Lithium carbonate alleviates colon inflammation through modulating gut microbiota and Treg cells in a GPR43-dependent manner

Curcumin Ameliorated Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis While Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the leading cause of secondary osteoporosis. Recently, the "bone-gut axis" theory has linked bone development with gut microbial diversity, community composition, and metabolites. Curcumin, a well-studied polyphenol, shows potential in mitigating bone loss and osteoporosis. Alendronate, a standard therapeutic agent for osteoporosis, serves as a positive control in this investigation. The study demonstrates the potency of curcumin in reducing bone loss and restoring bone mineral density, enhancing trabecular parameters notably through increased trabecular number, volume, and thickness and reduced bone marrow cavity size. Gut microbiome sequencing revealed that both curcumin and alendronate treatments similarly enhanced gut microbial diversity and altered microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia_muciniphila, Dubosiella_sp910585105, and Ruminococcus_sp910584195) while reducing harmful bacteria (Treponema_D_sp910584475 and Duncaniella_sp910584825). Furthermore, significant changes in serum levels of metabolites including raffinose, ursolic acid, spermidine, inosine, hypoxanthine, thiamine, and pantothenic acid were observed post-treatment with curcumin or alendronate. Importantly, these beneficial metabolites and microorganisms were negatively correlated with inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, curcumin holds promise for use against GIOP by modulating the gut microbiome and serum metabolome as well as reducing systemic inflammation.

Genomics yields biological and phenotypic insights into bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease1. Despite high heritability (60-80%), the majority of the underlying genetic determinants remain unknown2. We analysed data from participants of European, East Asian, African American and Latino ancestries (n = 158,036 cases with bipolar disorder, 2.8 million controls), combining clinical, community and self-reported samples. We identified 298 genome-wide significant loci in the multi-ancestry meta-analysis, a fourfold increase over previous findings3, and identified an ancestry-specific association in the East Asian cohort. Integrating results from fine-mapping and other variant-to-gene mapping approaches identified 36 credible genes in the aetiology of bipolar disorder. Genes prioritized through fine-mapping were enriched for ultra-rare damaging missense and protein-truncating variations in cases with bipolar disorder4, highlighting convergence of common and rare variant signals. We report differences in the genetic architecture of bipolar disorder depending on the source of patient ascertainment and on bipolar disorder subtype (type I or type II). Several analyses implicate specific cell types in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, including GABAergic interneurons and medium spiny neurons. Together, these analyses provide additional insights into the genetic architecture and biological underpinnings of bipolar disorder.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of gut dysbiosis and food allergy and an investigation of probiotics as an intervention for atopic disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Epidemiological studies have associated reduced bacterial diversity and abundance and food allergy. This mechanistic review investigated the link between gut dysbiosis and food allergy with a focus on the role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in modulating T-cells. T-cell differentiation poses an opportunity to direct the immune cells towards an anergic regulatory T cell (Treg) or allergic T helper 2 (Th2) response. Probiotic intervention to prevent and/or treat atopic disease symptoms through this mechanistic pathway was explored.

METHODOLOGY

A narrative review was conducted following a three-stage systematic literature search of EMBASE and Medline databases. Ninety-six of 571 papers were accepted and critically appraised using ARRIVE and SIGN50 forms. Thematic analysis identified key pathophysiological mechanisms within the narrative of included papers.

RESULTS

Preclinical studies provided compelling evidence for SCFAs' modulation of T-cell differentiation, which may act through G-protein coupled receptors 41, 43 and 109a and histone deacetylase inhibition. Foxp3 transcription factor was implicated in the upregulation of Tregs. Human probiotic intervention studies aimed at increasing SCFAs and Tregs and preventing atopic disease showed inconclusive results. However, evidence for probiotic intervention in children with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) was more promising and warrants further investigation.

CONCLUSION

Preclinical evidence suggests that the mechanism of gut dysbiosis and reduced SCFAs may skew T-cell differentiation towards a Th2 response, thus inducing allergy symptoms. Probiotic trials were inconclusive: probiotics were predominantly unsuccessful in the prevention of allergic disease, however, may be able to modulate food allergy symptoms in infants with CMPA.

The involvement of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the pathophysiology of mood disorders and therapeutic implications

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing body of evidence implicating gut-brain axis dysfunction in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Accordingly, gut microbiota has become a promising target for the development of biomarkers and novel therapeutics for bipolar and depressive disorders.

AREAS COVERED

We describe the observed changes in the gut microbiota of patients with mood disorders and discuss the available studies assessing microbiota-based strategies for their treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

Microbiota-targeted interventions, such as symbiotics, prebiotics, paraprobiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants seem to attenuate the severity of depressive symptoms. The available results must be seen as preliminary and need to be replicated and/or confirmed in larger and independent studies, also considering the pathophysiological and clinical heterogeneity of mood disorders.

Lithium Coupled with C6-Carboxyl Improves the Efficacy of Oligoguluronate in DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in C57BL/6J Mice

Oligoguluronate lithium (OGLi) was prepared for the purpose of enhancing the anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) activities of OG, in which lithium (Li+) is coupled with the C6-carboxyl of G residue. The therapeutic effects of OGLi on dextran sulfate (DSS)-induced UC mice were investigated, and oligoguluronate sodium (OGNa) and lithium carbonate (LC) were used as contrasts. The effects of OGLi, OGNa and LC on the treatment of UC mice were studied by monitoring body weight change and evaluating colon length, the disease activity index (DAI), histopathological examination and gut microbiota regulation. The results showed that compared with OGNa and LC, OGLi significantly reduced the clinical symptoms and histopathological changes associated with UC in the acute model. It was worth noting that OGLi significantly changed the gut microbiota characteristics of the DSS-treated mice and corrected the typical dysbacteriosis of DSS-induced UC. This intervention resulted in increasing the abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae and Ileibacterium spp. while reducing the levels of Escherichia-Shigella spp. and Romboutsia spp. The OGLi could significantly increase the diversity of intestinal microorganisms in the short term. All of these discoveries demonstrate that lithium collaboratively enhances the anti-UC efficacy of OG, which will help to create OG-based drugs for the treatment of UC.

