Flavonoids from Whole-Grain Oat Alleviated High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia via Regulating Bile Acid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Mice

Highland Barley Tartary Buckwheat Coarse Grain Biscuits Ameliorated High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidaemia in Mice Through Gut Microbiota Modulation and Enhanced Short-Chain Fatty Acid Secretion Mice

Dietary modification plays a crucial role in managing and preventing hyperlipidemia. This study examined the combination of highland barley, tartary buckwheat, mung beans, Ormosia hosiei, black rice, and corn germ oil in multi-grain biscuit form. This formulation leverages the synergistic interactions among bioactive compounds, which exert preventive and therapeutic effects against lipid disorders. C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish a hyperlipidemia model, followed by feeding with highland barley tartary buckwheat coarse-grain biscuits for 4 weeks. The experimental outcomes revealed that the highland barley tartary buckwheat coarse-grain biscuits effectively controlled body weight and reduced fasting blood sugar levels: body weight was restored to approximately 29 g, and the fasting blood sugar level returned to the normal range of 6 mmol/L. We also observed improved organ indices and regulated blood lipids in hyperlipidemic mice. The total cholesterol of high-fat mice was reduced to 5 mmol/L and the triglyceride level to 1 mmol/L. A significant reduction in inflammatory markers and histopathological improvement in hepatic and adipose tissues were also observed. The intervention enhanced leptin and adiponectin secretion while elevating concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic acids. Microbiome analysis demonstrated favorable shifts in bacterial populations, characterized by increased Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia abundance and a decreased Firmicutes-to-Proteobacteria ratio, promoting beneficial genera while suppressing potentially pathogenic taxa. These findings suggest that the developed highland barley tartary buckwheat coarse-grain biscuits are a promising dietary intervention for hyperlipidemia management. The effects were potentially mediated through gut microbiota modulation and enhanced short-chain fatty acid production. This research provides novel insights into functional food development for hyperlipidemia.

Short-term microplastic exposure: A double whammy to lung metabolism and fecal microflora in diabetic SD rats

Diabetes has become a global health crisis, affecting over 800 million people, with serious complications such as vascular and neurological damage. While diabetes management has been extensively studied, the impact of environmental pollutants, particularly microplastics (PS), on diabetic health remains poorly understood. PS, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are pervasive and can enter the body through inhalation or ingestion, posing potential risks. However, the effects of PS exposure, particularly in diabetes, have not been adequately explored. Most studies focus on high-concentration, long-term exposure, which does not reflect typical human exposure levels. This study investigates the effects of short-term PS exposure on diabetic SD rats, using histological, apoptotic, and omics techniques, including metabolomics, lipidomics, and 16S rDNA sequencing. Our results show that short-term PS exposure exacerbates lung and intestinal damage in diabetic rats, with significant alterations in the gut microbiome. We also observed correlations between differential metabolites and microbiota changes. These findings provide novel evidence that short-term PS exposure, at concentrations reflecting daily contact, worsens metabolic dysfunction and intestinal dysbiosis in diabetes. This study emphasizes the need to consider environmental pollutants in diabetes management and highlights potential strategies for prevention and therapy.

Polysaccharide from Caulerpa lentillifera alleviates hyperlipidaemia through altering bile acid metabolism mediated by gut microbiota

Polysaccharide from Caulerpa lentillifera (CLP) offers preventative health benefits, but its efficacy against hyperlipidaemia and underlying mechanisms still elusive. This investigation assessed CLP's potential to mitigate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidaemia via the gut microbiota-bile acid (BA) axis. In hyperlipidaemic mice, 8 weeks of CLP treatment improved body weight, lipid profiles, and hepatic function, correlating with shifts in BA concentrations. Additionally, CLP not only repaired HFD-induced gut dysbiosis by increasing SCFA-producing bacteria but also positively modulated gut metabolites, including acetic and butyric acids. Spearman's correlation analysis illustrated strong associations between the altered microbes, metabolites, and the expression of genes involved in BA metabolism. Remarkably, CLP significantly influenced BA levels related to hyperlipidaemia, partly by augmenting the population of Parabacteroides and associated butyric acid level. These results indicate that CLP may serve as a functional food to guard against dyslipidaemia through impacting specific gut microbes and metabolites such as Parabacteroides and butyrate, and thus presenting promising therapeutic prospects for diseases associated with BA metabolism.

Lactococcus lactis Subsp. lactis LL-1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LP-16 Influence the Gut Microbiota and Metabolites for Anti-Obesity and Hypolipidemic Effects in Mice

This study utilized a high-fat diet-induced obese male C57BL/6 mice model to investigate the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LL-1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LP-16. A gut microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing, along with measurements of body weight, lipids, inflammation markers, and gut metabolites, revealed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) significantly reduced body weight, blood lipid levels, and liver oxidative stress. They also enhanced gut microbiota diversity and evenness, potentially by modulating the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio to limit excess energy absorption. Malondialdehyde (MDA) showed extremely significant positive correlations with Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, and Colidextribacter, and a significant positive correlation with Helicobacter, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) exhibited opposite trends. Specifically, Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus showed negative correlations with MDA levels and positive correlations with SOD and GSH-Px. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) positively correlated with Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, Mucispirillum, and Lactobacillus, but negatively correlated with Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, Colidextribacter, Alistipes, and Helicobacter. They increased SCFA levels by promoting beneficial bacteria and reducing pathogens, alleviating obesity and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, they regulated the gut microbiota, decreasing bile acids and long-chain fatty acids while increasing SCFAs, short peptides, and vitamins, thereby improving gut metabolic disorders and enhancing host gut health.

Advances in dietary polyphenols: Regulation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) via bile acid metabolism and the gut-brain axis

Dietary polyphenols represent a diverse group of plant-derived compounds known for their extensive biological activities, offering significant promise in the prevention and treatment of various chronic illnesses. Despite their potential, advancements in their research have been curtailed by challenges in structural analysis and limitations in existing research models. This review marks a pioneering exploration into how bile acids, gut microbiota, and the gut-brain axis serve as conduits through which dietary polyphenols can exert therapeutic effects on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This review enriches understanding of their biological functions and addresses common obstacles in the study of natural polyphenols. It provides a comprehensive examination of the role of dietary polyphenols in modulating bile acid metabolism and mitigating IBD, covering aspects such as polyphenols, bile acid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the nervous system. This work opens new vistas in appreciating the full spectrum of polyphenol benefits, laying the groundwork for future explorations in this domain.

Human Gut Microbiome: A Connecting Organ Between Nutrition, Metabolism, and Health

The gut microbiome plays a vital role in human health, functioning as a metabolic organ that influences nutrient absorption and overall well-being. With growing evidence that dietary interventions can modulate the microbiome and improve health, this review examines whether healthcare systems should prioritize personalized microbiome-targeted therapies, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplants, over traditional pharmaceutical treatments for chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular risk, and inflammatory conditions. A systematic review using Web of Science and Scopus databases was conducted, followed by a scientometric analysis. Key metabolic pathways, such as dietary fiber fermentation and short-chain fatty acid production, were explored, focusing on their impact on lipid and glucose metabolism. The interactions between microbial metabolites and the immune system were also investigated. Dietary interventions, including increased fiber and probiotic intake, show potential for addressing dysbiosis linked to conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. The review emphasizes the need to incorporate microbiome modulation strategies into clinical practice and research, calling for a multidisciplinary approach that integrates nutrition, microbiology, and biochemistry to better understand the gut microbiome's complex role in health.

HIIT versus MICT in MASLD: mechanisms mediated by gut-liver axis crosstalk, mitochondrial dynamics remodeling, and adipokine signaling attenuation

OBJECTIVE

Compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), focusing on the mechanisms by which these two exercise modalities influence gut microbiota structure, bile acid metabolism, and intestinal barrier function, as well as their regulatory roles in hepatic lipid synthesis and oxidative dynamics. Explore the synergistic effects of exercise-mediated mitochondrial fusion remodeling and leptin signaling, elucidate the causal relationship between gut-derived factors and hepatic metabolic reprogramming, and reveal the potential multi-scale and cross-organ dominant mechanisms of exercise, providing a theoretical basis for systematically comparing the effects of different exercise modalities.

