Intestinal Enterococcus abundance correlates inversely with excessive weight gain and increased plasma leptin in breastfed infants

Intestinal Effects of Filtered Alkalinized Water in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats

This study evaluated the intestinal effects of alkalinized filtered water in lean and obese adult Zucker rats. For 3 months, 12-week-old rats consumed either tap water or filtered alkalinized tap water from Madrid city. Weight gain was monitored, changes in metabolism were evaluated by indirect calorimetry, and total antioxidant capacity and levels of inflammatory mediators were measured in plasma. Feces were collected, their microbial composition was analyzed and histological analysis of the small and large intestine was performed, assessing the general state of the mucosa (MUC2), the inflammatory state (F4/80) and the presence of oxidative modifications in protein 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) by immunofluorescence (IF) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results obtained showed that the consumption of alkalinized filtered water improved the composition of the intestinal microbiome and the state of the intestinal mucosa, reducing both local and systemic inflammation and the level of oxidative stress. These changes were accompanied by a better maintenance of the oxidative status in rats. No differences were observed in antioxidant capacity nor in weight gain. The incorporation of probiotics in the diet had a significant impact on the microbiome. These effects were indicative of an improvement in general metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status.

Pathogenic Potential and Antibiotic Susceptibility: A Comprehensive Study of Enterococci from Different Ecological Settings

The pathway and the lifestyle of known enterococcus species are too complicated. The aim of the present study is to trace the path of pathogenicity of enterococci isolated from seven habitats (Cornu aspersum intestine; Bulgarian yoghurt; goat and cow feta cheese-mature and young, respectively; Arabian street food-doner kebab; cow milk; and human breast milk) by comparing their pathogenic potential. In total, 72 enterococcal strains were isolated and identified by MALDI-TOF, sequencing, and PCR. Hemolytic and gelatinase activity were biochemically determined. PCR was carried out for detection of virulence factors (cylB, esp, gls24, nucl, psaA, agg, gelE, and ace) and antibiotic resistance (erm, ermB, blaZ, vanA, aphA, mefA, gyrA, catpIP501, and aac6'-aph2″). Phenotypic antibiotic resistance was assigned according to EUCAST. Eleven representatives of the genus Enterococcus were identified: E. mundtii, E. casseliflavus, E. gilvus, E. pseudoavium, E. pallens, E. malodoratus, E. devriesei, E. gallinarum, E. durans, E. faecium, and E. faecalis. Twenty-two strains expressed α-hemolysis. Thirteen strains had the cylB gene. Only two strains expressed α-hemolysis and possessed the cylB gene simultaneously. Positive amplification for gelE was found in 35% of the isolates, but phenotypic gelatinase activity was observed only in three strains. All isolates showed varying antibiotic resistance. Only E. faecalis BM15 showed multiple resistance (AMP-HLSR-RP). Correlation between genotypic and phenotypic macrolide resistance was revealed for two E. faecalis strains.

Computed Tomography-Based Quantitative Texture Analysis and Gut Microbial Community Signatures Predict Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

This study aims to combine computed tomography (CT)-based texture analysis (QTA) and a microbiome-based biomarker signature to predict the overall survival (OS) of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by analyzing their CT scans (n = 129) and fecal microbiome (n = 58). One hundred and five continuous CT parameters were obtained, where principal component analysis (PCA) identified seven major components that explained 80% of the data variation. Shotgun metagenomics (MG) and ITS analysis were performed to reveal the abundance of bacterial and fungal species. The relative abundance of Bacteroides dorei and Parabacteroides distasonis was associated with long OS (>6 mo), whereas the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and Enterococcus faecium and the fungal taxa Cortinarius davemallochii, Helotiales, Chaetosphaeriales, and Tremellomycetes were associated with short OS (≤6 mo). Hymenoscyphus immutabilis and Clavulinopsis fusiformis were more abundant in patients with high (≥50%) PD-L1-expressing tumors, whereas Thelephoraceae and Lachnospiraceae bacterium were enriched in patients with ICI-related toxicities. An artificial intelligence (AI) approach based on extreme gradient boosting evaluated the associations between the outcomes and various clinicopathological parameters. AI identified MG signatures for patients with a favorable ICI response and high PD-L1 expression, with 84% and 79% accuracy, respectively. The combination of QTA parameters and MG had a positive predictive value of 90% for both therapeutic response and OS. According to our hypothesis, the QTA parameters and gut microbiome signatures can predict OS, the response to therapy, the PD-L1 expression, and toxicity in NSCLC patients treated with ICI, and a machine learning approach can combine these variables to create a reliable predictive model, as we suggest in this research.

