Metagenomic sequencing of the human gut microbiome before and after bariatric surgery in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: correlation with inflammatory and metabolic parameters

Changes in energy homeostasis, gut peptides, and gut microbiota in Emiratis with obesity after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a growing health concern worldwide, including United Arab Emirates. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option, with to date unclear weight loss mechanisms. In this prospective study, we explored post-bariatric surgery changes in energy homeostasis, gut peptides, hormones, and gut microbiota.

METHOD

We recruited 19 Emirati adults who were planning to undergo sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We assessed the energy requirements using 24-hour diet recalls, indirect calorimetry for resting energy expenditure (REE), and a questionnaire for appetite. Anthropometrics included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass, fat-free mass, and percentage of body fat. Gut peptides, including peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1/2 (GLP-1/2), ghrelin (GHR), cholecystokinin (CCK), insulin, and leptin, were quantified using ELISA. Gut microbiota composition at phylum and genus levels, including the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and alpha (α) and beta (β) diversity, was determined by sequencing amplicons of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA at baseline and three months post-surgery. Comparisons used paired sample T-test, Wilcoxon, and McNemar test. QIIME 2 was used to identify taxa and their relative abundance; subsequent analyses were done in R for (α) and (β) diversity (package qiime2R) and Wilcoxon signed-rank test in R for differences in microbiota at phylum and genus levels. We conducted Spearman correlation analyses between genera and energy homeostasis, appetite, anthropometrics, hormones, and gut peptides.

RESULTS

At three months post-SG, energy intake, appetite, all anthropometric indices, insulin, leptin, and GLP-1 significantly decreased; PYY and GHR significantly increased, and REE was stable. β-diversity of the gut microbiota and its composition at phylum and genus levels significantly changed post-surgery, yet F/B remained constant. Energy intake, BMI, and appetite negatively correlated with several taxa that significantly increased post-SG.

CONCLUSION

Gut peptides, hormones, and microbiota change partly account for bariatric surgery's weight-loss benefits. Understanding these alterations can inform personalized interventions targeting obesity.

A Longer Biliopancreatic Limb and Shorter Common Channel Enhance Weight Loss But May Have Harmful Effects in Mouse Models of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

BACKGROUND

RYGB consists of the Roux limb (RL), the biliopancreatic limb (BPL), and the common channel (CC). There is no consensus on the optimal limb lengths.

METHODS

Using a mouse model of RYGB, 30 diet-induced obese mice were divided into two groups with varying BPL and CC lengths: a standard BPL with a long CC (RYGB S) and a long BPL with a short CC (RYGB L). Additionally, 9 age-matched, lean control mice (LC) were also included in this study.

RESULTS

RYGB S had limb lengths of RL = 17%, BPL = 24%, and CC = 59%. RYGB L had limb lengths of RL = 17%, BPL = 32%, and CC = 51%. RYGB S and RYGB L had 67% and 40% survival, respectively. Mortality in RYGB L included more instances where the cause of death was not apparent. RYGB L demonstrated greater weight loss, lower energy expenditure, and lower heart mass as compared to RYGB S. Both RYGB groups had lower epidydimal fat mass, spleen mass, and bone mineral density compared to LC. RYGB L had a lower heart mass than RYGB S and LC. While the relative abundance of Eubacterium was lower in RYGB L than in RYGB S, no other gut microbiota differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A longer BPL with a shorter CC induces greater weight loss but may lead to adverse effects, including lower heart mass, reduced bone density, and deaths with unclear causes.

Electroceuticals: Unlocking the promise of therapies

OBJECTIVES

Electroceuticals refers to the constantly growing disciplines of bioelectric and bioelectronic medication. These include a broad variety of devices that have been invented and are now being utilized in medical implants, wearable medical electronics, and bioelectronics. The primary aim of this study is to encompass several facets of electroceuticals, their applications, and recent advancements in the field of medical challenges.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITIONS

A complete literature study was conducted, which included a comprehensive review of globally recognized scientific research databases.

RESULTS

The progressive refinement and diminution of technology, in conjunction with swift advancements in comprehending the role of electrical pathways in the human body, have rendered it progressively viable to manipulate these pathways for therapeutic purposes.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Electrical stimulation impacts and modifies biological functioning and pathological processes in the body. In the contemporary era of medicine, health care practitioners from a variety of fields utilize electricity to cure disease or injury or to assess and diagnose using a variety of electrically driven medical tools.

Enhancing gut microbiota and microbial function with inulin supplementation in children with obesity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Gut dysbiosis that resulted from the alteration between host-microbe interaction might worsen obesity-induced systemic inflammation. Gut microbiota manipulation by supplementation of prebiotic inulin may reverse metabolic abnormalities and improve obesity. This study aimed to determine whether inulin supplementation improved intestinal microbiota and microbial functional pathways in children with obesity.

METHODS

Children with obesity whose BMI above median + 2SDs were recruited to a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study. The participants aged 7-15 years were assigned to inulin supplement extracted from Thai Jerusalem artichoke (intervention), maltodextrin (placebo), and dietary fiber advice groups. All participants received similar monthly conventional advice and follow-up for 6 months. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiome analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States was performed to infer microbial functional pathways.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-three children with available taxonomic and functional pathway abundance profiles were evaluated. A significant increase in alpha-diversity was observed in the inulin group. Inulin supplementation substantially enhanced Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Megasphaera, and several butyrate-producing bacteria, including Agathobacter, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, and Subdoligranulum, compared to the other groups. The inulin group showed a significant difference in functional pathways of proteasome and riboflavin metabolism. These changes correlated with clinical and metabolic outcomes exclusively in the inulin group.

CONCLUSIONS

Inulin supplementation significantly promoted gut bacterial diversity and improved gut microbiota dysbiosis in children with obesity. The modulation of functional pathways by inulin suggests its potential to establish beneficial interactions between the gut microbiota and host physiology. Inulin supplementation could be a strategic treatment to restore the balance of intestinal microbiota and regulate their functions in childhood obesity.

PhyImpute and UniFracImpute: two imputation approaches incorporating phylogeny information for microbial count data

Sequencing-based microbial count data analysis is a challenging task due to the presence of numerous non-biological zeros, which can impede downstream analysis. To tackle this issue, we introduce two novel approaches, PhyImpute and UniFracImpute, which leverage similar microbial samples to identify and impute non-biological zeros in microbial count data. Our proposed methods utilize the probability of non-biological zeros and phylogenetic trees to estimate sample-to-sample similarity, thus addressing this challenge. To evaluate the performance of our proposed methods, we conduct experiments using both simulated and real microbial data. The results demonstrate that PhyImpute and UniFracImpute outperform existing methods in recovering the zeros and empowering downstream analyses such as differential abundance analysis, and disease status classification.

The Role of Gut Microbiota in the Onset and Progression of Obesity and Associated Comorbidities

Obesity, a global public health problem, is constantly increasing, so the concerns in preventing and combating it are increasingly focused on the intestinal microbiota. It was found that the microbiota is different in lean people compared to obese individuals, but the exact mechanisms by which energy homeostasis is influenced are still incompletely known. Numerous studies show the involvement of certain bacterial species in promoting obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc. Our aim is to summarize the main findings regarding the influence of several factors such as lifestyle changes, including diet and bariatric surgery, on the diversity of the gut microbiota in obese individuals. The second purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential effect of various microbiota modulation techniques on ameliorating obesity and its comorbidities. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database, identifying articles published between 2019 and 2024. Most studies identified suggest that obesity is generally associated with alterations of the gut microbiome such as decreased microbial diversity, an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, and increased SCFAs levels. Our findings also indicate that gut microbiota modulation techniques could represent a novel strategy in treating obesity and related metabolic diseases. Although some mechanisms (e.g., inflammation or hormonal regulation) are already considered a powerful connection between gut microbiota and obesity development, further research is needed to enhance the knowledge on this particular topic.

Bacterial and clinical metabolic signatures and their interactions in obese patients post-bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a growing health concern in China, closely linked to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is effective in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota in metabolic regulation, yet the specific alterations in gut microbiota and their association with metabolic changes post-surgery in Chinese patients remain unclear. Understanding these shifts could provide key insights into optimizing treatment strategies for metabolic improvement following bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Stool samples and clinical data were collected from 30 obese patients before and 6 months after surgery. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the association between gut microbiota and clinical indicators.