METHODS

Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into NFD (n = 8) and HFD (n = 24) groups and fed normal chow and high-fat chow, respectively. After eight weeks, the HFD group was randomly divided into three groups: (1) MICT-8; (2) HIIT-8; and (3) HFD-8. At the end of the experiment, blood, liver, ileum, and skeletal muscle samples were collected for analysis of the rats' baseline conditions, mitochondrial function, hepatic lipid metabolism, bile acid pathway and gut microbiota, and synthesis of analyses.

RESULTS

Both modes of exercise ameliorated metabolic dysregulation and attenuated pathological progression, insulin resistance, and liver fat accumulation in rats with MASLD. Furthermore, both interventions counteracted HFD-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and restored gut-liver axis homeostasis. HIIT and MICT also upregulated bile acid-related gene expression modulated butyrate-producing bacterial taxa, and adjusted the abundance of butyrate-generating bacteria.

CONCLUSION

Both HIIT and MICT improved lipid metabolism in MASLD rats and the difference between the HIIT and MICT groups was not statistically significant. It is noteworthy that HIIT was more effective in improving mitochondrial function in MASLD than MICT (P < 0.001).

Myricetin alleviates high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice by regulating bile acid metabolism involved in gut microbiota remodeling

Atherosclerosis poses a significant threat to global health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of myricetin (MYR) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. Our findings demonstrated that MYR treatment significantly reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, particularly at a high dose of 100 mg kg-1 day-1. Additionally, MYR markedly attenuated lipid metabolism disorders in ApoE-/- mice by decreasing body weight, improving serum lipid profiles, and reducing lipid deposition. Analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that MYR treatment enhanced the abundance of probiotic g_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136, while it reduced that of obesity-associated genera, including Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Alistipes. Metabolomic analysis and RT-qPCR tests indicated that MYR upregulated hepatic bile acid biosynthesis, evidenced by increased total bile acid levels and enhanced expression of key enzymes CYP7A1 and CYP8B1, particularly through the classical biosynthetic pathway. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed strong associations between the regulated bile acids and these aforementioned bacteria. Therefore, our results demonstrated that MYR exerts an anti-atherosclerotic effect by modulating the gut-liver axis.

Plasma Lipidomics, Gut Microbiota Profile, and Phenotype of Adipose Tissue in an ApoE-/- Mouse Model of Plaque Instability

BACKGROUND

An appropriate animal model that can simulate the pathological process of atherosclerosis is urgently needed to improve treatment strategies. This study aimed to develop a new atherosclerosis model using ApoE-/- mice and to characterize lipidomics, gut microbiota profiles, and phenotypic alterations in adipose tissue using this model.

METHODS

After a 14- or 18-week high-fat diet (HFD), male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated separately with or without short-term and strong co-stimulation, including ice water bath and intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and phenylephrine. As a control group, C57BL/6 mice were fed with conventional chow. The serum lipid levels, aortic arch pathology, adipose tissue phenotypic changes, plasma lipidomics, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing of colon feces were investigated.

RESULTS

The serum lipid levels were significantly lowered following extended HFD feeding for four weeks. However, co-stimulation increased serum interleukin (IL)-1β levels but did not affect serum lipid profiles. Co-stimulation revealed typical vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and defective adipose hypertrophy associated with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) regulation in adipose tissue and a reduction in mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) within brown adipose tissue. Plasma lipidomic analysis showed that sphingomyelin (SM), ceramide (Cer), and monohexosylceramide (HexCer) levels in plasma were significantly elevated by HFD feeding, whereas co-stimulation further elevated HexCer levels. Additionally, glycerophosphocholines (16:0/16:0, 18:2/20:4, 18:1/18:1) and HexCer (C12:1, C16:0), Cer (d18:1/16:0), and SM (C16:0) were the most sensitive to co-stimulation. Combined co-stimulation and HFD-fed increased the abundance of Firmicutes, the abundance of f_Erysipelotrichaceae, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio but decreased the abundance of microflora promoting bile acid metabolism and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mouse feces. The results were consistent with the findings of epidemiologic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study established an ApoE-/- mouse atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque model using a multi-index evaluation method. Adipogenic disorders, dysregulation of lipid metabolism at the molecular level, and increasing harmful gut microbiota are significant risk factors for vulnerable plaques, with sphingolipid metabolism receiving the most attention.

TGR5 Activation by Dietary Bioactives and Related Improvement in Mitochondrial Function for Alleviating Diabetes and Associated Complications

Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), also known as G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1), is a cell surface receptor involved in key physiological processes, including glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. Recent research has focused on the role of TGR5 activation in preventing or treating diabetes while also highlighting its potential impact on the progression of diabetic complications. Functional foods and edible plants have emerged as valuable sources of natural compounds that can activate TGR5, offering potential therapeutic benefits for diabetes management. Despite growing interest, studies on the activation of TGR5 by dietary bioactive compounds remain scattered. This Review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how dietary bioactives act as potential agents for TGR5 activation in managing diabetes and its complications. It explores the mechanisms of TGR5 activation through both direct agonistic effects and indirect pathways via modulation of the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

Impact of oat grain supplementation on growth performance, rumen microbiota, and fatty acid profiles in Hu sheep

The intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in animal growth and development. In this study, we explored the impact of oat grain dietary supplementation on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and fatty acids (FAs) in Hu sheep. Thirty-two Hu lambs were randomly assigned to a control group (RC) or an oat grain-supplemented group (RO). After 90 days on their respective diets, rumen digesta were collected from six randomly selected Hu lambs per group to assess microbial diversity, SCFAs, and FAs. The RO diet significantly enhanced growth in Hu sheep (p < 0.01) and increased α-diversity, as indicated by Chao1 and Shannon indices. Core phyla in both groups were Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, with predominant genera including Prevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and F082. Oat grain supplementation led to significant shifts in microbial composition, increasing the abundance of Acidobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteriota, and Subgroup_2, while decreasing Bacteroidota and Oscillospiraceae (p < 0.05). The RO group also exhibited lower levels of isobutyric and citraconic acids but higher levels of azelaic acid (p < 0.05). These results indicate that oat grain supplementation enhances beneficial rumen microbes and optimizes FAs and SCFAs composition, thereby promoting weight gain in Hu sheep.

Critical review on the intervention effects of flavonoids from cereal grains and food legumes on lipid metabolism

Obesity, often caused by disorders of lipid metabolism, is a global health concern. Flavonoids from staple grains and legumes are expected as a safer and more cost-effective alternative for the future development of dietary flavonoid-based anti-obesity dietary supplements or drugs. This review systematically summarized their content variation, metabolism in the human body, effects and molecular mechanisms on lipid metabolism. These flavonoids intervene in lipid metabolism by inhibiting lipogenesis, promoting lipolysis, enhancing energy metabolism, reducing appetite, suppressing inflammation, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and improving the composition of the gut microbial. Fermentation and sprouting techniques enhance flavonoid content and these beneficial effects. The multidirectional intervention of lipid metabolism is mainly through regulating AMPK signaling pathway. This study provides potential improvement for challenges of application, including addressing high extraction costs and improving bioavailability, ensuring safety, filling clinical study gaps, and investigating potential synergistic effects between flavonoids in grains and legumes, and other components.

Plant polyphenols as natural bioactives for alleviating lipid metabolism disorder: Mechanisms and application challenges

Lipid metabolism disorders will trigger various chronic diseases, which posing a serious threat to human health. Therefore, maintaining lipid metabolism balance is a key preventive and therapeutic strategy against various chronic and metabolic diseases. Various researches have proved that plant polyphenols play a significantly important role in regulating lipid metabolism. However, the mechanisms and application challenges of polyphenols in lipid metabolism disorders have rarely been elucidated. This review elucidates the definition, classification and function of plant polyphenols, summarize the kinds of polyphenols that can be used to regulate lipid metabolism, paying particular attention to the mechanisms for regulating lipid metabolism by plant polyphenols. Moreover, the limitations of polyphenols in the regulation of lipid metabolism are described and the trend of their development is prospective. This review will provide guidance to polyphenols in regulating metabolic diseases.

