The relationship between the intestinal microbiome and body mass index in children with cystic fibrosis

Angelicae Pubescentis Radix Remitted Intestine Damage in Mice Induced by Escherichia coli via Mediating Antioxidant Defense, Inflammatory Mediators, and Restoring Gut Microbiota

This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (APR), a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-microbial properties, using a mouse model. In this study, 30 mice were selected and divided into three groups: control group (CD), infection group (ED), and treatment group (TD). Mice in the TD were gavaged with APR oil (0.15 mL/kg/day) for 20 days, while mice in the CD and ED received an equal volume of normal saline. On the 21st day, mice in the ED and TD were infected with multi-drug-resistant E. coli (1 × 107 CFU/mL) derived from diarrheal yak. Twenty-four hours later, all mice were euthanized, and blood, organs, and intestinal samples were collected for analysis. The results of intestinal sections and intestinal bacterial load revealed that APR treatment significantly reduced (p < 0.05) both bacterial load and intestinal injury. Serum analysis indicated that APR treatment also alleviated the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by E. coli infection. Intestinal microbiota sequencing further showed that APR treatment increased the abundance of intestinal probiotics such as Ligilactobacillus, Paludicola, and Blautia_A_1417806 while also enhancing the enrichment of functional pathways associated with antioxidant defense. In conclusion, APR treatment effectively alleviates diseases caused by E. coli infection, promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, and improves the antioxidant capacity in animals. Additionally, these findings confirm APR's role in addressing immediate effects rather than chronic adaptations. Future studies should investigate the prolonged effects of APR treatment beyond the acute phase.

Longitudinal profiling of the intestinal microbiome in children with cystic fibrosis treated with elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor

The intestinal microbiome influences growth and disease progression in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA), the newest pharmaceutical modulator for CF, restores the function of the pathogenic mutated CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel. We performed a single-center longitudinal analysis of the effect of ELX/TEZ/IVA on the intestinal microbiome, intestinal inflammation, and clinical parameters in children with CF. Following ELX/TEZ/IVA, children with CF had significant improvements in body mass index and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, and required fewer antibiotics for respiratory infections. Intestinal microbiome diversity increased following ELX/TEZ/IVA coupled with a decrease in the intestinal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, the predominant respiratory pathogen in children with CF. There was a reduced abundance of microbiome-encoded antibiotic resistance genes. Microbial pathways for aerobic respiration were reduced after ELX/TEZ/IVA. The abundance of microbial acid tolerance genes was reduced, indicating microbial adaptation to increased CFTR function. In all, this study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the intestinal microbiome in children with CF receiving ELX/TEZ/IVA.IMPORTANCECystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease with significant gastrointestinal symptoms in addition to pulmonary complications. Recently approved treatments for CF, CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, are anticipated to substantially improve the care of people with CF and extend their lifespans. Prior work has shown that the intestinal microbiome correlates with health outcomes in CF, particularly in children. Here, we study the intestinal microbiome of children with CF before and after the CFTR modulator, ELX/TEZ/IVA. We identify promising improvements in microbiome diversity, reduced measures of intestinal inflammation, and reduced antibiotic resistance genes. We present specific bacterial taxa and protein groups which change following ELX/TEZ/IVA. These results will inform future mechanistic studies to understand the microbial improvements associated with CFTR modulator treatment. This study demonstrates how the microbiome can change in response to a targeted medication that corrects a genetic disease.