Bacteroidetes Ratio Research Articles

Prebiotic, immuno-stimulating and gut microbiota-modulating effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide

The present study was done to evaluate the prebiotic effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), its effect on murine fecal microbiota composition and innate immune response. Results showed that LBP supports the growth of selective probiotic bacteria with a maximum of 8.23 (log10 cfu/mL) and 6.62 (log10 cfu/mL) for Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum respectively. In vivo studies revealed that the administrations of LBP to mice resulted in an increase in the abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while reducing the ratio of the phylum Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the administration of LBP stimulated the emergence of some potential probiotic genera (Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Prevotellaceae). The concentrations of TGF-β and IL-6 in serum and sIgA in the colon content were enriched significantly after LBP administrations in mice. The thymus index and spleen index of mice treated with LBP displayed significant difference compared to the control group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that LBP is a good source as a potential prebiotic and can enhance the intestinal microbiota and boost beneficial bacteria levels, modulate innate immune response.

Alterations of Gut Microbiome in Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL); Future Therapeutic Potentials

Introduction: Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance of the gut microbiome. The presence of dysbiosis can be a cause of systemic inflammation in the body or can be a contributing factor to it. Chronic systemic inflammation is a common feature of CLL, creating an environment in which CLL cells have a survival advantage. NF-κB and STAT3, master transcriptional regulators of pro-inflammatory markers, like IL-1 and IL-6, are reported to be involved in this process as are the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), key innate immunity receptors that are implicated in CLL pathophysiology. With increasing evidence for the role of dysbiosis in chronic inflammation, as well as the role of systemic inflammation in CLL, it seems relevant to prove the presence and the possible role of microbiome in the pathophysiology of CLL, to unravel the complex interaction between microbiome, nutrition and the host in patients with CLL. Our research investigate the hypothesis that dysbiosis i.e. the loss of "health-promoting" commensal gut microbes and/or the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria distinguishes untreated patients with CLL versus aged-matched unaffected individuals. Methodology: Eight untreated CLL patients were with no history of gastrointestinal disorders, other malignancies and have not been on antibiotics for 4 weeks prior to samples collection. Two of them were not followed for logistical reasons. Six healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were also enrolled in the study. Stool samples from six patients and additional six matched healthy controls were collected and stored in a -40 freezer immediately until they were used for DNA isolation. Total genomic DNA was extracted using the Qiamp DNA stool mini kit and sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing and then analysis were done as per the manufacturer recommendations. Results: Our data indicates a reduced diversity and variability in bacterial phyla of gut microbiota in CLL patients as compare to healthy controls. Lower diversity with increase in certain bacterial types is a well-accepted sign of gut dysbiosis, which have been shown in many disorders such as; type-2 diabetes, obesity, and various autoimmune and neurological diseases. An increase in Proteobacteria numbers has been recognized as the signature of gut dysbiosis which we confirmed in our cohort of patients. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes were also the most abundant bacterial phyla in CLL patients of our study which were reported previously in breast cancer patients. An elevated Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio with altered gut microbiota in CLL patients compared with healthy subjects was also suggested in clinical studies involving obese individuals with insulin resistance. We have observed in CLL patients of this study relative increase in the numbers of Firmicutes and reduction in Bacteriodetes which is considered to be an inverted ratio as compared to healthy individuals which were also reported in ulcerative colitis, colonic and ileal crohn's disease as compared to healthy subjects. . Our finding of gut dysbiosis in this study is linked the association between CLL, inflammatory processes and dysbiosis. The microbiota may play a role in promoting malignancy through chronic inflammation, by disturbing the balance of cell proliferation, death and by initiating unwanted innate and adaptive immune responses. Conclusion: Restoring gut microbiota might open a new avenue for future researches as potential therapeutic intervention in CLL patients. Figure Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

