Targeting gut microbiota as a possible therapy for diabetes

Effect of Bacillus velezensis MT9 on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Intestinal Microbiota

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of probiotics in aquaculture, due to their effectiveness on production, safety, and environmental friendliness. Probiotics, used as feed additives and as an alternative to antibiotics for disease prevention, have been shown to be active as growth promoters, improving survival and health of farmed fish. In this study, we have investigated the ability of the strain Bacillus velezensis MT9, as potential probiotic, to modulate the intestinal microbiota of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed with the Bacillus velezensis-supplemented feed in an experimental aquaculture plant. The analysis of the microbial community of the Nile tilapia by culture-based and 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approaches demonstrated that B. velezensis MT9 reshapes the fish intestinal microbiota by reducing the amounts of opportunistic Gram-negative bacterial pathogens belonging to the phylum of Proteobacterium (Pseudomonadota) and increasing the amounts of beneficial bacteria belonging to the phyla Firmicutes (Bacillota) and Actinobacteria (Actinomycetota). Specifically, dietary supplementation of Nile tilapia with B. velezensis MT9 resulted in an increase in the relative abundance of bacteria of the genus Romboutsia, which has a well-documented probiotic activity, and a decrease in the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria of the genera Aeromonas and Vibrio, which include opportunistic pathogens for fish, and Escherichia/Shigella, which may pose a risk to consumers. The whole genome sequence of B. velezensis MT9 was then determined. Genome analysis revealed several peculiarities of B. velezensis MT9 compared to other B. velezensis reference strains including specific metabolic traits, differences in two-component and quorum sensing systems as well as the potential ability to produce a distinct array of secondary metabolites, which could explain the strong ability of this strain to modulate the intestinal microbiota of the Nile tilapia.

The role of fecal microbiota transplantation on the NLRP3-Caspase 1 pathway and anxiety like behavioral in the ulcerative colitis model in rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of the NLRP3-Caspase 1 signaling pathway in the colon during fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in colitis induced by acetic acid. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the impact of FMT on anxiety behaviors by analyzing the function of the NLRP3-Caspase 1 signaling pathway in the hippocampus. A total of twenty-four rats were selected randomly for the study and divided into two groups, a control group, and an acid acetic-induced colitis group. The acid acetic-induced colitis group further consisted of three subgroups: untreated acid acetic-induced colitis group, mesalazine 0.3 gr/kg group, and FMT group. After 6 days, the colon was evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic damage, and the signaling pathway NLRP3-Caspase1-related genes in the colon and hippocampus were analyzed. Additionally, anxiety-related behaviors of the rats were observed. FMT decreased colonic mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, NF-кB, and Caspase1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18). Also, FMT reduced the expression of NLRP3, NF-κB, and Caspase1 protein levels as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the hippocampus, resulting in a reduction of anxiety behaviors in the open field and elevated plus maze tests in the colitis model. FMT may improve acetic acid-induced colitis by regulating the NLRP3-Caspase1 signaling pathway in the colon. It also reduced colitis-induced anxiety behavior by regulating the expression of proteins related to the NLRP3-Caspase 1 pathway in the hippocampus.

Advances in molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for central nervous system diseases based on gut microbiota imbalance

BACKGROUD

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases pose a serious threat to human health, but the regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of CNS diseases need to be further explored. It has been demonstrated that the gut microbiota (GM) is closely related to CNS disease. GM structure disorders, abnormal microbial metabolites, intestinal barrier destruction and elevated inflammation exist in patients with CNS diseases and promote the development of CNS diseases. More importantly, GM remodeling alleviates CNS pathology to some extent.

AIM OF REVIEW

Here, we have summarized the regulatory mechanism of the GM in CNS diseases and the potential treatment strategies for CNS repair based on GM regulation, aiming to provide safer and more effective strategies for CNS repair from the perspective of GM regulation.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

The abundance and composition of GM is closely associated with the CNS diseases. On the basis of in-depth analysis of GM changes in mice with CNS disease, as well as the changes in its metabolites, therapeutic strategies, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and FMT, may be used to regulate GM balance and affect its microbial metabolites, thereby promoting the recovery of CNS diseases.

Investigation of copper-induced intestinal damage and proteome alterations in Takifugu rubripes: Potential health risks and environmental toxicology detection

Copper is one of the predominant water pollutants. Excessive exposure to copper can cause harm to animal health, affecting the central nervous system and causing blood abnormalities. Cuproptosis is a novel form of cell death that differs from previous programmed cell death methods. However, the impact of copper on the intestines remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of copper exposure on the intestinal proteome of Takifugu rubripes (T. rubripes). Relevant biomarkers were used to detect cuproptosis. We revealed the crosstalk relationship between cuproptosis and self-rescue at different concentrations, and discussed the feasibility of using potential cuproptosis indicators as anti-infection factors. We observed intestinal damage in the three copper exposure groups, especially in T. rubripes treated with 100 and 500 μg/L copper, with shedding and breakage of intestinal villus and fuzzy and loose structure of intestinal mucosa. The presence of copper stress not only causes cuproptosis but also oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results of quantitative proteomics by TMT showed that compared to the 50 and 100 μg/L copper exposure groups, the expression of glutaminase, pyruvate kinase, and skin mucus lectin in the 500 μg/L group was significantly increased. The positive mediators COX5A and CTNNB1, as well as the negative mediators CD4 and FDXR, were found to be differentially expressed. Using the protein expression trends of cuproptosis indicator factors FDX1 and DLAT to indicate the concentration of copper ions in the environment. In addition, we found a new effect of promoting ferroptosis: providing additional copper ions can activate the phenomenon of ferroptosis. Our results expand our understanding of the potential health risks of copper in T. rubripes. At the same time, it is of great significance for the process of copper poisoning and the development of new environmental toxicology detection reagents.

The effect of the molecular weight of blackberry polysaccharides on gut microbiota modulation and hypoglycemic effect in vivo

Blackberry polysaccharides with certain molecular weight distribution have good bioactivity. In this research, type 2 diabetes mice were used to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of blackberry polysaccharides with three different molecular weights, BBP (603.59 kDa), BBP-8 (408.13 kDa) and BBP-24 (247.62 kDa), through gut microbiota modulation. Blackberry polysaccharides exhibited stronger hypoglycemic activity after degradation, and the FBG of BBP, BBP-8 and BBP-24 was reduced to 20.21 ± 4.17 mmol L-1, 20.6 ± 7.23 mmol L-1 and 17.32 ± 6.59 mmol L-1 and OGTT-AUC was reduced by 14.76%, 19.80% and 25.04%, respectively, after 8-week intervention. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that BBP, BBP-8 and BBP-24 could reshape the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota. From 0 to 4 weeks, the F/B of BBP, BBP-8 and BBP-24 reduced by 56.44%, 47.19% and 62.04%, reaching 3.39, 6.54, and 3.11 in the 8th week, respectively, which suggested the faster utilization of BBP-24. Moreover, the intervention the three blackberry polysaccharides increased the relative abundance of the targeted beneficial bacteria Oscillospira and Bacteroidaceae Bacteroides and decreased the relative abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Allobaculum. In general, the result demonstrated that blackberry polysaccharides with a lower molecular weight are more easily fermented, making the theoretical basis for the development of blackberry polysaccharides as a probiotic food to rapidly regulate intestinal flora for type 2 diabetes.

