2023; Epub ahead of print.

Effect of the probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9, on chronic constipation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Chronic constipation (CC) is a common gastrointestinal condition associated with intestinal inflammation, and the condition considerably impairs patients' quality of life. We conducted a large-scale 42-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of probiotics in alleviating CC. 163 patients diagnosed with CC (following Rome IV criteria) were randomly divided into probiotic (n = 78; received Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 [P9]; 1×10¹¹ CFU/day) and placebo (n = 85; received placebo material) groups. Ingesting P9 significantly improved the weekly mean frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) and spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), while significantly reducing the level of worries and concerns (WO; P < 0.05). Comparing with the placebo group, P9 group was significantly enriched in potentially beneficial bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Ruminococcus_B gnavus), while depriving of several bacterial and phage taxa (Oscillospiraceae sp., Lachnospiraceae sp., and Herelleviridae; P < 0.05). Interesting significant correlations were also observed between some clinical parameters and subjects' gut microbiome, including: negative correlation between Oscillospiraceae sp. and SBMs; positive correlation between WO and Oscillospiraceae sp., Lachnospiraceae sp. Additionally, P9 group had significantly (P < 0.05) more predicted gut microbial bioactive potential involved in the metabolism of amino acids (L-asparagine, L-pipecolinic), short-/medium-chain fatty acids (valeric acid and caprylic acid). Furthermore, several metabolites (p-cresol, methylamine, trimethylamine) related to the intestinal barrier and transit decreased significantly after P9 administration (P < 0.05). In short, the constipation relief effect of P9 intervention was accompanied by desirable changes in the fecal metagenome and metabolome. Our findings support the notion of applying probiotics in managing CC.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Functional Constipation in Mice by Activating Enteric Glial Cell Autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling

OBJECTIVE

To investigate autophagy-related mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) action in improving gastrointestinal motility in mice with functional constipation (FC).

METHODS

According to a random number table, the Kunming mice were divided into the normal control, FC and EA groups in Experiment I. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used to observe whether it antagonized the effects of EA in Experiment II. An FC model was established by diphenoxylate gavage. Then the mice were treated with EA stimulation at Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) acupoints. The first black stool defecation time, the number, weight, and water content of 8-h feces, and intestinal transit rate were used to assess intestinal transit. Colonic tissues underwent histopathological assessment, and the expressions of autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expressions of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway members were investigated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The relationship between enteric glial cells (EGCs) and autophagy was observed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, localization analysis, and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

EA treatment shortened the first black stool defecation time, increased the number, weight, and water content of 8-h feces, and improved the intestinal transit rate in FC mice (P<0.01). In terms of a putative autophagy mechanism, EA treatment promoted the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 proteins in the colonic tissue of FC mice (P<0.05), with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and LC3 significantly colocalized. Furthermore, EA promoted colonic autophagy in FC mice by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The positive effect of EA on intestinal motility in FC mice was blocked by 3-MA.

CONCLUSION

EA treatment can inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in the colonic tissues of FC mice, thereby promoting EGCs autophagy to improve intestinal motility.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in chronic constipation: Outstanding aspects to be considered for the current evidence

This integrative aimed to evaluate the effects and the potential mechanism of action of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on constipation-associated gastrointestinal symptoms and to identify issues that still need to be answered. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database. Animal models (n = 23) and clinical trials (n = 39) were included. In animal studies, prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation showed a decreased colonic transit time (CTT) and an increase in the number and water content of feces. In humans, inulin is shown to be the most promising prebiotic, while B. lactis and L. casei Shirota probiotics were shown to increase defecation frequency, the latter strain being more effective in improving stool consistency and constipation symptoms. Overall, synbiotics seem to reduce CTT, increase defecation frequency, and improve stool consistency with a controversial effect on the improvement of constipation symptoms. Moreover, some aspects of probiotic use in constipation-related outcomes remain unanswered, such as the best dose, duration, time of consumption (before, during, or after meals), and matrices, as well as their effect and mechanisms on the regulation of inflammation in patients with constipation, on polymorphisms associated with constipation, and on the management of constipation via 5-HT. Thus, more high-quality randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating these lacking aspects are necessary to provide safe conclusions about their effectiveness in managing intestinal constipation.

