Intestinal Diversity Research Articles

Turmeric as a Gut-Microbiota Modulator for Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors: An Updated Comprehensive Review

Turmeric is a medicinal herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components that can affect metabolic parameters via various pathways, including the gut-brain axis. Although positive effects of turmeric on health have been reported, findings are conflicting. Accordingly, the current review aimed to provide an overview of the biochemical and biological characteristics of turmeric and examine the impacts of turmeric on cardio-metabolic risk factors with a special focus on its abilities to modulate gut microbiota. In the present comprehensive review, findings of systematic reviews/narrative reviews, clinical trials, animal, and in vitro studies on turmeric in the English language published between 2010 and March 2023 were summarized. Findings revealed that turmeric is a safe medicinal herb with mild gastrointestinal side effects in some cases. It can help improve the glycemic status, lipid profile, and blood pressure. However, food processing and fermentation can affect the bioavailability of its effective components, including curcumin. Several mechanisms, including those affecting intestinal microbiota diversity, intestinal permeability, inflammatory and oxidative pathways, are proposed for their positive effects on metabolic factors. However, due to high between-study heterogeneity, limited high-quality clinical trials, differences in the duration of the intervention, and the form of turmeric supplement, more studies on each metabolic parameter are needed to determine effective dosages and confirm its efficacy as a complementary therapy to modulate microbiota and cardio-metabolic parameters.

Integrative Analysis of the Microbiome and Metabolome of Broiler Intestine: Insights into the Mechanisms of Probiotic Action as an Antibiotic Substitute.

Antibiotic substitutes have become a research focus due to restrictions on antibiotic usage. Among the antibiotic substitutes on the market, probiotics have been extensively researched and used. However, the mechanism by which probiotics replace antibiotics remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate this mechanism by comparing the effects of probiotics and antibiotics on broiler growth performance and intestinal microbiota composition. Results shown that both probiotics and antibiotics increased daily weight gain and reduced feed conversion rate in broilers. Analysis of ileum and cecum microorganisms via 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that both interventions decreased intestinal microbial diversity. Moreover, the abundance of Bacteroides increased in the mature ileum, while that of Erysipelatoclostridium decreased in the cecum in response to both probiotics and antibiotics. The main metabolites of probiotics and antibiotics in the intestine were found to be organic acids, amino acids, and sugars, which might play comparable roles in growth performance. Furthermore, disaccharides and trisaccharides may be essential components in the ileum that enable probiotics to replace antibiotics. These findings provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying the use of probiotics as antibiotic substitutes in broiler breeding.

Common dietary emulsifiers promote metabolic disorders and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice

Dietary emulsifiers are linked to various diseases. The recent discovery of the role of gut microbiota–host interactions on health and disease warrants the safety reassessment of dietary emulsifiers through the lens of gut microbiota. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and mono- and diglycerides (MDG) emulsifiers are common dietary emulsifiers with high exposure levels in the population. This study demonstrates that sucrose fatty acid esters and carboxymethylcellulose induce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in a mouse model. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, and CMC disrupt glucose homeostasis in the in vitro insulin-resistance model. MDG impairs circulating lipid and glucose metabolism. All emulsifiers change the intestinal microbiota diversity and induce gut microbiota dysbiosis. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, and CMC do not impact mucus–bacterial interactions, whereas MDG tends to cause bacterial encroachment into the inner mucus layer and enhance inflammation potential by raising circulating lipopolysaccharide. Our findings demonstrate the safety concerns associated with using dietary emulsifiers, suggesting that they could lead to metabolic syndromes.