Understanding immune system dysfunction and its context in mood disorders: psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology and clinical interventions

Mood disorders include a set of psychiatric manifestations of increasing prevalence in our society, being mainly represented by major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The etiopathogenesis of mood disorders is extremely complex, with a wide spectrum of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors being responsible for their appearance and development. In this sense, immune system dysfunction represents a key mechanism in the onset and pathophysiology of mood disorders, worsening mainly the central nervous system (neuroinflammation) and the periphery of the body (systemic inflammation). However, these alterations cannot be understood separately, but as part of a complex picture in which different factors and systems interact with each other. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (PNIE) is the area responsible for studying the relationship between these elements and the impact of mind-body integration, placing the immune system as part of a whole. Thus, the dysfunction of the immune system is capable of influencing and activating different mechanisms that promote disruption of the psyche, damage to the nervous system, alterations to the endocrine and metabolic systems, and disruption of the microbiota and intestinal ecosystem, as well as of other organs and, in turn, all these mechanisms are responsible for inducing and enhancing the immune dysfunction. Similarly, the clinical approach to these patients is usually multidisciplinary, and the therapeutic arsenal includes different pharmacological (for example, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and lithium) and non-pharmacological (i.e., psychotherapy, lifestyle, and electroconvulsive therapy) treatments. These interventions also modulate the immune system and other elements of the PNIE in these patients, which may be interesting to understand the therapeutic success or failure of these approaches. In this sense, this review aims to delve into the relationship between immune dysfunction and mood disorders and their integration in the complex context of PNIE. Likewise, an attempt will be made to explore the effects on the immune system of different strategies available in the clinical approach to these patients, in order to identify the mechanisms described and their possible uses as biomarkers.

Lithium, Inflammation and Neuroinflammation with Emphasis on Bipolar Disorder-A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines lithium's effects on immune function, inflammation and cell survival, particularly in bipolar disorder (BD) in in vitro studies, animal models and clinical studies. In vitro studies show that high lithium concentrations (5 mM, beyond the therapeutic window) reduce interleukin (IL)-1β production in monocytes and enhance T-lymphocyte resistance, suggesting a protective role against cell death. Lithium modulates oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages by inhibiting nuclear factor (NF)-ƙB activity and reducing nitric oxide production. At therapeutically relevant levels, lithium increased both pro-inflammatory [interferon (INF)-γ, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α)] and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines on whole blood supernatant culture in healthy volunteers, influencing the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. Animal models reveal lithium's potential to alleviate inflammatory diseases by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing anti-inflammatory responses. It also induces selective macrophage death in atherosclerotic plaques without harming other cells. In primary rat cerebellum cultures (ex vivo), lithium prevents neuronal loss and inhibits astroglial growth, impacting astrocytes and microglia. Clinical studies show that lithium alters cytokine profiles and reduces neuroinflammatory markers in BD patients. Chronic treatment decreases IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ secretion from peripheral blood leukocytes. Lithium response correlates with TNF-α levels, with poor responders showing higher TNF-α. Overall, these findings elucidate lithium's diverse mechanisms in modulating immune responses, reducing inflammation and promoting cell survival, with significant implications for managing BD and other inflammation-related conditions. Yet, to better understand the drug's impact in BD and other inflammatory/neuroinflammatory conditions, further research is warranted to appreciate lithium's therapeutic potential and its role in immune regulation.

Akkermansia muciniphila: A promising probiotic against inflammation and metabolic disorders

Metabolic disease is a worldwide epidemic that has become a public health problem. Gut microbiota is considered to be one of the important factors that maintain human health by regulating host metabolism. As an abundant bacterium in the host gut, A. muciniphila regulates metabolic and immune functions, and protects gut health. Multiple studies have indicated that alterations in the abundance of A. muciniphila are associated with various diseases, including intestinal inflammatory diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and even parasitic diseases. Beneficial effects were observed not only in live A. muciniphila, but also in pasteurized A. muciniphila, A. muciniphila-derived extracellular vesicles, outer membrane, and secreted proteins. Although numerous studies have only proven the simple correlation between multiple diseases and A. muciniphila, an increasing number of studies in animal models and preclinical models have demonstrated that the beneficial impacts shifted from correlations to in-depth mechanisms. In this review, we provide a comprehensive view of the beneficial effects of A. muciniphila on different diseases and summarize the potential mechanisms of action of A. muciniphila in the treatment of diseases. We provide a comprehensive understanding of A. muciniphila for improving host health and discuss the perspectives of A. muciniphila in the future studies.

Lithium affects sodium balance but not intestinal microbiota - studies in Drosophila melanogaster

BACKGROUND

The trace element lithium (Li) is known for its therapeutic mood-stabilizing application in humans, but also for its various bioactivities, which have been uncovered in model organisms. According to the literature, Li may interfere with the homeostasis of other minerals in mammals, namely sodium, calcium and magnesium. In addition, Li was found to influence the composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in vertebrates, an observation that may be related to the many bioactivities of Li.

METHODS

Based on these previous findings, we employed the model organism Drosophila melanogaster to decipher whether Li exhibits similar bioactivities in invertebrates. First, we examined the influence of increasing dietary Li supply (0 -100 mM LiCl) on the status of Li and ten other minerals via Inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in heads and remaining body parts of the three wildtype strains w1118, Oregon-R-C and Canton-S. In addition, we investigated the potential impact of Li feeding (0, 0.1, 1 mM LiCl) on the total bacterial load, α- and β-diversity via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT q-PCR) and 16S rDNA sequencing in the intestines of female w1118.

