Diversity Of Gut Microbiota Research Articles

Structural characteristics of gut microbiota in longevity from Changshou town, Hubei, China

The gut microbiota (GM) and its potential functions play a crucial role in maintaining host health and longevity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between GM and longevity. We collected fecal samples from 92 healthy volunteers (middle-aged and elderly: 43–79 years old; longevity: ≥ 90 years old) from Changshou Town, Zhongxiang City, Hubei, China. In addition, we collected samples from 30 healthy middle-aged and elderly controls (aged 51–70 years) from Wuhan, Hubei. The 16S rDNA V3 + V4 region of the fecal samples was sequenced using high-throughput sequencing technology. Diversity analysis results showed that the elderly group with longevity and the elderly group with low body mass index (BMI) exhibited higher α diversity. However, no significant difference was observed in β diversity. The results of the microbiome composition indicate that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota are the core phyla in all groups. Compared to younger elderly individuals, Akkermansia and Lactobacillus are significantly enriched in the long-lived elderly group, while Megamonas is significantly reduced. In addition, a high abundance of Akkermansia is a significant characteristic of elderly populations with low BMI values. Furthermore, the functional prediction results showed that the elderly longevity group had higher abilities in short-chain fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and xenobiotic biodegradation. Taken together, our study provides characteristic information on GM in the long-lived elderly population in Changshou Town. This study can serve as a valuable addition to the current research on age-related GM.Key points• The gut microbiota of elderly individuals with longevity and low BMI exhibit higher alpha diversity• Gut microbiota diversity did not differ significantly between genders in the elderly population• Several potentially beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia and Lactobacillus) are enriched in long-lived individuals

Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Investigation of the Impact of Probiotic Consumption on Gut Microbiota Diversity and the Faecal Metabolome in Seniors.

Aging has been associated with a changed composition and function of the gut microbiota (GM). Here, we investigate the effects of the multi-strain probiotic HOWARU® Restore on GM composition and function in seniors. Ninety-eight healthy adult volunteers aged ≥75 years were enrolled in a randomised, double-blinded intervention (NCT02207140), where they received HOWARU Restore (1010 CFU) or the placebo daily for 24 weeks, with 45 volunteers from each group completing the intervention. Questionnaires monitoring the effects on gastro-intestinal discomfort and bowel movements were collected. Faecal samples for GM characterisation (qPCR, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) and metabolomics (GC-FID, 1H NMR) were collected at the baseline and after 24 weeks. In the probiotic group, self-reported gastro-intestinal discomfort in the form of flatulence was significantly decreased during the intervention. At the baseline, 151 'core species' (present in ≥95% of samples) were identified. Most core species belonged to the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families. Neither alpha diversity nor beta diversity or faecal metabolites was affected by probiotic intake. On the contrary, we observed high intra-individual GM stability, with 'individual' accounting for 72-75% of variation. In conclusion, 24 weeks of HOWARU Restore intake reduced gastro-intestinal discomfort in the form of flatulence in healthy seniors without significantly influencing GM composition or activity.

In silico analysis of intestinal microbial instability and symptomatic markers in mice during the acute phase of severe burns

BackgroundSevere burns may alter the stability of the intestinal flora and affect the patient’s recovery process. Understanding the characteristics of the gut microbiota in the acute phase of burns and their association with phenotype can help to accurately assess the progression of the disease and identify potential microbiota markers.MethodsWe established mouse models of partial thickness deep III degree burns and collected faecal samples for 16 S rRNA amplification and high throughput sequencing at two time points in the acute phase for independent bioinformatic analysis.ResultsWe analysed the sequencing results using alpha diversity, beta diversity and machine learning methods. At both time points, 4 and 6 h after burning, the Firmicutes phylum content decreased and the content of the Bacteroidetes phylum content increased, showing a significant decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared to the control group. Nine bacterial genera changed significantly during the acute phase and occupied the top six positions in the Random Forest significance ranking. Clustering results also clearly showed that there was a clear boundary between the communities of burned and control mice. Functional analyses showed that during the acute phase of burn, gut bacteria increased lipoic acid metabolism, seleno-compound metabolism, TCA cycling, and carbon fixation, while decreasing galactose metabolism and triglyceride metabolism. Based on the abundance characteristics of the six significantly different bacterial genera, both the XGboost and Random Forest models were able to discriminate between the burn and control groups with 100% accuracy, while both the Random Forest and Support Vector Machine models were able to classify samples from the 4-hour and 6-hour burn groups with 86.7% accuracy.ConclusionsOur study shows an increase in gut microbiota diversity in the acute phase of deep burn injury, rather than a decrease as is commonly believed. Severe burns result in a severe imbalance of the gut flora, with a decrease in probiotics and an increase in microorganisms that trigger inflammation and cognitive deficits, and multiple pathways of metabolism and substance synthesis are affected. Simple machine learning model testing suggests several bacterial genera as potential biomarkers of severe burn phenotypes.

