Phosphatidylcholine Ameliorates LPS-Induced Systemic Inflammation and Cognitive Impairments via Mediating the Gut-Brain Axis Balance

Bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis of plasma lipidome and psychiatric disorders

BACKGROUND

Evidence from observational studies and clinical experiments suggests a close association between plasma lipidome and psychiatric disorders. However, the causal relationship between plasma lipidome and psychiatric disorders remains insufficiently determined. Plasma lipidome are relatively easy to measure and regulate clinically, and they play a crucial role in neuronal signal transduction, making them a focus of interest as potential therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

In this study, we utilized the latest Finnish population-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on 179 lipid species. We downloaded data on five psychiatric disorders from the IEU database, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, autism from the PGC consortium, and anxiety disorder from the Neale lab. Using two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we assessed the relationship between these 179 lipid species and the risk of the five psychiatric disorders. To validate the assumptions of Mendelian randomization, we conducted tests for horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity.

RESULTS

After applying FDR correction to assess the relationship between 179 lipid species traits and the risk of five psychiatric disorders, our analysis provided evidence of a causal relationship specifically between genetic susceptibility in the plasma lipidome and bipolar disorder. This relationship notably involves eight phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and two sterols, with PCs displaying a dual and complex role in the disorder. Reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis did not reveal a significant causal impact of psychiatric disorders on the plasma lipidome.

LIMITATIONS

Despite using two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis, the complex biological pathways and potential confounding factors may still affect the accuracy of the causal relationships. The impact of genetic variations on the lipidome and psychiatric disorders may involve multiple mechanisms, which cannot be fully elucidated in this study.

CONCLUSION

This study identified a causal relationship between genetic susceptibility in plasma lipidome and bipolar disorder, indicating that plasma lipidome may influence the risk of psychiatric disorders and providing direction for exploring them as potential intervention targets. The findings not only deepen our understanding of the etiology of psychiatric disorders but also provide a critical theoretical foundation for future clinical interventions and prevention strategies, potentially contributing to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Houttuynia cordata polysaccharides ameliorate atopic dermatitis in mice through modulation of skin immune barrier and lipid metabolism

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a prevalent inflammatory skin condition, significantly impacts patients' quality of life due to the multifaceted etiology and the lack of targeted therapeutic options. As the "Chinese herbal antibiotic", Houttuynia cordata is renowned for its diverse pharmacological attributes. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of Houttuynia cordata polysaccharides (HCP) in treating AD and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. HCP alleviated AD in MC903-induced mice by reducing epidermal thickness, skin lesions, mast cell infiltration, inflammatory cytokines, and restoring barrier proteins. It also suppressed inflammatory cytokines/chemokines via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)/ interferon-γ(IFN-γ)-induced human keratinocytes cells (HaCaT). Moreover, HCP modulated inflammation-related metabolic pathways, especially restored lipid metabolic homeostasis through upregulating phosphatidylcholine (PC) and downregulating triglyceride (TG), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), potentially alleviating AD-like lesions and restoring barrier function. Our findings underscore the promising potential of HCP as a topical therapeutic candidate for AD treatment, offering a new direction for the development of targeted AD therapies.

Investigating the neuroprotective effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk phospholipids upon oxidative damage in HT22 cells

Egg yolk phospholipids are primarily composed of various fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine. Existing studies have revealed the neuroprotective activity of egg yolk phospholipids. However, it is not clear which digestion products of phospholipids exert neuroprotective activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of different structural components in egg yolk phospholipids based on a DMNQ-induced oxidative damage in HT22 cells. The findings demonstrated that pre-treatment with diverse egg yolk phospholipid components, particularly the polyunsaturated fatty acids, markedly elevated the cell viability and superoxide dismutase activity, diminished the ROS generation, reduced the malondialdehyde levels and elevated the mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids exert its neuroprotective effects by upregulating the genes involved in cell proliferation (Jag2 and Ypel3), nervous system development (Ntf5), DNA damage repair (H2ax), and other related processes. These findings provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the characteristic structure of egg yolk phospholipids with profound neuroprotective effects.

A Study of Sex Differences in the Biological Pathways of Stress Regulation in Mice

BACKGROUND

Stress is closely related to life, and it can also cause many mental disorders. However, there are significant sex differences in neuropsychiatric disorders associated with stress, particularly in depression, where the lifetime risk of depression in women is approximately twice that of men. However, the specific mechanism of this process has not been explained in detail.

METHODS

Chronic restraint stress (CRS) + chronic and unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to simulate social stress, and behavioral experiments, HE staining of rectal and hippocampal pathological sections, detection of depression-related biological indicators, analysis of intestinal flora diversity, and metabolomics analysis of hippocampal and intestinal contents were performed.

RESULTS

The results showed that stress induced anxiety-like behavior in female mice and depression-like behavior in male mice. Sex differences in behavior may be related to monoamine neurotransmitters, hyperactivity of HPA axis, inflammatory factors, gut microbiota, and brain-gut metabolism. It is worth noting that stress caused opposite trends in DA (dopamine) levels, abundance of f-lactobaciliaceae, and levels of metabolites (1, 2-distearoyl-SN-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and PC(20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/20:1(11Z)) in male and female mice.

CONCLUSION

The difference in neurotransmitter levels, the disorder of gut microbiota, and the abnormal brain and gut metabolism may lead to the gender difference in stress behavior.

Glycerophospholipids Analysis Using Conventional 1H-31P HMBC and Its Application in Revealing the Characteristics of 18 Seaweeds

Glycerophospholipids (GPLs) are typical membrane lipids with important physiological and pharmacological functions, but little is known about their distribution characteristics in economic seaweeds. This study established a systematic evaluation method, including conventional 2D 1H-31P heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) NMR for identifying GPLs and 1D 31P NMR for determining the contents, which were then applied to reveal subclasses characteristics of GPLs in 18 economic seaweeds in Asia. The results indicated that phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was the characteristic GPL subclass distributed in all of the 18 seaweeds (ranging from 0.08 to 1.75‰), generally with higher contents than that of known terrestrial plants. The characteristic chemical shifts of protons in the GPLs headgroup (H-1') together with protons in the backbone (H-3) were summarized through 1H-31P HMBC spectrum, which were helpful in assigning GPL subclasses.

Age-Dependent Regulation of Hippocampal Inflammation by the Mitochondrial Translocator Protein in Mice

The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) is a biomarker of inflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, widely regarded to be upregulated in the aging brain. Here we investigated the interaction between aging and TSPO immunomodulatory function in the mouse hippocampus, a region severely affected in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Surprisingly, we found that TSPO levels were decreased in brain innate immune populations in aging. Aging resulted in a reversal of TSPO knockout transcriptional signatures following inflammatory insult. TSPO deletion drastically exacerbated inflammatory transcriptional responses in the aging hippocampus, while dampening inflammation in the young hippocampus. This age-dependent effect of TSPO was linked to NF-kβ and interferon regulatory transcriptional networks. Drugs that disrupt the cell cycle and induce DNA damage, such as heat shock protein and topoisomerase inhibitors, were identified to mimic the inflammatory transcriptional signature characterizing aging in TSPO knockout mice most closely. These findings indicate that TSPO plays a protective role in brain aging. This TSPO-aging interaction is an important consideration in the interpretation of TSPO-targeted biomarker and therapeutic studies, as well as in vitro studies that cannot model the aging brain.

Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis sativa L. Extract Alleviates LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation Behavioral Alterations, and Astrocytic Bioenergetic Impairment in Male Mice

Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative disorders, yet effective treatments remain limited. This study investigates the neuroprotective potential of a cannabidiol (CBD)-Rich Cannabis sativa L. (CS) extract in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation mouse model. The effects on anxiety-like behavior, cognitive function, and locomotor activity were assessed using behavioral tests (open field, elevated plus maze, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze). Antioxidant activity was measured by assaying glutathione (GSH) levels and lipid peroxidation by-products (TBARs). Anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRt-PCR) for proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) mRNAs in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Astrocytic bioenergetics were analyzed using extracellular flux assays. Additionally, computational inference with a deep learning approach was conducted to evaluate the synergistic interactions among CS phytocompounds on the CB1 receptors. Compared with synthetic CBD, the CS extract (20.0 mg/kg) demonstrated superior efficacy in mitigating LPS-induced anxiety-like behavior, cognitive deficits, and locomotor impairments. It also significantly mitigated oxidative stress (increased GSH, reduced TBARs) and suppressed proinflammatory cytokines and GFAP mRNAs, indicating potent anti-inflammatory properties. The extract modulated CB1 receptor expression and preserved metabolic homeostasis in cortical astrocytes, preventing their shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation under neuroinflammatory conditions. Computational modeling highlighted conformational changes in CB1 receptor residues induced by Delta-9-THC that enhanced CBD binding. These findings underscore the potential of CS extract as a therapeutic candidate for managing neuroinflammation and its associated neurodegenerative consequences, warranting further clinical exploration.

