Soluble fibers and resistant starch ameliorate disease activity in interleukin-10-deficient mice with inflammatory bowel disease

The role of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in inflammatory bowel disease and its associated colorectal cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC), as two of the major human intestinal diseases, provide challenges for the medical field. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a protein molecule that negatively regulates cytokine signaling through multiple pathways, is involved in the regulation of various inflammatory diseases and tumors. In IBD, SOCS3 acts on a variety of cells to repair mucosal damage and balance the immune response, including epithelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and T cells. In CRC, SOCS3 is inextricably linked to tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to systematically investigate the pathogenic involvement of SOCS3 in IBD and CRC. This article reviews the mechanisms and pathways by which SOCS3 is involved in the inhibition of IBD and the mitigation of CRC, and details the therapeutic options for targeting SOCS3.

Dietary Patterns and Fibre Intake Are Associated with Disease Activity in Australian Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Exploratory Dietary Pattern Analysis

BACKGROUND

Few studies have explored the relationship between habitual dietary patterns and disease activity in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This cross-sectional study explored the association between dietary patterns and clinical and objective markers of inflammation in adults from the Australian IBD Microbiome Study.

METHODS

Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis (PCA) of baseline food frequency questionnaire data. Food intake was quantified using 3-day food record data. Associations between dietary intake and both clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and faecal calprotectin (FCP) were analysed.

RESULTS

Participants included 412 adults (IBD = 223, Healthy controls (HC) = 189). Both cohorts consumed poor-quality diets with inadequate servings of most food groups compared to Australian reference standards. IBD participants without FCP inflammation had significantly higher fibre intake than those with moderate FCP. In the Crohn's Disease group, high adherence to 'High plant diversity' and 'Meat eaters' dietary patterns were associated with increased CDAI and FCP, respectively. In the combined IBD cohort, high adherence to a 'Vegan-style' dietary pattern was associated with increased FCP.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for dietary modifications among Australian adults, both with and without IBD, to improve dietary fibre intake and adherence to dietary guidelines. Dietary patterns characterised by a high intake of plant foods or meat products were both positively associated with indicators of active IBD. It is possible that some participants with active IBD were modifying their diet to try to manage their disease and reduce symptoms, contributing to the association between healthier dietary patterns and active disease. Further clinical and longitudinal studies are needed to expand upon the findings. This study offers a unique contribution by utilising FCP as an objective marker of intestinal inflammation and applying dietary pattern analysis to investigate the relationship between diet and inflammatory markers.

Bacterial cellulose is a desirable biological macromolecule that can prevent obesity via modulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

Obesity has attracted great concern because of its undesirable effects on our life quality. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biological macromolecule that can improve gut homeostasis and lipid metabolism. However, its potential role in preventing obesity and associated mechanisms is still poorly understood. Herein, a supplement of BC was used to fully evaluate how it prevents obesity based on physio-biochemical and gut microbial analyses. Results showed that BC consumption helped decrease body and liver weight, and fat accumulation in kidney and epididymis. Correspondingly, glucose concentrations, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were reversed to the control levels. Consuming BC also improved liver fat metabolism and intestinal function, and alleviated ileum and epididymis inflammation. High-throughput sequencing suggested that a high-fat diet significantly decreased gut microbiota diversity, which could be reversed by consuming BC. A decreased Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and an increased Bacteroidetes following BC consumption were observed. The OTU-based analysis identified that Lachnospiraceae, Desulfovibrio, Lachnoclostridium, Blautia, Anaerotruncus, Bacteroides, Faecalibaculum, Bacteroidales S24-7 group, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 group, and Alloprevotella might be involved in obesity development or prevention. Our data suggest that BC is a good insoluble dietary fiber to prevent obesity via regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

Resistant starch and tannic acid synergistically ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis, particularly in the distal colon

We previously confirmed that tannic acid could delay the metabolism of resistant starch in vitro, which suggested that tannic acid might deliver resistant starch to the distal colon in vivo. Accordingly, co-supplementation of resistant starch and tannic acid might be beneficial for keeping the distal colon healthy. Thus, this study compared the effects of resistant starch, tannic acid and their mixtures on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. It was found that the mixtures had a more profound effect on ameliorating DSS-induced ulcerative colitis than resistant starch or tannic acid. In particular, the mixtures reversed the histology damage of the distal colon induced by DSS, while resistant starch or tannic acid alone did not. The mixtures also had a stronger ability to resist oxidative stress and inhibit inflammation in the distal colon. These results suggested that resistant starch and tannic acid synergistically alleviated DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, particularly in the distal colon. On the other hand, DSS decreased the production of short-chain fatty acids and induced significant microbial disorder, while the administration of resistant starch, tannic acid and their mixtures reversed the above shifts caused by DSS. In particular, the mixtures exhibited stronger prebiotic activity, as indicated by the microbial composition and production of short-chain fatty acids. Therefore, it was inferred that tannic acid delivered resistant starch to the distal colon of mice, and thus the mixtures had stronger prebiotic activity. As a result, the mixtures effectively alleviated ulcerative colitis in the whole colon.

Dietary fiber and polyphenols from whole grains: effects on the gut and health improvements

Cereals are the main source of energy in the human diet. Compared to refined grains, whole grains retain more beneficial components, including dietary fiber, polyphenols, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Dietary fiber and bound polyphenols (biounavailable) in cereals are important active substances that can be metabolized by the gut microorganisms and affect the intestinal environment. There is a close relationship between the gut microbiota structures and various disease phenotypes, although the consistency of this link is affected by many factors, and the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Remodeling unfavorable microbiota is widely recognized as an important way to target the gut and improve diseases. This paper mainly reviews the interaction between the gut microbiota and cereal-derived dietary fiber and polyphenols, and also summarizes the changes to the gut microbiota and possible molecular mechanisms of related glycolipid metabolism. The exploration of single active ingredients in cereals and their synergistic health mechanisms will contribute to a better understanding of the health benefits of whole grains. It will further help promote healthier whole grain foods by cultivating new varieties with more potential and optimizing processing methods.