Comparative analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) corn and rice strains microbiota revealed minor changes across life cycle and strain endosymbiont association.

Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) is a pest that poses a significant threat to corn production worldwide, causing millions of dollars in losses. The species has evolved into two strains (corn and rice) that differ in their genetics, reproductive isolation, and resistance to insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins. The microbiota plays an important role in insects' physiology, nutrient acquisition, and response to chemical and biological controls. Several studies have been carried out on FAW microbiota from larvae guts using laboratory or field samples and a couple of studies have analyzed the corn strain microbiota across its life cycle. This investigation reveals the first comparison between corn strain (CS) and rice strain (RS) of FAW during different developmental insect stages and, more importantly, endosymbiont detection in both strains, highlighting the importance of studying both FAW populations and samples from different stages. The composition of microbiota during the life cycle of the FAW corn and rice strains was analyzed through high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using the MiSeq system. Additionally, culture-dependent techniques were used to isolate gut bacteria and the Transcribed Internal Spacer-ITS, 16S rRNA, and gyrB genes were examined to enhance bacterial identification. Richness, diversity, and bacterial composition changed significantly across the life cycle of FAW. Most diversity was observed in eggs and males. Differences in gut microbiota diversity between CS and RS were minor. However, Leuconostoc, A2, Klebsiella, Lachnoclostridium, Spiroplasma, and Mucispirilum were mainly associated with RS and Colidextribacter, Pelomonas, Weissella, and Arsenophonus to CS, suggesting that FAW strains differ in several genera according to the host plant. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla during FAW metamorphosis. Illeobacterium, Ralstonia, and Burkholderia exhibited similar abundancies in both strains. Enterococcus was identified as a conserved taxon across the entire FAW life cycle. Microbiota core communities mainly consisted of Enterococcus and Illeobacterium. A positive correlation was found between Spiroplasma with RS (sampled from eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) and Arsenophonus (sampled from eggs, larvae, and adults) with CS. Enterococcus mundtii was predominant in all developmental stages. Previous studies have suggested its importance in FAW response to B. thuringensis. Our results are relevant for the characterization of FAW corn and rice strains microbiota to develop new strategies for their control. Detection of Arsenophonus in CS and Spiroplasma in RS are promising for the improvement of this pest management, as these bacteria induce male killing and larvae fitness reduction in other Lepidoptera species.

Mulberry branch fiber improved lipid metabolism and egg yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens via the enterohepatic axis