RESULTS

The analysis of 30 patients showed a significant decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) (36.75 ± 4.09 kg/m2 vs 26.37 ± 3.47 kg/m2, p < 0.0001). Glucose metabolism, including Hemoglobin A1C levels, improved significantly (6.05 ± 0.96 vs 5.05 ± 0.25, p < 0.0001), and liver function as well as serum lipid levels were also notably improved. LSG increased the richness and composition of gut microbiota in obese patients post-surgery. These changes in gut microbiota were closely associated with improved clinical metabolic parameters.

CONCLUSION

LSG not only significantly reduces body weight while also alleviating metabolic syndrome and comorbidities by altering gut microbiota.

Precision Medicine in Bariatric Procedures

Obesity is a multi-factorial disease that is influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Precision medicine is a practice wherein prevention and treatment strategies take individual variability into account. It involves using a variety of factors including deep phenotyping using clinical, physiologic, and behavioral characteristics, 'omics assays (eg, genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and microbiomics among others), and environmental factors to devise practices that are individualized to subsets of patients. Personalizing the therapeutic modality to the individual can lead to enhanced effectiveness and tolerability. The authors review advances in precision medicine made in the field of bariatrics and discuss future avenues and challenges.

Advancements in Understanding and Preventing Obesity-Related Colon Cancer

ABSTRACT

Obesity and colorectal cancer are global public health issues, with the prevalence of both conditions increasing over the last 4 decades. In the United States alone, the prevalence of obesity is greater than 40%, and this percentage is projected to increase past 50% by 2030. This review focuses on understanding the association between obesity and the risk of colorectal cancer while also highlighting hypotheses about molecular mechanisms underlying the link between these disease processes. We also consider whether those linkages can be disrupted via weight loss therapies, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, and endobariatrics.

Incretin hormones, obesity and gut microbiota

Over the past 40 years, the prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically, reaching epidemic proportions. By 2030 the number of people affected by obesity will reach 1.12 billion worldwide. Gastrointestinal hormones, namely incretins, play a vital role in the pathogenesis of obesity and its comorbidities. GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which are secreted from the intestine after nutrient intake and stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells, influence lipid metabolism, gastric empting, appetite and body weight. The gut microbiota plays an important role in various metabolic conditions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes and influences host metabolism through the interaction with enteroendocrine cells that modulate incretins secretion. Gut microbiota metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and indole, directly stimulate the release of incretins from colonic enteroendocrine cells influencing host satiety and food intake. Moreover, bariatric surgery and incretin-based therapies are associated with increase gut bacterial richness and diversity. Understanding the role of incretins, gut microbiota, and their metabolites in regulating metabolic processes is crucial to develop effective strategies for the management of obesity and its associated comorbidities.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Reduces Gut Luminal Deoxycholic Acid Concentrations in Mice

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery alters bile acid metabolism, which contributes to post-operative improvements in metabolic health. However, the mechanisms by which bariatric surgery alters bile acid metabolism are incompletely defined. In particular, the role of the gut microbiome in the effects of bariatric surgery on bile acid metabolism is incompletely understood. Therefore, we sought to define the changes in gut luminal bile acid composition after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).

METHODS

Bile acid profile was determined by UPLC-MS/MS in serum and gut luminal samples from VSG and sham-operated mice. Sham-operated mice were divided into two groups: one was fed ad libitum, while the other was food-restricted to match their body weight to the VSG-operated mice.

RESULTS

VSG decreased gut luminal secondary bile acids, which was driven by a decrease in gut luminal deoxycholic acid concentrations and abundance. However, gut luminal cholic acid (precursor for deoxycholic acid) concentration and abundance did not differ between groups. Therefore, the observed decrease in gut luminal deoxycholic acid abundance after VSG was not due to a reduction in substrate availability.

CONCLUSION

VSG decreased gut luminal deoxycholic acid abundance independently of body weight, which may be driven by a decrease in gut bacterial bile acid metabolism.

Microbiota dynamics preceding bariatric surgery as obesity treatment: a comprehensive review

The review present data on the intricate relationship between bariatric surgery, gut microbiota, and metabolic health in obesity treatment. Bariatric surgery, is recognized as an effective intervention for managing morbid obesity, including various techniques with distinct mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profiles including Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB), and Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD). RYGB and SG are the most prevalent procedures globally, inducing gut microbiota changes that influence microbial diversity and abundance. Post-surgery, alterations in bacterial communities occur, such as the increased of Escherichia coli inversely correlated with fat mass and leptin levels. During digestion, microbiota produce physiologically active compounds like bile acids (Bas) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs, derived by microbial fermentation, influence appetite, energy metabolism, and obesity-related pathways. Bas, altered by surgery, modulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, SG and RYGB enhance incretin secretion, particularly glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Therefore, understanding microbiota changes after bariatric surgery could be crucial for predicting metabolic outcomes and developing targeted interventions for obesity management.

Analysis of 16s rRNA Gene Sequencing in Feces: The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on the Gut Microbiota in Patients with Obesity

PURPOSE

Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on the gut microbiota from patients with obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The microbiota composition from stool samples before and after bariatric surgery were identified using bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Based on the speed of weight loss, patients were classified as the slow-loss group and fast-loss group. The ɑ- and β-diversity analysis was done to compare the species richness, evenness, and overall structure of the microbiota between different groups. Next, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were implemented to identify high-dimensional biomarkers and significantly different species of microbial taxa between different groups. Finally, the pathway analysis was inferred using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) to predict the functional profiling of microbial communities.

RESULTS

β-diversity analysis suggested that species diversity of preoperative samples of slow-loss group was significantly higher than the fast-loss group. High levels of Oscillospira and Abiotrophia in the preoperative gut microbiota may lead to poor postoperative weight loss. For patients with poor postoperative weight loss due to changes in gut microbiota, the gut microbiota is mainly composed of Lactobacillus. For patients with good postoperative results, the gut microbiota is mainly composed of Escherichia, Robinsonella, and Dialister. In addition, multiple metabolic-related pathways were significantly different between the four groups.

CONCLUSION

This comparative study revealed biomarker species based on microfloral composition in patients with obesity before and after bariatric surgery.

Gut microbiota and therapy for obesity and type 2 diabetes

There has been a major increase in Type 2 diabetes and obesity in many countries, and this will lead to a global public health crisis, which not only impacts on the quality of life of individuals well but also places a substantial burden on healthcare systems and economies. Obesity is linked to not only to type 2 diabetes but also cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and certain cancers, also resulting in increased medical costs and diminished quality of life. A number of studies have linked changes in gut in obesity development. Dysbiosis, a deleterious change in gut microbiota composition, leads to altered intestinal permeability, associated with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Many factors affect the homeostasis of gut microbiota, including diet, genetics, circadian rhythms, medication, probiotics, and antibiotics. In addition, bariatric surgery induces changes in gut microbiota that contributes to the metabolic benefits observed post-surgery. Current obesity management strategies encompass dietary interventions, exercise, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery, with emerging treatments including microbiota-altering approaches showing promising efficacy. While pharmacotherapy has demonstrated significant advancements in recent years, bariatric surgery remains one of the most effective treatments for sustainable weight loss. However, access to this is generally limited to those living with severe obesity. This underscores the need for non-surgical interventions, particularly for adolescents and mildly obese patients. In this comprehensive review, we assess longitudinal alterations in gut microbiota composition and functionality resulting from the two currently most effective anti-obesity treatments: pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. Additionally, we highlight the functions of gut microbiota, focusing on specific bacteria, their metabolites, and strategies for modulating gut microbiota to prevent and treat obesity. This review aims to provide insights into the evolving landscape of obesity management and the potential of microbiota-based approaches in addressing this pressing global health challenge.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: A Prospective Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review is to summarize the role of gastrointestinal microbiome (GM) in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Besides, we discuss the feasibility of applying FMT in the treatment of T2DM and propose a series of processes to refine the use of FMT in the treatment of T2DM.

Recent Findings

T2DM is a metabolic disease which is connected with the GM. According to many researches, GM can produce a variety of metabolites such as bile acid, short chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides and trimethylamine oxide which play an important role in metabolism. FMT is a method to regulate GM and has been observed to be effective in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as T2DM in some mouse models and people. However, there is still a lack of direct evidence for the use of FMT in the treatment of T2DM, and the process of FMT is not standardized.

