Intake of slow-digesting carbohydrates is related to changes in the microbiome and its functional pathways in growing rats with obesity induced by diet

Disease-modifying therapies used to treat multiple sclerosis and the gut microbiome: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiome may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its relationship with the disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) remains unclear. We systematically reviewed the literature to examine the relationship between DMTs and the gut microbiota among persons with MS (pwMS).

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched (01/2007-09/2022) for studies evaluating potential gut microbiota differences in diversity, taxonomic relative abundances, and functional capacity between DMT-exposed/unexposed pwMS or before/after DMT initiation. All US FDA-approved MS DMTs (1993-09/2022) and rituximab were included.

RESULTS

Of the 410 studies, 11 were included, totalling 1243 pwMS. Of these, 821 were DMT exposed and 473 unexposed, including 51 assessed before/after DMT initiation. DMT use duration ranged from 14 days to > 6 months. No study found a difference in gut microbiota alpha-diversity between DMT exposed/unexposed (p > 0.05). One study observed a difference in beta-diversity between interferon-beta users/DMT non-users (weighted UniFrac, p = 0.006). All studies examined taxa-level differences, but most (6) combined different DMTs. Two or more studies reported eight genera (Actinomyces, Bacteroides, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Haemophilus, Megasphaera, Pseudomonas, Ruminiclostridium 5, Turicibacter) and one species (Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans) differing in the same direction between DMT exposed/unexposed. DMT users had lower relative abundances of carbohydrate degradation and reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle I pathway than non-users (p < 0.05), but findings could not be attributed to a specific DMT.

DISCUSSION

While DMT use (versus no use) was not associated with gut microbiota diversity differences, taxa-level differences were observed. Further work is warranted, as most studies were cross-sectional, few examined functionality, and DMTs were combined.

Gut microbiota associated with appetite suppression in high-temperature and high-humidity environments

BACKGROUND

Food is crucial for maintaining vital human and animal activities. Disorders in appetite control can lead to various metabolic disturbances. Alterations in the gut microbial composition can affect appetite and energy metabolism. While alterations in the gut microbiota have been observed in high-temperature and high-humidity (HTH) environments, the relationship between the gut microbiota during HTH and appetite remains unclear.

METHODS

We utilised an artificial climate box to mimic HTH environments, and established a faecal bacteria transplantation (FMT) mouse model. Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis was used to further confirm the causal relationship between gut microbiota and appetite or appetite-related hormones.

FINDINGS

We found that, in the eighth week of exposure to HTH environments, mice showed a decrease in food intake and body weight, and there were significant changes in the intestinal microbiota compared to the control group. After FMT, we observed similar changes in food intake, body weight, and gut bacteria. Appetite-related hormones, including ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and insulin, were reduced in DH (mice exposed to HTH conditions) and DHF (FMT from mice exposed to HTH environments for 8 weeks), while the level of peptide YY initially increased and then decreased in DH and increased after FMT. Moreover, MR analysis further confirmed that these changes in the intestinal microbiota could affect appetite or appetite-related hormones.

INTERPRETATION

Together, our data suggest that the gut microbiota is closely associated with appetite suppression in HTH. These findings provide novel insights into the effects of HTH on appetite.

FUNDING

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.

EVOO supplement prevents type 1 diabetes by modulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites in NOD mice

AIMS

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest quality olive oil available and has been shown to regulate postprandial blood glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it remains uncertain whether EVOO can prevent the onset of T1D. In this study, we investigated the potential preventive effect of orally administered EVOO on T1D in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.

MAIN METHODS

We analyzed changes in fecal microbes using 16 s rDNA sequencing and serum metabolites using Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS).

KEY FINDINGS

Our findings showed that EVOO supplementation in NOD mice slowed gastric emptying, reduced insulitis, and delayed T1D onset. Moreover, EVOO altered the composition of fecal microbes, increasing the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, and promoting the growth of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, such as Lachnoclostridium and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005. Moreover, it also increased beneficial serum metabolites, including unsaturated fatty acid and triterpenoid, which positively correlated with the increased SCFA-producing bacteria and negatively correlated with the disease indicators. Conversely, most decreased serum lipid metabolites, such as Oleamide, showed the opposite trend.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study demonstrates that EVOO may ameliorate pancreas inflammation and prevent T1D onset in NOD mice by modulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites.

