Carrageenan oligosaccharide alleviates intestinal damage via gut microflora through activating IMD/relish pathway in female Drosophila melanogaster.

Recent evidence suggests the anti-inflammatory effect of carrageenan oligosaccharides (COS). The effects of COS on intestinal injury induced by 0.6% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the molecular mechanisms involved were investigated in this study. 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL COS in diet had no toxic effect in flies, and they could all prolong SDS-treated female flies' survival rate. 1.25 mg/mL COS prevented the development of inflammation by improving the intestinal barrier integrity and maintaining the intestinal morphology stability, inhibited the proliferation of intestine stem cells (ISCs), and the production of lysosomes induced by SDS, accompanied by a decrease in the expression of autophagy-related genes. Moreover, COS decreased the active oxygen species (ROS) content in gut and increased the antioxidant activity in SDS-induced female flies, while COS still played a role in increasing survival rate and decreasing intestinal leakage in CncC-RNAi flies. The improvement of anti-inflammation capacity may be associated with the regulation of intestinal microflora with COS supplementation for Drosophila melanogaster. COS changed the gut microbiota composition, and COS had no effect on germ-free (GF) flies. It is highlighted that COS could not work in Relish-RNAi flies, indicating relish is required for COS to perform beneficial effects. These results provide insights into the study of gut microbiota interacting with COS to modulate intestinal inflammation in specific hosts.

Microbiome-modulating nutraceuticals ameliorate dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of clinical trials.

AIMS: Type 2 Diabetes is intrinsically linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) via diabetic dyslipidemia, both of which remain global health concerns with annually increasing prevalence. Given the established links between gut microbiome dysbiosis and metabolic diseases, its modulation is an attractive target to ameliorate metabolic imbalances in such patients. There is a need to quantitively summarise, analyse, and describe future directions in this field. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression following searches in major scientific databases for clinical trials investigating the effect of pro/pre/synbiotics on lipid profile published until April 2022. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis and reported as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). PROSPERO No. CRD42022348525. RESULTS: Data from 47 trial comparisons across 42 studies (n = 2692) revealed that, compared to placebo/control groups, the administration of pro/pre/synbiotics was associated with statistically significant changes in total cholesterol (-9.97 mg/dL [95% CI: -15.08; -4.87], p < 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (-6.29 mg/dL [95% CI: -9.25; -3.33], p < 0.0001), high-density lipoprotein (+3.21 mg/dL [95% CI: 2.20; 4.22], p < 0.0001), very-low-density lipoprotein (-4.52 mg/dL [95% CI: -6.36; -2.67], p < 0.0001) and triglyceride (-22.93 mg/dL [95% CI: -33.99; -11.87], p < 0.001). These results are influenced by patient characteristics such as age or baseline BMI, and intervention characteristics such as dosage and duration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that adjunct supplementation with a subset of pro/pre/synbiotics ameliorates dyslipidemia in diabetic individuals and has the potential to reduce CVD risk. However, widespread inter-study heterogeneity and the presence of several unknown confounders limit their adoption in clinical practice; future trials should be designed with these in mind.

Putative causal relations among gut flora, serums metabolites and arrhythmia: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias is multifaceted, encompassing genetic, environmental, hemodynamic, and various causative factors. Emerging evidence underscores a plausible connection between gut flora, serum metabolites, and specific types of arrhythmias. Recognizing the role of host genetics in shaping the microbiota, we employed two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate potential causal associations between gut flora, serum metabolites, and distinct arrhythmias. METHODS: Mendelian randomization methods were deployed to ascertain causal relationships between 211 gut flora, 575 serum metabolites, and various types of arrhythmias. To ensure the reliability of the findings, five complementary Mendelian randomization methods, including inverse variance weighting methods, were employed. The robustness of the results was scrutinized through a battery of sensitivity analyses, incorporating the Cochran Q test, leave-one-out test, and MR-Egger intercept analysis. RESULTS: Eighteen gut flora and twenty-six serum metabolites demonstrated associations with the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Moreover, ten gut flora and fifty-two serum metabolites were linked to the risk of developing supraventricular tachycardia, while eight gut flora and twenty-five serum metabolites were associated with the risk of developing tachycardia. Additionally, six gut flora and twenty-one serum metabolites exhibited associations with the risk of developing bradycardia. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the potential causal relationship that may exist between gut flora, serum metabolites and different cardiac arrhythmias and highlights the need for further exploration. This study provides new perspectives to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the field of cardiac arrhythmias.