Summary

Dysregulation of GM is closely related to the development of T2DM. Promoting the conversion of GM in T2DM patients to normal population through FMT can reduce insulin resistance and lower their blood glucose level, which is an optional treatment for T2DM patients in the future. At present, the feasibility and limitations of applying FMT to the treatment of T2DM need to be further studied.

Effects of gastric bypass bariatric surgery on gut microbiota in patients with morbid obesity

The Western diet is associated with gastrointestinal dysbiosis, an active contributor to the pathophysiology of obesity and its comorbidities. Gastrointestinal dysbiosis is strongly linked to increased adiposity, low-grade inflammation, dyslipidaemia, and insulin resistance in individuals with morbid obesity. Bariatric bypass surgery remains the most effective treatment for achieving significant weight loss and alleviating obesity-related comorbidities. A growing body of evidence indicates that traditional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) improves the disrupted gut microbiota linked with obesity, potentially contributing to sustained weight loss and reduction of comorbidities. One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB), a relatively new and technically simpler bariatric procedure, has shown both safety and efficacy in promoting weight loss and improving comorbidities. Few studies have investigated the impact of OAGB on gut microbiota. This review provides insights into the pathogenesis of obesity, current treatment strategies and our current understanding of the gut microbiota in health and disease, including modulating the gut microbiota as a promising and novel way to alleviate the burden of obesity and cardiometabolic conditions. By exploring the impact of gastric bypass surgery on gut microbiota-host interactions, we aim to shed light on this evolving field of research and uncover potential therapeutic targets for elevating outcomes in bariatric surgery.

Amelioration of Type 2 Diabetes Using Four Strains of Lactobacillus Probiotics: Effects on Gut Microbiota Reconstitution-Mediated Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Mice

This study aims to explore the preventive effects and underlying mechanisms of Lactobacillus fermentum CKCC1858 (CKCC1), L. fermentum CKCC1369 (CKCC2), Lactobacillus plantarum CKCC1312 (CKCC3), and Lactobacillus gasseri CKCC1913 (CKCC4) on high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-stimulated type 2 diabetes (T2D) in mice. Generally, the results indicated that most of the four probiotics reduced weight loss and liver and pancreas damage, significantly (p < 0.05) improved glucose metabolism by regulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), fasting glucose and insulin levels, and increasing expression of glucose transporters. Probiotics improved hyperlipemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress by reducing the secretion of blood lipids and proinflammatory cytokines, increasing antioxidant enzymes. Metagenomic results revealed that probiotics restored gut microbiota via enhancing (reducing) the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (harmful bacteria) and altered specific metabolic pathways in T2D mice. CKCC1, CKCC3, and CKCC4 showed excellent effects compared to CKCC2. These results indicated that probiotics potentially prevented T2D, which is strain-specific.

Distinctive patterns of sulfide- and butyrate-metabolizing bacteria after bariatric surgery: potential implications for colorectal cancer risk

Despite improved cardiometabolic outcomes following bariatric surgery, its long-term impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk remains uncertain. In parallel, the influence of bariatric surgery on the host microbiome and relationships with disease outcomes is beginning to be appreciated. Therefore, we investigated the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on the patterns of sulfide-reducing and butyrate-producing bacteria, which are hypothesized to modulate CRC risk after bariatric surgery. In this single-center, cross-sectional study, we included 15 pre-surgery subjects with severe obesity and patients who are at a median (range) of 25.6 (9.9-46.5) months after RYGB (n = 16) or VSG (n = 10). The DNA abundance of fecal bacteria and enzymes involved in butyrate and sulfide metabolism were identified using metagenomic sequencing. Differences between pre-surgery and post-RYGB or post-VSG cohorts were quantified using the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) method. Our sample was predominantly female (87%) with a median (range) age of 46 (23-71) years. Post-RYGB and post-VSG patients had a higher DNA abundance of fecal sulfide-reducing bacteria than pre-surgery controls (LDA = 1.3-4.4, p < .05). The most significant enrichments were for fecal E. coli, Acidaminococcus and A. finegoldii after RYGB, and for A. finegoldii, S. vestibularis, V. parvula after VSG. As for butyrate-producing bacteria, R. faecis was more abundant, whereas B. dentium and A. hardus were lower post-RYGB vs. pre-surgery. B. dentium was also lower in post-VSG vs. pre-surgery. Consistent with these findings, our analysis showed a greater enrichment of sulfide-reducing enzymes after bariatric surgery, especially RYGB, vs. pre-surgery. The DNA abundance of butyrate-producing enzymes was lower post-RYGB. In conclusion, the two most used bariatric surgeries, RYGB and VSG, are associated with microbiome patterns that are potentially implicated in CRC risk. Future studies are needed to validate and understand the impact of these microbiome changes on CRC risk after bariatric surgery.

Unveiling the future of metabolic medicine: omics technologies driving personalized solutions for precision treatment of metabolic disorders

Metabolic disorders are increasingly prevalent worldwide, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. The variety of metabolic illnesses can be addressed through personalized medicine. The goal of personalized medicine is to give doctors the ability to anticipate the best course of treatment for patients with metabolic problems. By analyzing a patient's metabolomic, proteomic, genetic profile, and clinical data, physicians can identify relevant diagnostic, and predictive biomarkers and develop treatment plans and therapy for acute and chronic metabolic diseases. To achieve this goal, real-time modeling of clinical data and multiple omics is essential to pinpoint underlying biological mechanisms, risk factors, and possibly useful data to promote early diagnosis and prevention of complex diseases. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning is crucial for consolidating diverse forms of data, examining multiple variables, establishing databases of clinical indicators to aid decision-making, and formulating ethical protocols to address concerns. This review article aims to explore the potential of personalized medicine utilizing omics approaches for the treatment of metabolic disorders. It focuses on the recent advancements in genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and nutrigenomics, emphasizing their role in revolutionizing personalized medicine.

A Concise Review: Nutritional Interventions for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Wuhan, China reported a novel coronavirus-related sickness in late 2019, which quickly spread into a global epidemic. One crucial factor in combating the coronavirus infection appears to be the presence of a robust, long-lasting, and active immune system. The immune response is affected by several factors, including food. Nutritional insufficiency can cause immune deficits, making infections more likely to cause fatality. Thus, understanding numerous behaviors, particularly dietary habits, is essential to determining their capacity to reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 risks and improve prognosis. In this paper, the authors summarize the complex interaction between nutritional status and severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 infections, as well as the consequences of poor nutrients with regard of the extent to which disease is affected. The literature was compiled by searching a number of reputable scientific databases including Scopus, Science Direct, Springer, Nature, PubMed, Web of Science resources. The accumulating evidence demonstrates that malnutrition impairs the immune system's ability to function, weakening the body's infection resistance. This review emphasizes the significance of nutritional status in the care of coronavirus disease patients as well as demonstrates that functional foods may contribute to better outcomes. Ageing, Obesity, Malnutrition, Undernutrition, Lack of exercise are having a devastating effect on people's health in general and during this coronavirus disease. The severity and prognosis of coronavirus illness seem to be significantly influenced by lifestyle choices, nutritional imbalances, and impaired immune response.