Analysis of the microecological mechanism of diabetic kidney disease based on the theory of "gut-kidney axis": A systematic review

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the main microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, as well as the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Intestinal microbiota has emerged as a crucial regulator of its occurrence and development. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota can disrupt the intestinal mucosal barrier, abnormal immunological response, reduction in short-chain fatty acid metabolites, and elevation of uremic toxins, all closely related to the occurrence and development of DKD. However, the underlying mechanisms of how intestinal microbiota and its metabolites influence the onset and progression of DKD has not been fully elucidated. In the current review, we will try to summarize the microecological mechanism of DKD by focusing on three aspects: the intestinal microbiota and its associated metabolites, and the "gut-kidney axis," and try to summarize therapies targeted at managing the intestinal microbiota, expecting to provide theoretical basis for the subsequent study of the relationship between intestinal homeostasis and DKD, and will open an emerging perspective and orientation for DKD treatment.

Gut Microbiota and Nutrition: Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes has increased in last decades worldwide and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years, reaching alarming figures. Evidence have shown that patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Moreover, several mechanisms link the microbiota with the appearance of insulin resistance and diabetes. Diet is a crucial factor related to changes in the composition, diversity, and activity of gut microbiota (GM). In this review, the current and future possibilities of nutrient-GM interactions as a strategy to alleviate T2D are discussed, as well as the mechanisms related to decreased low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance. A bibliographic search of clinical trials in Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus was carried out, using the terms "gut microbiota, diet and diabetes." The data analyzed in this review support the idea that dietary interventions targeting changes in the microbiota, including the use of prebiotics and probiotics, can improve glycemic parameters. However, these strategies should be individualized taking into account other internal and external factors. Advances in the understanding of the role of the microbiota in the development of metabolic diseases such as T2D, and its translation into a therapeutic approach for the management of diabetes, are necessary to allow a comprehensive approach.

Exposure to triphenyltin impairs gut integrity, disturbs gut microbiota, and alters fecal metabolites

Triphenyltin is an environmental contaminant widely used in antifouling paints and can cause toxicity in various organs in living organisms. However, its effects on intestinal function and the microbiome of the gut remain unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the intestinal toxicity of triphenyltin in mice by orally administering 0, 1.875, 3.75, and 7.5 mg/Kg to adult male mice for 8 weeks. Results showed that triphenyltin caused ileum tissue damage, induced oxidative stress, upregulated inflammation-related gene expression and increased serum tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels in mice. Triphenyltin impaired ileum barrier function by downregulating Muc2, ZO-1, Occludin and their protein levels at 3.75 and 7.5 mg/Kg. TPT exposure led to partial inflammation and decreased mucin mRNA expression in the colon. Triphenyltin altered intestinal micro-ecological balance and fecal metabolome in mice. In conclusion, triphenyltin alters the mouse gut microbiota and fecal metabolome.

Gut microbial metabolic signatures in diabetes mellitus and potential preventive and therapeutic applications

Diabetes mellitus can be subdivided into several categories based on origin and clinical characteristics. The most common forms of diabetes are type 1 (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). T1D and T2D are chronic diseases affecting around 537 million adults worldwide and it is projected that these numbers will increase by 12% over the next two decades, while GDM affects up to 30% of women during pregnancy, depending on diagnosis methods. These forms of diabetes have varied origins: T1D is an autoimmune disease, while T2D is commonly associated with, but not limited to, certain lifestyle patterns and GDM can result of a combination of genetic predisposition and pregnancy factors. Despite some pathogenic differences among these forms of diabetes, there are some common markers associated with their development. For instance, gut barrier impairment and inflammation associated with an unbalanced gut microbiota and their metabolites may be common factors in diabetes development and progression. Here, we summarize the microbial signatures that have been linked to diabetes, how they are connected to diet and, ultimately, the impact on metabolite profiles resulting from host-gut microbiota-diet interactions. Additionally, we summarize recent advances relating to promising preventive and therapeutic interventions focusing on the targeted modulation of the gut microbiota to alleviate T1D, T2D and GDM.

Smart capsules for sensing and sampling the gut: status, challenges and prospects

Smart capsules are developing at a tremendous pace with a promise to become effective clinical tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of gut health. This field emerged in the early 2000s with a successful translation of an endoscopic capsule from laboratory prototype to a commercially viable clinical device. Recently, this field has accelerated and expanded into various domains beyond imaging, including the measurement of gut physiological parameters such as temperature, pH, pressure and gas sensing, and the development of sampling devices for better insight into gut health. In this review, the status of smart capsules for sensing gut parameters is presented to provide a broad picture of these state-of-the-art devices while focusing on the technical and clinical challenges the devices need to overcome to realise their value in clinical settings. Smart capsules are developed to perform sensing operations throughout the length of the gut to better understand the body's response under various conditions. Furthermore, the prospects of such sensing devices are discussed that might help readers, especially health practitioners, to adapt to this inevitable transformation in healthcare. As a compliment to gut sensing smart capsules, significant amount of effort has been put into the development of robotic capsules to collect tissue biopsy and gut microbiota samples to perform in-depth analysis after capsule retrieval which will be a game changer for gut health diagnosis, and this advancement is also covered in this review. The expansion of smart capsules to robotic capsules for gut microbiota collection has opened new avenues for research with a great promise to revolutionise human health diagnosis, monitoring and intervention.

Gut microbiota of Suncus murinus, a naturally obesity-resistant animal, improves the ecological diversity of the gut microbiota in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND

The global population of obese individuals is increasing, affecting human health. High-fat diets are a leading cause of this epidemic, and animal models, such as mice, are often used in related research. Obese individuals have a different gut microbiota composition from non-obese ones, characterized by a sizeable population of certain bacteria associated with fat storage. The gut microbiome plays a significant role in regulating human physiological and metabolic functions. Links between obesity, high-fat diets and gut microbiota have become hot topics of discussion. Recently, research on the modulation of the gut microbiota has focused on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which has been recognized as an effective method of studying the function of gut microbiota.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the gut microbiota of Suncus murinus, a naturally obesity-resistant animal, through FMT, affected the ecology of the gut microbiota of high-fat diet induced obese mice.

METHODS

In this study, Suncus murinus was used as a donor for FMT. High-fat diet induced C57BL/6NCrSIc mice were used as recipients, the body weight changes were measured and changes in their gut flora were analyzed using a 16S rRNA gene analysis.