BackgroundThe utilization of mulberry branch fiber (MF), the largest by-product of the sericulture industry, is an important issue. Supplementation with MF as a dietary fiber for poultry may serve as a useful application. However, little is known about the effects of MF on liver lipid metabolism and egg yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens and their underlying mechanisms. In this study, we performed a multi-omics investigation to explore the variations in liver lipid metabolism, egg yolk fatty acid composition, gut microbiota, and the associations among them induced by dietary MF in laying hens.ResultsDietary MF had no harmful effects on the laying performance or egg quality in laying hens. The enzyme activities associated with lipid metabolism in the liver were altered by the addition of 5% MF, resulting in reduced liver fat accumulation. Furthermore, dietary 5% MF induced the variation in the fatty acid profiles of egg yolk, and increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content. We observed a significant reduction in the diversity of both gut bacteria and changes in their compositions after the addition of MF. Dietary MF significantly increased the abundance of genes involved in fatty acid biodegradation, and short-chain fatty acids biosynthesis in the gut microbiota of laying hens. The significant correlations were observed between the liver lipid metabolism enzyme activities of hepatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase, and total esterase with gut microbiota, including negative correlations with gut microbiota diversity, and multiple correlations with gut bacteria and viruses. Moreover, various correlations between the contents of PUFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk with the gut microbiota were obtained. Based on partial-least-squares path modeling integrated with the multi-omics datasets, we deduced the direct effects of liver enzyme activities and gut bacterial compositions on liver fat content and the roles of liver enzyme activities and gut bacterial diversity on egg yolk fatty acid composition.ConclusionsThe results indicate that dietary MF is beneficial to laying hens as it reduces the liver fat and improves egg yolk fatty acid composition through the enterohepatic axis.CByDGCz_6LcoMs-GQqtpHGVideo Graphical

Pecan secondary metabolites influenced the population of Zeuzera coffeae by affecting the structure and function of the larval gut microbiota.

The plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), as important plant resistance indicators, are important targets for screening plant insect resistance breeding. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the population of Zeuzera coffeae (ZC) is affected by different varieties of Carya illinoinensis PSMs content. At the same time, the structure and function of the gut microbiome of ZC were also analyzed in relation to different pecan varieties. We counted the populations of ZC larvae in four pecan varieties and determined the content of four types of PSMs. The structure and function of the larval gut microbiota were studied in connection to the number of larvae and the content of PSMs. The relationships were investigated between larval number, larval gut microbiota, and PSM content. We found that the tannins, total phenolics, and total saponins of 4 various pecans PSMs stifled the development of the ZC larval population. The PSMs can significantly affect the diversity and abundance of the larval gut microbiota. Enrichment of ASV46 (Pararhizobium sp.), ASV994 (Olivibacter sp.), ASV743 (Rhizobium sp.), ASV709 (Rhizobium sp.), ASV671 (Luteolibacter sp.), ASV599 (Agrobacterium sp.), ASV575 (Microbacterium sp.), and ASV27 (Rhizobium sp.) in the gut of larvae fed on high-resistance cultivars was positively associated with their tannin, total saponin, and total phenolic content. The results of the gut microbiome functional prediction for larvae fed highly resistant pecan varieties showed that the enriched pathways in the gut were related to the breakdown of hazardous chemicals. Our findings provide further evidence that pecan PSMs influence the structure and function of the gut microbiota, which in turn affects the population stability of ZC. The study's findings can serve as a theoretical foundation for further work on selecting ZC-resistant cultivars and developing green management technology for ZC.

Co-occurrence patterns of gut microbiome, antibiotic resistome and the perturbation of dietary uptake in captive giant pandas

The microbiome is a key source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), significantly influenced by diet, which highlights the interconnectedness between diet, gut microbiome, and ARGs. Currently, our understanding is limited on the co-occurrence among gut microbiome, antibiotic resistome in the captive giant panda and the perturbation of dietary uptake, especially for the composition and forms in dietary nutrition. Here, a qPCR array with 384 primer sets and 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing were used to characterize the antibiotic resistome and microbiomes in panda feces, dietary bamboo, and soil around the habitat. Diet nutrients containing organic and mineral substances in soluble and insoluble forms were also quantified. Organic and mineral components in water-unextractable fractions were 7.5 to 139 and 637 to 8695 times higher than those in water-extractable portions in bamboo and feces, respectively, while the latter contributed more to the variation (67.5 %) of gut microbiota. Streptococcus, Prevotellaceae, and Bacteroides were the dominant genera in giant pandas. The ARG patterns in panda guts showed higher diversity in old individuals but higher abundance in young ones, driven directly by the bacterial community change and mobile genetic element mediation and indirectly by dietary intervention. Our results suggest that dietary nutrition mainly accounts for the shift of gut microbiota, while bacterial community and mobile genetic elements influenced the variation of gut antibiotic resistome.

