Prebiotic potential of turmeric and fingerroot polysaccharides: modulation of human gut microbiota and metabolite profiles in in vitro colonic fermentation

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants associated with a wide variety of adverse human health outcomes. PCB 126 and PCB 153 are among the most prevalent congeners associated with human exposure. Emerging studies have suggested that PCB exposure leads to lower gut microbial diversity although their effects on microbial production of health promoting short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) has been scarcely studied. Blue potatoes are rich in anthocyanins (ACNs), which is a class of polyphenols that promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and increase the generation of SCFAs. A batch-culture, pH-controlled, stirred system containing human fecal microbial communities was utilized to assess whether human gut microbiota composition and SCFA production are affected by: (a) PCB 126 and PCB 153 exposure; and (b) ACN-rich digests in the presence and absence of the PCB congeners. Anthocyanin-rich blue potato meals (11.03 g) were digested over 12 h with and without PCB 126 (0.5 mM) and PCB 153 (0.5 mM) using an in vitro simulated gut digestion model involving upper gastrointestinal digestion followed by metabolism by human fecal microbiota. Fecal digests were collected for analysis of gut microbial and SCFA profiles. Polychlorinated biphenyl-exposed fecal samples showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in species richness and a significantly (p < 0.05) different microbial community structure. PCB treatment was associated with an increased (p < 0.05) relative abundance of Akkermansia, Eggerthella, and Bifidobacterium and a decreased (p < 0.05) relative abundance of Veillonella, Streptococcus, and Holdemanella. ACN digests counteracted the altered abundances of Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium seen with the PCB treatment. PCB exposure was associated with a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in total SCFA and acetate concentrations. ACN digests were associated with significantly (p < 0.05) higher SCFA and acetate concentrations in the presence and absence of PCBs. Human fecal matter exposed to PCB 126 and PCB 153 led to decreased abundance and altered gut microbiota profiles as well as lowered SCFA and acetate levels. Importantly, this study showed that prebiotic ACN-rich potatoes counteract PCB-mediated disruptions in human gut microbiota profiles and SCFA production.

The Intestinal Metabolome: An Intersection Between Microbiota and Host

Prebiotic properties of different polysaccharide fractions from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seeds evaluated by simulated digestion and in vitro fermentation by human fecal microbiota

This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of Quantitative Lifting And Inserting Acupuncture (QLIA) in treating simple obesity through integrated metabolomic and gut microbiota analyses. Thirty patients with obesity were randomized into treatment (QLIA), control (standard needle lifting), and healthy groups (standard needle lifting) (n=10 each). Acupuncture was administered three times per week for 8 weeks. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on fecal samples, and serum samples were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLCMS/ MS) metabolomics. QLIA significantly altered gut microbiota α-diversity and β- diversity. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly increased in the QLIAtreated group. The treatment group showed increased abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Dialister, and decreased abundance of potentially harmful bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella. KEGG pathway analysis revealed upregulation of amino acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism pathways and downregulation of nucleotide biosynthesis pathways in the gut microbiota. Metabolomic analysis showed significantly elevated levels of acetyl-Lcarnitine and decreased levels of N-acetylneuraminic acid in the treatment group after acupuncture. PICRUSt analysis primarily implicated amino acid metabolic pathways. Serum metabolite analysis identified lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism pathways as key targets of acupuncture intervention. Comparative analysis of metabolic pathways revealed amino acid metabolism as a shared target in both gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles. These findings suggest that QLIA exerts its weight-loss effects by reshaping the gut microbiota structure and modulating host metabolic profiles, thereby highlighting a synergistic mechanism involving the gut-host metabolic axis. QLIA significantly promoted weight loss in simple obesity by modulating key metabolic pathways and altering gut microbiota composition. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying acupuncture-induced weight loss and supports its potential as a therapeutic option for obesity.