Fructooligosaccharides act on the gut-bone axis to improve bone independent of Tregs and alter osteocytes in young adult C57BL/6 female mice

Targeting the gut-bone axis with probiotics and prebiotics is considered as a promising strategy to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Gut-derived short chain fatty acids (SCFA) mediate the effects of probiotics on bone via Tregs, but it is not known whether prebiotics act through a similar mechanism. We investigated how 2 different prebiotics, tart cherry (TC) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS), affect bone, and whether Tregs are required for this response. Eight-wk-old C57BL/6 female mice were fed with diets supplemented with 10% w/w TC, FOS, or a control diet (Con; AIN-93M) diet, and they received an isotype control or CD25 Ab to suppress Tregs. The FOS diet increased BMC, density, and trabecular bone volume in the vertebra (~40%) and proximal tibia (~30%) compared to the TC and control diets (Con), irrespective of CD25 treatment. Both prebiotics increased (P < .01) fecal SCFAs, but the response was greater with FOS. To determine how FOS affected bone cells, we examined genes involved in osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and activity as well as genes expressed by osteocytes. The FOS increased the expression of regulators of osteoblast differentiation (bone morphogenetic protein 2 [Bmp2], Wnt family member 10b [Wnt10b] and Osterix [Osx]) and type 1 collagen). Osteoclasts regulators were unaltered. The FOS also increased the expression of genes associated with osteocytes, including (Phex), matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (Mepe), and dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (Dmp-1). However, Sost, the gene that encodes for sclerostin was also increased by FOS as the number and density of osteocytes increased. These findings demonstrate that FOS has a greater effect on the bone mass and structure in young adult female mice than TC and that its influence on osteoblasts and osteocytes is not dependent on Tregs.

Inulin alleviates perinatal 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPHP) exposure-induced intestinal toxicity by reshaping the gut microbiota and suppressing the enteric-origin LPS/TLR4/NF-κb pathway in dams and pups

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), such as 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPHP), are ubiquitously used, leading to pervasive environmental contamination and human health risks. While associations between EHDPHP and health issues such as disruption of hormones, neurotoxic effects, and toxicity to reproduction have been recognized, exposure to EHDPHP during perinatal life and its implications for the intestinal health of dams and their pups have largely been unexplored. This study investigated the intestinal toxicity of EHDPHP and the potential for which inulin was effective. Dams were administered either an EHDPHP solution or a corn oil control from gestation day 7 (GD7) to postnatal day 21 (PND21), with inulin provided in their drinking water. Our results indicate that inulin supplementation mitigates damage to the intestinal epithelium caused by EHDPHP, restores mucus-secreting cells, suppresses intestinal hyperpermeability, and abates intestinal inflammation by curtailing lipopolysaccharide leakage through reshaping of the gut microbiota. A reduction in LPS levels concurrently inhibited the inflammation-associated TLR4/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, inulin administration may ameliorate intestinal toxicity caused by EHDPHP in dams and pups by reshaping the gut microbiota and suppressing the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway. These findings underscore the efficacy of inulin as a therapeutic agent for managing health risks linked to EHDPHP exposure.

The Nexus of Diet, Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Dogs

Canine inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are of increasing interest in veterinary medicine. They refer to complex and debilitating conditions of dogs' gastrointestinal tract. Although little evidence for causal inferences is currently available, it is believed that IBD pathophysiology entails intricate interactions between environmental factors, the intestinal immune system, and the microbial communities that colonize the gut. To better understand the mechanisms underlying these disorders, leveraging factors associated with the development of these diseases is imperative. Of these factors, emerging evidence supports the role of dietary patterns as key players influencing the composition and function of gut microbes, with subsequent effects on health and disease. In this review, we particularly focus on addressing IBD in dogs and discuss how specific nutrients may elicit or relieve gut inflammation. Gaining mechanistic insights into such interplay and the underpinning mechanisms is key to inferring dietary recommendations, and setting up new and promising therapeutics.

Gum Arabic protects the rat heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways

Gum Arabic (GA) is a plant exudate with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. GA has shown promise in protection from and treatment of kidney failure, however, its role in the protection of the heart from ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) has not been investigated. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Gum Arabic (GA) in the protection of the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Langendorff-perfused Wistar rat hearts were divided into seven groups. One group which was subjected to I/R with no other treatment served as the control group. The second group was subjected to buffer perfusion with no ischemia (sham group). The third group was perfused with GA in the absence of ischemia (sham + GA). The rest of the hearts were isolated from rats that had been treated with GA for 4 or 2 weeks in the drinking water, or GA that had been infused intravenously 2 h before sacrifice or added to perfusion buffer at reperfusion. Hemodynamics data were digitally computed; infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cardiomyocyte injury was assessed by quantifying creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes. The total oxidants (TOS) and antioxidants (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels were estimated by ELISA. GA treatment for 2 weeks, 4 weeks or 2 hours before sacrifice resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in cardiac hemodynamics and reduction in infarct size and cardiac enzyme levels compared to respective controls. However, GA administration at the time of reperfusion did not protect the hearts against I/R injury. Furthermore, GA treatment decreased the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. The levels of TOS in the effluent were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and SOD levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by GA administration. GA protected the heart against I/R injury when administered for 2 or 4 weeks or when infused 2 hours before sacrifice. GA treatment decreased the total oxidants levels, the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 protein levels and increases SOD and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 protein levels.

Coarse cereals modulating chronic low-grade inflammation: review

Chronic low-grade inflammation (CLGI) is closely associated with various chronic diseases. Researchers have paid attention to the comprehensive application and development of food materials with potential anti-inflammatory activity. Owing to their abundant nutrients and biological activities, coarse cereals have emerged as an important component of human diet. Increasing evidence has revealed their potential protective effects against CLGI in chronic conditions. However, this property has not been systematically discussed and summarized. In the present work, numerous published reports were reviewed to systematically analyze and summarize the protective effects of coarse cereals and their main active ingredients against CLGI. Their current utilization state was investigated. The future prospects, such as the synergistic effects among the active compounds in coarse cereals and the biomarker signatures of CLGI, were also discussed. Coarse cereals show promise as food diet resources for preventing CLGI in diseased individuals. Their active ingredients, including β-glucan, resistant starch, arabinoxylan, phenolic acids, flavonoids, phytosterols and lignans, function against CLGI through multiple possible intracellular signaling pathways and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, coarse cereals play a crucial role in the food industry due to their health effects on chronic diseases and are worthy of further development for possible application in modulating chronic inflammation.

