Abundance Of Blautia Research Articles

MNAM enhances Blautia abundance and modulates Th17/Treg balance to alleviate diabetes in T2DM mice

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of N1-Methylnicotinamide (MNAM), a metabolic derivative, on T2DM mice induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ), focusing on its impact on the gut microbiome and immune modulation. MNAM significantly reduced hyperglycemia and enhanced insulin secretion, effects that were dependent on the presence of gut microbiota. It also mitigated STZ-induced weight loss and improved islet cell morphology, reducing islet cell mortality and increasing insulin (INS) levels. Flow cytometry analysis showed a decrease in T helper 17 cells (Th17) and an increase in Treg cells after MNAM treatment, corresponding to the upregulation of Treg markers [interleukin (IL)-10, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)] and downregulation of Th17 markers [IL17A, RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγt)]. Additionally, MNAM raised anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-17α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-6]. Microbiome analysis revealed decreased diversity and increased Blautia abundance post-MNAM administration. Treatment with Blautia not only reversed diabetes indicators but also modulated the Th17/Treg balance and reduced inflammation, with its metabolite sodium acetate mimicking these effects through the G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) pathway. These findings suggest that MNAM’s mitigation of diabetes operates through modulation of the gut microbiota and immune regulation, highlighting Blautia and its metabolite as potential therapeutic agents and providing a theoretical foundation for novel treatment strategies in T2DM.

Gut commensal Alistipes as a potential pathogenic factor in colorectal cancer

Although previous research has shown that inflammation is associated with development of colorectal cancer (CRC), questions remain about whether inflammatory factor-secreting bacteria play a crucial role in CRC development. The potential role of gut microbiota in secreting inflammatory factors involved in the carcinogenesis of CRC among Chinese patients was explored in this study. 16S rRNA sequencing was utilized to evaluate the distinct microbial characteristics between patients with CRC and colorectal adenoma. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the expression of LRG1 and TGF-β1 in tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between gut microbiota and inflammatory factor signaling was analyzed. Compared with the adenoma group, CRC patients exhibit distinct pathologies. Moreover, elevated levels of CEA, erythrocytes and haemoglobin in the blood of CRC patients were found. In addition, CRC patients have significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, LRG1 and TGF-β1. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that LRG1 was positively related to IL-6 and TNF-α, respectively. The correlation analysis results of TGF-β1 were consistent with the above. The abundance of Blautia and Streptococcus was lower in CRC patients, while the relative abundance of Alistipes, Peptostreptococcus and Porphyromonas was significantly elevated. Moreover, positive correlations between Alistipes and inflammatory factor signaling were also found. Our results suggest that gut commensal Alistipes is a key bacterium with pro-inflammatory properties in the CRC carcinogenesis. TNF-α and IL-6 associated with Alistipes might activate LRG1/TGF-β1 signaling which contributed to the carcinogenesis of CRC.

Mangiferin ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome in rats by modulating insulin resistance, gut microbiota, and ovarian cell apoptosis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, prolonged anovulation and polycystic ovaries. However, there are no effective interventions to treat this disorder. As previously shown, mangiferin modulated the AMPK and NLRP3 signal pathways to alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In recent years, mangiferin has emerged as a promising drug candidate for treating metabolic diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of mangiferin on a letrozole (LET) combined with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced PCOS rat model through estrous cycle detection, serum/tissue biochemical analysis, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of ovarian tissue. The mechanisms of mangiferin's effects on PCOS rats were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, RNA-seq, western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Our results displayed that mangiferin showed a promising effect in PCOS rats. It improved lipid metabolism, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, ovarian dysfunction, and adipocyte abnormalities. RNA-seq analysis indicated that mangiferin may be involved in several signal pathways, including apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammation. Furthermore, western blot and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that mangiferin regulates Caspase-3 and Cytc, exhibiting anti-apoptotic activity in the ovaries. Additionally, mangiferin significantly altered the gut microbiota community of PCOS rats, changing the abundance of firmicutes, bacteroidota, proteobacteria, and actinobacteria at the phylum level and the abundance of Blautia, Coprococcus, Roseburia, and Pseudomonas at the genus level. In conclusion, mangiferin is a promising and novel therapeutic agent for PCOS as it ameliorates insulin resistance, gut microbiota and ovarian cell apoptosis.

