Mucosal Microbiota Research Articles

Large Yellow Tea Polysaccharide Alleviates HFD-Induced Intestinal Homeostasis Dysbiosis via Modulating Gut Barrier Integrity, Immune Responses, and the Gut Microbiome.

Long-term high-fat diet (HFD) will induce dysbiosis and a disturbance of intestinal homeostasis. Large yellow tea polysaccharide (LYP) has been shown to improve obesity-associated metabolic disease via modulation of the M2 polarization. However, the contribution of LYP to intestinal barrier impairment and improvement mechanisms in obesity caused by an HFD are still not clear. In this study, we evaluated the impacts of LYP on the mucosal barrier function and microbiota composition in HFD-feeding mice. Results exhibited that dietary LYP supplement could ameliorate the physical barrier function via maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity and elevating tight-junction protein production, strengthen the chemical barrier function via up-regulating the levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 and increasing mucin-producing goblet cell numbers, and enhance the intestinal immune barrier function though suppressing immune cell subsets and cytokines toward pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Moreover, LYP reshaped the constitution and metabolism of intestinal flora by enriching probiotics that produce short-chain fatty acids. Overall, LYP might be used as a critical regulator of intestinal homeostasis to improve host health by promoting gut barrier integrity, modulating intestinal immune response, and inhibiting bowel inflammation.

Clinicopathological features and mucosal microbiota in gastric mucosal damage between nodular and non-nodular gastritis in children with Helicobacter pylori infection

AimsNodular gastritis (NG) represents a frequently observed clinical presentation of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in pediatric patients. This investigation aimed to explore the microbiota and histological features of the gastric mucosa in children with H. pylori colonized NG. Main methodsThe current investigation examined a sample of 120 children who underwent gastroscopy due to symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, which showed that 64 were patients with H. pylori infection. Endoscopic procedures were conducted to acquire mucosal biopsies for the purpose of DNA extraction and histopathological analysis. The 16S rRNA profiling was utilized to examine the gastric mucosal microbiota. Key findingsIn conjunction with endoscopic evaluation, 26 of 64 patients were diagnosed with NG. The NG group had significantly higher inflammation scores and activity scores on histological assessment than the non-NG group. The NG group exhibited a significant reduction in the richness levels of the five genera. In terms of the predicted functions, the pathways of synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies and phagosome in the NG group were less abundant compared with the non-NG group, while the Wnt signaling pathway was significantly enriched. NG does not increase a microbial community that possesses genotoxic potential within the gastric mucosa. SignificanceIn conclusion, NG group exhibited significant severe inflammation and reduced abundance levels of several bacterial genera compared to the non-NG group. However, individuals with NG did not have a dysregulated microbial community with genotoxic potential.

Dysfunction of cecal microbiota and CutC activity in mice mediating diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.

Previous studies have indicated that diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome leads to a disorder of small intestine contents and mucosal microbiota. However, the relationship of TMA-lyase (CutC) activity and TMAO with diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome remains unexplored. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between cecal microbiota and choline TMA-lyase (CutC) activity, as well as the correlation between trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), inflammatory index, and CutC activity. Twenty SPF-grade male KM mice were randomly divided into the normal group (CN) and the diarrhea model group (CD). Diarrhea mouse models were established by adenine combined with Folium sennae administration. CutC activity, TMAO, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected, and the cecal content microbiota was sequenced. After 14 days, diarrhea occurred in the CD group. Compared with the CN group, there was no significant change in the activity of CutC in the small intestine of the CD group, while the activity of CutC in the cecum was significantly increased, and the levels of TMAO, IL-6, and TNF-α showed a significant increase. The Chao1 index, Observed_species index, Shannon index, and Simpson index all exhibited a decreasing trend. The main changes at the bacterial genus level were Alistipes, Enterorhabdus, Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and [Ruminococcus]_torques_group. The results of LEfSe analysis, random forest analysis and ROC curve analysis revealed Paludicola, Blautia, Negativibacillus, Paraprevotella, Harryflintia, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Anaerotruncus, Oscillibacter, Colidextribacter, [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, and Bacteroides as characteristic bacteria in the CD group. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between cecal CutC activity and Ligilactobacillus, and a significant positive correlation with Negativibacillus and Paludicola. The level of TMAO was significantly positively correlated with CutC activity and IL-6. Diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome significantly affects the physiological status, digestive enzyme activity, CutC activity, TMAO levels, and inflammatory response in mice. Additionally, there are changes in the composition and function of cecal microbiota, indicating an important impact of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome on the host intestinal microbiota balance. The occurrence of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome may be associated with dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, increased CutC activity, elevated TMAO levels, and heightened inflammatory factor levels.