THE INFLUENCE OF LIFE-EXTENDING MUTATION AND DIETARY INTERVENTION ON GUT MICROBIOTA

The gastrointestinal microbiota represents a large and complex ecological system of different microorganisms. Recently, there is an increasing interest in the impact of microbiota on development of different age-related diseases. We tested the changes of gut microbiota during development in long-living Ames dwarf (df/df) mice and we compared the effects of this life-extending mutation with the impact of calorie restriction (CR). Importantly, the analysis of microbiome showed significant differences in the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes when comparing df/df and normal (N) mice (p<0.001). The LefSe analysis showed distinct microbiome distribution between CR and ad libitum (AL) feeding regimen in N animals (p<0.004), yet there was lack of similar changes in response to CR in df/df mice. In summary, our study showed significant genotype impact on gut microbiota and we showed that life-extending CR regimen provide divergent effects on gut microbiota in N when comparing with df/df mice.

Sulfated oligosaccharide of Gracilaria lemaneiformis protect against food allergic response in mice by up-regulating immunosuppression

Sulfated oligosaccharide of Gracilaria lemaneiformis (GLSO) was prepared from sulfated polysaccharides which possessed antiallergic activity by degradation with high temperature and pressure combined with vitamin C treatment. The present study demonstrated that GLSO could attenuate food anaphylaxis, and inhibit the production of immunoglobulin E, histamine, and related cytokines in both prevention and therapy ovalbumin-induced mice model. Additionally, the gut microbiota analysis revealed that GLSO markedly rescued OVA-induced changes in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. Following flow cytometry, GLSO was found to suppress the subpopulation of T helper 2 and B cells, and significantly up-regulate regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation. Furthermore, GLSO-mediated immunosuppression could be verified by co-culturing Tregs sorted from GLSO-treated mice and CD4+ T cells or mast cells. In a word, GLSO attenuated food anaphylaxis through the regulation of gut microbiota and induction of immunosuppression. GLSO had the potential to be used as a nutrient component against food allergy.

Hepatitis B Virus Infection Alters Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice.

Gut microbiota composition is known to be associated with the progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis in humans, outcome of HBV infection in mice, and seroconversion of HBV e-antigen in nucleot(s)ide analog-treated patients. The dynamic alteration of the gut microbiota following HBV infection is still unknown. In this study, a hydrodynamic injection mouse model mimicking acute or chronic HBV infection in humans with comparable virological and immunological features was used. The composition of gut microbiota in the control mice and mice with acute or chronic HBV infection was analyzed at different time points using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The expression of immune molecules in the colon was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We found that the changes in gut microbiota composition, including the total operational taxonomic unit (OTU) count and Shannon-Weaver index, were significantly delayed in mice with HBV infection. Furthermore, the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was stable in the control mice, whereas remarkable dynamic patterns were observed in mice with HBV infection. Interestingly, the dynamic changes in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were found to differ in acute or chronic HBV infection. In addition, the expression of IFN-γ and PD-L1 in the colon was found to be up-regulated early in mice with acute HBV infection, whereas the expression of PD-L1 in the colon of mice with chronic HBV infection was up-regulated later. These data indicate that HBV infection could hamper the development of the gut microbiota community and dynamically change the gut Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. These data improve our understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota and HBV infection.

Ratio of the main phylotypes of gut microbiota in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity

