Lactobacillus plantarum J26 Alleviating Alcohol-Induced Liver Inflammation by Maintaining the Intestinal Barrier and Regulating MAPK Signaling Pathways

Anti-obesity potentiality of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E2_MCCKT isolated from a fermented beverage, haria: a high fat diet-induced obese mice model study

Obesity is a growing epidemic worldwide. Several pharmacologic drugs are being used to treat obesity but these medicines exhibit side effects. To find out the alternatives of these drugs, we aimed to assess the probiotic properties and anti-obesity potentiality of a lactic acid bacterium E2_MCCKT, isolated from a traditional fermented rice beverage, haria. Based on the 16S rRNA sequencing, the bacterium was identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E2_MCCKT. The bacterium exhibited in vitro probiotic activity in terms of high survivability in an acidic environment and 2% bile salt, moderate auto-aggregation, and hydrophobicity. Later, E2_MCCKT was applied to obese mice to prove its anti-obesity potentiality. Adult male mice (15.39 ± 0.19 g) were randomly divided into three groups (n = 5) according to the type of diet: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with E2_MCCKT (HFT). After four weeks of bacterial treatment on the obese mice, a significant reduction of body weight, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, whereas, improvements in serum glucose levels were observed. The bacterial therapy led to mRNA up-regulation of lipolytic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α which may increase the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as acyl-CoA oxidase and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase-1. Concomitantly, both adipocytogenesis and fatty acid synthesis were arrested as reflected by the down-regulation of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase genes. In protein expression study, E2_MCCKT significantly increased IL-10 expression while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1Ra and TNF-α) expression. In conclusion, the probiotic Lp. plantarum E2_MCCKT might have significant anti-obesity effects on mice.

The Role of Cytokines in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. This term covers a broad spectrum of liver lesions, from simple steatosis to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of ALD is multifactorial and not fully elucidated due to complex mechanisms related to direct ethanol toxicity with subsequent hepatic and systemic inflammation. The accumulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the reduction of anti-inflammatory cytokines promote the development and progression of ALD. To date, there are no targeted therapies to counter the progression of chronic alcohol-related liver disease and prevent acute liver failure. Corticosteroids reduce mortality by acting on the hepatic-systemic inflammation. On the other hand, several studies analyzed the effect of inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulating anti-inflammatory cytokines as potential therapeutic targets in ALD. This narrative review aims to clarify the role of the main cytokines involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of ALD.

The protective effect of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide on alcoholic liver injury in C57BL/6 mice

An alcohol-induced liver injury model was induced in C57BL/6 mice to assess the protective efficacy of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharides (EP) against liver damage. Histological alterations in the liver were examined following hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Biochemical assay kits and ELISA kits were employed to analyze serum and liver biochemical parameters, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes and alcohol metabolism-related enzymes. The presence of oxidative stress-related proteins in the liver was detected using western blotting. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to profile serum metabolites in mice. The findings demonstrated that EP-H (100 mg/Kg) reduced serum ALT and AST activity by 2.31-fold and 2.32-fold, respectively, when compared to the alcohol-induced liver injury group. H&E staining revealed a significant attenuation of microvesicular steatosis and ballooning pathology in the EP-H group compared to the model group. EP administration was found to enhance alcohol metabolism by regulating metabolite-related enzymes (ADH and ALDH) and decreasing CYP2E1 expression. EP also modulated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to bolster hepatic antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, EP restored the levels of lipid metabolites (Glycine, Butanoyl-CoA, and Acetyl-CoA) to normalcy. In summary, EP confers protection to the liver through the regulation of antioxidant activity and lipid metabolites in the murine liver.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FRT4 attenuates high-energy low-protein diet-induced fatty liver hemorrhage syndrome in laying hens through regulating gut-liver axis

BACKGROUND

Fatty liver hemorrhage syndrome (FLHS) becomes one of the most major factors resulting in the laying hen death for caged egg production. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp. plantarum) FRT4 on FLHS model in laying hen with a focus on liver lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota.

RESULTS

The FLHS model of laying hens was established by feeding a high-energy low-protein (HELP) diet, and the treatment groups were fed a HELP diet supplemented with differential proportions of Lp. plantarum FRT4. The results indicated that Lp. plantarum FRT4 increased laying rate, and reduced the liver lipid accumulation by regulating lipid metabolism (lipid synthesis and transport) and improving the gut microbiota composition. Moreover, Lp. plantarum FRT4 regulated the liver glycerophospholipid metabolism. Meanwhile, "gut-liver" axis analysis showed that there was a correlation between gut microbiota and lipid metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that Lp. plantarum FRT4 improved the laying performance and alleviated FLHS in HELP diet-induced laying hens through regulating "gut-liver" axis. Our findings reveal that glycerophospholipid metabolism could be the underlying mechanism for the anti-FLHS effect of Lp. plantarum FRT4 and for future use of Lp. plantarum FRT4 as an excellent additive for the prevention and mitigation of FLHS in laying hens.