Combined toxic effects of polyethylene microplastics and lambda-cyhalothrin on gut of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Microplastics (MPs), which are prevalent and increasingly accumulating in aquatic environments. Other pollutants coexist with MPs in the water, such as pesticides, and may be carried or transferred to aquatic organisms, posing unpredictable ecological risks. This study sought to assess the adsorption of lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) by virgin and aged polyethylene MPs (VPE and APE, respectively), and to examine their influence on LCT's toxicity in zebrafish, specifically regarding acute toxicity, oxidative stress, gut microbiota and immunity. The adsorption results showed that VPE and APE could adsorb LCT, with adsorption capacities of 34.4 mg∙g-1 and 39.0 mg∙g-1, respectively. Compared with LCT exposure alone, VPE and APE increased the acute toxicity of LCT to zebrafish. Additionally, exposure to LCT and PE-MPs alone can induce oxidative stress in the zebrafish gut, while combined exposure can exacerbate the oxidative stress response and intensify intestinal lipid peroxidation. Moreover, exposure to LCT or PE-MPs alone promotes inflammation, and combined exposure leads to downregulation of the myd88-nf-κb related gene expression, thus impacting intestinal immunity. Furthermore, exposure to APE increased LCT toxicity to zebrafish more than VPE. Meanwhile, exposure to PE-MPs and LCT alone or in combination has the potential to affect gut microbiota function and alter the abundance and diversity of the zebrafish gut flora. Collectively, the presence of PE-MPs may affect the toxicity of pesticides in zebrafish. The findings emphasize the importance of studying the interaction between MPs and pesticides in the aquatic environment.

Protective effect and mechanism of Xiaoyu Xiezhuo decoction on ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney injury based on gut-kidney crosstalk.

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Xiaoyu Xiezhuo decoction (XXD) on ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury (IRI-AKI) using network pharmacology methods and gut microbiota analysis. A total of 1778 AKI-related targets were obtained, including 140 targets possibly regulated by AKI in XXD, indicating that the core targets were mainly enriched in inflammatory-related pathways, such as the IL-17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway. The unilateral IRI-AKI animal model was established and randomly divided into four groups: the sham group, the AKI group, the sham + XXD group, and the AKI + XXD group. Compared with the rats in the AKI group, XXD improved not only renal function, urinary enzymes, and biomarkers of renal damage such as Kim-1, cystatin C, and serum inflammatory factors such as IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL 1-ß, but also intestinal metabolites including lipopolysaccharides, d-lactic acid, indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate, and short-chain fatty acids. XXD ameliorated renal and colonic pathological injury as well as inflammation and chemokine gene abundance, such as IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, in AKI rats via the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, reducing the AKI score, renal pathological damage, and improving the intestinal mucosa's inflammatory infiltration. It also repaired markers of the mucosal barrier, including claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1. Compared with the rats in the AKI group, the α diversity was significantly increased, and the Chao1 index was significantly enhanced after XXD treatment in both the sham group and the AKI group. The treatment group significantly reversed this change in microbiota.

Yi-Shen-Hua-Shi regulates intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and protects against proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled study.

CONTEXT: Yi-Shen-Hua-Shi (YSHS) is a traditional Chinese medicine that treats chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its efficacy in reducing proteinuria and underlying mechanisms is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This single-center randomized controlled trial explored whether YSHS could improve proteinuria and modulate the gut microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 CKD patients were enrolled and randomized to receive the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor plus YSHS (n = 56) or RAAS inhibitor (n = 47) alone for 4 months, and 103 patients completed the study. We collected baseline and follow-up fecal samples and clinical outcomes from participants. Total bacterial DNA was extracted, and the fecal microbiome was analyzed using bioinformatics. RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group had a significantly higher decrease in 24-h proteinuria. After 4 months of the YSHS intervention, the relative abundance of bacteria that have beneficial effects on the body, such as Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, and Sutterella increased significantly, while pathogenic bacteria such as the Eggerthella and Clostridium innocuum group decreased. However, we could not find these changes in the control group. Redundancy analysis showed that the decline in 24-h proteinuria during follow-up was significantly correlated with various taxa of gut bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae and the Lachnoclostridium genus in the YSHS group. KEGG analysis also showed the potential role of YSHS in regulating glycan, lipid, and vitamin metabolism. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The YSHS granule reduced proteinuria associated with mitigating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in CKD patients. The definite mechanisms of YSHS to improve proteinuria need to be further explored. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2300076136, retrospectively registered.

Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effect of Fucoidan Fractions Prepared from Iceland Brown Algae Ascophyllum nodosum in an Hyperlipidemic Mice Model.

Ascophyllum nodosum, a brown algae abundantly found along the North Atlantic coast, is recognized for its high polysaccharide content. In this study, we investigated the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of fucoidans derived from A. nodosum, aiming to provide information for their potential application in anti-hyperlipidemic therapies and to explore comprehensive utilization of this Iceland brown seaweed. The crude fucoidan prepared from A. nodosum was separated using a diethylethanolamine column, resulting in two fucoidan fractions, AFC-1 and AFC-2. Both fractions were predominantly composed of fucose and xylose. AFC-1 exhibited a higher sulfate content of 27.8% compared to AFC-2 with 17.0%. AFC-2 was primarily sulfated at the hydroxy group of C2, whereas AFC-1 was sulfated at both the hydroxy groups of C2 and C4. To evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemic effect, a hyperlipidemia mouse model was established by feeding mice a high-fat diet. The effects of AFC-1, AFC-2, and the crude extract were investigated, with the drug atorvastatin used as a positive comparison. Among the different fucoidan fractions and doses, the high dose of AFC-2 administration demonstrated the most significant anti-hyperlipidemic effect across various aspects, including physiological parameters, blood glucose levels, lipid profile, histological analysis, and the activities of oxidative stress-related enzymes and lipoprotein-metabolism-related enzymes (p < 0.05 for the final body weight and p < 0.01 for the rest indicators, compared with the model group), and its effect is comparable to the atorvastatin administration. Furthermore, fucoidan administration resulted in a lower degree of loss in gut flora diversity compared to atorvastatin administration. These findings highlight the significant biomedical potential of fucoidans derived from A. nodosum as a promising therapeutic solution for hypolipidemia.

Disquiet concerning cesarean birth.

Cesarean birth has increased substantially in many parts of the world over recent decades and concerns have been raised about the propriety of this change in obstetric practice. Sometimes, a cesarean is necessary to preserve fetal and maternal health. But in balancing the risks of surgical intervention the implicit assumption has been that cesarean birth is an equivalent alternative to vaginal birth from the standpoint of the immediate and long-term health of the fetus and neonate. Increasingly, we realize this is not necessarily so. Delivery mode per se may influence short-term and abiding problems with homeostasis in offspring, quite independent of the indications for the delivery and other potentially confounding factors. The probability of developing various disorders, including respiratory compromise, obesity, immune dysfunction, and neurobehavioral disorders has been shown in some studies to be higher among individuals born by cesarean. Moreover, many of these adverse effects are not confined to the neonatal period and may develop over many years. Although the associations between delivery mode and long-term health are persuasive, their pathogenesis and causality remain uncertain. Full exploration and a clear understanding of these relationships is of great importance to the health of offspring.

The gut microbiome and allergic rhinitis; refocusing on the role of probiotics as a treatment option.

INTRODUCTION: In the industrialized world, the incidence of Allergic rhinitis (AR), often known as hay fever, and other allergic disorders continues to grow. Recent studies have suggested environmental variables such as bacterial exposures as a potential reason for the rising prevalence of AR. With breakthroughs in our abilities to research the complex crosstalk of bacteria, the gut microbiomes' effect on human development, nutritional requirements, and immunologic disorders has become apparent METHODS: Three search engines, including Scopus, Medline, and PubMed, were searched for related published articles up to and including 1st July 2022. RESULTS: Several studies have investigated links between commensal microbiome alterations and the development of atopic diseases such as asthma and AR. Besides, studies using probiotics for treating AR suggest that they may alleviate symptoms and improve patient's quality of life. CONCLUSION: Research on probiotics and synbiotics for AR suggests they may improve symptoms, quality of life, and laboratory indicators. A better treatment strategy with advantages for patients may be achieved using probiotics, but only if more detailed in vitro and in vivo investigations are conducted with more participants.

