Clostridium butyricum promotes intestinal motility by regulation of TLR2 in interstitial cells of Cajal

Lactic acid bacteria in relieving constipation: mechanism, clinical application, challenge, and opportunity

Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal symptom that can considerably affect a patients' quality of life. Although several drugs have been used to treat constipation, they are associated with high costs, side effects, and low universality. Therefore, alternative intervention strategies are urgently needed. Traditional lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, play a vital role in regulating intestinal microecology and have demonstrated favorable effects in constipation; however, a comprehensive review of their constipation relief mechanisms is limited. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of constipation and the relationship between intestinal motility and gut microbiota, elucidates the possible mechanism by which LAB alleviates of constipation through a systematic summary of animal and clinical research, and highlights the challenges and applications of LAB in the treatment of constipation. Our review can improve our understanding of constipation, and advance targeted microecological therapeutic agents, such as LAB.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum on the growth performance, digestion, and intestinal health of spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

Clostridium butyricum (CB) is known to promote growth, enhance immunity, promote digestion, and improve intestinal health. In this study, we investigated the effects of CB in the feed on growth performance, digestion, and intestinal health of juvenile spotted sea bass. To provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of CB in the feed of spotted sea bass, a total of 450 spotted sea bass with an initial body weight of (9.58 ± 0.05) g were randomly divided into six groups. Gradient levels with 0, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% of CB (1×10⁹ cfu/g) were supplemented into diets, designated as CC, CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, and CB5, respectively. Each group was fed for 54 days. Our results suggest that dietary 0.2% and 0.3% of CB can significantly increase the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of spotted sea bass. The addition of CB significantly increased intestinal amylase activity, intestinal villus length, intestinal villus width, and intestinal muscle thickness. Similarly, CB supplementation increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Sequence analysis of the bacterial 16S rDNA region showed that dietary CB altered the intestinal microbiota profile of juvenile spotted sea bass, increasing the dominant bacteria in the intestine and decreasing the harmful bacteria. Overall, dietary addition of CB can improve growth performance, enhance intestinal immunity, improve intestinal flora structure, and comprehensively improve the health of spotted sea bass.

Role of CD34 in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by a variety of pathogenic factors, including chronic recurrent inflammation of the ileum, rectum, and colon. Immune cells and adhesion molecules play an important role in the course of the disease, which is actually an autoimmune disease. During IBD, CD34 is involved in mediating the migration of a variety of immune cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells) to the inflammatory site, and its interaction with various adhesion molecules is involved in the occurrence and development of IBD. Although the function of CD34 as a partial cell marker is well known, little is known on its role in IBD. Therefore, this article describes the structure and biological function of CD34, as well as on its potential mechanism in the development of IBD.

Role of gut microbiota-derived signals in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors trillions of commensal microbes, called the gut microbiota, which plays a significant role in the regulation of GI physiology, particularly GI motility. The GI tract expresses an array of receptors, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), G-protein coupled receptors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and ligand-gated ion channels, that sense different gut microbiota-derived bioactive substances. Specifically, microbial cell wall components and metabolites, including lipopeptides, peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), bile acids (BAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and tryptophan metabolites, mediate the effect of gut microbiota on GI motility through their close interactions with the enteroendocrine system, enteric nervous system, intestinal smooth muscle, and immune system. In turn, GI motility affects the colonization within the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms by which gut microbiota interacts with GI motility remain to be elucidated. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms is greatly important for the prevention or treatment of GI dysmotility, which is a complication associated with many GI diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation. In this perspective, we overview the current knowledge on the role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in the regulation of GI motility, highlighting the potential mechanisms, in an attempt to provide valuable clues for the development of gut microbiota-dependent therapy to improve GI motility.