Potential Prebiotic Effect of Cava Lees: Changes in Gut Microbiota

Lees are a winery by-product with a fiber-rich composition that could have a potential prebiotic effect on gut microbiota. Prebiotics cannot be digested by humans but can be used by bacteria found in the large intestine. To evaluate the potential prebiotic effect of lees, they were administered to Wistar rats for 14 days. Feces were collected daily, and DNA was extracted and analyzed by shot gun sequencing. The supplementation with lees did not affect weight, food intake, or water consumption of the studied rats. It was found that lees promoted the increase of relative abundance of probiotic bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillaceae family, as well as other potentially probiotic species such as Blautia hansenii, Roseburia intestinalis, and Ruminococcus obeum. Moreover, lees supplementation also reduced the abundance of certain pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, lees can improve the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and can be re-valorized as a new ingredient in food formulation.

Genome-wide association mapping of seed oligosaccharides in chickpea

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the major pulse crops, rich in protein, and widely consumed all over the world. Most legumes, including chickpeas, possess noticeable amounts of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) in their seeds. RFOs are seed oligosaccharides abundant in nature, which are non-digestible by humans and animals and cause flatulence and severe abdominal discomforts. So, this study aims to identify genetic factors associated with seed oligosaccharides in chickpea using the mini-core panel. We have quantified the RFOs (raffinose and stachyose), ciceritol, and sucrose contents in chickpea using high-performance liquid chromatography. A wide range of variations for the seed oligosaccharides was observed between the accessions: 0.16 to 15.13 mg g^-1 raffinose, 2.77 to 59.43 mg g^-1 stachyose, 4.36 to 90.65 mg g^-1 ciceritol, and 3.57 to 54.12 mg g^-1 for sucrose. Kabuli types showed desirable sugar profiles with high sucrose, whereas desi types had high concentrations RFOs. In total, 48 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified for all the targeted sugar types, and nine genes (Ca_06204, Ca_04353, and Ca_20828: Phosphatidylinositol N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase; Ca_17399 and Ca_22050: Remorin proteins; Ca_11152: Protein-serine/threonine phosphatase; Ca_10185, Ca_14209, and Ca_27229: UDP-glucose dehydrogenase) were identified as potential candidate genes for sugar metabolism and transport in chickpea. The accessions with low RFOs and high sucrose contents may be utilized in breeding specialty chickpeas. The identified candidate genes could be exploited in marker-assisted breeding, genomic selection, and genetic engineering to improve the sugar profiles in legumes and other crop species.

Lotus seed resistant starch ameliorates high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia by fatty acid degradation and glycerolipid metabolism pathways in mouse liver

We investigated the potential efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Lotus seed Resistant Starch (LRS) for regulating hyperlipidemia in mice fed a High-fat Diet (HFD). Mouse were fed a normal diet (Normal Control group, NC group), HFD alone (MC group), HFD plus lovastatin (PC group), or HFD with low/medium/high LRS (LLRS, MLRS, and HLRS groups, respectively) for 4 weeks. LRS supplementation significantly decreased body weight and significantly reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipopro-tein cholesterol compared with the MC group. LRS also significantly alleviated hepatic steatosis, especially in the MLRS group, which also showed a significantly reduced visceral fat index. LLRS supplementation significantly regulated genes associated with glycerolipid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis (Lpin1 and Ugt2b38), MLRS significantly regulated genes related to fatty acid degradation, fatty acid elongation, and glycerolipid metabolism (Lpin1, Hadha, Aldh3a2, and Acox1), whereas HLRS significantly regulated genes related to fatty acid elongation and glycerolipid metabolism (Lpin1, Elovl3, Elovol5, and Agpat3). The fatty acid-degradation pathway regulated by MLRS thus exerts better control of serum lipid levels, body weight, visceral fat index, and liver steatosis in mice compared with LLRS- and HLRS-regulated pathways.