Effect of fruits granola (Frugra®) consumption on blood pressure reduction and intestinal microbiome in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of death in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Blood pressure (BP) and uremic toxins are well-known risk factors for CVDs, which are influenced by diet. Dietary fiber supplementation in patients undergoing HD may reduce the risk of CVDs by improving lipid profiles and inflammatory status and lowering the levels of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate (IS). In this study, we investigated the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and risk factors for CVDs, such as BP and serum IS, in patients undergoing HD who consumed fruits granola (FGR). The study participants were selected from patients undergoing HD at the Izu Nagaoka Daiichi Clinic and consumed FGR for 2 months. Body composition and blood samples were tested at months 0, 1, 2 and fecal samples were collected at months 0 and 2 for intestinal microbiota analysis. FGR consumption decreased systolic and diastolic BP, estimated salt intake, and serum IS levels and improved the stool characteristics according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (N = 24). Gut microbiota analysis showed an increase in the alpha diversity and abundance of Blautia and Neglecta. The abundance of lactic acid- and ethanol-producing bacteria also significantly increased, whereas the abundance of indole-producing bacteria significantly decreased. FGR consumption could be a useful tool for salt reduction, fiber supplementation, and improvement of the intestinal environment, thus contributing to improvement of BP and the reduction of other risk factors for CVDs in patients undergoing HD.

296 Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived postbiotic modulates inflammatory response and gut microbiota in large breed dogs exposed to endurance exercise and transport stress

Abstract Postbiotic supplements have been used in various livestock species to mitigate the negative effects of stress. This study aimed to determine if similar responses are seen in canine companion animals. We evaluated the effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) postbiotic supplement on inflammatory biomarkers, cortisol, and microbiota dysbiosis index in Labrador Retrievers exposed to exercise and transport stress. Dogs [n = 36; 3.52 ± 0.21 yr old and body weight (BW) = 27.6 ± 2.97 kg] were blocked by sex, age, and BW and assigned to receive 1 of 3 daily top-dressed treatments: 1) 15 g ground corn germ (Control, n = 12); 2) 7.5 g S. cerevisiae yeast postbiotic (Low, n = 12); or 3) 15 g of S. cerevisiae yeast postbiotic (High, n = 12). Dogs were given 1 wk to acclimate to treatments before beginning a 7-wk exercise regimen consisting of twice weekly 4.8 km guided runs. Dogs were exposed to a transportation stressor in wk 8. Fecal samples from d 0 and 56 were analyzed for calprotectin, calgranulin C (S100A12), α1-protease inhibitor, immunoglobulin A, and microbiota dysbiosis index. Blood was collected on d 0 and 63 for serum chemistries and complete blood counts. Blood collection was also performed prior to and 18 to 20 h after first and final runs of the exercise regimen for analysis of inflammatory cytokines. The Four Rivers Kennel (FRK) Gait Inflammation Index score was assessed prior to and 24 hours after the first and last exercise runs with the Gait4Dogs pressure mat system. Saliva cortisol was measured before and after transportation. Blood chemistry did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.19), but Control dogs had increased eosinophils (P = 0.01) and tended to have increased white blood cells (P = 0.08) and lymphocytes (P = 0.08) compared with dogs receiving postbiotic. Dogs fed Low dose had elevated monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (P = 0.01) and maintained Interleukin (IL) -8 after the initial run (P = 0.03). Males in the Low group had increased IL-10 (P = 0.02). Fecal biomarkers and microbiota dysbiosis index score did not differ among treatments by d 56 (P ≥ 0.19). Blautia abundance was decreased in High (P = 0.04). Fusobacterium abundance tended to be reduced in High and increased in Control and Low (P = 0.07). Clostridium hiranonis tended to be greater in Low compared with Control (P = 0.07). The FRK Total Gait Inflammation Index scores decreased over time with acclimation to running (P < 0.01). Saliva cortisol concentrations did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.20). The Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based postbiotic tested in this study has potential as a functional ingredient to modulate immune function, improve muscle recovery shortly after exercise and positively change diversity of the gut microbiome in canine companion animal diets.