RESULTS

Our observations revealed that Li accumulates linearly in both sexes and all body parts of the three Drosophila strains as the dietary Li supply increases. While the status of most elements remained unchanged, the sodium levels of the fly also correlated positively with the Li content of the diet. The intestinal microbiota, however, remained largely unaffected by Li feeding in terms of both, bacterial load and diversity.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the hypothesis that elevating the Li supply affects sodium homeostasis in Drosophila, a finding coherent with observations in mammals. Furthermore, our data opposes a possible involvement of the bacterial intestinal colonization in the bioactivity of Li in Drosophila.

Litchi Procyanidins Ameliorate DSS-Induced Colitis through Gut Microbiota-Dependent Regulation of Treg/Th17 Balance

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel condition. Procyanidins (PC) are known for their antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimetastatic properties. However, there is comparatively limited information on how PC interacts with UC. In this study, 5 mg/10 mL/kg body weight of PC was administered to mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. PC treatment prolonged the survival period of mice, ameliorated UC symptoms, reduced damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier, and increased the protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the DSS-treated mice. Importantly, PC treatment significantly reduced gene expression related to Th17 cell differentiation, including STAT3, SMAD3, TGF-β, and JAK1. The results of the flow cytometry analysis indicated significant increase in the number of Treg cells and a concomitant decrease in the proportion of Th17 cells in the colon following PC treatment. Additionally, PC increased the abundance of gut microbiota such as Bacteroidota, Oscillospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, and Desulfovibrionaceae, as well as the concentrations of acetate acid, propionate acid, and butyrate acid in the feces. PC also activated short-chain fatty acid receptors, such as G-protein coupled receptor 43 in the colon, which promoted the proliferation of Treg cells. The depletion of gut microbiota and subsequent transplantation of fecal microbiota demonstrated that PC's effects on gut microbiota were effective in improving UC and restoring intestinal Th17/Treg homeostasis in a microbiota-dependent manner. This suggests that PC could be a promising functional food for the prevention and treatment of UC in the future.

High-altitude environments enhance the ability of Eothenomys miletus to regulate body mass during food limitation, with a focus on gut microorganisms and physiological markers

Animals' digestion, energy metabolism, and immunity are significantly influenced by interactions between the gut microbiota and the intestinal environment of the host. Previous studies have shown that gut microbiota of Eothenomys miletus can respond to environmental changes, high fiber or fat foods. But how E. miletus in high-altitude adapt to their environment through gut microbiota and physiological changes during winter food shortages period was unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the altitude differences in gut microbiota and their interactions with physiology in terms of body mass regulation in order to study the adaptation of the gut microbiota and physiological indicators of the E. miletus under food restriction settings. E. miletus were collected for this study from Jingdong County (JD, low-altitude) and Xianggelila County (XGLL, high-altitude) in Yunnan Province, China, and split into three groups: control group, food-restricted feeding group for 7 days, and re-feeding group was offered a standard diet for 14 days. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and physiological methods were used to analyze the abundance and community structure of gut microbiota, as well as physiological indicators of each group in E. miletus. The results showed that while the RMR changed more during the period of food restriction, the body mass and major organ masses of E. miletus from high-altitude changed less. After food restriction, RMR in XGLL decreased by 25.25%, while that of in JD decreased by 16.54%. E. miletus from the XGLL had gut bacteria that were more abundant in Firmicutes and had fewer OTUs, and the microbiota had a closer interaction with physiological indicators. Moreover, the gut microbiota adapted to the food shortage environment by enhancing the genera of Bacterroides, Ruminococcus, Turicibacter, and Treponema to improve the utilization of nutrient resources. The interactions between microbial species and the equilibrium of energy homeostasis were further impacted by alterations in physiological indicators and microbial community structure. These variations were important for E. miletus to adapt to the fluctuations and changes of food resources in high-altitude region, which also expand our knowledge of organismal adaptations and the mechanisms behind the interactions between gut bacteria and host physiology.

l-Theanine Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating Colon Immunity via the Gut Microbiota in an MHC-II-Dependent Manner

Alterations to the gut microbiota are associated with ulcerative colitis (UC), whereas restoration of normobiosis can effectively alleviate UC. l-Theanine has been shown to reshape the gut microbiota and regulate gut immunity. To investigate the mechanisms by which l-theanine alleviates UC, we used l-theanine and l-theanine fecal microbiota solution to treat UC mice. In this study, we used l-theanine and l-theanine fecal microbiota solution to treat UC mice to explore the mechanism by which l-theanine alleviates UC. By reducing inflammation in the colon, we demonstrated that l-theanine alleviates symptoms of UC. Meanwhile, l-theanine can improve the abundance of microbiota related to short-chain fatty acid, bile acid, and tryptophan production. Single-cell sequencing results indicated that l-theanine-mediated suppression of UC was associated with immune cell changes, especially regarding macrophages and T and B cells, and validated the immune cell responses to the gut microbiota. Further, flow cytometry results showed that the ability of dendritic cells, macrophages, and monocytes to present microbiota antigens to colonic T cells in an MHC-II-dependent manner was reduced after treating normal mouse fecal donors with l-theanine. These results demonstrate that l-theanine modulates colon adaptive and innate immunity by regulating the gut microbiota in an MHC-II-dependent manner, thereby alleviating UC.

Artemisia argyi polyphenols Attenuates DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the structural composition of gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Intestinal health is affected by heredity, lifestyle, and structure of gut microbiota. The imbalance of symbiotic and harmful bacteria in gut microbiota may increase the occurrence of colonic inflammation. Supplementary A. muciniphila can improve the survival rate of colitis mice, reduce colon tissue injury, and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors was upregulated. Artemisia argyi has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, bactericidal, and immunomodulatory effects. However, its anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism, and its influence on gut microbiota and metabolites are still unclear yet.

