Dietary astaxanthin-rich extract ameliorates atherosclerosis/retinopathy and restructures gut microbiome in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed on a high-fat diet

Dual-modulation of nutrient-transporter axis and functionalized carriers: A paradigm shift for precision oral vitamin D delivery

The transintestinal epithelial absorption of vitamin D is intricately regulated by specific transport protein networks. Emerging evidence from molecular nutrition research reveals that certain dietary nutrients can enhance intestinal vitamin D absorption through targeted modulation of lipid transport pathways. Despite significant advancements in vitamin D delivery systems demonstrating excellent intestinal mucoadhesion and in vitro bioaccessibility, their clinical translation remains limited by suboptimal in vivo bioavailability. To address this critical challenge, we propose an innovative synergistic nutrient absorption strategy that establishes precise coordination among three key elements: dietary nutrient composition, transport protein regulation, and intestinal absorption optimization. This comprehensive review systematically examines: (1) The molecular mechanisms governing transintestinal vitamin D transport and physiological modulation of protein-mediated absorption pathways; (2) The regulatory effects of dietary components on vitamin D absorption efficiency through protein pathway modulation, proposing a novel "nutrient-transporter-vitamin D axis" strategy integrating cutting-edge carrier technologies; (3) Future perspectives for developing functionalized vitamin D delivery systems. The proposed paradigm shift, combining nutrient-mediated transport enhancement with advanced carrier engineering, represents a transformative approach to overcome current limitations in oral vitamin D delivery. This dual-modulation strategy synergistically improves intestinal absorption and systemic bioavailability through simultaneous optimization of biological transport mechanisms and pharmaceutical delivery parameters, offering new possibilities for precision nutrition interventions.

Astaxanthin-loaded polylactic acid-glycolic acid nanoparticles alleviates atherosclerosis by suppressing macrophage ferroptosis via the NRF2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway

BACKGROUND

Astaxanthin (ASX), a fat-soluble carotenoid mainly sourced from Haematococcus pluvialis, shows promise for clinical applications in chronic inflammatory diseases. This study investigates whether ASX can mitigate atherosclerosis (AS) by modulating macrophage ferroptosis and provides astaxanthin-loaded polylactic acid-glycolic acid nanoparticles (ASX-PLGA NPs) as comparison.

METHOD

ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet with ASX or statin intervention. Plaque area, lipid aggregation, collagen content, and ferroptosis-related indicators were assessed. Moreover, ASX-PLGA NPs were synthesized and characterized and were used to pretreat macrophages induced with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Indicators linked to ferroptosis and oxidative stress were detected. Finally, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid -related factor 2 (NRF2) was evaluated.

RESULTS

ASX intervention significantly delayed the progression of AS plaques, characterized by reductions in plaque area and increased collagen fibers. The observed improvements in AS were consistent with statins. ASX-PLGA NPs demonstrate good safety and stability and have better therapeutic effects than ASX alone. Indicators linked to ferroptosis and oxidative stress were significantly improved in groups containing ASX in vivo and vitro. Additionally, ASX facilitated the nuclear translocation of NRF2, which could be attenuated with ML385, a specific inhibitor of NRF2.

CONCLUSION

ASX-PLGA NPs have better therapeutic effects than ASX alone. The regulation of NRF2/SLC7A11/GPX4 represents a novel mechanism by which ASX can counteract ferroptosis and impede AS progression.

Gut microbial metabolites: The bridge connecting diet and atherosclerosis, and next-generation targets for dietary interventions

Mounting evidence indicates that gut microbial metabolites are central hubs linking the gut microbiota to atherosclerosis (AS). Gut microbiota enriched with pathobiont bacteria responsible for producing metabolites like trimethylamine N-oxide and phenylacetylglutamine are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, gut microbiota enriched with bacteria responsible for producing short-chain fatty acids, indole, and its derivatives, such as indole-3-propionic acid, have demonstrated AS-protective effects. This study described AS-related gut microbial composition and how microbial metabolites affect AS. Summary findings revealed gut microbiota and their metabolites-targeted diets could benefit AS treatment. In conclusion, dietary interventions centered on the gut microbiota represent a promising strategy for AS treatment, and understanding diet-microbiota interactions could potentially be devoted to developing novel anti-AS therapies.

Caveolin and NOS in the Development of Muscular Dystrophy

Caveolin is a structural protein within caveolae that may be involved in transmembrane molecular transport and/or various intercellular interactions within cells. Specific mutations of caveolin-3 in muscle fibers are well known to cause limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Altered expression of caveolin-3 has also been detected in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which may be a part of the pathological process leading to muscle weakness. Interestingly, it has been shown that the renovation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in sarcolemma with muscular dystrophy could improve muscle health, suggesting that NOS may be involved in the pathology of muscular dystrophy. Here, we summarize the notable function of caveolin and/or NOS in skeletal muscle fibers and discuss their involvement in the pathology as well as possible tactics for the innovative treatment of muscular dystrophies.

