Gut microbiota dynamics and fecal SCFAs after colonoscopy: accelerating microbiome stabilization by Clostridium butyricum.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is a classic diagnostic method with possible complications including abdominal pain and diarrhoea. In this study, gut microbiota dynamics and related metabolic products during and after colonoscopy were explored to accelerate gut microbiome balance through probiotics. METHODS: The gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed in four healthy subjects before and after colonoscopy, along with seven individuals supplemented with Clostridium butyricum. We employed 16S rRNA sequencing and GC-MS to investigate these changes. We also conducted bioinformatic analysis to explore the buk gene, encoding butyrate kinase, across C. butyricum strains from the human gut. RESULTS: The gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) of four healthy subjects were recovered on the 7th day after colonoscopy. We found that Clostridium and other bacteria might have efficient butyric acid production through bioinformatic analysis of the buk and assessment of the transcriptional level of the buk. Supplementation of seven healthy subjects with Clostridium butyricum after colonoscopy resulted in a quicker recovery and stabilization of gut microbiota and fecal SCFAs on the third day. CONCLUSION: We suggest that supplementation of Clostridium butyricum after colonoscopy should be considered in future routine clinical practice.

The Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Aerobic Exercise for Coronary Heart Disease as Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Background: The mortality of coronary heart disease continues to rise. Cardiac rehabilitation intervenes the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, improves cardiopulmonary function, maintains healthy psychology, improves the quality of life of patients, and reduces cardiovascular mortality. Objective: To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with aerobic exercise on cardiopulmonary exercise ability, blood lipid, fatty acid oxidation, and psychology in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: Sixty patients with coronary heart disease from February 2018 to October 2020 were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and experimental group. The control group was given an exercise prescription, and the experimental group was given acupuncture combined with an exercise prescription. Before and after the intervention, the cardiopulmonary exercise test, blood lipid, carnitine acyltransferase (CACT), the Self-Rating Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) of the two groups were compared. Results: The PHQ-9 score was better in the experimental group than in the control group. In both groups, after the intervention, the peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold were increased, and blood lipid and PHQ-9 scores were decreased. In the experimental group, the carbon dioxide metabolic equivalent was decreased, CACT was increased, and SSS and GAD-7 scores were decreased, with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with aerobic exercise can improve the cardiopulmonary exercise ability, increase fatty acid oxidation, decrease blood lipid, and ameliorate anxiety and depression symptoms of patients with coronary heart disease as cardiac rehabilitation.

The changes of serum zinc, copper, and selenium levels in epileptic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: It is widely accepted that trace elements have been implicated in various metabolic processes. Valproic acid (VPA) is a remarkably safe and effective antiepileptic drug. There is no consensus option regarding the fluctuations in serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) in epileptic patients treated with VPA. We applied a meta-analysis to systematically assess the effects of VPA on serum ions in these patients. AREAS COVERED: In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of the changes in serum Zn, Cu, and Se levels in human samples of healthy controls, epileptic patients, and patients treated with VPA. Twenty-two published analyzable studies were selected by searching the databases of PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Google Scholar, Web of Science, EMBASE, WAN FANG and Vip. EXPERT OPINION: Serum Se levels in epileptic patients were decreased compared to healthy controls. Serum Zn levels in patients with VPA treatment were significantly lower than those in epileptic patients. The results of this meta-analysis are instructive for the intake of trace elements such as Zn, Cu, and Se in the diet balance of patients with epilepsy treated with VPA. Meanwhile, this study provides a theoretical basis for the combined use of other drugs that affect the intake and absorption of trace elements and VPA.

[Study on absorption ingredients of Plantaginis semen by in vitro everted intestinal sac method].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for quick investigating the absorption ingredients of Plantaginis semen and guiding the index selection for its quality control. METHOD: The absorption of three concentrations of Plantaginis semem was investigated with the in vitro everted intestinal sac (VEIS) model The intestinal sac contents of jejunum and ileum were collected at different time and geniposidic acid was detected by HPLC and LC-MS(n) as the representative marker. RESULT: Six ingredients could be detected. At different concentrations of Plantaginis semen, geniposidic acid tested by VEIS showed that there was a good linear correlation between the drug absorption from the medium across the intestinal epithelium into the sac contents in various intestines section. The absorption of the gut sacs from 0 to 90 min manifested a significant time-dependent manner. The Ka of geniposidic acid in the jejunum and ileum increased along with the raised dosage of the Plantaginis Semen (P < 0.05), which indicated a passive absorption manner. CONCLUSION: This method can be used as a tool to investigate the absorption ingredients of Plantaginis Semen. Comparing with the jejunum, the ileum can provide more absorption information faster. The optimal incubation time in intestinal sac was 90 min.

[Quantitative analysis of four alkaloids in Xianglian preparations by QAMS method].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibilities of the method, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) for determination of four alkaloids in Xianglian preparations. METHOD: A HPLC method was developed to determine the contents of four alkaloids, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine in Xianglian preparations. Berberine was selected as the internal reference substance, and 3 relative correction factors to berberine were calculated. The contents of the four alkaloids in 16 batches of samples were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The new method was evaluated by comparing the quantitative results with of the external standard method. RESULT: No significant differences were found between the quantitative results of four alkaloids in 16 batches of samples determined by the two methods. CONCLUSION: QAMS is feasible for determination of four alkaloids simultaneously, and the developed method can be used for quality control of Xiang Lian preparations.