Functional oligosaccharide fermentation in the gut: Improving intestinal health and its determinant factors-A review

The human intestine is characterized by an abundance of nutrients and a complex microbiota that make crucial contributions to overall health. These nutrients facilitate the adaptation of resident commensals to extreme environments and the development of a robust ecological network in host species. Long-term deprivation of microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) in the gut results in a loss of bacterial diversity, disruption of intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory diseases. Functional oligosaccharides are excellent MACs possessing important prebiotic properties for intestinal health through their fermentation in the gut. Its mechanism of action is predominantly attributed to acting as carbon sources for specific probiotics, promoting short-chain fatty acids production, and regulating the gut microbiota. In this review, we describe the source and structural characteristics of functional oligosaccharides, provide a framework for strategies to improve intestinal health by oligosaccharide fermentation and discuss structural determinants influencing the functional properties of oligosaccharides.

Structural characterization and in vitro analysis of the prebiotic activity of oligosaccharides from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds

In the present study, lotus seed oligosaccharides (LOSs) were isolated from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds using preparative liquid chromatography. LOS structures were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), acid hydrolysis, tandemmass spectrometry (MS/MS) and 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Then, Lactobacillus acidophilus was used to evaluate the prebiotic activity of LOSs in vitro. The structural analysis revealed that the monosaccharide components of LOSs included glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose. The MS/MS results indicated that disaccharides, trisaccharides, trisaccharides and tetrasaccharides were the constituents of isolated oligosaccharide polymers LOS2, LOS3-1, LOS3-2, and LOS4, respectively. The FT-IR and 1D/2D NMR data confirmed that LOS3 and LOS4 had a linear structure consisting of (1 → 6)-α-d-mannopyranosyl and glucopyranosyl residues. LOS3-1 and LOS4 effectively and selectively promoted the growth of an L. acidophilus strain, according to the results of the assays of optical density and the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the culture broth.

Inulin and isomalto-oligosaccharide alleviate constipation and improve reproductive performance by modulating motility-related hormones, short-chain fatty acids, and feces microflora in pregnant sows

Constipation in gestating and lactating sows is common and the inclusion of dietary fiber may help to alleviate this problem. We investigated the effects of inulin (INU) and isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO), two sources of soluble dietary fiber, on gastrointestinal motility-related hormones, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), fecal microflora, and reproductive performance in pregnant sows. On day 64 of gestation, 30 sows were randomly divided into three groups and fed as follows: a basal diet, a basal diet with 0.5% INU, and a basal diet with 0.5% IMO. We found that INU and IMO significantly modulated the levels of gastrointestinal motility-related hormones, as evidenced by an increase in substance P (P < 0.05), and a decrease in the vasoactive intestinal peptide concentrations (P < 0.05), indicating the capacity of INU and IMO to alleviate constipation. Furthermore, IMO enhanced the concentrations of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids in the feces (P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing showed that IMO and INU increased the fecal microflora α- and β-diversity (P < 0.05). Methanobrevibacter was more abundant (P < 0.05), whereas the richness of Turicibacter was lower in the INU and IMO groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, IMO significantly increased litter size (P < 0.05). Overall, our findings indicate that INU and IMO can relieve constipation, optimize intestinal flora, and promote reproductive performance in pregnant sows.

The protective effects of yellow tea extract against loperamide-induced constipation in mice

Yellow tea, a rare type tea from China, has a rich breadth of functional ingredients and benefits the gastrointestinal tract. However, it is not clear whether the yellow tea extract can alleviate constipation. Therefore, we used loperamide-induced constipation in mice to evaluate the effects of yellow tea extract. Fifty Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, low-dose yellow tea extract, low-dose yellow tea extract prevention group, and high-dose yellow tea extract prevention group. Mice were administered yellow tea extract for 5 weeks followed by loperamide-induced constipation for the final 2 weeks. The results showed that yellow tea extract alleviated constipation symptoms by improving the fecal water content, defecation weight, and gastrointestinal transit rate. Yellow tea extract intervention also protected colon tissue, regulated serum neurotransmitters, and decreased the vasoactive intestinal peptide level. Furthermore, qRT-PCR indicated that yellow tea extract regulated genes associated with the constipation state, raised 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 and reduced AQP3 and AQP4 mRNA expression. Moreover, we found that yellow tea extract changed the gut microbiota composition. Community diversity and richness were increased and principal co-ordinate analysis demonstrated that the yellow tea extract prophylaxis groups differed from the model group. Difference analysis indicated that yellow tea extract increased Roseburia, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, and Bifidobacterium and decreased norank_f_Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, unclassified_o_Bacteroidales, and Bacteroides, which are correlated with constipation. Based on these results, we believe that regular yellow tea consumption can effectively alleviate constipation.