Gut Microbiota Composition in the First and Third Trimester of Pregnancy among Malay Women is Associated with Body Mass Index: A Pilot Study.

Background: This study has analysed the pattern of gut microbiota during the first and third trimesters among pregnant Malay women. Methods: This was a pilot prospective observational study involving 12 pregnant Malay women without any endocrine disorders and on neither antibiotics nor probiotics. Demographic details and anthropometric measurements were obtained, and the faecal 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) metagenome microbiota of the first and third trimesters (T1 and T3) were analysed. Univariate and multivariate statistics, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and Kendall rank correlation testing were used to identify key genera and associations with pregnancy trimester and body mass index (BMI). Results: The most abundant phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, with significant differences in composition at the genus level demonstrated between T1 and T3. Sequencing showed a statistically significant difference in beta diversity between normal and abnormal BMI at all taxonomic ranks (R 2 = 0.60; Q 2 = 0.23) and genus levels (R 2 = 0.57; Q 2 = 0.37). The relative abundances of Akkermansia (P < 0.05; false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05), Olsenella (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.05) and Oscillospira (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.05) were found to be significantly higher in normal BMI cases by 2.4, 3.4 and 3.1 times, respectively. Conclusion: Three genera (Akkermansia, Olsenella and Oscillospira) were correlated with normal BMI during pregnancy. All three could be promising biotherapeutic targets in body weight regulation during pregnancy, subsequently reducing complications associated with higher BMI.

The heart and gut relationship: a systematic review of the evaluation of the microbiome and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in heart failure.

There is an expanding body of research on the bidirectional relationship of the human gut microbiome and cardiovascular disease, including heart failure (HF). Researchers are examining the microbiome and gut metabolites, primarily trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), to understand clinically observed outcomes. This systematic review explored the current state of the science on the evaluation and testing of the gut biome in persons with HF. Using electronic search methods of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, until December 2021, we identified 511 HF biome investigations between 2014 and 2021. Of the 30 studies included in the review, six were 16S rRNA and nineteen TMAO, and three both TMAO and 16S rRNA, and two bacterial cultures. A limited range of study designs were represented, the majority involving single cohorts (n = 10) and comparing individuals with HF to controls (n = 15). Patients with HF had less biodiversity in fecal samples compared to controls. TMAO is associated with age, BNP, eGFR, HF severity, and poor outcomes including hospitalizations and mortality. Inconsistent across studies was the ability of TMAO to predict HF development, the independent prognostic value of TMAO when controlling for renal indices, and the relationship of TMAO to LVEF and CRP. Gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with HF diagnosis, disease severity, and prognostication related to hospitalizations and mortality. Gut microbiome research in patients with HF is developing. Further longitudinal and multi-centered studies are required to inform interventions to promote clinical decision-making and improved patient outcomes.

The effect of microbiome-modulating probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of clinical trials.

AIM/HYPOTHESIS: The globally escalating diabetes epidemic is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Microbiome-modulating nutraceuticals have been investigated for their potential to restore metabolic and floral homeostasis in type 2 diabetic patients METHODS: A systematic review, meta-analyses and meta-regressions were conducted to investigate the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on various biomarkers of glucose homeostasis based on a multi-database search of clinical trials published through April 10, 2022. Data was pooled using random effects meta-analyses and reported as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), followed by univariate linear model meta-regression. RESULTS: Data from 68 trial comparisons across 58 studies (n = 3835) revealed that, compared to placebo/control group, administration of pro/pre/synbiotics was associated with statistically significant changes in fasting plasma glucose (-12.41 mg/dl [95% CI: -15.94; -8.88], p 0.0001), glycated hemoglobin (-0.38% [95% CI: -0.47; -0.30], p 0.0001), fasting insulin (-1.49 µU/mL [95% CI: -2.12; -0.86], p 0.0001), HOMA-IR (-0.69 [95% CI: -1.16; -0.23], p = 0.0031) and QUICKI (0.0148 [95% CI: 0.0052; 0.0244], p = 0.0025), but not C-peptide (-0.0144 ng/mL [95% CI: -0.2564; -0.2275], p = 0.9069). Age, baseline BMI, baseline biomarker value, pro/prebiotic dosage, trial duration, nutraceutical type, and recruitment region significantly affected the potential of pro/pre/synbiotics use as personalized diabetes adjunct therapy. Lastly, we discuss unexplained observations and directives for future trials, with the aim of maximizing our understanding of how microbiome-modulating nutraceuticals can treat various metabolic diseases CONCLUSIONS: Pro/pre/synbiotic supplementation improved glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. Our results support their potential use as adjunct therapy for improving glycemia and insulinemia alongside pharmacological therapeutics.