PURPOSE

To explore whether Artemisia argyi Polyphenols(AAPs) can alleviate ulcerative colitis (UC) by changing gut microbiota.

METHODS

The therapeutic effect of AAPs on colitis was investigated by inducing ulcerative colitis in mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and administering different doses of AAPs orally to mice. Exploring the levels of inflammatory proteins, oxidative stress proteins, and barrier proteins using western blotting and immunofluorescence, and explored the structural changes of gut microbiota and its metabolites. Meanwhile, in order to explore whether the role of AAPs in alleviating colitis is based on the regulation of gut microbiota structure, we conducted fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

RESULTS

It showed that AAPs and FMT trial alleviated DSS-induced colonic injury, including clinical parameters and pathological injury of colon tissue, reduction in the expression of inflammatory proteins: IL-6, TNF-α, p-p65, p-IκBα, and increase in the expression of antioxidant proteins: Nrf2, NQO-1 and HO-1 and barrier proteins: Claudin-1, Occludin, ZO-1 and MUC2. AAPs and FMT promoted the content of beneficial bacteria, such as Butyricimonas and Lactobacillus, and the content of beneficial metabolites for instance acetic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid has also increased.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that AAPs might improve DSS-induced colonic injury by changing the structural of gut microbiota while promoting the synthesis of fatty acids in the intestine, thereby providing a theoretical basis for using AAPs to treat ulcerative colitis.

Intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila is Beneficial to Functional Recovery Following Ischemic Stroke

Recent studies have demonstrated the interaction between gut microbiota and brain on ischemic stroke, but the roles of gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke remain largely unclear. In this study, we detected a significant increase of intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) following ischemic stroke by a rose bengal photothrombosis model. To investigate the function and mechanism of AKK on ischemic stroke, we performed the AKK administration prior to stroke surgery. The results showed that mice treated with AKK gained significantly higher body weight and behaved better than those in PBS group at 3 days after ischemic stroke. Consistently, AKK administration remarkably decreased the infarct volumes as well as the density of degenerating neurons and apoptotic cells after ischemic stroke. Notably, AKK is a potential therapeutic target in immune-related disorders connected to the microbiota, and inflammation is crucially involved in the pathophysiological process of ischemic stroke. For the determination of underlying mechanisms of this protective effect, we investigated whether there are associations between AKK and neuroinflammation following ischemic stroke. The results suggested that AKK administration significantly reduced the activation of astrocytes and microglia but up-regulated multiple anti-inflammatory factors following ischemic stroke. Therefore, our study highlighted the beneficial roles of intestinal AKK on ischemic stroke and provided a new perspective for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Oral administration of RDP58 ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in intestinal microbiota dependent manner

BACKGROUND

Although the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), has not been fully elucidated, accumulating researches suggest that intestinal microbiota imbalance contributes to the development of IBD in patients and animal models. RDP58, a peptide-based computer-assisted rational design, has been demonstrated to be effective in protecting against a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, the underlying mechanism by which RDP58 protects against IBD mediated by intestinal microbiota has yet to be elucidated.

METHODS

The colitis model was induced by continuously administering 2.5 % (wt/vol) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) solution for 7 days. The manifestations of colon inflammation were assessed via daily weight changes, colon length, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level, disease activity index (DAI) score, pathology score, and intestinal barrier permeability. Intestinal microbiota analysis was carried out by 16S-rRNA sequencing. Colonic short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were also detected. To further confirm the protective effect of RDP58 on intestinal microbiota, broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail (ABX) treatment and fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) experiment were performed.

RESULTS

Oral administration of RDP58 ameliorated DSS-induced mice colitis by altering the diversity and composition of intestinal microbiota. Notably, RDP58 significantly upregulated SCFAs-producing microbiota, thereby promoting the generation of Tregs. ABX and FMT were performed to verify the above mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS

RDP58 ameliorated DSS-induced colitis through altering intestinal microbiota and enhancing SCFAs and Tregs production in intestinal microbiota dependent manner, potentially provide a novel therapy for IBD.

Pomegranate Juice Supplemented with Inulin Modulates Gut Microbiota and Promotes the Production of Microbiota-Associated Metabolites in Overweight/Obese Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Pomegranate juice (PJ) and inulin have been reported to ameliorate diet-induced metabolic disorders by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, there was a lack of clinical evidence for the combined effects of PJ and inulin on regulating gut microbiota in individuals with metabolic disorders. A double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted, and 68 overweight/obese individuals (25 ≤ BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to receive 200 mL/d PJ, PJ supplemented with inulin, or placebo for 3 weeks. Our results showed that PJ and PJ+inulin did not significantly alter the levels of anthropometric and blood biochemical indicators after 3 weeks of treatment. However, there was an increasingly significant impact from placebo to PJ to PJ+inulin on the composition of gut microbiota. Detailed bacterial abundance analysis further showed that PJ+inulin treatment more profoundly resulted in significant changes in the abundance of gut microbiota at each taxonomic level than PJ. Moreover, PJ+inulin treatment also promoted the production of microbiota-associated short-chain fatty acids and pomegranate polyphenol metabolites, which correlated with the abundance of the bacterial genus. Our results suggested that PJ supplemented with inulin modulates gut microbiota composition and thus promotes the production of microbiota-associated metabolites that exert potential beneficial effects in overweight/obese subjects.

Just a gut feeling: Faecal microbiota transplant for treatment of depression - A mini-review

BACKGROUND

The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) allows bidirectional crosstalk between the brain and gut microbiota (GM) and is believed to contribute to regulating mood/cognition/behaviour/metabolism/health and homeostasis. Manipulation of GM through faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is a new, exciting and promising treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).

AIMS

This mini-review examines current research into GM and FMT as a therapy for depression.