Detoxification of Oral Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene by Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 23121 in Mice

This study's previous work showed that the carcinogen and mutagen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) can be adsorbed by Lactobacillus cells in vitro. However, in vivo BaP detoxification by lactic acid bacteria has not yet been investigated. The present study evaluates the effects of orally administered Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 23121 in BaP-treated mice. Oral administration of 50 mg kg^-1 BaP perturbed the intestinal microflora, caused Proteobacteria to predominate, and severely damaged DNA. However, oral administration of 5 × 10¹⁰ CFU mL^-1 CICC 23121 in BaP-treated mice enhances fecal BaP excretion from 181.70 ± 1.04 µg/(g∙h) to 271.47 ± 11.71 µg/(g∙h) after 6 h. Fecal BaP excretion reaches up to 280.66 ± 22.97 µg/(g∙h) after the first 4 days of orally administered CICC 23121 and decreased to 94.31 ± 2.64 µg/(g∙h) by day 11. Intestinal microbiota are restored and Firmicutes predominates. CICC 23121 alleviates BaP-induced DNA damage and reduces tail length from 56.37 ± 5.31  to 39.69 ± 4.27 µm. Therefore, oral CICC23121 consumption is a promising strategy for reducing BaP toxicity in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first report to demonstrate in vivo that Lactobacillus cells can detoxify BaP.

Synbiotic yogurt containing konjac mannan oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB12 alleviates constipation in mice by modulating the stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit pathway and gut microbiota

Synbiotic dietary supplements, as an effective means of regulating the gut microbiota, may have a beneficial effect on constipation. This study evaluated the effects of synbiotic yogurt containing konjac mannan oligosaccharides (KMOS) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB12 (BB12) on constipated Kunming mice (the model group). Following administration of yogurt containing 2.0% KMOS and BB12 (YBK2.0), black fecal weight and number and gastrointestinal transit rate increased by 97.5, 106.3, and 55.7%, respectively, compared with the model group. Serum levels of excitability neurotransmitters (motilin, substance P, and acetylcholine) in the YBK2.0 group were increased by 139.7, 120.4, and 91.8%, respectively, and serum levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters (vasoactive intestinal peptide, nitric oxide, and acetylcholine) were decreased. Moreover, synbiotic yogurt supplementation significantly downregulated the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VIPR1) and upregulated the expression of serotonin receptor 4 (5-HT4) in the colon, and enhanced the expression of the stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit pathway. Additionally, YBK2.0 treatment significantly regulated the community composition and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of gut microbiota, which were positively correlated with physiological parameters of constipation. Thus, supplementation with synbiotic yogurt composed of KMOS and BB12 could facilitate fecal excretion by regulating related pathways and the gut microbiota. These findings demonstrated that the synbiotic yogurt can be considered a functional food for alleviating constipation.

Prevention of loperamide induced constipation in mice by KGM and the mechanisms of different gastrointestinal tract microbiota regulation

Constipation is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal tract diseases. Konjac glucomannan (KGM) dietotherapy can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with constipation. However, the causal relationship among KGM, constipation and different gastrointestinal microbiome (i.e., the stomach {St}, small intestine {S}, and large intestine {L}) remains poorly understood. In this study, constipated mice were treated with KGM (75, 150, 300 mg/kg bw). Results showed that KGM treatment improved the general physiological state, fecal character, small intestinal propulsive rate, gastric emptying rate, MTL and AchE activities, ET-1, 5-HT, and NO levels, and SCFA concentrations. KGM in the diets of constipated mice reduced the diversity of St and S microbiota, while increased those in the L. The KGM intervention regulated the microbiota profile, which afterwards was closer to the normal mouse group: confirmation was provided by different changes of bacteria like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Allobaculum spp et al.

