Gut Metabolome Research Articles

Dietary crude protein and protein solubility manipulation enhances intestinal nitrogen absorption and mitigates reactive nitrogen emissions through gut microbiota and metabolome reprogramming in sheep

Dietary nutrient manipulation (e.g. protein fractions) could lower the environmental footprints of ruminants, especially reactive nitrogen (N). This study investigated the impacts of dietary soluble protein (SP) levels with decreased crude protein (CP) on intestinal N absorption, hindgut N metabolism, fecal microbiota and metabolites, and their linkage with N metabolism phenotype. Thirty-two male Hu sheep, with an age of six months and an initial BW of 40.37 ± 1.18 kg, were randomly assigned to four dietary groups. The control diet (CON), aligning with NRC standards, maintained a CP content of 16.7% on a dry matter basis. Conversely, the experimental diets (LPA, LPB, and LPC) featured a 10% reduction in CP compared with CON, accompanied by SP adjustments to 21.2%, 25.9%, and 29.4% of CP, respectively. Our results showed that low-protein diets led to significant reductions in the concentrations of plasma creatinine, ammonia, urea N, and fecal total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) (P < 0.05). Notably, LPB and LPC exhibited increased total SCFA and propionate concentrations compared with LPA (P < 0.05). The enrichment of the Prevotella genus in fecal microbiota associated with energy metabolism and amino acid (AA) biosynthesis pathways was evident with SP levels in low-protein diets of approximately 25% to 30%. Moreover, LPB and LPC diets demonstrated a decrease in fecal NH4+–N and NO2−–N contents as well as urease activity, compared with CON (P < 0.05). Concomitantly, reductions in fecal glutamic acid dehydrogenase gene (gdh), nitrite reductase gene (nirS), and nitric oxide reductase gene (norB) abundances were observed (P < 0.05), pointing towards a potential reduction in reactive N production at the source. Of significance, the up-regulation of mRNA abundance of AA and peptide transporters in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and the elevated concentration of plasma AA (e.g. arginine, methionine, aspartate, glutamate, etc.) underscored the enhancement of N absorption and N efficiency. In summary, a 10% reduction in CP, coupled with an SP level of approximately 25% to 30%, demonstrated the potential to curtail reactive N emissions through fecal Prevotella enrichment and improve intestinal energy and N utilization efficiency.

Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila and its outer membrane protein Amuc_1100 alleviate alcoholic liver disease through modulating gut microbiota and host metabolism

Recent researches have reported that pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila, as a paraprobiotic, still plays an active role in various metabolic diseases. However, its role in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the impact and mechanisms of pasteurized A. muciniphila on ALD. Its effects on ALD were assessed by phenotypic, biochemical parameters, and histological features in a mouse model. Further investigations into underlying mechanisms were conducted through gut microbiome, metabolomics analyses and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technology. Heterologously expressed outer membrane protein Amuc_1100 was utilized to explore the molecular action mechanism. Our research demonstrated that pasteurized A. muciniphila can indeed alleviate alcohol-induced liver damage by modulation of gut microbiota and host metabolism. It suppressed the proliferation of pathogenic microbes and fostered the growth of probiotics. Additionally, it rectified alcohol-induced abnormalities in serum metabolic patterns, particularly in lipid metabolism. Specifically, pasteurized A. muciniphila elevated serum levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, palmitoleic acid, acetylcarnitine, DHA, and arachidonic acid in alcohol-fed mice. qRT-PCR results showed that it reversed the alcohol-induced upregulation of mRNA expression of hepatic fatty acid synthesis genes and decreased mRNA expression of fatty acid oxidation and transport genes. Importantly, we identified that Amuc_1100 could partially recapitulate the protective effects of pasteurized A. muciniphila on ALD, especially regarding hepatic lipid metabolism. This study enhances our comprehension of the function of pasteurized A. muciniphila and underscores its potential therapeutic application, along with Amuc_1100, in the treatment of ALD.