Rice-fish symbiosis improves the muscle nutrition and intestinal flora diversity of tilapia

Rice-fish symbiosis is an ecological farming model that can improve fish’s muscle nutrient profile and intestinal flora. We investigated the effect of rice-fish symbiosis on tilapia’s intestinal flora and muscle nutrients. We used 16S rDNA technology to analyze the intestinal flora of tilapia in pond culture and rice-fish symbiosis. Furthermore, spearman correlation analysis was performed on tilapia intestinal flora and muscle nutrients. The results showed that the contents of Valine, Phenylalanine, and Docosahexaenoic acid were significantly higher in the rice-fish symbiosis than those in the pond culture (p<0.05). Intestinal flora analysis showed that the diversity in rice-fish symbiosis was significantly higher than in pond culture (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the abundance of Brevundimonas, Pseudomonas, and Ralstonia in rice-fish symbiosis was significantly higher than those in pond culture (p<0.05), but Pirellulaceae unclassified and Cyanobium_PCC-6307 were opposite. The number of 8 predictive functional tilapia genes in the rice-fish symbiosis was higher than in the pond culture. Correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Ralstonia was positively correlated with the contents of Valine, Phenylalanine, and Docosahexaenoic acid, respectively. Our study shows that the rice-fish symbiosis could improve muscle nutrient profile and intestinal flora diversity in tilapia. This study will help to improve the rice-fish symbiosis model and provide a scientific basis for ecological aquaculture and healthy fish production.

Matrine Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis by Suppressing Inflammation, Modulating Oxidative Stress and Remodeling the Gut Microbiota.

Matrine (MT) possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antioxidative properties. However, the impact and underlying mechanisms of matrine on colitis are unclear. The purpose of this research was to examine the protective impact and regulatory mechanism of matrine on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. MT alleviated DSS-induced UC by inhibiting weight loss, relieving colon shortening and reducing the disease activity index (DAI). Moreover, DSS-induced intestinal injury and the number of goblet cells were reversed by MT, as were alterations in the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in colon. Simultaneously, matrine not only effectively restored DSS-induced oxidative stress in colonic tissues but also reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, MT could treat colitis mice by regulating the regulatory T cell (Treg)/T helper 17 (Th17) cell imbalance. We observed further evidence that MT alleviated the decrease in intestinal flora diversity, reduced the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, decreased the proportion of Proteobacteria and increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia in colitis mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that MT may mitigate DSS-induced colitis by enhancing the colon barrier integrity, reducing the Treg/Th17 cell imbalance, inhibiting intestinal inflammation, modulating oxidative stress and regulating the gut microbiota. These findings provide strong evidence for the development and application of MT as a dietary treatment for UC.

Day and Night Reversed Feeding Aggravates High-Fat Diet-Induced Abnormalities in Intestinal Flora and Lipid Metabolism in Adipose Tissue of Mice

BackgroundThe incongruity between dietary patterns and the circadian clock poses an elevated risk for metabolic health issues, particularly obesity and associated metabolic disorders. The intestinal microflora engages in regulating various physiological functions of the host through its metabolites. ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the impact of reversed feeding schedules during the day and night on intestinal flora and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. MethodsMice aged 8–10 wk were subjected to either daytime or nighttime feeding and were administered a control or high-fat diet for 18 wk. At the end of the experiment, various assessments were conducted, including analysis of serum biochemic indices, histologic examination, evaluation of gene and protein expression in adipose tissue, and scrutiny of changes in intestinal microbial composition. ResultsThe results showed that day-night reversed feeding caused an increase in fasting blood glucose and exacerbated the high-fat diet-induced weight gain and lipid abnormalities. The mRNA expression levels of Leptin and Dgat1 were increased by day-night reversed feeding, which also reduced the expression level of adiponectin under the high-fat diet. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the protein concentrations of PPARγ, SREBP1c, and CD36. Inverted feeding schedules led to a reduction in intestinal microbial diversity, an increase in the abundance of inflammation-related bacteria, such as Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002, and a suppression of beneficial bacteria, including Akkermansia, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Anaeroplasma, Bifidobacterium, Carnobacterium, and Odoribacter. Acinetobacter exhibited a significant negative correlation with Leptin and Fasn, suggesting potential involvement in the regulation of lipid metabolism. ConclusionsThe results elucidated the abnormalities of lipid metabolism and intestinal flora caused by day-night reversed feeding, which exacerbates the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on lipid metabolism and intestinal microflora. This reversal in feeding patterns may disrupt both intestinal and lipid metabolism homeostasis by altering the composition and abundance of intestinal microflora in mice.

