Modulation of gut microbiota with probiotics as a strategy to counteract endogenous and exogenous neurotoxicity.

<p indent="0mm">Gut microbiota is closely related to host health. The interactions between gut microbiota and hosts are complex, including the relationships between microbiota and the immune system, gut-brain axis, gut-lung axis etc. Gut microbiota disorders are related to the occurrence and development of some diseases, and some microbial strains are identified to be the cause of some diseases. Moreover, gut microbiota has effects on drug metabolism, and the individual differences of gut microbiota might lead to the different individual effects of the same drug. Therefore, recovering individual gut microbiota is essential for the implementation of individual precision medical treatment. Gut microbiota is alterable, and gut microbiota can be modulated at healthy state by dietary regulation, probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics supplement, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Besides, microbiota editing techniques and synthetic microbiota have been applied in the modulation of gut microbiota. Currently, modulation of gut microbiota has become one of the effective strategies to improve or cure some diseases. This review summarized the interactions between gut microbiota and hosts, the correlations and causal relationships between gut microbiota and diseases, the ways to improve human health by modulating gut microbiota, and gave insights into the application of microbiome and synthetic biology on the modulation and synthesis of gut microbiota.

Targeting the Gut Microbiota in Coronavirus Disease 2019: Hype or Hope?

Wheat peptides (WP) have been claimed to have the potential to regulate metabolism and effectively prevent/mitigate gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, many studies into the effects of WP on hyperglycemia have provided conflicting findings, and the underlying mechanism has been elusive. In this study, WP intervention (50-1000 mg kg-1) dose-dependently attenuated high fat diet (HFD)-induced weight gain, fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. WP suppressed systemic inflammation by normalizing serum levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), while concurrently reducing adipocyte hypertrophy and hepatic steatosis. Serum lipid profiles were improved, with significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), though low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels remained unaltered. Although gut microbiota α-diversity was unaffected, WP modulated microbial composition by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio and enriching beneficial genera, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Metabolomic analyses further revealed that WP-restored metabolic homeostasis is associated with upregulating functional lipids [PE(18 : 1/20 : 3), PG(18 : 0/20 : 4), and PS(22 : 6/22 : 1)] and the tryptophan metabolite 5-HIAA, all of which exhibited inverse correlations with indices of metabolic dysfunction. Critically, the WP-derived peptides LPQ and LPQF, characterized by a proline residue at the second position (Pro2), exhibited potent dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity, mediated by high-affinity binding involving van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, in hyperglycemic zebrafish models, LPQ/LPQF (0.1-5 μg mL-1) normalized glycemic levels. Collectively, WP exerts hypoglycemic effects through potentially synergistic mechanisms: (i) suppression of inflammation, (ii) restoration of functional lipid and tryptophan metabolic pathways, (iii) modulation of the gut microbiota toward a beneficial profile, and (iv) DPP-IV inhibition by structurally optimized peptides. These findings highlight WP's therapeutic potential for metabolic syndrome, underscoring its utility as a multifaceted intervention for metabolic dysregulation.

Untangling the 2-Way Relationship Between Red Wine Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota has long been of research interests due to its nutritional importance for many insects. It has been demonstrated that diversity of gut microbiota in insects can be modulated by many factors, including habitats, feeding preference, etc. Besides, the community structure of gut microbiota could also be altered during the different life stages of host insects. With development of conventional culture-dependent technologies and advanced culture-independent technologies, comprehensive and deep understanding of the functions of gut microbiota and their relationship with host insects were achieved, especially for the nutrient metabolic process mediated by them. In this review, we summarized the gut microbiota composition, major methods for gut microbiota characterization, and vital nutrient metabolic process mediated by gut microbiota in different insects. The increasing knowledge on the modulation of gut microbiota will help us for the comprehension of the contribution of gut microbiota to the nutritional metabolism of insects, prompting their growth and health.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a prevalent chronic condition frequently accompanied by adverse emotional states. Previous research has demonstrated the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in mitigating neuropathic pain and its associated mood disorders. Recent studies have underscored a correlation between gut microbiota and both NP and negative emotional states. Nevertheless, the relationship between the modulation of gut microbiota by EA and the amelioration of NP remains inadequately understood. Mice were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: the Control (Con) group, the EA group, and the Chronic Constrictive Injury (CCI) group (n = 12 each). Starting from the 8th day post-CCI induction, the EA group underwent EA treatment once every two days, for a total of 20 sessions. To investigate the impact of gut microbiota on CCI mice, we employed a variety of methods, including various behavioral tests and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing. The results indicated that EA significantly ameliorated mechanical allodynia and emotional dysfunction induced by CCI in mice. Analysis through 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the gut microbiota of NP model mice exhibited a marked increase in diversity. However, EA could partially reverse changes in the diversity of gut microbiota. The abundance of Alloprevotella, A2, Roseburia, Muribaculum, Ruminiclostridium, and Rikenella was increased, and the abundance levels of Bacteroides were decreased at the genus level in CCI mice. Following EA treatment, the relative abundance of Alistipes, A2, Roseburia, and Rikenella was decreased, whereas the relative abundance of Alloprevotella and Parabacteroides was increased in EA group when compared with the CCI group. These findings suggested that EA exerted a significant therapeutic effect on NP, potentially through modulation of the gut microbiota.