Present and Future Therapeutic Approaches to Barrier Dysfunction

There is converging and increasing evidence, but also uncertainty, for the role of abnormal intestinal epithelial barrier function in the origin and development of a growing number of human gastrointestinal and extraintestinal inflammatory disorders, and their related complaints. Despite a vast literature addressing factors and mechanisms underlying changes in intestinal permeability in humans, and its connection to the appearance and severity of clinical symptoms, the ultimate link remains to be established in many cases. Accordingly, there are no directives or clinical guidelines related to the therapeutic management of intestinal permeability disorders that allow health professionals involved in the management of these patients to carry out a consensus treatment based on clinical evidence. Instead, there are multiple pseudoscientific approaches and commercial propaganda scattered on the internet that confuse those affected and health professionals and that often lack scientific rigor. Therefore, in this review we aim to shed light on the different therapeutic options, which include, among others, dietary management, nutraceuticals and medical devices, microbiota and drugs, and epigenetic and exosomes-manipulation, through an objective evaluation of the scientific publications in this field. Advances in the knowledge and management of intestinal permeability will sure enable better options of dealing with this group of common disorders to enhance quality of life of those affected.

Therapeutic Potential of Various Plant-Based Fibers to Improve Energy Homeostasis via the Gut Microbiota

Obesity is due in part to increased consumption of a Western diet that is low in dietary fiber. Conversely, an increase in fiber supplementation to a diet can have various beneficial effects on metabolic homeostasis including weight loss and reduced adiposity. Fibers are extremely diverse in source and composition, such as high-amylose maize, β-glucan, wheat fiber, pectin, inulin-type fructans, and soluble corn fiber. Despite the heterogeneity of dietary fiber, most have been shown to play a role in alleviating obesity-related health issues, mainly by targeting and utilizing the properties of the gut microbiome. Reductions in body weight, adiposity, food intake, and markers of inflammation have all been reported with the consumption of various fibers, making them a promising treatment option for the obesity epidemic. This review will highlight the current findings on different plant-based fibers as a therapeutic dietary supplement to improve energy homeostasis via mechanisms of gut microbiota.

Health beneficial effects of resistant starch on diabetes and obesity via regulation of gut microbiota: a review

Resistant starch (RS) is well known to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Recently, attention has been paid to gut microbiota which mediates the RS's impact on T2DM and obesity, while a mechanistic understanding of how RS prevents T2DM and obesity through gut microbiota is not clear yet. Therefore, this review aims at exploring the underlying mechanisms of it. RS prevents T2DM and obesity through gut microbiota by modifying selective microbial composition to produce starch-degrading enzymes, promoting the production of intestinal metabolites, and improving gut barrier function. Therefore, RS possessing good functional features can be used to increase the fiber content of healthier food. Furthermore, achieving highly selective effects on gut microbiota based on the slight differences of RS's chemical structure and focusing on the effects of RS on strain-levels are essential to manipulate the microbiota for human health.

The effects of resistant starches on inflammatory bowel disease in preclinical and clinical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating chronic disease with limited treatment options. Resistant starches may represent a novel treatment for IBD. However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. Our objective was to perform a systematic review to summarize the preclinical and clinical effects of resistant starch, which may help guide future studies.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register were searched. Included studies investigated the use of resistant starch therapy in in vivo animal models of IBD or human patients with IBD. Articles were screened, and data extracted, independently and in duplicate. The primary outcomes were clinical remission (clinical) and bowel mucosal damage (preclinical).

Results

21 preclinical (n = 989 animals) and seven clinical (n = 164 patients) studies met eligibility. Preclinically, resistant starch was associated with a significant reduction in bowel mucosal damage compared to placebo (standardized mean difference − 1.83, 95% CI − 2.45 to − 1.20). Clinically, five studies reported data on clinical remission but clinical and methodological heterogeneity precluded pooling. In all five, a positive effect was seen in patients who consumed resistant starch supplemented diets. The majority of studies in both the preclinical and clinical settings were at a high or unclear risk of bias due to poor methodological reporting.

Conclusions

Our review demonstrates that resistant starch is associated with reduced histology damage in animal studies, and improvements in clinical remission in IBD patients. These results need to be tempered by the risk of bias of included studies. Rigorously designed preclinical and clinical studies are warranted.

Trial registration

The review protocols were registered on PROSPERO (preclinical: CRD42019130896; clinical: CRD42019129513).

Fiber and Prebiotic Interventions in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Role Does the Gut Microbiome Play?

The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex but is thought to be linked to an intricate interaction between the host’s immune system, resident gut microbiome and environment, i.e., diet. One dietary component that has a major impact on IBD risk and disease management is fiber. Fiber intakes in pediatric IBD patients are suboptimal and often lower than in children without IBD. Fiber also has a significant impact on beneficially shaping gut microbiota composition and functional capacity. The impact is likely to be particularly important in IBD patients, where various studies have demonstrated that an imbalance in the gut microbiome, referred to as dysbiosis, occurs. Microbiome-targeted therapeutics, such as fiber and prebiotics, have the potential to restore the balance in the gut microbiome and enhance host gut health and clinical outcomes. Indeed, studies in adult IBD patients demonstrate that fiber and prebiotics positively alter the microbiome and improve disease course. To date, no studies have been conducted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of fiber and prebiotics in pediatric IBD patients. Consequently, pediatric IBD specific studies that focus on the benefits of fiber and prebiotics on gut microbiome composition and functional capacity and disease outcomes are required.