Optimising Cannabidiol Delivery: Improving Water Solubility and Permeability Through Phospholipid Complexation

Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated therapeutic potential in treating epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Crohn's diseases. Despite its promising effects and analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic properties, oral CBD's full potential is hindered by poor water solubility (0.7-10 μg/mL), low permeability, and chemical instability. This study aimed to enhance CBD's dissolution, stability, and gastrointestinal (GI) permeability by forming a CBD-phospholipid complex (CBD-PLC). We hypothesised that CBD-PLC would enhance CBD's hydrophilicity, thus improving GI barrier permeability. This study involved screening an optimal phospholipid (PL) using a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach to prepare CBD-PLC with nanosized droplets (194.3 nm). Dissolution studies revealed significantly enhanced release rates for CBD-PLC-44.7% at 2 h and 67.1% at 3 h-compared to 0% for pure CBD and 7.2% for a physical mixture (PM). Cellular uptake studies showed that at 30 µM, CBD-PLC exhibited 32.7% higher apparent permeability coefficients (Papp), nearly doubling at 40 µM compared to pure CBD. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed safety over 24 h, while 12-month stability tests demonstrated consistent performance under varied conditions. The results indicate that CBD-PLC improves CBD's solubility, permeability, and stability, offering a promising strategy to address the limitations of oral CBD delivery systems.

Lipopolysaccharide, arbiter of the gut-liver axis, modulates hepatic cell pathophysiology in alcoholism

Over the last four decades, clinical research and experimental studies have established that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria-is a potent hepatotoxic molecule in humans and animals. Alcohol abuse is commonly associated with LPS endotoxemia. This review highlights LPS molecular structures and modes of release from bacteria, plasma LPS concentrations, induction of microbiota dysbiosis, disruption of gut epithelial barrier, and translocation of LPS into the portal circulation impacting the pathophysiology of hepatic cells via the gut-liver axis. We describe and illustrate the portal vein circulation and its distributaries draining the gastrointestinal tract. We also elaborate on the gut-liver axis coupled with enterohepatic circulation that represents a bidirectional communication between the gut and liver. The review also updates the data on how circulating LPS is cleared in a coordinated effort between Kupffer cells, hepatocytes, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Significantly, the article reviews and updates the modes/mechanisms of action by which LPS mediates the diverse pathophysiology of Kupffer cells, hepatocytes, sinusoidal endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells primarily in association with alcohol consumption. Specifically, we review the intricate linkages between ethanol, microbiota dysbiosis, LPS production, gut-liver axis, and pathophysiology of various hepatic cells. The maintenance of the gut barrier structural and functional integrity and microbiome homeostasis is essential in mitigating alcoholic liver disease and improving liver health.

Characterization of pecan, hickory, and walnut phospholipids and the comparable effects of pecan phospholipids with soy phospholipids on scopolamine-induced dementia in mice

Nuts are famous and popular for their ability to nourish the brain. The effects of nuts differ depending on their phospholipid compositions, but unfortunately, studies on phospholipids in nuts are lacking. Therefore, the phospholipid compositions of pecan, hickory, and walnut, which are all from the Juglandaceae family, were analyzed and compared for the first time in this study. A total of 91 phospholipids from 10 classes were identified, while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidic acid are the major classes of phospholipids in these nuts. The substituted fatty acid chains were mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, followed by saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids in PCs, PEs, and all the phospholipids in the three types of nuts. Given that pecans have the highest total phospholipid content, PC content, PE content, and phosphatidylserine (PS) content of among the three nuts, and considering that PC, PE, and PS have been reported to enhance memory, pecans were chosen for further pharmacological analysis. Relatively high-purity (56.1%) pecan phospholipid extract (51.6 g) was obtained from pecan kernels (70 kg) to obtain more accurate biological activity results. The biological activity of pecan phospholipids was evaluated by behavioral tests, including the step-through test, the step-down test, and the Morris water maze test. A total of 210 mice were divided into seven groups and intragastrically administered pecan phospholipids (120, 60, and 30 mg kg-1), while soy phospholipids (400 and 200 mg kg-1) were used as positive controls. The results indicated that pecan phospholipids possess learning- and memory-enhancing abilities comparable to those of soy phospholipids. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The phospholipid compositions of pecan, hickory, and walnut were analyzed and compared for the first time in this study, providing guidance for the future utilization of the valuable oils from these nuts. The findings of this study lay the groundwork for the future utilization of phospholipids from these types of nuts.

Integrated Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics to Investigate the Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Ginsenoside Rg2 Glycine Ester Derivative Against Hypoxia

Previous studies have suggested that ginsenoside Rg2 glycine ester derivative (RG) exhibits therapeutic potential in mitigating hypoxia. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism of RG in hypoxia injury through a combined approach of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Initially, a CoCl2-induced cell hypoxia model was established, and the therapeutic impact of RG on biochemical indices was evaluated. Subsequently, metabolomics analysis of cell samples was conducted to identify biomarkers, and network pharmacology was employed to identify potential targets of RG for hypoxia treatment. Finally, the key target and pathway were verified. The study revealed that RG could reverse CoCl2-induced abnormalities in biochemical indicators. Metabolomics analysis identified 13 biomarkers and seven metabolic pathways associated with RG treatment. Utilizing network pharmacology, five key targets and five metabolic pathways were identified, partially aligning with the metabolomics results. Molecular docking results demonstrated the effective binding of RG to the key targets. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay verified that RG could exert antihypoxia effect by activated PI3K/Akt pathway. In conclusion, this integrated strategy, combining metabolomics with network pharmacology, sheds light on the protective mechanism of RG against hypoxia-induced cellular damage. The findings offer valuable insights for future research and potential applications of RG in the field.

A metabolomics approach reveals the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Cistanche tubulosa stems and its combination with fluoxetine on depression in comorbid with sexual dysfunction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried succulent stems of Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight are utilized in traditional medicine for tonifying kidney yang, which have shown to be effective in alleviating depression-like behaviors or male sexual dysfunction, respectively. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of C. tubulosa and its combinations in the treatment of depression in comorbid with sexual dysfunction remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to elucidate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of C. tubulosa aqueous extract (CTE) and its combination with fluoxetine (FLX) on depression in comorbid with sexual dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mouse model of depression in comorbid with sexual dysfunction was created using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure. The therapeutic effects of CTE and its combination with FLX were assessed using depressive-like and mating behavior experiments, histopathological analysis, and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function evaluation. The mechanisms were explored by integrated serum and testicular metabolomics combined with network correlation analysis.

RESULTS

CTE was confirmed to significantly improve depressive-like behaviors, reduce mating abilities, testicular histopathological damage, and HPG axis hormone secretion disorders in CUMS mice. Subsequently, mechanism exploration findings indicated that CTE might exert its effect by regulating potential efficacy-related biomarkers (isobutyrylglycine, citric acid, D-galactose) to improve certain metabolic pathways centered around steroid hormone biosynthesis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Furthermore, the combination of CTE and FLX exhibited stronger antidepressant effects than FLX alone, and ameliorated the exacerbated sexual dysfunction induced by FLX. These effects were achieved through the regulation of potential efficacy-related biomarkers (17α-hydroxypregnenolone, tetrahydrodeoxy-corticosterone, sphingosine, cortol, thymine, and L-histidine), thereby improving disorders in glycerophospholipid and histidine metabolism.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the amelioration effects of CTE and its combination with FLX on depression in comorbid with sexual dysfunction were confirmed for the first time. This key mechanism may be achieved by modulating the levels of potential efficacy-related biomarkers, and then emphatically intervene in steroid hormone biosynthesis, TCA cycle, glycerophospholipid and histidine metabolism. The study offers a new perspective for the development and utilization of C. tubulosa.