Effect of Regular Consumption of a Miraculin-Based Food Supplement on Taste Perception and Nutritional Status in Malnourished Cancer Patients: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial-CLINMIR Pilot Protocol

Taste disorders are common among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with a prevalence ranging from 20% to 86%, persisting throughout treatment. This condition leads to reduced food consumption, increasing the risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated not only with worse treatment efficacy and poor disease prognosis but also with reduced functional status and quality of life. The fruit of Synsepalum dulcificum (Daniell), commonly known as miracle berry or miracle fruit, contains miraculin, a taste-modifying protein with profound effects on taste perception. The CLINMIR Protocol is a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the regular consumption of a food supplement containing a miraculin-based novel food, dried miracle berry (DMB), on the taste perception (measured through electrogustometry) and nutritional status (evaluated through the GLIM Criteria) of malnourished cancer patients under active antineoplastic treatment. To this end, a pilot study was designed with 30 randomized patients divided into three study arms (150 mg DMB + 150 mg freeze-dried strawberries, 300 mg DMB, or placebo) for three months. Throughout the five main visits, an exhaustive assessment of different parameters susceptible to improvement through regular consumption of the miraculin-based food supplement will be conducted, including electrical and chemical taste perception, smell perception, nutritional and morphofunctional assessment, diet, quality of life, the fatty acid profile of erythrocytes, levels of inflammatory and cancer-associated cytokines, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense system, plasma metabolomics, and saliva and stool microbiota. The primary anticipated result is that malnourished cancer patients with taste distortion who consume the miraculin-based food supplement will report an improvement in food taste perception. This improvement translates into increased food intake, thereby ameliorating their nutritional status and mitigating associated risks. Additionally, the study aims to pinpoint the optimal dosage that provides maximal benefits. The protocol adheres to the SPIRIT 2013 Statement, which provides evidence-based recommendations and is widely endorsed as an international standard for trial protocols. The clinical trial protocol has been registered at the platform for Clinical Trials (NCT05486260).

Dietary Factors Impact Developmental Trajectories in Young Autistic Children

PURPOSE

The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of dietary factors on developmental trajectories in young autistic children.

METHODS

A gluten-free and casein-free diets, as well as six types of food (meat and eggs, vegetables, uncooked vegetables, sweets, bread, and "white soft bread that never molds") were investigated observationally for up to three years in 5,553 children 2 to 5 years of age via parent-report measures completed within a mobile application. Children had a parent-reported diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); 78% were males; the majority of participants resided in the USA. Outcome was monitored on five orthogonal subscales: Language Comprehension, Expressive Language, Sociability, Sensory Awareness, and Health, assessed by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) (Rimland & Edelson, 1999) and Mental Synthesis Evaluation Checklist (MSEC) (Arnold & Vyshedskiy, 2022; Braverman et al., 2018).

RESULTS

Consumption of fast-acting carbohydrates - sweets, bread, and "white soft bread that never molds" - was associated with a significant and a consistent Health subscale score decline. On the contrary, a gluten-free diet, as well as consumption of meat, eggs, and vegetables were associated with a significant and consistent improvement in the Language Comprehension score. Consumption of meat and eggs was also associated with a significant and consistent improvement in the Sensory Awareness score.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate a strong correlation between a diet and developmental trajectories and suggest possible dietary interventions for young autistic children.

Innova 2020: A Follow-Up Study of the Fecal Microbiota of Infants Using a Novel Infant Formula between 6 Months and 12 Months of Age

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding on demand until at least the sixth month of life. Breast milk or infant formula is the infant's primary food source until the age of one year, followed by the gradual introduction of other foods. During weaning, the intestinal microbiota evolves to a profile close to that of the adult, and its disruption can result in an increased incidence of acute infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether a novel starting formula (INN) provides gut microbiota compositions more similar to those of breastfed (BF) infants from 6 to 12 months of age compared to a standard formula (STD). This study included 210 infants (70 per group) who completed the intervention until they reached the age of 12 months. In the intervention period, infants were divided into three groups. Group 1 received an INN formula with a lower protein content, a casein to whey protein ratio of approximately 70/30, twice as much docosahexaenoic acid as the STD formula, a thermally inactivated postbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BPL1TM HT), and twice as much arachidonic acid as the STD formula contained. The second group received the STD formula, while the third group was exclusively BF for exploratory purposes. In the course of the study, visits were conducted at 6 months and 12 months of age. Compared to the BF and STD groups, the Bacillota phylum levels in the INN group were significantly reduced after 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the alpha diversity indices of the BF and INN groups differed significantly from those of the STD group. At 12 months, the Verrucomicrobiota phylum levels in the STD group were significantly lower than those in the BF and INN groups. Based on the comparison between 6 and 12 months, the Bacteroidota phylum levels in the BF group were significantly higher than those in the INN and STD groups. When comparing the INN group with the BF and STD groups, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was significantly higher in the INN group. The STD group had higher levels of calprotectin than the INN and BF groups at 6 months. The immunoglobulin A levels in the STD group were significantly lower than those in the INN and BF groups after 6 months. Both formulas had significantly higher levels of propionic acid than the BF group at 6 months. At 6 months, the STD group showed a higher quantification of all metabolic pathways than the BF group. The INN formula group exhibited similar behavior to the BF group, except for the superpathway of phospholipid biosynthesis (E. coli). We hypothesize that the novel INN formula may promote an intestinal microbiota that is more similar to the microbiota of an infant who consumes only human milk before the weaning period.