Influences of Xylitol Consumption at Different Dosages on Intestinal Tissues and Gut Microbiota in Rats

Dynamic membrane changes and osmotic effects by sugar alcohols

Sugar alcohols are natural sweeteners with various physiological functions, commonly used in low-calorie foods and pharmaceuticals. Current research primarily focuses on their sweetening properties and metabolic effects, often overlooking their interactions with cell membranes. This study built a giant phospholipid vesicle model to examine vesicle deformation in erythritol (Ery) and xylitol (Xyl) environments. The permeation of these sugar alcohols through real cell membranes was also investigated. Fluorescence microscopy and zeta potential measurements showed that osmotic stress from concentration gradients disrupted vesicle membrane structure. Ery and Xyl reduced ROS levels in HEK-293 cells and influenced membrane permeability. Notably, Xyl increased vesicle adsorption on the cell membrane at the same concentration. The findings indicate that sugar alcohols interact with membrane lipids through hydrogen bonds or other non-covalent interactions, modifying cell membrane structure and properties, thus providing a theoretical foundation for understanding their role in physiological environments.

Using gut microbiota and non-targeted metabolomics techniques to study the effect of xylitol on alleviating DSS-induced inflammatory bowel disease in mice

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global healthcare issue, with its incidence continuing to rise, but currently there is no complete cure. Xylitol is a widely used sweetener in various foods and beverages, but there is limited research on the effects of xylitol on IBD symptoms.

AIM

Study on the effect of oral xylitol in improving intestinal inflammation and damage in IBD mice, further explore the mechanism of xylitol in alleviating IBD symptoms using intestinal microbiota and non-targeted metabolomics techniques.

METHODS

An IBD mouse model was induced using sodium dextran sulfate (DSS). After 30 days of oral administration of xylitol, we assessed the disease activity index (DAI) scores of mice in each group. The expression levels of inflammatory factors in the colon tissues were measured using qPCR. Additionally, we examined the damage to the intestinal mucosa and tight junction structures through HE staining and immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the alterations in the gut microbiota of the mice were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing technology.The production of three main short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, including acetate, propionic acid and butyric acid) in feces and the changes of serum metabolomics were measured by non-targeted metabolomics techniques.

RESULTS

The findings indicated that xylitol effectively mitigated weight loss and improved the DAI score in mice with IBD. Moreover, xylitol reduced the expressions of Caspase-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the colon tissue of the mice, and increased the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in intestinal mucosal. Xylitol could enhance the variety of intestinal bacteria in IBD mice and influenced the abundance of different bacterial species. Additionally, metabolomic analysis revealed that oral xylitol increased the levels of three main SCFAs in the feces of IBD mice, while also impacting serum metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that xylitol can help improve IBD symptoms. Xylitol can improve the intestinal flora of IBD mice and increase the production of SCFAs to play an anti-inflammatory role and protect the mucosal tight junction barrier. These discoveries present a fresh prophylactic treatment of IBD.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

The key to intestinal health: a review and perspective on food additives

In this review, we explore the effects of food additives on intestinal health. Food additives, such as preservatives, antioxidants and colorants, are widely used to improve food quality and extend shelf life. However, their effects on intestinal microecology May pose health risks. Starting from the basic functions of food additives and the importance of intestinal microecology, we analyze in detail how additives affect the diversity of intestinal flora, oxidative stress and immune responses. Additionally, we examine the association between food additives and intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, and how the timing, dosage, and individual differences affect the body's response to additives. We also assess the safety and regulatory policies of food additives and explore the potential of natural additives. Finally, we propose future research directions, emphasizing the refinement of risk assessment methods and the creation of safer, innovative additives.