Current perspectives for metabolomics and lipidomics in dyslipidemia of acne vulgaris: a mini review

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common inflammatory disorder involving the pilosebaceous unit. Many studies have reported that people with AV have higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) compared to healthy controls. Hence, they concluded that an unhealthy lipid profile is an independent risk factor for AV. Recent research in metabolomics and lipidomics has been propelled by rapid advancements in technologies including computational methods and mass spectrometry. Using metabolomics and lipidomics approach, a broad range of structurally diverse lipid species were detected and important lipid biomarkers were identified that are vital to the pathogenesis of AV. In this review, we will describe the recent progress in dyslipidemia of AV using metabolomics and lipidomics advances. We will begin with a literature overview of dyslipidemia of AV, followed by a short introduction of metabolomics and lipidomics. Finally, we will focus on applying metabolomics and lipidomics in dyslipidemia of AV.

Exploring lipidome mediated inflammatory pathways in acute pancreatitis using mendelian randomization

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe gastrointestinal condition with an increasing incidence of hyperlipidemic etiology. The investigation employed a two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian randomization method to investigate potential causal relationship between lipidome profiles, inflammatory mediators, and AP. Exploration of genetic variants across the genome in a study population of 10,630 AP cases and 844,679 non-AP individuals revealed multiple lipidome entities significantly associated with AP risk. The study identified 23 lipid species with unidirectional causal effects on AP after accounting for heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and potential reverse causation. Additionally, five inflammatory factors (CD5, IL-13, MMP-1, STAMBP, TNFRSF9) showed significant potential causal relationship with AP. Further analysis elucidated the intricate interplay between specific lipid species and inflammatory mediators in influencing AP incidence. Notably, Sterol ester (27:1/20:4) and several phosphatidylcholine species, including PC (17:0_20:4), PC (18:0_20:4), PC (18:0_20:5), and PC (O-18:2_20:4), were negatively associated with AP risk. This protective effect was partially mediated through decreased levels of inflammatory markers, particularly STAMBP and MMP-1. The study found that these phosphatidylcholines and sterol esters significantly reduced the levels of these pro-inflammatory factors, thereby potentially mitigating AP risk. Conversely, Phosphatidylinositol (16:0_18:1) demonstrated a positive association with AP risk. This detrimental effect was partially mediated by increased levels of MMP-1 and STAMBP, suggesting a pro-inflammatory mechanism. The study provides evidence that this specific phosphatidylinositol species may exacerbate AP risk by promoting inflammatory pathways. These findings elucidate the complex interplay between lipid metabolites, inflammation, and AP pathogenesis, potentially informing novel therapeutic strategies. The study highlights the utility of Mendelian randomization in uncovering potential causal relationship in AP. It underscores the requirement for further study into the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid-mediated inflammation in AP, particularly the roles of phosphatidylcholines and sterol esters in modulating inflammatory responses. Further studies are warranted to confirm our observations in laboratory models and assess their translational value in developing AP preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Untargeted Metabolomic Study of Patients with Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion in Aqueous Humor

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify metabolic biomarkers and investigate the metabolic changes associated with aqueous humor in retinal vein occlusion macular edema (RVO-ME).

Methods

Aqueous humor (AH) samples were collected from patients, including those diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion macular edema (CRVO-ME), branch retinal vein occlusion macular edema (BRVO-ME), and a control group undergoing cataract surgery. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was utilized to analyze the metabolomic profiles in aqueous humor.

Results

A total of 28 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers capable of distinguishing RVO-ME patients from the control group. Of these, 26 metabolites were specific for distinguishing CRVO-ME patients from controls, and 24 metabolites were specific for differentiating BRVO-ME patients from controls. Additionally, 9 metabolites were identified that could differentiate CRVO-ME patients from BRVO-ME patients.

Conclusion

This study successfully identified significant metabolic biomarkers that enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of RVO-ME. These findings may offer new avenues for the treatment of RVO-ME and aid in differentiating between CRVO-ME and BRVO-ME patients.

Wolfberry Honey and Its Extract Alleviate Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Improving Intestinal Barrier Function and Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized by gut inflammation causing persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain. Despite the nutritional benefits of wolfberry honey (from Lycium barbarum L.), its potential to alleviate IBD remains underexplored. This study evaluated the protective effects of wolfberry honey and its extract (wolfberry honey extract [WHE]) against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) using in vivo and in vitro models. Mice pretreated with wolfberry honey showed significant symptom improvement in DSS-induced UC, linked to reduced expression of proinflammatory markers (Il-1β, Il-6, Tnf-α, and Mcp-1) and increased antioxidant genes (Nrf2, Sod2). Increased Occludin levels indicated improved intestinal barrier function. In vitro, WHE protected DSS-treated Caco-2 cells by lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS), stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling. It enhanced the expression of antioxidant genes and tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1). Metabolomic analysis revealed that WHE modulated glycerophospholipid metabolism, increasing phosphatidylcholine and choline levels and decreasing lysophosphatidylcholine levels. These results highlight the potential of wolfberry honey and its extract as nutraceuticals for managing UC through their effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal barrier function. Further research is warranted to elucidate their mechanisms of action and assess their long-term therapeutic benefits in IBD management.

Inhibiting the Cholesterol Storage Enzyme ACAT1/SOAT1 in Aging Apolipoprotein E4 Mice Alters Their Brains' Inflammatory Profiles

Aging and apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) are the two most significant risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Compared to APOE3, APOE4 disrupts cholesterol homeostasis, increases cholesteryl esters (CEs), and exacerbates neuroinflammation in brain cells, including microglia. Targeting CEs and neuroinflammation could be a novel strategy to ameliorate APOE4-dependent phenotypes. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key macromolecule in inflammation, and its regulation is associated with the cholesterol content of lipid rafts in cell membranes. We previously demonstrated that in normal microglia expressing APOE3, inhibiting the cholesterol storage enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1/SOAT1) reduces CEs, dampened neuroinflammation via modulating the fate of TLR4. We also showed that treating myelin debris-loaded normal microglia with ACAT inhibitor F12511 reduced cellular CEs and activated ABC transporter 1 (ABCA1) for cholesterol efflux. This study found that treating primary microglia expressing APOE4 with F12511 also reduces CEs, activates ABCA1, and dampens LPS-dependent NFκB activation. In vivo, two-week injections of nanoparticle F12511, which consists of DSPE-PEG2000, phosphatidylcholine, and F12511, to aged female APOE4 mice reduced TLR4 protein content and decreased proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β in mice brains. Overall, our work suggests nanoparticle F12511 is a novel agent to ameliorate LOAD.

Natural products: Harnessing the power of gut microbiota for neurological health

BACKGROUND

Neurological diseases are the primary cause of disability and death and impose substantial financial burdens. However, existing treatments only relieve symptoms and may cause many adverse effects. Natural products are a promising source of neurological therapeutic agents due to their excellent neuroprotective effect and safety. The gut microbiota has an essential impact on maintaining brain homeostasis via the gut-brain axis. Multiple investigations show that natural products offer neuroprotective effects by regulating gut microbiota-driven signaling networks.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to provide a systematic review of how natural products promote neurological health by harnessing the power of gut microbiota.

METHODS

The pre-January 1, 2024 literature was gathered from several databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, utilizing appropriate keywords. The gathered publications underwent a review process and were classified based on their study content, specifically focusing on the impact of natural products on gut microbiota and neurological health.

RESULTS

Here, we review how natural products promote neurological health by regulating the gut microbiota-brain axis. Specifically, we focus on the following areas. (1) Altering microorganism community structure, including increasing α-diversity and altering β-diversity. (2) Regulating the population of certain bacteria, including enriching beneficial microorganisms Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium, and inhibiting potentially hazardous microorganisms Bilophila, Klebsiella, and Helicobacter. (3) Regulating microbial neuroactive metabolites levels, including short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan and its derivatives, trimethylamine N-oxide, dopa/dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, we review how natural products promote neurological health by regulating intestinal barrier homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

Natural products promote neurological health by harnessing the power of gut microbiota. This review will contribute to understanding how natural products promote neurological health by orchestrating the gut microbiota-brain axis.

Inhibiting the cholesterol storage enzyme ACAT1/SOAT1 in aging Apolipoprotein E4 mice alter their brains inflammatory profiles

Aging and Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) are the two most significant risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Compared to APOE3, APOE4 disrupts cholesterol homeostasis, increases cholesteryl esters (CEs), and exacerbates neuroinflammation in brain cells including microglia. Targeting CEs and neuroinflammation could be a novel strategy to ameliorate APOE4 dependent phenotypes. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key player in inflammation, its regulation is associated with cholesterol content of lipid rafts in cell membranes. We previously demonstrated that in normal microglia expressing APOE3, inhibiting the cholesterol storage enzyme acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1/SOAT1) reduces CEs, dampened neuroinflammation via modulating the fate of TLR4. We also showed that treating myelin debris-loaded normal microglia with ACAT inhibitor F12511 reduced cellular CEs and activated ABC transporter 1 (ABCA1) for cholesterol efflux. In this study, we found that treating primary microglia expressing APOE4 with F12511 also reduces CEs, activated ABCA1, and dampened LPS dependent NFkB activation. In vivo, a two-week injections of nanoparticle F12511, which consists of DSPE-PEG 2000 , phosphatidylcholine, and F12511, to aged female APOE4 mice reduced TLR4 protein content and decreased proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1β in APOE4 mice brains. Overall, our work suggests nanoparticle F12511 is a novel agent to ameliorate LOAD.