Intestinal bacteria flora changes in patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with or without wheezing

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Furthermore, many children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) have recurrent wheezing and reduced small airway function after their clinical symptoms have resolved, eventually leading to asthma. MPP can trigger immune disorders and systemic inflammatory responses. Hence, the intestine is the largest immune organ of the body. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether the alteration of intestinal flora is correlated with the development of wheezing in children with MPP. We collected 30 healthy children as group A, 50 children with nonwheezing MPP as group B, and 50 children with wheezing MPP as group C. We found that the percentage of eosinophil cells (EC) was significantly higher in group C than that in group B for routine blood tests and serum inflammatory factors. The serum cytokines, including IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-β, were significantly higher in group C than in group B. In addition, the level of IL-10 was significantly lower in group C than in group B. The distribution characteristics of intestinal flora strains in children with MPP were detected by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. There were differences in the abundance of intestinal flora between children with MPP and healthy children, with lower abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Clostridium butyricum, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium in the intestine of children with MPP compared to healthy children. The abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Clostridium butyricum was significantly lower in the intestine of children with wheezing MPP compared to children without wheezing MPP. In the correlation analysis between children with MPP and inflammatory factors, Ruminococcus flavefaciens was found to be negatively correlated with IL-17. Clostridium butyricum was negatively correlated with L-4, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-β; however, it positively correlated with IL-10. Thus, it was concluded that alterations in intestinal flora play a crucial role in the immune response to MPP, where a significant decline in intestinal Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Clostridium butyricum leads to an exacerbation of the inflammatory responses, which may promote the development of children with wheezing MPP.

Gut microbiota: sculptors of the intestinal stem cell niche in health and inflammatory bowel disease

Intestinal epithelium represents a dynamic and diverse cellular system that continuously interacts with gut commensals and external cues. Intestinal stem cells, which lie at the heart of epithelial renewal and turnover, proliferate to maintain a steady stem cell population and differentiate to form functional epithelial cell types. This rather sophisticated assembly-line is maintained by an elaborate micro-environment, sculpted by a myriad of host and gut microbiota-derived signals, forming an intestinal stem cell niche. This complex, yet crucial signaling niche undergoes dynamic changes during homeostasis and chronic intestinal inflammation. Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a chronic inflammatory response toward pathogenic or commensal microbiota, in a genetically susceptible host. Compositional and functional alterations in gut microbiota are pathognomonic of IBD.The present review highlights the modulatory role of gut microbiota on the intestinal stem cell niche during homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease. We discuss the mechanisms of direct action of gut commensals (through microbiota-derived or microbiota-influenced metabolites) on ISCs, followed by their effects via other epithelial and immune cell types.

Gut microbiota-motility interregulation: insights from in vivo, ex vivo and in silico studies

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microbes. Gut microbial communities have a significant regulatory role in the intestinal physiology, such as gut motility. Microbial effect on gut motility is often evoked by bioactive molecules from various sources, including microbial break down of carbohydrates, fibers or proteins. In turn, gut motility regulates the colonization within the microbial ecosystem. However, the underlying mechanisms of such regulation remain obscure. Deciphering the inter-regulatory mechanisms of the microbiota and bowel function is crucial for the prevention and treatment of gut dysmotility, a comorbidity associated with many diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the current knowledge on the impact of gut microbiota and its products on bowel motility. We discuss the currently available techniques employed to assess the changes in the intestinal motility. Further, we highlight the open challenges, and incorporate biophysical elements of microbes-motility interplay, in an attempt to lay the foundation for describing long-term impacts of microbial metabolite-induced changes in gut motility.

CBP22, a Novel Bacteriocin Isolated from Clostridium butyricum ZJU-F1, Protects against LPS-Induced Intestinal Injury through Maintaining the Tight Junction Complex

A novel bacteriocin secreted by Clostridium butyricum ZJU-F1 was isolated using ammonium sulfate fractionation, cation exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The bacteriocin, named CBP22, contained 22 amino acids with the sequence PSAWQITKCAGSIAWALGSGIF. Analysis of its structure and physicochemical properties indicated that CBP22 had a molecular weight of 2264.63 Da and a +1 net charge. CBP22 showed activity against E. col K88, E. coli ATCC25922, and S. aureus ATCC26923. The effects and potential mechanisms of bacteriocin CBP22 on the innate immune response were investigated with a lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced mouse model. The results showed that pretreatment with CBP22 prevented LPS-induced impairment in epithelial tissues and significantly reduced serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, TNF-α, and sIgA. Moreover, CBP22 treatment increased the expression of the zonula occludens and reduced permeability as well as apoptosis in the jejunum in LPS-treated mice. In summary, CBP22 inhibits the intestinal injury and prevents the gut barrier dysfunction induced by LPS, suggesting the potential use of CBP22 for treating intestinal damage.