Comparison of the effects of soluble corn fiber and fructooligosaccharides on metabolism, inflammation, and gut microbiome of high-fat diet-fed mice

Dietary fibers are essential components of a balanced diet and have beneficial effects on metabolic functions. To gain insight into their impact on host physiology and gut microbiota, we performed a direct comparison of two specific prebiotic fibers in mice. During an 8-wk follow up, mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were compared with mice on a normal diet (basal condition, controls) and to mice fed the HFD but treated with one of the following prebiotics: fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or soluble corn fiber (SCF). Both prebiotic fibers led to a similar reduction of body weight and fat mass, lower inflammation and improved metabolic parameters. However, these health benefits were the result of different actions of the fibers, as SCF impacted energy excretion, whereas FOS did not. Interestingly, both fibers had very distinct gut microbial signatures with different short-chain fatty acid profiles, indicating that they do not favor the growth of the same bacterial communities. Although the prebiotic potential of different fibers may seem physiologically equivalent, our data show that the underlying mechanisms of action are different, and this by targeting different gut microbes. Altogether, our data provide evidence that beneficial health effects of specific dietary fibers must be documented to be considered a prebiotic and that studies devoted to understanding how structures relate to specific microbiota modulation and metabolic effects are warranted.

Habitual dietary intake of IBD patients differs from population controls: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Since evidence-based dietary guidelines are lacking for IBD patients, they tend to follow "unguided" dietary habits; potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies and detrimental effects on disease course. Therefore, we compared dietary intake of IBD patients with controls.

METHODS

Dietary intake of macronutrients and 25 food groups of 493 patients (207 UC, 286 CD), and 1291 controls was obtained via a food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

38.6% of patients in remission had protein intakes below the recommended 0.8 g/kg and 86.7% with active disease below the recommended 1.2 g/kg. Multinomial logistic regression, corrected for age, gender and BMI, showed that (compared to controls) UC patients consumed more meat and spreads, but less alcohol, breads, coffee and dairy; CD patients consumed more non-alcoholic drinks, potatoes, savoury snacks and sugar and sweets but less alcohol, dairy, nuts, pasta and prepared meals. Patients with active disease consumed more meat, soup and sugar and sweets but less alcohol, coffee, dairy, prepared meals and rice; patients in remission consumed more potatoes and spreads but less alcohol, breads, dairy, nuts, pasta and prepared meals.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients avoiding potentially favourable foods and gourmandizing potentially unfavourable foods are of concern. Special attention is needed for protein intake in the treatment of these patients.

Polysaccharides: bowel health and gut microbiota

Polysaccharides that contain many sugar monomers include starch and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) together with resistant starch (RS). Dietary polysaccharides are well known to have a wide range of biological benefits for bowel health. Gut microbiota and their fermentative products, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), which have recently been highlighted as metabolic regulators, are thought to mediate the function of dietary complex carbohydrates and bowel health. We discuss the influence of various polysaccharides on human bowel health and the mechanisms underlying these effects. We also describe their biological effects on intestinal health and the mechanisms underlying their activity; the polysaccharides were divided into three categories: dietary, microbial, and host-derived polysaccharides. Physiological impacts of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and resistant starch (RS), both of which pass through the small intestine nearly intact and can be fermented by gut microbiota in the large intestine, are similar to each other. They exert a wide range of beneficial effects including anti-inflammation, gut epithelial barrier protection, and immune modulation through both microbiota-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Bacterial polysaccharides usually found in the cell wall generally act as immune modulators, and host-derived polysaccharides not only protect host cells from pathogenic microbial neighbors but also affect overall intestinal health via interactions with gut microbes. Considering these observations, further studies on polysaccharides will be important for bowel health.

Intake of dietary fibre, red and processed meat and risk of late-onset Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: A prospective Danish study on the "diet, cancer and health" cohort

Background: Human and animal studies support the involvement of diet in the development of CID -chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Objective: This cohort study aimed to investigate the association between intake of fibre, red and processed meat, and occurrence of late-onset CID (50+ years of age) in the DCH: Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. We hypothesised that risk of late-onset CID would be lower among those with high intake of fibre and/or low intake of meat compared to individuals with low fibre and/or high meat intake. Methods: The DCH recruited 56,468 individuals, aged 50-64 years, between 1993 and 1997. At recruitment, diet intake was registered using food frequency questionnaires as well as lifestyle factors in 56,075 persons. Exposure variables were generated as sex-adjusted tertiles of fibre and meat (g/day). Development of CIDs was identified in national registries. Hazard ratios (HR) of late-onset CIDs (adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, alcohol, smoking, education, comorbidity, and civil status) were estimated for all three exposure variables. Results: During follow-up of 1,123,754 years (median (Interquartile range) = 22.2 (20.1-23.1)), 1,758 (3.1%) participants developed at least one CID. The adjusted HRs for developing CID (low fibre 1.04 [0.89-1.22] and medium fibre 1.04 [0.91-1.18] (high fibre as reference), and medium meat 0.96 [0.86-1.09] and high meat 0.94 [0.82-1.07] (low meat as reference)) or the individual diseases were not statistically significant. Conclusion: This large study did not support that a high intake of fibre and/or a low intake of meat had a high impact on the risk of late-onset CID.

A Personalised Dietary Approach-A Way Forward to Manage Nutrient Deficiency, Effects of the Western Diet, and Food Intolerances in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This review discusses the personalised dietary approach with respect to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It identifies gene–nutrient interactions associated with the nutritional deficiencies that people with IBD commonly experience, and the role of the Western diet in influencing these. It also discusses food intolerances and how particular genotypes can affect these. It is well established that with respect to food there is no “one size fits all” diet for those with IBD. Gene–nutrient interactions may help explain this variability in response to food that is associated with IBD. Nutrigenomic research, which examines the effects of food and its constituents on gene expression, shows that—like a number of pharmaceutical products—food can have beneficial effects or have adverse (side) effects depending on a person’s genotype. Pharmacogenetic research is identifying gene variants with adverse reactions to drugs, and this is modifying clinical practice and allowing individualised treatment. Nutrigenomic research could enable individualised treatment in persons with IBD and enable more accurate tailoring of food intake, to avoid exacerbating malnutrition and to counter some of the adverse effects of the Western diet. It may also help to establish the dietary pattern that is most protective against IBD.

