Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Sihocheonggan-Tang Shapes the Immune Responses of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by complex immune dysregulation and closely related to the gut microbiome. The present study investigated the microbiome-mediated effect of Sihocheonggan-Tang (SHCGT) on AD-like symptoms induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in BALB/c mice. DNCB was applied regularly to the ear and dorsal skin of BALB/c mice, and SHCGT was administered orally daily for 2 weeks. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and the effect of gut microbiome-derived metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), was evaluated in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)- and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-treated HaCaT cells. SHCGT alleviated DNCB-induced symptoms of AD and the immune response to AD by decreasing the plasma immunoglobulin E level and splenic interleukin-4, interleukin-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels. The gut microbiome composition and the damaged gut epithelial barrier in mice with AD were also significantly altered by SHCGT, and the reduced SCFA levels therein were elevated. We found that SFCAs directly inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-6 and ICAM-1 in TNF-α- and INF-γ-treated HaCaT cells. The finding that SHCGT regulates the gut microbiome and improves DNCB-induced AD in mice suggests that this herbal medicine has therapeutic potential in patients with AD.

Beneficial effects of voglibose administration on body weight and lipid metabolism via gastrointestinal bile acid modification.

This study was designed with the goal of examining the effects of voglibose administration on body weight and lipid metabolism and underlying mechanism high fat diet-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control diet (CTL), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet supplemented with voglibose (VO), and high fat diet pair-fed group (PF). After 12 weeks, the following characteristics were investigated: serum lipid and glucose levels, serum polar metabolite profiles, and expression levels of genes involved in lipid and bile acid metabolism. In addition, pyrosequencing was used to analyze the composition of gut microbiota found in feces. Total body weight gain was significantly lower in the VO group than in the CTL, HF, and PF groups. The VO group exhibited improved metabolic profiles including those of blood glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. The 12-week voglibose administration decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes found in feces. Circulating levels of taurocholic and cholic acid were significantly higher in the VO group than in the HF and CTL groups. Deoxycholic acid levels tended to be higher in the VO group than in the HF group. Voglibose administration downregulated expression levels of CYP8B1 and HNF4α genes and upregulated those of PGC1α, whereas FXRα was not affected. Voglibose administration elicits changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and circulating metabolites, which ultimately has systemic effects on body weight and lipid metabolism in mice.

Jannaschia seosinensis sp. nov., isolated from hypersaline water of a solar saltern in Korea.

A slightly halophilic alphaproteobacterium, designated CL-SP26T, was isolated from hypersaline water of a solar saltern located in Seosin, Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed an affiliation with the genus Jannaschia. Sequence similarities between CL-SP26T and type strains of members of the genus Jannaschia were 94.9-97.2 %. Cells were rod-shaped and motile with one or more monopolar flagella. Strain CL-SP26T grew on solid media as circular red colonies. It was able to grow in 3-10 % sea salt; however, no growth occurred in media containing NaCl as the only salt. Strain CL-SP26T grew at 5-35 degrees C and pH 7-10. The major fatty acids were 18 : 1omega7c (64 %) and 18 : 0 (12.0 %). Three fatty acids, 3-OH 14 : 0/iso 16 : 1 (3.6 %), 18 : 3omega6c (2.2 %) and 10-methyl 19 : 0 (1.9 %), found in minor quantities in CL-SP26(T), are unique among Jannaschia species. The DNA G+C content was 63 mol%. According to physiological data, fatty acid composition and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, CL-SP26T was assigned to the genus Jannaschia, but could be distinguished from recognized species of the genus. Strain CL-SP26T (= KCCM 42114T = JCM 13035T) therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Jannaschia seosinensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Pseudomonas panacis sp. nov., isolated from the surface of rusty roots of Korean ginseng.

A Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated CG20106(T), was isolated from the surface tissues of rusty root lesions of Korean ginseng. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that this isolate represents a hitherto unknown subline within the genus Pseudomonas. Strain CG20106(T) was catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile and rod-shaped. The overall phenotypic features of the ginseng isolate were similar to those of Pseudomonas cedrina, Pseudomonas migulae and Pseudomonas azotoformans. However, several physiological and chemotaxonomic properties can be weighted to distinguish the isolate from these organisms. The major fatty acids were C(16:1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH (summed feature 3, 36.4+/-0.4%), C(16:0) (27.5+/-0.7%) and C(18:1)omega7c (19.4+/-0.2%). The DNA G+C content was 61.4 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic results revealed in this study, the name Pseudomonas panacis sp. nov. is proposed for strain CG20106(T). The type strain is CG20106(T) (=IMSNU 14100(T)=CIP 108524(T)=KCTC 12330(T)).