Gut microbiome and metabolomic profiles reveal the antiatherosclerotic effect of indole-3-carbinol in high-choline-fed ApoE-/- mice

BackgroundThe metabolites produced from choline contribute to atherosclerosis (AS) pathogenesis, and the gut microbiota is redundantly essential for this process. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, helps prevent hyperlipidemia, maintain the gut microbiota balance, and decrease the production of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) from choline in the diet. PurposeThe objective of this research was to investigate the impact of I3C on choline-induced AS and to further elucidate the underlying mechanism involved. MethodsAS models of high-choline-induced ApoE-/- mice and TMAO-promoted foamy macrophages were established to observe the effect of I3C on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and foam cells and changes in AS-related indicators (including blood biochemical indicators, TMA, TMAO, SRA, and SRB1), and integrated analyses of the microbiome and metabolome were used to reveal the mechanism of action of I3C. ResultsWe found that I3C inhibited high-choline-induced atheroma formation (50–100 mg/kg/d, in vivo) and slightly improved the lipid profile (15 mg/kg/d, in vivo). Moreover, I3C suppressed lipid influx at a concentration of 40 µmol/L in vitro, enhanced the diversity of the gut microbiota and the abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia, and consequently modified the gut microbial metabolites at a dosage of 50 mg/kg/d in the mice. Associative analyses based on microbiome and metabolomics revealed that 1-methyladenosine was a key modulator of the protective effect of I3C against AS in high-choline-induced ApoE-/- mice. ConclusionThese findings demonstrate for the first time that I3C ameliorates AS progression through remodeling of the gut microbiome and metabolomics, which paves the way for the possible therapeutic use of this vegetable-derived natural compound and may reduce the clinical severity of AS-related cardiovascular diseases.

Defining predictors of responsiveness to advanced therapies in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: protocol for the IBD-RESPONSE and nested CD-metaRESPONSE prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study in precision medicine

IntroductionCharacterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fatigue can significantly impact patient’s quality of life. Therapeutic developments in the...

Prevent effects of soybean meal peptides in acute alcoholic liver injury based on gut microbiota and metabolome alteration

Prevent effects of soybean meal peptides in acute alcoholic liver injury based on gut microbiota and metabolome alteration

In vitro batch fermentation demonstrates variations in the regulation of gut microbiota and metabolic functions by β-glucans of differing structures

The gut microbiota is widely acknowledged as a crucial factor in regulating host health. The structure of dietary fibers determines changes in the gut microbiota and metabolic differences resulting from their fermentation, which in turn affect gut microbe-related health effects. β-Glucan (BG) is a widely accessible dietary fiber to humans, and its structural characteristics vary depending on the source. However, the interactions between different structural BGs and gut microbiota remain unclear. This study used an in vitro fermentation model to investigate the effects of BG on gut microbiota, and microbiomics and metabolomics techniques to explore the relationship between the structure of BG, bacterial communities, and metabolic profiles. The four sources of BG (barley, yeast, algae, and microbial fermentation) contained different types and proportions of glycosidic bonds, which differentially altered the bacterial community. The BG from algal sources, which contained only β(1 → 4) glycosidic bonds, was the least metabolized by the gut microbiota and caused limited metabolic changes. The other three BGs contain more diverse glycosidic bonds and can be degraded by bacteria from multiple genera, causing a wider range of metabolic changes. This work also suggested potential synergistic degradation relationships between gut bacteria based on BG. Overall, this study deepens the structural characterization-microbial-functional understanding of BGs and provides theoretical support for the development of gut microbiota-targeted foods.