METHODS

Original research articles published in Medline/Cochrane Library/PubMed/EMBASE/PsycINFO databases/National Institute of Health website Clinicaltrials.gov/controlled-trials.com were searched. Full articles included in reference lists were evaluated. We summarise current data on GM and depression and discuss communication through the MGBA and the interaction of antidepressants and GM through this. We review compositions of dysbiosis in depressed cohorts, focusing on future directions in the treatment of MDD.

RESULTS

Studies have demonstrated significant gut dysbiosis in depressed patients compared to healthy cohorts, with overgrowth of pro-inflammatory microbiota, reduction in anti-inflammatory species and reduced overall stability and taxonomic richness. FMT allows the introduction of healthy microbiota into the gastrointestinal tract, facilitating the restoration of eubiosis.

CONCLUSION

The GM plays an integral role in human health and disease through its communication with the rest of the body via the MGBA. FMT may provide a means to transfer the healthy phenotype into the recipient and this concept in humans is attracting enormous attention as a prospective treatment for psychopathologies, such as MDD, in the future. It may be possible to manipulate the GM in a number of ways, but further research is needed to determine the exact likelihood and profiles involved in the development and amelioration of MDD in humans, as well as the long-term effects and potential risks of this procedure.

Intestinal microbial diversity of swines fed with different sources of lithium

A drug that is widely used in the treatment of psychiatric disorder is lithium (Li) salts. The people who make therapeutic use of this drug develop a series of side effects. Through metataxonomic data, this study assessed the impacts of lithium, as Li carbonate or Li-enriched mushrooms, on the microbial composition of the ileum, colon, and feces of piglets. Employing Bray-Curtis metric, no differences were observed among the treatments evaluated. Nevertheless, the alpha diversity indices showed differences in the Simpson, Shannon, and Chao-1 indices in the colon and Chao-1 in the feces in the diets with Li compared with the diets without Li. The taxa with the highest relative abundance varied among the ileum, colon, and feces, with a predominance of the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria in diets with Li. Many groups of microorganisms that are important for the health of the host (e.g., Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae, Enterorhabdus, Muribaculaceae, and Coprococcus) had their relative abundance increased in animals that received diets with the recommended dose of lithium. Furthermore, there was an increase in the abundance of Prevotellaceae and Bacteroidales (in the diet with Li-enriched mushroom) and Clostridia, Ruminococcus, Burkholderia, and Bacteroidales (diets with Li carbonate) at the recommended dosages. This is the first study to show the effects of Li carbonate and Li-enriched mushrooms on the intestinal microbiota of piglets. Thus, the effects of lithium on the body may be related to its ability to change the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03938-3.

Crosstalk between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and short-chain fatty acids in inflammatory bowel disease: key clues toward unraveling the mystery

The human intestinal tract constitutes a complex ecosystem, made up of countless gut microbiota, metabolites, and immune cells, with hypoxia being a fundamental environmental characteristic of this ecology. Under normal physiological conditions, a delicate balance exists among these complex "residents", with disruptions potentially leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The core pathology of IBD features a disrupted intestinal epithelial barrier, alongside evident immune and microecological disturbances. Central to these interconnected networks is hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which is a key regulator in gut cells for adapting to hypoxic conditions and maintaining gut homeostasis. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as pivotal gut metabolites, serve as vital mediators between the host and microbiota, and significantly influence intestinal ecosystem. Recent years have seen a surge in research on the roles and therapeutic potential of HIF-1α and SCFAs in IBD independently, yet reviews on HIF-1α-mediated SCFAs regulation of IBD under hypoxic conditions are scarce. This article summarizes evidence of the interplay and regulatory relationship between SCFAs and HIF-1α in IBD, pivotal for elucidating the disease's pathogenesis and offering promising therapeutic strategies.

The dynamic shifts of IL-10-producing Th17 and IL-17-producing Treg in health and disease: a crosstalk between ancient "Yin-Yang" theory and modern immunology

The changes in T regulatory cell (Treg) and T helper cell (Th) 17 ratios holds paramount importance in ensuring internal homeostasis and disease progression. Recently, novel subsets of Treg and Th17, namely IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 have been identified. IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 are widely considered as the intermediates during Treg/Th17 transformation. These "bi-functional" cells exhibit plasticity and have been demonstrated with important roles in multiple physiological functions and disease processes. Yin and Yang represent opposing aspects of phenomena according to the ancient Chinese philosophy "Yin-Yang" theory. Furthermore, Yin can transform into Yang, and vice versa, under specific conditions. This theory has been widely used to describe the contrasting functions of immune cells and molecules. Therefore, immune-activating populations (Th17, M1 macrophage, etc.) and immune overreaction (inflammation, autoimmunity) can be considered Yang, while immunosuppressive populations (Treg, M2 macrophage, etc.) and immunosuppression (tumor, immunodeficiency) can be considered Yin. However, another important connotation of "Yin-Yang" theory, the conversion between Yin and Yang, has been rarely documented in immune studies. The discovery of IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 enriches the meaning of "Yin-Yang" theory and further promotes the relationship between ancient "Yin-Yang" theory and modern immunology. Besides, illustrating the functions of IL-17-producing Treg and IL-10-producing Th17 and mechanisms governing their differentiation provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the dynamically changing statement of immune statement in health and diseases.

Impaired immune tolerance mediated by reduced Tfr cells in rheumatoid arthritis linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and altered metabolites

BACKGROUND

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed impaired immune tolerance characterized by reduced follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells, and they also exhibited altered gut microbiotas and their metabolites in RA. However, the association of gut microbiotas and their metabolites with the immune tolerance mediated by Tfr cells in RA remains unclear.

METHODS

Peripheral blood and stool samples were collected from 32 new-onset RA patients and 17 healthy controls (HCs) in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between January 2022 and June 2022. The peripheral blood was used to detect the circulating regulatory T (Treg), helper T(Th)17, Tfr, and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells by modified flow cytometry. The stool samples were used to analyze the gut microbiotas and their metabolites via 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomic profiling. We aimed to characterize the gut microbiotas and their metabolites in RA and identified their association with Tfr cell-mediated immune tolerance.