Objective — to study composition of the main phylotypes of the gut microbiota Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and their ratio Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) against the background of obesity depending on gender and age.Materials and methods. The study included 59 patients with NAFLD against the obesity background (the main group), from them 24 (40.7 %) women and 35 (59.3 %) men aged 43 to 62 years (median 49 years). The body mass index (BMI) was 35.60 (31.80; 39.30) kg/m2. The comparison group included 14 patients with NAFLD: 10 (71.4 %) women and 4 (28.6 %) men aged 36 to 58 years (median 51years) with and without obesity, the BMI 27.30 (27.00; 28.20) kg/m2. The control group consisted of 9 practically healthy volunteers, The groups were age- and gender-matching. All patients underwent an ultrasound examination of the liver and a general clinical laboratory examination, which additionally included measuring the ratio of the phylotype Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria in fecal content by real-time polymerase chain reaction with the calculation of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.Results. Significant changes in anthropometric parameters were observed in patients with NAFLD and obesity: an increase in BMI of 30.40 % (p &lt; 0.05) and an increase in waist circumference by 25.00 % (p &lt; 0.05). A decrease in the relative Bacteroidetes content was detected in patients with NAFLD with concomitant obesity and isolated NAFLD (14.74 (6.46; 28.80) % and 16.85 (8.46; 33.33) %, respectively) when compared with the control group (33.3 (8.48; 50.39) %) (H = 2.90, p = 0.23). The highest relative Firmicutes content was determined in patients with NAFLD (52.52 (42.39; 62.88) %) and in patients with comorbid course of NAFLD and obesity (51.35 (37.65; 67.80) %) and decrease in individuals of the main group at 32.97 (22.02; 43.08) %. This dynamics of the indicator was also preserved for the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. In control group, the relative Actinobacteria content was 1.73 (1.16; 2.17) %, and in patients with NAFLD — up to 3.98 (1.53; 5.22) %, reaching maximum values in patients with concomitant obesity — 4.40 (2.54; 9.60) %.Conclusions. The ratio of the major intestinal microbiota phylotypes was significantly different in NAFLD patients, in particular in patients with concomitant obesity. In comparison with the group of healthy volunteers, the increase of the relative Actinobacteria content in 2.3 times and Firmicutes in 1.59 times was observed in patients with an isolated NAFLD course; in case of NAFLD and obesity comorbid course, the relative amount the increase was in 2.54 times for Actinobacteria, and in 1.55 times for Firmicutes level.

Prebiotic effect of fructo-oligosaccharides on the inner ear of DBA/2 J mice with early-onset progressive hearing loss

Nutrition and dietary habits contribute to the onset and progression of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are non-digestible oligosaccharides and are known as prebiotics, which enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and antioxidant activity. Although a substantial number of studies have shown that FOS play a role in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases as prebiotics, little is known about the effects on the inner ear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of FOS on gene expression and spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) protection in the inner ear of DBA/2 J mice, which is a model for early-onset progressive hearing loss. DBA/2 J mice were fed either control diet or FOS diet contained 10% (w/w) of FOS for 8 weeks. Analysis of mice fed the FOS diet revealed a change in intestinal flora including an inversion of the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which was followed by a significant increase in SCFAs in the cecum and a decrease in an oxidative stress marker in the serum. In the inner ear, gene expression of neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor b (Trkb), and the SCFA receptor, free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3), were increased by FOS. In addition, the survival rate of SGNs in the inner ear was maintained in FOS-fed mice. Altogether, these results suggest that a compositional variation of the intestinal flora due to a prebiotic effect may be involved in the progression of SNHL.

The flavonoid-rich Quzhou Fructus Aurantii extract modulates gut microbiota and prevents obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice

BackgroundFlavonoids are reported to modulate the composition of gut microbiota, which play an important role in preventing obesity and associated metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of Total Flavonoids of Quzhou Fructus Aurantii Extract (TFQ) on gut microbial community in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).MethodsC57BL/6J mice were fed with either a chow diet or HFD with or without oral gavage of TFQ (300 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks.ResultsOur data indicate TFQ significantly reduced obesity, inflammatio,n and liver steatosis. TFQ elevates the expression of tight junction proteins and reduces metabolic endotoxemia. In addition, TFQ treatment reverses HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, as indicated by the reduction of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, the increase of genera Akkermansia and Alistipes, and the decrease of genera Dubosiella, Faecalibaculum, and Lactobacillus.ConclusionThese findings support a prebiotic role of TFQ as a dietary supplement for the intervention of gut dysbiosis and obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Dramatic Remodeling of the Gut Microbiome Around Parturition and Its Relationship With Host Serum Metabolic Changes in Sows.