RESULTS

The study found that, after the FMT procedure, the FMT group tended to have a lower body weight than the control group. At the phylum level, the most predominant phyla in all groups were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, while Deferribacteres was not detected in the FMT or antibiotic administration groups, and Bacteroidetes was not present in the antibiotic administration group. At the genus level, the FMT group had significantly lower OTU richness than the control group but greater diversity than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that FMT from Suncus murinus can help reorganize and improve the gut microbiota of mice in a balanced and diverse ecosystem.

Lipidomics Characterization of the Microbiome in People with Diabetic Foot Infection Using MALDI-TOF MS

Lipidomic profiling has emerged as a powerful tool for the comprehensive characterization of bacterial species, particularly in the context of clinical diagnostics. Utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), this study aims to elucidate the lipidomic landscapes of bacterial strains isolated from diabetic foot infections (DFI). Our analysis successfully identified a diverse array of lipids in the cellular membranes of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, revealing a total of 108 unique fatty acid combinations. Specifically, we identified 26 LPG, 33 LPE, 43 PE, 114 PG, 89 TAG, and 120 CLP in Gram-positive bacteria and 10 LPG, 14 LPE, 124 PE, 37 PG, 13 TAG, and 22 CLP in Gram-negative strains. Key fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, were prominently featured. Univariate analysis further highlighted distinct lipidomic signatures among the bacterial strains, revealing elevated levels of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in Gram-negative bacteria associated with DFI. In contrast, Gram-positive strains demonstrated increased or uniquely fluctuating levels of triglyceride (TAG) and cardiolipin (CLP). These findings not only underscore the utility of MALDI-TOF MS in bacterial lipidomics but also provide valuable insights into the lipidomic adaptations of bacteria in diabetic foot infections, thereby laying the groundwork for future studies aimed at constructing microbial lipid libraries for enhanced bacterial identification.

Coptis chinensis-Induced Changes in Metabolomics and Gut Microbiota in Rats

Rhizoma coptidis (CR) is traditionally used for treating gastrointestinal diseases. Wine-processed CR (wCR), zingiber-processed CR (zCR), and evodia-processed CR (eCR) are its major processed products. However, the related study of their specific mechanisms is very limited, and they need to be further clarified. The aim of this study is to compare the intervening mechanism of wCR/zCR/eCR on rats via faecal metabolomics and 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis. First, faecal samples were collected from the control and CR/wCR/zCR/eCR groups. Then, a metabolomics analysis was performed using UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS to obtain the metabolic profile and significantly altered metabolites. The 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis was carried out to analyze the composition of gut microbiota and screen out the significantly altered microbiota at the genus level. Finally, a pathway enrichment analysis of the significantly altered metabolites via the KEGG database and a functional prediction of relevant gut microbes based on PICRUSt2 software were performed in combination. Together with the correlation analysis between metabolites and gut microbiota, the potential intervening mechanism of wCR/zCR/eCR was explored. The results suggested that wCR played a good role in maintaining immune homeostasis, promoting glycolysis, and reducing cholesterol; zCR had a better effect on protecting the integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier, preventing gastric ulcers, and reducing body cholesterol; eCR was good at protecting the integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier and promoting glycolysis. This study scientifically elucidated the intervening mechanism of wCR/zCR/eCR from the perspective of faecal metabolites and gut microbiota, providing a new insight into the processing mechanism research of Chinese herbs.

Research progress on the regulation of production traits by gastrointestinal microbiota in dairy cows

The composition and abundance of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of cows are complex and extensive, and they play a crucial role in regulating nutrient digestion, absorption, maintaining digestive tract stability, and promoting the production and health of the host. The fermentation carried out by these microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract is fundamental to the health and productivity of cows. Rumen microorganisms produce the majority of enzymes required to break down feed substrates, such as cellulose, protein, lipids, and other plant materials, through fermentation. This process provides energy metabolism substrates that satisfy approximately 70% of the host's energy requirements for physiological activities. Gut microorganisms primarily decompose cellulose that is difficult to digest in the rumen, thereby providing heat and energy to the hosts. Additionally, they have an impact on host health and productivity through their role in immune function. Understanding the composition and function of the cow gut microbiota can help regulate dairy cattle breeding traits and improve their health status. As a result, it has become a popular research topic in dairy cattle breeding. This article provides a review of the composition, structure, physiological characteristics, and physiological effects of the cow gut microbiota, serving as a theoretical foundation for future studies that aim to utilize the gut microbiota for dairy cattle breeding or improving production traits. It may also serve as a reference for research on gut microbiota of other ruminants.

The association of specific types of vegetables consumption with 10-year type II diabetes risk: Findings from the ATTICA cohort study

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the association between vegetable consumption, in total as well as per type/category, and 10-year type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence.

METHODS

The ATTICA study was conducted during 2001-2012 in 3042 apparently healthy adults living in Athens area, Greece. A detailed biochemical, clinical, and lifestyle evaluation was performed; vegetable consumption (total, per type) was evaluated through a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. After excluding those with no complete information of diabetes status or those lost at the 10-year follow-up, data from 1485 participants were used for the current analysis.

RESULTS

After adjusting for several participants' characteristics, including overall dietary habits, it was observed that participants consuming at least 4 servings/day of vegetables had a 0.42-times lower risk of developing T2DM (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29-0.61); the benefits of consumption were greater in women (HR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.16-0.53) compared to men (HR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.34-0.92). Only 33% of the sample consumed vegetables 4 servings/day. The most significant associations were observed for allium vegetables in women and for red/orange/yellow vegetables, as well as for legumes in men.

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of at least 4 servings/day of vegetables was associated with a considerably reduced risk of T2DM, independently of other dietary habits; underlying the need for further elaboration of current dietary recommendations at the population level.

Gut microbiota and its metabolites - molecular mechanisms and management strategies in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus and is also one of the serious risk factors in cardiovascular events, end-stage renal disease, and mortality. DKD is associated with the diversified, compositional, and functional alterations of gut microbiota. The interaction between gut microbiota and host is mainly achieved through metabolites, which are small molecules produced by microbial metabolism from exogenous dietary substrates and endogenous host compounds. The gut microbiota plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of DKD by producing multitudinous metabolites. Nevertheless, detailed mechanisms of gut microbiota and its metabolites involved in the occurrence and development of DKD have not been completely elucidated. This review summarizes the specific classes of gut microbiota-derived metabolites, aims to explore the molecular mechanisms of gut microbiota in DKD pathophysiology and progression, recognizes biomarkers for the screening, diagnosis, and prognosis of DKD, as well as provides novel therapeutic strategies for DKD.

The effect of bitter almond (Amygdalus communis L. var. Amara) gum as a functional food on metabolic profile, inflammatory markers, and mental health in type 2 diabetes women: a blinded randomized controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Using functional foods in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased across the world owing to their availability, cultural acceptability, and lower side effects. The present study will aim to examine the impact of bitter almond (Amygdalus communis L. var. Amara) gum as a functional food on metabolic profile, inflammatory markers, and mental health in women with T2DM.