Clostridium butyricum Supernatant Regulates the Expression of RORγt in HCT-116 Cells by Inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

In this study, we treated HCT-116 cells with Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) supernatant and observed its effects on the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and RORγt, to further explore the possible immune regulatory mechanism of C. butyricum. Our results showed that C. butyricum supernatant downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR2, MyD88, NF-κBp65, and RORγt in HCT-116 cells and the protein levels of phospho-NF-κBp65. Partial blockage of TLR2 by CD282 weakened the inhibitory effects of C. butyricum supernatant on the above pathway components. Those component levels were still inhibited by C. butyricum supernatant after Pam3CSK4 activation of TLR2. In summary, C. butyricum supernatant can inhibit the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and the expression of RORγt in HCT-116 cells. These effects are at least partly achieved through inhibition of TLR2.

Clostridium Butyricum ZJU-F1 Benefits the Intestinal Barrier Function and Immune Response Associated with Its Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

This study investigated the effects of dietary C. butyricum ZJU-F1 on the apparent digestibility of nutrients, intestinal barrier function, immune response, and microflora of weaned piglets, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for the application of Clostridium butyricum as an alternative to antibiotics in weaned piglets. A total of 120 weanling piglets were randomly divided into four treatment groups, in which piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (CON), Bacillus licheniformis (BL), Clostridium butyricum ZJU-F1 (CB), or Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus licheniformis (CB-BL), respectively. The results showed that CB and CB-BL treatment increased the intestinal digestibility of nutrients, decreased intestinal permeability, and increased intestinal tight junction protein and mucin expression, thus maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. CB and CB-BL, as exogenous probiotics, were also found to stimulate the immune response of weaned piglets and improve the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the ileum. In addition, dietary CB and CB-BL increased the proportion of Lactobacillus. The levels of butyric acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, and total acid were significantly increased in the ceca of piglets fed CB and CB-BL. Furthermore, we validated the effects of C. butyricum ZJU-F1 on the intestinal barrier function and immune response in vitro and found C. butyricum ZJU-F1 improved intestinal function and enhanced the TLR-2-MyD88-NF-κB signaling.

Gut microbiota of patients with different subtypes of gastric cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND

Gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with H. pylori infection and inflammation that can result in the dysbiosis of gastric microbiota. The association of intestinal microbiota with gastric adenocarcinoma subtypes or with gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is however not well known. Therefore, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing on DNA isolated from stool samples of Finnish patients and controls to study differences in microbiota among different histological subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric GIST and healthy controls.

RESULTS

We found that gut microbiota alpha diversity was lowest in diffuse adenocarcinoma patients, followed by intestinal type and GIST patients, although the differences were not significant compared to controls. Beta-diversity analysis however showed significant differences in microbiota composition for all subtypes compared to controls. Significantly higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae was observed in both adenocarcinoma subtypes, whereas lower abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae was seen only in diffuse adenocarcinoma and of Oscillibacter in intestinal adenocarcinoma. Both GIST and adenocarcinoma patients had higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and lower abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Oscillibacter while lower abundance of Lachnoclostridium, Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides and Barnesiella was seen only in the adenocarcinoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis shows association of higher Enterobacteriaceae abundance with all types of gastric tumors. Therefore it could be potentially useful as a marker of gastric malignancies. Lower gut microbiota diversity might be indicative of poorly differentiated, invasive, advanced or aggressive tumors and could possibly be a prognostic marker for gastric tumors.