RESULTS

The new-onset RA demonstrated reduced Treg and Tfr cells, associated with the disease activity and autoantibodies. There were significant differences in gut microbiotas between the two groups as the results of β diversity analysis (P = 0.039) including 21 differential gut microbiotas from the phylum to genus levels. In which, Ruminococcus 2 was associated with the disease activity and autoantibodies of RA, and it was identified as the potential biomarker of RA [area under curve (AUC) = 0.782, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.636-0.929, P = 0.001]. Eleven differential metabolites were identified and participated in four main pathways related to RA. Arachidonic acid might be the potential biomarker of RA (AUC = 0.724, 95% CI = 0.595-0.909, P = 0.038), and it was the core metabolite as the positive association with six gut microbiotas enriched in RA. The reduced Tfr cells were associated with the altered gut microbiotas and their metabolites including the Ruminococcus 2, the arachidonic acid involved in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid pathway and the 3-methyldioxyindole involved in the tryptophan metabolism pathway.

CONCLUSION

The breakdown of immune tolerance mediated by reduced Tfr cells was associated with the altered gut microbiotas and their metabolites implying the possible mechanism of RA pathogenesis from the perspective of microecology-metabolism-immune.

Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis by regulating intestinal homeostasis

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a vegetable that contains a variety of active compounds with nutritional properties and has the potential to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide (POP) in alleviating UC remain unclear. In this study, we prepared an aqueous extract of purslane and separated a fraction with molecular weight >10 kDa using membrane separation. This fraction was used to isolate POP. The effect of POP on gut microbiota and colon transcriptome in dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC model mice was evaluated. POP treatment reduced inflammation and oxidative stress imbalance in UC mice. In addition, POP improved the intestinal barrier and regulated intestinal homeostasis. Importantly, POP was found to regulate gut microbiota, maintain the levels of retinol and short-chain fatty acids in the gut, promote the proliferation and differentiation of B cells in the colon, and increase the expression of immunoglobulin A. These results provide novel insights into the role of POP in regulating intestinal homeostasis, which should guide further development of POP as a functional food.

Profiling gut microbiota signatures associated with the deficit subtype of schizophrenia: Findings from a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported a variety of gut microbiota alterations in patients with schizophrenia. However, none of these studies has investigated gut microbiota in patients with the deficit subtype of schizophrenia (D-SCZ) that can be characterized by primary and enduring negative symptoms. Therefore, in this study we aimed to profile gut microbiota of individuals with D-SCZ, compared to those with non-deficit schizophrenia (ND-SCZ) and healthy controls (HCs).

METHODS

A total of 115 outpatients (44 individuals with D-SCZ and 71 individuals with ND-SCZ) during remission of positive and disorganization symptoms as well as 120 HCs were enrolled. Gut microbiota was analyzed using the 16 rRNA amplicon sequencing. Additionally, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and lipid metabolism markers were determined in the peripheral blood samples.

RESULTS

Altogether 14 genera showed differential abundance in patients with D-SCZ compared to ND-SCZ and HCs, including Candidatus Soleaferrea, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Lachnospiraceae UCG-002, Lachnospiraceae UCG-004, Lachnospiraceae UCG-010, Libanicoccus, Limosilactobacillus, Mogibacterium, Peptococcus, Prevotella, Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, and Slackia after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Observed alterations were significantly associated with cognitive performance in both groups of patients. Moreover, several significant correlations of differentially abundant genera with the levels of CRP, lipid profile parameters, glucose and insulin were found across all subgroups of participants.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the present study indicate that individuals with D-SCZ show a distinct profile of gut microbiota alterations that is associated with cognitive performance, metabolic parameters and subclinical inflammation.

Bacteroides acidifaciens and its derived extracellular vesicles improve DSS-induced colitis

Introduction

"Probiotic therapy" to regulate gut microbiota and intervene in intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a research hotspot. Bacteroides acidifaciens, as a new generation of probiotics, has shown beneficial effects on various diseases.

Methods

In this study, we utilized a mouse colitis model induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to investigate how B. acidifaciens positively affects IBD. We evaluated the effects ofB. acidifaciens, fecal microbiota transplantation, and bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) on DSS-induced colitis in mice. We monitored the phenotype of mouse colitis, detected serum inflammatory factors using ELISA, evaluated intestinal mucosal barrier function using Western blotting and tissue staining, evaluated gut microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing, and analyzed differences in EVs protein composition derived from B. acidifaciens using proteomics to explore how B. acidifaciens has a positive impact on mouse colitis.

Results

We confirmed that B. acidifaciens has a protective effect on colitis, including alleviating the colitis phenotype, reducing inflammatory response, and improving intestinal barrier function, accompanied by an increase in the relative abundance of B. acidifaciens and Ruminococcus callidus but a decrease in the relative abundance of B. fragilis. Further fecal bacterial transplantation or fecal filtrate transplantation confirmed the protective effect of eosinophil-regulated gut microbiota and metabolites on DSS-induced colitis. Finally, we validated that EVs derived from B. acidifaciens contain rich functional proteins that can contribute to the relief of colitis.

Conclusion

Therefore, B. acidifaciens and its derived EVs can alleviate DSS-induced colitis by reducing mucosal damage to colon tissue, reducing inflammatory response, promoting mucosal barrier repair, restoring gut microbiota diversity, and restoring gut microbiota balance in mice. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the preclinical application of the new generation of probiotics.