Gut microbiota profiles in two New Zealand cohorts with overweight and prediabetes: a Tū Ora/PREVIEW comparative study

Obesity-related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) are major global health issues, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The underlying factors are both diverse and complex, incorporating biological as well as cultural considerations. A role for ethnicity - a measure of self-perceived cultural affiliation which encompasses diet, lifestyle and genetic components - in susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as T2D is well established. For example, Asian populations may be disproportionally affected by the adverse 'TOFI' (Thin on the Outside, Fat on the Inside) profile, whereby outwardly lean individuals have increased susceptibility due to excess visceral and ectopic organ fat deposition. A potential link between the gut microbiota and metabolic disease has more recently come under consideration, yet our understanding of the interplay between ethnicity, the microbiota and T2D remains incomplete. We present here a 16S rRNA gene-based comparison of the fecal microbiota of European-ancestry and Chinese-ancestry cohorts with overweight and prediabetes, residing in New Zealand. The cohorts were matched for mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG: mean ± SD, European-ancestry: 6.1 ± 0.4; Chinese-ancestry: 6.0 ± 0.4 mmol/L), a consequence of which was a significantly higher mean body mass index in the European group (BMI: European-ancestry: 37.4 ± 6.8; Chinese-ancestry: 27.7 ± 4.0 kg/m2; p < 0.001). Our findings reveal significant microbiota differences between the two ethnicities, though we cannot determine the underpinning factors. In both cohorts Firmicutes was by far the dominant bacterial phylum (European-ancestry: 93.4 ± 5.5%; Chinese-ancestry: 79.6 ± 10.4% of 16S rRNA gene sequences), with Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria the next most abundant. Among the more abundant (≥1% overall relative sequence abundance) genus-level taxa, four zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs) were significantly higher in the European-ancestry cohort, namely members of the Subdoligranulum, Blautia, Ruminoclostridium, and Dorea genera. Differential abundance analysis further identified a number of additional zOTUs to be disproportionately overrepresented across the two ethnicities, with the majority of taxa exhibiting a higher abundance in the Chinese-ancestry cohort. Our findings underscore a potential influence of ethnicity on gut microbiota composition in the context of individuals with overweight and prediabetes.

A specific gut microbiota signature is associated with an enhanced GLP-1 and GLP-2 secretion and improved metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes after metabolic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Objective

To determine changes in incretins, systemic inflammation, intestinal permeability and microbiome modifications 12 months after metabolic RYGB (mRYGB) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their relationship with metabolic improvement.

Materials and methods

Prospective single-center non-randomized controlled study, including patients with class II-III obesity and T2D undergoing mRYGB. At baseline and one year after surgery we performed body composition measurements, biochemical analysis, a meal tolerance test (MTT) and lipid test (LT) with determination of the area under the curve (AUC) for insulin, C-peptide, GLP-1, GLP-2, and fasting determinations of succinate, zonulin, IL-6 and study of gut microbiota.

Results

Thirteen patients aged 52.6 ± 6.5 years, BMI 39.3 ± 1.4 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.62 ± 1.5% were evaluated. After mRYGB, zonulin decreased and an increase in AUC after MTT was observed for GLP-1 (pre 9371 ± 5973 vs post 15788 ± 8021 pM, P<0.05), GLP-2 (pre 732 ± 182 vs post 1190 ± 447 ng/ml, P<0.001) and C- peptide, as well as after LT. Species belonging to Streptococaceae, Akkermansiacea, Rickenellaceae, Sutterellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Veillonellaceae, Enterobacterales_uc, and Fusobacteriaceae families increased after intervention and correlated positively with AUC of GLP-1 and GLP-2, and negatively with glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides and adiposity markers. Clostridium perfringens and Roseburia sp. 40_7 behaved similarly. In contrast, some species belonging to Lachnospiraceae, Erysipelotricaceae, and Rumnicocaceae families decreased and showed opposite correlations. Higher initial C-peptide was the only predictor for T2D remission, which was achieved in 69% of patients.

Conclusions

Patients with obesity and T2D submitted to mRYGB show an enhanced incretin response, a reduced gut permeability and a metabolic improvement, associated with a specific microbiota signature.

The Risk of Colorectal Polyps after Weight Loss Therapy Versus Obesity: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

A fundamental understanding of the impact of bariatric surgery (BRS) on mechanisms of colorectal carcinogenesis is limited. For instance, studies report a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in females but not in males after BRS. We examined whether this sex-specific difference existed at the earlier polyp development stage.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 281,417 adults from the 2012-2020 MarketScan database. We compared polyps rates on colonoscopy in four groups: post- vs. pre-BRS (treatment) to post- vs. pre-severe obesity (SO) diagnosis (control). We focused our main analysis on a propensity-matched sample that yielded a balanced distribution of covariates in our four groups (n = 9680 adults, 21.9% males). We also adjusted for important covariates.

RESULTS

Metabolic syndrome parameters improved after bariatric surgery and worsened after severe obesity diagnosis (p < 0.05). The rate of polyps was 46.7% at a median of 0.5 years pre-BRS and 47.9% at a median of 0.6 years pre-SO diagnosis. The polyps rate was 45.4% at a median (range) of 3.2 (1.0-8.5) years post-BRS. Conversely, 53.8% of adults had polyps at 3.0 (1.0-8.6) years post-SO. There was no change in the risk of colorectal polyps in males or females post- vs. pre-BRS. However, the risk of polyps was higher in males (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02-1.70) and females (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13-1.47) post- vs. pre-SO. When compared to the control group (SO), the odds ratios for colorectal polyps were lower for males and females after bariatric surgery (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44-0.90, and OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.96, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps, an effect that is ameliorated after bariatric surgery. These data are relevant for studies investigating colorectal carcinogenesis mechanisms.

Effect of Benaglutide on Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolites in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective

Benaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) that has been approved in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is known to lead to significant weight loss, and it is hypothesized that changes in gut microbiota may play a significant role in such weight loss. However, it is unclear how gut microbiota and metabolites change as a result of benaglutide treatment.

Methods

Healthy participants and patients with T2DM were included in this study. They received differentiated treatments, and stool specimens were collected separately. These stool specimens were subjected to 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon and metagenomic sequencing to create fecal metabolomic profiles. The diversity of gut microbiota and metabolic products in the stools of each participant was analyzed.

Results

The data showed that Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was abundant in the gut microbiota of the control group, which was entirely made up of healthy individuals; however, it showed a statistically significant decrease in patients with T2DM treated with metformin alone, while no significant decrease was observed in patients treated with metformin combined with benaglutide. A metagenomic analysis revealed that benaglutide could improve the fecal microbiota diversity in patients with T2DM. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between the changes in the metabolites of patients with T2DM and the changes in their gut microbiota (including F. prausnitzii) after treatment with metformin and benaglutide.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the weight-reducing effect of benaglutide is attributed to its ability to normalize the gut microbiota of patients with T2DM, particularly by increasing the abundance of F. prausnitzii.

OSA Is Associated With the Human Gut Microbiota Composition and Functional Potential in the Population-Based Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImage Study

BACKGROUND

OSA is a common sleep-breathing disorder linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Intermittent upper airway obstruction and hypoxia, hallmarks of OSA, have been shown in animal models to induce substantial changes to the gut microbiota composition, and subsequent transplantation of fecal matter to other animals induced changes in BP and glucose metabolism.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does OSA in adults associate with the composition and functional potential of the human gut microbiota?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We used respiratory polygraphy data from up to 3,570 individuals 50 to 64 years of age from the population-based Swedish Cardiopulmonary bioimage Study combined with deep shotgun metagenomics of fecal samples to identify cross-sectional associations between three OSA parameters covering apneas and hypopneas, cumulative sleep time in hypoxia, and number of oxygen desaturation events with gut microbiota composition. Data collection about potential confounders was based on questionnaires, onsite anthropometric measurements, plasma metabolomics, and linkage with the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.

RESULTS

We found that all three OSA parameters were associated with lower diversity of species in the gut. Furthermore, in multivariable-adjusted analysis, the OSA-related hypoxia parameters were associated with the relative abundance of 128 gut bacterial species, including higher abundance of Blautia obeum and Collinsella aerofaciens. The latter species was also independently associated with increased systolic BP. Furthermore, the cumulative time in hypoxia during sleep was associated with the abundance of genes involved in nine gut microbiota metabolic pathways, including propionate production from lactate. Finally, we observed two heterogeneous sets of plasma metabolites with opposite association with species positively and negatively associated with hypoxia parameters, respectively.

INTERPRETATION

OSA-related hypoxia, but not the number of apneas/hypopneas, is associated with specific gut microbiota species and functions. Our findings lay the foundation for future research on the gut microbiota-mediated health effects of OSA.

