Associations between plasma tryptophan and indole-3-propionic acid levels and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease

Efferocytosis drives a tryptophan metabolism pathway in macrophages to promote tissue resolution

Macrophage efferocytosis prevents apoptotic cell (AC) accumulation and triggers inflammation-resolution pathways. The mechanisms linking efferocytosis to resolution often involve changes in macrophage metabolism, but many gaps remain in our understanding of these processes. We now report that efferocytosis triggers an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1)-dependent tryptophan (Trp) metabolism pathway that promotes several key resolution processes, including the induction of pro-resolving proteins, such interleukin-10, and further enhancement of efferocytosis. The process begins with upregulation of Trp transport and metabolism, and it involves subsequent activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by the Trp metabolite kynurenine (Kyn). Through these mechanisms, macrophage IDO1 and AhR contribute to a proper resolution response in several different mouse models of efferocytosis-dependent tissue repair, notably during atherosclerosis regression induced by plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lowering. These findings reveal an integrated metabolism programme in macrophages that links efferocytosis to resolution, with possible therapeutic implications for non-resolving chronic inflammatory diseases, notably atherosclerosis.

Untargeted metabolomics identifies indole-3-propionic acid to relieve Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction in aortic dissection

Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of tryptophan, has been proven to fulfill an essential function in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and nerve regeneration disease. However, the role of IPA in aortic dissection (AD) has not been revealed. We aimed to investigate the role of IPA in the pathogenesis of AD and the underlying mechanisms of IPA in endothelial dysfunction. Untargeted metabolomics has been employed to screen the plasma metabolic profile of AD patients in comparison with healthy individuals. Network pharmacology provides insights into the potential molecular mechanisms underlying IPA. 3-aminopropionitrile fumarate (BAPN) and angiotensin II (Ang II) were administered to induce AD in mice, while human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were employed for in vitro validation of the signaling pathways predicted by network pharmacology. A total of 224 potentially differential plasma metabolites were identified in the AD patients, with 110 up-regulated metabolites and 114 down-regulated metabolites. IPA was the most significantly decreased metabolite involved in tryptophan metabolism. Bcl2, caspase3, and AKT1 were predicted as the target genes of IPA by network pharmacology and molecular docking. IPA suppressed Ang II-induced apoptosis, intracellular ROS generation, inflammation, and endothelial tight junction (TJ) loss. Animal experiments demonstrated that administration of IPA alleviated the occurrence and severity of AD in mice. Taken together, we identified a previously unexplored association between tryptophan metabolite IPA and AD, providing a novel perspective on the underlying mechanism through which IPA mitigates endothelial dysfunction to protect against AD.

Glutamine supplementation alleviated aortic atherosclerosis in mice model and in vitro

This study aimed to clarify the role of glutamine in atherosclerosis and its participating mechanism. Forty C57BL/6J mice were divided into wild control (wild Con), ApoE- /- control (ApoE- /- Con), glutamine + ApoE- /- control (Glut + ApoE- /- Con), ApoE- /- high fat diet (ApoE- /- HFD), and glutamine + ApoE- /- HFD (Glut + ApoE- /- HFD) groups. The degree of atherosclerosis, western blotting, and multiomics were detected at 18 weeks. An in vitro study was also performed. Glutamine treatment significantly decreased the degree of aortic atherosclerosis (p = 0.03). O-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc), IL-1β, IL-1α, and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the ApoE- /- HFD group were significantly higher than those in the ApoE- /- Con group (p < 0.05). These differences were attenuated by glutamine treatment (p < 0.05), and aggravated by O-GlcNA transferase (OGT) overexpression in the in vitro study (p < 0.05). Multiomics showed that the ApoE- /- HFD group had higher levels of oxidative stress regulatory molecules (guanine deaminase [GUAD], xanthine dehydrogenase [XDH]), proinflammatory regulatory molecules (myristic acid and myristoleic acid), and stress granules regulatory molecules (caprin-1 and deoxyribose-phosphate aldolase [DERA]) (p < 0.05). These differences were attenuated by glutamine treatment (p < 0.05). We conclude that glutamine supplementation might alleviate atherosclerosis through downregulation of O-GlcNAc, glycolysis, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory pathway.

Characterizing the metabolic divide: distinctive metabolites differentiating CAD-T2DM from CAD patients

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the metabolomic differences in plasma samples between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and those with concomitant CAD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to pinpoint distinctive metabolites indicative of T2DM risk.

METHOD

Plasma samples from CAD and CAD-T2DM patients across three centers underwent comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to discern the relationship between the identified metabolites and T2DM risk. Characteristic metabolites' metabolic impacts were further probed through hepatocyte cellular experiments. Subsequent transcriptomic analyses elucidated the potential target sites explaining the metabolic actions of these metabolites.