Korean Red Ginseng and Rb1 restore altered social interaction, gene expressions in the medial prefrontal cortex, and gut metabolites under post-weaning social isolation in mice

BackgroundPost-weaning social isolation (SI) reduces sociability, gene expressions including myelin genes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and alters microbiome compositions in rodent models. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and its major ginsenoside Rb1 have been reported to affect myelin formation and gut metabolites. However, their effects under post-weaning SI have not been investigated. This study investigated the effects of KRG and Rb1 on sociability, gene expressions in the mPFC, and gut metabolites under post-weaning SI. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were administered with water or KRG (150, 400 mg/kg) or Rb1 (0.1 mg/kg) under SI or regular environment (RE) for 2 weeks during the post-weaning period (P21–P35). After this period, mice underwent a sociability test, and then brains and ceca were collected for qPCR/immunohistochemistry and non-targeted metabolomics, respectively. ResultsSI reduced sociability compared to RE; however, KRG (400 mg/kg) and Rb1 significantly restored sociability under SI. In the mPFC, expressions of genes related to myelin, neurotransmitter, and oxidative stress were significantly reduced in mice under SI compared to RE conditions. Under SI, KRG and Rb1 recovered the altered expressions of several genes in the mPFC. In gut metabolomics, 313 metabolites were identified as significant among 3027 detected metabolites. Among the significantly changed metabolites in SI, some were recovered by KRG or Rb1, including metabolites related to stress axis, inflammation, and DNA damage. ConclusionAltered sociability, gene expression levels in the mPFC, and gut metabolites induced by two weeks of post-weaning SI were at least partially recovered by KRG and Rb1.

Abstract 2808: Levels of isobutyric acid from gut butyrate-producing taxa are associated to Delta-24-RGDOX efficacy against malignant glioma

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor worldwide. Current standard-of-care treatments allow for a median survival of 12 to 18 months. GBM has a poor survival prognosis, observing less than 6% of patients surviving 5 years post-diagnosis. Among recent treatment advancements, the oncolytic adenovirus Delta-24-RGDOX armed with the T-cell activator OX40L is promising. Studies have unveiled a relationship between the gut microbiome and high levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as isobutyric and propionic acid, to immunotherapy response. Changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome associated to viroimmunotherapy efficacy remain unclear. Here, we assessed the gut microbial changes in addition to isobutyric and propionic acid levels regarding viroimmunotherapy efficacy. Immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice were intracranially implanted GL261-5 GBM cells and received intratumoral injections of PBS (control) or Delta-24-RGDOX. A naïve group with no tumor nor treatment was also included. Fecal pellets were collected at three different time points: (1) before tumor implantation, (2) before treatment, and (3) 14 days after the first dose of treatment. Genomic DNA was isolated with the QIAGEN DNeasy Powersoil Pro Kit from fecal pellets (n=75), followed by sequencing with the Illumina platform of the 16S ribosomal RNA V4 region. Quality assessment of the sequences was executed in QIITA. Bacterial community analysis with a sequencing depth of 1,470 reads, while using the taxonomic database SILVA, was followed downstream with QIIME2 and R. Metabolic profiling of SCFA of the fecal pellets was performed through Gas Chromatography. Results showed significant differences in bacterial community structure of viroimmunotherapy-treated mice with survival of &amp;gt;100 days compared to controls (ANOSIM p-value=0.006). Alpha diversity metrics showed significant differences in richness between the naive and tumor-implanted mice of the PBS (KW p-value=0.049) and Delta-24-RGDOX (KW p-value=0.019) groups, highlighting that tumor presence alters the gut microbiota. Additionally, viroimmunotherapy-treated mice with survival of &amp;gt;100 days had a significant increase of Lactobacillus and the butyrate-producing bacterias Erysipelatoclostridium and Ruminococcaceae. Also, we found significantly higher levels of isobutyric acid and lower levels of propionic acid in viroimmunotherapy-treated mice with survival of &amp;gt;100 days (p-value&amp;lt;0.05). These findings suggest that butyrate-producing bacteria coupled with higher levels of isobutyric acid may be important in the efficacy of Delta-24-RGDOX. This highlights the microbial and metabolic changes associated with oncolytic viral therapy efficacy. Sponsored by an award within The University of Puerto Rico/UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research Grant (2U54CA096297-17). Citation Format: Natalie M. Meléndez-Vázquez, Xuejun Fan, Juan Fueyo, Candelaria Gomez-Manzano, Filipa Godoy-Vitorino. Levels of isobutyric acid from gut butyrate-producing taxa are associated to Delta-24-RGDOX efficacy against malignant glioma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2808.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla improves intestinal microecology through modulating gut microbiota and metabolites in mice.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is a Chinese medicine and healthy edible that is widely used to for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antitussive properties. However, the potential function of P. heterophylla in intestinal microecology remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of P. heterophylla on immune functions and evaluated its potential to regulate the gut microbiota and metabolome. The results showed that P. heterophylla significantly increased the content of red blood cells, total antioxidant capacity and expression of immune factors, and decreased platelet counts when compared to the control under cyclophosphamide injury. In addition, P. heterophylla altered the diversity and composition of the gut bacterial community; increased the abundance of potentially beneficial Akkermansia, Roseburia, unclassified Clostridiaceae, Mucispirillum, Anaeroplasma and Parabacteroides; and decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic Cupriavidus and Staphylococcus in healthy mice. Metabolomic analyses showed that P. heterophylla significantly increased the content of functional oligosaccharides, common oligosaccharides, vitamins and functional substances. Probiotics and pathogens were regulated by metabolites across 11 pathways in the bacterial-host co-metabolism network. We demonstrated that P. heterophylla increased the abundance of probiotics and decreased pathogens, and further stimulated host microbes to produce beneficial secondary metabolites for host health. Our studies highlight the role of P. heterophylla in gut health and provide new insights for the development of traditional Chinese medicine in the diet. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Associations of Early Gut Microbiome and Metabolome with Growth and Body Composition of Preterm Infants Within the First 6 Months.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the associations of growth and body composition with gut microbiome and metabolome in preterm infants. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study including 73 human milk-fed very preterm infants was conducted. During hospitalization, fecal samples were collected to detect microbes and metabolites using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Growth and body composition indices were measured at term equivalent age (TEA) and 6 months of corrected age (CA). Associations of the fecal microbiome and metabolome profiles with growth and body composition indices, as well as their changes, were analyzed. Results: A higher abundance of Streptococcus was associated with a lower fat-free mass (FFM) z-score at 6 months of CA (p = 0.002) and a smaller increase in FFM z-score from TEA to 6 months of CA (p = 0.018). Higher levels of 3'-sialyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) in feces were correlated with a lower z-score of percentage body fat (PBF) (p = 0.018 and 0.020, respectively) and a lower z-score of fat mass (p = 0.044 and 0.043, respectively) at 6 months of CA. A higher level of 6'-SL in feces was correlated with a greater increase in FFM z-score from TEA to 6 months of CA (p = 0.021). Conclusions: This study sheds light on the role of specific microbial-host interactions in metabolic changes in preterm infants, indicating the potential role of sialylated human milk oligosaccharides in optimizing body composition.