Intestinal microbiota diversity from broilers with runting and stunting syndrome performed by metagenomics

ABSTRACT Runting and stunting syndrome (RSS) is an enteric viral disease in commercial poultry that directly affects gut health; however, its influence on gut microbiota remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the compositional changes in the bacterial community of the ileum of 7-day-old broiler chicks naturally affected or not affected by RSS, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Twenty-one samples were obtained from the ileal contents and mucosa of 11 chicks with RSS and 10 healthy chicks, raised in a dark house system located on a farm in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results revealed overall changes in the gut microbiota of the chicks with RSS, including a decrease in microbial richness and diversity. In particular, there was a decrease in Lactobacillus and an increase in Candidatus Arthromitus and Clostridium sensu stricto 1. These results indicate a relationship between viral infection and the gut microbial composition, which can cause gut dysbiosis and may influence inflammation in this organ. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RSS causes dysbiosis of the gut microbiota of the ilea of chicks. A difference was found in gut microbiota between chicks with or without RSS. Candidatus Arthromitus was predominant in chicks with RSS. Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was strictly associated with chicks with RSS.

Cilostazol Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis and Intestinal Disorders in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world, which begins with liver lipid accumulation and is associated with metabolic syndrome. Also, the name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We performed focused drug screening and found that Cilostazol effectively ameliorated hepatic steatosis and might offer potential for NAFLD treatment. Our aim was to investigate the therapeutic effects of Cilostazol on the glycolipid metabolism and intestinal flora in NAFLD mice and explore the specific mechanism. In this study, 7-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce NAFLD, and then treated with intragastric administration for 12 weeks. The results showed that Cilostazol inhibited liver lipid de novo synthesis by regulating the AMPK-ACC1/SCD1 pathway and inhibited liver gluconeogenesis by the AMPK-PGC1α-G6P/PEPCK pathway. Cilostazol improved the intestinal flora diversity and intestinal microbial composition in the NAFLD mice, and specifically regulated Desulfovibrio and Akkermansia. In addition, Cilostazol increased the level of short-chain fatty acids in the NAFLD mice to a level similar to that in the blank Control group. Cilostazol reduces liver lipid accumulation in NAFLD mice by improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and intestinal dysfunction, thereby achieving the purpose of treating NAFLD.

Characterization of the intestinal microbiota in MSM with HIV infection

BackgroundHIV-infected persons demonstrate notable disturbances in their intestinal microbiota; however, the impact of intestinal microbiota on HIV susceptibility in men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as the effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on their gut microbiota, remains under active study. Thus, our research focuses on clarifying the distinctions in intestinal microbiota composition among uninfected MSM and non-MSM healthy controls, investigating the alterations in early-stage intestinal microbial communities following HIV infection, and assessing how ART affects the intestinal microbiota.MethodsThis study enrolled four participant groups: uninfected MSM, Recent HIV-1 infection (RHI) MSM, MSM on ART, and non-MSM healthy controls, with 30 individuals in each group. We utilized 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) amplicon sequencing to analyze fecal microbiota and employed Luminex multiplex assays to measure plasma markers for microbial translocation (LBP, sCD14) and the inflammatory marker CRP.FindingsComparing uninfected MSM to non-MSM healthy controls, no substantial variances were observed in α and β diversity. Uninfected MSM had higher average relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and Alloprevotella, while Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and Faecalibacterium had lower average relative abundances. MSM on ART had lower intestinal microbiota diversity than RHI MSM and uninfected MSM. In MSM on ART, Megasphaera and Fusobacterium increased, while Faecalibacterium and Roseburia decreased at genus level. Additionally, treatment with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) led to significant alterations in intestinal microbiota diversity and composition compared to RHI MSM. The random forest model showed that HIV infection biomarkers effectively distinguished between newly diagnosed HIV-infected MSM and HIV-negative MSM, with an ROC AUC of 76.24% (95% CI: 61.17-91.31%).ConclusionsMSM showed early intestinal microbiota imbalances after new HIV infection. MSM on ART experienced worsened dysbiosis, indicating a combined effect of HIV and ART. NNRTI-based treatment notably changed intestinal microbiota, suggesting a potential direct impact of NNRTI drugs on intestinal microbiota.

