Adalimumab therapy is associated with increased faecal short chain fatty acids in hidradenitis suppurativa.

Altered gut microbiota composition has been observed in individuals with hidradenitis suppurutiva (HS) and many other inflammatory diseases, including obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Here, we addressed whether adalimumab, a systemic anti-inflammatory therapy, may impact the microbiota biochemical profile, particularly on beneficial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We conducted an observational single-arm pilot trial to assess gut microbiota composition by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and to detect metabolite signatures by gas chromatography in stool samples from participants with HS prior to and 12 weeks after commencing adalimumab therapy. HS individuals that better responded to adalimumab treatment showed a shift in the composition and function of the gut microbiota with significantly increased SCFA acetate and propionate compared to age, gender and BMI-matched healthy controls. A positive correlation was observed between propionate with Prevotella sp and Faecalibacterium prausnitsii. Increased SCFAs, changes in gut microbiota composition, function and metabolic profile following 12 weeks of adalimumab suggest that targeting SCFAs may be considered a potential biomarker to be evaluated as a complementary protective factor or as a diagnostically relevant signal in HS.

Correlation between antibiotic consumption and the occurrence of multidrug-resistant organisms in a Malaysian tertiary hospital: a 3-year observational study.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics has been shown to contribute to the occurrence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs). A surveillance study was performed in the largest tertiary care hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2018 to 2020 to observe the trends of broad-spectrum antibiotics (beta-lactam/beta-lactamases inhibitors (BL/BLI), extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC), and fluoroquinolones (FQ)) and antibiotics against MRO (carbapenems, polymyxins, and glycopeptides) usage and the correlation between antibiotic consumption and MROs. The correlation between 3-year trends of antibiotic consumption (defined daily dose (DDD)/100 admissions) with MRO infection cases (per 100 admissions) was determined using a Jonckheere-Terpstra test and a Pearson's Correlation coefficient. The antimicrobial resistance trend demonstrated a positive correlation between ESC and FQ towards the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella spp, ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli), and MRO Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). Increasing carbapenem consumption was positively correlated with the occurrence of ESBL-producing Klebsiella spp and E. coli. Polymyxin use was positively correlated with ESBL-producing Klebsiella spp, MRO A. baumannii, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The findings reinforced concerns regarding the association between MRO development, especially with a surge in ESC and FQ consumption. Stricter use of antimicrobials is thus crucial to minimise the risk of emerging resistant organisms.

The Antibacterial Agent Identified from Acidocella spp. in the Fluid of Nepenthes gracilis Against Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Functional Metagenomic Approach.

Aims: The fluid of Nepenthes gracilis harbors diverse bacterial taxa that could serve as a gene pool for the discovery of the new genre of antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to explore the presence of antibacterial genes in the fluids of N. gracilis growing in the wild. Methods: Using functional metagenomic approach, fosmid clones were isolated and screened for antibacterial activity against three strains of K. pneumoniae. A clone that exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity was sent for sequencing to identify the genes responsible for the observed activity. The secondary metabolites secreted by the selected clone was sequentially extracted using hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. The chemical profiles of a clone (C6) hexane extract were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: Fosmid clone C6 from the fluid of pitcher plant that exhibited antibacterial activity against three strains of K. pneumoniae was isolated using functional metagenome approach. A majority of the open reading frames detected from C6 were affiliated with the largely understudied Acidocella genus. Among them, the gene that encodes for coproporphyrinogen III oxidase in the heme biosynthesis pathway could be involved in the observed antibacterial activity. Based on the GC-MS analysis, the identities of the putative bioactive compounds were 2,5-di-tert-butylphenol and 1-ethyl-2-methyl cyclododecane. Conclusions: The gene that encodes for coproporphyrinogen III oxidase in the heme biosynthesis pathway as well as the secondary metabolites, namely 2,5-di-tert-butylphenol and 1-ethyl-2-methyl cyclododecane could be the potential antibacterial molecules responsible for the antibacterial activity of C6.

Coffee consumption revealed sex differences in host endogenous metabolism and gut microbiota in healthy adults.