Effect of Extracelluar Vesicles Derived from Akkermansia muciniphila on Intestinal Barrier in Colitis Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent disease. It has been observed that the incidence and prevalence of IBD are increasing, which consequently raises the risk of developing colon cancer. Recently, the regulation of the intestinal barrier by probiotics has become an effective treatment for colitis. Akkermansia muciniphila-derived extracellular vesicles (Akk EVs) are nano-vesicles that contain multiple bioactive macromolecules with the potential to modulate the intestinal barrier. In this study, we used ultrafiltration in conjunction with high-speed centrifugation to extract Akk EVs. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell model was established to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Akk EVs. It was found that Akk EVs were able to be absorbed by RAW264.7 cells and significantly reduce the expression of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-1β (p < 0.05). We explored the preventative effects on colitis and the regulating effects on the intestinal barrier using a mouse colitis model caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The findings demonstrated that Akk EVs effectively prevented colitis symptoms and reduced colonic tissue injury. Additionally, Akk EVs significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the intestinal barrier by elevating the expression of MUC2 (0.53 ± 0.07), improving mucus integrity, and reducing intestinal permeability (p < 0.05). Moreover, Akk EVs increased the proportion of the beneficial bacteria Firmicutes (33.01 ± 0.09%) and downregulated the proportion of the harmful bacteria Proteobacteria (0.32 ± 0.27%). These findings suggest that Akk EVs possess the ability to regulate immune responses, protect intestinal barriers, and modulate the gut microbiota. The research presents a potential intervention approach for Akk EVs to prevent colitis.

Microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanisms in the complex network of bipolar disorders: potential clinical implications and translational opportunities

Bipolar disorders (BD) represent a severe leading disabling mental condition worldwide characterized by episodic and often progressive mood fluctuations with manic and depressive stages. The biological mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of BD remain incompletely understood, but it seems that there is a complex picture of genetic and environmental factors implicated. Nowadays, gut microbiota is in the spotlight of new research related to this kind of psychiatric disorder, as it can be consistently related to several pathophysiological events observed in BD. In the context of the so-called microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis, it is shown to have a strong influence on host neuromodulation and endocrine functions (i.e., controlling the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin or mediating the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), as well as in modulation of host immune responses, critically regulating intestinal, systemic and brain inflammation (neuroinflammation). The present review aims to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms derived from the MGB axis disruption and possible therapeutic approaches mainly focusing on gut microbiota in the complex network of BD. Understanding the mechanisms of gut microbiota and its bidirectional communication with the immune and other systems can shed light on the discovery of new therapies for improving the clinical management of these patients. Besides, the effect of psychiatric drugs on gut microbiota currently used in BD patients, together with new therapeutical approaches targeting this ecosystem (dietary patterns, probiotics, prebiotics, and other novelties) will also be contemplated.

Gut microbiota mediated the therapeutic efficiency of Simiao decoction in the treatment of gout arthritis mice

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota plays a significant role in the development and treatment of gouty arthritis. Simiao decoction has been shown to alleviate gouty arthritis by inhibiting inflammation, regulating NLRP3 inflammasome, and altering gut microbiota. However, there is no evidence to prove whether gut microbiota directly mediates the therapeutic efficiency of Simiao decoction in treating gout arthritis.

METHODS

In this study, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was used to transfer the gut microbiota of gout arthritis mice treated with Simiao decoction or allopurinol to blank gout arthritis mice, in order to investigate whether FMT had therapeutic effects on gout arthritis.

RESULTS

Both Simiao decoction and allopurinol effectively reduced the levels of serum uric acid, liver XOD activity, foot thickness, serum IL-1β, and G-CSF in gout arthritis mice. However, Simiao decoction also had additional benefits, including raising the pain threshold, reducing serum TNF-α and IL-6, alleviating gut inflammation, and repairing intestinal pathology, which were not observed with allopurinol treatment. Moreover, Simiao decoction had a greater impact on gut microbiota than allopurinol, as it was able to restore the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria and genus Helicobacter. After transplantation into gout arthritis mice, gut microbiota altered by Simiao decoction exhibited similar therapeutic effects to those of Simiao decoction, but gut microbiota altered by allopurinol showed no therapeutic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrates that Simiao decoction can alleviate gout arthritis symptoms by regulating gut microbiota.

The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Bipolar Disorder and its Common Comorbidities

Bipolar disorder is a decidedly heterogeneous and multifactorial disease, with significant psychosocial and medical disease burden. Much difficulty has been encountered in developing novel therapeutics and objective biomarkers for clinical use in this population. In that regard, gut-microbial homeostasis appears to modulate several key pathways relevant to a variety of psychiatric, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders. Microbial impact on immune, endocrine, endocannabinoid, kynurenine, and other pathways are discussed throughout this review. Emphasis is placed on this system's relevance to current pharmacology, diet, and comorbid illness in bipolar disorder. Despite the high level of optimism promoted in many reviews on this topic, substantial obstacles exist before any microbiome-related findings can provide meaningful clinical utility. Beyond a comprehensive overview of pathophysiology, this review hopes to highlight several key areas where progress is needed. As well, novel microbiome-associated suggestions are presented for future research.

The Brain-Gut-Microbiota Interplay in Depression: a key to design innovative therapeutic approaches

Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in the world associated with huge socio-economic consequences. While depressive-related symptoms are well known, the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathophysiology and progression remain largely unknown. The gut microbiota (GM) is emerging as a key regulator of the central nervous system homeostasis by exerting fundamental immune and metabolic functions. In turn, the brain influences the intestinal microbial composition through neuroendocrine signals, within the so-called gut microbiota-brain axis. The balance of this bidirectional crosstalk is important to ensure neurogenesis, preserve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and avoid neuroinflammation. Conversely, dysbiosis and gut permeability negatively affect brain development, behavior, and cognition. Furthermore, although not fully defined yet, changes in the GM composition in depressed patients are reported to influence the pharmacokinetics of common antidepressants by affecting their absorption, metabolism, and activity. Similarly, neuropsychiatric drugs may shape in turn the GM with an impact on the efficacy and toxicity of the pharmacological intervention itself. Consequently, strategies aimed at re-establishing the correct homeostatic gut balance (i.e., prebiotics, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary interventions) represent an innovative approach to improve the pharmacotherapy of depression. Among these, probiotics and the Mediterranean diet, alone or in combination with the standard of care, hold promise for clinical application. Therefore, the disclosure of the intricate network between GM and depression will give precious insights for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches towards depression, with profound implications for drug development and clinical practice.