Effects of short-term exposure to Pomacea canaliculata secretions on Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Propsilocerus akamusi: A study based on behavior, intestinal microbiota, and antioxidant system.

Pomacea canaliculata is one of the most notorious invasive aquatic snail, capable of influencing various aquatic organisms through their secretions. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Propsilocerus akamusi are the most prevalent and powerful bioturbators in aquatic ecosystems. However, the mechanism of P. canaliculata's secretions affecting bioturbators remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of P. canaliculata's secretion on L. hoffmeisteri and P. akamusi. L. hoffmeisteri and P. akamusi were treated for 24 h with P. canaliculata and the native species Bellamya aeruginosa secretions at different densities (1 or 20). The migration numbers and aggregation rate of L. hoffmeisteri indicated that P. canaliculata secretion caused L. hoffmeisteri to become alert and migrate away from the nucleus community, resulting in poor population identification, especially at high concentrations. Moreover, the antioxidant enzymatic activity, lipid peroxidation, intestinal microbial diversity, and composition of the two bioturbators were analyzed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were elevated following P. canaliculata secretion treatment, indicating oxidative damage. Furthermore, the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota of L. hoffmeisteri and P. akamusi were changed. The abundance of functional microbiota decreased, and pathogenic bacteria such as Aeromonas became dominant in the intestines of both bioturbators. The current research evaluates the effects of P. canaliculata secretion on the behavior, oxidative stress, and intestinal microbial composition and diversity of two bioturbators, providing new insights into the assessment of post-invaded ecosystems.

Analyzing the impact of acupuncture in conjunction with a Quantum lipid-lowering device on hyperlipidemic rats: insights into adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling, blood lipids, and gut microbiota.

We explored the impact of acupuncture (ACUP) in conjunction with a quantum lipid-lowering device (Quantum) on the blood lipids and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats, focusing on the adenosine monophosphate- (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: Normal, Model, Acup + Quantum, Acup, and Quantum. Hyperlipidemic models were established in all groups except Normal. The Model group did not receive any intervention after modeling. The Acup + Quantum group received both treatments, the Acup group received only acupuncture, and the Quantum group received only the quantum lipid-lowering device. We used ELISA to measure serum lipid and liver enzyme levels, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for liver pathology, Western blot for protein expression, and 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze intestinal microbiota diversity in rats. Elisa results showed that compared with the model group, Acup + Quantum group could reduce the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) in rats with hyperlipidemia (P<0.01), and increase the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.01). HE staining results showed that compared with the model group, the hepatocytes of rats in the Acup + Quantum group looked round and full, the liver plates were arranged regularly and neatly, and there was no obvious abnormality in the liver sinusoids. Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, the Acup + Quantum group inhibited AMPK activation, increased P-AMPK/AMPK protein expression (P<0.05), and decreased phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylases (P-ACC/ACC), Sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1C (SREBP-1C), and FAS protein expression (P<0.05; P<0.01; P<0.01), which resulted in lipid-lowering effect. The results of intestinal flora showed that Acup + Quantum group improved the intestinal microbial microenvironment of hyperlipidemic rats by regulating the structure of intestinal microflora, increasing the abundance of Firmicutes flora, and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Acupuncture combined with quantum lipid-lowering device can improve the blood lipid and liver function levels and regulate the intestinal microbial microenvironment of hyperlipidemic rats. This therapeutic outcome is likely achieved through the activation of the AMPK pathway and the beneficial modulation of the intestinal microbiota of rats.

