Beneficial Gut Bacteria Research Articles

Metabolic Fate of Orally Ingested Proanthocyanidins through the Digestive Tract.

Proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are oligomers or polymers of flavan-3ols with potent antioxidative activity, are well known to exert a variety of beneficial health effects. Nonetheless, their bioaccessibility and bioavailability have been poorly assessed. In this review, we focused on the metabolic fate of PACs through the digestive tract. When oligomeric and polymeric PACs are orally ingested, a large portion of the PACs reach the colon, where a small portion is subjected to microbial degradation to phenolic acids and valerolactones, despite the possibility that slight depolymerization of PACs occurs in the stomach and small intestine. Valerolactones, as microbiota-generated catabolites of PACs, may contribute to some of the health benefits of orally ingested PACs. The remaining portion interacts with gut microbiota, resulting in improved microbial diversity and, thereby, contributing to improved health. For instance, an increased amount of beneficial gut bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia muciniphila and butyrate-producing bacteria) could ameliorate host metabolic functions, and a lowered ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes at the phylum level could mitigate obesity-related metabolic disorders.

In vitro digestion, fecal fermentation, and gut bacteria regulation of brown rice gel prepared from rice slurry backfilled with rice bran

Whole-grain brown rice might regulate obesity, and the specific mechanism could be referenced through in vitro digestion and fermentation. This study aimed to investigate the gut bacteria-modifying of brown rice gel (BRG) which was prepared by backfilled rice slurry with rice bran. Due to the existence of rice bran, compared with rice gel, BRG could inhibit starch expansion, reduce viscosity and breakdown, increase short-term aging degree, and then reduce the glycemic index of in vitro digestion from 85.79 to 72.76. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that BRG promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids after 24 h of fermentation, and the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid increased to 10.84 ± 0.16, 2.86 ± 0.05, 2.68 ± 0.13 μg/mL ( p < 0.05), respectively. After fermentation for 0, 6, 12, and 24 h, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that BRG could improve the uniformity of gut microbial community and reduce its diversity, but had little effect on the richness. Notably, BRG could regulate the relative abundance of gut bacteria. At the phylum level, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) decreased, which might be associated with prevention of obesity. At the genus level, it increased the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium and reduced the pernicious bacteria Bilophila . The results will facilitate the application of whole-grain brown rice in gel-based functional foods. • Brown rice gel (BRG) reduced the glycemic index compared with rice gel. • BRG promoted the SCFAs and decreased the pH. • BRG did not change the richness of gut microbiota. • BRG regulated the relative abundance of beneficial and pernicious gut bacteria. • BRG had a potential prebiotic activity.

Specific Enriched Acinetobacter in Camellia Weevil Gut Facilitate the Degradation of Tea Saponin: Inferred from Bacterial Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses.

Beneficial gut bacteria can enhance herbivorous arthropod adaptation to plant secondary compounds (PSMs), and specialist herbivores provide excellent examples of this. Tea saponin (TS) of Camellia oleifera is triterpenoids toxic to seed-feeding weevil pest, Curculio chinensis (CW). Previous studies disclosed that Acinetobacter, which was specific enriched in the CW's gut, was involved in helping CW evade TS toxicity of C. oleifera. However, it is still not clear whether Acinetobacter is associated with other anti-insect compounds, and the molecular mechanism of Acinetobacter degradation of TS has not been clarified. To address these questions, we explored the relationship between host plant toxin content and Acinetobacter of CW gut bacteria. Results demonstrated that TS content significantly affected the CW gut microbiome structure and enriched bacteria functional for TS degradation. We further isolated Acinetobacter strain and conducted its genome and transcriptome analyses for bacterial characterization and investigation on its role in TS degradation. Biological tests were carried out to verify the ability of the functional bacterium within CW larvae to detoxify TS. Our results showed that TS-degrading bacteria strain (Acinetobacter sp. AS23) genome contains 47 genes relating to triterpenoids degradation. The AS23 strain improved the survival rate of CW larvae, and the steroid degradation pathway could be the key one for AS23 to degrade TS. This study provides the direct evidence that gut bacteria mediate adaptation of herbivorous insects to phytochemical resistance. IMPORTANCE Microorganism is directly exposed to the plant toxin environment and play a crucial third party in herbivores gut. Although previous studies have proved the existence of gut bacteria that help CWs degrade TS, the specific core flora and its function have not been explored. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the larva gut microbiome and plant secondary metabolites. Acinetobacter genus was the target flora related to TS degradation. There were many terpenoids genes in Acinetobacter sp. AS23 genome. Results of transcriptome analysis and biological tests suggested that steroid degradation pathway be the key pathway of AS23 to degrade TS. This study not only provides direct evidence that gut microbes mediate the rapid adaptation of herbivorous insects to phytochemical resistance, but also provides a theoretical basis for further research on the molecular mechanism of intestinal bacteria cooperating with pests to adapt to plant toxins.