Effect of feed supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid in regio- and enantiopure triacylglycerols on gut metabolome and microbiota in rats

Docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3), DHA] plays an important role in human physiology including gut health. This research aimed to investigate the impact of positional distribution of DHA in dietary triacylglycerols (TAG) on gut metabolomic profile and microbiota. In the 4-week feeding trial, the Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on an n-3 deficient feed supplemented with TAG containing DHA at the sn-1, 2, or 3 position and palmitic acid at the remaining positions. Three groups receiving standard n-3 adequate feed, n-3 deficient feed, or n-3 deficient feed supplemented with tripalmitin were included as controls. The gut metabolome was studied using LC–MS-based non-targeted metabolomics, and microbiota profiles were investigated by 16S rRNA sequencing. Compared to the n-3 adequate diet, four-week feeding on the n-3 deficient diet affected the fecal pyrimidine metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. Feeding with DHA-containing TAGs, especially TAG with DHA at sn-3 position, increased the level of N5-Carboxy aminoimidazole ribonucleotide related to purine biosynthesis and dimethylbenzimidazole involved in vitamin B2 biosynthesis. N-3 deficient diet lowered the abundance of the genus Alistipes and the species Bacteroides massiliensis in the gut microbiota. Compared to the n-3 deficient groups, feeding with DHA-containing TAGs decreased the abundance of species Prevotella sp. CAG: 1031, and feeding with sn-2 DHA resulted in an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides fragilis and a decrease in the abundance of Faecalibacterium sp. CAP 74. This is the first study showing that dietary DHA from different positions of TAG may affect gut metabolites and microbiota differently.