Impact of molecular interactions with phenolic compounds on food polysaccharides functionality

Commercial trends based of the emergence of plant-based functional foods lead to investigate the structure-function relationship of their main bioactive constituents and their interactions in the food matrix and throughout the gastro-intestinal tract. Among these bioactive constituents, dietary polysaccharides and polyphenols have shown to interact at the molecular level and these interactions may have consequences on the polysaccharides physical and nutritional properties. The methods of investigation and mechanisms of interactions between polysaccharides and polyphenols are reviewed in light of their respective technological and nutritional functionalities. Finally, the potential impact of the co-occurrence or co-ingestion of polyphenols and polysaccharides on the technological and nutritional functionality of the polysaccharides are investigated.

Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Resistant Starch as a Treatment of Chronic Kidney Diseases: Evidence of Efficacy and Mechanistic Insights

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with changes in gut microbial ecology, or "dysbiosis," which may contribute to disease progression. Recent studies have focused on dietary approaches to favorably alter the composition of the gut microbial communities as a treatment method in CKD. Resistant starch (RS), a prebiotic that promotes proliferation of gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, increases the production of metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, which confer a number of health-promoting benefits. However, there is a lack of mechanistic insight into how these metabolites can positively influence renal health. Emerging evidence shows that microbiota-derived metabolites can regulate the incretin axis and mitigate inflammation via expansion of regulatory T cells. Studies from animal models and patients with CKD show that RS supplementation attenuates the concentrations of uremic retention solutes, including indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate. Here, we present the current state of knowledge linking the microbiome to CKD, we explore the efficacy of RS in animal models of CKD and in humans with the condition, and we discuss how RS supplementation could be a promising dietary approach for slowing CKD progression.

Resistant Starch Attenuates Bone Loss in Ovariectomised Mice by Regulating the Intestinal Microbiota and Bone-Marrow Inflammation

The intestinal microbiota may regulate bone metabolism by reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and T cells in bone tissues of oestrogen-deficient mice have been reported. Resistant starch (RS) is a type of dietary fibre and results in changes in the composition of the gut microbiota. We evaluated the effects of RS supplemented in diets on intestinal microbial composition, bone mineral density, and inflammatory-gene expression in the colon and bone marrow of ovariectomised (OVX) mice. OVX mice were divided randomly into three groups: OVX control, OVX fed a 20% high amylose corn starch (HAS) diet, and OVX fed a 20% acid-hydrolysed HAS (AH-HAS) diet. HAS and AH-HAS diets contained 6.8% and 12% of RS, respectively. After 6 weeks, treatment with HAS or AH-HAS increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. in faeces. The AH-HAS diet tended to upregulate mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-10 in the colon, and downregulate expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and IL-7 receptor genes in the bone marrow of OVX mice. AH-HAS treatment attenuated ovariectomy-induced bone loss. These findings suggest that AH-HAS might change the microbiota and immune status of the bone marrow, resulting in attenuated bone resorption in OVX mice.

Impact of Diet-Modulated Butyrate Production on Intestinal Barrier Function and Inflammation

A major challenge in affluent societies is the increase in disorders related to gut and metabolic health. Chronic over nutrition by unhealthy foods high in energy, fat, and sugar, and low in dietary fibre is a key environmental factor responsible for this development, which may cause local and systemic inflammation. A low intake of dietary fibre is a limiting factor for maintaining a viable and diverse microbiota and production of short-chain fatty acids in the gut. A suppressed production of butyrate is crucial, as this short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) can play a key role not only in colonic health and function but also at the systemic level. At both sites, the mode of action is through mediation of signalling pathways involving nuclear NF-κB and inhibition of histone deacetylase. The intake and composition of dietary fibre modulate production of butyrate in the large intestine. While butyrate production is easily adjustable it is more variable how it influences gut barrier function and inflammatory markers in the gut and periphery. The effect of butyrate seems generally to be more consistent and positive on inflammatory markers related to the gut than on inflammatory markers in the peripheral tissue. This discrepancy may be explained by differences in butyrate concentrations in the gut compared with the much lower concentration at more remote sites.

Immunological Tolerance and Function: Associations Between Intestinal Bacteria, Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Phages

Post-birth there is a bacterial assault on all mucosal surfaces. The intestinal microbiome is an important participant in health and disease. The pattern of composition and concentration of the intestinal microbiome varies greatly. Therefore, achieving immunological tolerance in the first 3-4 years of life is critical for maintaining health throughout a lifetime. Probiotic bacteria are organisms that afford beneficial health effects to the host and in certain instances may protect against the development of disease. The potential benefits of modifying the composition of the intestinal microbial cohort for therapeutic benefit is evident in the use in high risks groups such as premature infants, children receiving antibiotics, rotavirus infections in non-vaccinated children and traveler's diarrhea in adults. Probiotics and prebiotics are postulated to have immunomodulating capabilities by influencing the intestinal microbial cohort and dampening the activity of pathobiont intestinal microbes, such as Klebsiella pneumonia and Clostridia perfringens. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are examples of probiotics found in the large intestine and so far, the benefits afforded to probiotics have varied in efficacy. Most likely the efficacy of probiotic bacteria has a multifactorial dependency, namely on a number of factors that include agents used, the dose, the pattern of dosing, and the characteristics of the host and the underlying luminal microbial environment and the activity of bacteriophages. Bacteriophages, are small viruses that infect and lyse intestinal bacteria. As such it can be posited that these viruses display an effective local protective control mechanism for the intestinal barrier against commensal pathobionts that indirectly may assist the host in controlling bacterial concentrations in the gut. A co-operative activity may be envisaged between the intestinal epithelia, mucosal immunity and the activity of bacteriophages to eliminate pathobiots, highlighting the potential role of bacteriophages in assisting with maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Hence bacteriophage local control of inflammation and immune responses may be an additional immunological defense mechanism that exploits bacteriophage-mucin glycoprotein interactions that controls bacterial diversity and abundance in the mucin layers of the gut. Moreover, and importantly the efficacy of probiotics may be dependent on the symbiotic incorporation of prebiotics, and the abundance and diversity of the intestinal microbiome encountered. The virome may be an important factor that determines the efficacy of some probiotic formulations.