Applications of butyric acid in poultry production: the dynamics of gut health, performance, nutrient utilization, egg quality, and osteoporosis.

Due to the increasing demand for antibiotic-free livestock products from the consumer side and the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters, the poultry feed industry is increasingly interested in developing more alternatives to cope with this problem. Organic acids (butyric acid) have many beneficial effects on poultry health, performance, and egg quality when used in their diet, thus they can be considered for the replacement of antibiotics in livestock production systems. Butyric acid is most efficacious against pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, and stimulates the population of beneficial gut bacteria. It is a primary energy source for colonocytes and augments the differentiation and maturation of the intestinal cells. Collectively, butyric acid should be considered as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, because it reduces pathogenic bacteria and their toxins, enhancing gut health thereby increasing nutrient digestibility, thus leading to improved growth performance and immunity among birds. The possible pathways and mechanisms through which butyric acid enhances gut health and production performance are discussed in this review. Detailed information about the use of butyric acid in poultry and its possible benefits under different conditions are also provided, and the impacts of butyric acid on egg quality and osteoporosis are noted.

Sociability in a non-captive macaque population is associated with beneficial gut bacteria.

The relationship between social behaviour and the microbiome is known to be reciprocal. Research in wild animal populations, particularly in primate social groups, has revealed the role that social interactions play in microbial transmission, whilst studies in laboratory animals have demonstrated that the gut microbiome can affect multiple aspects of behaviour, including social behaviour. Here we explore behavioural variation in a non-captive animal population with respect to the abundance of specific bacterial genera. Social behaviour based on grooming interactions is assessed in a population of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), and combined with gut microbiome data. We focus our analyses on microbiome genera previously linked to sociability and autistic behaviours in rodents and humans. We show in this macaque population that some of these genera are also related to an individual's propensity to engage in social interactions. Interestingly, we find that several of the genera positively related to sociability, such as Faecalibacterium, are well known for their beneficial effects on health and their anti-inflammatory properties. In contrast, the genus Streptococcus, which includes pathogenic species, is more abundant in less sociable macaques. Our results indicate that microorganisms whose abundance varies with individual social behaviour also have functional links to host immune status. Overall, these findings highlight the connections between social behaviour, microbiome composition, and health in an animal population.

The Interplay between Cardiovascular Disease, Exercise, and the Gut Microbiome.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, with physical inactivity being a known contributor to the global rates of CVD incidence. The gut microbiota has been associated with many diseases including CVD and other comorbidities such at type 2 diabetes and obesity. Researchers have begun to examine the gut microbiome as a predictor of early disease states by detecting disruptions, or dysbiosis, in the microbiota. Evidence is lacking to investigate the potential link between the gut microbiota, exercise, and CVD risk and development. Research supports that diets with whole food have reduced instances of CVD and associated diseases, increased abundances of beneficial gut bacteria, and altered gut-derived metabolite production. Further, exercise and lifestyle changes to increase physical activity demonstrate improved health outcomes related to CVD risk and comorbidities and gut microbial diversity. It is difficult to study an outcome such as CVD when including multiple factors; however, it is evident that exercise, lifestyle, and the gut microbiota contribute to improved health in their own ways. This review will highlight current research findings and what potential treatments of CVD may be generated by manipulation of the gut microbiota and/or exercise.

Probiyotiklerin Ötesinde Fonksiyonel Bileşen Konseptleri: Postbiyotikler ve Paraprobiyotikler

A great number of beneficial and harmful microorganisms colonize the human gastrointestinal ecosystem. Of these, beneficial gut bacteria have numerous and significant functions. The use of probiotics, paraprobiotics, and postbiotics to alter the gut microbiota has attracted recent attention as an imbalance in the gut microbiota can lead to the development of various diseases (such as type 1 diabetes, cancer, and others). These concepts are generally confused with each other. The paraprobiotic concept includes the use of killed microbial cells, while postbiotics refer to metabolic products of live microbial cells. In this review, it was aimed to give information on probiotics, paraprobiotics, and postbiotics approaches. In this context, this review provides knowledge about the microorganism and metabolites found in these groups, their action mechanism, clinical characteristics, and potential therapeutic applications.