Preventive Effect of the Total Polyphenols from Nymphaea candida on Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice via Gut Microbiota and NLRP3, TLR-4/NF-κB Pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of the total polyphenols from Nymphaea candida (NCTP) on LPS-induced septic acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and its mechanisms. NCTP could significantly ameliorate LPS-induced lung tissue pathological injury in mice as well as lung wet/dry ratio and MPO activities (p < 0.05). NCTP could significantly decrease the blood leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, basophil, and eosinophil amounts and LPS contents in ALI mice compared with the model group (p < 0.05), improving lymphocyte amounts (p < 0.05). Moreover, compared with the model group, NCTP could decrease lung tissue TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels (p < 0.05) and downregulate the protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, IKKβ, IκB-α, p-IκB-α, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase1 in lung tissues (p < 0.05). Furthermore, NCTP could inhibit ileum histopathological injuries, restoring the ileum tight junctions by increasing the expression of ZO-1 and occludin. Simultaneously, NCTP could reverse the gut microbiota disorder, restore the diversity of gut microbiota, increase the relative abundance of Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae, and enhance the content of SCFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) in feces. These results suggested that NCTP has preventive effects on septic ALI, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of gut microbiota, SCFA metabolism, and the TLR-4/NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways.

Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin Gallate Protects Against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Endotoxemia in Rats via Modulating Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Alleviating Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction and Related Inflammation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by fat accumulation and inflammation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been proven to be effective against NAFLD, but its hepatoprotective mechanisms based on the "gut microbiota-barrier-liver axis" are still not fully understood. Herein, the results demonstrated that EGCG effectively ameliorated NAFLD phenotypes and metabolic disorders in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and inhibited intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation, which is also supported in the experiment of Caco-2 cells. Moreover, EGCG could restore gut microbiota diversity and composition, particularly promoting beneficial microbes, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producers, such as Lactobacillus, and suppressing Gram-negative bacteria, such as Desulfovibrio. The microbial modulation raised SCFA levels, decreased lipopolysaccharide levels, inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and strengthened intestinal barrier function via Nrf2 pathway activation, thereby alleviating liver steatosis and inflammation. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that 24 key OTUs, negatively or positively associated with NAFLD and metabolic disorders, were also reshaped by EGCG. Our results suggested that a combinative improvement of EGCG on gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and inflammation might be a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD.

Current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common off-target adverse effects caused by various chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, vincristine and bortezomib. CIPN is characterized by a substantial loss of primary afferent sensory axonal fibers leading to sensory disturbances in patients. An estimated of 19-85% of patients developed CIPN during the course of chemotherapy. The lack of preventive measures and limited treatment options often require a dose reduction or even early termination of life-saving chemotherapy, impacting treatment efficacy and patient survival. In this Review, we summarized the current understanding on the pathogenesis of CIPN. One prominent change induced by chemotherapeutic agents involves the disruption of neuronal cytoskeletal architecture and axonal transport dynamics largely influenced by the interference of microtubule stability in peripheral neurons. Due to an ineffective blood-nerve barrier in our peripheral nervous system, exposure to some chemotherapeutic agents causes mitochondrial swelling in peripheral nerves, which lead to the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and cytochrome c release resulting in degeneration of primary afferent sensory fibers. The exacerbated nociceptive signaling and pain transmission in CIPN patients is often linked the increased neuronal excitability largely due to the elevated expression of various ion channels in the dorsal root ganglion neurons. Another important contributing factor of CIPN is the neuroinflammation caused by an increased infiltration of immune cells and production of inflammatory cytokines. In the central nervous system, chemotherapeutic agents also induce neuronal hyperexcitability in the spinal dorsal horn and anterior cingulate cortex leading to the development of central sensitization that causes CIPN. Emerging evidence suggests that the change in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota (dysbiosis) could have direct impact on the development and progression of CIPN. Collectively, all these aspects contribute to the pathogenesis of CIPN. Recent advances in RNA-sequencing offer solid platform for in silico drug screening which enable the identification of novel therapeutic agents or repurpose existing drugs to alleviate CIPN, holding immense promises for enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy and improve their overall treatment outcomes.