Perinatal care is important in mammals due to its contribution to fetal growth, maternal health, and lactation. Substantial changes in host hormones, metabolism, and immunity around the parturition period may be accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiome. However, to our knowledge, changes in the gut microbiome and their contribution to the shifts in host metabolism around parturition have not been investigated in pigs. Furthermore, pigs are an ideal biomedical model for studying the interactions of the gut microbiota with host metabolism, due to the ease of controlling feeding conditions. Here we report dramatic remodeling of the gut microbiota and the potential functional capacity during the late stages of pregnancy (5 days before parturition, LP) to postpartum (within 6 h after delivery, PO) in both experimental and validated populations of sows (n = 107). The richness of bacteria in the gut of both pregnant and delivery sows significantly decreased, whilst the β-diversity dramatically expanded. The ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes, and the relative abundance of Prevotella significantly decreased, whilst the relative abundance of the predominant genus Lactobacillus significantly increased from LP to PO state. The predicted functional capacities of the gut microbiome related to amino acid metabolism, the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and glycan biosynthesis were significantly decreased from LP to PO state. However, the abundance of the functional capacities associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were increased. Consistent with these changes, serum metabolites enriched at the LP stage were associated with the metabolism of amino acids and vitamins. In contrast, metabolites enriched at the PO stage were related to lipid metabolism. We further identified that the richness and β-diversity of the gut microbiota and the abundance of Lactobacillus accounted for shifts in the levels of bile acid metabolites associated with lipid metabolism. The results suggest that host-microbiota interactions during the perinatal period impact host metabolism. These benefit the lactation of sows by providing energy from lipid metabolism for milk production.

Impaired glucose metabolism and altered gut microbiome despite calorie restriction of ob/ob mice

BackgroundGrowing evidence supports the role of gut microbiota in obesity and its related disorders including type 2 diabetes. Ob/ob mice, which are hyperphagic due to leptin deficiency, are commonly used models of obesity and were instrumental in suggesting links between gut microbiota and obesity. Specific changes in their gut microbiota such as decreased microbial diversity and increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio have been suggested to contribute to obesity via increased microbiota capacity to harvest energy. However, the differential development of ob/ob mouse gut microbiota compared to wild type microbiota and the role of hyperphagia in their metabolic impairment have not been investigated thoroughly.ResultsWe performed a 10-week long study in ob/ob (n = 12) and wild type control (n = 12) mice fed ad libitum. To differentiate effects of leptin deficiency from hyperphagia, we pair-fed an additional group of ob/ob mice (n = 11) based on the food consumption of control mice. Compared to control mice, ob/ob mice fed ad libitum exhibited compromised glucose metabolism and increased body fat percentage. Pair-fed ob/ob mice exhibited even more compromised glucose metabolism and maintained strikingly similar high body fat percentage at the cost of lean body mass. Acclimatization of the microbiota to our facility took up to 5 weeks. Leptin deficiency impacted gut microbial composition, explaining 18.3% of the variance. Pair-feeding also altered several taxa, although the overall community composition at the end of the study was not significantly different. We found 24 microbial taxa associations with leptin deficiency, notably enrichment of members of Lactobacillus and depletion of Akkermansia muciniphila. Microbial metabolic functions related to energy harvest, including glycan degradation, phosphotransferase systems and ABC transporters, were enriched in the ob/ob mice. Taxa previously reported as relevant for obesity were associated with body weight, including Oscillibacter and Alistipes (both negatively correlated) and Prevotella (positively correlated).ConclusionsLeptin deficiency caused major changes in the mouse gut microbiota composition. Several microbial taxa were associated with body composition. Pair-fed mice maintained a pre-set high proportion of body fat despite reduced calorie intake, and exhibited more compromised glucose metabolism, with major implications for treatment options for genetically obese individuals.