T cells: an emerging cast of roles in bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a distinctly heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder with a high individual and social burden. Immune pathway dysregulation is an important pathophysiological feature of BD. Recent studies have suggested a potential role for T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of BD. Therefore, greater insight into T lymphocytes' functioning in patients with BD is essential. In this narrative review, we describe the presence of an imbalance in the ratio and altered function of T lymphocyte subsets in BD patients, mainly in T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17 cells and regulatory T cells, and alterations in hormones, intracellular signaling, and microbiomes may be potential causes. Abnormal T cell presence explains the elevated rates of comorbid inflammatory illnesses in the BD population. We also update the findings on T cell-targeting drugs as potentially immunomodulatory therapeutic agents for BD disease in addition to classical mood stabilizers (lithium, valproic acid). In conclusion, an imbalance in T lymphocyte subpopulation ratios and altered function may be involved in the development of BD, and maintaining T cell immune homeostasis may provide an overall therapeutic benefit.

Health and Disease: Akkermansia muciniphila, the Shining Star of the Gut Flora

Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) has drawn much attention as an important gut microbe strain in recent years. A. muciniphila can influence the occurrence and development of diseases of the endocrine, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, and respiratory systems and other diseases. It can also improve immunotherapy for some cancers. A. muciniphila is expected to become a new probiotic in addition to Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. An increase in A. muciniphila abundance through direct or indirect A. muciniphila supplementation may inhibit or even reverse disease progression. However, some contrary findings are found in type 2 diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, where increased A. muciniphila abundance may aggravate the diseases. To enable a more comprehensive understanding of the role of A. muciniphila in diseases, we summarize the relevant information on A. muciniphila in different systemic diseases and introduce regulators of A. muciniphila abundance to promote the clinical transformation of A. muciniphila research.

Clinical significance of microbiota changes under the influence of psychotropic drugs. An updated narrative review

Relationship between drugs and microbiota is bilateral. Proper composition thus function of microbiota is a key to some medications used in modern medicine. However, there is also the other side of the coin. Pharmacotherapeutic agents can modify the microbiota significantly, which consequently affects its function. A recently published study showed that nearly 25% of drugs administered to humans have antimicrobial effects. Multiple antidepressants are antimicrobials,. and antibiotics with proven antidepressant effects do exist. On the other hand, antibiotics (e.g., isoniaside, minocycline) confer mental phenotype changes, and adverse effects caused by some antibiotics include neurological and psychological symptoms which further supports the hypothesis that intestinal microbiota may affect the function of the central nervous system. Here we gathered comprehensively data on drugs used in psychiatry regarding their antimicrobial properties. We believe our data has strong implications for the treatment of psychiatric entities. Nevertheless the study of ours highlights the need for more well-designed trials aimed at analysis of gut microbiota function.

Huangshan Floral Mushroom Polysaccharide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice by Modulating Th17/Treg Balance in a Gut Microbiota-Dependent Manner

SCOPE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease. This study attempts to reveal the improvement mechanism of floral mushroom polysaccharide (FMPS) on UC from the perspective of coordinated interaction between intestinal microbes and intestinal helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice model is used for the experiment. The results suggest that FMPS up-regulated the expression of occludin, ZO-1, and MUC2, and down-regulated the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in colitis mice. Importantly, FMPS restores intestinal Th17/Treg balance. Meanwhile, FMPS can regulate intestinal microorganisms and improve the level of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colitis mice. Intestinal microbial depletion and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments reveal that FMPS ameliorated UC is mediated by intestinal microbiome. Flow cytometry further proves that FMPS restores intestinal Th17/Treg balance in a microbial-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that FMPS has the potential to improve UC, and its mechanism depends on the restoration of Th17/Treg balance mediated by intestinal microorganisms. Therefore, it is suggested that FMPS dietary supplement can be potentially used to intervene UC.

The contribution of the gut-liver axis to the immune signaling pathway of NAFLD

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. The pathogenesis of NAFLD has not been fully clarified; it involves metabolic disturbances, inflammation, oxidative stress, and various forms of cell death. The "intestinal-liver axis" theory, developed in recent years, holds that there is a certain relationship between liver disease and the intestinal tract, and changes in intestinal flora are closely involved in the development of NAFLD. Many studies have found that the intestinal flora regulates the pathogenesis of NAFLD by affecting energy metabolism, inducing endotoxemia, producing endogenous ethanol, and regulating bile acid and choline metabolism. In this review, we highlighted the updated discoveries in intestinal flora dysregulation and their link to the pathogenesis mechanism of NAFLD and summarized potential treatments of NAFLD related to the gut microbiome.

Gut Microbial Dysbiosis and Cognitive Impairment in Bipolar Disorder: Current Evidence

Recent studies have reported that the gut microbiota influences mood and cognitive function through the gut-brain axis, which is involved in the pathophysiology of neurocognitive and mental disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. These disorders have similar pathophysiology to that of cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder (BD), including neuroinflammation and dysregulation of various neurotransmitters (i.e., serotonin and dopamine). There is also emerging evidence of alterations in the gut microbial composition of patients with BD, suggesting that gut microbial dysbiosis contributes to disease progression and cognitive impairment in BD. Therefore, microbiota-centered treatment might be an effective adjuvant therapy for BD-related cognitive impairment. Given that studies focusing on connections between the gut microbiota and BD-related cognitive impairment are lagging behind those on other neurocognitive disorders, this review sought to explore the potential mechanisms of how gut microbial dysbiosis affects cognitive function in BD and identify potential microbiota-centered treatment.