The altered composition of gut microbiota and biochemical features as well as dietary patterns in a southern Chinese population with recurrent renal calcium oxalate stones

The correlation among gut microbiota, biochemical features, and dietary patterns in recurrent stone formers has been inadequately investigated in the Chinese population. Forty-two patients with calcium oxalate stones (CaOxS group), including 34 recurrent stone formers (RS group), and 40 nonstone healthy subjects (NS group) from Changshu Hospital Affiliated with Soochow University, were prospectively recruited. Food frequency questionnaires were completed by participants, fasting vein blood was extracted, 24-h urine was collected for biochemical detection, and fecal samples were gathered for 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. BMI; serum levels of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), magnesium, and creatinine; and urine levels of magnesium in stone formers were significantly different from those of controls, and RS patients showed significantly low serum phosphate and high urine phosphate levels. Celery, bamboo shoots, and pickled food were the favored foods of local stone formers. Patients with recurrent stones had altered microbiota composition, with Escherichia, Fusobacterium, and Epulopiscium being the predominant pathogenic genera. The gut microbiota in RS patients had stronger functions in fatty acid and amino acid degradation but weaker functions in their biosynthesis. The pathogenic genera were positively correlated with BMI; serum levels of TGs and creatinine; urine levels of calcium, phosphate, and uric acid (UA); and celery, bamboo shoots, and pickled food intake. The abundance of Escherichia and Fusobacterium and the levels of serum magnesium and creatinine were the most relevant factors associated with stone recurrence and could be validated as biomarkers of recurrence. Our research provides a novel prevention strategy for the recurrence of renal calcium oxalate stones in the Han Chinese population of southern China.

The impact of bariatric surgery on colorectal cancer risk

Obesity is considered a risk factor for different types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Bariatric surgery has been associated with improvements in obesity-related co-morbidities and reductions in overall cancer risk. However, given the contradictory outcomes of several cohort studies, the impact of bariatric surgery on CRC risk appears controversial. Furthermore, measurement of CRC biomarkers following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has revealed hyperproliferation and increased pro-inflammatory gene expression in the rectal mucosa. The proposed mechanisms leading to increased CRC risk are alterations of the gut microbiota and exposure of the colorectum to high concentrations of bile acids, both of which are caused by RYGB-induced anatomical rearrangements. Studies in animals and humans have highlighted the similarities between RYGB-induced microbial profiles and the gut microbiota documented in CRC. Microbial alterations common to post-RYGB cases and CRC include the enrichment of pro-inflammatory microbes and reduction in butyrate-producing bacteria. Lower concentrations of butyrate following RYGB may also contribute to an increased risk of CRC, given the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties of this molecule. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy appears to have a more moderate impact than RYGB; however, relatively few animal and human studies have investigated its effects on CRC risk. Moreover, evidence regarding the impact of anastomosis gastric bypass on one is even more limited. Therefore, further studies are required to establish whether the potential increase in CRC risk is restricted to RYGB or may also be associated with other bariatric procedures.

Association of gut microbiota and SCFAs with finishing weight of Diannan small ear pigs

Finishing weight is a key economic trait in the domestic pig industry. Evidence has linked the gut microbiota and SCFAs to health and production performance in pigs. Nevertheless, for Diannan small ear (DSE) pigs, a specific pig breed in China, the potential effect of gut microbiota and SCFAs on their finishing weight remains unclear. Herein, based on the data of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and metagenomic sequencing analysis, we found that 13 OTUs could be potential biomarkers and 19 microbial species were associated with finishing weight. Among these, carbohydrate-decomposing bacteria of the families Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Prevotellaceae were positively related to finishing weight, whereas the microbial taxa associated with intestinal inflammation and damage exhibited opposite effects. In addition, interactions of these microbial species were found to be linked with finishing weight for the first time. Gut microbial functional annotation analysis indicated that CAZymes, such as glucosidase and glucanase could significantly affect finishing weight, given their roles in increasing nutrient absorption efficiency. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Orthologies (KOs) and KEGG pathways analysis indicated that glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, phosphotransferase system (PTS), secondary bile acid biosynthesis, ABC transporters, sulfur metabolism, and one carbon pool by folate could act as key factors in regulating finishing weight. Additionally, SCFA levels, especially acetate and butyrate, had pivotal impacts on finishing weight. Finishing weight-associated species Prevotella sp. RS2, Ruminococcus sp. AF31-14BH and Lactobacillus pontis showed positive associations with butyrate concentration, and Paraprevotella xylaniphila and Bacteroides sp. OF04-15BH were positively related to acetate level. Taken together, our study provides essential knowledge for manipulating gut microbiomes to improve finishing weight. The underlying mechanisms of how gut microbiome and SCFAs modulate pigs' finishing weight required further elucidation.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Improves Lipid Metabolism Disorder and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Purpose: Additional effective therapeutic strategies for Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients are urgently needed. Gut microbiota plays an important role in T2D development and is a promising treatment strategy for T2D patients. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii) is regarded as one of the most important bacterial indicators for a healthy gut, but the mechanisms of its anti-diabetic properties are still unclear. Methods and Results: The abundance of F. prausnitzii in feces of patients with T2D was detected by using qPCR. The effects of F. prausnitzii on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis and inflammation were investigated in type 2 diabetic (T2D) db/db mice. We also investigated F. prausnitzii in people. Our results showed that the abundance of F. prausnitzii was significantly lower in T2D patients compared to healthy subjects. In T2D mice, we found that F. prausnitzii treatment significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and IR index, indicating improved glucose intolerance as well as IR. Furthermore, based on evaluation of lipid-regulating enzyme activities and proinflammatory cytokine levels, F. prausnitzii was not only able to improve inflammation in both adipose tissue and liver, but also ameliorate hepatic steatosis through inhibiting the activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes. Conclusion: These results suggested that F. prausnitzii might serve as a therapeutic option for T2D by improved IR, lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Decreased Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery represents the most effective treatment for achieving significant and sustained weight loss. We aimed to assess whether presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) at baseline, and T2D remission following bariatric surgery affect the weight loss outcome.

METHODS

Data of 312 consecutive morbidly obese subjects who underwent bariatric surgery were analysed. Patients underwent either RYGB (77%), or sleeve gastrectomy (23%), and their body weight was followed-up for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years at regular ambulatory visits (N = 269, 312, 210, 151, 105, at each year, respectively). T2D remission was assessed according to the ADA criteria.

RESULTS

In the whole dataset, 92 patients were affected by T2D. Patients with T2D were older than patients without T2D (52 ± 9 vs 45 ± 11 years, p < 0.0001), but there were no differences in baseline BMI, sex, and type of intervention received. We found that presence of T2D at baseline was associated with smaller weight loss at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years following bariatric surgery (δ BMI at 2 years: - 13.7 [7.7] vs - 16.4 [7.3] kg/m²; at 5 years - 12.9 [8.8] vs - 16.3 [8.7] kg/m² in patients with T2D vs patients without T2D respectively, all p < 0.05). When dividing the patients with T2D in remitters and non-remitters, non-remitters had significantly smaller weight loss compared to remitters (δ BMI at 2 years: - 11.8 [6.3] vs - 15.4 [7.8] kg/m²; at 5 years: - 8.0 [7.1] vs - 15.0 [7.2] kg/m², non-remitters vs remitters respectively, all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

T2D is independently associated to smaller weight loss following bariatric surgery, especially in subjects not achieving diabetes remission. • Patients with T2D achieve smaller weight loss following bariatric surgery • When dividing the T2D patients in remitters and non-remitters, non-remitters achieve significantly smaller weight loss compared to remitters.

The causality between intestinal flora and allergic diseases: Insights from a bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Growing evidence shows a significant association between intestinal flora and allergic diseases, specifically atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), and allergic asthma (AA). However, the causality has not yet been clarified.

Objective

We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis to study the causal relationships between intestinal flora classification and AD, AR, or AA.

Materials and methods

We obtained summary data of intestinal flora, AD, AR, and AA from a genome-wide association research. The inverse-variance weighted method is the primary method for analyzing causality in the TSMR analysis. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the stability of TSMR results. Reverse TSMR analysis was also performed to assess whether there was a reverse causality.

Results

A total of 7 bacterial taxa associated with AD, AR, and AA were identified by the current TSMR analysis. Specifically, the genus Dialister(P=0.034)and genus Prevotella(P=0.047)were associated with a higher risk of AD, whereas class Coriobacteriia (P=0.034) and its child taxon, order Coriobacteriales (P=0.034) and family Coriobacteriaceae (P=0.034), all had a protective effect on AR. In addition, the family Victivallaceae (P=0.019) was identified as a risk factor for AR. We also noticed a positive association between the genus Holdemanella (P=0.046) and AA. The reverse TSMR analysis didn't suggest any evidence of reverse causality from allergic diseases to the intestinal flora.