Enhancement of growth, survival, immunity and disease resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei, by the probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum Ep-M17.

Green ecological prevention and control technology is a hot spot for aquatic disease research in recent years, and lactic acid bacteria is an important type of probiotic widely used in aquaculture. In this study, a strain of Lactobacillus plantarum Ep-M17 was isolated from the intestine of healthy grouper, which showed good antibacterial activity in vitro. To investigate the application prospects of Ep-M17 as a probiotic, we added it to the diet and fed Litopenaeus vannamei, and then detected its influence on the growth performance, survival rate, disease resistance, intestinal tissue structure, gene transcription, and the flora in the gut of shrimp. The results showed that feeding Ep-M17 increased the specific growth rate, reduced the feed conversion rate, improved the survival rate, and achieved a 76.9% relative protection rate after Vibrio parahaemolyticus E1 infection in shrimp. Histological examination displayed that Ep-M17-fed shrimp had a thick intestinal villi layer, which enhanced the protection against pathogen damage. It was also found that Ep-M17 significantly increased the activity levels of immune and digestion-related enzymes SOD, CAT, TRY, AKP, LIP, and AMS in the gut of shrimp, especially after V. parahaemolyticus E1 infection, these enzymes increased significantly higher than that of control. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Ep-M17 activated significantly differential expression of genes in immune, nutritional, metabolic, and Signal Transduction-related pathways in the gut of shrimp. In addition, Ep-M17 enriched the bacterial diversity of the shrimp gut, with a significant increase in many low-abundance bacterial species, a significant decrease in the number of pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio, and a significant increase in the number of beneficial bacteria. The above results evaluated that Ep-M17 as a potential probiotic can promote the growth and improve the disease resistance of shrimp by regulating the nutritional immune response and flora of the intestine.

Gut flora alterations due to lipopolysaccharide derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Gut dysbiosis induces 'leaky gut,' a condition associated with diabetes, NASH, and various auto-immune diseases. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periodontopathic bacterium which causes periodontal tissue breakdown, and often enters the systemic blood flow. Oral administration of P. gingivalis induced gut dysbiosis in mice model, but no systemic administration of P. gingivalis has been reported thus far. In the present study, we investigated the effect of P. gingivalis-derived lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) on the intestinal flora of our established mouse model. Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally administered Pg-LPS. Three months later, DNA was extracted from stool, and RNA from the small and large intestines. After euthanizing the mice, pathological sections of the intestinal tract were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 expression levels were evaluated using quantitative PCR. 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicon analysis data were acquired using NGS. Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2. Furthermore, alterations in microbial function were performed by PICRUSt2. No significant inflammatory changes were observed in the H&E. No significant differences in the mRNA levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were observed between the groups. Pg-LPS administration decreased the abundance of Allobacterium in the gut. A predictive metagenomic analysis by PICRUSt2 and STAMP showed that 47 pathways increased and 17 pathways decreased after Pg-LPS administration. Systemic application of periodontal pathogens may cause changes in the intestinal flora which may affect the physiological functions of the intestinal tract.