Nervonic acid alleviates stroke and its associated poststroke depression behaviors

Nervonic acid (NA) is an important long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid found in mammalian nervous tissue. It has recently garnered research attention due to its therapeutic potential in treating psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of NA in treating ischemia/reperfusion and poststroke events in a rat model. Specifically, there was significant reduction in the infarct area, cell death, and neuronal swelling after NA treatment, and the improvement in cerebral blood flow was also observed on day five after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Moreover, NA treatment led to the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factors and myelin basic protein genes. NA displayed improved effects on depressive-like behavior of rats by three validated assays—the sucrose preference test, open-field test, and forced swim test. Regarding the mechanism of action, direct supplementation of NA in the brain was observed. We also observed the indirect effects of NA on the gut microbiota. Notably, the NA group gradually restored the bacterial diversity and the EGb group exhibited no impact based on observed-out analysis. We found an increase in the abundance of Blautia and Sutterella, which participated in phenylalanine metabolism. The metabolomics of plasma and brain samples revealed a decrease in the levels of phenylalanine-based amino acids, which alleviated the inhibitory effects on glutamine metabolism and promoted the recovery and signaling transmission of neurons after stroke. Altogether, our findings suggest that NA can be a viable treatment option for alleviating stroke and its associated poststroke depressive-like behaviors.

Examination of sex-specific interactions between gut microbiota and host metabolism after 12-week combined polyphenol supplementation in individuals with overweight or obesity

ABSTRACT Polyphenols exert beneficial effects on host metabolism, which may be mediated by the gut microbiota. We investigated sex-specific differences in microbiota composition and interactions with cardiometabolic parameters after polyphenol supplementation in individuals with overweight/obesity. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 19 women and 18 men with normal glucose tolerance and body mass index >25 kg/m2 received epigallocatechin-3-gallate and resveratrol (EGCG+RES, 282 + 80 mg/d) or placebo supplements for 12 weeks. Fecal microbiota composition (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, V3-V4 region), in vivo whole-body fat oxidation (indirect calorimetry), and mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized skeletal muscle fibers (SkM-Ox; ex vivo respirometry) were determined pre- and post-intervention. Overall, EGCG+RES supplementation did not affect gut microbiota composition. Akkermansia, Ruminococcaceae UCG-002, Subdoligranulum, and Lachnospiraceae UCG-004 were more abundant, while Veillonella, Tyzzerella 4, Clostridium innocuum group, Ruminococcus gnavus group, Escherichia-Shigella, and an uncultured Ruminococcaceae family genus were less abundant in women compared to men. In women, only baseline Eubacterium ventriosum group abundance correlated with EGCG+RES-induced changes in SkM-Ox. In men, low Dorea, Barnsiella, Anaerotruncus, Ruminococcus, Subdoligranulum, Coprococcus, Eubacterium ventriosum group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-003, and a Ruminococcaceae family genus abundance, and high Blautia abundance at baseline were associated with improvements in SkM-Ox. Changes in whole-body fat oxidation were not associated with gut microbiota features. We conclude that baseline microbiota composition predicts changes in SkM-Ox as a result of EGCG+RES supplementation in men but not in women. Men may be more prone to diet-induced, gut microbiota-related improvements in cardiometabolic health. These sex-differences should be further investigated in future precision-based intervention studies.

Metabolic and Microbial Dysregulation in Preterm Infants with Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Early Developmental Perspective.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is one of the most severe respiratory disorders in preterm infants (PTIs) due to immature lung development. To delineate the serum metabolic alterations and gut microbiota variations in NRDS and assess their implications on neonatal development, we enrolled 13 NRDS neonates and 12 PTIs and collected fecal and serum specimens after birth. Longitudinal fecal sampling was conducted weekly for a month in NRDS neonates. NRDS neonates were characterized by notably reduced gestational ages and birth weights and a higher rate of asphyxia at birth relative to PTIs. Early postnatal disturbances in tryptophan metabolism were evident in the NRDS group, concomitant with elevated relative abundance of Haemophilus, Fusicatenibacter, and Vibrio. Integrative multiomics analyses revealed an inverse relationship between tryptophan concentrations and Blautia abundance. At one-week old, NRDS neonates exhibited cortisol regulation anomalies and augmented hepatic catabolism. Sequential microbial profiling revealed distinct gut microbiota evolution in NRDS subjects, characterized by a general reduction in potentially pathogenic bacteria. The acute perinatal stress of NRDS leads to mitochondrial compromise, hormonal imbalance, and delayed gut microbiota evolution. Despite the short duration of NRDS, its impact on neonatal development is significant and requires extended attention.