Mucosal host-microbe interactions associate with clinical phenotypes in inflammatory bowel disease

Disrupted host-microbe interactions at the mucosal level are key to the pathophysiology of IBD. This study aimed to comprehensively examine crosstalk between mucosal gene expression and microbiota in patients with IBD. To study tissue-specific interactions, we perform transcriptomic (RNA-seq) and microbial (16S-rRNA-seq) profiling of 697 intestinal biopsies (645 derived from 335 patients with IBD and 52 from 16 non-IBD controls). Mucosal gene expression patterns in IBD are mainly determined by tissue location and inflammation, whereas the mucosal microbiota composition shows a high degree of individual specificity. Analysis of transcript-bacteria interactions identifies six distinct groups of inflammation-related pathways that are associated with intestinal microbiota (adjusted P < 0.05). An increased abundance of Bifidobacterium is associated with higher expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, while Bacteroides correlates with increased metallothionein signaling. In patients with fibrostenosis, a transcriptional network dominated by immunoregulatory genes is associated with Lachnoclostridium bacteria in non-stenotic tissue (adjusted P < 0.05), while being absent in CD without fibrostenosis. In patients using TNF-α-antagonists, a transcriptional network dominated by fatty acid metabolism genes is linked to Ruminococcaceae (adjusted P < 0.05). Mucosal microbiota composition correlates with enrichment of intestinal epithelial cells, macrophages, and NK-cells. Overall, these data demonstrate the presence of context-specific mucosal host-microbe interactions in IBD, revealing significantly altered inflammation-associated gene-taxa modules, particularly in patients with fibrostenotic CD and patients using TNF-α-antagonists. This study provides compelling insights into host–microbe interactions that may guide microbiota-directed precision medicine and fuels the rationale for microbiota-targeted therapeutics as a strategy to alter disease course in IBD.

Polysaccharide from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz Binding with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Novel Mucosal Immune Adjuvant for H9N2 Inactivated Vaccine.

H9N2 avian influenza poses a significant public health risk, necessitating effective vaccines for mass immunization. Oral inactivated vaccines offer advantages like the ease of administration, but their efficacy often requires enhancement through mucosal adjuvants. In a previous study, we established a novel complex of polysaccharide from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz binding with zinc oxide nanoparticles (AMP-ZnONPs) and preliminarily demonstrated its immune-enhancing function. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of AMP-ZnONPs as adjuvants in an oral H9N2-inactivated vaccine and the vaccine's impact on intestinal mucosal immunity. In this study, mice were orally vaccinated on days 0 and 14 after adapting to the environment. AMP-ZnONPs significantly improved HI titers, the levels of specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a in serum and sIgA in intestinal lavage fluid; increased the number of B-1 and B-2 cells and dendritic cell populations; and enhanced the mRNA expression of intestinal homing factors and immune-related cytokines. Interestingly, AMP-ZnONPs were more likely to affect B-1 cells than B-2 cells. AMP-ZnONPs showed mucosal immune enhancement that was comparable to positive control (cholera toxin, CT), but not to the side effect of weight loss caused by CT. Compared to the whole-inactivated H9N2 virus (WIV) group, the WIV + AMP-ZnONP and WIV + CT groups exhibited opposite shifts in gut microbial abundance. AMP-ZnONPs serve as an effective and safe mucosal adjuvant for oral WIV, improving cellular, humoral and mucosal immunity and microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract, avoiding the related undesired effects of CT.

Spatial Variation of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Response to Long-Term Administration of Vonoprazan in Mice With High Risk of Gastric Cancer.

Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, is superior to traditional proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in acid suppression and has been approved in the treatment of acid-related disorders. Accumulating evidence suggest associations between PPI use and gut microbiota, yet the effect of vonoprazan on GI microbiota is obscure. Transgenic FVB/N insulin-gastrin (INS-GAS) mice as a model of gastric cancer (GC) were administered vonoprazan by gavage every other day for 12 weeks. Stomachs were evaluated by histopathology, Ki-67 proliferation index, and inflammatory cytokines. The mucosal and lumen microbiota from stomach, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and feces were detected using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Higher incidence of intestinal metaplasia and epithelial proliferation were observed in the vonoprazan group than that in the control mice. Vonoprazan also elevated the gastric expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Each mice comprised a unique microbiota composition that was consistent across different niches. The structure of GI microbiota changed dramatically after vonoprazan treatment with the stomach being the most disturbed segment. Vonoprazan administration shifted the gut microbiota toward the enrichment of pathogenic Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bilophila, and the loss of commensal Prevotella, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium. Interestingly, compared to the controls, microbial interactions were weaker in the stomach while stronger in the jejunum of the vonoprazan group. Long-term vonoprazan treatment promoted gastric lesions in male INS-GAS mice, with the disequilibrium of GI microbiome. The clinical application of vonoprazan needs to be judicious particularly among those with high risk of GC.

Dysbiosis in gastric mucosal microbiota associated with gastric carcinogenesis.

381 Background: Gastric microbiota, including H. pylori, may play a role in the development of gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the gastric microbiota throughout the stages of gastric carcinogenesis, encompassing atrophic gastritis, gastric dysplasia, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: From December 2021 to August 2023, we collected gastric mucosal tissue samples from patients with atrophic gastritis, gastric dysplasia, and early gastric cancer. Subsequently, we conducted 16S rRNA gene profiling through next-generation sequencing. We compared alpha-diversity and beta-diversity within each group and analyzed the taxonomic composition. Results: This study included a total of 98 patients, comprising 16 with atrophic gastritis, 23 with low-grade dysplasia, 15 with high-grade dysplasia, and 44 with early gastric cancer. The H. pylori infection status was comparable across all groups. While there was a difference in alpha diversity between tumor lesions and normal stomach lesions, it did not reach statistical significance. Notably, Phyllobacterium was dominant in early gastric cancer, Prevotella in high-grade dysplasia, and Kocura in low-grade dysplasia. Furthermore, within the early gastric cancer group, Bacillus was widely distributed in cases of undifferentiated type adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: The analysis of microbiota collected from Korean stomach tissue revealed distinct microbial distributions across the various stages of gastric carcinogenesis.

Ocular mucosal homeostasis of teleost fish provides insight into the coevolution between microbiome and mucosal immunity

BackgroundThe visual organ plays a crucial role in sensing environmental information. However, its mucosal surfaces are constantly exposed to selective pressures from aquatic or airborne pathogens and microbial communities. Although few studies have characterized the conjunctival-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in the ocular mucosa (OM) of birds and mammals, little is known regarding the evolutionary origins and functions of immune defense and microbiota homeostasis of the OM in the early vertebrates.ResultsOur study characterized the structure of the OM microbial ecosystem in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and confirmed for the first time the presence of a diffuse mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in fish OM. Moreover, the microbial communities residing on the ocular mucosal surface contribute to shaping its immune environment. Interestingly, following IHNV infection, we observed robust immune responses, significant tissue damage, and microbial dysbiosis in the trout OM, particularly in the fornix conjunctiva (FC), which is characterized by the increase of pathobionts and a reduction of beneficial taxa in the relative abundance in OM. Critically, we identified a significant correlation between viral-induced immune responses and microbiome homeostasis in the OM, underscoring its key role in mucosal immunity and microbiota homeostasis.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that immune defense and microbiota homeostasis in OM occurred concurrently in early vertebrate species, shedding light on the coevolution between microbiota and mucosal immunity.1WNPLmNTzstteMxSNP_LzTVideo

Microbiota and mucosal gene expression of fecal microbiota transplantation or placebo treated patients with chronic pouchitis