Effect of Breastmilk Microbiota and Sialylated Oligosaccharides on the Colonization of Infant Gut Microbial Community and Fecal Metabolome

The complex microbiota and sialylated oligosaccharides in breastmilk are important bioactive components that affect the gut microbiota. However, the effect of breastmilk microbiota and sialylated oligosaccharides on the gut microbiota during the neonatal period has been largely overlooked. Here, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analysis were applied to the breastmilk and feces of 69 newborns to clarify the link between breastmilk components and the newborn gut. Results showed that Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides were commonly shared and positively correlated between breastmilk and the neonatal intestine and they were the main bacteria of breastmilk that interacted with the newborn fecal metabolome. Breastmilk Staphylococcus mainly interacted with amino acids, whereas Bacteroides was involved in the tryptophan, nucleotide, and vitamin metabolism. Breastmilk sialylated oligosaccharides were related to Bacteroides and amino acids of the newborn fecal metabolites. Moreover, Bacteroides was related to the interaction between breastmilk 3'-sialyllactose and newborn fecal metabolites in the mediation effect models. Finally, we pointed out that breastmilk Bacteroides was important in the milk-gut interaction, and it was negatively associated with waist circumference in infants aged 1 year. Our study provides a scientific basis for understanding the role of breastmilk in the development of newborn gut microbiota and metabolome.

A narrative review of the functional components of human breast milk and their potential to modulate the gut microbiome, the consideration of maternal and child characteristics, and confounders of breastfeeding, and their impact on risk of obesity later in life

Nutritional exposure and, therefore, the metabolic environment during early human development can affect health later in life. This can go beyond the nutrients consumed; there is evidence that the development and modulation of the gut microbiome during early life can affect human growth, development, and health, and the gut microbiome is associated with the risk of obesity later in life. The primary aim of this review was to evaluate existing evidence, to identify the components of human breast milk, which may modulate the gut microbiome, and to assess the impact of the gut microbiome on the risk of becoming obese later in life. This review also considers maternal and child characteristics, and confounders of breastfeeding and how they impact on the infant gut microbiome. Current evidence supports a positive association between fecal, branched short-chain fatty acids and human milk oligosaccharide diversity and a gut microbiome associated with better metabolic health. A negative correlation was found between microbiome diversity and human milk oligosaccharide evenness, which was associated with a greater fat mass and percentage of fat. The components of human breast milk, including oligosaccharides, probiotics, milk fat globule membrane, and adiponectin, were hypothesized to positively influence infant growth and body weight by modulating the microbial diversity and composition of the gut. Maternal diet, timing and duration of breast feeding, and the mode of delivery were all shown to affect the human milk microbiota. However, more experimental studies with long follow-up are required to shed light on the governing mechanisms linking breast milk components with a diverse infant microbiome and healthier body weight later in life.

A potentially probiotic strain of Enterococcus faecalis from human milk that is avirulent, antibiotic sensitive, and nonbreaching of the gut barrier

Human milk is a key source of promising probiotic lactic acid bacteria. The Enterococcus species, because of their dual commensal and pathogenic nature, demand critical safety analysis to establish them as probiotic candidates. In this study, eighteen E. faecalis strains from human milk of mothers living in Pakistan were typed at the strain level by riboprinting. The typed strains were then evaluated in vitro for physiological safety and the presence of transmissible antibiotic resistance genes, adhesion genes, biogenic amines, and virulence factors. Selected strains were then checked for tolerance to gastrointestinal acid and bile as criteria for probiotic efficacy. Molecular typing revealed that the strains fell into five distinct clusters or ribotypes. Testing revealed that they were non-hemolytic; however, all strains had gelatinase activity except NPL-493. The isolates were susceptible to most clinically important antibiotics except streptomycin. Molecular screening for antibiotic resistance genes, adhesion genes, biogenic amines, and virulence factors indicated that none of the strains possessed resistance genes for aminoglycosides, vancomycin, bacitracin, tetracycline, or clindamycin. Most virulence factors were absent except for the genes gelE and efaAs associated with gut adhesion and translocation, which were present in all except NPL-493. Strain NPL-493 was the most promising probiotic candidate demonstrating significant tolerance to the acid, bile, and digestive enzymes in the human GIT and antibacterial activity against multiple pathogens. The study concluded that E. faecalis NPL-493 from human milk was safe among all the strains and could be considered a potential probiotic.