Relationships between the gut microbiome and brain functional alterations in first-episode, drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder

ObjectiveIncreasing evidence has shown that the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGB) is involved in the mechanism of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and brain function in MDD patients has not been determined. Here, we intend to identify specific changes in the gut microbiome and brain function in first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients and then explore the associations between the two omics to elucidate how the MGB axis plays a role in MDD development. MethodsWe recruited 38 first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients and 37 healthy controls (HC). The composition of the fecal microbiome and neural spontaneous activity alterations were examined using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Spearman correlation analyses were conducted to assess the associations between the gut microbiome and brain function. ResultsCompared with HC, MDD patients exhibited distinct alterations in the gut microbiota and elevated ReHo in the frontal regions. In the MDD group, a positive relationship was noted between the relative abundance of Blautia and the HAMD-17 and HAMA scores, as well as between the relative abundance of Oxalobacteraceae and the HAMD-17 score. The relative abundances of Porphyromonadaceae and Parabacteroides were negatively correlated with the ReHo values of frontal regions. LimitationsOur study utilized a cross-sectional design, and the number of subjects was relatively small. ConclusionWe found that some specific gut microbiomes were associated with frontal function, and others were associated with clinical symptoms in MDD patients, which may support the role of the MGB axis underlying MDD.

Alteration of gut microbiota in Henoch-Schönlein purpura children with gastrointestinal involvement.

The compositional and structural changes of gut microbiota were closely related to the status of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). To investigate if clinical indicators and gut microbiota differ between HSP patients with or without gastrointestinal (GI) involvement and to explore the alterations of fecal microbiota in HSP children with and without GI symptoms. A total of 22 children with HSP were enrolled in the study. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Clinical indicators, fecal microbial diversity, and compositions were compared between the two groups. Respectively, 9 patients with GI involvement (HSP-A) and 13 patients without GI involvement (HSP-N) were enrolled. Prealbumin (PA) and the ratio of immunoglobulin A (IgA) / complement (C)3 were significantly decreased in the HSP-A group and an elevated D-dimer was found in the HSP-N group. The relative abundances of Blautia, Lachnospira, and Haemophilus were significantly higher in the HSP-A group compared to HSP-N. Lower levels of unidentified Prevotellaceae, Parabacteroides, and Romboutsia were found in HSP-A patients. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed that the biomarkers for the HSP-A group included Blautia, Anaerostipes, Veillonella, Lachnospira, and Haemophilus. For the HSP-N group, unidentified Prevotellaceae, Intestinibacter, Romboutsia, and Akkermansia were the prominent biomarkers at the genus level. Additionally, the ratio of IgA/C3 exhibited a negative correlation with the genus Blautia. Meanwhile, PA showed negatively correlation with Veillonella. These results provide a broader understanding for future microbial-based therapies to decrease the development of GI involvement and improve the clinical outcome of HSP in children.

Relationship Between the Gut Microbiota and Neurological Deficits in Patients With Cerebral Ischemic Stroke

Objective The aim of the paper was to investigate the composition and structure of intestinal flora in patients with cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), and to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota (GM) and different levels of stroke severity. Methods In this study, 47 CIS patients (16 mild, 21 moderate, and 10 severe) and 15 healthy controls were included. General information, clinical data, and behavioral scores of the enrolled subjects were collected. Deoxyribonucleic acid in fecal intestinal flora was extracted and detected using high-throughput Illumina 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing technology. Finally, the correlation between the community composition of intestinal microbiota and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in CIS patients was analyzed. Results Compared with healthy controls, there was no statistically significant difference in Alpha diversity among CIS patients, but the principal coordinate analysis showed significant differences in the composition of the GM among stroke patients with different degrees of severity and controls. In CIS patients, Streptococcus was significantly enriched, and Eshibacter—Shigella, Bacteroides, and Agathobacter were significantly down-regulated (P < .05). In addition, the relative abundance of Blautia was negatively correlated with the NIHSS score. Conclusions Our results show that different degrees of CIS severity exert distinct effects on the intestinal microbiome. This study reveals the intestinal microecological changes after brain injury from the perspective of brain–gut axis. Intestinal microorganisms not only reveal the possible pathological process and indicate the severity of neurologic impairment, but also make targeted therapy possible for CIS patients.

Comprehensive Analysis of Gut Microbiota Composition and Functional Metabolism in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurotypical Children: Implications for Sex-Based Differences and Metabolic Dysregulation.