Zhengganxifeng Decoction Affects Gut Microbiota and Reduces Blood Pressure &lt;i&gt;via&lt;/i&gt; Renin–Angiotensin System

Zhengganxifeng decoction (ZGXFD) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, from "Medical Zhong parameter West recorded" by Xichun Zhang, which has been applied to the treatment of clinical essential hypertension. Besides its effect in blood pressure reduction, ZGXFD is also known to be a radical therapy with little or no side effects. Compared with western medicines, Chinese medicinal formulas have the advantage of simultaneously attacking multiple targets. However, such a property brings trouble to the pharmacological studies of Chinese medicines. This study investigated the composition of gut microbiota in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with ZGXFD. ZGXFD was shown to cause similar effects in the treatment group as benazepril: both were able to reduce in SHR the microbial diversity, Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and coccus to bacillus (C/B) ratio. Meanwhile, ZGXFD can maintain the integrity of intestinal mechanistic barrier and elevate the percentage of bacteria producing short chain fatty acids (SCFA). By investigating renin-angiotensin system (RAS) system, we found that ZGXFD can decrease the expression of angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) in lungs, which in turn causes a increase in AngI produces angiotensin1-7 (Ang1-7) and decrease in AngII. ZGXFD regulate blood pressure in SHR via RAS.

Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Affects Lipid Metabolism via Changing Gut Microflora and Enhancing Propionate Production in Weaned Pigs

BackgroundIt is not clear whether dietary grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) affects mammalian lipid metabolism via the gut microbiota. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the gut microbiota to the effect of dietary GSP. MethodsThis study was divided into 3 separate experiments using Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (50% male) weaned at day 28 and then fed the same basal diet (NC). In Experiment 1, 90 pigs were fed NC or NC with 250 mg GSP/kg (GSP) or 400 mg betaine/kg [positive control (PC)] for 28 d. In Experiment 2, 30 pigs were fed NC, GSP, or GSP with antibiotics (GSP + Abx) diets for 14 d. In Experiment 3, pigs were fed NC, NC plus 1 g sodium propionate/kg (SP), or NC plus 1 g sodium butyrate/kg (SB) diet for 14 d. Serum biochemical indexes, SCFA concentrations, and microbial composition were determined. ResultsIn Experiment 1, compared with the GSP group, visceral adipocyte area was higher in the NC (28.6%) and PC (18.2%) groups (P ≤ 0.05). Colonic propionate and butyrate concentrations were 30.2% and 3.6% higher in the GSP group than in the NC group, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). In Experiment 2, compared with the GSP group, the NC group had a 108% higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and had 50.4%, 61.2%, and 82.3% lower abundance of Akkermansia, Alistipes, and Bacteroides, respectively (P ≤ 0.05); antibiotics removed these effects of GSP. In Experiment 3, serum peptide YY was 19.5% higher in the SP group than in the NC group (P ≤ 0.05), and it did not differ between the SB and NC groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsGSP affected lipid metabolism in weaned pigs, which is associated with changed gut microbiota and enhanced microbial propionate production. These findings provide potential mechanisms for GSP intake to improve lipid metabolism.

The Interplay between Maternal and Post-Weaning High-Fat Diet and Gut Microbiota in the Developmental Programming of Hypertension.

Excessive intake of saturated fat has been linked to hypertension. Gut microbiota and their metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are known to be involved in the development of hypertension. We examined whether maternal and post-weaning high-fat (HF) diet-induced hypertension in adult male offspring is related to alterations of gut microbiota, mediation of SCFAs and their receptors, and downregulation of nutrient-sensing signals. Female Sprague–Dawley rats received either a normal diet (ND) or HF diet (D12331, Research Diets) during pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were put on either the ND or HF diet from weaning to 16 weeks of age, and designated to four groups (maternal diet/post-weaning diet; n = 8/group): ND/ND, HF/ND, ND/HF, and HF/HF. Rats were sacrificed at 16 weeks of age. Combined HF/HF diets induced elevated blood pressure (BP) and increased body weight and kidney damage in male adult offspring. The rise in BP is related to a downregulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) pathway. Additionally, HF/HF diets decreased fecal concentrations of propionate and butyrate and decreased G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41), but increased olfactory receptor 78 (Oflr78) expression. Maternal HF diet has differential programming effects on the offspring’s microbiota at 3 and 16 weeks of age. Combined HF/HF diet induced BP elevation was associated with an increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, increased abundance of genus Akkermansia and phylum Verrucomicrobia, and reduced abundance in genus Lactobacillus. Maternal gut microbiota-targeted dietary interventions might be reprogramming strategies to protect against programmed hypertension in children and their mothers on consumption of a fat-rich diet.