Polysaccharides are recognized for their prebiotic effects and substantial impact on human health. This study aimed to investigate the digestion and fermentation properties of a purified pumpkin polysaccharide (PPS3) and its effects on gut microbiota. PPS3 maintained its molecular weight during simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion, with no significant increase in reducing sugars or free monosaccharides, indicating strong resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis. During 48-h in vitro fermentation with human fecal microbiota, PPS3 was efficiently degraded, leading to a 66.7% decrease in reducing sugar content and a significant pH reduction compared to the blank control (fermentation medium without PPS3). Total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration increased by 24.29% in the PPS3 group (33.47±0.99mM) versus control (26.93±0.80mM). PPS3 selectively modulated gut microbiota composition by decreasing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidota ratio and enriching beneficial taxa. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between SCFA production and specific bacterial strains. Notably, PPS3 fermentation supernatants significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide (NO) while upregulating IL-10 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings demonstrate that PPS3 resists digestion, promotes beneficial microbial metabolism, and exerts anti-inflammatory effects, supporting its potential application as a functional prebiotic for gut and systemic health.

Effects of enzymatic treatment on the in vitro digestion and fermentation patterns of mulberry fruit juice: A focus on carbohydrates

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

Profiling the mid-adult cecal microbiota associated with host healthy by using herbal formula Kang ShuaiLao Pian treated mid-adult mice.

Pollution of the environment by human and animal faecal pollution affects the safety of shellfish, drinking water and recreational beaches. To pinpoint the origin of contaminations, it is essential to define the differences between human microbiota and that of farm animals. A strategy based on real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays was therefore developed and applied to compare the composition of intestinal microbiota of these two groups. Primers were designed to quantify the 16S rRNA gene from dominant and subdominant bacterial groups. TaqMan probes were defined for the qPCR technique used for dominant microbiota. Human faecal microbiota was compared with that of farm animals using faecal samples collected from rabbits, goats, horses, pigs, sheep and cows. Three dominant bacterial groups (Bacteroides/Prevotella, Clostridium coccoides and Bifidobacterium) of the human microbiota showed differential population levels in animal species. The Clostridium leptum group showed the lowest differences among human and farm animal species. Human subdominant bacterial groups were highly variable in animal species. Partial least squares regression indicated that the human microbiota could be distinguished from all farm animals studied. This culture-independent comparative assessment of the faecal microbiota between humans and farm animals will prove useful in identifying biomarkers of human and animal faecal contaminations that can be applied to microbial source tracking methods.

Disruptions in the gut microbiota metabolism may contribute to the pathophysiology of gut-brain interaction disorders, and correction of intestinal dysbiosis is considered a promising therapeutic approach. Menthacarin, a proprietary fixed combination of Mentha x piperita L. and Carum carvi L. essential oils, is used clinically for the treatment of functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Rodent model data indicate that treatment effects of Menthacarin on visceral hypersensitivity could be mediated via the normalization of gut dysbiosis. However, the impact of Menthacarin on human bacterial gut microbiota has not yet been studied. The aim of the present study was to assess whether Menthacarin affects the composition and metabolic activity of human fecal microbiota. Fecal slurry samples from 10 healthy volunteers were cultivated for 36h under anoxic conditions with and without Menthacarin. Relative bacterial abundance at the phylum and genus levels was evaluated using 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the supernatants were measured using the LC-MS technology. Menthacarin induced robust changes in microbial composition at both the phylum and genus levels among the 10 donor microbiomes. The relative abundance of Firmicutes (+13.6 ± 8.6%) and Actinobacteria (+54.9 ± 47.6%) significantly increased, whereas that of Bacteroidetes (-27.7% ± 21.9%) and Proteobacteria (-25.7% ± 12.3%) significantly decreased in the presence of Menthacarin. At the genus level, the most notable changes were significant increases in Bifidobacterium (+105.1 ± 78.4%) and several SCFA-producing genera accompanied by a significant decrease in genera containing members involved in pro-inflammatory processes. In addition, Menthacarin significantly increased the levels of several SCFAs, namely, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, and isovalerate. Menthacarin alters the microbiota composition and enhances SCFA production in human microbiota samples under in vitro conditions. These effects may contribute to the clinical benefits observed with Menthacarin treatment.