Renal Health Improvement in Diabetes through Microbiome Modulation of the Gut-Kidney Axis with Biotics: A Systematic and Narrative Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide, with over 20% of patients ultimately developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a complex nephropathic complication that is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Various clinical trials have utilized probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to attempt to positively modulate the gut microbiome via the gut-kidney axis, but consensus is limited. We conducted a multi-database systematic review to investigate the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on various biomarkers of renal health in diabetes, based on studies published through 10 April 2022. Adhering to the Cochrane Collaboration and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, relevant articles were systematically screened and extracted by independent reviewers; subsequently, results were systematically compiled, analyzed, and expanded through a narrative discussion. A total of 16 publications encompassing 903 diabetic individuals met the inclusion criteria. Our findings show that some studies report statistically significant changes in common renal markers, such as serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, blood urea nitrogen/urea, microalbuminuria, and uric acid, but not on serum albumin, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, or total urine protein. Interestingly, these nutraceuticals seem to increase serum uric acid concentrations, an inflammatory marker usually associated with decreased renal health. We found that probiotics from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families were the most investigated, followed by Streptococcus thermophilus. Prebiotics including inulin, galacto-oligosaccharide, and resistant dextrin were also examined. The single-species probiotic soymilk formulation of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 possessed effects on multiple renal biomarkers in DKD patients without adverse events. We further investigated the optimum nutraceutical formulation, discussed findings from prior studies, described the gut-kidney axis in diabetes and DKD, and finally commented on some possible mechanisms of action of these nutraceuticals on renal health in diabetics. Although probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have shown some potential in ameliorating renal health degradation in diabetes via gut-kidney axis crosstalk, larger and more convincing trials with focused objectives and next-generation nutraceutical formulations are required to investigate their possible role as adjunct therapy in such patients.

Plant Polysaccharides Modulate Immune Function via the Gut Microbiome and May Have Potential in COVID-19 Therapy.

Plant polysaccharides can increase the number and variety of beneficial bacteria in the gut and produce a variety of active substances, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Gut microbes and their specific metabolites have the effects of promoting anti-inflammatory activity, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and activating and regulating immune cells, which are beneficial for improving immunity. A strong immune system reduces inflammation caused by external viruses and other pathogens. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still spreading globally, and patients with COVID-19 often have intestinal disease and weakened immune systems. This article mainly evaluates how polysaccharides in plants can improve the immune system barrier by improving the intestinal microecological balance, which may have potential in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

[Chinese medicinal formulae treat inflammatory bowel diseases through maintaining gut flora homeostasis].

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disorder of the gut, including Crohn's disease(CD) and ulcerative colitis(UC). The occurrence and development of IBD involves multiple pathogenic factors, and the dybiosis of gut flora is recognized as an important pathogenic mechanism of IBD. Therefore, restoring and maintaining the balance of gut flora including bacteria and fungi has become an effective option for IBD treatment. Based on the theoretical basis of the interaction between gut flora and IBD, this paper followed the principle of clinical syndrome differentiation for IBD therapy by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and summarized several Chinese medicinal formulae commonly used in IBD patients with large intestine damp-heat syndrome, intermingled heat and cold syndrome, spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation syndrome, spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, and severe heat poisoning syndrome. The therapeutic and regulatory effects of Shaoyao Decoction, Qingchang Suppository, Wumei Pills, Banxia Xiexin Decoction, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Lizhong Decoction, Sishen Pills, Tongxie Yaofang, Baitouweng Decoction, Gegen Qinlian Decoction, and Houttuyniae Herba prescriptions on gut flora of IBD patients were emphasized as well as the mechanisms. This study found that Chinese medicinal formulae increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, and other beneficial bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids, and reduced the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and other harmful bacteria to restore the balance of gut flora, thus treating IBD. Confronting the recalcitrance and high recurrence of IBD, Chinese medicinal formulae provide new opportunities for IBD treatment through intervening dysbiosis of gut flora.

Fast and Facile Biodegradation of Polystyrene by the Gut Microbial Flora of Plesiophthalmus davidis Larvae.

