Mechanisms for Improving Hepatic Glucolipid Metabolism by Cinnamic Acid and Cinnamic Aldehyde: An Insight Provided by Multi-Omics

Gut microbiota metabolites impact immunologic responses to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected men who have sex with men

BACKGROUND

The association between gut microbial metabolites and immunologic non-response among people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) has not been well established. We aimed to characterize gut microbial metabolites among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with different immunologic responses.

METHODS

We recruited HIV-infected MSM from Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital and HIV-uninfected MSM (healthy controls, HC) from a local MSM community-based organization in Guangzhou between June and October 2021. HIV-infected MSM were grouped into good immunological responders (GIR) (CD4 + T cell count ≥ 350 cells/μl) and poor immunological responders (PIR) (CD4 + T cell count < 350 cells/μl) after 24 months of ART treatment. Online questionnaires and stool samples were collected. Microbial metabolites in stool were obtained through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) system. Differential metabolites were identified and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by pairwise comparisons with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The least absolute selection and shrinkage operator was used to select potential metabolites biomarkers.

RESULTS

A total of 51 HC, 56 GIR, and 42 PIR were included. No statistically significant differences were observed in the median time since HIV diagnosis and ART duration between GIR and PIR. Among the 174 quantified metabolites, 81 significantly differed among HC, GIR, and PIR (P < 0.05). Among differential metabolites, indole-3-propionic acid significantly decreased from HC (11.39 nmol/g) and GIR (8.16 nmol/g) to PIR (6.50 nmol/g). The pathway analysis showed that tryptophan metabolism differed significantly between GIR and PIR (P < 0.05). Four potential metabolites biomarkers (dimethylglycine, cinnamic acid, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and propionic acid) that distinguish GIR and PIR were identified, and the corresponding area under the curve based on potential biomarkers was 0.773 (95% CI: 0.675-0.871).

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified significant differences in gut microbial metabolites among HIV-infected MSM with different immunologic responses. These results indicate the potential of gut microbial metabolites as novel disease progression markers and therapeutic targets.

Xiaobugan decoction prevents CCl4-induced acute liver injury by modulating gut microbiota and hepatic metabolism

BACKGROUND

The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and metabolism. When its capacity to metabolize foreign substances is exceeded, it can lead to acute liver injury (ALI). Therefore, preventing liver disease and maintaining daily liver health are of utmost importance. Xiaobugan Decoction (XBGD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is recorded in 'Fuxingjue', is used in folk practice to promote liver health and regulate respiration. However, the hepatoprotective mechanisms of XBGD remained unclear.

PURPOSE

We investigated the prophylactic and hepatoprotective effects of XBGD and explored its related molecular mechanisms using a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced ALI.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

XBGD composition was determined using analytical methods, and the main compounds were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive focus mass spectrum (UHPLC-QE-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A CCl4-induced L02 cell injury model was employed to explore the protective effects of XBGD on liver cells, and a CCl4-induced ALI mouse model was used to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of XBGD.

RESULTS

Cellular experiments demonstrated that XBGD had a protective function against L02 cell damage by increasing cell viability, restoring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and improving mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). In the mouse ALI model, XBGD prevented ALI by reducing ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and inhibiting oxidative stress. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immumohistochemical staining and western blotting results revealed that XBGD exerted hepatoprotective effects by reducing inflammatory responses and inhibiting cell apoptosis. Furthermore, 1H-NMR metabolomics indicated that XBGD regulates hepatic and intestinal metabolism, whereas 16S rDNA sequencing demonstrated the regulatory effects of XBGD on the gut microbiota. Correlation analysis highlighted the close relationship among gut microbiota, metabolites, and ALI indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

XBGD is a promising TCM for the prevention of CCl4-induced ALI via regulation of microbiota and metabolism. This study provides a new perspective on the development of hepatoprotective measures and the prevention of liver disease in daily life.

Multi-omics analysis of kidney tissue metabolome and proteome reveals the protective effect of sheep milk against adenine-induced chronic kidney disease in mice

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by impaired renal function and is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Sheep milk contains several bioactive molecules with protective effects against inflammation and oxidative stress. In the current study, we investigated the potential renoprotective effects of sheep milk and the associated mechanisms of action in an adenine-induced CKD murine model. Sheep milk delayed renal chronic inflammation (e.g., significant reduction in levels of inflammatory factors Vcam1, Icam1, Il6, and Tnfa), fibrosis (significant reduction in levels of fibrosis factors Col1a1, Fn1, and Tgfb), oxidative stress (significant increase in levels of antioxidants and decrease in oxidative markers), mineral disorders, and renal injury in adenine-treated mice (e.g. reduced levels of kidney injury markers NGAL and KIM-1). The combined proteomics and metabolomics analyses showed that sheep milk may affect the metabolic processes of several compounds, including proteins, lipids, minerals, and hormones in mice with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease. In addition, it may regulate the expression of fibrosis-related factors and inflammatory factors through the JAK1/STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway, thus exerting its renoprotective effects. Therefore, sheep milk may be beneficial for patients with CKD and should be evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies.

Regulation Mechanism and Potential Value of Active Substances in Spices in Alcohol-Liver-Intestine Axis Health

Excessive alcohol intake will aggravate the health risk between the liver and intestine and affect the multi-directional information exchange of metabolites between host cells and microbial communities. Because of the side effects of clinical drugs, people tend to explore the intervention value of natural drugs on diseases. As a flavor substance, spices have been proven to have medicinal value, but they are still rare in treating hepatointestinal diseases caused by alcohol. This paper summarized the metabolic transformation of alcohol in the liver and intestine and summarized the potential value of various perfume active substances in improving liver and intestine diseases caused by alcohol. It is also found that bioactive substances in spices can exert antioxidant activity in the liver and intestine environment and reduce the oxidative stress caused by diseases. These substances can interfere with fatty acid synthesis, promote sugar and lipid metabolism, and reduce liver injury caused by steatosis. They can effectively regulate the balance of intestinal flora, promote the production of SCFAs, and restore the intestinal microenvironment.