Lycium ruthenicum Murray derived exosome-like nanovesicles inhibit Aβ-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (ELNs) are nano-sized vesicles extracted from edible plants. Lycium ruthenicum Murray (LRM) has been gaining increasing attention due to its nutritional and medicinal value, but the ELNs in LRM has not been reported. In this study, LRM-ELNs were obtained, and the proteins, lipids, microRNAs (miRNAs) and active components in LRM tissues and LRM-ELNs was analyzed by LC-MS/MS, LC-MS, high-throughput sequencing techniques, and physical and chemical analysis. LRM-ELNs can be uptaken by PC12 cells through macropinocytosis and caveolin-mediated endocytosis primarily. Transcriptomic and western blot experiments indicate that LRM-ELNs can inhibit Aβ-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells through the MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, with miRNAs playing a crucial role. These results indicate that LRM-ELNs have the protection effect on PC12 cells and can be considered as dietary supplements for alleviating neurodegenerative diseases.

Role of myeloid cells in mediating the effects of lipids on ulcerative colitis

Objective

To evaluate the causal relationship between lipids and ulcerative colitis (UC) through Mendelian Randomization (MR), and to further investigate the involvement of immune cells in mediating this process.

Methods

Utilizing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of individuals with European ancestry, we analyzed the causal link between 179 lipid types and UC (2,569 UC cases and 453,779 controls) through Two-sample Mendelian randomization (2SMR) and Bayesian-weighted MR (BWMR). Based on this, a mediation screening of 731 immune cell phenotypes was conducted to identify exposure and mediator factors. Lastly, the role and proportion of immune cells in mediating the causal effects of lipids on UC were assessed via reverse MR (RMR) and two-step MR.

Results

The results of MR showed that there was a causal relationship between the six genetically predicted lipid types and UC (P <0.05), and the four immune cell phenotypes were identified as mediators of the association between lipids and UC. Notably, Phosphatidylcholine (PC) (16:0_0:0) served as the exposure factor, and myeloid cells CD11b on CD33+ HLA DR+ CD14dim acted as the mediator. Mediation analysis showed that CD11b on CD33+ HLA DR+ CD14dim had a mediation effect of -0.0205 between PC (16:0_0:0) and UC, with the mediation effect ratio at 15.38%.

Conclusion

Our findings elucidate the causal effect of lipids on UC and identify the significant mediating role of myeloid cells CD11b on CD33+ HLA DR+ CD14dim in regulating UC through PC (16:0_0:0), offering new pathways and strategies for UC clinical treatment.

High-intensity interval training and medium-intensity continuous training may affect cognitive function through regulation of intestinal microbial composition and its metabolite LPS by the gut-brain axis

AIMS

The gut-brain axis is the communication mechanism between the gut and the central nervous system, and the intestinal flora and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) play a crucial role in this mechanism. Exercise regulates the gut microbiota composition and metabolite production (i.e., LPS). We aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on cognitive function in C57BL/6 J mice through gut-brain axis regulation of gut microbiota composition and LPS displacement.

MAIN METHODS

C57BL/6 J male mice were randomly divided into sedentary, HIIT, and MICT groups. After 12 weeks of exercise intervention, the cognitive function of the brain and mRNA levels of related inflammatory factors were measured. RNA sequencing, Golgi staining, intestinal microbial 16 s rDNA sequencing, and ELISA were performed.

KEY FINDINGS

HIIT and MICT affect brain cognitive function by regulating the gut microbiota composition and its metabolite, LPS, through the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis. HIIT is suspected to have a risk: it can induce "intestinal leakage" by regulating intestinal permeability-related microbiota, resulting in excessive LPS in the blood and brain and activating M1 microglia in the brain, leading to reduced dendritic spine density and affecting cognitive function.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study revealed a potential link between changes in the gut microbiota and cognitive function. It highlighted the possible risk of HIIT in reducing dendritic spine density and affecting cognitive function.

AnGong NiuHuang (AGNH) pill attenuated traumatic brain injury through regulating NF-κB/Nlrp3 axis and glycerophospholipid metabolism

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially neuroinflammation after TBI persists for a long time and causes significant neurodegenerative pathologies and neuropsychiatric problems.

PURPOSE

In this study, the neuroprotective effect of AnGong NiuHuang (AGNH) on TBI was investigated and the mechanism was revealed by integrating multiple omics.

METHODS

The rats with TBI were administrated with AGNH for 5 consecutive days and the effect was evaluated by using modified neurologic severity score (mNSS), brain edema, H&E staining, Nissl staining and TUNEL staining. The mechanism was revealed by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and metabolomic analysis. The inflammatory factors, apoptosis-related proteins and identified vital targets were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

Administration of AGNH decreased mNSS, brain edema, brain structure damage, but increased Nissl body density in the rats with TBI. Additionally, AGNH reduced IL-1β, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP9, MCP-1, IL-6, Bax and TUNEL staining,but elevated Bcl2 level. Integrating transcriptomic analysis and metabolomic analysis identified vital targets and critical metabolic pathways. Importantly, AGNH treatment reduced the expression of TLR4, MYD88, NLRP3, BTK, IL-18 and Caspase 1 as well as glycerophospholipid metabolism-related protein AGPAT2 and PLA2G2D, and decreased the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the brain of TBI rats. Additionally, AGNH increased phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), but decreased 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (LysoPC) in the metabolic pathway of glycerophospholipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, AGNH inhibited NF-κB/NLRP3 axis to suppress neuroinflammation, cell apoptosis and pyroptosis, and improved metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipid metabolism after TBI.

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.

Functional foods lipids: unraveling their role in the immune response in obesity

Functional lipids are lipids that are found in food matrices and play an important role in influencing human health as their role goes beyond energy storage and structural components. Ongoing research into functional lipids has highlighted their potential to modulate immune responses and other mechanisms associated with obesity, along with its comorbidities. These lipids represent a new field that may offer new therapeutic and preventive strategies for these diseases by understanding their contribution to health. In this review, we discussed in-depth the potential food sources of functional lipids and their reported potential benefit of the major lipid classification: based on their composition such as simple, compound, and derived lipids, and based on their function such as storage and structural, by investigating the intricate mechanisms through which these lipids interact in the human body. We summarize the key insights into the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the most studied functional lipids. Furthermore, we review the main immunomodulatory mechanisms reported in the literature in the past years. Finally, we discuss the perspectives and challenges faced in the food industry related to functional lipids.

Cognitive impairment and the gut-brain axis during 2014-2023: a bibliometric analysis

Background

The burden on society grows as the number of individuals with cognitive impairment rises. Numerous research have discovered a connection between cognitive impairment and the gut-brain axis, which is useful in examining the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment and potential therapeutic approaches. As a result, this article explores developments and trends in the research concerning the gut-brain axis and cognitive impairment through a bibliometric analysis of the contributions made by various countries/regions, institutions, authors, and journals.

Methods

We looked for articles on gut-brain axis and cognitive impairment from 2014 to 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection. For the descriptive analysis, figures and tables were taken using GraphPad Prism 6 and WPS Office 2024. For the visual analysis of the countries/regions, institutions, authors, and keywords, VOSviewer was utilized.

Results

We obtained 458 publications from 1 January 2014 to 9 September 2023. The country with the most publications (175, 38.21%) was China. The country with the greatest total number of citations (3,138, 17.22%) was the United States of America. The highest number of articles (15, 3.26%) was issued by Zhejiang University. The most published first author is Karsas M. In this field, Nutrients have published the most articles (24). The most often occurring keywords include "Alzheimer's disease," "cognitive impairment," "gut microbiota," "inflammation," "diet," etc. "Stroke," "tau," "probiotics," "exercise," "fecal microbiota transplantation," etc. emerged later.

Conclusion

An increasing amount of research has focused on the connection between cognitive impairment and the gut-brain axis. In this area, the United States of America and China have both made significant contributions. The author team's collaboration has to be improved. Our study contributes to understanding the field's current state and predicting its future trend.