Oxymatrine and Gut Microbiota Modulation: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Bone Cancer Pain Management

<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.

The prevalence of food allergies (FAs) has increased considerably in recent decades, with the only available treatment being the avoidance of the specific food items causing the allergy. FAs may have a major impact on quality of life, and it is of great interest to explore new strategies to prevent and treat FAs. Some studies show an altered gut microbiota profile in individuals with FAs, and the modulation of gut microbiota is therefore proposed as a potential strategy for prevention and treatment. This systematic review aimed to investigate: (1) the gut microbiota profile in individuals with FAs compared to healthy individuals and (2) the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on gut microbiota profiles and/or allergy symptoms. A literature search was conducted in PubMed (Medline) on 5 April 2022. Of the 236 publications identified, 12 studies were included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eleven of these studies reported results on the gut microbiota in children with FAs compared to healthy controls (HCs). The majority of studies (six studies) observed no difference in alpha diversity when comparing children with FAs to HCs; however, a difference in beta diversity was observed in five studies. At the phylum level, we observed a high abundance of Firmicutes (six studies) and Proteobacteria (five studies), whereas a low abundance of Bacteroidetes (5 studies) was observed in children with FAs compared to HCs. Of the 12 included studies, four explored the effect of FMT on gut microbiota and/or allergy symptoms. Three studies reported that transferring gut microbiota from children without FAs to germ-free mice, protected the mice against allergic reactions, whereas one study did not report findings on the allergic symptoms. The results on gut microbiota after FMT varied and were too divergent to draw any conclusions. Overall, our results suggest that there are differences in the gut microbiota profile in individuals with FAs compared to individuals without FAs. FMT seems to be a promising strategy to prevent allergic symptoms but needs to be further explored in animal and human models. As the findings in this review are based on a small number of studies (12 studies), further studies are warranted before any clear conclusions can be drawn regarding gut microbiota profiles and the effect of FMT on individuals with FAs.

BackgroundGiven the importance of gut microbiota for health, growth and performance of the host, the aquaculture industry has taken measures to develop functional fish feeds aiming at modulating gut microbiota and inducing the anticipated beneficial effects. However, present understanding of the impact of such functional feeds on the fish is limited. The study reported herein was conducted to gain knowledge on performance and gut health characteristics in post-smolt Atlantic salmon fed diets varying in content of functional ingredients. Three experimental diets, a diet containing fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a diet with a combination of FOS and Pediococcus acidilactici (BC) and a diet containing galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and BC, were used in a 10-weeks feeding trial. A commercial diet without functional ingredients was also included as a control/reference. Samples of blood plasma, mucosa and digesta were subjected to microbiota, transcriptome and metabolome profiling for evaluation of the diet effects.ResultsNo significant growth differences were observed between fish fed the supplemented diets, but FOS–BC fed fish showed significantly faster growth than the control fed fish. The microbiota results showed that the BC was present in both the digesta, and the mucosa samples of fish fed the FOS–BC and GOS–BC diets. Digesta-associated microbiota was altered, while mucosa-associated microbiota was relatively unaffected by diet. Replacing FOS with GOS increased the level of metabolites linked to phospholipid, fatty acid, carnitine and sphingolipid metabolism. Variation in metabolite levels between the treatments closely correlated with genera mainly belonging to Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla. The transcriptome analyses indicated diet effects of exchanging FOS with GOS on immune functions, oxidative defense and stress responses. No significant diet effect was observed on intestinal inflammation in the pyloric caeca or in the distal intestine, or on lipid accumulation in the pyloric caeca.ConclusionsDietary supplementation with BC induced moderate effects on the microbiota of the digesta, while the effects of replacing FOS with GOS were more marked and was observed also for nutrient metabolism. Our data indicates therefore that the quality of a prebiotic may be of great importance for the effects of a probiotic on gut microbiota, function, and health.

Differences in utilization and metabolism of Ulva lactuca polysaccharide by human gut Bacteroides species in the in vitro fermentation.