Ginsenoside F2-Mediated Intestinal Microbiota and Its Metabolite Propionic Acid Positively Impact the Gut-Skin Axis in Atopic Dermatitis Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex inflammatory skin disease induced by multiple factors. AD can also cause intestinal inflammation and disorders of the gut microbiota. Ginseng is a kind of edible and medicinal plant; its main active components are ginsenosides. Ginsenosides have a variety of anti-inflammatory effects and regulate the gut microbiota; however, their role in AD and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we found that intragastric administration of ginsenoside F2 improved AD-like skin symptoms and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, serum immunoglobulin E levels, and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in AD mice. 16s rRNA sequencing analysis showed that ginsenoside F2 altered the intestinal microbiota structure and enriched the short-chain fatty acid-producing microbiota in AD mice. Metabolomic analysis revealed that ginsenoside F2 significantly increased the propionic acid (Pa) content of feces and serum in AD mice, which was positively correlated with significant enrichment of Parabacteroides goldsteinii and Lactobacillus plantarum in the intestines. Pa inhibits inflammatory responses in the gut and skin of AD mice through the G-protein-coupled receptor43/NF-κB pathway, thereby improving skin AD symptoms. These results revealed, for the first time, the mechanism by which ginsenoside F2 improves AD through the Pa (a metabolite of intestinal microbiota)-gut-skin axis.

The gut-liver axis perspective: Exploring the protective potential of polysaccharides from Cistanche deserticola against alcoholic liver disease

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the potential mechanism behind the protective effect of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides (CP) against alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Multiple chromography techniques were employed to characterize CP from polysaccharide, the molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides, monosaccharide composition, isomeric hydrogen and isomeric carbon, in order to clarify the material basis of CP. To create the ALD mouse model, we utilized the well-established Lieber-DeCarli alcoholic liquid feed method. Findings from the study revealed that CP administration resulted in significant improvements in intestinal permeability, upregulation of barrier proteins expression, and reduced levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mouse liver and serum. Additionally, CP treatment reduced the presence of inflammatory cytokines both in serum and liver while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Furthermore, CP effectively reduced alcohol-induced oxidative damage by downregulating Keap1 protein levels in the liver, leading to increased expression of Nrf2 protein. The 16S rDNA sequencing results revealed that CP significantly restored the intestinal microbiota composition in ALD mice. These findings establish a strong association between gut microbiota and liver injury indicators, highlighting the potential of CP in preventing and treating ALD by modulating the gut-liver axis.

Lactobacillus fermentum Alleviates the Colorectal Inflammation Induced by Low-Dose Sub-Chronic Microcystin-LR Exposure

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) contamination is a worldwide environmental problem that poses a grave threat to the water ecosystem and public health. Exposure to MC-LR has been associated with the development of intestinal injury, but there are no effective treatments for MC-LR-induced intestinal disease. Probiotics are "live microorganisms that are beneficial to the health of the host when administered in sufficient quantities". It has been demonstrated that probiotics can prevent or treat a variety of human diseases; however, their ability to mitigate MC-LR-induced intestinal harm has not yet been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether probiotics can mitigate MC-LR-induced intestinal toxicity and its underlying mechanisms. We first evaluated the pathological changes in colorectal tissues using an animal model with sub-chronic exposure to low-dose MC-LR, HE staining to assess colorectal histopathologic changes, qPCR to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors in colorectal tissues, and WB to detect the alterations on CSF1R signaling pathway proteins in colorectal tissues. Microbial sequencing analysis and screening of fecal microorganisms differential to MC-LR treatment in mice. To investigate the role of microorganisms in MC-LR-induced colorectal injury, an in vitro model of MC-LR co-treatment with microorganisms was developed. Our findings demonstrated that MC-LR treatment induced an inflammatory response in mouse colorectal tissues, promoted the expression of inflammatory factors, activated the CSF1R signaling pathway, and significantly decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus. In a model of co-treatment with MC-LR and Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum), it was discovered that L. fermentum substantially reduced the incidence of the colorectal inflammatory response induced by MC-LR and inhibited the protein expression of the CSF1R signaling pathway. This is the first study to suggest that L. fermentum inhibits the CSF1R signaling pathway to reduce the incidence of MC-LR-induced colorectal inflammation. This research may provide an excellent experimental foundation for the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases in MC-LR.

Lactobacillus plantarum-Derived Postbiotics Ameliorate Acute Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury by Protecting Cells from Oxidative Damage, Improving Lipid Metabolism, and Regulating Intestinal Microbiota

Here, the aim was to evaluate the protective effect of Lactobacillus plantarum-derived postbiotics, i.e., LP-cs, on acute alcoholic liver injury (ALI). After preincubation with LP-cs, HL7702 human hepatocytes were treated with alcohol, and then the cell survival rate was measured. C57BL/6 male mice were presupplemented with or without LP-cs and LP-cs-loaded calcium alginate hydrogel (LP-cs-Gel) for 3 weeks and given 50% alcohol gavage to establish the mouse model of ALI, LP-cs presupplementation, and LP-cs-Gel presupplementation. The histomorphology of the liver and intestines; the levels of serum AST, ALT, lipid, and SOD activity; liver transcriptomics; and the metagenome of intestinal microbiota were detected in all mouse models. In vitro, LP-cs significantly increased the survival rate of alcohol-treated cells. In vivo, presupplementation with LP-cs and LP-cs-Gel restored the levels of serum AST, ALT, and SOD activity, as well as TC and TG, after acute alcohol intake. In the LP-cs-presupplemented mice, the genes involved in fatty acid metabolic processes were upregulated and the genes involved in steroid biosynthesis were downregulated significantly as compared with the ALI mice. LP-cs significantly increased the abundance of intestinal microbiota, especially Akkermansia muciniphila. In conclusion, LP-cs ameliorates ALI by protecting hepatocytes against oxidative damage, thereby, improving lipid metabolism and regulating the intestinal microbiota. The effect of LP-cs-Gel is similar to that of LP-cs.