Exploration of the impact of dysbiosis in the gut microbiota on microbial composition in children’s neurodevelopment

Objective To investigate the impact of gut microbiota dysbiosis on neurodevelopment in children. Methods This study included 338 children aged 0-3 years admitted to our hospital from January to December 2022, The children were divided into a normal neurodevelopment group (169 cases) and a poor neurodevelopment group (169 cases). Basic personal information and clinical data were collected through a detailed questionnaire, and the microbial composition in fecal samples was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results Children in the poor neurodevelopment group showed a significant decrease in gut microbiota diversity compared to those in the normal neurodevelopment group (Shannon index, p < 0.05). The abundance of Bifidobacterium and Veillonella genera significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Streptococcus genus increased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion There is an association between gut microbiota dysbiosis and poor neurodevelopment in children. The increased abundance of Streptococcus genus and decreased abundance of Bifidobacterium and Veillonella genera in the gut microbiota may be potential risk factors for poor neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Future research should further explore the potential beneficial effects of gut microbiota modulation on neurodevelopment in children.

Postbiotic properties of exopolysaccharide produced by Levilactobacillus brevis M-10 isolated from natural fermented sour porridge through in vitro simulated digestion and fermentation.

The simulated digestion and fermentation characteristics in vitro of exopolysaccharide (EPS) of Levilactobacillus brevis M-10 were studied to evaluate its postbiotic properties. The simulated digestion results showed that EPS could not be degraded in saliva but could be very slightly degraded in gastric juice and could be degraded in intestinal juice. The results of simulated fermentation demonstrated that EPS could lower the intestine pH and be utilized by gut microbes to produce short-chain fatty acids such as propionic acid and butyric acid. Meanwhile, EPS significantly raised the diversity of human gut microbiota, and the relative abundances of Phascolarctobacterium were significantly increased, whereas Fusobacterium and Morganella significantly decreased. In conclusion, EPS from L. brevis M-10 was a good postbiotic as inulin. This was the first report about EPS as the postbiotic of L. brevis M-10 screened from broomcorn millet sour porridge in northwestern Shanxi Province, China.

Notch Signaling Inhibition Alleviates Allergies Caused by Antarctic Krill Tropomyosin through Improving Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Modulating Gut Microbiota.

Antarctic krill tropomyosin (AkTM) has been shown in mice to cause IgE-mediated food allergy. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in AkTM-sensitized mice, as well as to determine the changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the allergic mice. An AkTM-induced food allergy mouse model was built and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) was used as an γ-secretase inhibitor to inhibit the activation of Notch signaling. Food allergy indices, some key transcription factors, histologic alterations in the small intestine, and changes in gut microbiota composition were examined. The results showed that DAPT inhibited Notch signaling, which reduced AkTM-specific IgE, suppressed mast cell degranulation, decreased IL-4 but increased IFN-γ production, and alleviated allergic symptoms. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that expressions of Hes-1, Gata3, and IL-4 were down-regulated after DAPT treatment, accompanied by increases in T-bet and IFN-γ, indicating that Notch signaling was active in AkTM-sensitized mice and blocking it could reverse the Th1/Th2 imbalance. Expressions of key transcription factors revealed that Notch signaling could promote Th2 cell differentiation in sensitized mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that AkTM could alter the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in mice, leading to increases in inflammation-inducing bacteria such as Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella. Correlation analysis indicated that reduced SCFA concentrations in AkTM-allergic mice may be related to decreases in certain SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Clostridia_UCG-014. The changes in gut microbiota and SCFAs could be partially restored by DAPT treatment. Our findings showed that inhibiting Notch signaling could alleviate AkTM-induced food allergy by correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance and modulating the gut microbiota.