RESULTS

Metabolomic analysis revealed 192 and 95 significantly altered profiles in the discovery (FDR < 0.05) and validation (P < 0.05) cohorts, respectively, that were associated with T2DM risk in univariate logistic regression. Further multivariate regression analyses identified 22 characteristic metabolites consistently associated with T2DM risk in both cohorts. Notably, pipecolinic acid and L-pipecolic acid, lysine derivatives, exhibited negative association with CAD-T2DM and influenced cellular glucose metabolism in hepatocytes. Transcriptomic insights shed light on potential metabolic action sites of these metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

This research underscores the metabolic disparities between CAD and CAD-T2DM patients, spotlighting the protective attributes of pipecolinic acid and L-pipecolic acid. The comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic findings provide novel insights into the mechanism research, prophylaxis and treatment of comorbidity of CAD and T2DM.

Determination of tryptophan and its indole metabolites in follicular fluid of women with diminished ovarian reserve

Tryptophan (TRP) and its indole metabolites exhibit numerous biological effects, especially their antioxidant properties. This study used untargeted metabolomics in conjunction with targeted metabolomics to investigate the differential expression of tryptophan and its indole metabolites in follicular fluid (FF) of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and normal ovarian reserve (NOR) populations. This study included patients with DOR (n = 50) and females with NOR (n = 35) who received in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Untargeted metabolomics suggests that diminished ovarian reserve affects the metabolic profile of FF, TRP and indole metabolites were significantly down-regulated in the DOR group. Targeted metabolomics quantification revealed that the levels of TRP, IPA and IAA in the FF of the DOR group were significantly lower than those of the NOR group (P < 0.01). The concentration of TRP in FF is positively correlated with the available embryo rate in NOR females. These results provide data support to explore the pathogenesis of DOR and to look for new biomarkers and ovarian protectors. Additionally, alterations in TRP and its indole metabolites in FF may indirectly reflect the interaction between intestinal flora and the follicular microenvironment.

The Association of Tryptophan and Its Metabolites With Incident Hip Fractures, Mortality, and Prevalent Frailty in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and sufficient protein intake is important for skeletal health. We utilized stored serum from the Cardiovascular Health Study in 1992-1993 to examine the relationship between levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan (trp) and its oxidized and nonoxidized metabolites to risk for incident hip fractures and mortality over 12 years of follow-up. We included 131 persons who sustained a hip fracture during this time period and 131 without a hip fracture over these same 12 years of follow-up; 58% female and 95% White. Weighted multivariable Cox hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incident hip fracture associated with a one standard deviation (SD) higher trp or its metabolites exposure. Relative risk regression was used to evaluate the cross-sectional association of trp and its metabolites with frailty. Higher serum levels of trp were significantly associated with lower risk of incident hip fractures (HR = 0.75 per SD of trp (95% CI 0.57-0.99) but were not significantly associated with mortality or frailty status by Freid's frailty index. There were no statistically significant associations between any of the oxidized or nonoxidized products of trp with incident hip fractures (p ≥ 0.64), mortality (p ≥ 0.20), or cross-sectional frailty status (p ≥ 0.13) after multiple testing adjustment. Randomized clinical trials examining whether increasing trp intake is beneficial for osteoporosis are needed. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Dietary Patterns, Gut Microbiota Remodeling, and Cardiometabolic Disease

The cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, collectively known as cardiometabolic disease (CMD), are high morbidity and mortality pathologies associated with lower quality of life and increasing health-care costs. The influence of the gut microbiota (GM) in dictating the interpersonal variability in CMD susceptibility, progression and treatment response is beginning to be deciphered, as is the mutualistic relation established between the GM and diet. In particular, dietary factors emerge as pivotal determinants shaping the architecture and function of resident microorganisms in the human gut. In turn, intestinal microbes influence the absorption, metabolism, and storage of ingested nutrients, with potentially profound effects on host physiology. Herein, we present an updated overview on major effects of dietary components on the GM, highlighting the beneficial and detrimental consequences of diet-microbiota crosstalk in the setting of CMD. We also discuss the promises and challenges of integrating microbiome data in dietary planning aimed at restraining CMD onset and progression with a more personalized nutritional approach.

Uncovering the specificity and predictability of tryptophan metabolism in lactic acid bacteria with genomics and metabolomics

Tryptophan is metabolized by microorganisms into various indole derivatives that have been proven to alleviate diseases and promote human health. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a broad microbial concept, some of which have been developed as probiotics. However, the capacity of most LAB to metabolize tryptophan is unknown. In this study, the aim is to reveal the rule of tryptophan metabolism in LAB by multi-omics. The findings showed that LAB were rich in genes for tryptophan catabolism and that multiple genes were shared among LAB species. Although the number of their homologous sequences was different, they could still form the same metabolic enzyme system. The metabolomic analysis revealed that LAB were capable of producing a variety of metabolites. Strains belonging to the same species can produce the same metabolites and have similar yields. A few strains showed strain-specificity in the production of indole-3-lactic acid (ILA), indole-3-acetic acid, and 3-indolealdehyde (IAld). In the genotype-phenotype association analysis, the metabolites of LAB were found to be highly consistent with the outcomes of gene prediction, particularly ILA, indole-3-propionic acid, and indole-3-pyruvic acid. The overall prediction accuracy was more than 87% on average, which indicated the predictability of tryptophan metabolites of LAB. Additionally, genes influenced the concentration of metabolites. The levels of ILA and IAld were significantly correlated with the numbers of aromatic amino acid aminotransferase and amidase, respectively. The unique indolelactate dehydrogenase in Ligilactobacillus salivarius was the primary factor contributing to its large production of ILA. In summary, we demonstrated the gene distribution and production level of tryptophan metabolism in LAB and explored the correlation between genes and phenotypes. The predictability and specificity of the tryptophan metabolites in LAB were proven. These results provide a novel genomic method for the discovery of LAB with tryptophan metabolism potential and offer experimental data for probiotics that produce specific tryptophan metabolites.