The food additive xylitol enhances the butyrate formation by the child gut microbiota developed in a dynamic colonic simulator

The gut microbiota should be included in the scientific processes of risk assessment of food additives. Xylitol is a sweetener that shows low digestibility and intestinal absorption, implying that a high proportion of consumed xylitol could reach the colonic microbiota. The present study has evaluated the dose-dependent effects of xylitol intake on the composition and the metabolic activity of the child gut-microbiota. The study was conducted in a dynamic simulator of the colonic microbiota (BFBL Gut Simulator) inoculated with a child pooled faecal sample and supplemented three times per day, for 7 days, with increasing xylitol concentrations (1 g/L, 3 g/L and 5 g/L). Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and group-specific quantitative PCR indicated a xylitol dose-response effect on the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, particularly the genera Blautia, Anaerostipes and Roseburia. The microbial changes observed with xylitol corresponded with a dose-dependant effect on the butyrate concentration that, in parallel, favoured an increase in epithelial integrity of Caco-2 cells. The study represents a detailed observation of the bacterial taxa that are the main contributors to the metabolism of xylitol by the child gut microbiota and the results could be relevant in the risk assessment re-evaluation of xylitol as a sweetener.

d-Arabitol Ameliorates Obesity and Metabolic Disorders via the Gut Microbiota-SCFAs-WAT Browning Axis

d-Arabitol, which is typically found in mushrooms, lichens, and higher fungi, might play an effective role in alleviating visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance particularly for its low calorie and glycemic index. However, the regulatory mechanisms of d-arabitol for alleviating obesity and associated metabolic disorders remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate and analyze the underlying relationship between d-arabitol-mediated gut microbiota and obesity. The results showed that d-arabitol dramatically ameliorated body weight gain, fat accumulation, and insulin resistance in HFD-fed rats. Likewise, d-arabitol remarkably increased the relative abundance of the genera Blautia, Anaerostipes, and Phascolarctobacterium and decreased the genera Romboutsia and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. Furthermore, these alterations in gut microflora increased SCFAs, which in turn indirectly promoted AMPK-PGC-1α-related white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. Therefore, d-arabitol would have the potential to alleviate obesity through the gut microbiota-SCFAs-WAT browning axis. It could be considered as a sugar substitute for the obese population and diabetic patients.

The Impact of Food Additives on the Abundance and Composition of Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota has been confirmed as an important part in human health, and is even take as an 'organ'. The interaction between the gut microbiota and host intestinal environment plays a key role in digestion, metabolism, immunity, inflammation, and diseases. The dietary component is a major factor that affects the composition and function of gut microbiota. Food additives have been widely used to improve the color, taste, aroma, texture, and nutritional quality of processed food. The increasing variety and quantity of processed food in diets lead to increased frequency and dose of food additives exposure, especially artificial food additives, which has become a concern of consumers. There are studies focusing on the impact of food additives on the gut microbiota, as long-term exposure to food additives could induce changes in the microbes, and the gut microbiota is related to human health and disease. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the interaction between the gut microbiota and food additives.

Dynamic distribution of gut microbiota in cattle at different breeds and health states

Weining cattle is a precious species with high tolerance to cold, disease, and stress, and accounts for a large proportion of agricultural economic output in Guizhou, China. However, there are gaps in information about the intestinal flora of Weining cattle. In this study, high-throughput sequencing were employed to analyze the intestinal flora of Weining cattle (WN), Angus cattle (An), and diarrheal Angus cattle (DA), and explore the potential bacteria associated with diarrhea. We collected 18 fecal samples from Weining, Guizhou, including Weining cattle, Healthy Angus, and Diarrheal Angus. The results of intestinal microbiota analysis showed there were no significant differences in intestinal flora diversity and richness among groups (p > 0.05). The abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae, Rikenellaceae, Coprostanoligenes, and Cyanobacteria) in Weining cattle were significantly higher than in Angus cattle (p < 0.05). The potential pathogens including Anaerosporobacter and Campylobacteria were enriched in the DA group. Furthermore, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae was very high in the WN group (p < 0.05), which might explain why Weining cattle are less prone to diarrhea. This is the first report on the intestinal flora of Weining cattle, furthering understanding of the relationship between intestinal flora and health.