Conclusion

We confirmed the causal relationship between intestinal flora and allergic diseases and provided an innovative perspective for research on allergic diseases: targeted regulation of dysregulation of specific bacterial taxa to prevent and treat AD, AR, and AA.

Gut Microbiota Profile in Adults Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review

Gut microbiota (GM) after bariatric surgery (BS) has been considered as a factor associated with metabolic improvements and weight loss. In this systematic review, we evaluate changes in the GM, characterized by 16S rRNA and metagenomics techniques, in obese adults who received BS. The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS databases were searched. Two independent reviewers analyzed articles published in the last ten years, using Rayyan QCRI. The initial search resulted in 1275 documents, and 18 clinical trials were included after the exclusion criteria were applied. The predominance of intestinal bacteria phyla varied among studies; however, most of them reported a greater amount of Bacteroidetes (B), Proteobacteria (P), and diversity (D) after BS. Firmicutes (F), B, and the (F/B) ratio was inconsistent, increasing or decreasing after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were conducted, compared to before surgery. There was a reduction in the relative proportion of F. Moreover, a higher proportion of Actinobacteria (A) was observed after RYGB was conducted. However, the same was not identified when SG procedures were applied. Genera abundance and bacteria predominance varied according to the surgical procedure, with limited data regarding the impact on phyla. The present study was approved by PROSPERO, under registration number CRD42020209509.

Next-Generation Probiotics: Microflora Intervention to Human Diseases

With the development of human genome sequencing and techniques such as intestinal microbial culture and fecal microbial transplantation, newly discovered microorganisms have been isolated, cultured, and researched. Consequently, many beneficial probiotics have emerged as next-generation probiotics (NGPs). Currently, "safety," "individualized treatment," and "internal interaction within the flora" are requirements of a potential NGPs. Furthermore, in the complex ecosystem of humans and microbes, it is challenging to identify the relationship between specific strains, specific flora, and hosts to warrant a therapeutic intervention in case of a disease. Thus, this review focuses on the progress made in NGPs and human health research by elucidating the limitations of traditional probiotics; summarizing the functions and strengths of Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides fragilis, Eubacterium hallii, and Roseburia spp. as NGPs; and determining the role of their intervention in treatment of certain diseases. Finally, we aim to provide a reference for developing new probiotics in the future.

Buyang Huanwu decoction affects gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in a ZDF rat model of co-morbid type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: An integrated metabolomics analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease associated with many severe complications such as blindness, amputation, renal failure, and cardiovascular disease. Currently, the prevention and treatment of T2DM is a major global challenge as the number of aging and obese people is increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine offers the advantages of multi-target holistic and individual treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, most of the TCMs for T2DM are not scientifically evaluated. Here, Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD), a widely used TCM formula, was used to explore scientific pharmacological activity against T2DM in rat models. First, BYHWD exhibited excellent inhibitory actions against body fat accumulation and increased blood triglyceride levels, and a high-fat diet (HFD) induced blood glucose elevation in diabetic rats. Moreover, 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal samples identified the distinct changes in the community composition of gut flora following BYHWD treatment, displayed as significantly increased Bacteroidetes and dramatically decreased Firmicutes at the phyla level, and the remarkable increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus and Blautia. Additionally, lipid metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a significant shift of lipid metabolites in the liver after BYHWD treatment. Notably, these differential lipid metabolites were particularly involved in biological processes such as cholesterol metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, insulin resistance, arachidonic acid metabolism, and alpha-linoleic acid metabolism. Importantly, Spearman correlation analyses suggested an association between disturbed gut microbiota and altered lipid metabolites. Moreover, they were also closely associated with the bioactivities of BYHWD to reduce the blood lipid and blood glucose levels. Collectively, these results suggest that BYHWD could meliorate gut microbiota dysbiosis and lipid metabolite alterations induced by the HFD in diabetic rats. These results not only provide a novel perspective on understanding the mechanisms underlying BYHWD bioactivity against T2DM but also suggest the use of advanced systems biology methods to reveal some unknown scientific laws in TCM theories.

Advances in multi-omics study of biomarkers of glycolipid metabolism disorder

Glycolipid metabolism disorder are major threats to human health and life. Genetic, environmental, psychological, cellular, and molecular factors contribute to their pathogenesis. Several studies demonstrated that neuroendocrine axis dysfunction, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammatory response, and gut microbiota dysbiosis are core pathological links associated with it. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of glycolipid metabolism disorder remain to be elucidated. Progress in high-throughput technologies has helped clarify the pathophysiology of glycolipid metabolism disorder. In the present review, we explored the ways and means by which genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and gut microbiomics could help identify novel candidate biomarkers for the clinical management of glycolipid metabolism disorder. We also discuss the limitations and recommended future research directions of multi-omics studies on these diseases.

Realgar Alleviated Neuroinflammation Induced by High Protein and High Calorie Diet in Rats via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Purpose: Gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome (GHRS) often occurs in adolescents, resulting into nervous system injury. Realgar, an arsenic mineral with neuroprotective effect, has been widely used to treat GHRS. However, its mechanism of action remains unknown. Methods: A GHRS rat model was established using a high protein and high calorie diet. We performed macroscopic characterization by assessing bowel sounds, hot/cold preference, anal temperature, and fecal features. Atomic fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to evaluate brain arsenic level while hippocampal ultrastructural changes were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. In addition, inflammatory cytokines and BBB breakdown were analyzed by western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, and immunohistochemistry staining. We also evaluated hippocampal metabolites by LC-MS while fecal microorganisms were assessed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Results: Our data showed that the high protein and high calorie diet induced GHRS. The rat model depicted decreased bowel sounds, increased fecal characteristics score, preference for low temperature zone, and increased anal temperature. In addition, there was increase in inflammatory factors IL-6, Iba-1, and NF-κB p65 as well as reduced BBB structural protein Claudin-5 and Occludin. The data also showed appearance of hippocampus metabolites disorder and fecal microbial imbalance. Realgar treatment conferred a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting GHRS-specific characteristics, neuroinflammatory response, BBB impairment, metabolites disorder, and microbial imbalance in the GHRS rat model. Conclusion: Taken together, our analysis demonstrated that realgar confers a neuroprotective effect in GHRS rats through modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Potential associations between alterations in gut microbiome and obesity-related traits after the bariatric surgery

AIM

This study aimed to examine the effects of both obesity and bariatric surgery on gut microbiome, dietary intake, as well as metabolic and inflammatory parameters.

METHODS

All participants (15 with morbid obesity who had bariatric surgery, 8 with morbid obesity and 11 non-obese) were followed-up for a 6-month period with the interviews at baseline (M0), at the end of 3 (M3) and 6 months (M6). Dietary assessment was done, and blood and faecal samples were collected.

RESULTS

Dietary energy and nutrient intakes as well as serum levels glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and hs-CRP levels decreased by surgery (p<0.05, for each). Participants with morbid obesity had higher levels of Firmicutes and lower levels of Bacteroidetes at M0 compared to non-obese participants. The abundances of Bacteroidetes increased (p=0.02) while Firmicutes decreased (p>0.05) by the surgery, leading a significant decrease in Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (p=0.01). At sub-phylum level, the abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium decreased while Akkermansia increased by the surgery (p<0.01, for each). Although participants who are morbidly obese had a distinct profile according to ß-diversity indices at M0, it became similar with the profile of non-obese participants (p>0.05) at M3 and M6. Similarly, α-diversity indices were lower in subjects with morbid obesity at M0, but became similar to levels in non-obese controls at M6.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that bariatric surgery has substantial impacts on gut microbiome composition and diversity, as well as anthropometrical measurements and biochemical parameters, which were associated with the alterations in dietary intake patterns. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Association of Gut Microbiota with Atherogenic Dyslipidemia, and Its Impact on Serum Lipid Levels after Bariatric Surgery

Gut microbiota has been suggested to modulate circulating lipids. However, the relationship between the gut microbiota and atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD), defined as the presence of both low HDL-C and hypertriglyceridemia, is not fully understood. Moreover, because obesity is among the main causes of secondary AD, it is important to analyze the effect of gut microbiota composition on lipid profiles after a weight loss intervention. We compared the microbial diversity and taxonomic composition in patients with AD (n = 41) and controls (n = 38) and sought correlations of genera abundance with serum lipid levels in 20 patients after weight loss induced by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Gut microbiota composition was profiled using next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA. Gut microbiota diversity was significantly lower in atherogenic dyslipidemia. Moreover, relative abundance of two genera with LDA score >3.5 (Megasphaera and LPS-producing Escherichia-Shigella), was significantly higher in AD subjects, while the abundance of four short chain fatty acids (SCFA) producing-genera (Christensenellaceae R-7, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014; Akkermansia and [Eubacterium] eligens group) was significantly higher in controls. Notably, [Eubacterium] eligens group abundance was also significantly associated with higher HDL-C levels in RYGB patients one year after surgery. Although dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) ratio and PUFA intake were higher in controls than in AD subjects, of the four genera differentiated in cases and controls, only Akkermansia abundance showed a positive and significant correlation with PUFA/SFA ratio. Our results suggest that SCFA-producing bacteria promote a healthy lipid homeostasis, while the presence of LPS-producing bacteria such Escherichia-Shigella may contribute to the development of atherogenic dyslipidemia.