Evolving role of diet in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

Recent advances in basic and clinical science over the last 3 years have dramatically altered our appreciation of the role of diet in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The marked increase in incidence of these diseases along with the important role of non-genetic susceptibility among patients with IBD has highlighted that these diseases have a strong environmental component. Progress in the field of microbiome and IBD has demonstrated that microbiome appears to play an important role in pathogenesis, and that diet may in turn impact the composition and functionality of the microbiome. Uncontrolled clinical studies have demonstrated that various dietary therapies such as exclusive enteral nutrition and newly developed exclusion diets might be potent tools for induction of remission at disease onset, for patients failing biologic therapy, as a treatment for disease complications and in reducing the need for surgery. We review these advances from bench to bedside, along with the need for better clinical trials to support these interventions.

Differences in dietary habits between patients with inflammatory bowel disease in clinical remission and a healthy population

BACKGROUND

Although patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) change their dietary habits according to suggestions from their healthcare team, no restriction is required in the remission phase. Accordingly, we compared eating patterns in IBD patients with drug-induced clinical remission with those in healthy subjects.

METHODS

A total of 150 IBD patients, 84 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 66 with ulcerative colitis (UC), in clinical remission, receiving immunomodulator/biologic therapy, and 100 healthy volunteers (controls) were enrolled. The IBD diagnosis had previously been established by a combined assessment of symptoms, endoscopy, histology and abdominal imaging. Clinical remission was defined as a Harvey Bradshaw index <5 for CD and a partial Mayo score <2 for UC. An experienced nutritionist guided the compilation of a food diary for 7 days according to current guidelines. Macronutrient and fiber intake was evaluated using dedicated software. Comparison between continuous variables was performed using Student's t-test or analysis of variance plus Bonferroni post-hoc analysis. Categorical variables were tested with the χ2 test.

RESULTS

No difference in protein and carbohydrate intake was observed. IBD patients ate more calories (1970.7±348.4 vs. 1882.1±280.2 kcal/day, P=0.03), more lipids (68.9±15.2 vs. 59.4±19.0 g/day, P<0.001) and less fibers (11.9±4.7 vs. 15.5±8.3 g/day, P<0.001) than controls. No significant difference in total calories, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or fibers was seen between CD and UC patients.

CONCLUSION

IBD patients have a different macronutrient and fiber intake compared to healthy subjects, even when clinical remission and no symptoms do not dictate dietary restrictions. Therefore, psychological issues may be involved.

Role of an indole-thiazolidiene PPAR pan ligand on actions elicited by G-protein coupled receptor activated neutrophils

Neutrophils are the first line of defence during inflammatory processes; nevertheless, exacerbated influx and actions of neutrophils in terms of uncontrolled inflammation are harmful to the host. Hence, neutrophil activity is the target of drugs seeking to address undesired inflammation. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of action of a ligand of the three isoforms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR; (5Z)-5-[(5-bromo-1H-indole-3-yl)methylene]-3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione), dubbed LYSO-7, on neutrophils activated by N-formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (fMLP), an agonist of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that binds to membrane-formylated peptide and activates intracellular inflammation pathways. Neutrophils were collected from the peritoneal cavity of male Wistar rats four hours after oyster glycogen injection. Afterwards, the neutrophils were incubated with saline or LYSO-7 (1 or 10 μM, 30 min), washed and stimulated with fMLP (10^-7 μM, 1 h). LYSO-7 treatment inhibited gene and protein expression of adhesion molecules, CD62 L and CD18, abolished adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells, impaired chemotaxis, blocked the enhancement of intracellular calcium levels, induced the expression of PPARγ as well as PPARβδ and reduced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Moreover, topical application of LYSO-7 (10 mM) prior to local application of fMLP (10^-7 μM) diminished the in vivo leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the mesentery microcirculation of rats. Together, our data highlight the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory actions of LYSO-7 on neutrophils activated by GPCRs, depending, at least in part, on impaired of NF-κB activation and induction of PPAR expression.

Dietary n‑3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorate Crohn's disease in rats by modulating the expression of PPAR‑γ/NFAT

Dietary n‑3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) exerts anti‑inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects via downregulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the effect of dietary n‑3 PUFA on experimental Crohn's Disease (CD) in rats and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of n‑3 PUFA on CD induced by 2,4,6‑trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats, and to determine the underlying mechanisms, including the peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor (PPAR)‑γ and nuclear factor of activated T‑cells (NFAT) pathway. Sprague‑Dawley rats (n=90) were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control (intragastric distilled water); PUFA control (intragastric n‑3 PUFA, 20 mg/kg/day); trans‑fatty acid (TFA) control (intragastric TFA, 13 mg/kg/day); model (intragastric distilled water + TNBS); PUFA model (intragastric n‑3 PUFA, 20 mg/kg/day + TNBS); and TFA model (intragastric TFA, 13 mg/kg/day + TNBS). The disease activity index (DAI), colon macroscopic damage index (CMDI) and tissue damage index (TDI) were evaluated. The expression of PPAR‑γ, NFAT, interleukin (IL)‑4 and IL‑2 mRNA in colonic tissues was determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR), and the serum levels of IL‑6, IL‑12, tumor necrosis factor‑α and interferon‑γ were measured by ELISA. The results demonstrated that dietary n‑3 PUFA markedly attenuated colonic inflammation compared with the model group, as indicated by reduced DAI, CMDI and TDI scores, amelioration in pathological evaluation and improvements in localized mucosal inflammation, as indicated by the levels of cytokines associated with local mucosal immunity. Treatment with n‑3 PUFA increased the gene expression of PPAR‑γ in TNBS‑treated rats, and reduced the expression of NFAT, which ultimately reduced the release of IL‑4 and IL‑2 detected by RT‑qPCR. A TFA‑enriched diet was observed to increase DAI and TDI scores, aggravate pathological inflammation with epithelioid granulomas and enhance the release of proinflammatory cytokines, compared with the model group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that dietary n‑3 PUFA may attenuate experimental CD induced by TNBS in rats by regulating the expression and activity of the PPAR‑γ/NFAT signaling pathway. These results provide a promising potential therapeutic method for the treatment of CD.