Fecal microbiota transplantation combined with anti-PD-(L)1 inhibitors as first-line maintenance therapy for advanced gastric and non small cell lung cancer.

2646 Background: Immunotherapy(IT) combined with chemotherapy has gradually emerged as the first-line(1L) standard treatment for most advanced tumors; however, numerous studies have demonstrated that chemo-immunotherapy can lead to a reduction in intestinal microbiota diversity, subsequently resulting in compromised immunity. So we assumed whether supplement gut microbiota through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and subsequent anti-PD-(L)1 inhibitor therapy as maintenance therapy could potentially prolong progression-free survival (PFS) in patients(pts) with advanced gastric and non small cell lung cancers (ChiCTR2100054928). Methods: This is a prospective, single-arm exploratory study. The key inclusion criteria encompassed pts with unresectable advanced gastric/gastroesophageal union carcinoma (GC) and advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who demonstrated partial response(PR) or stable disease (SD) after 1L therapy with ECOG scores ranged from 0 to 1.There were 2 FMT healthy donors, FMT was performed via nasoenteric tubes or oral capsules after 1L therapy, followed by maintenance therapy with anti-PD-(L)1 inhibitors until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression(PD). Results: From Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2023, a total of 17 pts were enrolled, including 9 GC and 8 NSCLC. 82% were male, and the median age was 68 years (range, 49-80). All pts achieved either a partial response (PR, n=7) or stable disease (SD, n=10) after 1L therapy and subsequently underwent FMT prior to commencing maintenance therapy. The intestinal microbiomes used for FMT with nasoenteric tubes were from the same donor (GC [n=3], NSCLC [n=5]), while those in the capsules were from a different donor (GC [n=6], NSCLC [n=3]). We defined the time from receiving 1L therapy to FMT as PFS0; and from the FMT to PD as PFS1. The sum of PFS0 and PFS1 represents the time from the start of 1L therapy to PD as PFS. Of the 17 recipients, 12 showed SD (GC [n=6], NSCLC [n=6]) and 5 showed PD (GC [n=3], NSCLC [n=2]). In the GC group, median follow-up was 8.8 months (interquartile range [IQR] 5.1-9.7), with unreached median PFS1 and a one-year PFS rate of 78%. For NSCLC, median follow-up was 8.0 months (IQR 4.2-12.2), with unreached median PFS1 and a one-year PFS rate of 67%. No statistically significant differences were observed in pts who underwent FMT using two distinct methods. 53% of pts reported improved quality of life (QoL). 5 pts (29%) experienced grade 1-2 FMT-related toxicities, primarily gastrointestinal reactions, including diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain, but no grade 3 or higher adverse events were identified. Conclusions: Administering FMT prior to 1L immune maintenance therapy in pts with advanced GC and NSCLC has the potential to prolong PFS, and demonstrate a favorable safety. However, these findings necessitate validation through larger-scale clinical trials. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2100054928.

Gut Microbial Diversity Reveals Differences in Pathogenicity between Metarhizium rileyi and Beauveria bassiana during the Early Stage of Infection in Spodoptera litura Larvae.

Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium rileyi are extensively utilized to investigate fungal pathogenic mechanisms and to develop biological control agents. Notwithstanding, notable distinctions exist in their pathogenicity against the same host insect. This study aimed to elucidate the pathogenic differences between M. rileyi and B. bassiana by examining the impact of various ratios of B. bassiana strain AJS91881 and M. rileyi strain SXBN200920 on fifth instar larvae of Spodoptera litura, focusing on early infection stages and intestinal microbial community structure. The lethal time 50 (LT50) for B. bassiana was significantly lower than that for M. rileyi, indicating greater efficacy. Survival analyses in mixed groups (ratios of 1:9, 1:1, and 9:1 M. rileyi to B. bassiana) consistently demonstrated higher virulence of B. bassiana. Intestinal microbial diversity analysis revealed a significant increase in Achromobacter and Pseudomonas in larvae infected with M. rileyi, whereas Weissella was notably higher in those infected with B. bassiana. Additionally, significant shifts in microbial genera abundances were observed across all mixed infection groups. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that M. rileyi and B. bassiana employ distinct pathogenic strategies during early infection stages. In vitro tests confirmed the superior growth and stress resistance of B. bassiana compared to M. rileyi, but the antifungal ability of M. rileyi was better than that of B. bassiana. In conclusion, our findings provide preliminary insights into the differential pathogenic behaviors of M. rileyi and B. bassiana during the early infection stages in S. litura larvae, enhancing our understanding of their mechanisms and informing biological pest control strategies in agriculture and forestry.

Effects of Scallop Mantle Toxin on Intestinal Microflora and Intestinal Barrier Function in Mice.

Previous studies have shown that feeding mice with food containing mantle tissue from Japanese scallops results in aggravated liver and kidney damage, ultimately resulting in mortality within weeks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of scallop mantle in China's coastal areas and explore the impact of scallop mantle toxins (SMT) on intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota in mice. The Illumina MiSeq sequencing of V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S ribosomal RNA was employed to study the alterations in gut microbiota in the feces of SMT mice. The results showed that intestinal flora abundance and diversity in the SMT group were decreased. Compared with the control group, significant increases were observed in serum indexes related to liver, intestine, inflammation, and kidney functions among SMT-exposed mice. Accompanied by varying degrees of tissue damage observed within these organs, the beneficial bacteria of Muribaculaceae and Marinifilaceae significantly reduced, while the harmful bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacter were significantly increased. Taken together, this article elucidates the inflammation and glucose metabolism disorder caused by scallop mantle toxin in mice from the angle of gut microbiota and metabolism. SMT can destroy the equilibrium of intestinal flora and damage the intestinal mucosal barrier, which leads to glucose metabolism disorder and intestinal dysfunction and may ultimately bring about systemic toxicity.

#695 Modulation of probiotics on intestinal flora and related short-chain fatty acids in patients with peritoneal dialysis

Abstract Background and Aims Probiotics may play a role in inflammation, nutritional status, kidney function and quality of life. However, few studies were performed to study the effects of probiotics on metabolites of intestinal flora in patients. Method We investigated the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 on intestinal flora and related short-chain fatty acids in end stage kidney disease patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (ChiCTR-TRC2016254). Fifty one patients on peritoneal dialysis underwent an intervention with the probiotic supplement (n = 36, PR group) or placebo (n = 15, PL group) for twelve weeks. In addition to collecting fecal samples for 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis, gastrointestinal symptom was also assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Moreover, PR group was divided into gastrointestinal symptom remission group (n = 30, GR group) and gastrointestinal symptom non-remission group (n = 5, GNR group). Results Probiotic administration caused significant changes in the composition of gut microbiota, as indicated by increased abundance of beneficial bacteria (Firmicutes), decreased Bacteroidetes, and opportunistic pathogens (Fusobacterium, Bilophila) (p &amp;lt; 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in intestinal microbial diversity, SCFAs levels increased in PR group although the change was not statistically significant between the two groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05). In addition, probiotic administration could effectively reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in dyspepsia and constipation (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The contents of SCFAs was increased in GNR group (p &amp;lt; 0.05), and there was a significant correlation between these SCFAs and the differential bacterial genera with significant changes between the GR and GNR groups (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion Together, the results suggest that probiotic can promote the beneficial changes of intestinal flora in PD patients. Probiotic supplementation can improve the gastrointestinal symptoms of PD patients, possibly by affecting the composition of intestinal bacteria and their metabolites.

Microbiota in different digestive tract of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) are related to their functions.