Type 2 diabetes, gut microbiome, and systems biology: A novel perspective for a new era

The association between the physio-pathological variables of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gut microbiota composition suggests a new avenue to track the disease and improve the outcomes of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. This enterprise requires new strategies to elucidate the metabolic disturbances occurring in the gut microbiome as the disease progresses. To this end, physiological knowledge and systems biology pave the way for characterizing microbiota and identifying strategies in a move toward healthy compositions. Here, we dissect the recent associations between gut microbiota and T2D. In addition, we discuss recent advances in how drugs, diet, and exercise modulate the microbiome to favor healthy stages. Finally, we present computational approaches for disentangling the metabolic activity underlying host-microbiota codependence. Altogether, we envision that the combination of physiology and computational modeling of microbiota metabolism will drive us to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of T2D patients in a personalized way.

Gut Microbiota Composition in Prediabetes and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Evidence of gut microbiota involvement in regulating glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression is accumulating. The understanding of microbial dysbiosis and specific alterations of gut microbiota composition that occur during the early stages of glucose intolerance, unperturbed by anti-diabetic medications, is especially essential. Hence, this systematic review was conducted to summarise the existing evidence related to microbiota composition and diversity in individuals with prediabetes (preDM) and individuals newly diagnosed with T2DM (newDM) in comparison to individuals with normal glucose tolerance (nonDM). A systematic search of the PubMed, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases were conducted from inception to February 2021 supplemented with manual searches of the list of references. The primary keywords of “type 2 diabetes”, “prediabetes”, “newly-diagnosed” and “gut microbiota” were used. Observational studies that conducted analysis of the gut microbiota of respondents with preDM and newDM were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale by independent reviewers. A total of 18 studies (5,489 participants) were included. Low gut microbial diversity was generally observed in preDM and newDM when compared to nonDM. Differences in gut microbiota composition between the disease groups and nonDM were inconsistent across the included studies. Four out of the 18 studies found increased abundance of phylum Firmicutes along with decreased abundance of Bacteroidetes in newDM. At the genus/species levels, decreased abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia, Dialister, Flavonifractor, Alistipes, Haemophilus and Akkermansia muciniphila and increased abundance of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Escherichia, Veillonella and Collinsella were observed in the disease groups in at least two studies. Lactobacillus was also found to positively correlate with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c and/or homeostatic assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in four studies. This renders a need for further investigations on the species/strain-specific role of endogenously present Lactobacillus in glucose regulation mechanism and T2DM disease progression. Differences in dietary intake caused significant variation in specific bacterial abundances. More studies are needed to establish more consistent associations, between clinical biomarkers or dietary intake and specific gut bacterial composition in prediabetes and early T2DM.

Fecal Metabolome and Bacterial Composition in Severe Obesity: Impact of Diet and Bariatric Surgery

The aim of this study was to monitor the impact of a preoperative low-calorie diet and bariatric surgery on the bacterial gut microbiota composition and functionality in severe obesity and to compare sleeve gastrectomy (SG) versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The study also aimed to incorporate big data analysis for the omics results and machine learning by a Lasso-based analysis to detect the potential markers for excess weight loss. Forty patients who underwent bariatric surgery were recruited (14 underwent SG, and 26 underwent RYGB). Each participant contributed 4 fecal samples (baseline, post-diet, 1 month after surgery and 3 months after surgery). The bacterial composition was determined by 16S rDNA massive sequencing using MiSeq (Illumina). Metabolic signatures associated to fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, biogenic amines, gamma-aminobutyric acid and ammonium were determined by gas and liquid chromatography. Orange 3 software was employed to correlate the variables, and a Lasso analysis was employed to predict the weight loss at the baseline samples. A correlation between Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) abundance and excess weight was observed only for the highest body mass indexes. The low-calorie diet had little impact on composition and targeted metabolic activity. RYGB had a deeper impact on bacterial composition and putrefactive metabolism than SG, although the excess weight loss was comparable in the two groups. Significantly higher ammonium concentrations were detected in the feces of the RYGB group. We detected individual signatures of composition and functionality, rather than a gut microbiota characteristic of severe obesity, with opposing tendencies for almost all measured variables in the two surgical approaches. The gut microbiota of the baseline samples was not useful for predicting excess weight loss after the bariatric process.

Material Engineering in Gut Microbiome and Human Health

Tremendous progress has been made in the past decade regarding our understanding of the gut microbiome's role in human health. Currently, however, a comprehensive and focused review marrying the two distinct fields of gut microbiome and material research is lacking. To bridge the gap, the current paper discusses critical aspects of the rapidly emerging research topic of "material engineering in the gut microbiome and human health." By engaging scientists with diverse backgrounds in biomaterials, gut-microbiome axis, neuroscience, synthetic biology, tissue engineering, and biosensing in a dialogue, our goal is to accelerate the development of research tools for gut microbiome research and the development of therapeutics that target the gut microbiome. For this purpose, state-of-the-art knowledge is presented here on biomaterial technologies that facilitate the study, analysis, and manipulation of the gut microbiome, including intestinal organoids, gut-on-chip models, hydrogels for spatial mapping of gut microbiome compositions, microbiome biosensors, and oral bacteria delivery systems. In addition, a discussion is provided regarding the microbiome-gut-brain axis and the critical roles that biomaterials can play to investigate and regulate the axis. Lastly, perspectives are provided regarding future directions on how to develop and use novel biomaterials in gut microbiome research, as well as essential regulatory rules in clinical translation. In this way, we hope to inspire research into future biomaterial technologies to advance gut microbiome research and gut microbiome-based theragnostics.

Effects of combination treatment with metformin and berberine on hypoglycemic activity and gut microbiota modulation in db/db mice

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota alterations could influence the metabolism of administered drugs, leading to their altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Despite that metformin and berberine has individually demonstrated their impacts on hypoglycemic activities and gut microbiota alterations in diabetic mice, investigation regarding the impact of their combination treatment in diabetic treatment has never been conducted.

PURPOSE

Our current study was proposed aiming to investigate the effect of combination use of metformin with berberine on hypoglycemic activity and identify the possible intestinal bacteria involved in their microbiota-medicated drug-drug interactions in db/db mice.

STUDY DESIGN

Pharmacodynamics interactions between metformin and berberine were evaluated in six groups of db/db mice (db, M250, B250, B125, B250+M250, and B125+M250) with its wild type (WT) as control to receive 14 days treatment of vehicle, metformin at 250 mg/kg, berberine at 250/125 mg/kg, and metformin (250 mg/kg) 2 h after dosing berberine (250/125 mg/kg).

METHODS

On day 13, insulin tolerance test (ITT) was conducted. On day 15, fasting serum samples were obtained for insulin concentration determination followed by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (ipGTT), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) calculation, and feces collection for microbial 16S rRNA sequencing analyses. In addition, metformin steady state plasma concentrations on day 15 were measured by validated LC-MS/MS method.