METHODS

We will conduct a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 44 women with T2DM will be randomly allocated into two groups: an intervention group (n = 20) and a placebo group (n = 20). Patients will receive either 5 g/d of bitter melon gum or a placebo for 8 weeks. Clinical and biochemical outcome parameters which include glycemic indices, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress indices, tryptophan (Trp), kynurenine (KYN), cortisol, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gene expression, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), endothelial cell adhesion molecules, plasminogen, cluster deference 4 (CD4), cluster deference 8 (CD8), anthropometric indices, blood pressure, dietary intake, and mental health will be measured at the baseline and end of the study. Statistical analysis will be conducted using the SPSS software (version 24), and P value less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

DISCUSSION

The present randomized controlled trial will aim to investigate any beneficial effects of bitter almond gum supplementation on the cardio-metabolic, immune-inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as mental health in women with T2DM.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (IR.TBZMED.REC.1399.726).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( www.irct.ir/IRCT20150205020965N7 ).

A bibliometric analysis of studies on the gut microbiota in cardiovascular disease from 2004 to 2022

Background

Increasing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota (GM) is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Many studies on the GM in CVD have been published in the last decade. However, bibliometric analysis in this field is still lacking.

Methods

On 30 September 2022, a search of the Web of Science™ (WoS; Clarivate™, Philadelphia, PA, USA) yielded 1,500 articles and reviews on the GM and CVD. Microsoft Excel and CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to analyze publication trends and research hotspots in this field.

Results

Our search generated 1,708 publications on the GM in CVD published between 2004 and 2022, and 1,500 articles and review papers were included in the final analysis. The number of publications relating to the GM in CVD increased from 1 in 2004 to 350 in 2021. China (485 publications, 9,728 non-self-citations, and an H-index of 47) and the USA (418 publications, 24,918 non-self-citations, and an H-index of 82) contributed 32.31%, and 27.85%, respectively, of the total number of publications. Examination of the number of publications (Np) and number of citations, excluding self-citations (Nc), of individual authors showed that Y. L. Tian (Np: 18, Nc: 262, and H-index: 12), from China, is the most productive author, followed by R. Knight (Np: 16, Nc: 3,036, and H-index: 15) and M. Nieuwdorp (Np: 16, Nc: 503, and H-index: 9). The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College accounted for the largest number of publications (Np: 62, Nc: 3,727, and H-index: 13, average citation number (ACN): 60.11). The journal Nutrients had the most publications (Np: 73, Nc: 2,036, and ACN: 27.89). The emerging keywords in this field were "monooxygenase 3" (strength 3.24, 2020-2022), "short-chain fatty acid" (strength 4.63, 2021-2022), "fatty liver disease" (strength 3.18, 2021-2022), "metabolic disease" (strength 3.04, 2021-2022), "Mediterranean diet" (strength 2.95, 2021-2022), "prevention" (strength 2.77, 2021-2022), and "intestinal barrier" (strength 2.8, 2021-2022).

Conclusion

Publications on the GM in CVD rapidly increased in the last decade. The USA was the most influential country in publications in this field, followed by China. The journal with the most publications was Nutrients. Monooxygenase-3, short-chain fatty acids, fatty liver disease, metabolic disease, the Mediterranean diet, intestinal barrier, and prevention are the current hotspots or potential hotspots for future study.

Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties of Tetrahydrocurcumin-Based Formulations: An Overview of Their Metabolism in Different Microbiotic Compartments

In this review, the basic metabolic characteristics of the curcuminoid tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) at the level of the intestinal microbiota were addressed. Special attention was given to the bactericidal effects of one of the THC-phospholipid formulations, which has shown greater bioavailability and activity than pure THC. Similarly, quinoline derivatives and amino acid conjugates of THC have also shown antibacterial effects in the gut. The microbial effect of pure THC is particularly pronounced in pathophysiological conditions related to the function of the intestinal microbiota, such as type II diabetes. Furthermore, the antiviral characteristics of Cur compared to those of THC are more pronounced in preventing the influenza virus. In the case of HIV infections, the new microemulsion gel formulations of THC possess high retention during preventive application in the vagina and, at the same time, do not disturb the vaginal microbiota, which is critical in maintaining low vaginal pH. Based on the reviewed literature, finding new formulations of THC which can increase its bioavailability and activity and emphasize its antibacterial and antiviral characteristics could be very important. Applying such THC formulations in preventing and treating ailments related to the microbiotic compartments in the body would be beneficial from a medical point of view.

Enterorenal crosstalks in diabetic nephropathy and novel therapeutics targeting the gut microbiota

The role of gut-kidney crosstalk in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is receiving increasing concern. On one hand, the decline in renal function increases circulating uremic toxins and affects the composition and function of gut microbiota. On the other hand, intestinal dysbiosis destroys the epithelial barrier, leading to increased exposure to endotoxins, thereby exacerbating kidney damage by inducing systemic inflammation. Dietary inventions, such as higher fiber intake, prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), and engineering bacteria and phages, are potential microbiota-based therapies for DN. Furthermore, novel diabetic agents, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, and sodium-dependent glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, may affect the progression of DN partly through gut microbiota. In the current review, we mainly summarize the evidence concerning the gut-kidney axis in the advancement of DN and discuss therapies targeting the gut microbiota, expecting to provide new insight into the clinical treatment of DN.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide promotes adipose thermogenesis and decreases obesity by shaping the gut microbiota

This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) against obesity. Here, our results showed that ASKP considerably reduced body weight gain and metabolic disorders in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that ASKP relieved the gut microbiota disorder caused by HFD and promoted the proliferation of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Blautia. Interestingly, the fecal levels of succinate, a microbial metabolite associated with adipose thermogenesis, were dramatically elevated by ASKP treatment in obese mice. Accordingly, ASKP promoted thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice fed with a HFD, as revealed by the elevated expression of thermogenic marker genes (UCP1, CIDEA and PGC1α) in BAT and iWAT. Importantly, antibiotic treatment significantly decreased the ASKP-elevated fecal levels of succinate and further abolished the adipose thermogenesis effects of ASKP. Taken together, our results show that ASKP prevents obesity through iWAT browning and BAT activation, a mechanism that is dependent on the gut microbiota metabolism.

Comparative effects of fresh and sterile fecal microbiota transplantation in an experimental animal model of necrotizing enterocolitis

INTRODUCTION

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal disease that affects premature neonates, causing high mortality, despite the technological development in neonatal intensive care, with antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, surgery, and advanced life support. The correction of dysbiosis with fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) has shown beneficial effects in experimental models of the disease. The different forms of administration and conservation of FMT and mixed results depending on several factors lead to questions about the mechanism of action of FMT. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of fresh, sterile FMT and probiotic treatment under parameters of inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in a neonatal model of NEC.

METHODS

One-day-old Wistar rats were used to induce NEC model. Animals were divided in five groups: Control + saline; NEC + saline; NEC + fresh FMT; NEC + sterile FMT and NEC+ probiotics. Parameters of inflammatory response and oxidative damage were measured in the gut, brain, and serum. It was also determined gut histopathological alterations.