Environmental and socio-economic impacts of new plant breeding technologies: A case study of root chicory for inulin production.

In Europe, root chicory and other plants are cultivated for their prebiotic food fiber, inulin, which boosts the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and stimulates the human immune system. CHIC, a H2020 project, develops new chicory variants which produce more and reported to be healthier inulin as well as medicinal terpenes. This paper presents an environmental and socio-economic assessment of the whole value chain of the new chicory variants and their derived products using a case study based in the Netherlands. Two scenarios based on new chicory variants using new plant breeding technologies (NPBT) are analyzed and impacts thereof are compared to the reference scenario; the current commercial inulin process from conventional chicory. Both scenarios show higher inulin content, but the inulin adsorption process differs. While one aims to optimize inulin yield, the other one explores the potential of a multipurpose use, yielding inulin and health beneficial terpenes. Methodologically, we employ multi-regional input-output (MRIO) analysis to estimate additional economic benefits, added value and job creation, while by means of life cycle assessment (LCA) effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and primary energy demand are derived. Both methods, MRIO and LCA, are well suited to analyze the raised issues and draw on the same data. Generally, the results highlight the importance of inulin production at a national and EU-level in the reference scenario. In case of the two scenarios, we find that the related socio-economic impacts are much higher than in the reference scenario and thus highlight their ability to boost economic activity and increase competiveness of the EU, i.e. over 80% of the generated value added stays in the EU. In terms of environmental impacts, the two scenarios show lower GHG emissions and primary energy demand due to the higher efficiencies of the process in the scenarios compared to the reference inulin process. Additionally, regarding the goal of climate neutral production, we find that the majority of GHG emissions stem from the electricity mix and natural gas demand. Replacing these sources of energy with more renewable ones will contribute to this goal.

Pea albumin extracted from pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed protects mice from high fat diet-induced obesity by modulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

Plant protein has been reported to play a key role in the prevention of obesity and associated complications. It is unknown whether pea albumin may exert anit-obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders alleviation. Pea albumin was isolated from pea seed (Pisum sativum L.) and determined its functional role for anti-obesity and metabolic disorders alleviation in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Pea albumin administration reduced body weight gain, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammatory cytokines secretion, and alleviated hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed mice. Interestingly, pea albumin inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in vitro and modulated lipid metabolism by upregulating critical proteins implicated in lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation, and downregulating lipogenesis in vivo. Moreover, pea albumin restored gut microbial composition to normal fat diet condition and selectively promoted the growth of beneficial gut bacteria (Akkermansia, Parabacteroides etc.). Collectively, the data demonstrated that pea albumin protects mice from HFD-induced obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Modulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites by functional mulberry juice non-thermally pasteurized using microfiltration

Background: Mulberry fruit is a source of phenolic compounds and has biological properties. This study aimed to assess the effects of isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) added to mulberry juice on prebiotic activity and gut fermentation properties.Objectives: The study aimed to produce mulberry juice supplemented with IMO, which might generate short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and to examine the effects of a prebiotic activity after fecal fermentation.Materials and methods: Functional mulberry juices were prepared with three different levels of isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO), namely 0% (MBI0), 2% (MBI2), and 8% (MBI8). The study tested mulberry juices supplemented with IMO, which generated short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), phenolic metabolites, and favored beneficial gut bacteria, and examined the prebiotic activity after fecal fermentation by the colonic microbiota. A crossflow hollow fiber microfiltration system with a 0.22 μm pore size was employed to deliver permeates considered non-thermally pasteurized juices.Results: The results show that short chain fatty acids (SCFA) included large propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations at 48h. The percent of bifidobacteria significantly increased to 5.03% and 17.53% in 24 hours fermentation of MBI2 and MBI8, respectively. After fecal batch culture fermentation, some anthocyanin metabolites such as 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, L-phenylalanine, and aminocaproic acid, were detected. Therefore, IMO can serve as a potential prebiotic ingredient added in mulberry juice for promoting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota.Conclusion: The results show that IMO favored beneficial microorganisms in the gut and contributed to biologically active compounds such as metabolites of polyphenols and anthocyanins in the gut.Keywords: Mulberry, isomaltooligosaccharide, prebiotic, gut microbiota, metabolites

Mouse feeding study and microbiome analysis of sourdough bread for evaluation of its health effects.