Dynamic Variations in Fecal Bacterial Community and Fermentation Profile of Holstein Steers in Response to Three Stepwise Density Diets.

Simple SummaryThe gastrointestinal microbial ecosystem of cattle impacts their health and productivity. Collection of fecal samples provides a non-invasive and practicable way to explore the relationships between fecal microbiota and host productivity or health. Fecal bacteria are influenced by diet, feeding regime, animal age, and health status. However, dynamic variations in the fecal fermentation profile and microbiota composition of finishing steers in response to variable diets are limited. In the current study, we conducted an 11-month tracking investigation to uncover the dynamic variations in fecal fermentation profile and bacterial community in steers fed three stepwise density diets. We found that fecal bacterial diversity decreased as dietary density increased and as the fattening phase continued. Our results revealed that fecal organic acids and bacterial composition were influenced by diet and fattening period. Our results also indicated that time-dependent variations of fecal fermentation profile and microbiota composition exist in the long-term fattening of steers in addition to diet stimulation. This study will be beneficial to reducing fecal contamination from the origin by optimizing diet and fattening time.The objective of this study was to track the dynamic variations in fecal bacterial composition and fermentation profile of finishing steers in response to three stepwise diets varied in energy and protein density. A total of 18 Holstein steers were divided into three groups in such a way that each group contained six animals and received one of three stepwise dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were C = standard energy and protein diet, H = high energy and protein diet, and L = low energy and protein diet. Animals were fattened for 11 months with a three-phase fattening strategy. Fecal samples were collected to evaluate the dynamics of fecal fermentation and bacterial composition in response to dietary treatments and fattening phases using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate increased with increasing density of diet and as the fattening phase continued. The relative abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominated and showed 56.19% and 33.58%, respectively. Higher dietary density decreased the fecal bacterial diversity, Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Bacteroides, whereas higher dietary density increased the abundance of Prevotella_9. Our results indicated that both fecal fermentation profile and bacterial composition share a time-dependent variation in response to different dietary densities. This knowledge highlights that both diet and fattening phase impact fecal fermentation profile and bacterial composition, and may provide insight into strategies to reduce fecal contamination from the origin by optimizing diet and fattening time.

Metagenomic profiles of the rumen microbiota during the transition period in low‐yield and high‐yield dairy cows

We investigated potential relationships between rumen microbiota and milk production in dairy cows during the transition period. Twelve dairy cows were divided into a low-yield (LY) or high-yield (HY) group based on their milk yield. Rumen samples were taken from dairy cows at 3weeks before parturition, and at 4, 8, and 12weeks after parturition. 16S rDNA-based metagenomic analysis showed that diversities of rumen microbiota in both groups were similar and the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was lower in the postpartum than prepartum period in both groups. The abundance of Bacteroidetes and ratio of Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes was higher in the HY than the LY group. OTUs assigned to Prevotella bryantii, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Succinivibrio sp. were abundant in the HY group. These OTUs were significantly related to the propionate molar proportion of rumen fluids in the HY group. OTUs assigned to Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacterium sp. and Saccharofermentans were dominant in the LY group. Predictive functional profiling revealed that abundance of gene families involved in amino acid and vitamin metabolism was higher in the HY than the LY group. These results suggest that the community structure and fermentation products of rumen microbiota could be associated with milk production of dairy cows.

Comparative Analyses of Fecal Microbiota in European Mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) and Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur) Living at Low or High Altitudes.