Ellagic acid alleviates high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating liver metabolic profiles and gut microbiota

This study integrated analyses of gut microbiota and metabolomics to investigate the impact of ellagic acid (EA) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Compared to the high-fructose diet (HFruD) group, the EA group exhibited reduced body weight and fat mass, alongside improvements in blood glucose and lipid metabolism. Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that EA increased the abundance of metabolites in pathways related to unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids and bile acids. Furthermore, EA induced alterations in the composition and structure of gut microbiota, notably decreasing bacterial genera enriched by HFruD while promoting beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibaculum. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant associations among NAFLD markers, gut microbiota and liver metabolites influenced by EA. This study provides new insights into the anti-NAFLD effects of EA, suggesting EA as a promising nutraceutical for improving NAFLD.

Impact of protein intake from a caloric-restricted diet on liver lipid metabolism in overweight and obese rats of different sexes

In addition to being linked to an excess of lipid accumulation in the liver, being overweight or obese can also result in disorders of lipid metabolism. There is limited understanding regarding whether different levels of protein intake within an energy-restricted diet affect liver lipid metabolism in overweight and obese rats and whether these effects differ by gender, despite the fact that both high protein intake and calorie restriction can improve intrahepatic lipid. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects and mechanisms of different protein intakes within a calorie-restricted diet on liver lipid metabolism, and to investigate whether these effects exhibit gender differences. The Sprague-Dawley rats, which were half female and half male, were used to construct a rat model of overweight and obesity attributed to a high-fat diet. They were then split up into five groups: the normal control (NC) group, the model control (MC) group, the calorie-restricted low protein (LP) group, the calorie-restricted normal protein (NP) group, and the calorie-restricted high protein (HP) group. Body weight was measured weekly. Samples of plasma and liver were obtained after eight weeks and analyzed for glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and hormones in the plasma as well as the liver fat and factors involved in the liver's synthesis and degradation. For the male rats, compared to the HP group, the weight of liver fat in the LP and NP group was significantly higher (P < 0.05). However, for the female rats, there was no significant variation among the three calorie-restricted groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant variation in the concentration of total cholesterol (TC), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) among the three male calorie-restricted groups (P > 0.05), while the TC and VLDL concentrations in the female LP and NP group were significantly higher compared to those in the HP group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the trend of expression in the signaling pathways of adiponectin/phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and adiponectin/peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in the liver was consistent with that of the liver fat content, and leptin acted in the same way as adiponectin. Compared with the three calorie-restricted groups, the expressions of nuclear sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-2 (nSREBP-2) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) involved in cholesterol synthesis and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1) involved in cholesterol clearance in the MC group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). A 40% energy restriction can significantly reduce the body weight, body fat, liver fat, and the blood concentration of TG in both male and female overweight and obese rats, but it can significantly increase the blood concentration of TC in overweight and obese male rats. At the same time of 40% calorie restriction, increasing dietary protein intake to twice the normal protein intake has a stronger effect on promoting hepatic triglyceride oxidation and reducing liver fat content in the male overweight and obese rats by increasing the levels of adiponectin and leptin in the blood, and can also significantly reduce the plasma cholesterol concentration in the female overweight and obese rats through inhibiting cholesterol synthesis most likely by increasing glucagon level in the blood.

Hyperlipidaemia treatment and gut microbiology

Numerous studies have shown that hyperlipidaemia is closely related to the gut microbiota, and the study of microbiota in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia is undoubtedly a new target for the treatment and prevention of hyperlipidaemia. The efficacy of regulating the gut microecology and changing the structure of gut flora has been demonstrated by both western and traditional medication, biological therapy, and dietary exercise, so it is particularly important to study the relationship between gut microbiota and the treatment of hyperlipidaemia. In this review, we summarize the mechanism and relationship between the pathogenesis of hyperlipidaemia and gut microbiota, and the mechanism of hyperlipidaemia treatment by influencing the gut microbiota in various treatment modalities, which provides diversified therapeutic ideas and scientific basis for clinical treatment. It also triggers us to think about the relationship between gut microbiota and other diseases, and to explore the influence of gut microbiota is a goal that we still need to explore.

Regulation of bile acids and their receptor FXR in metabolic diseases

High sugar, high-fat diets and unhealthy lifestyles have led to an epidemic of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases, seriously placing a huge burden on socio-economic development. A deeper understanding and elucidation of the specific molecular biological mechanisms underlying the onset and development of obesity has become a key to the treatment of metabolic diseases. Recent studies have shown that the changes of bile acid composition are closely linked to the development of metabolic diseases. Bile acids can not only emulsify lipids in the intestine and promote lipid absorption, but also act as signaling molecules that play an indispensable role in regulating bile acid homeostasis, energy expenditure, glucose and lipid metabolism, immunity. Disorders of bile acid metabolism are therefore important risk factors for metabolic diseases. The farnesol X receptor, a member of the nuclear receptor family, is abundantly expressed in liver and intestinal tissues. Bile acids act as endogenous ligands for the farnesol X receptor, and erroneous FXR signaling triggered by bile acid dysregulation contributes to metabolic diseases, including obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. Activation of FXR signaling can reduce lipogenesis and inhibit gluconeogenesis to alleviate metabolic diseases. It has been found that intestinal FXR can regulate hepatic FXR in an organ-wide manner. The crosstalk between intestinal FXR and hepatic FXR provides a new idea for the treatment of metabolic diseases. This review focuses on the relationship between bile acids and metabolic diseases and the current research progress to provide a theoretical basis for further research and clinical applications.

Oat anthranilamides regulates high-fat diet-induced intestinal inflammation by the TLR4/NF-κb signalling pathway and gut microbiota

Oat anthranilamides have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, the precise mechanism of action remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of oat anthranilamide B (AVN B) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced intestinal inflammation in mice and its underlying mechanisms. The results indicated that AVN B supplementation mitigated weight gain and reduced inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in serum, liver, and intestines. It improved intestinal barrier dysfunction by upregulating the expression levels of Occludin and MUC2 while simultaneously reducing intestinal inflammation by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway. Additionally, AVN B treatment improved gut microbiota composition. It increased the abundance of beneficial flora and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially propionate and butyrate, associated with reduced production of pro-inflammatory factors and enhanced intestinal protection. The findings provide scientific evidence for the potential of AVN B as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Identification of Central Genes and Regulatory Pathways Associated with Hyperlipidemia in Rats

Hyperlipidemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The transcriptomic data and the gene regulatory networks of hyperlipidemia are largely unclear. We analyzed the changes in liver gene expression and the serum levels of biochemical indicators in rats with hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet (HFD). The body weight, liver weight, and the serum levels of TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, and AST were significantly higher in the hyperlipidemic rats compared to the healthy controls (P < 0.05). In addition, HFD feeding decreased the antioxidant capacity of the liver tissues and significantly increased the arteriosclerosis index (AI) (P < 0.05). There were 584 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hyperlipidemia model compared to the control, with |log2FC|≥ 1 and P-adjust ≤ 0.05 as the thresholds. GO analysis of the DEGs revealed significant enrichment of 382 biological processes (BP), 18 cellular components (CC), and 40 molecular functions (MF). In addition, pathways related to bile secretion, cholesterol metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis were significantly associated with hyperlipidemia. The key genes potentially involved in the blood lipid changes were Agt, Src, Gnai3, Cyp2c7, Cyp2c11, Cyp2c22, Apoa1, Apoe, and Srebf1. The genes and pathways identified in this study are potential intervention targets for hyperlipidemia and warrant further investigation.