Gut bacteria-derived serotonin promotes immune tolerance in early life.

The gut microbiota promotes immune system development in early life, but the interactions between the gut metabolome and immune cells in the neonatal gut remain largely undefined. Here, we demonstrate that the neonatal gut is uniquely enriched with neurotransmitters, including serotonin, and that specific gut bacteria directly produce serotonin while down-regulating monoamine oxidase A to limit serotonin breakdown. We found that serotonin directly signals to T cells to increase intracellular indole-3-acetaldehdye and inhibit mTOR activation, thereby promoting the differentiation of regulatory T cells, both ex vivo and in vivo in the neonatal intestine. Oral gavage of serotonin into neonatal mice resulted in long-term T cell-mediated antigen-specific immune tolerance toward both dietary antigens and commensal bacteria. Together, our study has uncovered an important role for specific gut bacteria to increase serotonin availability in the neonatal gut and identified a function of gut serotonin in shaping T cell response to dietary antigens and commensal bacteria to promote immune tolerance in early life.

Exploring the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Individuals with Alopecia Areata Disease.

In recent years, heightened attention has been devoted to unravelling the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors shaping the gut microbiota and its significance for human health. This study delves into exploring the plausible connection between Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune disease, and the dynamics of the gut microbiome. Examining a cohort of healthy adults and individuals with AA, both the gut microbiota composition and volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites from faeces and urine were analysed. While overall microbiota composition showed no significant differences, intra-individual variability revealed distinctions related to age, gender, and pathology status, with AA individuals exhibiting reduced species richness and evenness. Differential abundance analysis identified microbial biomarkers for AA, notably Firmicutes, Lachnospirales, and Blautia, while Coprococcus stood out for healthy individuals. The Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent Components (DIABLO) method further supported these findings including metabolite biomarkers, such as esters of branched chain fatty acids and branched chain amino acids as predictors for AA, suggesting potential links to oxidative stress. Despite certain limitations, the study highlights the complexity of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in the context of AA, while the biomarkers identified could be useful starting points for upcoming studies.

Antibiotics treatment promotes vasculogenesis in the brain of glioma-bearing mice

In recent years, several studies described the close relationship between the composition of gut microbiota and brain functions, highlighting the importance of gut-derived metabolites in mediating neuronal and glial cells cross-talk in physiological and pathological condition. Gut dysbiosis may affects cerebral tumors growth and progression, but the specific metabolites involved in this modulation have not been identified yet. Using a syngeneic mouse model of glioma, we have investigated the role of dysbiosis induced by the administration of non-absorbable antibiotics on mouse metabolome and on tumor microenvironment. We report that antibiotics treatment induced: (1) alteration of the gut and brain metabolome profiles; (2) modeling of tumor microenvironment toward a pro-angiogenic phenotype in which microglia and glioma cells are actively involved; (3) increased glioma stemness; (4) trans-differentiation of glioma cells into endothelial precursor cells, thus increasing vasculogenesis. We propose glycine as a metabolite that, in ABX-induced dysbiosis, shapes brain microenvironment and contributes to glioma growth and progression.

Gut metabolic changes during pregnancy reveal the importance of gastrointestinal region in sample collection.

