Lactobacillus lactis CKDB001 ameliorate progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through of gut microbiome: addendum

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZDY2013 Inhibits the Development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating the Intestinal Microbiota and Modulating the PI3K/Akt Pathway

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic hepatic condition whose impact on human health is increasingly significant. The imbalance of the gut microbiome, linked to insulin resistance, heightened intestinal permeability, and pro-inflammatory reactions, may be the linchpin in the development of NAFLD. In our research, the impact of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZDY2013 administration for 12 weeks on gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by a high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol (FHHC) diet in male C57BL/6n mice was investigated. Research results presented that the intervention of L. plantarum ZDY2013 in mice fed with the FHHC diet could restore their liver function and regulate oxidative stress. Compared to mice in the model group, the intervention of L. plantarum ZDY2013 significantly regulated the gut microbiota, inhibited the LPS/NF-κB pathway, and led to a lower level of colonic inflammation in the mice administered with L. plantarum ZDY2013. It also improved insulin resistance to regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway and lipid metabolism, thereby resulting in reduced fat accumulation in the liver. The above results suggest that the intervention of L. plantarum ZDY2013 can hinder the progression of diet-induced NAFLD by reducing inflammation to regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway and regulating gut microbiota disturbance.

Flunitrazepam and its metabolites exposure disturb the zebrafish gut-liver axis: Combined microbiome and metabolomic analysis

Due to clinical treatment and illegal use, psychoactive substances have been widely detected in the aquatic environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of the benzodiazepine drug flunitrazepam (FLZ) and its metabolite 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-FLZ) on the gut-liver axis of zebrafish. Zebrafish were exposed to two concentrations of FLZ and 7-FLZ (0.05 and 1 μg/L) for 30 days. Results showed that both FLZ and 7-FLZ exposure altered the relative abundance of Proteobacteria at the phylum level, with significant differences observed at the genus level for pathogenic bacteria such as Paracoccus, Shewanella, and Aeromonas. Metabolomics results showed both exposures significantly interfered with nucleotide and amino acid metabolism. The imbalance of gut microbiota and metabolic disorder increased the level of malondialdehyde, which in turn heightened the permeability of the gut mucosal barrier. FLZ and 7-FLZ induced oxidative stress in the liver via the gut-liver axis, leading to decreased levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride, as well as the down-regulation of glycolipid metabolism-related genes (PPARα, PPARγ, FABP2, Fabp11, PFKFB3, and LDHA). Metabolomics results revealed that FLZ and 7-FLZ significantly affected the biosynthesis of amino acids and arginine, and other metabolic pathways such as nucleotide, nicotinate and nicotinamide, and purine in the liver. Our results unveiled the mechanisms behind the toxicological effects of psychoactive substances on the gut-liver axis, providing valuable data for ecological and environmental risk assessments.

Gut Lactobacillus and Probiotics Lactobacillus lactis/rhamnosis Ameliorate Liver Fibrosis in Prevention and Treatment

The progression and exacerbation of liver fibrosis are closely related to the gut microbiome. It is hypothesized that some probiotics may slow the progression of liver fibrosis. In human stool analysis [healthy group (n = 44) and cirrhosis group (n = 18)], difference in Lactobacillus genus between healthy group and cirrhosis group was observed. Based on human data, preventive and therapeutic effect of probiotics Lactobacillus lactis and L. rhamnosus was evaluated by using four mice fibrosis models. L. lactis and L. rhamnosus were supplied to 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine or carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis C57BL/6 mouse model. Serum biochemical measurements, tissue staining, and mRNA expression in the liver were evaluated. The microbiome was analyzed in mouse cecal contents. In the mouse model, the effects of Lactobacillus in preventing and treating liver fibrosis were different for each microbe species. In case of L. lactis, all models showed preventive and therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. In microbiome analysis in mouse models administered Lactobacillus, migration and changes in the ratio and composition of the gut microbial community were confirmed. L. lactis and L. rhamnosus showed preventive and therapeutic effects on the progression of liver fibrosis, suggesting that Lactobacillus intake may be a useful strategy for prevention and treatment.

Fermented Myriophyllum aquaticum and Lactobacillus plantarum Affect the Distribution of Intestinal Microbial Communities and Metabolic Profile in Mice

This research explores the effects of fermented Myriophyllum aquaticum (F) and Lactobacillus plantarum BW2013 (G) as new feed additives on the gut microbiota composition and metabolic profile of mice. Crude protein (p = 0.045), lipid (p = 0.000), and ash (p = 0.006) contents in Myriophyllum aquaticum (N) were improved, whereas raw fiber (p = 0.031) content was decreased after solid-state fermentation by G. Mice were fed with no additive control (CK), 10%N (N), 10%N + G (NG), 10%F (F), and 10%F + G (FG). High-throughput sequencing results showed that, compared with the CK group, Parabacteroides goldsteinii was increased in treatment groups and that Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Bacteroides coprocola were increased in the F and FG groups. Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides coprocola were increased in the F group compared with the N group. Metabolomic results showed that vitamin A, myricetin, gallic acid, and luteolin were increased in the F group compared with the N group. Reduction in LPG 18:1 concentration in the N and F groups could be attenuated or even abolished by supplementation with G. Furthermore, 9-oxo-ODA was upregulated in the FG group compared with the F group. Collectively, N, F, and G have beneficial effects on gut microbiota and metabolic profile in mice, especially intake of FG.