This study aimed to investigate the gut microbiota composition in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to neurotypical (NT) children, with a focus on identifying potential differences in gut bacteria between these groups. The microbiota was analyzed through the massive sequencing of region V3-V4 of the 16S RNA gene, utilizing DNA extracted from stool samples of participants. Our findings revealed no significant differences in the dominant bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota) between the ASD and NT groups. However, at the genus level, notable disparities were observed in the abundance of Blautia, Prevotella, Clostridium XI, and Clostridium XVIII, all of which have been previously associated with ASD. Furthermore, a sex-based analysis unveiled additional discrepancies in gut microbiota composition. Specifically, three genera (Megamonas, Oscilibacter, Acidaminococcus) exhibited variations between male and female groups in both ASD and NT cohorts. Particularly noteworthy was the exclusive presence of Megamonas in females with ASD. Analysis of predicted metabolic pathways suggested an enrichment of pathways related to amine and polyamine degradation, as well as amino acid degradation in the ASD group. Conversely, pathways implicated in carbohydrate biosynthesis, degradation, and fermentation were found to be underrepresented. Despite the limitations of our study, including a relatively small sample size (30 ASD and 31 NT children) and the utilization of predicted metabolic pathways derived from 16S RNA gene analysis rather than metagenome sequencing, our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting a potential association between gut microbiota composition and ASD. Future research endeavors should focus on validating these findings with larger sample sizes and exploring the functional significance of these microbial differences in ASD. Additionally, there is a critical need for further investigations to elucidate sex differences in gut microbiota composition and their potential implications for ASD pathology and treatment.

Perturbations in gut microbiota composition in osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic bone metabolic disease, which causes a great social and economic burden. The gut microbiota (GM) has become a recent topic of interest in the role of many disease states. Changes in the GM are correlated with the maintenance of bone mass and bone quality. However, research results in this field remain highly controversial. We performed a mate-analysis to explore and compare the alterations of GM in OP patients. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we comprehensively searched the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang. In addition, we applied the Stata 17.0 software for data analysis. Bias controls were evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS), funnel plot analysis, and Egger's and Begg's tests. This research ultimately considered 16 studies, which included the fecal GM data of 2340 people (664 with OP and 1676 healthy controls). The pooled estimate showed an increase of borderline significanceon ACE index in patients with OP compared with control participants (SMD = 1.05; 95% CI 0.00-2.10; P = 0.05). There were no significant differences in Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indices. At the phylum level, no significant differences were observed between the OP patients and HCs in the overall analysis. At the genus level, the relative abundance ofBlautia presented a decrease of borderline significance between OP and the control group (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.00, P = 0.05). This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that patients with OP may exhibit dysbiosis in their gut microbiota, characterized by a reduction in certain anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing bacteria and an enrichment of pro-inflammatory bacterial populations.

Lung microbiota participated in fibrous microplastics (MPs) aggravating OVA-induced asthma disease in mice

Environmental pollution is one of the risk factors for asthma. Currently, whether micro-plastics could aggravate asthma, is still unclear. In the air, fibrous MPs are the predominant shape. Since fibrous micro-plastics are reported to be detected in the lower respiratory tract and other body parts, the relationship of fibrous MP and asthma, as well as the potential mechanism is not well investigated. In this study, we produced fibrous MPs, whose lengths and widths were in accordance with the natural environment, and further, investigated the potential adverse effect of which on the asthma in a OVA (ovalbumin)-induced mice model, aiming at exploring the true life hazard of MP to the respiratory system. Following nasal exposure to fibrous MPs, the airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and fibrosis were aggravated in asthmatic mice. Fibrous MPs exposure also significantly increased the levels of total IgE, and, cardinal Th2 and Th1 pro-inflammatory cytokines participated in the etiopathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. In addition, MP fibers exposure induced lung epithelial cells apoptosis, disruption of epithelial barrier integrity and activation of NLRP3 related signaling pathways. Moreover, fibrous MPs significantly altered the bacterial composition at the genus level. Compared to the control group, the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Uncultured were decreased to 4.47% and 0.15% in OVA group, while Blautia and Prevotella were elevated to 4.96% and 2.94%. For the OVA + MPs group, the relative abundance of Blautia and Uncultured were decreased to 2.27% and 0.006%, while Prevotella was increased to 3.05%. Our study highlights the detrimental effect of fibrous MPs on asthmatic population and facilitates an indication of the latent mechanisms of fibrous MPs induced airway pathology.