Recent human and animal studies have found associations between gut microbiota composition and serum levels of sex hormones, indicating that they could be an important factor in shaping the microbiota. However, little is known about the effect of regular hormonal fluctuations over the menstrual cycle or CHC-related changes of hormone levels on gut microbiota structure, diversity and dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CHCs on human gut microbiota composition. The effect of CHC pill intake on gut microbiota composition was studied in a group of 7 healthy pre-menopausal women using the CHC pill, compared to the control group of 9 age-matched healthy women that have not used hormonal contraceptives in the six months prior the start of the study. By analyzing the gut microbiota composition in both groups during one menstrual cycle, we found that CHC usage is associated with a minor decrease in gut microbiota diversity and differences in the abundance of several bacterial taxa. These results call for further investigation of the mechanisms underlying hormonal and hormonal contraceptive-related changes of the gut microbiota and the potential implications of these changes for women's health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Recent investigations have demonstrated an important role of gut microbiota (GM) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). GM modulates a host’s health and disease by production of several substances, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), among others. Diet can modify the composition and diversity of GM, and ingestion of a healthy diet has been suggested to lower the risk to develop AD. We have previously shown that bioactive food (BF) ingestion can abate neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and improve cognition in obese rats, effects associated with GM composition. Therefore, BF can impact the gut-brain axis and improved behavior. In this study, we aim to explore if inclusion of BF in the diet may impact central pathological markers of AD by modulation of the GM. Triple transgenic 3xTg-AD (TG) female mice were fed a combination of dried nopal, soy, chia oil, and turmeric for 7 months. We found that BF ingestion improved cognition and reduced Aβ aggregates and tau hyperphosphorylation. In addition, BF decreased MDA levels, astrocyte and microglial activation, PSD-95, synaptophysin, GluR1 and ARC protein levels in TG mice. Furthermore, TG mice fed BF showed increased levels of pGSK-3β. GM analysis revealed that pro-inflammatory bacteria were more abundant in TG mice compared to wild-type, while BF ingestion was able to restore the GM’s composition, LPS, and propionate levels to control values. Therefore, the neuroprotective effects of BF may be mediated, in part, by modulation of GM and the release of neurotoxic substances that alter brain function.

Recent investigations have demonstrated an important role of gut microbiota (GM) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). GM modulates a host's health and disease by production of several substances, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), among others. Diet can modify the composition and diversity of GM, and ingestion of a healthy diet has been suggested to lower the risk to develop AD. We have previously shown that bioactive food (BF) ingestion can abate neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and improve cognition in obese rats, effects associated with GM composition. Therefore, BF can impact the gut-brain axis and improved behavior. In this study, we aim to explore if inclusion of BF in the diet may impact central pathological markers of AD by modulation of the GM. Triple transgenic 3xTg-AD (TG) female mice were fed a combination of dried nopal, soy, chia oil, and turmeric for 7 months. We found that BF ingestion improved cognition and reduced Aβ aggregates and tau hyperphosphorylation. In addition, BF decreased MDA levels, astrocyte and microglial activation, PSD-95, synaptophysin, GluR1 and ARC protein levels in TG mice. Furthermore, TG mice fed BF showed increased levels of pGSK-3β. GM analysis revealed that pro-inflammatory bacteria were more abundant in TG mice compared to wild-type, while BF ingestion was able to restore the GM's composition, LPS, and propionate levels to control values. Therefore, the neuroprotective effects of BF may be mediated, in part, by modulation of GM and the release of neurotoxic substances that alter brain function.