Paddlefish has high economic and ecological value. In this study, microbial diversity and community structure in intestine, stomach, and mouth of paddlefish were detected using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the diversity and richness indices decreased along the digestive tract, and significantly lower proportion of those were observed in intestine. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla. In top 10 phyla, there was no significant difference in mouth and stomach. But compared with intestine, there were significant differences in 8 of the 10 phyla, and Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased significantly, while Proteobacteria decreased significantly. There was no dominant genus in mouth and stomach, but Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and uncultured_bacterium_o_Bacteroidales was predominant in intestine. In conclusion, the species and abundance of microbiota in the mouth and stomach of paddlefish were mostly the same, but significantly different from those in intestine. Moreover, there was enrichment of the dominant bacteria in intestine.

Evaluation of enrofloxacin in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) based on the biochemical, histopathological and intestinal microbiota responses

Enrofloxacin (ENR) is a veterinary medicine extensively used in aquatic farming, the abuses of antibacterials can lead to drug residues and toxicity to aquatic animals. Nevertheless, its toxicological effects on the Pelodiscus sinensis remain unclear. The objective of this work was to study the toxic effects of ENR on male P. sinensis following multiple oral administration. For hematological, antioxidant status, histological and ultrastructural analyzed, male P. sinensis were orally administrated with ENR for 5 consecutive days, each at the dose of 15 (recommended dose, 1×), 45 (3 times the recommended dose, 3×), and 75 (5 times the recommended dose, 5×) mg/kg body weight (BW) daily. The effect of ENR on P. sinensis by changes in the intestinal microbiota using high-throughput sequencing technology was also investigated. Samples of blood and fresh tissue (liver, spleen, intestine, muscle, spermary, testes, heart, lung, and kidney) were collected after 24 h of drug withdrawal. The results showed that multiple oral administration of ENR induced immunosuppression (lowered total proteins, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin), hepatic-renal dysfunction (elevated aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, urea nitrogen, K+ and Ca2+), and lowering the hepatic and splenic antioxidant functions (higher MDA, and declines in the activities of SOD, CAT, and NOS) in 3× ENR-dosed or 5× ENR-dosed groups. Noteworthy, histopathological and ultrastructural examination of tissue samples revealed adverse effects with increasing oral dosage of ENR. The 16S sequencing analysis showed that the ENR treatment can greatly change the intestinal microbial diversity and abundance in P. sinensis, but more probiotics such as Cetobacterium, Lactococcus, and Paraclostridium were retained in the short-term period. The findings may provide new insights into the toxicity of ENR to P. sinensis, and help to determine the dose to ensure the safety of aquatic food products.

Preparation of valine-curcumin conjugate and its in vitro antibacterial and antitumor activity and in vivo biological effects on American eels (Anguilla rostrata)

Curcumin (Cur) exhibits diverse natural pharmacological activities, despite its limited water solubility (hydrophobicity) and low bioavailability. In this investigation, a valine-curcumin conjugate (Val-Cur) was synthesized through amino acid side chain modification, and its solubility increased to 1.78 mg/mL. In vitro experimental findings demonstrated that the antibacterial activity of Val-Cur against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was significantly superior to that of Cur. The inhibition rate of Val-Cur against HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) cells was higher than that of Cur at low concentrations (below 25 μmol/L), although the IC50 value of Val-Cur did not differ significantly from that of Cur. In vivo biological effects of Val-Cur were assessed by adding it into the feed (150 mg/kg) of American eels (Anguilla rostrata). Val-Cur significantly improved the growth performance (↑weight gain rate, ↑specific growth rate, and ↓feed conversion rate) and activities of intestinal digestive enzymes (amylase and lipase) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase) in American eels. Additionally, Val-Cur significantly improved serum biochemical indices (↑high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ↓low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ↓aspartate and alanine aminotransferases). Furthermore, Val-Cur increased intestinal microbial diversity, reduced the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Spiroplasma, Clostridium, and Pseudomonas), and elevated the abundance of beneficial digestion-promoting bacteria (Romboutsia, Phyllobacterium, Romboutsia sedimentorum, and Clostridium butyricum) conducive to glucose metabolism (P < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to explore water-soluble curcumin in aquaculture, and the findings will lay the groundwork for the potential application of water-soluble curcumin in the field of aquaculture.