RESULTS

Proinflammatory cytokines were increased in the NEC group, and IL-10 levels decreased in the gut, brain, and serum. Fresh and sterile FMT decreased inflammation when compared to the use of probiotics. Oxidative and histological damage to the intestine was apparent in the NEC group, and both FMT treatments had a protective effect.

CONCLUSION

Fresh and sterile FMT effectively reduced the inflammatory response, oxidative damage, and histological alterations in the gut and brain compared to an experimental NEC model.

Identification of the DPP-IV Inhibitory Peptides from Donkey Blood and Regulatory Effect on the Gut Microbiota of Type 2 Diabetic Mice

After being treated with protease K, peptides extracted from donkey blood were separated, identified, and characterized. The results showed that Sephadex G-25 medium purified with MW < 3 kDa had the highest dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition capacity. Three-hundred-and-thirty-four peptides were identified with UPLC−MS/MS. Peptide Ranker and molecular docking analysis were used to screen active peptides, and 16 peptides were finalized out of the 334. The results showed that the lowest binding energy between P7(YPWTQ) and DPP-IV was −9.1, and the second-lowest binding energy between P1(VDPENFRLL) and DPP-IV was −8.7. The active peptides(MW < 3 kDa) could cause a reduction in the fasting blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetic mice, improve glucose tolerance, and facilitate healing of the damaged structure of diabetic murine liver and pancreas. Meanwhile, the peptides were found to ameliorate the diabetic murine intestinal micro-ecological environment to a certain extent.

Metagenomic Analysis of Intestinal Microbiota in Florated Rats

Changes in gut microbiota have shown that it plays an important role in animal health and metabolic diseases. The intestinal microbiota is a complex structure that functions as an organ system with the presence of trillions of microorganisms. In this study, changes in the intestinal microbiota of Wistar rats with high fluorine were evaluated. Water containing 100 ppm NaF was given to 14 male Wistar albino rats as drinking water for 12 weeks. Fluorine is known to be an inducer of protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, modulation of intracellular redox homeostasis, and oxidative stress. In this study, it was determined that the level of MDA (molandialdehyde), one of the oxidative stress parameters, increased significantly in the intestinal tissue after fluorine intoxication. The decrease in CAT (catalase) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) enzyme activities was found to be statistically significant. Intestinal tissues were taken under aseptic conditions and microorganisms found in flora were replicated by V3-V4 16S rRNA gene-specific primers. As a result of the sequence analysis, a statistical comparison of the control group and the fluorine applied group was made. The study we have done showed that there was a significant difference in species diversity in the intestinal microbiota of mice treated with fluorine. As a result, the composition of the intestinal microflora, especially Lactobacillus species, was significantly changed in rats with high fluorine.

Gut Microbiota and Antidiabetic Drugs: Perspectives of Personalized Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Alterations in the composition and function of the gut microbiota have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Emerging studies show that prescribed antidiabetic drugs distort the gut microbiota signature associated with T2DM. Even more importantly, accumulated evidence provides support for the notion that gut microbiota, in turn, mediates the efficacy and safety of antidiabetic drugs. In this review, we highlight the current state-of-the-art knowledge on the crosstalk and interactions between gut microbiota and antidiabetic drugs, including metformin, α-glucosidase inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, traditional Chinese medicines and other antidiabetic drugs, as well as address corresponding microbial-based therapeutics, aiming to provide novel preventative strategies and personalized therapeutic targets in T2DM.

Effect of dendrobium mixture in alleviating diabetic cognitive impairment associated with regulating gut microbiota

Dendrobium mixture (DM) is a patent Chinese herbal formulation consisting of Dendrobii Caulis, Astragali Radix, Rehmanniae Radix as the main ingredients. DM has been shown to alleviate diabetic related symptoms attributed to its anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect on diabetic induced cognitive dysfunction has not been investigated. This study aims to investigate the effect of DM in improving diabetic cognitive impairment and associated mechanisms. Our study confirmed the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of DM and showed its capacity to restore the cognitive and memory function in high fat/high glucose and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The neuroprotective effect was manifested as improved learning and memory behaviours, restored blood-brain barrier tight junction, and enhanced expressions of neuronal survival related biomarkers. DM protected the colon tight junction, and effectively lowered the circulated proinflammatory mediators including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharides. In the gut microbiota, DM corrected the increase in the abundance of Firmicutes, the increase in the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, and the decrease in the abundance of Bacteroidetes in diabetic rats. It also reversed the abundance of Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus and Allobaculum genera. Short chain fatty acids, isobutyric acid and ethylmethylacetic acid, were negatively and significantly correlated to Ruminococcus and Allobaculum. Isovaleric acid was positively and significantly correlated with Lactobacillus, which all contributing to the improvement in glucose level, systemic inflammation and cognitive function in diabetic rats. Our results demonstrated the potential of DM as a promising therapeutic agent in treating diabetic cognitive impairment and the underlying mechanism may be associated with regulating gut microbiota.

Antidiabetic potential of seaweed and their bioactive compounds: a review of developments in last decade

Diabetes Mellitus is a public health problem worldwide due to high morbidity and mortality rate associated with it. Diabetes can be managed by synthetic hypoglycemic drugs, although their persistent uses have several side effects. Hence, there is a paradigm shift toward the use of natural products having antidiabetic potential. Seaweeds, large marine benthic algae, are an affluent source of various bioactive compounds, including phytochemicals and antioxidants thus exhibiting various health promoting properties. Seaweed extracts and its bioactive compounds have antidiabetic potential as they inhibit carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in vitro and exhibit blood glucose lowering effect in random and post prandial blood glucose tests in vivo. In addition, they have been associated with reduced weight gain in animals probably by decreasing mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines with concomitant increase in mRNA expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Their beneficial effect has been seen in serum and hepatic lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes indicating the protective role of seaweeds against free radicals mediated oxidative stress induced hyperglycemia and associated hyperlipidemia. However, the detailed and in-depth studies of seaweeds as whole, their bioactive isolates and their extracts need to be explored further for their health benefits and wide application in food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

The crosstalk between gut microbiota, intestinal immunological niche and visceral adipose tissue as a new model for the pathogenesis of metabolic and inflammatory diseases: the paradigm of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Gut microbiota (GM) comprises more than one thousand microorganisms between bacterial species, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, and represents the main actor of a wide net of molecular interactions, involving, among others, the endocrine system, immune responses, and metabolism. GM influences many endocrine functions such as adrenal steroidogenesis, thyroid function, sexual hormones, IGF-1 pathway and peptides produced in gastrointestinal system. It is fundamental in glycaemic control and obesity, while also exerting an important function in modulating the immune system and associated inflammatory disease. The result of this crosstalk in gut mucosa is the formation of the intestinal immunological niche. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) produces about 600 different peptides, it is involved in lipid and glucose metabolism and in some immune reactions through several adipokines. GM and VAT interact in a bidirectional fashion: while gut dysbiosis can modify VAT adipokines and hormone secretion, VAT hyperplasia modifies GM composition. Acquired or genetic factors leading to gut dysbiosis or increasing VAT (i.e., Western diet) induce a proinflammatory condition, which plays a pivotal role in the development of dysmetabolic and immunologic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is clearly associated with specific patterns of GM alterations, with an abundance or reduction of GM species involved in controlling mucosal barrier status, glycaemic levels and exerting a pro- or anti-inflammatory activity. All these factors could explain the higher incidence of several inflammatory conditions in Western countries; furthermore, besides the specific alterations observed in diabetes, this paradigm could represent a common pathway acting in many metabolic conditions and could pave the way to a new, interesting therapeutic approach.