The gut microbiota is a complex and essential system organ that plays an integrative role in balancing key vital functions in the host. Knowledge of the impact of altitude on the gut microbiota of European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) is currently limited. In this study, we compared the characteristics of gut microbiota in 5 mouflon at low altitude (K group), 4 mouflon at high altitude (L group), 4 blue sheep at low altitude (M group), and 4 blue sheep at high altitude (N group). The V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Analyses based on the operational taxonomic units showed significant changes in the gut microbial communities between groups at different altitudes. At the phylum level, groups at the high altitudes had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes than those at the low altitudes. A higher Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio is beneficial to animals in terms of the gut microbiota-mediated energy harvest. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher in the gut microbiota of mouflon sheep at high altitudes. At the genus level, the Bacteroides:Prevotella ratio was significantly higher in the low-altitude group (than the high-altitude group) of mouflon sheep and the ratio was significantly higher in the high-altitude group (than the low-altitude group) in blue sheep. In addition, the Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 related to cellulose and starch digestion was the predominant genus in blue sheep and the relative abundance of the genus was significant higher in the high-altitude group than the low-altitude group of blue sheep (P < 0.01). In conclusion, our results suggested that the gut microbiota of high-altitude groups of sheep had stronger abilities related to energy metabolism and the decomposition of substances, e.g., fiber and cellulose, and that such abilities are associated with high-altitude adaptation.

229 Characterization of the rumen bacterial communities of bison heifers maintained on a pasture-based diet

Abstract The North American bison has evolved to thrive on a diverse range of habitats and climate. As a ruminant, it is dependent on the metabolic activities of symbiotic microorganisms to digest the plant fibers that make up the majority of its diet. To gain further insight into the bison rumen environment, which has remained largely unexplored, the primary objective of this study was to determine the diversity and composition of ruminal bacteria in bison fed a pasture-based diet. Ruminal content from 19 heifers maintained on pasture at the Standing Butte Ranch (North Stanley, South Dakota, USA) was collected by stomach tubing. Following extraction of microbial genomic DNA, PCR was performed to amplify the V1–V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene, then amplicons were sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq(2×300) platform. Next-generation sequence data was then analyzed using a combination of custom Perl scripts, publicly available software (Mothur v. 1.40) and online tools (RDP classifier and NCBI Blast). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were found to be the dominant phyla in the rumen environments analyzed, together representing 85.3% to 96.6% of sequence reads in individual samples. In contrast, the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes showed a much broader range (0.57 to 3.90), suggesting that the rumen bacterial communities of the sampled animals exhibited a wide array of distinct composition patterns. However, Pearson correlation analysis did not support an association between the Shannon alpha diversity index and the abundance of either Bacteroidetes or Firmicutes (P &gt; 0.05). Interestingly, Pearson correlation analysis supported a positive association between Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres (P &lt; 0.05), as well as between Firmicutes and Planctomycetes (P &lt; 0.05). Together, these results suggest that at least two rumen enterotypes, Bacteroidetes-Fibrobacteres and Firmicutes-Planctomycetes, can be distinguished in the rumen of North American bison heifers maintained on a pasture-based diet.