Sourdough bread fermented with yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is thought to have various beneficial health effects. However, its beneficial effects were not fully evaluated with in vivo mouse model. To evaluate these effects in vivo, a mouse feeding study and microbiome analysis of white bread containing 40% sourdough (WBS) and yeast-leavened white bread (WB) were performed. Although feed consumption and body weight increased with WBS, the glycemic index was reduced, suggesting a diabetes-lowering effect, probably due to the presence of dietary fiber and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). In addition, a mineral absorption test showed that WBS increased magnesium absorption owing to phytate degradation during fermentation. Interestingly, WBS decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides, probably due to the dietary fiber and SCFA in LAB. In addition, the ratio of low- and high-density lipoprotein was decreased in WBS, implying potential risk reduction for cardiovascular disease. An immunomodulatory assay of WBS revealed that pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. Gluten degradation by fermentation and antioxidation activity of menaquinol/ubiquinol by gut microbiota also supported the anti-inflammatory activity of sourdough bread. Furthermore, some beneficial gut bacteria, including Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, were increased in WBS. In particular, Akkermansia has been associated with anti-inflammatory properties. Consequently, WBS has beneficial effects on health, including decreased glycemic index and cholesterol, increased mineral availability and absorption, anti-inflammatory properties, and establishment of healthy gut microbiota.

Detection of indigenous gut bacteria related to red chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) in murine caecum and human faecal cultures.

Red chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum; RP) is a popular spice containing the active compound capsaicin. Indigenous gut bacteria and metabolism can affect host health. The functions of capsaicin, including the regulation of metabolic health and anti-oxidant properties, may be correlated with the gut microbiota. To identify indigenous gut bacteria that are responsive to RP, Institute of Cancer Research mice fed a diet with no fibre or with 5% (w/w) RP for 14days. Additionally, human stool samples collected from four healthy volunteers were incubated without (control) or with 2% (w/v) RP at 37°C for 24h. Microbiota in murine caecal samples and human faecal cultures were analysed using 16S rRNA (V4) amplicon sequencing. Compared with the microbiota in mice fed no-fibre diets, Lachnospiraceae spp.-, Muribaculaceae spp.-, and Phacaeicola vulgatus-like bacteria were defined as murine RP-responsive indigenous gut bacteria (RP-RIB). In the human faecal cultures, acetate and propionate levels were higher in RP cultures than in the control cultures. Subdoligranulum spp.-, Blautia spp.-, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii-, P. vulgatus-, and Prevotella copri-like bacteria were defined as human RP-RIB. Compared with control culture Fe-reducing power was increased in the culture with RP. RP increases the amount of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and beneficial gut bacteria in mouse and human faecal cultures. Overall, RP could have a positive effect on the host by altering the gut microbiota.

Bactericidal activity of lactic acid Bacillus in presence of oxide nanoparticles

The bactericidal activity of human beneficial gut bacteria commonly known as probiotics plays an important role in the era of multidrugresistant bacteria as the rising antimicrobial resistance has been identified as a top health threat. The probiotic organism plays an important role not only in infection but also in the development of immunity and its impact on inflammatory diseases. Besides digestion and absorption, it eliminates pathogenic microorganisms by their bactericidal activity and thus maintains a proper balance in the gut ecosystem. Along with that, multiple applications of nanotechnology in the agri-food sector, drug delivery, and medical sectors are growing rapidly. The biosafety study of those nanoparticles was tested on several human cell lines, but the fate and behaviour of nanoparticles in the human gastrointestinal tract, especially on beneficial gut flora or probiotics need attention along with its antimicrobial activity. Here, in this study we have tested the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (as those nanoparticles used mostly in the agri-food sectors and health sectors) treated Bacillus coagulans (used as probiotic) cellular supernatant on E. coli MTCC 1610 strain with respect to untreated Bacillus coagulans cellular supernatant. We found reduced bactericidal activity in the case of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles treated Bacillus coagulans whereas the bactericidal activity of ZnO nanoparticles treated Bacillus coagulans cellular supernatant showed more or less similar result with respect to untreated Bacillus coagulans cellular supernatant. Hence, the bactericidal activity of nanoparticle-treated Bacillus coagulans was studied thoroughly.