ABSTRACT Altered microbiota and impaired host immune function have been linked to the pathogenesis of pouchitis. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and RNA sequencing data from a previous randomized clinical trial (RCT) on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) therapy in 26 chronic pouchitis patients with one-year follow-up. We analyzed changes in both luminal and mucosal microbiota composition, as well as in host mucosal gene expression to gain insights into the host–microbiota interactions possibly underlying clinical outcomes of the patients. Antibiotic type and pattern of use were significant drivers of the luminal microbiota at baseline. Differential gene expression analysis indicated transition from ileal to colonic gene expression in the pouch, and upregulation in inflammation- and immune system-related pathways in the pouch. At 4 weeks, the non-relapsed FMT patients had a lower microbiota dissimilarity to the donor than the non-relapsed placebo patients (p = .02). While two FMT-treated patients showed a shift toward the donor’s microbiota during the one-year follow-up, the overall FMT microbiota modulation effect was low. Patient’s luminal and mucosal microbiota profiles were unstable in both FMT and placebo groups. Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was downregulated at 52 weeks compared to the baseline in the non-relapsed patients in both FMT and placebo groups. Microbiota modulation by FMT seems to be low in this patient group. The microbiota composition or alterations did not explain the relapse status of the patients. Some evidence for remission-related host gene expression pattern was found; specifically, CXCR4 expression may have a role in sustained remission.

Worldwide productivity and research trend of publications concerning intestinal polyps: A bibliometric study.

There is a significant relationship between intestinal polyps and colorectal cancer, and in recent years, research on intestinal polyps has been rapidly developing around the world. However, there is still a lack of adequate quantification and analysis of publications in this field. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of publications related to intestinal polyps over the past 20 years. To enhance the understanding of current research hotspots and potential trends, and to point out the direction of future research. Publications related to intestinal polyps were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded in Web of Science Core Collection. the Bibliometric online analysis platform (https://bibliometric.com/app), the Bibliometrix Package, and the CiteSpace are used for bibliometric analysis and visualization, including the overall range of annual output and annual citations, country-region analysis, author and institution analysis, core journal analysis, reference and keyword analysis. Prior to 2017, the amount of research on intestinal polyps was slow to grow, but it picked up speed after that year. In 1019 journals, 4280 papers on intestinal polyps were published in English. The journal with the highest productivity was Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (189, 4.42%). United States (1124, 26.26%), which is also the hub of collaboration in this subject, was the most productive nation. Mayo Clinic (n = 70, 1.64%) is the most productive institution. Intestinal microbiota, endoscopic mucosal resection, gut microbiota, deep learning, tea polyphenol, insulin resistance and artificial intelligence were current hot subjects in the field. Studies of intestinal polyps increased significantly after 2017. The United States contributed the largest number of publications. Countries and institutions were actively cooperating with one another. artificial intelligence is currently an emerging topic.

Different effects of CO2 laser and estrogen treatment on vaginal mucosa microbiota and function in genitourinary syndrome of menopause patients.

To characterize the effects of CO2 laser treatment and estrogen treatment on vaginal microbiota in patients with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Sixty-four patients with genitourinary syndrome were divided into the estrogen group, the CO2 laser group, and the control group. The control group did not receive any treatment. Vaginal mucosa was collected after 3 and 12 months of treatment. The former was used for 16S rRNA sequencing, and the latter was used for pathological evaluation. Vaginal health and voiding function were assessed using the vaginal health index (VHI) scale and the UDI-6 scale at 3 and 12 months after treatment. The results showed that both treatments reduced alpha diversity in the vaginal flora. Additionally, the abundance of 65 genera differed significantly between the treatment and control groups, with an increase in potentially beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, IheB3_7, Mycoplasma urealyticum, and Streptococcus. In addition, the VHI and UDI-6 scores improved in both treatment groups compared to the control group after 3 months. Whereas VHI and UDI-6 scores were close to baseline in the estrogen group, and remained significantly improved in the CO2 laser group after 12 months. Pathological results showed that both methods improved the vaginal health status of patients with GSM after 12 months of treatment. However, the CO2 group exhibited a more significant increase in type III collagen. Both CO2 laser and estrogen therapies can regulate the vaginal flora imbalance of GSM and improve the corresponding symptoms. However, the long-term efficacy of CO2 laser therapy is superior compared to estrogen therapy.