143 Supplemental effects of whey permeate on growth performance and gut health of nursery pigs

Abstract Lactose or milk oligosaccharides in milk products may enhance gut health and thus growth of nursery pigs. This study aimed to evaluate supplemental effects of increasing levels of whey permeate on growth performance and gut health in nursery pigs during 7 to 11 kg BW. 1,200 pigs at 7.5 kg BW were allotted to 6 treatments based on a randomized complete block design using BW of pen as blocks. Treatment diets were formulated to meet NRC nutrient requirements with 6 levels of whey permeate (0, 3.75, 7.50, 11.25, 15.00, and 18.75%) and fed to pigs for 11 d. Feed intake and BW were measured during 11 d, and 1 pig per pen were euthanized to collect the jejunum to evaluate TNF-α, IL-8, morphology, digestive enzyme activity, crypt cell proliferation rate, and microbiota. Data were analyzed using contrasts in the MIXED procedure and a broken-line analysis in NLIN procedure of SAS. Increasing whey permeate linearly increased (P &lt; 0.05) ADG (349 to 414 g/d) and G:F (0.783 to 0.851), tended to linearly increase (P = 0.062) ADFI (442 to 484 g/d), linearly increased (P &lt; 0.05) crypt cell proliferation rate (27.8 to 37.0%), linearly decreased (P &lt; 0.05) lactase activity (15.84 to 6.60 U/mg), and tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.082) crypt depth (268 to 251 μm). Using a broken line analysis, the optimum supplementation level of whey permeate was 13.60% for G:F. Supplementation of whey permeate increased (P &lt; 0.05) IL-8 (170 to 209 pg/mg) and decreased (P &lt; 0.05) Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (6.24 to 3.24) in the jejunum. In conclusion, supplementation of whey permeate enhanced growth performance and also positively affected gut health by modulating inflammatory response and microbiota in the jejunum of nursery pigs from 7 to 11 kg BW.

Study on the Antihypertensive Mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza Based on Intestinal Flora-Host Metabolism.

Our previous studies have shown that the combination of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza (HD) had a good antihypertensive effect, but its potential mechanism remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of intestinal flora and serum metabolism induced by HD against hypertension. 16 spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were divided into HD group (5.9 g/kg) and model group (M) (normal saline), with eight Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats as control group (W) (normal saline). Rats were fed by gavage once a day for 28 days. The changes of intestinal flora and serum metabolism were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS assay. HD decreased blood pressure steadily, improved the structure and composition of imbalance flora in SHRs, increased the abundance and diversity of flora, and decreased flora Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. Rumen bacterium NK4A214, Clostridium sp. MC 40 increased remarkably in M group. Akkermansia, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Lactobacillus intestinalis increased significantly in HD group, which were functionally related to the significant increase of Lachnoclostridium, Faecalibaculum, and Lactobacillus reuteri in W group, which were all probiotics producing butyric acid, lactic acid, and regulating inflammation and other antihypertensive related factors. HD also changed the serum metabolic pattern of SHRs. 16 potential biomarkers related to inflammation, vasodilation, steroid hormones, oxidative stress, and etc. changed significantly, mainly enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and glutathione metabolism. The correlation analysis demonstrated that the dominant genius and species in three groups were highly correlated with steroid hormone biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism. Our research indicated that HD had a good antihypertensive effect, which may be driven by the protective intestinal flora and beneficial metabolites induced by it, and the metabolites were closely related to the changes of intestinal flora. It provided new insights for the antihypertensive mechanism of HD.

The long term microbiota and metabolic status in patients with colorectal cancer after curative colon surgery.

Whether there are subsequent changes of metabolic profiles and microbiota status after partial colectomy remains unknown. We evaluated and compared long-term effects of microbiota status and metabolic profiles in early colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after curative colectomy to the controls. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed metabolic syndrome occurrence in 165 patients after curative partial colectomy with right hemicolectomy (RH) or low anterior resection (LAR) and 333 age-sex matched controls. Fecal samples from some of those with RH, LAR, and controls were analyzed by next-generation sequencing method. The occurrences of metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in patients after RH, but not LAR, when compared with the controls over the long term (> 5 years) follow-up (P = 0.020). Compared with control group, RH group showed lower bacterial diversity (P = 0.007), whereas LAR group showed significantly higher bacterial diversity at the genera level (P = 0.016). Compared with the control group, the principal component analysis revealed significant differences in bacterial genera abundance after RH and LAR (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly lower in the RH group than the control group (22.0% versus 49.4%, P < 0.05). In conclusion, early CRC patients after RH but not LAR were associated with a higher occurrence of metabolic syndrome than the controls during long-term follow-up. In parallel with metabolic change, patients with RH showed dysbiosis with a tendency to decreased richness and a significant decrease in the diversity of gut microbiota.