Astaxanthin alleviates chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome by increasing colonization of Akkermansia muciniphila in the intestine

BACKGROUND

Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory properties that has been found to have probiotic properties. However, the role and mechanism of AST in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) are still not fully understood.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AST on CP/CPPS and elucidate the mediating role of the gut microbiota.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mouse model was utilized to test the potential role of AST on CP/CPPS. Antibiotic cocktail (ABX) treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were used to elucidate the gut microbiota-mediated effects on AST. In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qRT-PCR analyses were used to analyze changes in the gut microbiota of EAP mice and CP/CPPS patients. Finally, the mechanism by which AST exerts a protective effect on CP/CPPS was explored by untargeted metabolomics and gut barrier function assays.

RESULTS

Oral administration of AST reduced prostate inflammation scores, alleviated tactile sensitization of the pelvic region in EAP mice, reduced CD4+ T cell and CD68+ macrophage infiltration in the prostatic interstitium, and inhibited the up-regulation of systemic and localized pain/pro-inflammatory mediators in the prostate. After ABX, the protective effect of AST against CP/CPPS was attenuated, whereas colonization with fecal bacteria from AST-treated EAP mice alleviated CP/CPPS. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qRT-PCR analyses showed that Akkermansia muciniphila in the feces of EAP mice and CP/CPPS patients showed a trend toward a decrease, which was associated with poor progression of CP/CPPS. In contrast, oral administration of AST increased the relative abundance of A. muciniphila, and oral supplementation with A. muciniphila also alleviated inflammation and pain in EAP mice. Finally, we demonstrated that both AST and A. muciniphila interventions increased serum levels of SCFAs acetate, up-regulated expression of colonic tight junction markers, and decreased serum lipopolysaccharide levels in EAP mice.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that AST improved CP/CPPS by up-regulating A. muciniphila, which provides new potentially effective strategies and ideas for CP/CPPS management.

Astaxanthin Ameliorates Worsened Muscle Dysfunction of MDX Mice Fed with a High-Fat Diet through Reducing Lipotoxicity and Regulating Gut Microbiota

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe X-linked inherited neuromuscular disease, has a high prevalence of obesity. Obesity exacerbates muscle damage and results in adverse clinical outcomes. Preventing obesity helps DMD patients delay disease progression and improve quality of life. Astaxanthin (AX) is a kind of carotenoid which has antioxidant and anti-adipogenesis effects. In this study, male C57BL/10ScSnDmdmdx/J mice were fed with a normal diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), and an HFD containing AX for 16 weeks, respectively. The results showed that AX significantly increased gastrocnemius fiber cross-section area and grip strength, improved treadmill endurance test and mitochondrial morphology, and reduced muscle triglyceride and malonaldehyde levels compared to the HFD. Lipidomic analysis revealed that AX decreased high levels of triglyceride, diglyceride, ceramides, and wax ester induced by HFD. Gut microbiota analysis indicated that AX supplementation failed to alleviate abnormal microbiota diversity, but increased the relative abundances of Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Butyricicoccus, and Staphylococcus. In conclusion, AX was expected to alleviate disease progression associated with obesity in DMD patients by reducing lipotoxicity and increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria.

The Role of Phytochemicals and Gut Microbiome in Atherosclerosis in Preclinical Mouse Models

Gut microbiome alterations have recently been linked to many chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is an interplay between diet and the resident gut microbiome, where the food eaten affects populations of certain microbes. This is important, as different microbes are associated with various pathologies, as they can produce compounds that are disease-promoting or disease-protecting. The Western diet negatively affects the host gut microbiome, ultimately resulting in heightened arterial inflammation and cell phenotype changes as well as plaque accumulation in the arteries. Nutritional interventions including whole foods rich in fiber and phytochemicals as well as isolated compounds including polyphenols and traditional medicinal plants show promise in positively influencing the host gut microbiome to alleviate atherosclerosis. This review investigates the efficacy of a vast array of foods and phytochemicals on host gut microbes and atherosclerotic burden in mice. Reduction in plaque by interventions was associated with increases in bacterial diversity, reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and upregulation of Akkermansia. Upregulation in CYP7 isoform in the liver, ABC transporters, bile acid excretion, and the level of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid were also noted in several studies reducing plaque. These changes were also associated with attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress. In conclusion, an increase in the abundance of Akkermansia with diets rich in polyphenols, fiber, and grains is likely to reduce plaque burden in patients suffering from CVD.