Hypoglycemic effect of polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus on type 2 diabetic mice based on “gut microbiota-mucosal barrier”

Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APP), the main active constituent possesses numerous bioactivities. In this research, the T2DM model mice was combined with streptozotocin to study the hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of...

Triphenyltin exposure causes changes in health-associated gut microbiome and metabolites in marine medaka

Triphenyltin (TPT), an organic compound with a wide range of applications, is often detected in water bodies and aquatic animals. However, the mechanism underlying the biological metabolic health problems caused by long-term exposure to environment concentrations of TPT remains unclear. The morphology and gene expression in the gut and liver were investigated; and 16SrRNA gene amplification sequencing and non-targeted LC-MS/MS metabonomics were investigated after marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) was treated with 1, 10, and 100 ng/L TPT for 21 days. During prolonged exposure to TPT, the adaptation mechanism maximized the energy of absorption, increased the length of intestinal microvilli, reduced the number of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the liver, and caused loss of weight. TPT exposure significantly changed the intestinal microbiome of marine medaka, thereby resulting in a significant decrease in microbial diversity. Following exposure to 100 ng/L TPT, the metabolic profiles were significantly changed and the altered metabolites were mainly concentrated in the lipid metabolic pathway. Finally, based on comprehensive network analysis, the association between the significantly changed bacteria and metabolites contributed further to the prediction of the impact of TPT on the host. This study provides a novel insight into the underlying mechanisms of host metabolic diseases caused by TPT and emphasizes the importance of monitoring pollutants in the environment.

Diabetes and gut microbiota

The prevalence of diabetes has increased rapidly throughout the world in recent years. Currently, approximately 463 million people are living with diabetes, and the number has tripled over the last two decades. Here, we describe the global epidemiology of diabetes in 2019 and forecast the trends to 2030 and 2045 in China, India, USA, and the globally. The gut microbiota plays a major role in metabolic diseases, especially diabetes. In this review, we describe the interaction between diabetes and gut microbiota in three aspects: probiotics, antidiabetic medication, and diet. Recent findings indicate that probiotics, antidiabetic medications, or dietary interventions treat diabetes by shifting the gut microbiome, particularly by raising beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful bacteria. We conclude that targeting the gut microbiota is becoming a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetes.

The roles of quercetin in diabetes mellitus and related metabolic disorders; special focus on the modulation of gut microbiota: A comprehensive review

Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid that can affect the balance between anti-oxidant defense system and oxidative stress. A number of studies showed the positive effects of quercetin on diabetes mellitus and related metabolic disorders through different pathways such as gut flora. However, findings are conflicting. In addition, it seems no studies have summarized all potential mechanisms of quercetin in diabetes mellitus, so far. Therefore, the aims of the present comprehensive review were to provide an overview on biological and biochemical characteristics of quercetin and investigate the effect of quercetin on diabetes mellitus and related metabolic disorders by focusing on its effects on the modulation of gut microbiota. For this purpose, findings of In vitro, animal studies, clinical trials, and review studies with the English language published until January 2021 were summarized. They were identified through electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) and Google Scholar. Findings showed that quercetin can be an effective component for improving glycemic status and other metabolic disorders related to diabetes mellitus based on In vitro and animal studies. However, environmental factors, food processing and using nanoformulations can affect its efficacy in human studies. Several potential mechanisms, including the modulation of gut flora are proposed for its actions. However, due to limited clinical trials and contradictory findings, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to make a decision on the efficacy of supplementation with quercetin as a complementary therapy for the management of diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, and modulating gut flora.

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Is a Crucial Player for the Poor Outcomes for COVID-19 in Elderly, Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients

A new infectious disease, named COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus associated to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) has become pandemic in 2020. The three most common pre-existing comorbidities associated with COVID-19-related death are elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people. A common factor among these risk groups for the outcome of death in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is dysbiosis, with an increase in the proportion of bacteria with a pro-inflammatory profile. Due to this dysbiosis, elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people present a higher propensity to mount an inflammatory environment in the gut with poor immune editing, culminating in a weakness of the intestinal permeability barrier and high bacterial product translocation to the bloodstream. This scenario culminates in a low-grade, persistent, and systemic inflammation. In this context, we propose here that high circulating levels of bacterial products, like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), can potentiate the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokines, including IL-6, being crucial for development of the cytokine storm in the severe form of the disease. A better understanding on the possible correlation between gut dysbiosis and poor outcomes observed in elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people can be useful for the development of new therapeutic strategies based on modulation of the gut microbiota.

Role of Postbiotics in Diabetes Mellitus: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

In the last decade, the gastrointestinal microbiota has been recognised as being essential for health. Indeed, several publications have documented the suitability of probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics in the management of different diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Advances in laboratory techniques have allowed the identification and characterisation of new biologically active molecules, referred to as “postbiotics”. Postbiotics are defined as functional bioactive compounds obtained from food-grade microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. They include cell structures, secreted molecules or metabolic by-products, and inanimate microorganisms. This heterogeneous group of molecules presents a broad range of mechanisms and may exhibit some advantages over traditional “biotics” such as probiotics and prebiotics. Owing to the growing incidence of DM worldwide and the implications of the microbiota in the disease progression, postbiotics appear to be good candidates as novel therapeutic targets. In the present review, we summarise the current knowledge about postbiotic compounds and their potential application in diabetes management. Additionally, we envision future perspectives on this topic. In summary, the results indicate that postbiotics hold promise as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for DM.

Regulating the gut microbiota and SCFAs in the faeces of T2DM rats should be one of antidiabetic mechanisms of mogrosides in the fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Siraitia grosvenorii fruits extract (SG, in which mogrosides are the main components), considered as a non-nutritional sweetener, has an antidiabetic effect. Our previous studies have confirmed that an extract of mogrosides being rich in triterpene glycosides with 1-3 glucosyl residues, designated as low-polar S. grosvenorii glycosides (L-SGgly), had a significant antidiabetic effect. However, whether the mechanism through impacting on gut microbiota to exert the antidiabetic effect of mogrosides remains unclear.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To explore the potential mechanism of mogrosides (SG and L-SGgly) on gut microbiota and faecal metabolites in the treatment of diabetes.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this study, the effects of SG and L-SGgly on gut microbiota and faecal endogenous metabolites were explored by sequencing the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region of gut microbiota, and detecting with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight MS (LC-Q-TOF/MS), respectively. In particular, correlation analyses revealed how these influences affect the anti-hyperglycaemic effect, to give the underlying antidiabetic mechanisms of the mogrosides in S. grosvenorii fruits.