Hypolipidemic activity of phytochemical combinations: A mechanistic review of preclinical and clinical studies

Hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, poses a significant risk factor for various health disorders, notably cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemical compounds are promising alternatives to the current lipid-lowering drugs, which cause many undesirable effects. Based on in vivo and clinical studies, combining phytochemicals with other phytochemicals, prebiotics, and probiotics and their encapsulation in nanoparticles is more safe and effective for managing hyperlipidemia than monotherapy. To this end, the results obtained and the mechanisms of action of these combinations were examined in detail in this review.

Nicotinamide Riboside Ameliorates Fructose-Induced Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Mice by Activating Browning of WAT, and May Be Also Related to the Regulation of Gut Microbiota

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to observe the preventive effect of nicotinamide riboside (NR) on fructose-induced lipid metabolism disorders and explore its mechanism.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a 20% fructose solution and given 400 mg/kg NR daily by gavage for 10 weeks.

RESULTS

The results indicated that NR supplementation significantly reduced the body weight, liver weight, white adipose tissue (WAT) weight, serum, and hepatic lipid levels. NR upregulated the protein expression levels of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactiva-tor-1-alpha (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1-encoding gene (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), cluster of differentiation 137 (CD137), transmembrane protein 26 (TMEM26), and T-box 1 (TBX1). Moreover, NR enhanced the Actinobacteria and Enterorhabdus abundance. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that significant correlations exist between Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Erysipelotrichaceae with browning-related indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, NR could alleviate lipid metabolic abnormalities induced by fructose through activating SIRT1/AMPK-mediated browning of WAT. The mechanism by which NR improves fructose-induced lipid metabolism disorders may also be associated with the modulation of intestinal flora.

Investigating the Effects of Gossypetin on Cardiovascular Function in Diet-Induced Pre-Diabetic Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Gossypetin (GTIN) is a naturally occurring flavonoid recognised for its pharmacological properties. This study examined the effects of GTIN on cardiovascular function in a diet-induced pre-diabetic rat model, which has not been previously studied. Pre-diabetes was induced using a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet supplemented with 15% fructose water for 20 weeks. Thereafter, the pre-diabetic animals were sub-divided into five groups (n = 6), where they were either orally treated with GTIN (15 mg/kg) or metformin (MET) (500 mg/kg), both in the presence and absence of dietary intervention for 12 weeks. The results demonstrated that the pre-diabetic (PD) control group exhibited significantly higher plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein levels, along with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in comparison to the non-pre-diabetic (NPD) group. This was accompanied by significantly higher mean arterial pressure (MAP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and plasma endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) levels in PD control. Additionally, there were increased heart malondialdehyde levels, reduced heart superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity as well as increased plasma interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha and c-reactive protein levels present in the PD control group. Notably, both GTIN-treated groups showed significantly reduced plasma lipid levels and increased HDL, as well as decreases in MAP, BMI, WC and eNOS levels in comparison to PD control. Additionally, GTIN significantly decreased heart lipid peroxidation, enhanced antioxidant activity and decreased plasma inflammation markers. These findings may suggest that GTIN administration in both the presence and absence of dietary intervention may offer therapeutic potential in ameliorating cardiovascular disturbances associated with the PD state. However, future studies are needed to determine the physiological mechanisms by which GTIN improves cardiovascular function in the PD state.

Alginate Oligosaccharides Enhance Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier Function, Alleviating Host Damage Induced by Deoxynivalenol in Mice

BACKGROUND

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) exhibits notable effects in terms of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Deoxynivalenol (DON) has the potential to trigger intestinal inflammation by upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis, thereby compromising the integrity of the intestinal barrier function and perturbing the balance of the gut microbiota.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the impact of AOS on mitigating DON-induced intestinal damage and systemic inflammation in mice.

METHODS

After a 1-wk acclimatization period, the mice were divided into 4 groups. For 3 wk, the AOS and AOS + DON groups were gavaged daily with 200 μL of AOS [200 mg/kg body weight (BW)], whereas the CON and DON groups received an equivalent volume of sterile Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS). Subsequently, for 1 wk, the DON and AOS + DON groups received 100 μL of DON (4.8 mg/kg BW) daily, whereas the control (CON) and AOS groups continued receiving PBS.

RESULTS

After administering DON via gavage to mice, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in body weights compared with the CON group. Interestingly, AOS exhibited a tendency to mitigate this weight loss in the AOS + DON group. In the feces of mice treated with both AOS and DON, the concentration of DON significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with the DON group alone. Histological analysis revealed that DON exposure caused increased intestinal damage, including shortened villi and eroded epithelial cells, which was ameliorated by presupplementation with AOS, alleviating harm to the intestinal barrier function. In both jejunum and colon tissues, DON exposure significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the expression of tight junction proteins (claudin and occludin in the colon) and the mucin protein mucin 2, compared with the CON group. Prophylactic administration of AOS alleviated these reductions, thereby improving the expression levels of these key proteins. Additionally, AOS supplementation protected DON-exposed mice by increasing the abundance of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium, Faecalibaculum, and Romboutsia. These gut microbes are known to enhance (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory responses and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including total SCFAs, acetate, and valerate, compared with the DON group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study unveils that AOS not only enhances gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function but also significantly mitigates DON-induced intestinal damage.

Highland Barley Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Liver Injury Through the IRS2/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Rats

Objectives: Highland barley (HB) consumption offers numerous health benefits; however, its impact on glycolipid metabolism abnormalities induced by a high-fat diet remains unclear. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of HB in the context of obesity; Methods: Rats were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity or a standard diet (SD) for six weeks. The rats in the HFD group were randomly assigned into five groups: HFD+HFD, HFD+SD, and low (30%), medium (45%), and high (60%) doses of the HB diet for an additional ten weeks. Analyses of serum lipid profiles, liver histology, transcriptomes, and untargeted metabolomes were conducted; Results: HB intake resulted in decreased weight gain, reduced feed intake, lower serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and diminished hepatic lipid accumulation. It also improved insulin and fasting blood glucose levels, and antioxidant capacity in the HFD-fed rats. Transcriptome analysis revealed that HB supplementation significantly suppressed the HFD-induced increase in the expression of Angptl8, Apof, CYP7A1, GDF15, Marveld1, and Nr0b2. Furthermore, HB supplementation reversed the HFD-induced decrease in Pex11a expression. Untargeted metabolome analysis indicated that HB primarily influenced the pentose phosphate pathway, the Warburg effect, and tryptophan metabolism. Additionally, integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses demonstrated that the treatments affected the expression of genes associated with glycolipid metabolism, specifically ABCG8, CYP2C12, CYP2C24, CYP7A1, and IRS2. Western blotting confirmed that HB supplementation impacted the IRS2/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway; Conclusions: HB alleviates HFD-induced obesity and liver injury in an obese rat model possibly through the IRS2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Association of glycerolipid metabolism with gut microbiota disturbances in a hamster model of high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia

Background

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia, which is associated with gut microbiota disturbances, remains a major public health challenge. Glycerolipid metabolism is responsible for lipid synthesis and is thus involved in the development of hyperlipidemia. However, possible association between the HFD-modulated gut microbiome and the glycerolipid metabolism pathway remains unclear.

Methods

Hamsters were fed a HFD for 4 weeks to establish a hyperlipidemia model. Fecal, plasma and liver samples collected from hamsters fed a HFD or a normal chow diet (NCD) were used for integrative metagenomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses to explore changes in the composition and functions of the gut microbiota, and relevant metabolites. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore correlations between gut microbes and circulating glycerolipid metabolites, gut microbes and lipids, and circulating glycerolipid metabolites and lipids.

Results

The gut microbial composition of HFD hamsters showed significant alterations at the phylum, genus, and species levels that were skewed toward metabolic disorders compared with that of NCD hamsters. Functional characterization by KEGG analysis identified enrichment of the glycerolipid metabolism pathway in the gut microbiome of HFD hamsters. Plasma and liver metabolomics further indicated the upregulation and enrichment of glycerolipid metabolites in HFD hamsters. The Faecalibaculum, Allobaculum, and Eubacterium genera were positively correlated with plasma glycerolipid metabolites and lipid indices.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest an association between glycerolipid metabolism and the HFD-modulated gut microbiome that is involved in the development of hyperlipidemia.