Polystyrene (PS), which accounts for a significant fraction of plastic wastes, is difficult to biodegrade due to its unique molecular structure. Therefore, biodegradation and chemical modification of PS are limited. In this study, we report PS biodegradation by the larvae of the darkling beetle Plesiophthalmus davidis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). In 14 days, P. davidis ingested 34.27 ± 4.04 mg of Styrofoam (PS foam) per larva and survived by feeding only on Styrofoam. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the ingested Styrofoam was oxidized. Gel permeation chromatography analysis indicated the decrease in average molecular weight of the residual PS in the frass compared with the feed Styrofoam. When the extracted gut flora was cultured for 20 days with PS films, biofilm and cavities were observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies revealed that C-O bonding was introduced into the biodegraded PS film. Serratia sp. strain WSW (KCTC 82146), which was isolated from the gut flora, also formed a biofilm and cavities on the PS film in 20 days, but its degradation was less prominent than the gut flora. XPS confirmed that C-O and C=O bonds were introduced into the biodegraded PS film by Serratia sp. WSW. Microbial community analysis revealed that Serratia was in the gut flora in significant amounts and increased sixfold when the larvae were fed Styrofoam for 2 weeks. This suggests that P. davidis larvae and its gut bacteria could be used to chemically modify and rapidly degrade PS.IMPORTANCE PS is widely produced in the modern world, but it is robust against biodegradation. A few studies reported the biodegradation of PS, but most of them merely observed its weight loss; fewer were able to find its chemical modifications, which are rather direct evidence of biodegradation, by using limited organisms. Therefore, it is required to find an effective way to decompose PS using various kinds of organisms. Herein, we discovered a new PS-degrading insect species and bacterial strain, and we found that the genus that includes the PS-degrading bacterial strain occurs in significant amounts in the larval gut flora, and the proportion of this genus increased as the larvae were fed Styrofoam. Our research offers a wider selection of PS-degrading insects and the possibility of using a certain mixture of bacteria that resemble the gut flora of a PS-degrading insect to biodegrade PS, and thus could contribute to solving the global plastic crisis.

The gut flora modulates intestinal barrier integrity but not progression of chronic kidney disease in hyperoxaluria-related nephrocalcinosis.

BACKGROUND: Dysbiosis, bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation have been found to be associated with human and experimental forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the functional contribution of the intestinal microbiota to CKD-related intestinal barrier dysfunction and CKD progression is unknown, especially in CKD secondary to hyperoxaluria and nephrocalcinosis. METHODS: C57BL/6N mice fed an oxalate-rich diet for either 10 or 20 days developed reversible or progressive kidney disease, respectively. RESULTS: Oxalate-induced CKD manifested as azotaemia, renal anaemia and hyperkalaemia. CKD was associated with persistent dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Local as well as systemic inflammation was evident and partially persisted despite better renal function after returning to an oxalate-free diet, indicating some innate immune memory. Eradication of the microbiota with a combination of antibiotics improved intestinal barrier function but had no effect on renal function, nephrocalcinosis, kidney remodelling and atrophy compared with control mice not receiving antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Together, in chronic oxalate nephropathy, the intestinal microbiota contributes to the CKD-related dysfunction of the intestinal barrier but not to the progression of nephrocalcinosis itself, as well to its related kidney atrophy and excretory dysfunction.

Variation in the gut microbial community is associated with the progression of liver regeneration.

AIM: To highlight a potential dynamic interaction between intestinal bacteria (IB) and metabolites that might contribute to liver regeneration (LR). METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to surgical removal of two-thirds of the liver and samples were collected over a 14-day period. Intestinal community and metabolic profiles were characterized to establish their potential interactions during liver regeneration. RESULTS: Partial hepatectomy caused fluctuating changes in the gut microbiome, which paralleled the biological processes of LR. Briefly, the enhanced cell proliferation occurring within 30-48 h was associated with a decreased ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes reflected by a reduction in Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, and an increase in Bacteroidaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Porphyromonadaceae, which was indicative of a lean phenotype. The microbiota derived from rats at 12-24 h and 3-14 days were characterized by elevated F/B ratios, suggesting the differing energy extract behaviors of microbiota during the course of LR. Functional changes of the shifted microbiota revealed by PICRUSt software confirmed the pyrosequencing results. The microbiome derived from hour 12 rats showed overpresentation of metabolism-related modules. In contrast, the microbiome derived from day 2 rats was functionally unique in "replication and repair", "amino acid metabolism," and "nucleoid metabolism." Upon examining the dynamic pattern of metabolic response, the specific pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, taurine, and hypotaurine metabolism, were identified to be attributable to the systemic alterations in LR-related metabolism. Moreover, our data indicated that several key functional bacteria were strongly related to perturbations of the above pathways. CONCLUSION: Gut flora could play a central role in manipulating metabolic responses in LR.