Mendelian randomization analysis identifies causal associations between serum lipidomic profile, amino acid biomarkers and sepsis

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition marked by a severe systemic response to infection, leading to widespread inflammation, cellular signaling disruption, and metabolic dysregulation. The role of lipid and amino acid metabolism in sepsis is not fully understood, but aberrations in this pathway could contribute to the disease's pathophysiology.

Methods

To explore the potential of lipid and amino acid compounds as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis, a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) study was conducted, examining the relationship between sepsis and 249 serum lipid and amino acid-related markers. Key enzymes involved in synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, including choline/ethanolamine phosphotransferase 1 (CEPT1), choline phosphotransferase 1 (CPT1), and ethanolamine phosphotransferase 1 (EPT1), were also targeted for drug-target Mendelian randomization.

Results

The study found that phosphatidylcholines (OR IVW: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.80-0.96, p = 0.005) and phospholipids in medium HDL (OR IVW: 0.86, 95%CI: 0.77-0.96, p = 0.007) potentially exhibit a protective effect against sepsis nominally. However, the potential drug target of CEPT1, CPT1, and EPT1 was found to be unrelated to septic outcomes.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that increasing levels of phosphatidylcholines and medium HDL phospholipids may reduce the incidence of sepsis. This highlights the potential of lipid-based biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of sepsis, opening avenues for new therapeutic strategies.

Advances in the composition, efficacy, and mimicking of human milk phospholipids

Phospholipids are the essential components of human milk, contributing to the enhancement of cognitive development, regulation of immune functions, and mitigation of elevated cholesterol levels. Infant formulas supplemented with phospholipids can change the composition, content, and globule membrane structure of milk lipids, improving their digestive properties and nutritional value. However, mimicking phospholipids in infant formulas is currently limited, and the supplemented standards of phospholipid species and amounts in infant formulas are unknown. Consequently, there is a significant difference between the phospholipids in infant formulas and those in human milk. This article reviews the recent progress in human milk phospholipid research, aiming to describe the composition, content, and positive effects of human milk phospholipids, as well as summarises the dietary sources of phospholipid supplementation and the current state of human milk phospholipid mimicking in infant formulas. This review provides clear directions for research on mimicking human milk phospholipids and evaluating the nutritional functions of phospholipids in infants.

Plant- and Animal-Derived Dietary Sources of Phosphatidylcholine Have Differential Effects on Immune Function in The Context of A High-Fat Diet in Male Wistar Rats

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) derived from eggs has been shown to beneficially modulate T cell response and intestinal permeability under the context of a high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a differential effect of plant and animal-derived sources of PC on immune function.

METHODS

Four-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to consume 1 of 4 diets (n = 10/group) for 12 wk, all containing 1.5 g of total choline/kg of diet but differing in choline forms: 1-Control Low-Fat [CLF, 20% fat, 100% free choline (FC)]; 2-Control High-Fat (CHF, 50% fat, 100% FC); 3-High-Fat Egg-derived PC (EPC, 50% fat, 100% Egg-PC); 4-High-Fat Soy-derived PC (SPC, 50% fat, 100% Soy-PC). Immune cell functions and phenotypes were measured in splenocytes by ex vivo cytokine production after mitogen stimulation and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS

The SPC diet increased splenocyte IL-2 production after PMA+I stimulation compared with the CHF diet. However, the SPC group had a lower proportion of splenocytes expressing the IL-2 receptor (CD25+, P < 0.05). After PMA+I stimulation, feeding EPC normalized splenocyte production of IL-10 relative to the CLF diet, whereas SPC did not (P < 0.05). In mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes, the SPC diet group produced more IL-2 and TNF-α after PMA+I stimulation than the CHF diet, whereas the EPC diet group did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that both egg- and soy-derived PC may attenuate high-fat diet-induced T cell dysfunction. However, egg-PC enhances, to a greater extent, IL-10, a cytokine involved in promoting the resolution phase of inflammation, whereas soy-PC appears to elicit a greater effect on gut-associated immune responses.

Soybean polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) is beneficial in liver and extrahepatic tissue injury: An update in experimental research

Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) is a purified polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine extract of soybeans. This article updates PPC's beneficial effects on various forms of liver cell injury and other tissues in experimental research. PPC downregulates hepatocyte CYP2E1 expression and associated hepatotoxicity, as well as attenuates oxidative stress, apoptosis, lipoprotein oxidation and steatosis in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver injury. PPC inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production, while stimulating anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion in ethanol or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Kupffer cells/macrophages. It promotes M2-type macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming of glucose and lipid metabolism. PPC mitigates steatosis in NAFLD through inhibiting polarization of pro-inflammatory M1-type Kupffer cells, alleviating metabolic inflammation, remodeling hepatic lipid metabolism, correcting imbalances between lipogenesis and lipolysis and enhancing lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes. PPC is antifibrotic by preventing progression of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis in baboons and also prevents CCl4-induced fibrosis in rats. PPC supplementation replenishes the phosphatidylcholine content of damaged cell membranes, resulting in increased membrane fluidity and functioning. Phosphatidylcholine repletion prevents increased membrane curvature of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi and decreases sterol regulatory element binding protein-1-mediated lipogenesis, reducing steatosis. PPC remodels gut microbiota and affects hepatic lipid metabolism via the gut-hepatic-axis and also alleviates brain inflammatory responses and cognitive impairment via the gut-brain-axis. Additionally, PPC protects extrahepatic tissues from injury caused by various toxic compounds by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and membrane damage. It also stimulates liver regeneration, enhances sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy/chemotherapy, and inhibits experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. PPC's beneficial effects justify it as a supportive treatment of liver disease.

Glabridin reduces neuroinflammation by modulating inflammatory signals in LPS-induced in vitro and in vivo models

OBJECTIVES

Chronic neuroinflammation has become one of the important causes of common neurodegeneration disease. Therefore, the target of this study was to explore the protective action of glabridin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in vivo and in vitro and its mechanism.

METHODS

The neuroinflammation model was established by LPS-induced BV2 cells. The cell viability with various concentrations of glabridin was determined by MTT assay, and the content of NO in each group was detected. A neuroinflammatory model was established in male C57BL/6J mice for a water maze test. Subsequently, NF-κB and SOD indices were measured by ELISA, GFAP and IBA-1 indices were measured by immunofluorescence, and Nissl staining was used to explore the Nissl bodies in the hippocampus of mice.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments, our results expressed that glabridin could markedly increase the cell activity of LPS-induced BV2 cells and reduce the NO expression in cells. It indicated that glabridin had a remarkable impact on the neuroinflammation of LPS-induced BV2 cell protection. In vivo neuroinflammation experiments, mice treated with different doses of glabridin showed significantly improved ability of memory compared with the LPS group in the Morris water maze test. The levels of NF-κB, GFAP, and the number of positive cells in Nissl staining were decreased. High-dose glabridin significantly increased the SOD content in the brain tissue and decreased the IBA-1 levels.

CONCLUSION

Glabridin can significantly reduce or even reverse LPS-induced neuroinflammation, which may be related to the fact that glabridin can reduce the NO expression, NF-κB, IBA-1, GFAP, and other inflammatory mediators, upregulate the expression of SOD to relieve oxidative stress of brain and inhibit the activation of gliocyte in brain tissue.

Gut-brain communication mediates the impact of dietary lipids on cognitive capacity

Cognitive impairment, as a prevalent symptom of nervous system disorders, poses one of the most challenging aspects in the management of brain diseases. Lipids present in the cell membranes of all neurons within the brain and dietary lipids can regulate the cognition and memory function. In recent years, the advancements in gut microbiome research have enabled the exploration of dietary lipids targeting the gut-brain axis as a strategy for regulating cognition. This present review provides an in-depth overview of how lipids modulate cognition via the gut-brain axis depending on metabolic, immune, neural and endocrine pathways. It also comprehensively analyzes the effects of diverse lipids on the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function, thereby affecting the central nervous system and cognitive capacity. Moreover, comparative analysis of the positive and negative effects is presented between beneficial and detrimental lipids. The former encompass monounsaturated fatty acids, short-chain fatty acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, phytosterols, fungal sterols and bioactive lipid-soluble vitamins, as well as lipid-derived gut metabolites, whereas the latter (detrimental lipids) include medium- or long-chain fatty acids, excessive proportions of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, industrial trans fatty acids, and zoosterols. To sum up, the focus of this review is on how gut-brain communication mediates the impact of dietary lipids on cognitive capacity, providing a novel theoretical foundation for promoting brain cognitive health and scientific lipid consumption patterns.