Chitosan oligosaccharides attenuate loperamide-induced constipation through regulation of gut microbiota in mice

This study was designed to explore the improvement of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on constipation through regulation of gut microbiota. Here, we proved that COS treatment profoundly boosted intestinal motility, restrained inflammatory responses, improved water-electrolyte metabolism and prevented gut barrier damage in constipated mice induced by loperamide. By 16S rDNA gene sequencing, the disbalanced gut microbiota was observed in constipated mice, while COS treatment statistically reversed the abundance changes of several intestinal bacteria at either phylum, family and genus levels, which partly led to the balance in production of intestinal metabolites including bile acids, short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan catabolites. In addition, COS failed to relieve the constipation in mice with intestinal flora depletion, confirming the essentiality of gut microbiota in COS-initiated prevention against constipation. In summary, COS can ameliorate the development of loperamide-induced constipation in mice by remodeling the structure of gut microbial community.

Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 and geniposide counteract montmorillonite-induced constipation in Kunming mice

Constipation is a common clinical manifestation of digestive system disorders and occurs worldwide. This study investigated the ability of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 (LP-KSFY06) to promote the action of geniposide in preventing montmorillonite-induced constipation in Kunming mice, with the aim of providing a successful solution. The effects of LP-KSFY06 and geniposide on constipation were measured, and the results showed that the protective effect of geniposide on constipation was enhanced by LP-KSFY06 and that the combination resulted in increased weight, moisture content, and particle number of feces. The first black stool defecation time was decreased from 182 min to 87 min, which clearly indicates that defecating difficulty was alleviated in constipated mice. The synergic intervention of LP-KSFY06 and geniposide (LP + G) assisted in maintaining the body weight of constipated mice. The LP + G intervention significantly increased serum levels of motilin (MTL, 167.8 pg/ml), acetylcholinesterase (AChE, 45.3 pg/ml), substance P (SP, 61.0 pg/ml), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, 70.5 pg/ml), endothelin-1 (ET-1, 16.1 pg/ml), and gastrin (73.0 pg/ml) and remarkably decreased somatostatin (SS, 35.2 pg/ml) when compared to those indexes in the LP-KSFY06 group and geniposide group. The LP + G treatment also significantly increased the mRNA expression of cluster of differentiation 117 (c-Kit), stem cell factor (SCF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and remarkably downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The experimental results showed that the combination treatment has the strongest prevention effect against constipation, and LP-KSFY06 promotes the ability of geniposide to prevent constipation. Therefore, LP-KSFY06 is a potential probiotic strain with the capacity to prevent montmorillonite-induced constipation.

Lactobacillus plantarum KFY02 enhances the relieving effect of gardenoside on montmorillonite induced constipation in mice

Lactobacillus plantarum KFY02 (KFY02), isolated from naturally fermented milk yoghurt in Korla, Xinjiang, Northwest of China, showed gardenoside action for the intestinal regulation of constipated mice. Comparatively, the effects of KFY02 (0.5 × 108 CFU kg-1, by body weight (BW)), gardenoside (50 mg kg-1, BW), and KFY02 (0.5 × 108 CFU kg-1, BW) + gardenoside (50 mg kg-1, BW) on intestinal regulation in mice with montmorillonite-induced constipation were also studied. Enzyme linked immunoassay, hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were used for the study. Compared with the model group, KFY02 + genipin (combined group) increased the propelling rate of activated carbon in the small intestines of mice and accelerated the discharge of the first black stool in mice. At the same time, the combination group reduced the levels of motilin (MTL), substance P (SP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the serum, and increased the somatostatin (SS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and gastrin (Gastrin) levels in the serum, which made these parameters close to those of the normal group. Using qPCR analysis, it was observed that the combined group up-regulated the mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), stem cell factor (SCF), stem cell factor receptor (c-Kit), glutathione (GSH), catalase and manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and down-regulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1). The combination increased the Bacteroides and Akkermansia abundances and decreased the Firmicutes abundance in the feces of the constipated mice and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio. The expression of the above genes was similar to that of the normal group. The results indicate that KFY02 produced β-glucosidase to hydrolyze the gardenoside glycosidic bond to produce genipin and can effectively promote the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones and intestinal peristalsis and reduce oxidative tissue damage in constipated mice. This study also confirmed that KFY02 has similar relieving effects to gardenoside for constipation in mice.