The "crosstalk" between gut microbiota, metabolites and genes in diet-induced hepatic steatosis mice intervened with Cordyceps guangdongensis polysaccharides

Cordyceps guangdongensis, a novel edible mushroom in China, has shown many positive health effects. In this study, we extracted the C. guangdongensis polysaccharides (CGP) from the fruiting bodies, and investigated the mechanism for CGP improved high-fat diet-induced (HFDI) metabolic diseases. We found that CGP notably reduced fat mass, improved blood lipid levels and hepatic damage, and restored the gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by high-fat diet (HFD). Metabolome analyses showed that CGP changed the composition of bile acids, and regulated HFDI metabolic disorder in hepatic tissue. Transcriptome comparison showed that the improvement of hepatic steatosis for CGP was mainly related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Association analysis result revealed that Odoribacter, Bifidobacterium and Bi. pseudolongum were negatively correlated to fat and blood lipid indicators, and were significantly associated with genes and metabolites related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Collectively, these results indicate that CGP may be a promising supplement for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Epicatechin and β-glucan from whole highland barley grain ameliorates hyperlipidemia associated with attenuating intestinal barrier dysfunction and modulating gut microbiota in high-fat-diet-fed mice

Hyperlipidemia is associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Here, we aimed at investigating whether epicatechin (EC) and β-glucan (BG) from whole highland barley grain alleviated hyperlipidemia associated with ameliorating intestinal barrier dysfunction and modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat-diet-induced mice. It was observed that EC and BG significantly improved serum lipid disorders and up-regulated expression of PPARα protein and genes. Supplementation of EC and BG attenuated intestinal barrier dysfunction via promoting goblet cells proliferation and tight junctions. Supplementation of EC and BG prevented high fat diet-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis via modulating the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrio, Lactococcus, Allobaculum and Akkermansia, and the improving of short chain fatty acid contents. Notably, combination of EC and BG showed synergistic effect on activating PPARα expression, improving colonic physical barrier dysfunction and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio, which may help explain the effect of whole grain highland barley on alleviating hyperlipidemia.

Total saponins from Panax japonicus regulated the intestinal microbiota to alleviate lipid metabolism disorders in aging mice

Total saponins from Panax japonicus (TSPJ) have many beneficial physiological activities, particularly in alleviating the damages of aging and abnormal lipid metabolism. This work used mice models to investigate if TSPJ reduced obesity and regulated metabolic functions via the intestinal microbiota, the disturbance of which has been shown to cause aging-related diseases. The results showed that TSPJ significantly reduced the weight and blood lipid level of aging mice. Further analyses showed that TSPJ significantly inhibited adipogenesis, changed the composition of the intestinal flora, and protected the integrity of the intestinal barrier. It was inferred from the accumulated experimental data that TSPJ helped to combat obesity in aging mice by regulating the intestinal microbiota and promoting microbial metabolism.

Effect of digested chia seed protein on the gut microbiota and colon morphology of mice fed a high-saturated-fat diet

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of digested total protein (DTP) from chia seed on the gut microbiota and morphology of mice fed with a high-fat diet. Forty-four male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups: AIN (standard diet), HF (high-fat diet), AIN + DTP (standard diet supplemented with 400 mg of digested chia seed protein), and HF + DTP (high-fat diet supplemented with 400 mg of digested chia seed protein) during 8 weeks. Colon morphology, tight junction's gene expression, and gut microbiota composition were evaluated. The consumption of digested chia seed protein (DTP) increased the crypts width, longitudinal and circular muscular layer. Furthermore, the AIN + DTP group enhanced the expression of tight junction proteins, including occludin and claudin, while the AIN + DTP and HF + DTP groups increase the zonula occludens expression. The α-diversity analysis showed a reduction in bacterial dominance in the HF + DTP group. All the experimental groups were grouped in different cluster, showing differences in the microbiota community in the β-diversity analyzes. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio did not differ among the groups. The genera Olsenella and Dubosiella were increased in the AIN + DTP group, but the Oscillospiraceae_unclassified was increased in the HF + DTP group. The Alistipes was increased, while the Roseburia and Akkermansia were decreased in the AIN + DTP and HF + DTP groups. Then, the consumption of DTP from chia seed improved the gut microbiota composition and mucosal integrity, counteracting the adverse effects of high-fat diet.

Akkermansia muciniphila as a Potential Guardian against Oral Health Diseases: A Narrative Review

The oral microbiome is a diverse ecosystem containing a community of symbiotic, commensal, and pathogenic microorganisms. One key microorganism linked to periodontal disease (PD) is Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium known to have several virulence factors that trigger inflammation and immune evasion. On the other hand, Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila), a symbiotic bacterium, has been recently shown to play an important role in mitigating inflammation and reducing periodontal damage. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that A. muciniphila decreases inflammatory mediators and improves immune responses, suggesting its role in mitigating PD and related inflammatory systemic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. This review discusses the anti-inflammatory effects of A. muciniphila, its impact on periodontal health, and its potential role in managing systemic diseases. The overall aim is to elucidate how this bacterium might help reduce inflammation, improve oral health, and influence broader health outcomes.

ELOVL5 and VLDLR synergistically affect n-3 PUFA deposition in eggs of different chicken breeds

There was no significant difference in the composition and content of fatty acids in eggs among different breeds initially, but following the supplementation of flaxseed oil, Dwarf Layer were observed to deposit more n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in eggs. Currently, there is limited research on the mechanisms underlying the differences in egg composition among different breeds. Therefore, in this study, 150 twenty-four-wk-old hens of each breed, including the Dwarf Layer and White Leghorn, were fed either a basal diet or a diet supplemented with 2.5% flaxseed oil. After 28 d, eggs and liver samples were collected to determine fatty acid composition, and serum, liver, intestine, and follicles were collected for subsequent biochemical, intestinal morphology, and lipid metabolism-related genes expression analysis. Duodenal contents were collected for microbial analysis. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the content and deposition efficiency of total n-3 PUFA in the liver of the 2 breeds, but the content and deposition efficiency of total n-3 PUFA in the egg of Dwarf Layer were significantly higher than those of White Leghorn after feeding flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil and breeds did not have significant effects on cholesterol (CHO), free fatty acids (NEFA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and estrogen (E2) levels. After feeding with flaxseed oil, the villus height and the villus-to-crypt ratio in both breeds were increased and duodenal crypt depth was decreased. The villus-to-crypt ratio (4.78 vs. 3.60) in the duodenum of Dwarf Layer was significantly higher than that in White Leghorn after feeding with flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil can impact the gut microbiota in the duodenum and reduce the microbiota associated with fatty acid breakdown, such as Romboutsia, Subdolibranulum, Lachnochlostridium, and Clostridium. This may mean that less ALA can be decomposed and more ALA can be absorbed into the body. Additionally, after feeding flaxseed oil, the mRNA levels of elongation enzymes 5 (ELOVL5), fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), and fatty acid transporter 1 (FATP1) in the liver of Dwarf Layer were significantly higher than those in White Leghorn, while the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1), Acyl CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), and Acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL) were significantly lower than those in White Leghorn. The mRNA level of FABP1 in the duodenum of Dwarf Layer was significantly higher than that of White Leghorn, while the mRNA level of FATP1 was significantly lower than that of White Leghorn. The protein levels of ELOVL5 in the liver of Dwarf Layer and very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) in the follicles were significantly higher than those of White Leghorn. In summary, after feeding flaxseed oil, the higher ratio of villus height to crypt depth in Dwarf Layer allows more α-linolenic acid (ALA) to be absorbed into the body. The higher mRNA expression of FADS1, ELOVL5, and FATP1, as well as the higher protein expression of ELOVL5 in the liver of Dwarf Layer enhance the conversion of ALA into DHA. The higher protein expression of VLDLR in follicles of Dwarf Layer allows more n-3 PUFA to deposit in the follicles. These combined factors contribute to the Dwarf Layer's ability to deposit higher levels of n-3 PUFA in eggs, as well as improving the deposition efficiency of n-3 PUFA.