RESULTS

After a 14-day treatment with SG and L-SGgly for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ), the disordered gut microbiota in the faeces of T2DM rats were recovered. At the same time, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration significantly increased and the deoxycholic acid and 1β-hydroxycholic acid content decreased in the faeces of T2DM rats. Moreover, correlation analyses provided the evidences that gut microbiota and its metabolites could be the target for exerting the anti-hyperglycaemic effects of SG and L-SGgly. Especially, Elusimicrobium, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004, acetate, butyrate, and 1β-hydroxycholic acid would be the potential dominant bacteria and biomarkers for SG and L-SGgly in reducing the blood glucose and insulin resistance of T2DM rats.

CONCLUSION

It is the first time that a mechanism of targeting on gut microbiota for the antidiabetic effect of mogrosides in S. grosvenorii fruits has been proposed.

Symptomatic relief from at-home use of activated Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 probiotic in infants: results from a consumer survey on the effects on diaper rash, colic symptoms, and sleep

The gut microbiome during infancy is directly involved in the digestion of human milk, development of the immune system, and long-term health outcomes. Gut dysbiosis in early life has been linked to multiple short-term ailments, from diaper dermatitis and poor stooling habits, to poor sleep and fussiness, with mixed results in the scientific literature on the efficacy of probiotics for symptom resolution. Despite the growing interest in probiotics for consumer use, observed symptomatic relief is rarely documented. This study aims to evaluate observed symptomatic relief from at-home use of activated Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 in infants. Consumer feedback was collected over a 2-year period via a 30-day post-purchase online survey of B. infantis EVC001 (Evivo^®) customers. Outcome measures included observed changes in diaper rash, symptoms of colic, and sleep behaviours in infants fed B. infantis EVC001. A total of 1,621 respondents completed the survey. Before purchasing B. infantis EVC001, the majority of respondents visited the product website, researched infant probiotics online, or consulted with their doctor or other healthcare professional. Of the participants whose infants had ever experienced diaper rash, 72% (n=448) reported improvements, and 57% of those reported complete resolution of this problem. Of those who responded to questions about gassiness/fussiness, naptime sleep, and night-time sleep behaviours, 63% (n=984), 33% (n=520), and 52% (n=806) reported resolution or improvements, respectively. Although clinical data regarding probiotic use are often inconclusive for symptom resolution, home use of B. infantis EVC001 in infants improved diaper rash, gassiness/fussiness, and sleep quality within the first week of use in a significant number of respondents who engaged in a voluntary post-purchase survey. These outcomes may be a result of the unique genetic capacity of B. infantis EVC001 to colonise the infant gut highlighting the importance of strain selection in evaluating the effects of probiotic products.

The Immunomodulatory Effect of the Gut Microbiota in Kidney Disease

The human gut microbiota is a complex cluster composed of 100 trillion microorganisms, which holds a symbiotic relationship with the host under normal circumstances. Intestinal flora can facilitate the treatment of human metabolic dysfunctions and interact with the intestinal tract, which could influence intestinal tolerance, immunity, and sensitivity to inflammation. In recent years, significant interests have evolved on the association of intestinal microbiota and kidney diseases within the academic circle. Abnormal changes in intestinal microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can affect the integrity of the intestinal barrier, resulting in the bacterial translocation, production, and accumulation of dysbiotic gut-derived metabolites, such as urea, indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS). These processes lead to the abnormal activation of immune cells; overproduction of antibodies, immune complexes, and inflammatory factors; and inflammatory cell infiltration that can directly or indirectly cause damage to the renal parenchyma. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of intestinal flora in the development and progression of several renal diseases, such as lupus nephritis, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, and renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Further research on these mechanisms should provide insights into the therapeutic potential of regulating intestinal flora and intervening related molecular targets for the abovementioned nephropathy.

Gut Microbiota Mediates the Preventive Effects of Dietary Capsaicin Against Depression-Like Behavior Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice

Capsaicin (CAP) is an active ingredient in chili pepper that is frequently consumed. It exerts various pharmacological activities, and also has potential effects on mental illness. However, its mechanism of antidepressant effects is still unclear. Based on the emerging perspective of the gut-brain axis, we investigated the effects of dietary CAP on gut microbes in mice with depression-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). C57BL/6J male mice (four weeks old) were given specific feed (standard laboratory chow or laboratory chow plus 0.005% CAP) for 4 months. During the last five days, LPS (0.052/0.104/0.208/0.415/0.83 mg/kg, 5-day) was injected intraperitoneally to induce depression. Behavioral indicators and serum parameters were measured, and gut microbiota were identified by sequencing analysis of the 16S gene. This study showed that dietary CAP improved depressive-like behavior (sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, tail suspension test) and levels of 5-HT and TNF-α in serum of LPS-induced mice with depression-like behaviors. In addition, CAP could recover abnormal changes in depression-related microbiota. Especially at the genus level, CAP enhanced the variations in relative abundance of certain pivotal microorganisms like Ruminococcus, Prevotella, Allobaculum, Sutterella, and Oscillospira. Correlation analysis revealed changes in microbiota composition that was closely related to depressive behavior, 5-HT and TNF-α levels. These results suggested that dietary CAP can regulate the structure and number of gut microbiota and play a major role in the prevention of depression.

Sargassum fusiforme fucoidan modifies gut microbiota and intestinal metabolites during alleviation of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic mice

Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) is a complicated metabolic disorder that is now considered as a major global public health problem. Fucoidan exhibits diverse biological activities, especially prevention of metabolic diseases. In this regard, we herein aimed to reveal the beneficial effect of Sargassum fusiforme fucoidan (SFF) on high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced T2DM mice. We noted that on the one hand, SFF significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, diet and water intake, and hyperlipidemia, while on the other hand, it improved glucose tolerance. Furthermore, SFF reduced epididymal fat deposition, attenuated the pathological changes in heart and liver tissues, and decreased oxidative stress in diabetic mice. To explore the underlying mechanisms of these ameliorative effects, the gut microbiota was analyzed. Notably, SFF highly enriched benign microbes including Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium and Blautia, as well as increased levels of (R)-carnitine and choline in the colon of diabetic mice. This may be a potential mechanism for alleviating T2DM, thus implying the benefits of SFF as an adjuvant agent for T2DM treatment. Taken together, this study demonstrated a promising application of fucoidan as one of the adjuvant agents for the management of T2DM in the future.

An update on potential biomarkers for diagnosing diabetic foot ulcer at early stage

As one of major chronic complications of diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the main cause of disability and death. The clinical diagnosis and prognosis of DFU is inadequate. For clinicians, if the risk stratification of DFU can be obtained earlier in diabetic patients, the hospitalization, disability and mortality rate will be reduced. In addition to the inflammatory biomarkers that have been widely concerned and used, e.g., procalcitonin, pentraxin-3, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (ILs), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), etc., a more comprehensive prediction of the risk and severity of DFU is needed to reflect new biomarkers for therapeutic intervention effects. Along with the development of systems biology technology, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and microbiome have been used in the studies on DFU for better understanding of the disease. In this review, new biomarkers that are expected to assist in the accurate diagnosis and risk stratification of DFU will be discussed and summarized in detail.