RESULTS

Combination treatment of metformin with berberine could further reduce in blood glucose in comparison to that of db/db diabetic control. Further microbial 16S rRNA sequencing analyses revealed that gut microbiota compositions were significantly changed with the abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia altered the most after metformin and berberine co-treatment compared to their monotherapy. In addition, steady state metformin concentrations in their combination treatment were significantly higher than that from metformin monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Co-administration of metformin (250 mg/kg) with berberine (125 mg/kg) could not only further improve insulin sensitivity, but also demonstrate different alterations on gut microbial communities than that of their individual treatment in db/db mice.

The Neuro-Endo-Microbio-Ome Study: A Pilot Study of Neurobiological Alterations Pre- Versus Post-Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Plausible phenotype mechanisms following bariatric surgery include changes in neural and gastrointestinal physiology. This pilot study aims to investigate individual and combined neurologic, gut microbiome, and plasma hormone changes pre- versus post-vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and medical weight loss (MWL). We hypothesized post-weight loss phenotype would be associated with changes in central reward system brain connectivity, differences in postprandial gut hormone responses, and increased gut microbiome diversity.

METHODS

Subjects included participants undergoing VSG, n = 7; RYGB, n = 9; and MWL, n = 6. Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide-YY, gut microbiome, and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI; using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations [fALFF]) were measured pre- and post-intervention in fasting and fed states. We explored phenotype characterization using clustering on gut hormone, microbiome, and rsfMRI datasets and a combined analysis.

RESULTS

We observed more widespread fALFF differences post-bariatric surgery versus post-MWL. Decreased post-prandial fALFF was seen in food reward regions post-RYGB. The highest number of microbial taxa that increased post-intervention occurred in the RYGB group, followed by VSG and MWL. The combined hormone, microbiome, and MRI dataset most accurately clustered samples into pre- versus post-VSG phenotypes followed by RYGB subjects.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest surgical weight loss (VSG and RYGB) has a bigger impact on brain and gut function versus MWL and leads to lesser post-prandial activation of food-related neural circuits. VSG subjects had the greatest phenotype differences in interactions of microbiome, rsfMRI, and gut hormone features, followed by RYGB and MWL. These results will inform future prospective research studying gut-brain changes post-bariatric surgery.

The impact of dietary, surgical, and pharmacological interventions on gut microbiota in individuals with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review

AIMS

To conduct a systematic review assessing the association between dietary, surgical, and pharmacological interventions and changes in the gut microbiota of individuals with diabetes.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched focusing on the effects of dietary, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological interventions on gut microbiota in adults with diabetes. Studies were classified based on qualitative changes using a simple vote-counting method, evaluating reduction, no effect, or an increase in the gut microbiota outcomes.

RESULTS

6,004 studies were retained to review their titles and abstracts. A total of 149 full-text articles were reassessed, of which 49 were included in the final analysis. This review indicates that dietary, surgical, and pharmacological interventions increase or decrease bacterial populations from more than 60 families, genera, or species. In general, the interventions led to an increase in the bacterial population from phylum Firmicutes, mainly Lactobacillus species, compared to the gram-negative bacterial population from phylum Bacteroidetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the included studies suggest that interventions aimed at reducing species related to uncontrolled diabetes and increasing species related to the healthy gut are potential adjuvants in treating diabetes; however, well-conducted interventional studies targeting gut microbiota are necessary.

Exploring the Differences in the Gut Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis According to the Presence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms

(1) Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial chronic allergic skin disease. Gastrointestinal (GI) functions have been suggested to be associated with its incidence or severity. As modulators of the gut–skin axis, gut microbes might affect the pathophysiology of AD. (2) Methods: We divided a cohort of patients with AD according to their GI symptoms as follows: AD with epigastric fullness (ADwEF), AD with epigastric rigidity (ADwER), and AD without GI symptoms (ADw/oGI). The gut microbial profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. (3) Results: The microbiota of the ADwER group showed low diversity indices in richness and evenness and formed a separate cluster to the other groups. In the ADwER group, the proportion of Bacteroides increased, while that of Prevotella decreased; functional pathways related to phosphotransferase systems were not abundant relative to those in the ADw/oGI group. Taken together, patients with AD with GI symptoms have a different microbiome from patients with simple AD. (4) Conclusions: In an exploratory study aimed at evaluating the relationship between AD and GI symptoms, the gut microbiome in patients with AD with GI symptoms differed from that in patients with simple AD, and this result could serve as a basis for further gut–skin axis studies.

Functional changes of the gastric bypass microbiota reactivate thermogenic adipose tissue and systemic glucose control via intestinal FXR-TGR5 crosstalk in diet-induced obesity

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery remains the most effective therapy for adiposity reduction and remission of type 2 diabetes. Although different bariatric procedures associate with pronounced shifts in the gut microbiota, their functional role in the regulation of energetic and metabolic benefits achieved with the surgery are not clear.

METHODS

To evaluate the causal as well as the inherent therapeutic character of the surgery-altered gut microbiome in improved energy and metabolic control in diet-induced obesity, an antibiotic cocktail was used to eliminate the gut microbiota in diet-induced obese rats after gastric bypass surgery, and gastric bypass-shaped gut microbiota was transplanted into obese littermates. Thorough metabolic profiling was combined with omics technologies on samples collected from cecum and plasma to identify adaptions in gut microbiota-host signaling, which control improved energy balance and metabolic profile after surgery.

RESULTS

In this study, we first demonstrate that depletion of the gut microbiota largely reversed the beneficial effects of gastric bypass surgery on negative energy balance and improved glucolipid metabolism. Further, we show that the gastric bypass-shaped gut microbiota reduces adiposity in diet-induced obese recipients by re-activating energy expenditure from metabolic active brown adipose tissue. These beneficial effects were linked to improved glucose homeostasis, lipid control, and improved fatty liver disease. Mechanistically, these effects were triggered by modulation of taurine metabolism by the gastric bypass gut microbiota, fostering an increased abundance of intestinal and circulating taurine-conjugated bile acid species. In turn, these bile acids activated gut-restricted FXR and systemic TGR5 signaling to stimulate adaptive thermogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Our results establish the role of the gut microbiome in the weight loss and metabolic success of gastric bypass surgery. We here identify a signaling cascade that entails altered bile acid receptor signaling resulting from a collective, hitherto undescribed change in the metabolic activity of a cluster of bacteria, thereby readjusting energy imbalance and metabolic disease in the obese host. These findings strengthen the rationale for microbiota-targeted strategies to improve and refine current therapies of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Video Abstract Bariatric Surgery (i.e. RYGB) or the repeated fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) from RYGB donors into DIO (diet-induced obesity) animals induces shifts in the intestinal microbiome, an effect that can be impaired by oral application of antibiotics (ABx). Our current study shows that RYGB-dependent alterations in the intestinal microbiome result in an increase in the luminal and systemic pool of Taurine-conjugated Bile acids (TCBAs) by various cellular mechanisms acting in the intestine and the liver. TCBAs induce signaling via two different receptors, farnesoid X receptor (FXR, specifically in the intestines) and the G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor TGR5 (systemically), finally resulting in metabolic improvement and advanced weight management. BSH, bile salt hydrolase; BAT brown adipose tissue.

Aqueous Extract of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaf Ameliorates Hyperglycemia by Promoting Hepatic Glycogen Synthesis and Modulating Gut Microbiota

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health concern. Psidium guajava L. (guava) is widely used for food as well as a folk medicine. Previous studies have shown its anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the underlying mechanisms remains to be elusive. In this study, we assessed the potential therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of guava leaves (GvAEx) on T2DM and explored their potential mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. GvAEx was gavage administered for 12 weeks in diabetic db/db mice. Our results have demonstrated that GvAEx significantly lowered fasting plasma glucose levels (p < 0.01) and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). Additionally, GvAEx increased hepatic glycogen accumulation, glucose uptake and decreased the mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenic genes. Furthermore, GvAEx-treatment caused higher glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) expression in the membrane in hepatocytes. Notably, for the first time, we have elaborated the possible mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of GvAEx from the perspective of intestinal microbiota. GvAEx has significantly changed the composition of microbiota and increased short chain fatty acid (SCFA) -producing Lachnospiraceae family and Akkermansia genus in the gut. Taken together, GvAEx could alleviate hyperglycemia and insulin resistance of T2DM by regulating glucose metabolism in the liver and restoring the gut microbiota. Thus, GvAEx has the potential for drug development against T2DM.