The Protective Effects of Live and Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila and Its Extracellular Vesicles against HFD/CCl4-Induced Liver Injury

Akkermansia muciniphila, as a member of the gut microbiota, has been proposed as a next-generation probiotic. Liver fibrosis is the main determinant of liver dysfunction and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. In this study, we aimed to determine the beneficial effects of live and pasteurized A. muciniphila and its extracellular vesicles (EVs) on the prevention of liver fibrosis. The response of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to live and pasteurized A. muciniphila and its EVs was examined in quiescent, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated LX-2 cells. Liver fibrosis was induced in 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice, using a high-fat diet (HFD) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration for 4 weeks. The mice were concomitantly treated via oral gavage with three forms of bacteria. The relative expression of different fibrosis and inflammatory markers was assessed in the tissues. Histological markers, serum biochemical parameters, and cytokine production were also analyzed, and their correlations with the relative abundance of targeted fecal bacteria were examined. All A. muciniphila preparations exhibited protective effects against HSC activation; however, EVs showed the greatest activity in HSC regression. Oral gavage with A. muciniphila ameliorated the serum biochemical and inflammatory cytokines and improved liver and colon histopathological damages. The relative expression of fibrosis and inflammatory biomarkers was substantially attenuated in the tissues of all treated mice. The composition of targeted stool bacteria in the live A. muciniphila group was clearly different from that in the fibrosis group. This study indicated that A. muciniphila and its derivatives could successfully protect against HFD/CCl4-induced liver injury. However, further studies are needed to prove the beneficial effects of A. muciniphila on the liver. IMPORTANCE Akkermansia muciniphila, as a member of the gut microbiota, has been proposed as a next-generation probiotic. Liver fibrosis is the main determinant of liver dysfunction and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. In this study, we aimed to determine the beneficial effects of live and pasteurized A. muciniphila and its extracellular vesicles (EVs) on the prevention of liver fibrosis. The results of the present study indicated that oral administration of live and pasteurized A. muciniphila and its EVs could normalize the fecal targeted bacteria composition, improve the intestinal permeability, modulate inflammatory responses, and subsequently prevent liver injury in HFD/CCl4-administered mice. Following the improvement of intestinal and liver histopathology, HFD/CCl4-induced kidney damage and adipose tissue inflammation were also ameliorated by different A. muciniphila treatments.

Significance of gut microbiota in alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases

Liver-gut communication is vital in fatty liver diseases, and gut microbes are the key regulators in maintaining liver homeostasis. Chronic alcohol abuse and persistent overnutrition create dysbiosis in gut ecology, which can contribute to fatty liver disease. In this review, we discuss the gut microbial compositional changes that occur in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases and how this gut microbial dysbiosis and its metabolic products are involved in fatty liver disease pathophysiology. We also summarize the new approaches related to gut microbes that might help in the diagnosis and treatment of fatty liver disease.

Probiotics in hepatology: An update

The gut–liver axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. Probiotics are living bacteria that may be used to correct disorders of this axis. Notable progress has been made in the study of probiotic drugs for the treatment of various liver diseases in the last decade. It has been proven that probiotics are useful for hepatic encephalopathy, but their effects on other symptoms and syndromes of cirrhosis are poorly studied. Their effectiveness in the treatment of metabolic associated fatty liver disease has been shown both in experimental models and in clinical trials, but their effect on the prognosis of this disease has not been described. The beneficial effects of probiotics in alcoholic liver disease have been shown in many experimental studies, but there are very few clinical trials to support these findings. The effects of probiotics on the course of other liver diseases are either poorly studied (such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic hepatitis B and C, and autoimmune hepatitis) or not studied at all (such as primary biliary cholangitis, hepatitis A and E, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, storage diseases, and vascular liver diseases). Thus, despite the progress in the study of probiotics in hepatology over the past decade, there are many unexplored and unclear questions surrounding this topic.

Structural changes in the gut microbiota community of the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) in the wintering period

During overwintering of black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis), the composition and function of the gut microbiota changes are of considerable interest for understanding its environmental adaption mechanism. In this study, we characterized the structure of the gut microbiota from the black-necked crane in the Dashanbao wintering area, and compared the early-winter (November) microbiota to the late-winter (March of the next year) microbiota. The results showed that the gut microbiota diversity of black-necked crane in the early-overwintering stage was higher than that in the late-overwintering stage, but it did not reach a significant level. Gut microbiota taxonomic composition analysis showed that relative abundance of Bacteroidota increased significantly, and showed decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidota ratio at the phylum level, meanwhile, the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased significantly at the genus level. Explain gut microbiota between the early- and late-wintering showed some differences in microbiota richness but maintained a relatively conservative microbiota structure. PICRUSt2 method was used to predict and analyze the KEGG functional abundance of 16S rDNA sequences of bacteria, it was found that the changes in gut microbiota composition increased the abundance of bacteria associated with amino acid biosynthesis and acid metabolism in the late stage of overwintering. This work provides basic data for black-necked crane gut microbiota study, which might further contribute to their protection.

Metagenomic Analysis of Suansun, a Traditional Chinese Unsalted Fermented Food

Suansun, made from fresh bamboo shoots fermented without salt, is a traditional food in China’s southern region and is popular for its nutritious and unique flavor. To comprehensively understand the microbial species and characteristics of suansun, Illumina HiSeq metagenomic sequencing technology was used to sequence suansun’s fermentation broth obtained from six traditional producing areas in southern China, and the microbial community structure, diversity, and functional genes were analyzed. A total of 8 phyla, 16 classes, 30 orders, 63 families, 92 genera, and 156 species of microorganisms were identified in the suansun samples, with Lactiplantibacillus predominating, accounting for up to 81% of the species, among which 12 species, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, were the main species. A total of 12,751 unigenes were annotated to 385 metabolic pathway classes, of which 2927 unigenes were involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Lactiplantibacillus fermentum, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Lactiplantibacillus brucei were involved in the metabolism of most nutrients and flavor substances in suansun. Overall, these results provide insights into the suansun microbiota and shed light on the fermentation processes carried out by complex microbial communities.