Studies of gastrointestinal physiology and the gut microbiome often consider the influence of intestinal region on experimental endpoints. However, this same consideration is not often applied to the gut metabolome. Understanding the contribution of gut regionality may be critically important to the rapidly changing metabolic environments, such as during pregnancy. We sought to characterize the difference in the gut metabolome in pregnant mice stratified by region-comparing the small intestine, cecum, and feces. Pre-pregnancy feces were collected to understand the influence of pregnancy on the fecal metabolome. Feces were collected from CD-1 female mice before breeding. On gestation day (GD) 18, gut contents were collected from the small intestine, cecum, and descending colon. Metabolites were analyzed with LC-MS/MS using the Biocrates MetaboINDICATOR™ MxP® Quant 500 kit. Of the 104 small molecule metabolites meeting analysis criteria, we found that 84 (81%) were differentially abundant based on gut region. The most significant regional comparison observed was between the cecum and small intestines, with 52 (50%) differentially abundant metabolites. Pregnancy itself altered 41 (39.4%) fecal small molecule metabolites. The regional variation observed in the gut metabolome are likely due to the microbial and physiological differences between the different parts of the intestines. Additionally, pregnancy impacts the fecal metabolome, which may be due to evolving needs of both the dam and fetus.

Interindividual differences in aronia juice tolerability linked to gut microbiome and metabolome changes—secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled parallel intervention trial

BackgroundAronia melanocarpa is a berry rich in polyphenols known for health benefits. However, the bioavailability of polyphenols has been questioned, and the individual taste acceptance of the fruit with its specific flavor varies. We recently observed substantial differences in the tolerability of aronia juice among healthy females, with half of the individuals tolerating aronia juice without complaints. Given the importance of the gut microbiome in food digestion, we investigated in this secondary analysis of the randomized placebo-controlled parallel intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05432362) if aronia juice tolerability was associated with changes in intestinal microbiota and bacterial metabolites, seeking for potential mechanistic insights into the impact on aronia polyphenol tolerance and metabolic outcomes.ResultsForty females were enrolled for this 6-week trial, receiving either 100 ml natural aronia juice (verum, V) twice daily or a polyphenol-free placebo (P) with a similar nutritional profile, followed by a 6-week washout. Within V, individuals were categorized into those who tolerated the juice well (Vt) or reported complaints (Vc). The gut microbiome diversity, as analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing, remained unaltered in Vc but changed significantly in Vt. A MICOM-based flux balance analysis revealed pronounced differences in the 40 most predictive metabolites post-intervention. In Vc carbon-dioxide, ammonium and nine O-glycans were predicted due to a shift in microbial composition, while in Vt six bile acids were the most likely microbiota-derived metabolites. NMR metabolomics of plasma confirmed increased lipoprotein subclasses (LDL, VLDL) post-intervention, reverting after wash out. Stool samples maintained a stable metabolic profile.ConclusionIn linking aronia polyphenol tolerance to gut microbiota-derived metabolites, our study explores adaptive processes affecting lipoprotein profiles during high polyphenol ingestion in Vt and examines effects on mucosal gut health in response to intolerance to high polyphenol intake in Vc. Our results underpin the importance of individualized hormetic dosing for beneficial polyphenol effects, demonstrate dynamic gut microbiome responses to aronia juice, and emphasize personalized responses in polyphenol interventions.Graphical DsmAL-oYwbuhyB_vVwEdDjVideo

Payload‐free protein nanoparticles target inflamed colons to restore intestinal barrier integrity for effectively treating inflammatory bowel diseases

AbstractAnti‐inflammatory compounds, delivered as a payload to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by carriers, still cannot treat inflammatory bowel diseases without avoiding side effects. Here, we developed payload‐free protein nanoparticles (PNPs) that crossed GIT to retain in the colon and treat colitis by restoring intestinal barrier integrity by modulating gut microbiome and metabolome. Specifically, PNPs, orally administered to mice with acute colitis, reached the colon within three hours. Consequently, PNPs improve gut microbiota dysbiosis to reverse metabolism balance, suppressing the expression of tumor‐necrosis factor α and toll‐like receptor 4 that restores the intestinal barrier integrity. PNPs then ameliorated colon inflammation and attenuated gut microbiota dysbiosis by exerting probiotic effects on gut microbiota, treating colitis in a week more effectively than the clinically often used 5‐aminosalicylic acid without causing undesired side effects. Such PNPs represent safe, sustainable, and cost‐effective therapeutics for treating inflammatory and metabolic diseases by eliminating microbial and metabolomic imbalance.