Protective Effect of the Naringin-Chitooligosaccharide Complex on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Systematic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Model in Mice

Naringin is one of the common flavonoids in grapefruit, which has anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its poor solubility limits its wide application. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of naringin combined with chitooligosaccharides with good biocompatibility by constructing a mouse model of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The results showed that the naringin-chitooligosaccharide (NG-COS) complex significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced weight loss, reduced food intake, tissue inflammatory infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ, and IL-1β levels. The complex also significantly affected the content of malondialdehyde and the activities of MPO, SOD, and GSH in the liver, spleen, lungs, and serum of mice with systemic inflammation. In addition, NG-COS significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Principal component analysis showed that the complexes could inhibit LPS-induced systemic inflammation in mice, and the effect was significantly better than that of naringin and chitooligosaccharides alone. This study explored the synergistic effects of chitosan and naringin in reducing inflammation and could contribute to the development of novel biomedical interventions.

Pyrolae herba alleviates cognitive impairment via hippocampal TREM2 signaling modulating neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANC

Pyrolae herba (PH), a kind of Chinese herb, has been identified to have an anti-inflammatory effect, while the potential for treating cognitive impairment (CI), as well as the underlying mechanisms, is unclear. Currently, the interaction between neuroinflammation and neural function play a critical role in pathophysiology of CI.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elucidate therapeutic effect of PH for CI as well as its underlying mechanisms with LPS-treated mice model.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In this study, male C57BL6/J mice received lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection for 10 days to establish CI model and were administrated with PH for 14 days. We used piracetam as a positive control. Memory and spatial function was tested by Morris water maze (MWM). The level of inflammation-related cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum and western blot in hippocampus. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to measure the levels of ionized calcium binding linker molecule 1 (IBA-1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), BrdU, Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX) in hippocampus. The mRNA sequencing was used to screen the potential target of PH with therapeutic CI. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the gene alteration of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) in hippocampus. We used western blot to determine protein expressions of TREM2 and its related signaling, as well as synaptic proteins in hippocampus.

RESULTS

The results revealed that LPS contributed to CI, and PH or piracetam treatment significantly ameliorated CI in MWM test. LPS contributed to increasing expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and hippocampus, which both reversed by PH or piracetam. PH or piracetam could inhibit the activation of glial cells including microglia and astrocyte in the hippocampus in LPS-induced CI model. The mRNA sequencing and RT-PCR results showed that LPS significantly increased the gene expression of TREM2, which was reversed by PH. The alteration of TREM2 expression was the most significant among the 10 genes (TREM2, Slc24a2, Ptch2, Gck, Il1rapl1, Cadps2, Btbd11, Secisbp2l, Tenm3 and Prepl) in hippocampus. Protein results showed that LPS upregulated the expressions of TREM2 and its related proteins including DAP12, spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) phosphorylation and ADAM 10, which were all reversed by PH or piracetam in hippocampus. Furthermore, LPS was capable of reducing the expression of BrdU and DCX co-labeled positive cells in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), which was reversed only by PH. Moreover, PH or piracetam treatment significantly increased the expression of Ki67 and DCX co-labeled positive cells in hippocampal DG. The expression of synapsin1 was obviously decreased by LPS and was significantly reversed by PH or piracetam.

CONCLUSIONS

PH could alleviate CI by suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mitigating astrocyte activity by restraining microglia's activation in hippocampus, further facilitating neurogenesis and proliferation, thereby enhancing pre-synaptic protein. This study highlighted on the clinical application of PH, which might promote the use of phytomedicine in CI patients.

Effects of Peanuts and Pistachios on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Syndrome: A Review

There is growing evidence that the gut microbiota is associated with various aspects of human health, including immune system regulation, vitamin synthesis, short-chain fatty acid production, etc. Peanuts and pistachios are foods rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and other dietary components that have been shown to benefit the gut microbiota. Therefore, this review aims to describe the effects of consuming peanuts and pistachios on the gut microbiota and the potential role of these microbiota in human health. This review suggests that the consumption of peanuts or pistachios can demonstrate the potential to exert a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce, for example, short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for human health. In the case of peanuts, in particular, the possible modulation of the microbiota is associated with an improvement in the risk factors of metabolic syndrome and the inflammatory process triggered by a high-fat diet.

Feasibility of applying a noninvasive method for sleep monitoring based on mouse behaviors

INTRODUCTION

Currently, electroencephalogram (EEG)/electromyogram (EMG) system is widely regarded as the "golden standard" for sleep monitoring. Imperfectly, its invasive monitoring may somehow interfere with the natural state of sleep. Up to now, noninvasive methods for sleep monitoring have developed, which could preserve the undisturbed and naïve sleep state of mice to the greatest extent, but the feasibility of their application under different conditions should be extensive validated.

METHODS

Based on existing research, we verified the feasibility of a sleep monitoring system based on mouse behaviors under different conditions. The experimental mice were exposed to various stresses and placed into a combined device comprising noninvasive sleep monitoring equipment and an EEG/EMG system, and the sleep status was recorded under different physiological, pharmacological, and pathophysiological conditions. The consistency of the parameters obtained from the different systems was calculated using the Bland-Altman statistical method.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that the physiological sleep times determined by noninvasive sleep monitoring system were highly consistent with those obtained from the EEG/EMG system, and the coefficients were 94.4% and 95.1% in C57BL/6J and CD-1 mice, respectively. The noninvasive sleep monitoring system exhibited high sensitivity under the sleep-promoting effect of diazepam and caffeine-induced wakefulness, which was indicated by its ability to detect the effect of dosage on sleep times, and accurate determination of the sleep/wakeful status of mice under different pathophysiological conditions. After combining the data obtained from all the mice, the coefficient between the sleep times detected by behavior-based sleep monitoring system and those obtained from the EEG/EMG equipment was determined to .94.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that behavior-based sleep monitoring system could accurately evaluate the sleep/wakeful states of mice under different conditions.

Pelvic irradiation induces behavioural and neuronal damage through gut dysbiosis in a rat model

Radiation exposure can cause gut dysbiosis and there is a positive correlation between gut microbial imbalance and radiation-induced side effects in cancer patients. However, the influence of radiation on the gut-brain axis (GBA) and its neurological consequences are not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of pelvic irradiation on gut microbiota and the brain. Sprague Dawley rats were irradiated with a single dose of 6 Gy, and faecal samples were collected at different time points (7 and 12-days post-irradiation) for microbial analysis. Behavioural, histological, and gene expression analysis were performed to assess the effect of microbial dysbiosis on the brain. The findings indicated alterations in microbial diversity, disrupted intestinal morphology and integrity, neuronal death-related brain changes, neuroinflammation and reduced locomotor activity. Hippocampal gene expression analysis also showed a reduced expression of neural plasticity-related genes. Overall, this study demonstrated that pelvic irradiation affects gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, integrity, brain neuronal maturation, neural plasticity gene expression, and behaviour.

Effect of aerobic exercise on brain metabolite profiles in the mouse models of methamphetamine addiction: LC-MS-based metabolomics study

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is recognized as a brain disorder, and physical activity has clear benefits for MA use disorders. The specific mechanisms by which physical activity alleviates MA use disorders are currently not fully understood. Based on this, the present study used untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze the metabolic changes induced by MA in the brains of mice by exercise intervention. It was found that after 2 weeks of treadmill training, aerobic exercise modulated MA-induced brain metabolic disorders, in which 129 metabolites existed that were significantly differentiated in response to MA induction, and 32 metabolites were significantly affected by exercise. These differential metabolites were mainly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis and degradation, and renin-angiotensin system pathways. To our knowledge, this study is the first to use LC-MS to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on MA-induced brain metabolic profiling. The findings of this study provide new insights into exercise therapy using MA.

Gut microbiome in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: profiling and its predictive significance

PURPOSE

To investigate the difference in gut microbiome composition between patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and healthy controls, and to assess the potential of gut microbiota as predictive markers for CP/CPPS risk.

METHODS

The present study included 41 CP/CPPS patients and 43 healthy controls in China. Fecal specimen data were obtained and analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Alpha and beta-diversity indices, relative microbiome abundances, cluster analysis, and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) were employed. Microbial biomarkers were selected for the development of a diagnostic classification model, and the functional prediction was conducted using PICRUSt2.

