Crosstalk between the Resident Microbiota and the Immune Cells Regulates Female Genital Tract Health

Evaluation of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels in pregnant women with recurrent vaginitis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D in pregnant women with recurrent vaginitis and determine whether these parameters contribute to the etiology of the disease.

METHODS

The study included 30 pregnant women diagnosed with recurrent vaginitis in their first trimester (group I), who presented at least twice between 1.5.2019 and 1.5.2022 at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, and 30 healthy pregnant women in their first trimester without any complaints (group II). The vagititis group was compared with the control group for serum levels of vitamin B12, homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin D.

RESULTS

A comparison of the results between the groups revealed the following: homocysteine levels (μmol/L) were 10.75 (6.38-24.90) in group I (vaginitis positive) and 9.32 (4.26-17.10) in group II (control); vitamin B12 levels (ng/L) were 149.00 (63.00-328.00) in group I and 261.00 (126.00-544.00) in group II; folate levels (μg/L) were 10.56 (3.93-23.33) in group I and 9.48 (3.53-24.10) in group II; vitamin D levels (ng/mL) were 36.54 (23.65-75.68) in group I and 52.45 (26.57-105.00) in group II. Statistically significant elevation in homocysteine levels was observed in the vaginitis group (group I) (p<0.05). Vitamin B12 and D levels were significantly lower in the vaginitis group (group I) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In pregnant women with recurrent vaginitis, the levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D may play a role in the etiology of the condition, and vitamins B12 and D may be considered for use in treatment.

Zearalenone enhances TSST-1 production by intestinal Staphylococcus and increases uterine immune stress in rats

Zearalenone (ZEA), a mycotoxin prevalent in food crops, poses significant health risks, particularly through its impact on the gut-uterus axis. This study assessed the effects of a 5 mg/kg body weight ZEA dosage in female SD rats, focusing on gut microbiota alterations, inflammatory responses, and uterine changes. Our findings revealed substantial shifts in microbial composition, including significant reductions in beneficial genera such as Akkermansia and Ruminococcaceae and marked increases in pathogenic staphylococci, which correlated with elevated levels of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) in serum and uterine tissue. RNA sequencing of uterine samples indicated activation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) pathway, along with significant upregulation of MMP-2 and TIMP-2, enzymes associated with ECM remodelling. Correlation analysis showed a strong link between staphylococcal proliferation and ECM pathway activation, suggesting that ZEA-induced gut dysbiosis contributes to uterine inflammation and structural alterations. These results reveal how ZEA disrupts gut and uterine health, highlighting critical pathways that could serve as targets for future preventive and therapeutic strategies against mycotoxin exposure.

Lactobacillus gasseri LGV03-derived indole-3-lactic acid ameliorates immune response by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Previous studies showed that the female genital tract microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating the host's immune defense mechanisms. Our previous research has shown that Lactobacillus gasseri LGV03 (L. gasseri LGV03) isolated from cervico-vagina of HPV-cleared women contributes to clearance of HPV infection and beneficially regulate immune response. However, the mechanisms behind the regulation of L. gasseri LGV03 in immune response remain unclear. To better understand the interaction between female genital tract microbiome and immune function, the immunomodulatory activities of L. gasseri LGV03 were investigated in zebrafish models of neutropenia, macrophage and T cells deficiency. L. gasseri LGV03 showed higher potent activities in ameliorating vinorelbine-induced neutropenia, macrophage and T cells deficiency, and significantly enhanced mRNA expressions of cytokines TNF-α, TNF-β and IFN-α. Moreover, the transcriptome sequencing results indicated L. gasseri LGV03 might alleviate vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish. Non-targeted detection and analysis revealed that indole derivatives including phenylacetaldehyde, 3-phenyllactic acid, N-acetylserotonin and indole-3-lactic acid were significantly increased in the lysate and supernatant of L. gasseri LGV03. Meanwhile, L. gasseri LGV03 supernatant and indole-3-lactic acid ameliorated the vinorelbine-induced reduction in abundance of macrophages, neutrophils and T cells. However, the alleviating effects of L. gasseri LGV03 supernatant or indole-3-lactic acid were eliminated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist CH-223,191. Furthermore, L. gasseri LGV03 supernatant and indole-3-lactic acid significantly increased the secretion of IFN-α, IFN-β and chemokines (MIP-1α, MIP-1β) in Ect1/E6E7 cells, meanwhile, these benefits were eliminated by CH-223,191 treatment. In summary, L. gasseri LGV03-derived indole-3-lactic acid can activate AHR-mediated immune response.

Lactoferrin Supplementation in Preventing and Protecting from SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Is There Any Role in General and Special Populations? An Updated Review of Literature

At the beginning of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection represented a great medical burden worldwide, as targeted and effective therapeutic options were lacking. This resulted in the revival of existing molecules and the increasing popularity of over-the-counter nutritional supplements. Among the latter, lactoferrin has been investigated as an adjuvant in COVID-19 therapy with conflicting results, mainly depending on different study designs. Considering that lactoferrin is one of the main components of human breast milk with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity, it is conceivable that such bioactive molecule could be effective in supporting anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection therapy, especially in infants and pregnant women, two subpopulations that have been poorly evaluated in the existing clinical trials. This narrative review is intended to offer insight into the existing literature on lactoferrin's biological functions and protective effects against COVID-19, with a special focus on pregnant women and their infants.