Effects of hydroxychloroquine on the mucosal barrier and gut microbiota during healing of mice colitis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on the mucosal barrier and gut microbiota during the healing of mice colitis. The body weight, colon length, colon Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining, occult blood in feces and serum inflammatory factor levels were measured to evaluate the function of HCQ on inflammatory process in colitis mice. The Alcian blue staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and serum FITC-Dextran assay were performed to assess the intestinal mucosal permeability. And the composition and expression differences of intestinal microorganisms in feces were analyzed with 16S rDNA sequencing for exploration of HCQ impact on gut microbiota in colitis. The results showed that the administration of HCQ did not significantly alter the body weight, colon length, or fecal occult blood of the mice. However, HCQ treatment did lead to recovery of the structure and morphology of the intestinal mucosa, increased expression of tight junction proteins (E-cadherin and Occludin), decreased permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier, increased serum IL-10, and decreased level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Additionally, HCQ was found to increase the abundance of Euryarchaeota, Lactobacillus_murinus and Clostridium_fusiformis, while decreasing the abundance of Oscillibacter, uncultured_Odoribacter, Bacterioidetes and Muribaculum. These findings support that HCQ plays a role in the treatment of mice colitis possibly by altering the gut microbiota.

Role of cellular effectors in the induction and maintenance of IgA responses leading to protective immunity against enteric bacterial pathogens.

The mucosal immune system is a critical first line of defense to infectious diseases, as many pathogens enter the body through mucosal surfaces, disrupting the balanced interactions between mucosal cells, secretory molecules, and microbiota in this challenging microenvironment. The mucosal immune system comprises of a complex and integrated network that includes the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). One of its primary responses to microbes is the secretion of IgA, whose role in the mucosa is vital for preventing pathogen colonization, invasion and spread. The mechanisms involved in these key responses include neutralization of pathogens, immune exclusion, immune modulation, and cross-protection. The generation and maintenance of high affinity IgA responses require a delicate balance of multiple components, including B and T cell interactions, innate cells, the cytokine milieu (e.g., IL-21, IL-10, TGF-β), and other factors essential for intestinal homeostasis, including the gut microbiota. In this review, we will discuss the main cellular components (e.g., T cells, innate lymphoid cells, dendritic cells) in the gut microenvironment as mediators of important effector responses and as critical players in supporting B cells in eliciting and maintaining IgA production, particularly in the context of enteric infections and vaccination in humans. Understanding the mechanisms of humoral and cellular components in protection could guide and accelerate the development of more effective mucosal vaccines and therapeutic interventions to efficiently combat mucosal infections.

Microbioma intestinal e morfometria de codornas alimentadas com dietas contendo óleos essenciais

ABSTRACT: One of the greatest challenges in poultry production is maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and gut microbiota balance. Safe alternative antimicrobials that can regulate the microbial community through animal feed have been the subject of research in poultry production. This study evaluated the effect of Mentha piperita and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils (EOs) on the gut microbiome and morphometry of broiler quails under normal feeding conditions. The gut microbiome was studied using a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments, namely control, bacitracin zinc, and the Eos M. piperita and M. alternifolia, with 8 repetitions and 7 quails per treatment, totaling 224 quails from 1 to 42 days old. The intestinal contents of the slaughtered quails were collected to evaluate the gut microbiome profile of their digestive tract. Gut morphometry was analyzed using a completely randomized factorial design, with four experimental rations for three intestinal sections (4x3) and five replications. The variables studied were villus surface area and height, crypt depth, villus height to cryptdepth ratio (VH:CD), villus-crypt ratio (V:C), villus width to height ratio (VW:H), and height of the intestinal epithelium and musculature. M. alternifolia (50 mg/kg of feed) in the diet of broiler quails improved gut morphometry, similar to the results obtained with bacitracin zinc. This EO also altered the gut microbiome of quails and reduced pathogenic bacterial diversity.