RESULTS

Alpha-diversity measures revealed no statistically significant difference in bacterial community structure between CP/CPPS patients and controls. However, significant differences were observed in the relative abundances of several bacterial genera. Beta-diversity analysis revealed a distinct separation between the two groups. Significant inter-group differences were noted at various taxonomic levels, with specific bacterial genera being significantly different in abundance. The LEfSe analysis indicated that three bacterial species were highly representative and seven bacterial species were low in CP/CPPS patients as compared to the control group. A diagnostic model for CP/CPPS based on microbial biomarkers exhibited good performance. PICRUSt2 functional profiling indicated significant differences in the development and regeneration pathway.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in the gut microbiome composition were found between groups. The study provided a novel diagnostic model for CP/CPPS based on microbiota, presenting promising potential for future therapeutic targets and non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for CP/CPPS patients.

Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine alleviates DSS-induced colitis in BALB/c mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common inflammatory bowel disease, whose incidence is on the rise worldwide. The drugs commonly used for UC are often associated with a number of side effects. Therefore, the development of effective, food-borne substances for UC is in line with the current needs. Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) is one of the abundant lipids in egg yolk and possesses various biological activities. However, its protective effect against UC has not been clarified. In this study, the anti-UC activity of EYPC was investigated using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model of BALB/c mice. The results showed that EYPC supplementation inhibited DSS-induced colon shortening, the spleen index and disease activity index increase and intestinal structural damage. EYPC could down-regulate the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MPO in the colon and restore the number of goblet cells and the level of tight junction (TJ) proteins. Besides, EYPC modulated the composition of the gut microbiota, lowered the relative abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Parabacteroides and upregulated the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Alistipes and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. These results evidenced that EYPC could attenuate DSS-induced colitis in mice and had the potential to prevent and treat UC.

A Physiologically Relevant Dose of 50% Egg-Phosphatidylcholine Is Sufficient in Improving Gut Permeability while Attenuating Immune Cell Dysfunction Induced by a High-Fat Diet in Male Wistar Rats

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with increased intestinal permeability and a diminished immune response. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), a form of choline found in eggs, has been shown to beneficially modulate T-cell response in the context of obesity when provided as the sole form of choline in the diet.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the impact of varying doses of PC as part of a high-fat diet (HFD) on immune cell function and intestinal permeability.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats 4 wk of age were randomly assigned to consume 1 of 6 diets for 12 wk containing the same amount of total choline but differing in the forms of choline: 1-control low-fat (CLF, 20% fat, 100% free choline [FC]); 2-control high-fat (CHF, 50% fat, 100% FC); 3-100% PC (100PC, 50% fat, 100% egg-PC); 4-75% PC (75PC, 50% fat, 75% egg-PC+25% FC); 5-50% PC (50PC, 50% fat, 50% egg-PC+50% FC); and 6-25% PC (25PC; 50% fat, 25% egg-PC+75% FC). Intestinal permeability was measured by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran. Immune function was assessed by ex vivo cytokine production of splenocytes and cells isolated from the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) after stimulation with different mitogens.

RESULTS

Feeding the CHF diet increased intestinal permeability compared with the CLF diet, and doses of PC 50% or greater returned permeability to levels similar to that of the CLF diet. Feeding the CHF diet lowered splenocyte production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and MLN production of IL-2 compared with the CLF group. The 50PC diet most consistently significantly improved cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) compared with the CHF diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that a dose of 50% of total choline derived from egg-PC can ameliorate HFD-induced intestinal permeability and immune cell dysfunction.

Metabolic impact of polyphenol-rich aronia fruit juice mediated by inflammation status of gut microbiome donors in humanized mouse model

Background

The Aronia melanocarpa fruit is emerging as a health food owing to its high polyphenolic content and associated antioxidant activity. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as Aronia fruit, may counter inflammatory stimuli and positively modulate the gut microbiome. However, a comprehensive study characterizing the impact of Aronia fruit supplementation has not been completed. Therefore, we completed analyses measuring the metabolic, microbial, and inflammatory effects of a diet supplemented with Aronia fruit juice.

Method

Humanized mice were generated by colonizing gnotobiotic mice with microbiomes from human donors presenting disparate inflammation levels. Blood and fecal samples were collected throughout the course of an 8-week dietary intervention with either Aronia juice or a carbohydrate-matched beverage alone (2 weeks) or in combination with a high-fat diet to induce inflammation (6 weeks). Samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (stool) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (serum).

Results

We demonstrated transfer of microbiome composition and diversity and metabolic characteristics from humans with low and high inflammation levels to second-generation humanized mice. Aronia supplementation provided robust protection against high-fat diet induced metabolic and microbiome changes that were dependent in part on microbiome donor. Aronia induced increases in bacteria of the Eggerthellaceae genus (7-fold) which aligns with its known ability to metabolize (poly)phenols and in phosphatidylcholine metabolites which are consistent with improved gut barrier function. The gut microbiome from a low inflammation phenotype donor provided protection against high-fat diet induced loss of microbiome β-diversity and global metabolomic shifts compared to that from the high inflammation donor.

Conclusion

These metabolic changes elucidate pathway-specific drivers of reduced inflammation stemming from both Aronia and the gut microbiota.

Tryptophan metabolite norharman secreted by cultivated Lactobacillus attenuates acute pancreatitis as an antagonist of histone deacetylases

BACKGROUND

Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) exhibit specific phenotypes of gut microbiota associated with severity. Gut microbiota and host interact primarily through metabolites; regrettably, little is known about their roles in AP biological networks. This study examines how enterobacterial metabolites modulate the innate immune system in AP aggravation.

METHODS

In AP, alterations in gut microbiota were detected via microbiomics, and the Lactobacillus metabolites of tryptophan were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). By culturing Lactobacillus with tryptophan, differential metabolites were detected by LC-MS/MS. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and mice with cerulein plus LPS-induced AP were used to evaluate the biological effect of norharman on M1 macrophages activation in AP development. Further, RNA sequencing and lipid metabolomics were used for screening the therapeutic targets and pathways of norharman. Confocal microscopy assay was used to detect the structure of lipid rafts. Molecular docking was applied to predict the interaction between norharman and HDACs. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to explore the direct mechanism of norharman promoting Rftn1 expression. In addition, myeloid-specific Rftn1 knockout mice were used to verify the role of Rftn1 and the reversed effect of norharman.

RESULTS

AP induced the dysfunction of gut microbiota and their metabolites, resulting in the suppression of Lactobacillus-mediated tryptophan metabolism pathway. The Lactobacillus metabolites of tryptophan, norharman, inhibited the release of inflammatory factor in vitro and in vivo, as a result of its optimal inhibitory action on M1 macrophages. Moreover, norharman blocked multiple inflammatory responses in AP exacerbation due to its ability to maintain the integrity of lipid rafts and restore the dysfunction of lipid metabolism. The mechanism of norharman's activity involved inhibiting the enzyme activity of histone deacetylase (HDACs) to increase histone H3 at lysine 9/14 (H3K9/14) acetylation, which increased the transcription level of Rftn1 (Raftlin 1) to inhibit M1 macrophages' activation.

CONCLUSIONS

The enterobacterial metabolite norharman can decrease HDACs activity to increase H3K9/14 acetylation of Rftn1, which inhibits M1 macrophage activation and restores the balance of lipid metabolism to relieve multiple inflammatory responses. Therefore, norharman may be a promising prodrug to block AP aggravation.

Codium fragile Suppresses PM2.5-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction by Regulating Gut-Brain Axis via TLR-4/MyD88 Pathway

This study was conducted to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction improvement effect of aqueous extract of Codium fragile (AECF) by regulating the imbalance of the gut-brain axis in chronic particulate matter (PM)2.5-exposed mice. The physiological compounds of AECF were identified as hexadecanamide, oleamide, octadecanamide, stearidonic acid, and linolenic acid by the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-TOF MSE) analysis. To evaluate the effect of PM2.5 on the antioxidant system, superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents, reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were measured in colon and brain tissues. AECF significantly ameliorated the imbalance of the antioxidant systems. Also, AECF improved intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the abundance of the gut microbiome, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contents, and tight junction protein expression against PM2.5-induced damage. In addition, AECF prevented PM2.5-induced inflammatory and apoptotic expression via the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) pathway in colon and brain tissues. Additionally, AECF enhanced the mitochondrial function, including the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents in brain tissues. Furthermore, AECF regulated the cholinergic system, such as acetylcholine (ACh) contents, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and protein expression levels of AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in brain tissues. To evaluate the effect of cognitive dysfunction caused by PM2.5-induced intestinal dysfunction, behavior tests such as Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests were performed. From the results of the behavior tests, AECF ameliorated spatial learning and memory, short-term memory, and long-term learning and memory function. This study confirmed that AECF reduced PM2.5-induced cognitive dysfunction by regulating gut microbiome and inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function by enhancing the gut-brain axis. Based on these results, this study suggests that AECF, which contains fatty acid amides, might be a potential material for ameliorating PM2.5-induced cognitive dysfunction via gut-brain axis improvement.