Determination of Resistant Starch Assimilating Bacteria in Fecal Samples of Mice by In vitro RNA-Based Stable Isotope Probing

The impact of the intestinal microbiota on human health is becoming increasingly appreciated in recent years. In consequence, and fueled by major technological advances, the composition of the intestinal microbiota in health and disease has been intensively studied by high throughput sequencing approaches. Observations linking dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota with a number of serious medical conditions including chronic inflammatory disorders and allergic diseases suggest that restoration of the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota may be a treatment option at least for some of these diseases. One possibility to shape the intestinal microbiota is the administration of prebiotic carbohydrates such as resistant starch (RS). In the present study, we aim at establishing RNA-based stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) to identify bacterial populations that are involved in the assimilation of RS using anaerobic in vitro fermentation of murine fecal material with stable [U¹³C] isotope-labeled potato starch. Total RNA from these incubations was extracted, processed by gradient ultracentrifugation and fractionated by density. 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified from reverse transcribed RNA of high and low density fractions suspected to contain labeled and unlabeled RNA, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences revealed a distinct subset of the intestinal microbiota involved in starch metabolism. The results suggest Bacteroidetes, in particular genera affiliated with Prevotellaceae, as well as members of the Ruminococcacea family to be primary assimilators of resistant starch due to a significantly higher relative abundance in higher density fractions in RNA samples isolated after 2 h of incubation. Using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HPLC-IRMS) analysis, some stable isotope label was recovered from acetate, propionate and butyrate. Here, we demonstrate the suitability of RNA-SIP to link specific groups of microorganisms with fermentation of a specific substrate. The application of RNA-SIP in future in vivo studies will help to better understand the mechanisms behind functionality of a prebiotic carbohydrate and its impact on an intestinal ecosystem with potential implications for human health.

Effect of Inulin on Proteome Changes Induced by Pathogenic Lipopolysaccharide in Human Colon

In the present study, the protective role of inulin against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress was evaluated on human colonic mucosa using a proteomic approach. Human colonic mucosa and submucosa were sealed between two chambers, with the luminal side facing upwards and overlaid with Krebs (control), LPS or LPS+ inulin IQ solution. The solutions on the submucosal side (undernatants) were collected following 30 min of mucosal exposure. iTRAQ based analysis was used to analyze the total soluble proteomes from human colonic mucosa and submucosa treated with different undernatants. Human colonic muscle strips were exposed to the undernatants to evaluate the response to acetylcholine. Inulin exposure was able to counteract, in human colonic mucosa, the LPS-dependent alteration of some proteins involved in the intestinal contraction (myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), myosin regulatory subunit (MYL)), to reduce the up-regulation of two proteins involved in the radical-mediated oxidative stress (the DNA-apurinic or apyrimidinic site) lyase) APEX1 and the T-complex protein 1 subunit eta (CCT7) and to entail a higher level of some detoxification enzymes (the metallothionein-2 MT2A, the glutathione-S-transferase K GSTk, and two UDP- glucuronosyltransferases UGT2B4, UGT2B17). Inulin exposure was also able to prevent the LPS-dependent intestinal muscle strips contraction impairment and the mucosa glutathione level alterations. Exposure of colonic mucosa to inulin seems to prevent LPS-induced alteration in expression of some key proteins, which promote intestinal motility and inflammation, reducing the radical-mediated oxidative stress.

Brown rice and retrograded brown rice alleviate inflammatory response in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice

We investigate the impact of brown rice and retrograded brown rice consumption on colonic health in dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis mice.

Sodium Butyrate Reduces Colitogenic Immunoglobulin A-Coated Bacteria and Modifies the Composition of Microbiota in IL-10 Deficient Mice

High levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA)-coated bacteria may have a role in driving inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We therefore investigated the effect of sodium butyrate on microbiota in IBD prone interleukin (IL)-10^−/− mice. At 8 weeks of age, mice were allocated into three groups (n = 4/group): normal (C57BL/6), IL-10^−/−, and IL-10^−/− treated with sodium butyrate (100 mM). Severity of colitis, inflammatory cytokine and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in proximal colon contents, the percentage of IgA-coated bacteria and microbiota composition by 16S ribosomal RNA assessment of stool were measured after 4 weeks of treatment. Sodium butyrate ameliorated histological colitis and decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 in IL-10^−/− mice compared with those without treatment. At the phylum level, a reduction in Bacteroidetes and an increase in Firmicutes in IL-10^−/− mice treated with sodium butyrate were observed. Additionally, Prevotellaceae species were reduced in IL-10^−/− mice treated with sodium butyrate as compared with those without treatment. The level of biodiversity was slightly increased and the amount of IgA-coated bacteria decreased in IL-10^−/− mice treated with sodium butyrate compared with those without treatment. Our results indicate that sodium butyrate protects against colitis, possibly through modifying the gut microbiota, enriching biodiversity and reducing the amount of colitogenic IgA-coated bacteria in IL-10^−/− mice.

Environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: Evidence based literature review

AIM: Advances in genetics and immunology have contributed to the current understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

METHODS: The current opinion on the pathogenesis of IBD suggests that genetically susceptible individuals develop intolerance to dysregulated gut microflora (dysbiosis) and chronic inflammation develops as a result of environmental insults. Environmental exposures are innumerable with varying effects during the life course of individuals with IBD. Studying the relationship between environmental factors and IBD may provide the missing link to increasing our understanding of the etiology and increased incidence of IBD in recent years with implications for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Environmental factors are heterogeneous and genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, or dysbiosis do not lead to the development of IBD in isolation.