Gut yeast diversity of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under different dietary conditions.

Yeast is one of the important symbiotic flora in the insect gut. However, little is known about the gut yeast in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under various dietary conditions. The composition and function of the intestinal yeast community also remain unclear. In this research, we explored the composition of yeast microorganisms in H. armigera larvae under different feeding environments, including apple, pear, tomato, artificial diet (laboratory feeding), Urtica fissa, Helianthus annuus, and Zinnia elegans (wild environment) using high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that a total of 43 yeast OTU readings were obtained, comprising 33 yeast genera and 42 yeast species. The yeast genera with a total content of more than 5% were Hanseniaspora (36.27%), Moesziomyces (21.47%), Trichosporon (16.20%), Wickerhamomyces (12.96%) and Pichia (6.38%). Hanseniaspora was predominant when fed indoors with fruits, whereas Moesziomyces was only detected in the wild group (Urtica fissa, Helianthus annuus, Zinnia elegans) and the artificial diet group. After transferring the larvae from artificial diet to apple, pear and tomato, the composition of intestinal yeast community changed, mainly reflected in the increased relative abundance of Hanseniaspora and the decreased abundance of Trichosporon. Simultaneously, the results of α diversity index indicated that the intestinal yeast microbial diversity of H. armigera fed on wild plants was higher than that of indoor artificial feeding. PCoA and PERMANOVA analysis concluded that there were significant differences in the gut yeast composition of H. armigera larvae on different diets. Our results confirmed that gut yeast communities of H. armigera can be influenced by host diets and may play an important role in host adaptation.

Bear Bile Powder Improves Ulcerative Colitis by Protecting the Intestinal Mechanical Barrier and Regulating Intestinal Flora.

Bear Bile Powder (BBP) is a traditional Chinese medicine. It has been widely used in clinical practices and has shown a good anti-inflammatory effect. However, its effectiveness in treating Ulcerative Colitis (UC) has not yet been studied. To explore the therapeutic effect of BBP on ulcerative colitis and its potential mechanism by combining acute ulcerative colitis mouse models and comprehensively observing various physiological and biochemical indexes of mice. The acute ulcerative colitis model was induced by drinking water containing dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) for 7 days. Studies were divided into Control, DSS, DSS+ Sulfasalazine (SASP, 450 mg/kg), and DSS + bear bile powder group (BBP, 320 mg/kg). The Disease Activity Index (DAI) and colonic tissue damage of mice were evaluated. Tissue immunofluorescence and western blot were used to determine related tight Junction Proteins (TJs), and 16S V34 amplicon was used to analyze intestinal microorganisms. The therapeutic effect of BBP on ulcerative colitis model mice was studied comprehensively. After treatment, BBP can significantly improve the physiological condition of acute UC mice and reduce DAI fraction. Compared with the DSS group, the BBP group significantly increased the colon length and significantly decreased the injury fraction of acute UC mice. Regarding the intestinal mechanical barrier, BBP significantly increased the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin 1 protein in colon tissue. In terms of microbial community, the intestinal microbial diversity of mice decreased after the administration of BBP, but there was no significant difference in structural composition between the BBP group and the Control group. By comparing the four groups of species with significant differences, it was found that the BBP group significantly reduced the abundance of specific harmful microorganisms at the order, family, genus, and species levels. Oral administration of a certain dose of BBP can significantly improve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis in mice. Part of the reason may be that it increases the expression of tight junction proteins, regulates specific flora in the intestine of mice, and maintains intestinal barrier homeostasis. In the future, the clinical application value of BBP will be explored, and BBP will be developed as a drug with the potential to treat UC and alleviate the pain of UC patients.