Licorice processing involving functions of Evodiae Fructus on liver inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with intestinal mucosal microbiota.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of licorice processing of different Evodiae Fructus (EF) specifications on liver inflammation and oxidative stress associated with the intestinal mucosal microbiota. The 25 Kunming mice were divided into control (MCN), raw small-flowered Evodiae Fructus (MRSEF), raw medium-flowered EF (MRMEF), licorice-processed small-flowered EF (MLSEF), and licorice-processed medium-flowered EF (MLSEF) groups. The EF intervention groups were given different specifications of EF extract solutions by gavage. After 21 days, indices of liver inflammation and oxidative stress and intestinal mucosal microbiota were measured in mice. Compared with the MCN, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly increased in the MRMEF. Although the trends of oxidative stress and inflammatory indexes in the MLSEF and MLMEF were consistent with those in the raw EF groups, the changes were smaller than those in the raw EF groups. Compared to the raw EF groups, the MLSEF and MLMEF showed closer approximations of metabolic function to the MCN. The abundance of Corynebacterium in MRMEF was significantly lower than that in the MCN, and it was not significantly different from the MCN after licorice processing. The probiotic Candidatus Arthromitus was enriched in the MLSEF. The probiotic Lactobacillus was enriched in the MLMEF. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between IL-1β, some metabolic functions and Corynebacterium. The effects of medium-flowered EF on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in the liver of mice were stronger than those of small-flowered EF. The licorice processing can reduce this difference by modulating the abundance of Corynebacterium and intestinal mucosal metabolic function.

Gut mucosal microbiota profiles linked to development of positional-specific human colorectal cancer

&lt;p&gt;Colorectal cancer (CRC) continuously ranks as the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Based on anatomical classifications and clinical diagnoses, CRC is classified into right-sided, left-sided, and rectal CRC. Importantly, the three types of positional-specific CRC affect the prognosis outcomes, thus indicating that positional-specific treatments for CRC are required. Emerging evidence suggests that besides host genetic and epigenetic alterations, gut mucosal microbiota is linked to gut inflammation, CRC occurrence, and prognoses. However, gut mucosal microbiota associated with positional-specific CRC are poorly investigated. Here, we report the gut mucosal microbiota profiles associated with these three types of CRC. Our analysis showed that the unique composition and biodiversity of bacterial taxa are linked to positional-specific CRC. We found that a combination of bacterial taxa can serve as potential biomarkers to distinguish the three types of CRC. Further investigations of the physiological roles of bacteria associated with positional-specific CRC may help understand the mechanism of CRC progression in different anatomical locations under the impact of gut mucosal microbiota.&lt;/p&gt;

The Use of Fruit and Vegetable by-Products as Enhancers of Health Status of Piglets after Weaning: The Role of Bioactive Compounds from Apple and Carrot Industrial Wastes.

At weaning, piglets are exposed to a large variety of stressors, from environmental/behavioral factors to nutritional stress. Weaning transition affects the gastrointestinal tract especially, resulting in specific disturbances at the level of intestinal morphology, barrier function and integrity, mucosal immunity and gut microbiota. All these alterations are associated with intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress and perturbation of intracellular signaling pathways. The nutritional management of the weaning period aims to achieve the reinforcement of intestinal integrity and functioning to positively modulate the intestinal immunity and that of the gut microbiota and to enhance the health status of piglets. That is why the current research is focused on the raw materials rich in phytochemicals which could positively modulate animal health. The composition analysis of fruit, vegetable and their by-products showed that identified phytochemicals could act as bioactive compounds, which can be used as modulators of weaning-induced disturbances in piglets. This review describes nutritional studies which investigated the effects of bioactive compounds derived from fruit (apple) and vegetables (carrot) or their by-products on the intestinal architecture and function, inflammatory processes and oxidative stress at the intestinal level. Data on the associated signaling pathways and on the microbiota modulation by bioactive compounds from these by-products are also presented.