RESULTS: Current challenges in the study of environmental factors and IBD are how to effectively translate promising results from experimental studies to humans in order to develop models that incorporate the complex interactions between the environment, genetics, immunology, and gut microbiota, and limited high quality interventional studies assessing the effect of modifying environmental factors on the natural history and patient outcomes in IBD.

CONCLUSION: This article critically reviews the current evidence on environmental risk factors for IBD and proposes directions for future research.

Soluble Corn Fiber Increases Calcium Absorption Associated with Shifts in the Gut Microbiome: A Randomized Dose-Response Trial in Free-Living Pubertal Females

BACKGROUND

Soluble corn fiber (SCF; 12 g fiber/d) is shown to increase calcium absorption efficiency, associated with shifts in the gut microbiota in adolescent males and females who participated in a controlled feeding study.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the dose response of 0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d delivered by PROMITOR SCF 85 (85% fiber) on calcium absorption, biochemical bone properties, and the fecal microbiome in free-living adolescents.

METHODS

Healthy adolescent females (n = 28; aged 11-14 y) randomly assigned into a 3-phase, double-blind, crossover study consumed SCF for 4 wk at each dose (0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d from SCF) alongside their habitual diet and were followed by 3-d clinical visits and 3-wk washout periods. Stable isotope ((44)Ca and (43)Ca) enrichment in pooled urine was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fecal microbial community composition was assessed by high-throughput sequencing (Illumina) of polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rRNA genes. Mixed model ANOVA and Friedman analysis were used to determine effects of SCF on calcium absorption and to compare mean microbial proportions, respectively.

RESULTS

Calcium absorption increased significantly with 10 (13.3% ± 5.3%; P = 0.042) and 20 g fiber/d (12.9% ± 3.6%; P = 0.026) from SCF relative to control. Significant differences in fecal microbial community diversity were found after consuming SCF (operational taxonomic unit measures of 601.4 ± 83.5, 634.5 ± 83.8, and 649.6 ± 75.5 for 0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d, respectively; P < 0.05). Proportions of the genus Parabacteroides significantly increased with SCF dose (1.1% ± 0.8%, 2.1% ± 1.6%, and 3.0% ± 2.0% for 0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d from SCF, respectively; P < 0.05). Increases in calcium absorption positively correlated with increases in Clostridium (r = 0.44, P = 0.023) and unclassified Clostridiaceae (r = 0.40, P = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

SCF, a nondigestible carbohydrate, increased calcium absorption in free-living adolescent females. Two groups of bacteria may be involved, one directly fermenting SCF and the second fermenting SCF metabolites further, thereby promoting increased calcium absorption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01660503.

Induction of regulatory T cells: A role for probiotics and prebiotics to suppress autoimmunity

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells that play a vital role in suppressing inflammation and maintaining immune tolerance. Given the crucial role of Tregs in maintaining immune homeostasis, it is probably not surprising that many microbial species and their metabolites have the potential to induce Tregs. There is now great interest in the therapeutic potential of probiotics and prebiotics based strategies for a range of autoimmune disorders. This review will summarise recent findings concerning the role of probiotics and prebiotics in induction of Tregs to ameliorate the autoimmune conditions. In addition, the article is focused to explain the different mechanisms of Treg induction and function by these probiotics and prebiotics, based on the available studies till date. The article further proposes that induction of Tregs by probiotics and prebiotics could lead to the development of new therapeutic approach towards curbing the autoimmune response and as an alternative to detrimental immunosuppressive drugs.

Modeling-Enabled Systems Nutritional Immunology

This review highlights the fundamental role of nutrition in the maintenance of health, the immune response, and disease prevention. Emerging global mechanistic insights in the field of nutritional immunology cannot be gained through reductionist methods alone or by analyzing a single nutrient at a time. We propose to investigate nutritional immunology as a massively interacting system of interconnected multistage and multiscale networks that encompass hidden mechanisms by which nutrition, microbiome, metabolism, genetic predisposition, and the immune system interact to delineate health and disease. The review sets an unconventional path to apply complex science methodologies to nutritional immunology research, discovery, and development through “use cases” centered around the impact of nutrition on the gut microbiome and immune responses. Our systems nutritional immunology analyses, which include modeling and informatics methodologies in combination with pre-clinical and clinical studies, have the potential to discover emerging systems-wide properties at the interface of the immune system, nutrition, microbiome, and metabolism.

Prebiotic Potential of a Maize-Based Soluble Fibre and Impact of Dose on the Human Gut Microbiota

Dietary management of the human gut microbiota towards a more beneficial composition is one approach that may improve host health. To date, a large number of human intervention studies have demonstrated that dietary consumption of certain food products can result in significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota i.e. the prebiotic concept. Thus the prebiotic effect is now established as a dietary approach to increase beneficial gut bacteria and it has been associated with modulation of health biomarkers and modulation of the immune system. Promitor™ Soluble Corn Fibre (SCF) is a well-known maize-derived source of dietary fibre with potential selective fermentation properties. Our aim was to determine the optimum prebiotic dose of tolerance, desired changes to microbiota and fermentation of SCF in healthy adult subjects. A double-blind, randomised, parallel study was completed where volunteers (n = 8/treatment group) consumed 8, 14 or 21 g from SCF (6, 12 and 18 g/fibre delivered respectively) over 14-d. Over the range of doses studied, SCF was well tolerated Numbers of bifidobacteria were significantly higher for the 6 g/fibre/day compared to 12 g and 18 g/fibre delivered/day (mean 9.25 and 9.73 Log10 cells/g fresh faeces in the pre-treatment and treatment periods respectively). Such a numerical change of 0.5 Log10 bifidobacteria/g fresh faeces is consistent with those changes observed for inulin-type fructans, which are recognised prebiotics. A possible prebiotic effect of SCF was therefore demonstrated by its stimulation of bifidobacteria numbers in the overall gut microbiota during a short-term intervention.