Huang Bai Jian Pi decoction alleviates diarrhea and represses inflammatory injury via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway: In vivo and in vitro studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huang Bai Jian Pi (HBJP) decoction, a Chinese herbal formula based on the Pulsatilla decoction (PD) and Si Junzi decoction, is efficacy to treat clinical diarrhea in calves.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The mechanism of HBJP decoction to treat calf diarrhea remains unclear. This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and anti-inflammatory mechanism of HBJP decoction on diarrhea in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, PD group and three treated groups with HBJP decoction. The diarrheal model in rats was established by multiple factors including high-sugar and fat diet, high temperature and dampness environment, biological pathogenic factors. The diarrheal animals were treated with HBJP decoction or PD for 5 days. The inflammatory model of the intestinal epithelioid cell line 6 (IEC-6) was induced by TNF-α. The clinical symptoms, blood routine and biochemistry parameters, histopathology of main organs were detected. The proteins associated with PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and the expression levels of cytokines associated with inflammation were detected in vivo and in vitro by Western blot and ELISA.

RESULTS

The model rats showed obvious diarrheal symptoms, and the obvious systemic inflammatory response accompanied with abnormal change in blood routine, biochemistry parameters and histopathology. HBJP decoction alleviated obviously the clinical symptoms, and pathological changes of the liver, colon and lung, and abnormal blood routine and biochemistry indexes in rats. The expression of P-PI3K, P-Akt, P-NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6 was significantly increased, and the expression of IL-10 was markedly decreased in diarrheal rats and IEC-6 with inflammation. HBJP decoction significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signal pathway and adjusted the expression of these inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding suggested that HBJP decoction alleviate the inflammation in diarrhea through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signal pathway, which provides scientific evidences for the clinical application of HBJP decoction in diarrhea.

The Effect of Xylitol Gum Chewing After Cesarean on Bowel Functions: A Randomized Controlled Study

PURPOSE

Postoperative ileus after cesarean is a common complication. The delay of bowel functions after cesarean influences early parenthood experience, increases the need for analgesic use, extends the duration of hospital stay, and causes cost increase. This study aimed to explore the effect of xylitol gum chewing after cesarean on bowel functions.

DESIGN

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on subjects immediately after second hour of the cesarean in a ward of maternity.

METHODS

A total of 69 women were randomized to the xylitol gum chewing group (n = 23), the nonxylitol gum chewing group (n = 23), or the control group (n = 23). Data were collected from the women who agreed to participate and met the inclusion criteria. Starting with the second hour after the cesarean, women in the xylitol and nonxylitol gum chewing group were asked to chew gum for 15 minutes every 2 hours. The practice of chewing gum minimum of 8 hours and a maximum of 12 hours continued (until midnight). The data regarding the first times for bowel sounds, flatulation, defecation, a feeling of hunger, and length of hospital stay were compared.

FINDINGS

There is no difference in starting time of first bowel sounds (P = .070) and the first feeling of hunger (P = .098) among the groups. The first flatulation started at an earlier time in the xylitol gum chewing group than the control group (17.35 ± 6.27 vs 11.18 ± 5.39 hours, P = .003); first defecation time started earlier in the xylitol gum chewing group than nonxylitol gum chewing group (44.05 ± 9.4 vs 37.58 ± 9.96 hours, P = .022). Xylitol gum chewing group (51.77 ± 10.3 vs 46.33 ± 8.11 hours, P = .028) and nonxylitol gum chewing group (51.77 ± 10.3 vs 50.23 ± 5.72 hours, P = .024) were discharged from the hospital earlier than control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In nursing care after cesarean, early period xylitol gum chewing is an efficient and user-friendly method to prompt bowel functions earlier. Xylitol gum chewing in nursing care is suggested to be involved.