Exploring the Correlation between Changes in Gut Microbial Community Diversity and Depression in Human Populations.

Depression, also known as depressive disorder, is a group of psychosomatic affective disorders characterized by persistent and significantly depressed mood, delayed thinking, and cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between changes in gut microbial community diversity and depression to provide data on new strategies for the prevention and treatment of depression. In this study, we separated participants into a group of depressed patients and a healthy comparison group. We analyzed the gut microbial community structure of depressed patients and healthy comparisons using second-generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S RNA gene. There were significant differences in the gut microflora structure between patients with depression and healthy individuals. The gut flora alpha diversity index was significantly reduced in patients with depression compared to that in the healthy population. At the species level, the relative abundance of Coprococcus catus and Bacteroides barnesiae was significantly lower in the depressed group than that in the control group. The development of depression may be associated with a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria.

New Advances in Improving Bone Health Based on Specific Gut Microbiota.

The gut microbiota has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiota is also closely associated with bone metabolism. However, given the high diversity of the gut microbiota, the effects of different taxa and compositions on bone are poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrated that the mechanisms underlying the effects of the gut microbiota on bone mainly include its modulation of nutrient absorption, intestinal permeability, metabolites (such as short-chain amino acids), immune responses, and hormones or neurotransmitters (such as 5-hydroxytryptamine). Several studies found that external interventions, such as dietary changes, improved bone health and altered the composition of the gut microbiota. This review summarises the beneficial gut bacteria and explores how dietary, natural, and physical factors alter the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota to improve bone health, thereby providing potential new insight into the prevention of osteoporosis.

Clostridium butyricum therapy restores the decreased efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in lung cancer patients receiving proton pump inhibitors

ABSTRACT Oral microbiota is associated with human diseases including cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which allow the oral microbiome to translocate into the gut, negatively influence the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in cancer patients. However, currently there is no effective treatment that restores the decreased efficacy. To address this issue, we retrospectively evaluated 118 advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with ICB and analyzed 80 fecal samples of patients with lung cancer by 16S metagenomic sequencing. Clostridium butyricum therapy using C. butyricum MIYAIRI 588 (CBM588), a live biotherapeutic bacterial strain, was shown to improve the ICB efficacy in lung cancer. Thus, we investigated how CBM588 affects the efficacy of ICB and the gut microbiota of lung cancer patients undergoing PPI treatment. We found that PPI treatment significantly decreased the efficacy of ICB in NSCLC patients, however, CBM588 significantly restored the diminished efficacy of ICB and improved survival. In addition, CBM588 prolonged overall survival in patients receiving PPIs and antibiotics together. The fecal analysis revealed that PPI users had higher abundance of harmful oral-related pathobionts and lower abundance of beneficial gut bacteria for immunotherapy. In contrast, patients who received CBM588 had lesser relative abundance of potentially harmful oral-related bacteria in the gut. Our research suggests that manipulating commensal microbiota by CBM588 may improve the therapeutic efficacy of ICB in cancer patients receiving PPIs, highlighting the potential of oral-related microbiota in the gut as a new therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.

Resistant Maltodextrin Consumption in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial Induces Specific Changes in Potentially Beneficial Gut Bacteria.

Background: We have previously reported that the addition of resistant maltodextrin (RMD), a fermentable functional fiber, to the diet increases fecal weight as well as the amount of fecal bifidobacteria. Here, we report on the targeted analysis of changes in potentially beneficial gut bacteria associated with the intervention. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding 0, 15 and 25 g RMD to the diets of healthy free-living adults on potentially beneficial gut bacteria. Methods: We expanded on our previously reported microbiota analysis in a double-blind, placebo-controlled feeding study (NCT02733263) by performing additional qPCR analyses targeting fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans in samples from 49 participants. Results: RMD resulted in an approximately two-fold increase in fecal Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans (p = 0.024 for 15 g/day RMD and p = 0.017 for 25 g/day RMD). For Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, we obtained borderline evidence that showed increased amounts in participants that had low baseline levels of these bacteria (p < 0.1 for 25 g/day RMD). We did not detect any effects of RMD on LAB. Conclusions: RMD supplementation in healthy individuals increases Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans. Albeit to a lesser extent, RMD at the higher intake level may also increase Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in individuals with low baseline levels of those two species. Potential benefits associated with these microbiota changes remain to be established in studies with quantifiable health-related endpoints.