Bile acid and its bidirectional interactions with gut microbiota: a review

Bile acids (BAs) are an important metabolite produced by cholesterol catabolism. It serves important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism and host-microbe interaction. Recent research has shown that different gut-microbiota can secrete different metabolic-enzymes to mediate the deconjugation, dehydroxylation and epimerization of BAs. In addition, microbes mediate BAs transformation and exert physiological functions in metabolic diseases may have a potentially close relationship with diet. Therefore, elaborating the pathways by which gut microbes mediate the transformation of BAs through enzymatic reactions involved are principal to understand the mechanism of effects between dietary patterns, gut microbes and BAs, and to provide theoretical knowledge for the development of functional foods to regulate metabolic diseases. In the present review, we summarized works on the physiological function of BAs, as well as the classification and composition of BAs in different animal models and its organs. In addition, we mainly focus on the bidirectional interactions of gut microbes with BAs transformation, and discuss the effects of diet on microbial transformation of BAs. Finally, we raised the question of further in-depth investigation of the food-gut microbial-BAs relationship, which might contribute to the improvement of metabolic diseases through dietary interventions in the future.

Microencapsulated rice bran alleviates hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet via regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

Hyperlipidemia has been suggested to be associated with dysregulation of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. The present study prepared microencapsulated rice bran (MRB) with high stability based on in situ rice bran oil embedding and investigated the effects of MRB on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD). Results showed that compared to HFD fed mice, lipid levels in serum and hepatic lipid accumulation were reduced in mice fed with MRB, which was potentially associated with the fact that MRB decreased the expression of genes related to lipogenesis (Srebp1c, Acc, Hmgcr, and Fas) and increased the expression of genes related to lipid catabolism (Hsl, Atgl) and oxidation (Acox, Cpt1, Ucp1) (p < 0.05). In gut, MRB supplementation significantly elevated the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Dubosiella and Faecalibaculum. In addition, significant increase in short-chain fatty acid was observed in mice from MRB groups when compared to HFD groups (p < 0.05). Overall, this study suggested that MRB could alleviate the hyperlipidemia induced by HFD, which was related to the alteration of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

Chitosan-Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles Alleviate High-Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) by Modulating the Gut Barrier Function and Microbiota

Low molecular weight chitosan selenium nanoparticles (LCS-SeNPs), a biologically active compound derived from selenium polysaccharides, have demonstrated potential in addressing obesity. However, the mechanism through which LCS-SeNPs alleviate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. Our results elucidated that LCS-SeNPs significantly inhibited fat accumulation and markedly improved the intestinal barrier by increasing mucus secretion from goblet cells. Moreover, LCS-SeNPs reshaped intestinal flora composition by increasing the abundance of mucus-associated microbiota (Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and Muribaculaceae_unclassified) and decreasing the abundance of obesity-contributed bacterium (Anaerotruncus, Lachnoclostridium, and Proteus). The modulation of intestinal microbiota by LCS-SeNPs influenced several metabolic pathways, including bile acid secretion, purine metabolites, and tryptophan derivation. Meanwhile, glycocholic acid and tauro-beta-muricholic acid were significantly reduced in the LCS-SeNP group. Our study suggests the crucial role of intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism, providing a new theoretical foundation for utilizing selenium polysaccharides in the intervention of HFD-induced NAFLD.

The effects of Qingchang Ligan formula on hepatic encephalopathy in mouse model: results from gut microbiome-metabolomics analysis

Background

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological disorder resulting from advanced liver injury. HE has a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of HE is still unclear, which has led to the lack of a satisfactory specific treatment method. There is increasing evidence that the intestinal flora affects the communication between the gut and the brain in the pathogenesis of HE. Adjusting the intestinal flora has had a beneficial effect on HE in recent studies, and the Qingchang Ligan formula (QCLG) has been shown in previous studies to regulate intestinal flora and metabolites. In this study, we established a thioacetamide-induced HE mouse model to evaluate the protective effect of QCLG on HE and explore its potential mechanism, which also demonstrated that intestinal flora dysbiosis is involved in the pathogenesis of HE.

Methods

Mice were intraperitoneally injected with thioacetamide (TAA, 150 mg/kg) to induce HE. Additionally, they were orally administered Qingchang Ligan Formula (QCLG) at a dose of 6.725 g/kg·d for seven days, while control mice received an equal volume of saline via gavage. Subsequently, samples were subjected to 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing, high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis.

Result

QCLG improved weight loss, cognitive impairment, neurological function scores, blood ammonia, and brain gene expression of interleukin-6 (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced by HE. Moreover, QCLG increased the levels of liver function indicators, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. 16S RNA sequencing revealed increased Oscillibacter, Colidextribacter, and Helicobacter in TAA-induced mouse fecal samples. Also, the abundance of Bifidobacterium decreases TAA-induced mouse fecal samples. In contrast, QCLG treatment significantly restored the gut microbial community. Metabolomics indicated significant differences in some metabolites among the normal control, treatment, and model groups, including 5-methoxytryptophan, Daidzein, Stercobilin, and Plumieride (PLU).

Conclusion

QCLG can alleviate neuroinflammation and prevent HE caused by liver injury by regulating intestinal flora in mouse models.

Role of CETP, PCSK-9, and CYP7-alpha in cholesterol metabolism: Potential targets for natural products in managing hypercholesterolemia

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide, primarily affecting the heart and blood vessels, with atherosclerosis being a major contributing factor to their onset. Epidemiological and clinical studies have linked high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) emanating from distorted cholesterol homeostasis as its major predisposing factor. Cholesterol homeostasis, which involves maintaining the balance in body cholesterol level, is mediated by several proteins or receptors, transcription factors, and even genes, regulating cholesterol influx (through dietary intake or de novo synthesis) and efflux (by their conversion to bile acids). Previous knowledge about CVDs management has evolved around modulating these receptors' activities through synthetic small molecules/antibodies, with limited interest in natural products. The central roles of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1), among other proteins or receptors, have fostered growing scientific interests in understanding more on their regulatory activities and potential as drug targets. We present up-to-date knowledge on the contributions of CETP, PCSK9, and CYP7A1 toward CVDs, highlighting the clinical successes and failures of small molecules/antibodies to modulate their activities. In recommendation for a new direction to improve cardiovascular health, we have presented recent findings on natural products (including functional food, plant extracts, phytochemicals, bioactive peptides, and therapeutic carbohydrates) that also modulate the activities of CETP, PCSK-9, and CYP7A1, and emphasized the need for more research efforts redirected toward unraveling more on natural products potentials even at clinical trial level for CVD management.

The regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism through the interaction of dietary polyphenols and polysaccharides via the gut microbiota pathway

The interaction of polyphenols-polysaccharides-gut microbiota to promote health benefits has become a hotspot and direction for precise dietary intervention strategies and foundational research in biomedicine. Both dietary polyphenols and polysaccharides possess biological activities that regulate body health. Single components, due to their inherent structure and physicochemical properties, have a low bioavailability, thus are unable to exert their optimal effects. The compound structure formed by the interaction of polyphenols and polysaccharides can enhance their functional properties, thereby more effectively promoting health benefits and preventing diseases. This review primarily focuses on the roles played by polyphenols and polysaccharides in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, the improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism through the gut microbial pathway by polyphenols and polysaccharides, and the mechanisms by which polyphenols and polysaccharides interact to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. A considerable amount of preliminary research has confirmed the regulatory effects of plant polyphenols and polysaccharides on glucose and lipid metabolism. However, studies on the combined effects and mechanisms of these two components are still very limited. This review aims to provide a reference for subsequent research on their interactions and changes in functional properties.