Dietary seaweed (Saccharina latissima) supplementation in pigs induces localized immunomodulatory effects and minor gut microbiota changes during intestinal helminth infection

Brown seaweeds have a rich bioactive content known to modulate biological processes, including the mucosal immune response and microbiota function, and may therefore have the potential to control enteric pathogens. Here, we tested if dietary seaweed (Saccharina latissima) supplementation could modulate pig gut health with a specific focus on parasitic helminth burdens, gut microbiota composition, and host immune response during a five week feeding period in pigs co-infected with the helminths Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum. We found that inclusion of fermented S. latissima (Fer-SL) at 8% of the diet increased gut microbiota α-diversity with higher relative abundances of Firmicutes, Tenericutes, Verrucomicrobia, Spirochaetes and Elusimicrobia, and lower abundance of Prevotella copri. In the absence of helminth infection, transcription of immune-related genes in the intestine was only moderately influenced by dietary seaweed. However, Fer-SL modulated the transcriptional response to infection in a site-specific manner in the gut, with an attenuation of infection-induced gene expression in the jejunum and an amplification of gene expression in the colon. Effects on systemic immune parameters (e.g. blood lymphocyte populations) were limited, indicating the effects of Fer-SL were mainly localized to the intestinal tissues. Despite previously documented in vitro anti-parasitic activity against pig helminths, Fer-SL inclusion did not significantly affect parasite egg excretion or worm establishment. Collectively, our results show that although Fer-SL inclusion did not reduce parasite burdens, it may modify the gut environment during enteric parasite infection, which encourages continued investigations into the use of seaweeds or related products as novel tools to improve gut health.

Effects of dietary Astragalus membranaceus and Codonopsis pilosula extracts on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, and intestinal health in broilers.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dietary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) consisting of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge (AMT) and Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf (CPO) extracts on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, and intestinal health of broiler chickens. Two groups were formed, each consisting of six replicates of 12 one-day-old healthy male 817 white feather broilers. Broilers were fed either a basal diet (CON group) or a basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg CHM. The trial lasted 50 days. The results showed that CHM supplementation resulted in enhanced feed efficiency and antioxidant capacity in both the serum and liver, while it reduced uric acid and endotoxin levels, as well as diamine oxidase activity (p < 0.05). Additionally, CHM treatment increased the height of jejunum villi and upregulated Claudin-1 expression in the jejunal mucosa accompanied by an increase in the mRNA levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interferon-β (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) (p < 0.05). The presence of dietary CHM caused an increase in the proportions of Bacteroidetes and unclassified Bacteroidales but led to a decrease in those of Firmicutes and Alistipes (p < 0.05). The composition of the jejunal mucosa microbiota was correlated with the feed conversion ratio, serum metabolites, and gene expression based on Spearman correlation analysis. The findings indicated that the consumption of dietary CHM improved the utilization of feed, increased the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the jejunal mucosa, and decreased the endotoxin level and activities of diamine oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase in the serum, which could potentially be linked to changes in the gut microbiota of broiler chickens.

Geographic origin and host’s phylogeny are predictors of the gut mucosal microbiota diversity and composition in Mediterranean scorpionfishes (Scorpaena spp.)

The gut microbiome holds an important role in the health and homeostasis of fishes. However, despite the large diversity and distribution of this vertebrate group, only the intestinal microbiome of a limited number of freshwater and marine fish species has been well characterized to date. In this study, we characterize the gut mucosal microbial communities of three commercially valuable Scorpaena spp. (n=125) by using a comprehensive comparative dataset including 16S rRNA gene amplicon data from four different locations in the Mediterranean Sea. We report that the geographical origin of the individuals influences the diversity and the composition of the gut microbial communities more than the host’s phylogenetic relatedness in this fish group. Moreover, we observe a positive correlation between the composition of the gut microbiota and the phylogenetic distance between the hosts (i.e. phylosymbiosis). Finally, the core microbiota of each species is described both regionally and across the Mediterranean Sea. Only a few bacterial genera appear to be residents of the scorpionfishes’ gut microbiota across the Mediterranean Sea: Photobacterium, Enterovibrio, Vibrio, Shewanella, Epulopiscium, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Rombutsia in S. notata, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Cetobacterium and Rombutsia in S. porcus, and only Clostridium sensu stricto 1 in S. scrofa. This study highlights the importance of investigating the gut microbiome across a species’ geographical range and it suggests this as a general procedure to better characterize the gut microbial ecology of each fish species.