Simple phenylpropanoids: recent advances in biological activities, biosynthetic pathways, and microbial production

Covering: 2000 to 2023Simple phenylpropanoids are a large group of natural products with primary C6-C3 skeletons. They are not only important biomolecules for plant growth but also crucial chemicals for high-value industries, including fragrances, nutraceuticals, biomaterials, and pharmaceuticals. However, with the growing global demand for simple phenylpropanoids, direct plant extraction or chemical synthesis often struggles to meet current needs in terms of yield, titre, cost, and environmental impact. Benefiting from the rapid development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, microbial production of natural products from inexpensive and renewable sources provides a feasible solution for sustainable supply. This review outlines the biological activities of simple phenylpropanoids, compares their biosynthetic pathways in different species (plants, bacteria, and fungi), and summarises key research on the microbial production of simple phenylpropanoids over the last decade, with a focus on engineering strategies that seem to hold most potential for further development. Moreover, constructive solutions to the current challenges and future perspectives for industrial production of phenylpropanoids are presented.

Proteomics Analysis of Serum Reveals Potential Biomarkers for Heart Failure Patients with Phlegm-Blood Stasis Syndrome

Heart failure (HF), a complex clinical syndrome, has become a global burden on health and economics around the world. Phlegm-blood stasis syndrome, one of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation, is the core pathogenesis dynamically throughout the occurrence, development, and prognosis of HF. Biomarkers having high sensitivity and specificity are highly demanded to facilitate the accurate differentiation of HF patients with phlegm-blood stasis syndrome. In the present study, serum samples were collected from 20 healthy controls and 40 HF patients (20 with and 20 without phlegm-blood stasis syndrome). We implemented data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) for discovery and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) for validation of biomarkers for heart failure with phlegm-blood stasis syndrome. A total of 84 different proteins were found in the HF with phlegm-blood stasis syndrome (HF-TY) group compared with healthy controls. 37 candidate proteins were selected for the PRM assay, and five validated proteins with high sensitivity and specificity, including insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4), β-2-microglobulin (B2M), dystroglycan (DAG1), immunoglobulin J chain (JCHAIN), and kallikrein B1 (KLKB1), were considered potential biomarkers for heart failure patients with phlegm-blood stasis syndrome. Newly identified biomarkers might provide insights into the diagnosis and treatment of HF with TCM syndrome differentiation.

Cinnamaldehyde supplementation acts as an insulin mimetic compound improving glucose metabolism during adolescence, but not during adulthood, in healthy male rats

PURPOSE

Adolescence is a critical period of increased vulnerability to nutritional modifications, and adolescents may respond differently from adults to dietary intake and nutraceuticals. Cinnamaldehyde, a major bioactive compound of cinnamon, improves energy metabolism, as has been shown in studies conducted primarily in adult animals. We hypothesized that cinnamaldehyde treatment may have a higher impact on the glycemic homeostasis of healthy adolescent rats than on healthy adult rats.

METHODS

Male adolescent (30 days) or adult (90 days) Wistar rats received cinnamaldehyde (40 mg/kg) for 28 days by gavage. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), liver glycogen content, serum insulin concentration, serum lipid profile, and hepatic insulin signaling marker expression were evaluated.

RESULTS

Cinnamaldehyde-treated adolescent rats showed less weight gain (P = 0.041), improved OGTT (P = 0.004), increased expression of phosphorylated IRS-1 (P = 0.015), and a trend to increase phosphorylated IRS-1 (P = 0.063) in the liver of adolescent rats in the basal state. None of these parameters was modified after treatment with cinnamaldehyde in the adult group. Cumulative food intake, visceral adiposity, liver weight, serum insulin, serum lipid profile, hepatic glycogen content, and liver protein expression of IRβ, phosphorylated IRβ, AKT, phosphorylated AKT, and PTP-1B in the basal state were similar between both age groups.

CONCLUSION

In a healthy metabolic condition, cinnamaldehyde supplementation affects glycemic metabolism in adolescent rats while promoting no changes in adult rats.

Cinnamic acid is beneficial to diabetic cardiomyopathy via its cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-dyslipidemia, and antidiabetic properties

Diabetes-related health issues are increasing day by day in public, and diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one serious issue among them. There is a lack of proper strategy to control and manage DCM. Here we are attempting a nutraceutical-based approach to protect the heart from DCM. The beneficial effect of cinnamic acid (CiA), was evaluated in an experimental model of diabetes. For this, diabetic model was created by feeding male Wistar rats with a high fat, high fructose diet for 6 months and a single dose of streptozotocin (25 mg/kg bwt). Metformin was used as the positive control. The diabetic rats showed insulin resistance, myocardial injury, and a significant increase of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. Development of DCM was evident from the increased cardiac mass index, LDH, CKMB, ANP, and CRP levels in the diabetic group. There was a significant increase in the levels of cardiac hypertrophy markers like TGF-β and β-MHC in the hearts of diabetic rats revealing DCM. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and lipid peroxides were significantly elevated in the serum of diabetic rats. Histopathology revealed inflammation and necrosis in the heart of diabetic rats confirming DCM. Oral administration of CiA (5 and 10 mg/kg bwt) prevented the development of DCM via its cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-dyslipidemia potential, and antidiabetic properties. Similarly, metformin (50 mg/kg bwt) has also shown protection against DCM. We conclude from this study that CiA is found to be beneficial against DCM and recommend more detailed preclinical and clinical studies to develop CiA-based nutraceutical against DCM.