Gut microbiota modulation by both Lactobacillus fermentum MSK 408 and ketogenic diet in a murine model of pentylenetetrazole-induced acute seizure

Fructus Jujubae cooperated with water-expelling members in Shizao decoction alleviated intestinal injury and malignant ascites by modulating gut microbiota and metabolic homeostasis

Role of dietary edible mushrooms in the modulation of gut microbiota

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent food-borne hepatocarcinogen, is the most toxic aflatoxin that induces liver injury in humans and animals. Species-specific sensitivities of aflatoxins cannot be fully explained by differences in the metabolism of AFB1 between animal species. The gut microbiota are critical in inflammatory liver injury, but it remains to reveal the role of gut microbiota in AFB1-induced liver injury. Here, mice were gavaged with AFB1 for 28 days. Then, the modulation of gut microbiota, colonic barrier, and liver pyroptosis and inflammation were analyzed. To further verify the direct role of gut microbiota in AFB1-induced liver injury, mice were treated with antibiotic mixtures (ABXs) to deplete the microbiota, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. The treatment of AFB1 in mice altered gut microbiota composition, such as increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Lactobacillus, inducing colonic barrier dysfunction and promoting liver pyroptosis. In ABX-treated mice, AFB1 had little effect on the colonic barrier and liver pyroptosis. Notably, after FMT, in which the mice were colonized with gut microbiota from AFB1-treated mice, colonic barrier dysfunction, and liver pyroptosis and inflammation were obliviously identified. We proposed that the gut microbiota directly participated in AFB1-induced liver pyroptosis and inflammation. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of AFB1 hepatotoxicity and pave a window for new targeted interventions to prevent or reduce AFB1 hepatotoxicity.

Recent studies have made significant advances in understanding the mechanisms of gut microbiota involved in human health and disease [1,2].Now the gut microbiota has been recognized as a key player in a broad spectrum of human diseases from obesity associated liver and cardiovascular diseases to mental development and psychiatric diseases [3,4].Accordingly, modulations of gut microbial diversity and composition are expected to improve human health and to provide novel therapeutic modalities for human disease.The gut microbial modulators can be simply specific diets and drinks, natural tea and Chinese herbs, or specialized prebiotics and probiotics.In this special issue, authors presented a number of very interesting studies on changes of gut microbiota in digestive diseases.These review and original articles of research and clinical studies cover a range of topics, including the pathogenesis of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), the outcome of intestinal bacterial translocation in advanced cirrhosis, the gut microbiota changes in an animal colitis model after treatment with a monoclonal antibody, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in elderly patients with refractory Clostridium difficile infection.In these articles, authors have described mechanisms of disease development as well as therapeutic effects of specific antibodies, probiotics, and FMT.While we know the simple cause of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), its pathogenesis is complicated and it

This study was aimed to explore the effect of Zingiberis Rhizoma extract on rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD), and reveal the modulation of gut microbiota during alleviation of AAD. AAD rat model was successfully established by exposing rats to appropriate antibiotic mixed solution. Peficon(70 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) was used as positive control, then rats were treated with 200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) and 400 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) of Zingiberis Rhizoma extract for low and high dosage groups of Zingiberis Rhizoma extract, respectively. The weight changes of the rats were observed, and the degree of diarrhea were evaluated by fecal score, 120 min fecal weight and fecal water content. Colon tissues for histopathological examination were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE), and 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis of gut microbiota was performed. The results showed that compared with the model group, the degree of diarrhea, indicated by fecal water content, fecal score, and 120 min fecal weight of positive control group, Zingiberis Rhizoma low-dose group and Zingiberis Rhizoma high-dose group were significantly ameliorated. And the treatment of Zingiberis Rhizoma could significantly improve the pathological condition of colon tissue in AAD rats, especially the high dose of Zingiberis Rhizoma. In addition, 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis of gut microbiota showed that the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota were significantly improved and the reco-very of gut microbiota was accelerated after given high-dose of Zingiberis Rhizoma, while no significant changes of alterations were observed after given Pefikon. Of note, compared with the pefikon group, the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota in Zingi-beris Rhizoma high-dose group were significantly elevated. At the phylum level, the abundance of Firmicutes in AAD rats increased and the abundance of Proteobacteria was decreased after the Zingiberis Rhizoma intervention. At the genus level, the abundance of Bacillus spp., Lachnoclostridium and Escherichia coli-Shigella were decreased, and the abundance of Lactobacillus spp., Trichophyton spp., and Trichophyton spp., etc., were increased. While compared with the AAD model group, there was no significant difference of gut microbiota after given Peficon. The results showed that Zingiberis Rhizoma exerted beneficial health effects against AAD, and positively affected the microbial environment in the gut of rats with AAD.