An Isofibrous Diet with Fiber Konjac Glucomannan Ameliorates Salmonella typhimurium-Induced Colonic Injury by Regulating TLR2-NF-κB Signaling and Intestinal Microbiota in Mice.

This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that dietary konjac glucomannan (KGM) could alleviate Salmonella typhimurium-induced colitis by modulating intestinal microbiota. Mice were fed an isocaloric and isofibrous diet supplemented with either 7% KGM or cellulose and were treated with 5 × 108 CFU of S. typhimurium. The results showed that KGM had an average molecular weight of 936 kDa and predominantly consisted of mannose and glucose at a molar ratio of 1:1.22. In vivo studies demonstrated that dietary KGM effectively mitigated colonic lesions, oxidative stress, disruption of tight junction protein 2 and occludin, and the inflammatory response induced by S. typhimurium. Moreover, KGM administration alleviated the dramatic upregulation of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and phosphonuclear factor κB (NF-κB) protein abundance, induced by Salmonella treatment. Notably, dietary KGM restored the reduced Muribaculaceae and Lactobacillus abundance and increased the abundance of Blautia and Salmonella in S. typhimurium-infected mice. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the gut microbiota improved by KGM contribute to inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress. These results demonstrated the protective effects of dietary KGM against colitis by modulating the gut microbiota and the TLR2-NF-κB signaling pathway in response to Salmonella infection.

The Effects of Different Concentrations of Hydrogen-Rich Water on the Growth Performance, Digestive Ability, Antioxidant Capacity, Glucose Metabolism Pathway, mTOR Signaling Pathway, and Gut Microbiota of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is widely recognized for its growth promoting, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is known about the role of HRW in aquaculture. This study aims to investigate how different concentrations of HRW affect the growth performance, digestive ability, antioxidant capacity, mTOR signaling pathway, and gut microbiota of juvenile largemouth bass. We randomly assigned 360 fish (13.73 ± 0.1 g) to three treatments. The control group was maintained in regular water, while the treatment groups were treated with different concentrations of H2 dissolved in water, which were H1 (179.65 ± 31.95 ppb) and H2 (280.65 ± 64.43 ppb), respectively. Through an analysis of the three treatments, it was found that H1 significantly increased the final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and survival rate, and reduced the feed conversion ratio (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, the trypsin activity was significantly increased in the intestine (p &lt; 0.05), and the expression of genes related to the glucose metabolism (pk and pepck) and mTOR (tor, akt, s6k1, 4ebp1, and ampka) signaling pathways were significantly increased in the liver in H1 (p &lt; 0.05). The relative abundance of Blautia in the gut microbiota (p &lt; 0.05) was significantly increased in H1. Therefore, these results indicated that H1 can significantly improve growth performance, promote intestinal digestion, activate the glucose metabolism pathway and mTOR signaling pathway, and increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut of largemouth bass. These findings provided valuable support for the application of HRW to support the healthy aquaculture of largemouth bass.

The impact of gut microbial dysbiosis on the atrophy of the hippocampus and abnormal metabolism of N-acetyl aspartate in type 2 diabetic rats

Rationale and objectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effect of intestinal dysbiosis on the hippocampal volume using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model. Materials and methodsWe established a T2DM animal model with high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD/STZ) administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. Short-term ceftriaxone sodium administration was used to establish a T2DM intestinal dysbiosis (T2DM-ID) model. After establishing the model, fecal microbiota were detected using 16S rRNA sequencing. The models were then subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Associations between MRI findings and fecal microbiota were evaluated. ResultsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the bilateral hippocampal voxel value and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) level were lower in the experimental group than in the normal control (NC) group (p < 0.05) and that NAA/creatine in the left hippocampus was lower in the T2DM-ID group than in the NC group (p < 0.05). α and β diversities differed significantly among the three groups (p < 0.05). In the T2DM and T2DM-ID groups, the abundance of bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria increased significantly, whereas that of bacteria in the phylum Firmicutes decreased. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly increased in the T2DM-ID group. The Chao1 index (r = 0.33, p < 0.05) and relative abundance of Firmicutes (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) were positively correlated with the left hippocampal voxel, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was negatively correlated with the left hippocampal voxel (r = −0.44, p < 0.05). NAA levels, bilateral hippocampal voxels, and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Clostridia_UCG_014, and other genera were correlated positively (r = 0.34–0.70, p < 0.05). NAA levels and the relative abundances of Blautia and Enterococcus were correlated negatively (r = −0.32−0.44, p < 0.05). ConclusionThe T2DM-ID rat model showed hippocampal volume atrophy and decreased levels of neuronal markers (such as NAA). The abnormal content of specific gut microorganisms may be a key biomarker of T2DM-associated brain damage.