Mitigation of high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis by thyme (Thymus quinquecostatus Celak) polyphenol-rich extract (TPE): insights into gut microbiota modulation and bile acid metabolism

Our previous study demonstrated that thyme polyphenol-rich extract (TPE) mitigated hepatic injury induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) through the regulation of lipid metabolism, promotion of short-chain fatty acid production, enhancement of intestinal barrier function, and attenuation of inflammation. In this study, we aimed to further elucidate additional mechanisms underlying TPE-mediated preventive effects on hepatic steatosis, with a specific focus on its impact on the gut microbiota and bile acid (BA) metabolism in HFD-fed mice. TPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum total BA levels and a notable increase in fecal total BA levels. In particular, elevations in fecal conjugated BA levels, in turn, impede intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling, thereby enhancing hepatic synthesis and fecal excretion of BAs. The downregulated mRNA expression levels of intestinal Fxr and Fgf15, and hepatic Fgfr4, along with the upregulated mRNA expression levels of Cyp7a1 and Cyp27a1 after TPE treatment also prove the above inference. Meanwhile, TPE appeared to promote BA efflux and enterohepatic circulation, as evidenced by changes in the mRNA levels of Bsep, Ntpc, Shp, Asbt, Ibabp, and Ostα/β. TPE also modulated the gut microbiota and was characterized by an increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment depleted the intestinal flora in mice, also abrogating the hepatoprotective effect of TPE against NAFLD. These findings collectively indicate that TPE effectively mitigates HFD-induced NAFLD by modulating the gut-liver axis, specifically targeting the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

Dress me an outfit: advanced probiotics hybrid systems for intelligent IBD therapy

Inflammation bowel disease (IBD) has emerged as a public health challenge worldwide; with high incidence and rapid prevalence, it has troubled billions of people and further induced multitudinous systemic complications. Recent decade has witnessed the vigorous application of food-borne probiotics for IBD therapy; however, the complicated and changeable environments of digestive tract have forced probiotics to face multiple in vivo pressures, consequently causing unsatisfied prophylactic or therapeutic efficacy attributed to off-targeted arrival, damaged viability, insufficient colonization efficiency, etc. Fortunately, arisen hybrid technology has provided versatile breakthroughs for the targeted transplantation of probiotics. By ingeniously modifying probiotics to form probiotics hybrid systems (PHS), the biological behaviors of probiotics in vivo could be mediated, the interactions between probiotics with intestinal components can be facilitated, and diverse advanced probiotic-based therapies for IBD challenge can be developed, which attribute to the intelligent response to microenvironment of PHS, and intelligent design of PHS for multiple functions combination. In this review, various PHS were categorized and their intestinal behaviors were elucidated systematically, their therapeutic effects and intrinsic mechanism were further analyzed. Besides, shortages of present PHS and the corresponding solutions have been discussed, based on which the future perspectives of this field have also been proposed. The undeniable fact is that PHS show an incomparable future to bring the next generation of advanced food science.

Research on the Mechanism and Material Basis of Corn (Zea mays L.) Waste Regulating Dyslipidemia

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an essential gramineous food crop. Traditionally, corn wastes have primarily been used in feed, harmless processing, and industrial applications. Except for corn silk, these wastes have had limited medicinal uses. However, in recent years, scholars have increasingly studied the medicinal value of corn wastes, including corn silk, bracts, husks, stalks, leaves, and cobs. Hyperlipidemia, characterized by abnormal lipid and/or lipoprotein levels in the blood, is the most common form of dyslipidemia today. It is a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases if severe. According to the authors' literature survey, corn wastes play a promising role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. This article reviews the mechanisms and material basis of six different corn wastes in regulating dyslipidemia, aiming to provide a foundation for the research and development of these substances.

Procyanidin B1 and Coumaric Acid from Highland Barley Alleviated High-Fat-Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia by Regulating PPARα-Mediated Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Diabetic C57BL/6J Mice

A whole-grain highland barley (WHB) diet has been recognized to exhibit the potential for alleviating hyperlipidemia, which is mainly characterized by lipids accumulation in the serum and liver. Previously, procyanidin B1 (PB) and coumaric acid (CA) from WHB were found to alleviate serum lipid accumulation in impaired glucose tolerance mice, while the effect on modulating the hepatic lipid metabolism remains unknown. In this study, the results showed the supplementation of PB and CA activated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and the target genes of cholesterol 7-α hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase I (Cpt1) in the liver cells of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice, resulting in decreases in the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) contents, and an increase in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) content. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA indicated that supplementation with PB and CA ameliorated the gut microbiota dysbiosis, which was associated with a reduction in the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae and an increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrio, and Akkermansia. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that these genera were closely related to obesity-related indices. In summary, the activation of PPARα expression by PB and CA from WHB was important for the alleviation of hyperlipidemia and the structural adjustment of the gut microbiota.

Tomato Pectin Ameliorated Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat-Diet Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Bile Acid Metabolism

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide public health issue. Changes in the gut microbiota structure and composition are closely related to host pathophysiology processes. Pectin is associated with several beneficial health effects. In the present study, we aimed at investigating the effect of tomato pectin (TP) on hepatic steatosis and exploring the underlying mechanisms by focusing on the regulation of the gut microbiota-bile acid axis. Our results showed that TP attenuated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver steatosis and inflammation. TP administration increased the diversity of gut microbiota, enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and suppressing the abundance of harmful or conditional pathogenic bacteria. Further antibiotic-caused microbiome depletion confirmed that the anti-NAFLD activities of TP were dependent on the regulation of gut microbiota. Besides, TP intervention affected feces bile acid metabolism and caused significant changes in functional conjugated bile acids, which in turn inhibited the ileum FXR/FGF15 signaling, leading to stimulation of the hepatic bile acid (BA) production. Furthermore, TP treatment accelerated BA excretion, promoted BA transportation, inhibited BA reabsorption, and facilitated cholesterol efflux to relieve HFD-induced hyperlipidemia. These findings provide a potential dietary intervention strategy for TP against NAFLD via modulation of cross-talk between BAs and gut bacteria.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N4 ameliorates lipid metabolism and gut microbiota structure in high fat diet-fed rats

Lowing blood lipid levels with probiotics has good application prospects. This study aimed to isolate probiotics with hypolipidemic efficacy from homemade na dish and investigate their mechanism of action. In vitro experiments were conducted to determine the cholesterol-lowering ability of five isolates, with results showing that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N4 exhibited a high cholesterol-lowering rate of 50.27% and significant resistance to acid (87%), bile salt (51.97%), and pepsin (88.28%) in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, indicating promising application prospects for the use of probiotics in lowering blood lipids. The findings from the in vivo experiment demonstrated that the administration of N4 effectively attenuated lipid droplet accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the body weight and liver of hyperlipidemic rats, leading to restoration of liver tissue morphology and structure, as well as improvement in lipid and liver biochemical parameters. 16S analysis indicated that the oral administration of N4 led to significant alterations in the relative abundance of various genera, including Sutterella, Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Ruminococcus, in the gut microbiota of hyperlipidemia rats. Additionally, fecal metabolomic analysis identified a total of 78 metabolites following N4 intervention, with carboxylic acids and their derivatives being the predominant compounds detected. The transcriptomic analysis revealed 156 genes with differential expression following N4 intervention, leading to the identification of 171 metabolic pathways through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Notably, the glutathione metabolism pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and bile secretion pathway emerged as the primary enrichment pathways. The findings from a comprehensive multi-omics analysis indicate that N4 influences lipid metabolism and diminishes lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats through modulation of fumaric acid and γ-aminobutyric acid concentrations, as well as glutathione and other metabolic pathways in the intestinal tract, derived from both the gut microbiota and the host liver. This research offers valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of probiotics for managing lipid metabolism disorders and their utilization in the development of functional foods.

Autoclaving-treated germinated brown rice relieves hyperlipidemia by modulating gut microbiota in humans

Introduction

Germinated brown rice is a functional food with a promising potential for alleviating metabolic diseases. This study aimed to explore the hypolipidemic effects of autoclaving-treated germinated brown rice (AGBR) and the underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota.