Glycomacropeptide Safety and Its Effect on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Phenylketonuria: A Pilot Study.

Glycomacropeptide (GMP) represents a good alternative protein source in Phenylketonuria (PKU). In a mouse model, it has been suggested to exert a prebiotic role on beneficial gut bacteria. In this study, we performed the 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the effect of 6 months of GMP supplementation on the gut microbiota of nine PKU patients, comparing their bacterial composition and clinical parameters before and after the intervention. GMP seems to be safe from both the microbiological and the clinical point of view. Indeed, we did not observe dramatic changes in the gut microbiota but a specific prebiotic effect on the butyrate-producer Agathobacter spp. and, to a lesser extent, of Subdoligranulum. Clinically, GMP intake did not show a significant impact on both metabolic control, as phenylalanine values were kept below the age target and nutritional parameters. On the other hand, an amelioration of calcium phosphate homeostasis was observed, with an increase in plasmatic vitamin D and a decrease in alkaline phosphatase. Our results suggest GMP as a safe alternative in the PKU diet and its possible prebiotic role on specific taxa without causing dramatic changes in the commensal microbiota.

Prebiotic Potential of Dietary Beans and Pulses and Their Resistant Starch for Aging-Associated Gut and Metabolic Health.

Dietary pulses, including dry beans, lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas, have the highest proportion of fiber among different legume cultivars and are inexpensive, easily accessible, and have a long shelf-life. The inclusion of pulses in regular dietary patterns is an easy and effective solution for achieving recommended fiber intake and maintaining a healthier gut and overall health. Dietary pulses-derived resistant starch (RS) is a relatively less explored prebiotic ingredient. Several in vitro and preclinical studies have elucidated the crucial role of RS in fostering and shaping the gut microbiota composition towards homeostasis thereby improving host metabolic health. However, in humans and aged animal models, the effect of only the cereals and tubers derived RS has been studied. In this context, this review collates literature pertaining to the beneficial effects of dietary pulses and their RS on gut microbiome-metabolome signatures in preclinical and clinical studies while contemplating their potential and prospects for better aging-associated gut health. In a nutshell, the incorporation of dietary pulses and their RS in diet fosters the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and significantly enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids in the colon.

Probiotic Properties of a Spaceflight-induced Mutant Lactobacillus Plant- arum SS18-50 in Mice

Probiotics are a group of bacteria that play a critical role in intestinal microbiota homeostasis and may help adjunctively treat certain diseases like metabolic and immune disorders. We recently generated a space-flight mutated Lactobacillus plantarum SS18-50 with good in vitro probiotic characteristics. In the current research, we designed two in vivo experiments to evaluate whether L. plantarum SS18-50 had the ability to increase beneficial gut bacteria, regulate oxidative status and ameliorate inflammation in mice. Experiments I: the ICR mice were gavaged with L. plantarum SS18-50 or its wild type L. plantarum GS18 at 107 or 109 CFU/kg BW daily for one month, during which the body weight was recorded weekly. The feces were collected to determine the abundance of two main beneficial bacterial groups including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium by selective culturing, while the total triglycerides and cholesterols in sera were determined using commercial kits. Experiment II: the mice were gavaged with loperamide hydrochloride (Lop) to develop oxidative stress and inflammation phenotypes. At the same time, the experimental mice were gavaged with L. plantarum SS18-50 or wild type L. plantarum GS18 at 107 or 109 CFU/kg BW daily for one month. At the end of the experiment, oxidative indicators (SOD and MDA) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A and IL-10) were measured by commercial kits. Results showed that L. plantarum SS18-50 increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in mice after one month's administration. L. plantarum SS18-50 also showed the anti-oxidant activity by increasing SOD and decreasing MDA and exerted the anti-inflammatory effect by increasing IL-10 and decreasing IL-17A in Lop treated mice. Both the wild type stain and the space mutant had such biomedical effects, but L. plantarum SS18-50 was better in increasing gut beneficial bacteria and oxidative regulation than the wild type (P<0.05). We conclude that L. plantarum SS18-50 has a great potential to serve as a dietary functional probiotic supplement and/or adjunctive treatment strategy.