Immunological design of commensal communities to treat intestinal infection and inflammation

The immunological impact of individual commensal species within the microbiota is poorly understood limiting the use of commensals to treat disease. Here, we systematically profile the immunological fingerprint of commensals from the major phyla in the human intestine (Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) to reveal taxonomic patterns in immune activation and use this information to rationally design commensal communities to enhance antibacterial defenses and combat intestinal inflammation. We reveal that Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes have distinct effects on intestinal immunity by differentially inducing primary and secondary response genes. Within these phyla, the immunostimulatory capacity of commensals from the Bacteroidia class (Bacteroidetes phyla) reflects their robustness of TLR4 activation and Bacteroidia communities rely solely on this receptor for their effects on intestinal immunity. By contrast, within the Clostridia class (Firmicutes phyla) it reflects the degree of TLR2 and TLR4 activation, and communities of Clostridia signal via both of these receptors to exert their effects on intestinal immunity. By analyzing the receptors, intracellular signaling components and transcription factors that are engaged by different commensal species, we identify canonical NF-κB signaling as a critical rheostat which grades the degree of immune stimulation commensals elicit. Guided by this immunological analysis, we constructed a cross-phylum consortium of commensals (Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides ovatus, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Clostridium histolyticum) which enhances innate TLR, IL6 and macrophages-dependent defenses against intestinal colonization by vancomycin resistant Enterococci, and fortifies mucosal barrier function during pathological intestinal inflammation through the same pathway. Critically, the setpoint of intestinal immunity established by this consortium is calibrated by canonical NF-κB signaling. Thus, by profiling the immunological impact of major human commensal species our work paves the way for rational microbiota reengineering to protect against antibiotic resistant infections and to treat intestinal inflammation.

Astragaloside IV alleviates mouse slow transit constipation by modulating gut microbiota profile and promoting butyric acid generation

Gut microbiota and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are associated with the development of various human diseases. In this study, we examined the role of astragaloside IV in modulating mouse gut microbiota structure and the generation of SCFAs, as well as in slow transit constipation (STC). An STC model was established by treating mice with loperamide, in which the therapeutic effects of astragaloside IV were evaluated. The microbiota community structure and SCFA content were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, respectively. The influence of butyrate on STC was assessed using a mouse model and Cajal cells (ICC). Astragaloside IV promoted defecation, improved intestinal mobility, suppressed ICC loss and alleviated colonic lesions in STC mice. Alterations in gut microbiota community structure in STC mice, such as decreased Lactobacillus reuteri diversity, were improved following astragaloside IV treatment. Moreover, astragaloside IV up‐regulated butyric acid and valeric acid, but decreased isovaleric acid, in STC mouse stools. Butyrate promoted defecation, improved intestinal mobility, and enhanced ICC proliferation by regulating the AKT–NF‐κB signalling pathway. Astragaloside IV promoted intestinal transit in STC mice and inhibited ICC loss by regulating the gut microbiota community structure and generating butyric acid.

The effect of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on the growth performance, immunity, intestinal microbiota and disease resistance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum on the growth, immunity, intestinal microbiota and disease resistance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three hundreds of tilapia (56.21 ± 0.81 g) were divided into 5 groups and fed a diet supplemented with C. butyricum at 0, 1 x 10⁴, 1 x 10⁵, 1 x 10⁶ or 1 x 10⁷ CFU g^-1 diet (denoted as CG, CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4, respectively) for 56 days. Then 45 fish from each group were intraperitoneally injected with Streptococcus agalactiae, and the mortality was recorded for 14 days. The results showed that dietary C. butyricum significantly improved the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed intake in the CB2 group and decreased the cumulative mortality post-challenge with S. agalactiae in the CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups. The serum total antioxidant capacity and intestinal interleukin receptor-associated kinase-4 gene expression were significantly increased, and serum malondialdehyde content and diamine oxidase activity were significantly decreased in the CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups. Serum complement 3 and complement 4 concentrations and intestinal gene expression of tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin 8, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 were significantly higher in the CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups. Intestinal toll-like receptor 2 gene expression was significantly upregulated in the CB3 and CB4 groups. Dietary C. butyricum increased the diversity of the intestinal microbiota and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (such as Bacillus), and decreased the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria (such as Aeromonas) in the CB2 group. These results revealed that dietary C. butyricum at a suitable dose enhanced growth performance, elevated humoral and intestinal immunity, regulated the intestinal microbial components, and improved disease resistance in tilapia. The optimal dose was 1 x 10⁵ CFU g^-1 diet.