Methods

Dietary intervention with AGBR or polished rice (PR) was implemented in patients with hyperlipidemia for 3 months, and blood lipids were analyzed. Nutritional characteristics of AGBR and PR were measured and compared. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to reveal the differences in gut microbiota between the AGBR and PR groups.

Results

AGBR relieves hyperlipidemia in patients, as evidenced by reduced levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein-B, and elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein-A1. In terms of nutrition, AGBR had significantly higher concentrations of free amino acids (10/16 species), γ-aminobutyric acid, resistant starch, soluble dietary fiber, and flavonoids (11/13 species) than PR. In addition, higher microbial abundance, diversity, and uniformity were observed in the AGBR group than in the PR group. At the phylum level, AGBR reduced Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Desulfobacterota, and Synergistota, and elevated Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota. At the genus level, AGBR elevated Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Dialister, Prevotella, and Bifidobacterium, and reduced Escherichia-Shigella, Blautia, Romboutsia, and Turicibacter.

Discussion

AGBR contributes to the remission of hyperlipidemia by modulating the gut microbiota.

Maternal PFOS exposure in mice induces hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation in adult female offspring: Involvement of microbiome-gut-liver axis and autophagy

Perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) are the persistent organic pollutants. In the present study, 0, 0.3, or 3-mg/kg PFOS were administered to pregnant mice from GD 11 to GD 18. The histopathology of liver and intestine, serum and hepatic lipid levels, lipid metabolism related genes, and gut microbiota were examined in adult female offspring. The results suggested that maternal PFOS exposure increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and induced F4/80+ macrophage infiltration in adult female offspring, in addition to the elevation of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels in low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively. Furthermore, maternal exposure to PFOS increased serum triglyceride (TG) and hepatic total cholesterol (TC) levels, which was associated with the alteration of the process of fatty acid transport and β-oxidation, TG synthesis and transport, cholesterol synthesis and excretion in the liver. The AMPK/mTOR/autophagy signaling was also inhibited in the liver of adult female offspring. Moreover, changes in gut microbiota were also related to lipid metabolism, especially for the Desulfovibrio, Ligilactobacillus, Enterorhabdus, HT002 and Peptococcaceae_unclassified. Additionally, maternal exposure to PFOS decreased mRNA expressions of the tight junction protein and AB+ goblet cells in the colon, while increasing the overproduction of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and F4/80+ macrophage infiltration. Collectively, maternal PFOS exposure induced liver lipid accumulation and inflammation, which strongly correlated with the disruption of the gut-liver axis and autophagy in adult female offspring, highlighting the persistent adverse effects in offspring exposed to PFOS.

Doenjang Ameliorates Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Hepatic Oxidative Damage by Improving Lipid Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in ICR Mice

Hyperlipidemia, characterized by elevated cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides in the bloodstream, is linked to hepatic oxidative damage. Doenjang, a traditional Korean condiment made from fermented soybeans, is known for its health benefits, yet its anti-hyperlipidemic effects remain understudied. Our study aimed to assess the hypolipidemic and hepatic protective effects of Doenjang on male ICR mice fed a high-fat cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Mice were divided into three groups: the normal diet (ND), the high-fat cholesterol diet (HD), and the Doenjang-supplemented HD diet (DS) group. Doenjang supplementation significantly regulated total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels compared to the HD group. It also downregulated lipogenic genes, including PPARγ, FAS, and ACC, and positively influenced the cholesterol metabolism-related genes HMGCR and LXR. Moreover, Doenjang intake increased serum glutathione levels, activated oxidative stress defense genes (NRF2, SOD, GPx1, and CAT), positively modulated inflammation genes (NF-kB and IL6) in hepatic tissue, and reduced malondialdehyde levels. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of traditional Doenjang in preventing diet-induced hyperlipidemia and protecting against hepatic oxidative damage.

Dietary fiber and polyphenols from whole grains: effects on the gut and health improvements

Cereals are the main source of energy in the human diet. Compared to refined grains, whole grains retain more beneficial components, including dietary fiber, polyphenols, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Dietary fiber and bound polyphenols (biounavailable) in cereals are important active substances that can be metabolized by the gut microorganisms and affect the intestinal environment. There is a close relationship between the gut microbiota structures and various disease phenotypes, although the consistency of this link is affected by many factors, and the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Remodeling unfavorable microbiota is widely recognized as an important way to target the gut and improve diseases. This paper mainly reviews the interaction between the gut microbiota and cereal-derived dietary fiber and polyphenols, and also summarizes the changes to the gut microbiota and possible molecular mechanisms of related glycolipid metabolism. The exploration of single active ingredients in cereals and their synergistic health mechanisms will contribute to a better understanding of the health benefits of whole grains. It will further help promote healthier whole grain foods by cultivating new varieties with more potential and optimizing processing methods.

Flavonoids, gut microbiota, and host lipid metabolism

Flavonoids are widely distributed in nature and have a variety of beneficial biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. All of these are related to gut microbiota, and flavonoids also serve as a bridge between the host and gut microbiota. Flavonoids are commonly used to modify the composition of the gut microbiota by promoting or inhibiting specific microbial species within the gut, as well as modifying their metabolites. In turn, the gut microbiota extensively metabolizes flavonoids. Hence, this reciprocal relationship between flavonoids and the gut microbiota may play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and functionality of the metabolism system. In this review, we mainly highlighted the biological effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiobesity, and discussed the interaction between flavonoids, gut microbiota and lipid metabolism, and elaborated the potential mechanisms on host lipid metabolism.

Microbiome-Metabolome Analysis Insight into the Effects of the Extract of Phyllanthus emblica L. on High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia

The fruit of Phyllanthus emblica L. (FEPE) has a long history of use in Asian folk medicine. The main bioactive compounds in FEPE are polyphenols, known for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic activities. The present study aimed to investigate the intervention effect of FEPE (100 and 200 mg/kg) on hyperlipidemia for 8 weeks and preliminarily explored the potential mechanism by microbiome-metabolome analysis. The results showed that a high-dose FEPE (200 mg/kg) effectively alleviated dyslipidaemic symptoms and body weight gain in hyperlipidemic mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Microbiome analysis showed that FEPE altered the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which included an increase in specific probiotics (such as Akkermansia, Anaerovorax, and Bacteroides) and a decrease in harmful bacteria (including A2, Acetitomaculum, Candidatus_Arthromitus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4_group, Rikenella, and Streptococcus), as well as a reduction in the level of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In addition, significant changes in the hepatic metabolome were observed, and eight key metabolites associated with betaine metabolism, lysine degradation, methionine metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism pathways were primarily filtered. The correlated analysis identified several key "microbiota-metabolite" axes in the treatment of hyperlipidemia by FEPE extract. In conclusion, the present study is expected to provide a basis for treating hyperlipidemia with FEPE from the perspective of the microbiome-liver metabolome axis.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 fermented yogurt alleviated high-fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis via the gut microbiota-butyric acid-hepatic lipid metabolism axis

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 fermented yogurt (HF01-Y). Herein, obesity was induced in mice through a high-fat diet and the changes in the gut microbiota were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, combined with the expression levels of the liver AMPK signaling pathway to analyze the potential relationship between HF01-Y-mediated gut microbiota and obesity. The results showed that supplementation with HF01-Y improved obesity-related phenotypes in mice, including reduced body weight, improved serum lipid profiles, and decreased hepatic lipid droplet formation. In addition, HF01-Y altered the composition of the gut microbiota in obese mice, significantly upregulated norank_f__Muribaculaceae, unclassified_c__Clostridia, Blautia, unclassified_o__Bacteroidales, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, while downregulating unclassified_f__Desulfovibrionaceae, Colidextribacter, and unclassified_f__Oscillospiraceae. These alterations led to an increase of the cecum butyric acid content, which in turn indirectly promoted the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway, subsequently, inhibited fat synthesis, and promoted fatty acid oxidation related gene expression. Therefore, HF01-Y was likely to alleviate hepatic fat and relieve obesity by modulating the gut microbiota-butyric acid-hepatic lipid metabolism axis, ultimately promoting host health.