Partially Hydrolysed Whey Has Superior Allergy Preventive Capacity Compared to Intact Whey Regardless of Amoxicillin Administration in Brown Norway Rats

Background

It remains largely unknown how physicochemical properties of hydrolysed infant formulas influence their allergy preventive capacity, and results from clinical and animal studies comparing the preventive capacity of hydrolysed infant formula with conventional infant formula are inconclusive. Thus, the use of hydrolysed infant formula for allergy prevention in atopy-prone infants is highly debated. Furthermore, knowledge on how gut microbiota influences allergy prevention remains scarce.

Objective

To gain knowledge on (1) how physicochemical properties of hydrolysed whey products influence the allergy preventive capacity, (2) whether host microbiota disturbance influences allergy prevention, and (3) to what extent hydrolysed whey products influence gut microbiota composition.

Methods

The preventive capacity of four different ad libitum administered whey products was investigated in Brown Norway rats with either a conventional or an amoxicillin-disturbed gut microbiota. The preventive capacity of products was evaluated as the capacity to reduce whey-specific sensitisation and allergic reactions to intact whey after intraperitoneal post-immunisations with intact whey. Additionally, the direct effect of the whey products on the growth of gut bacteria derived from healthy human infant donors was evaluated by in vitro incubation.

Results

Two partially hydrolysed whey products with different physicochemical characteristics were found to be superior in preventing whey-specific sensitisation compared to intact and extensively hydrolysed whey products. Daily oral amoxicillin administration, initiated one week prior to intervention with whey products, disturbed the gut microbiota but did not impair the prevention of whey-specific sensitisation. The in vitro incubation of infant faecal samples with whey products indicated that partially hydrolysed whey products might confer a selective advantage to enterococci.

Conclusions

Our results support the use of partially hydrolysed whey products for prevention of cow’s milk allergy in atopy-predisposed infants regardless of their microbiota status. However, possible direct effects of partially hydrolysed whey products on gut microbiota composition warrants further investigation.

Levels of Predominant Intestinal Microorganisms in 1 Month-Old Full-Term Babies and Weight Gain during the First Year of Life

The early life gut microbiota has been reported to be involved in neonatal weight gain and later infant growth. Therefore, this early microbiota may constitute a target for the promotion of healthy neonatal growth and development with potential consequences for later life. Unfortunately, we are still far from understanding the association between neonatal microbiota and weight gain and growth. In this context, we evaluated the relationship between early microbiota and weight in a cohort of full-term infants. The absolute levels of specific fecal microorganisms were determined in 88 vaginally delivered and 36 C-section-delivered full-term newborns at 1 month of age and their growth up to 12 months of age. We observed statistically significant associations between the levels of some early life gut microbes and infant weight gain during the first year of life. Classifying the infants into tertiles according to their Staphylococcus levels at 1 month of age allowed us to observe a significantly lower weight at 12 months of life in the C-section-delivered infants from the highest tertile. Univariate and multivariate models pointed out associations between the levels of some fecal microorganisms at 1 month of age and weight gain at 6 and 12 months. Interestingly, these associations were different in vaginally and C-section-delivered babies. A significant direct association between Staphylococcus and weight gain at 1 month of life was observed in vaginally delivered babies, whereas in C-section-delivered infants, lower Bacteroides levels at 1 month were associated with higher later weight gain (at 6 and 12 months). Our results indicate an association between the gut microbiota and weight gain in early life and highlight potential microbial predictors for later weight gain.

Early-life gut microbiota and its connection to metabolic health in children: Perspective on ecological drivers and need for quantitative approach

The colonisation and development of the gut microbiota has been implicated in paediatric metabolic disorders via its powerful effect on host metabolic and immune homeostasis. Here we summarise the evidence from human studies on the early gut microbiota and paediatric overweight and obesity. Manipulation of the early gut microbiota may represent a promising target for countering the burgeoning metabolic disorders in the paediatric population, provided the assembly patterns of microbiota and their health consequences can be decoded. Therefore, in this review, we pay particular attention to the important ecological drivers affecting the community dynamics of the early gut microbiota. We then discuss the knowledge gaps in commonly studied exposures linking the gut microbiota to metabolic disorders, especially regarding maternal factors and antibiotic use. This review also attempts to give directions for future studies aiming to identify predictive and corrective measures for paediatric metabolic disorders based on the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota; Metabolism; Paediatric overweight and obesity; Ecological driver; Dynamics; Infants.