Cannabinoids modulate the microbiota-gut-brain axis in HIV/SIV infection by reducing neuroinflammation and dysbiosis while concurrently elevating endocannabinoid and indole-3-propionate levels

BACKGROUND

Although the advent of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic disease, an estimated 30-50% of people living with HIV (PLWH) exhibit cognitive and motor deficits collectively known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). A key driver of HAND neuropathology is chronic neuroinflammation, where proinflammatory mediators produced by activated microglia and macrophages are thought to inflict neuronal injury and loss. Moreover, the dysregulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in PLWH, consequent to gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysbiosis, can lead to neuroinflammation and persistent cognitive impairment, which underscores the need for new interventions.

METHODS

We performed RNA-seq and microRNA profiling in basal ganglia (BG), metabolomics (plasma) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing (colon contents) in uninfected and SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) administered vehicle (VEH/SIV) or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (THC/SIV).

RESULTS

Long-term, low-dose THC reduced neuroinflammation and dysbiosis and significantly increased plasma endocannabinoid, endocannabinoid-like, glycerophospholipid and indole-3-propionate levels in chronically SIV-infected RMs. Chronic THC potently blocked the upregulation of genes associated with type-I interferon responses (NLRC5, CCL2, CXCL10, IRF1, IRF7, STAT2, BST2), excitotoxicity (SLC7A11), and enhanced protein expression of WFS1 (endoplasmic reticulum stress) and CRYM (oxidative stress) in BG. Additionally, THC successfully countered miR-142-3p-mediated suppression of WFS1 protein expression via a cannabinoid receptor-1-mediated mechanism in HCN2 neuronal cells. Most importantly, THC significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Clostridia including indole-3-propionate (C. botulinum, C. paraputrificum, and C. cadaveris) and butyrate (C. butyricum, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum) producers in colonic contents.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the potential of long-term, low-dose THC to positively modulate the MGBA by reducing neuroinflammation, enhancing endocannabinoid levels and promoting the growth of gut bacterial species that produce neuroprotective metabolites, like indole-3-propionate. The findings from this study may benefit not only PLWH on cART, but also those with no access to cART and more importantly, those who fail to suppress the virus under cART.

The Gut Microbiome, Microbial Metabolites, and Cardiovascular Disease in People Living with HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To synthesize recent evidence relating the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people living with HIV (PLWH).

RECENT FINDINGS

A few cross-sectional studies have reported on the gut microbiome and cardiovascular outcomes in the context of HIV, with no consistent patterns emerging. The largest such study found that gut Fusobacterium was associated with carotid artery plaque. More studies have evaluated microbial metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide with CVD risk in PLWH, but results were inconsistent, with recent prospective analyses showing null effects. Studies of other microbial metabolites are scarce. Microbial translocation biomarkers (e.g., lipopolysaccharide binding protein) have been related to incident CVD in PLWH. Microbial translocation may increase CVD risk in PLWH, but there is insufficient and/or inconsistent evidence regarding specific microbial species and microbial metabolites associated with cardiovascular outcomes in PLWH. Further research is needed in large prospective studies integrating the gut microbiome, microbial translocation, and microbial metabolites with cardiovascular outcomes in PLWH.

Tryptophan was metabolized into beneficial metabolites against coronary heart disease or prevented from producing harmful metabolites by the in vitro drug screening model based on Clostridium sporogenes

In our previous study of 2,130 Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), we found that tryptophan (TRP) metabolites contributed to elevated risks of death. Many TRP-derived metabolites require the participation of intestinal bacteria to produce, and they play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as CHD. So it is necessary to metabolize TRP into beneficial metabolites against CHD or prevent the production of harmful metabolites through external intervention. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) may be a key point of gut microbiota that causes TRP metabolism disorder and affects major adverse cardiovascular events in CHD. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a method based on in vitro culture bacteria to evaluate the effects of IBA on specific microbial metabolites quickly. We detected the concentrations of TRP and its metabolites in 11 bacterial strains isolated from feces using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, and selected Clostridium sporogenes as the model strain. Then, IBA was used in our model to explore its effect on TRP metabolism. Results demonstrated that the optimal culture conditions of C. sporogenes were as follows: initial pH, 6.8; culture temperature, 37°C; and inoculum amount, 2%. Furthermore, we found that IBA increases the production of TRP and 5-HIAA by intervening TRP metabolism, and inhibits the production of KYNA. This new bacteria-specific in vitro model provides a flexible, reproducible, and cost-effective tool for identifying harmful agents that can decrease the levels of beneficial TRP metabolites. It will be helpful for researchers when developing innovative strategies for studying gut microbiota.