High fat diet increases the severity of collagen-induced arthritis in mice by altering the gut microbial community

ObjectivesResearch has demonstrated that obesity may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, gut microbiota and its metabolites contribute to the occurrence and development of RA and obesity. However, the mechanism by which obesity affects RA remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota and their metabolites alter the effects of high fat diet (HFD) on the severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.MethodsBriefly, mice were divided into normal group (N), CIA model group (C), HFD group (T), and HFD CIA group (CT). Hematoxylin and Eosin staining(HE) and Safranin O-fast green staining were conducted, and levels of blood lipid and inflammatory cytokines were measured. 16S rDNA sequencing technique and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics were performed to explore changes in the microbiota structure to further reveal the pathomechanism of HFD on CIA.ResultsHFD aggravated the severity of CIA in mice. The CT group had the highest proportion of microbial abundance of Blautia, Oscillibacter, Ruminiclostridium-9, and Lachnospiraceae UCG 006 at the genus level, but had a lower proportion of Alistipes. Additionally, the fecal metabolic phenotype of the combined CT group shows significant changes, with differential metabolites enriched in 9 metabolic pathways, including primary bile acid biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, purine metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, oxytocin signaling pathway, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and sphingolipid signaling pathway. Correlation analysis revealed that some of the altered gut microbiota genera were strongly correlated with changes in fecal metabolites, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and inflammatory cytokine levels.ConclusionsThis study shows that HFD may aggravate inflammatory reaction in CIA mice by altering the gut microbiota and metabolic pathways.

Comparative study on the structure characterization and activity of RS5 made from Canna edulis native starch and high-amylose corn starch

In this study, the high amylose corn starch and Canna edulis native starch were compounded with lauric acid and fermented by human fecal inoculation in vitro. Changes in beneficial metabolite profile and microbiota composition were evaluated. The structural properties showed that both NS-12C and HAMS-12C formed V-shaped crystals under the same preparation method, but NS-12C had a higher composite index and resistance content than HAMS-12C. At the end of fermentation, the starch-lauric acid complexes prepared from the two types of starch significantly promoted the formation of short-chain fatty acids and the contents of acetic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid produced by NS-12C were higher than those of HAMS-12C(p>0.05). HAMS-12C and NS-12C both increased the relative abundance of Blautia. Notably, NS-12C also increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium and Meganomas, while HAMS-12C did not. These results suggested that this effect may be related to starch type and provide a basis for designing and producing functional foods to improve intestinal health in Canna edulis native starch.

Evaluating the effects of red osier dogwood extract and grape pomace on growth performance, plasma biochemistry, intestinal morphology and microbiota, and immune and antioxidant status of broiler chickens challenged with heat stress

288 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into 4 dietary treatments; 1)Control (CON; corn-wheat-soybean based diet), 2)CON + 0.05% bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), 3)CON + 0.3% ROD, and 4)CON + 2.5% GP and raised for 28 d. On d 21-27, birds were exposed to either a thermoneutral (TN; 24°C±1) or heat stress (HS; 32-34°C for 8 hr/day). On d 28, twelve male birds per treatment/temperature group were euthanized for measuring blood and intestinal health parameters. 0.05% BMD and 0.3% ROD inclusion improved (P ≤ 0.05) the ABWG and FCR, compared to CON. HS reduced (P ≤ 0.05) AFI, bursa and spleen weights, plasma ALT, lipase, and CK but increased (P ≤ 0.05) ALP, serum immunoglobulins compared to TN birds. HS further reduced (P ≤ 0.05) duodenal VH:CD, jejunal VH and VH:CD but this was reversed by ROD and GP. 0.05% BMD and 2.5% GP increased (P &lt; 0.001) the relative abundance of Blautia and Sellimonas compared to the CON diet. ROD increased (P = 0.010) the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium compared to the BMD diet. The results suggest that 0.3% ROD extract may function as an alternative to antibiotics in improving broiler growth performance and intestinal health.