Maternal milk microbiota and oligosaccharides contribute to the infant gut microbiota assembly

Breastfeeding protects against diseases, with potential mechanisms driving this being human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and the seeding of milk-associated bacteria in the infant gut. In a cohort of 34 mother-infant dyads we analyzed the microbiota and HMO profiles in breast milk samples and infant's feces. The microbiota in foremilk and hindmilk samples of breast milk was compositionally similar, however hindmilk had higher bacterial load and absolute abundance of oral-associated bacteria, but a lower absolute abundance of skin-associated Staphylococcus spp. The microbial communities within both milk and infant's feces changed significantly over the lactation period. On average 33% and 23% of the bacterial taxa detected in infant's feces were shared with the corresponding mother's milk at 5 and 9 months of age, respectively, with Streptococcus, Veillonella and Bifidobacterium spp. among the most frequently shared. The predominant HMOs in feces associated with the infant's fecal microbiota, and the dominating infant species B. longum ssp. infantis and B. bifidum correlated inversely with HMOs. Our results show that breast milk microbiota changes over time and within a feeding session, likely due to transfer of infant oral bacteria during breastfeeding and suggest that milk-associated bacteria and HMOs direct the assembly of the infant gut microbiota.

The impact of feeding experiences during infancy on later child eating behaviours

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Individual differences in appetite and eating behaviours appear early in infancy. This review synthesizes recent research investigating the impact of feeding experiences during infancy on later appetite and energy intake regulation, and appraises the consistency and longevity of any effects.

RECENT FINDINGS

Three themes of early feeding experiences were identified; breastfeeding, infants' first foods and caregivers' feeding practices. Recent findings suggest that breastfeeding alone is unlikely to promote better regulation of food intake later in childhood. It remains unclear whether the method of first food introduction (e.g., baby-led weaning vs traditional spoon feeding), or types of food introduced (e.g. ultra-processed foods), affect later child eating self-regulation. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on receiving guidance for responsive feeding showed some benefits; lower child body mass index z-scores in toddlerhood, parents reported less likelihood to pressure their child to eat or use food as a reward and lower emotional eating in the child.

SUMMARY

There is little consistent new evidence for the lasting impact of any one specific infant feeding experience on later eating self-regulation. More RCTs using observed and measured behaviours, with longer follow-ups of children's eating behaviours, and those conducted across different populations are warranted.

Human Milk Drives the Intimate Interplay Between Gut Immunity and Adipose Tissue for Healthy Growth

As the physiological food for the developing child, human milk is expected to be the diet that is best adapted for infant growth needs. There is also accumulating evidence that breastfeeding influences long-term metabolic outcomes. This review covers the potential mechanisms by which human milk could regulate healthy growth. We focus on how human milk may act on adipose tissue development and its metabolic homeostasis. We also explore how specific human milk components may influence the interplay between the gut microbiota, gut mucosa immunity and adipose tissue. A deeper understanding of these interactions may lead to new preventative and therapeutic strategies for both undernutrition and other metabolic diseases and deserves further exploration.

Efficacy and Safety of Lactobacillus plantarum K50 on Lipids in Koreans With Obesity: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Only few studies have investigated the role of probiotics in the development of obesity. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of an intake of Lactobacillus plantarum K50 (LPK) on body fat and lipid profiles in people with obesity.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial involved 81 adults with a body mass index of 25-30 kg/m² who were assigned randomly to a diet including 4 × 10⁹ colony-forming unit of LPK or a placebo. Changes in body fat, anthropometric parameters, and biomarkers of obesity were compared using a linear mixed-effect model.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks of treatment, body weight, fat mass, and abdominal fat area did not change significantly in the two groups. However, total cholesterol levels decreased from 209.4 ± 34.4 mg/dL to 203.5 ± 30.9 mg/dL in the LPK group, but increased from 194.7 ± 37.5 mg/dL to 199.9 ± 30.7 mg/dL in the placebo group (P = 0.037). Similarly, triglyceride levels decreased from 135.4 ± 115.8 mg/dL to 114.5 ± 65.9 mg/dL in the LPK group, with a significant difference between groups. LPK supplementation also tended to decrease leptin levels compared with placebo. It also changed the distribution of gut microbiota significantly, with an increase in L. plantarum and a decrease in Actinobacteria, both of whose changes in abundance were correlated with changes in visceral adiposity, with borderline significance.

CONCLUSION

A 12-week consumption of LPK reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly with favorable alterations in microbiota, suggesting potential benefits for controlling blood lipid profiles.