Plasma lipidomics reveals potential lipid markers for the prediction of delayed neurocognitive recovery after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND

Delayed neurocognitive recovery (DNR) is a cognitive change that affects patients after anesthesia and surgery, with a high incidence, severely impairing their quality of life. We identified relevant metabolic pathways to determine predictive lipid markers and understand the pathogenesis of DNR.

METHODS

A non-targeted lipidomic strategy using Waters Acquity I Class UPLC-Xevo G2-S QTOF UPLC-MS was employed to identify different lipids in the 24 h postoperative plasma of patients whose cognitive function was assessed 7-14 days after surgery. Principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify potential biomarkers for predicting DNR. Metabolic pathway analysis was performed using the online platform MetaboAnalyst 5.0.

RESULTS

Pre-operative hemoglobin was identified as an independent risk factor for DNR. The individual areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of the 5 representative lipids were all > 0.6, and the AUC of the combined predictor was 0.912. Glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway was dysregulated in patients with subsequent DNR.

CONCLUSION

This study identified a series of potential predictive biomarkers for DNR. These data suggested that glycerophospholipid metabolism may be the mechanism underlying the occurrence and progression of DNR.

The Protective Effect of Broccoli Seed Extract against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Liver Injury via Gut Microbiota Modulation and Sulforaphane Production in Mice

Broccoli seed extract (BSE) is rich in glucoraphanin (GRP), which may be transformed by intestinal microbes into sulforaphane (SFN), a compound with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Liver injury usually presents with inflammation and oxidative damage. Thus, dietary BSE supplementation may be an effective approach for alleviating liver injury. In this study, a mouse lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury model was used to evaluate the preventive effect of BSE and explore the relevant mechanisms. Compared with the LPS model group, the mice in the BSE group showed significantly lower activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and higher levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Meanwhile, BSE significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6 and TNF-α) in the liver and increased the level of anti-inflammatory factor (IL-10), indicating that BSE had a good preventive effect on acute liver injury. Additionally, after BSE intervention, the diversity of intestinal microbiota in the mice was higher than that in the LPS model group. The relative abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus increased, while the relative abundance of Xylanophilum decreased. A correlation analysis revealed that the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and levels of IL-10 were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Furthermore, sulforaphane (SFN) and (Sulforaphane-N-Acetyl-Cysteine) SFN-NAC were detected in the urine of the mice after BSE intervention. Both q-PCR and an immunohistochemical analysis showed that BSE significantly regulated the expression level of the NF-κB (IκB-α, NF-κB) and Nrf2 (Nrf2, p-Nrf2 and HO-1) signaling pathways in the liver. In conclusion, BSE was shown to reduce LPS-induced acute liver injury through the conversion of glucoraphanin into sulforaphane and the regulation of the gut microbiota composition. These results suggest that BSE could be a promising ingredient in functional foods.

The Effects of 12 Weeks Colostrum Milk Supplementation on the Expression Levels of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and Metabolic Changes among Older Adults: Findings from the Biomarkers and Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis

Senescence is a normal biological process that is accompanied with a series of deteriorations in physiological function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bovine colostrum milk supplementation on metabolic changes and the expression of various biomarkers on inflammation, antioxidant and oxidative damage, nutrient metabolism, and genomic stability among older adults. Older adults (50-69 years old) who participated in the 12-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial were instructed to consume the IgCo bovine colostrum-enriched skim milk or regular skim milk (placebo) twice daily. Following 12 weeks of intervention, participants in the intervention group had lower expression levels in pro-inflammatory mediators (CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α), with significant (p < 0.05) interaction effects of the group and time observed. However, no significant interaction effect was observed in the vitamin D, telomerase, 8-OHdG, MDA, and SOD activities. UPLC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that 22 metabolites were upregulated and 11 were downregulated in the intervention group compared to the placebo group. Glycerophospholipid metabolism, along with cysteine and methionine metabolism were identified as the potential metabolic pathways that are associated with bovine colostrum milk consumption. In conclusion, consuming bovine colostrum milk may induce metabolic changes and reduce the expression of various pro-inflammatory mediators, thus improving the immune function in older adults.

Metabolic Alterations and Related Biological Functions of Post-Stroke Depression in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric complications after stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms of PSD remain ambiguous, and no objective diagnosis tool is available to diagnose PSD. Previous metabolomic studies on PSD included patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke indiscriminately, which is not conducive to elucidating and predicting the occurrence of PSD. The aim of this study is to elucidate the pathogenesis of PSD and provide potential diagnostic markers for PSD in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

In total, 51 ischemic stroke patients at 2 weeks were included in this study. Those with depressive symptoms were assigned to the PSD group, while the others were assigned to the non-PSD group. Plasma metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was performed to explore the differential plasma metabolites between the PSD and non-PSD groups.

Results

Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) showed significant metabolic alterations between PSD patients and non-PSD patients. In total, 41 differential metabolites were screened out, mainly including phosphatidylcholines (PCs), L-carnitine and acyl carnitines, succinic acid, pyruvic acid and L-lactic acid. Metabolite-related pathway analysis revealed that alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and the citrate cycle (TCA cycle) may contribute to the pathogenesis of PSD. A panel of three signature metabolites [PC(22:5(7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)/15:0), LysoPA(18:1(9Z)/0:0) and 1,5-anhydrosorbitol] was determined as potential biomarkers for PSD in ischemic stroke patients.

Conclusion

These findings are conducive to providing new insights into the pathogenesis of PSD and developing objective diagnostic tools for PSD in ischemic stroke patients.

Neuroprotection by Abdominal Ultrasound in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Systemic Inflammation

Systemic inflammation is associated with intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation by imbalancing the gut-brain axis. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. This study explored LIPUS's neuroprotective effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation through transabdominal stimulation. Male C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (0.75 mg/kg) daily for seven days, and abdominal LIPUS was applied to the abdominal area for 15 min/day during the last six days. One day after the last LIPUS treatment, biological samples were collected for microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis. Histological examination showed that LPS administration leads to tissue damage in the colon and brain. Transabdominal LIPUS stimulation attenuated colonic damage, reducing histological score, colonic muscle thickness, and villi shortening. Furthermore, abdominal LIPUS reduced hippocampal microglial activation (labeled by ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 [Iba-1]) and neuronal cell loss (labeled by microtubule-associated protein 2 [MAP2]). Moreover, abdominal LIPUS attenuated the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus and cortex. Altogether, our results indicate that abdominal LIPUS stimulation attenuates LPS-induced colonic inflammation and neuroinflammation. These findings provide new insights into the treatment strategy for neuroinflammation-related brain disorders and may facilitate method development through the gut-brain axis pathway.

Transabdominal ultrasound alleviates LPS-induced neuroinflammation by modulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling and tight junction protein expression

AIM

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be a risk factor in the development of brain inflammation. It has been demonstrated noninvasive neuromodulation through sub-organ ultrasound stimulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether abdominal low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cortical inflammation via inhibition of colonic inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Colonic and cortical inflammation was induced in mice by LPS (0.75 mg/kg, i.p. injection) for 7 days, followed by application of LIPUS (0.5 and 1.0 W/cm²) to the abdominal area for 6 days. Biological samples were collected for Western blot analysis, gelatin zymography, colon length measurement, and histological evaluation.

KEY FINDINGS

LIPUS treatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced increases in IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and cleaved caspase-3 expression in the colon and cortex of mice. Moreover, LIPUS significantly increased the levels of tight junction proteins in the epithelial barrier in the mouse colon and cortex with LPS-induced inflammation. Compared to the group treated only with LPS, the LIPUS-treated groups showed decreased muscle thickness and increased crypt length and colon length. Furthermore, LIPUS treatment reduced inflammation by inhibiting the LPS-induced activation of TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling in the brain.

SIGNIFICANCE

We found that LIPUS alleviated LPS-induced colonic and cortical inflammation through abdominal stimulation of mice. These results suggest that abdominal LIPUS stimulation may be a novel therapeutic strategy against neuroinflammation via enhancement of tight junction protein levels and inhibition of inflammatory responses in the colon.