Vulvovaginitis in pregnant women

• The balanced vaginal microbiome is the main factor defending the vaginal environment against infections. Lactobacilli play a key role in this regard, maintaining the vaginal pH within the normal range (3.8 to 4.5). •Hormonal and immune adaptations resulting from pregnancy influence changes in the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy. •An altered vaginal microbiome predisposes to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. •Bacterial vaginosis is the main clinical expression of an imbalanced vaginal microbiome. •Vulvovaginal candidiasis depends more on the host's conditions than on the etiological agent. •Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan transmitted during sexual intercourse. •The use of probiotics is not approved for use in pregnant women.

A Bird's-Eye View of the Pathophysiologic Role of the Human Urobiota in Health and Disease: Can We Modulate It?

For a long time, urine has been considered sterile in physiological conditions, thanks to the particular structure of the urinary tract and the production of uromodulin or Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) by it. More recently, thanks to the development and use of new technologies, i.e., next-generation sequencing and expanded urine culture, the identification of a microbial community in the urine, the so-called urobiota, became possible. Major phyla detected in the urine are represented by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Particularly, the female urobiota is largely represented by Lactobacillus spp., which are very active against urinary pathogenic Escherichia (E.) coli (UPEC) strains via the generation of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Gut dysbiosis accounts for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), so-called gut-bladder axis syndrome with the formation of intracellular bacterial communities in the course of acute cystitis. However, other chronic urinary tract infections are caused by bacterial strains of intestinal derivation. Monomicrobial and polymicrobial infections account for the outcome of acute and chronic UTIs, even including prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain. E. coli isolates have been shown to be more invasive and resistant to antibiotics. Probiotics, fecal microbial transplantation, phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, and immune-mediated therapies, even including vaccines for the treatment of UTIs, will be described.

Current Views about the Inflammatory Damage Triggered by Bacterial Superantigens and Experimental Attempts to Neutralize Superantigen-Mediated Toxic Effects with Natural and Biological Products

Superantigens, i.e., staphylococcal enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, interact with T cells in a different manner in comparison to conventional antigens. In fact, they activate a larger contingent of T lymphocytes, binding outside the peptide-binding groove of the major histocompatibility complex class II. Involvement of many T cells by superantigens leads to a massive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. Such a storm of mediators has been shown to account for tissue damage, multiorgan failure and shock. Besides conventional drugs and biotherapeutics, experiments with natural and biological products have been undertaken to attenuate the toxic effects exerted by superantigens. In this review, emphasis will be placed on polyphenols, probiotics, beta-glucans and antimicrobial peptides. In fact, these substances share a common functional denominator, since they skew the immune response toward an anti-inflammatory profile, thus mitigating the cytokine wave evoked by superantigens. However, clinical applications of these products are still scarce, and more trials are needed to validate their usefulness in humans.

Current View on How Human Gut Microbiota Mediate Metabolic and Pharmacological Activity of Panax ginseng. A Scoping Review

Panax ginseng is one of the most important remedies in ancient Eastern medicine. In the modern Western world, its reputation started to grow towards the end of the XIX century, but the rather approximate understanding of action mechanisms did not provide sufficient information for an appropriate use. Nowadays, Panax ginseng is frequently used in some pathological conditions, but the comprehension of its potential beneficial effects is still incomplete. The purpose of this study is to highlight the most recent knowledge on mechanisms and effects of ginseng active ingredients on the intestinal microbiota. The human microbiota takes part in the immune and metabolic balance and serves as the most important regulator for the control of local pathogens. This delicate role requires a complex interaction and reflects the interconnection with the brainand the liver-axes. Thus, by exerting their beneficial effects through the intestinal microbiota, the active ingredients of Panax ginseng (glycosides and their metabolites) might help to ameliorate both specific intestinal conditions as well as the whole organism's homeostasis.

Quantitative proteomic analysis and verification identify global protein profiling dynamics in pig during the estrous cycle

The current estrus detection method is generally time-consuming and has low accuracy. As such, a deeper understanding of the physiological processes during the estrous cycle accelerates the development of estrus detection efficiency and accuracy. In this study, the label-free acquisition mass spectrometry was used to explore salivary proteome profiles during the estrous cycle (day -3, day 0, day 3, and day 8) in pigs, and the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was applied to verify the relative profiles of protein expression. A total of 1,155 proteins were identified in the label-free analysis, of which 115 were identified as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) among different groups (p ≤ 0.05). Functional annotation revealed that the DEPs were clustered in calcium ion binding, actin cytoskeleton, and lyase activity. PRM verified the relative profiles of protein expression, in which PHB domain-containing protein, growth factor receptor-bound protein 2, elongation factor Tu, carboxypeptidase D, carbonic anhydrase, and trefoil factor 3 were confirmed to be consistent in both label-free and PRM approaches. Comparative proteomic assays on saliva would increase our knowledge of the estrous cycle in sows and provide potential methods for estrus detection.