Effect of aerobic exercise and particulate matter exposure duration on the diversity of gut microbiota

ABSTRACT Inhalation of ambient particulate matter (PM) can disrupt the gut microbiome, while exercise independently influences the gut microbiome by promoting beneficial bacteria. In this study, we analyzed changes in gut microbial diversity and composition in response to combined interventions of PM exposure and aerobic exercise, extending up to 12 weeks. This investigation was conducted using mice, categorized into five groups: control group (Con), exercise group (EXE), exercise group followed by 3-day exposure to PM (EXE + 3-day PM), particulate matter exposure (PM), and PM exposure with concurrent treadmill exercise (PME). Notably, the PM group exhibited markedly lower alpha diversity and richness compared to the Con group and our analysis of beta diversity revealed significant variations among the intervention groups. Members of the Lachnospiraceae family showed significant enhancement in the exercise intervention groups (EXE and PME) compared to the Con and PM groups. The biomarker Lactobacillus, Coriobacteraceae, and Anaerofustis were enriched in the EXE group, while Desulfovibrionaceae, Mucispirillum schaedleri, Lactococcus and Anaeroplasma were highly enriched in the PM group. Differential abundance analysis revealed that Paraprevotella, Bacteroides, and Blautia were less abundant in the 12-week PM exposure group than in the 3-day PM exposure group. Moreover, both the 3-day and 12-week PM exposure groups exhibited a reduced relative abundance of Bacteroides uniformis, SMB53, and Staphylococcus compared to non-PM exposure groups. These findings will help delineate the possible roles and associations of altered microbiota resulting from the studied interventions, paving the way for future mechanistic research.

Production of Toxins by the Gut Microbiota: The Role of Dietary Protein.

This narrative review will discuss how the intake of specific protein sources (animal and vegetable) providing specific amino acids can modulate the gut microbiota composition and generate toxins. A better understanding of these interactions could lead to more appropriate dietary recommendations to improve gut health and mitigate the risk of complications promoted by the toxic metabolites formed by the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota is vital in maintaining human health by influencing immune function and key metabolic pathways. Under unfavorable conditions, the gut microbiota can produce excess toxins, which contribute to inflammation and the breakdown of the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Genetic and environmental factors influence gut microbiota diversity, with diet playing a crucial role. Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota significantly metabolizes amino acids from dietary proteins, producing various metabolites with beneficial and harmful effects. Amino acids such as choline, betaine, l-carnitine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan can increase the production of uremic toxins when metabolized by intestinal bacteria. The type of food source that provides these amino acids affects the production of toxins. Plant-based diets and dietary fiber are associated with lower toxin formation than animal-based diets due to the high amino acid precursors in animal proteins.

The effect of multiple sclerosis therapy on gut microbiota dysbiosis: a longitudinal prospective study

Abstract Gut microbiota has complex immune functions, related to different pathologies, including multiple sclerosis (MS).This study evaluated the influence of treatments on gut microbiota in people with MS (PwMS). The research comprised 60 participants, including 39 PwMS and 21 healthy controls (HC). Among the PwMS, 20 were prescribed a disease-modifying therapy (DMT), either interferon beta1a or teriflunomide, while 19 received a combination of classical DMT and an immunoglobulin Y (IgY) supplement. For each participant, two sets of gut samples were collected: one at the study's outset and another after two months. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed no significant differences between groups. In comparison to the HC, the MS group exhibited an increase in Prevotella stercorea and a decrease in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Following treatment, individuals with MS showed enrichment in Lachnospiraceae and Streptococcus. The second sample, compared to the first one, demonstrated an increase in Bifidobacterium angulatum and a decrease in Oscillospira for individuals with MS. Gut microbiota diversity in PwMS is not significantly different to HC. However, specific taxonomic changes indicate the presence of a dysbiosis state. The use of DMTs and immunoglobulin Y supplements may contribute to alterations in microbial composition, potentially leading to the restoration of a healthier microbiome.

Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The equilibrium between gut microbiota (GM) and the host plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, influencing various physiological and metabolic functions. Emerging research suggests that exercise modulates the abundance and functionality of gut bacteria, yet the comprehensive effects on GM diversity remain to be synthesized. The study aims to quantitatively examine the effect of exercise on the diversity of gut microbiota of adults using a systemic review and meta-analysis approach. PubMed, Ebsco, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched from their inception to September 2023. Exercise intervention studies with a control group that describe and compare the composition of GM in adults, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 1044 participants. Based on a fixed-effects model [Chi2 = 29.40, df = 20 (p = 0.08); I2 = 32%], the pooled analysis showed that compared with the control group, exercise intervention can significantly increase the alpha diversity of adult GM, using the Shannon index as an example [WMD = 0.05, 95% CI (0.00, 0.09); Z = 1.99 (p = 0.05)]. In addition, exercise interventions were found to significantly alter GM, notably decreasing Bacteroidetes and increasing Firmicutes, indicating a shift in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The subgroup analysis indicates that females and older adults appear to exhibit more significant changes in the Shannon Index and observed OTUs. Exercise may be a promising way to improve GM in adults. In particular, the Shannon index was significantly increased after exercise. Distinct responses in GM diversity to exercise interventions based on gender and age implicated that more research was needed.

Exploring of gut microbiota features in dyslipidemia and chronic coronary syndrome patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) has a high mortality rate, and dyslipidemia is a major risk factor. Atherosclerosis, a cause of CCS, is influenced by gut microbiota dysbiosis and its metabolites. The objective of this study was to study the diversity and composition of gut microbiota and related clinical parameters among CCS patients undergoing coronary angiography and dyslipidemia patients in comparison to healthy volunteers in Thailand. CCS patients had more risk factors and higher inflammatory markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) than others. The alpha diversity was lower in dyslipidemia and CCS patients than in the healthy group. A significant difference in the composition of gut microbiota was observed among the three groups. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Prevotella, and Streptococcus was significantly increased while Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Faecalibacterium were lower in CCS patients. In CCS patients, Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Pediococcus were positively correlated with hs-CRP. In dyslipidemia patients, Megasphaera was strongly positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) level and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The modification of gut microbiota was associated with changes in clinical parameters involved in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in CCS patients.

Role of the gut microbiota in complications after ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious central nervous system disease. Post-IS complications, such as post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), post-stroke depression (PSD), hemorrhagic transformation (HT), gastrointestinal dysfunction, cardiovascular events, and post-stroke infection (PSI), result in neurological deficits. The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) facilitates bidirectional signal transduction and communication between the intestines and the brain. Recent studies have reported alterations in gut microbiota diversity post-IS, suggesting the involvement of gut microbiota in post-IS complications through various mechanisms such as bacterial translocation, immune regulation, and production of gut bacterial metabolites, thereby affecting disease prognosis. In this review, to provide insights into the prevention and treatment of post-IS complications and improvement of the long-term prognosis of IS, we summarize the interaction between the gut microbiota and IS, along with the effects of the gut microbiota on post-IS complications.

Penicillium-Infected Apples Benefit Larval Development of Conogethes punctiferalis via Alterations of Their Gut Bacteria Community and Gene Expression.

Pathogenic microorganisms can impact the behavior and physiology of herbivores by direct or indirect means. This study demonstrated that yellow peach moth Conogethes punctiferalis larvae feeding on Penicillium-infected apples exhibited significantly longer body length and weight parameters compared to the control group. The sequencing of gut 16S rRNA showed a significant increase in the diversity and abundance of bacteria in the larvae feeding on Penicillium-infected apples. Additionally, transcriptomic sequencing of the larval gut indicated significant upregulation of genes related to digestion and cuticle formation after consuming Penicillium-infected apples. Furthermore, enzyme activity assays revealed notable changes in the trypsin and lipase activity. Consequently, these alterations in gut microbiota structure, diversity, and gene expression levels may underlie the observed growth and developmental variations in C. punctiferalis larvae mediated by pathogenic microorganisms. This study holds theoretical significance for a deeper understanding of the tripartite interaction among microorganisms, insects, and plants as well as for the development of novel pest control measures based on gut microbiota.