Imbalances in the gut microbiota and metabolome are associated with functional constipation in pregnancy

Functional constipation in pregnancy (FCP) is a common gastrointestinal disorder unique to pregnant women. The gut microbiota supports gastrointestinal function and maintains immune homeostasis, suggesting gut microbiota can become the target for FCP prevention and treatment. However, it remains unclear whether and how the gut microbiota and its correlated metabolites change for FCP. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of FCP and provide a reference for the selection of probiotics in further clinical trials. We comprehensively profiled the gut microbiota, Bifdobacterium and Bacteroides communities via high throughput sequencing, and faecal metabolome based on untarged metabolomics and targeted metabolomics of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in 100 patients with FCP and 100 matched pregnant controls. We found that gut dysbiosis occurs in FCP patients, characterised by a reduced abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria (e.g., Faecaliberium) and the enrichment of several opportunistic bacteria (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella), which were highly correlated with the clinical indicators of FCP. Furthermore, a reduced abundance of anti-inflammatory metabolites was seen, particularly arachidonic acid (AA) and butyric acid. We observed a complex co-occurrence between FCP-associated microorganisms and discriminative metabolites in an integrated network, with AA and Ruminococcaceae UCG-002 being identified as the main contributors. Collectively, imbalances in the gut microbiota and metabolome are associated with functional constipation in pregnancy. These findings provide a greater understanding of the pathogenesis and targets for probiotic interventions in FCP.

Effects of mixed extract from two tropical plants on gut microbiome and metabolome in piglets.

In this study, we performed a quantitative analysis of 12 compounds derived from Piper sarmentosum extract (PSE) and guava leaf extract(GE). In addition, we investigated the effects of mixed extract (ME) of PSE and GE (1:1) on piglets' gut microbiome and metabolome. A total of 200 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large Yorkshire, 21-day-old) were randomly assigned into two groups with five replicates of 20 piglets/pen having the same initial body weight. Piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with ME at 0 (T0) or 200 mg/kg (T1) for 3 weeks. The quantitation results by ultraperformance liquid chromatography linked to triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry showed that vitexin 2-O-rhamnoside and pellitorine were the greatest abundant among six compounds detected in the PSE. In addition, quercetin, isoquercitrinand avicularin were found to be the richest of all detected compounds in the GE. Findings on experimental animals indicated that three differential metabolites, comprising L-alanine, sarcosineand dihydrofolic acid, in T1 compared with T0 groups, have exactly opposite levels trends in serum and faeces. Moreover, two metabolic pathways (i.e., urea cycle and glutamate metabolism) differed significantly in the serum and faeces of piglets between T0 and T1 (p < 0.05). At the same time, T1 had significantly higher relative abundances of Agathobacter and Alloprevotella than T0 at genus level (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the genus Agathobacter correlated positively with carbamoyl phosphate (p < 0.01) and oxoglutaric acid (p < 0.05), and negatively with succinic acid (p < 0.01) and ornithine (p < 0.05). These four differential metabolites were also involved in the urea cycle and/or glutamate metabolism pathways. The results here indicated that the tested plant extract mixture represents a worthy feed additive with obvious antioxidative properties.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Modulation by High-Hydrostatic-Pressure-Processed Tomato Juice.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is a non-thermal pasteurization technology for the enhancement of food products' safety and quality. The components of tomato juice can be affected by HHP processing. Little is known about the effects of HHP-processed tomato juice on the gut microbiome and metabolism. Here, we performed high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics profiling to determine the critical differences in gut microbiota structure and metabolic profiles in mice administered with HHP-processed tomato juice. Tomato juice administration significantly increased the gut bacterial alpha diversity and the relative abundance of Bacteroides. The mice administered with HHP-processed tomato juice were characterized by the enrichment of Bacteroidetes, Alistieps, and Faecalibaculum compared with those administered with HTST-processed tomato juice. Moreover, HHP-processed tomato juice promoted SCFA levels, which were positively correlated with the enriched Alistieps. Our results show that HHP-processed tomato juice may drive healthy gut microbes and metabolites.