Gut microbiota: A target for heavy metal toxicity and a probiotic protective strategy

There is growing epidemiological evidence that heavy metals (HMs) may contribute to the progression of various metabolic diseases and that the etiology and progression of these diseases is partly due to HM-induced perturbations of the gut microbiota. Importantly, the gut microbiota are the first line of defense against the toxic effects of HMs, and there is a bidirectional relationship between the two. Thus, HM exposure alters the composition and metabolic profile of the gut microbiota at the functional level, and in turn, the gut microbiota alter the uptake and metabolism of HMs by acting as a physical barrier to HM absorption and by altering the pH, oxidative balance, and concentrations of detoxification enzymes or proteins involved in HM metabolism. Moreover, the gut microbiota can affect the integrity of the intestinal barrier, which may also in turn affect the absorption of HMs. Specifically, probiotic have been shown to reduce the absorption of HMs in the intestinal tract via the enhancement of intestinal HM sequestration, detoxification of HMs in the gut, changing the expression of metal transporter proteins, and maintaining the gut barrier function. This review is a summary of the bidirectional relationship between HMs and gut microbiota and of the probiotic-based protective strategies against HM-induced gut dysbiosis, with reference to strategies used in the food industry or for medically alleviating HM toxicity.

Gut Microbiota in T1DM-Onset Pediatric Patients: Machine-Learning Algorithms to Classify Microorganisms as Disease Linked

AIMS

The purpose of this work is to find the gut microbial fingerprinting of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The microbiome of 31 children with type 1 diabetes at onset and of 25 healthy children was determined using multiple polymorphic regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA. We performed machine-learning analyses and metagenome functional analysis to identify significant taxa and their metabolic pathways content.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients showed a significantly higher relative abundance of the following most important taxa: Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides intestinalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Gammaproteobacteria and its descendants, Holdemania, and Synergistetes and its descendants. On the contrary, the relative abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus, Deltaproteobacteria and its descendants, Parasutterella and the Lactobacillus, Turicibacter genera were significantly lower in patients with respect to healthy controls. The predicted metabolic pathway more associated with type 1 diabetes patients concerns "carbon metabolism," sugar and iron metabolisms in particular. Among the clinical variables considered, standardized body mass index, anti-insulin autoantibodies, glycemia, hemoglobin A1c, Tanner stage, and age at onset emerged as most significant positively or negatively correlated with specific clusters of taxa.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative abundance and supervised analyses confirmed the importance of B stercoris in type 1 diabetes patients at onset and showed a relevant role of Synergistetes and its descendants in patients with respect to healthy controls. In general the robustness and coherence of the showed results underline the relevance of studying the microbioma using multiple polymorphic regions, different types of analysis, and different approaches within each analysis.

Targeting the gut microbiota by Asian and Western dietary constituents: a new avenue for diabetes

Increasing numerous diabetes annually is a great concern in public health globally. Gut microbiota recently has been suggested to be an emerging organ acting as a critical regulator in diabetes. Notably, gut microbiota is closely affected through an individual's nutrient intake and dietary pattern. Moreover, the metabolites of diets through gut microbiota are closely associated with the development of diabetes. Increasing evidence has established the association of different dietary pattern with alterations of the gut microbiota profile, in particular, the Asian diet and Western diet are typically as essential components linked to the interactions between gut microbiota and induction of obesity which is a significant risk factor for diabetes. In addition, some bacteria-related therapeutic methods including probiotics, dietary short-chain fatty acids immunotherapy, and gut microbiome transfer would be applied in the clinical prevention and control diabetes. Taken together, based on current published observations, the gut microbiota may serve as regulator or targets by the Asian diet and Western diet, contributing to the prevention or induction of diabetes eventually. In general, in the upcoming future, one of the emerging strategies for the prevention and control of diabetes may modulate gut microbiota through precise dietary strategies.

The canine gastrointestinal microbiota: early studies and research frontiers

The canine gut microbiota is a complex microbial population that is potentially related to metabolism, immunologic activity and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Early studies revealed that the canine gut microbiota was dynamic, and bacterial populations in the adjacent gut segments were similar, with anaerobes predominating. Metagenomics analysis revealed that nutrient contents in the diet modulated bacterial populations and metabolites in the canine gut. Further research revealed significant correlations between dietary factors and canine gut core microbiomes. Canine GI diseases are closely correlated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disorders. Probiotic-related therapies can effectively treat canine GI diseases. Recent studies have revealed that the canine gut microbiota is similar to the human gut microbiota, and dietary factors affect both. Studying canine intestinal microorganisms enables clarifying changes in the canine intestinal bacteria under different conditions, simulating human diseases in dog models, and conducting in-depth studies of the interactions between intestinal bacteria and disease.

Fecal microbiota transplantation improves metabolism and gut microbiome composition in db/db mice

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become an effective strategy to treat metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We previously reported that the intestinal microbiome had significant difference between individuals with normal glucose tolerance and T2DM in Chinese Kazak ethnic group. In this study, we investigated the effects of transplanted fecal bacteria from Kazaks with normal glucose tolerance (KNGT) in db/db mice. The mice were treated with 0.2 mL of fecal bacteria solution from KNGT daily for 10 weeks. We showed that the fecal bacteria from KNGT successfully colonized in the intestinal tract of db/db mice detected on day 14. In the FMT-treated db/db mice, the levels of fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol were significantly downregulated, whereas high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels were upregulated. In the FMT-treated db/db mice, Desulfovibrio and Clostridium coccoides levels in gut were significantly decreased, but the fecal levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and colon histone deacetylase-3 (HDAC3) protein expression were increased. At 8 weeks, both intestinal target bacteria and HDAC3 were correlated with glycolipid levels; Akkermansia muciniphila level was positively correlated with HDAC3 protein expression (r = +0.620, P = 0.037). Our results suggest that fecal bacteria from KNGT could potentially be used to treat diabetic patients.

The composition of intestinal microbiota and its association with functional constipation of the elderly patients

Aim: To identify intestinal microbiota compositions in elderly functional constipation (FC) patients. Materials & methods: Fecal samples from 61 FC patients and 48 healthy age-matched volunteers were analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The intestinal microbiota compositions of FC patients were significantly different from healthy controls. Additionally, the species diversity of healthy controls was greater than that of FC patients. Indeed, the abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria was significantly decreased, whereas that of Bacteroides, Prevotella, Lactococcus, Ruminococcus and Butyricimonas was remarkably increased in FC patients. Conclusion: Elderly FC patients appear to have a unique intestinal microbiota profile. Our findings should provide insight regarding the pathogenic mechanism of FC and evidence for exploring new therapeutic strategies in elderly FC patients.