Coffee is rich in antioxidant and has been shown to confer various health benefits. Here, we investigated the effect of single-dose coffee consumption in healthy human subjects. About 30 healthy volunteers were recruited and given a serving of sugar free black coffee. Urine and fecal samples were collected and analyzed. Significant changes in urinary metabolites relating to coffee, gut microbial and host energy metabolisms were observed post-coffee consumption. Clear sex differences were also observed in the urinary metabolic profiles pre- and post-coffee consumption. Sex differences in richness and composition of gut microbiota were observed, however, the effect of single-dose coffee consumption on host gut microbiota were unremarkable. These findings indicated that single-dose coffee consumption affects sex-specific host metabolic responses that relates to gut-microbe and energy metabolism. This study demonstrated the utility of systems biology tools to unravel complexity of host-diet biology and gut microbial responses. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study demonstrated that integrated systems biology approach enabled efficient extractions of host biochemical and microbial information that allows food industry to ascertain the impact of diet and longitudinal assessment of potential functional food in humans.

LC-QTOF-MS analysis of xanthone content in different parts of Garcinia mangostana and its influence on cholinesterase inhibition.

Mangosteen is one of the best tasting tropical fruit widely cultivated in Southeast Asia. This study aimed to quantify xanthone content in different parts of Garcinia mangostana by LC-QTOF-MS and determine its influence on their cholinesterase inhibitory activities. The total xanthone content in G. mangostana was in the following order: pericarp > calyx > bark > stalk > stem > leaves > aril. The total xanthone content of pericarp was 100 times higher than the aril. Methanol extracts of the pericarp and calyx demonstrated the most potent inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC50 values of 0.90 and 0.37 µg/mL, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between xanthone content and cholinesterase inhibition. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed α-mangostin and γ-mangostin of pericarp as the key metabolites contributing to cholinesterase inhibition. Due to the increasing demand of mangosteen products, repurposing of fruit waste (pericarp) has great potential for enhancement of the cognitive health of human beings.

Effects of supplementing freeze-dried Mitsuokella jalaludinii phytase on the growth performance and gut microbial diversity of broiler chickens.

Inclusion of phytase in animal feedstuff is a common practice to enhance nutrients availability. However, little is known about the effects of phytase supplementation on the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, freeze-dried Mitsuokella jalaludinii phytase (MJ) was evaluated in a feeding trial with broilers fed a low available phosphorus (aP) diet. A total of 180 male broiler chicks (day-old Cobb) were assigned into three dietary treatments: Control fed with 0.4% (w/w) of available phosphorus (aP); Group T1 fed low aP [0.2% (w/w)] supplemented with MJ; and T2 fed low aP and deactivated MJ. The source of readily available P, dicalcium phosphate (DCP), was removed from low aP diet, whereby additional limestone was provided to replace the amount of Ca normally found in DCP. For each treatment, 4 replicate pens were used, where each pen consisted of 15 animals. The animals' energy intake and caecal bacterial community were monitored weekly for up to 3 weeks. The apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM) of broilers fed with different diets were determined. In addition, the caecal microbial diversities of broilers were assessed using high-throughput next-generation sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA. The results showed that broilers fed with T1 diet have better feed conversion ratio (FCR) when compared to the Control (p < .05) and T2 diets (p < .05), demonstrating the efficiency of MJ as a supplement to low aP diet. Nevertheless, MJ did not significantly affect the microbial population and diversity in broilers' caeca, which mainly consists of members from Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Regardless, significant variations in the caecal bacterial composition were observed over time, probably due to succession as the broilers aged. This is the first reported study on the effect of MJ on the microbial diversity of broiler's caeca.

Terpene Derivatives as a Potential Agent against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Pathogens.

The evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens has prompted extensive research to find alternative therapeutics. Plants rich with natural secondary metabolites are one of the go-to reservoirs for discovery of potential resources to alleviate this problem. Terpenes and their derivatives comprising of hydrocarbons, are usually found in essential oils (EOs). They have been reported to have potent antimicrobial activity, exhibiting bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against tested pathogens. This brief review discusses the activity of terpenes and derivatives against pathogenic bacteria, describing the potential of the activity against AMR followed by the possible mechanism exerted by each terpene class. Finally, ongoing research and possible improvisation to the usage of terpenes and terpenoids in therapeutic practice against AMR are discussed.