Bile acid-gut microbiota crosstalk in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction with an increasing prevalence, and its precise aetiology remains unclear. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been found to be associated with IBS pathogenesis. In addition, a high incidence of bile acid diarrhoea and disturbed bile acid metabolism has been observed in IBS patients. The abundant microorganisms inhabited in human gut have essential functions in bile acid biotransformation, and can immensely affect the size and constitution of bile acid pool. Meanwhile, the alterations of bile acid profile can inversely interfere with the gut microbiota. This review discussed the role of intricate correlations between bile acids and gut microbiota in IBS pathogenesis and delineated the possible molecular mechanisms, mainly the signalling induced by farnesoid X receptor and transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor 5. Besides, some biomarkers for identifying bile acid diarrhoea in IBS population were listed, assisting the diagnosis and classification of IBS. Moreover, it also assessed some therapeutic strategies for IBS that regulate the bile acid-gut microbiota axis, such as dietary modulation, probiotics/prebiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation, and antibiotics. Collectively, this article illustrated the relationship between bile acids and gut microbiota in IBS pathophysiology and might offer some novel therapeutic options for IBS.

Netrin-4: Focus on Its Role in Axon Guidance, Tissue Stability, Angiogenesis and Tumors.

Netrin-4, a member of the Netrins family, is an important secreted protein that plays a role in axonal outgrowth and migration orientation. It was initially described that Netrin-4 had a high correlation with the laminin ß-chain and promoted the growth of neurites in cultured olfactory bulb explants. Subsequently, it was discovered that Netrin-4 is involved in regulating various physiological processes, including angiogenesis, the occurrence and metastasis of various tumors, and the development of the kidney and alveoli. This paper reviews the current research on Netrin-4 since its discovery and provides a theoretical basis for further research on the biological characteristics of Netrin-4. Effects of Netrin-4. Netrin-4 regulates axon guidance, angiogenesis and the development of various tumors.

[Active components and mechanism of Jinwugutong Capsules in treatment of osteoporosis: a study based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology].

UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology were employed to preliminarily study the active components and mechanism of Jinwugutong Capsules in the treatment of osteoporosis. Firstly, UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS was employed to characterize the chemical components of Jinwugutong Capsules, and network pharmacology was employed to establish the "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network. The key targets and main active components were thus obtained. Secondly, AutoDock was used for the molecular docking between the main active components and key targets. Finally, the animal model of osteoporosis was established, and the effect of Jinwugutong Capsules on the expression of key targets including RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase(AKT1), albumin(ALB), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). A total of 59 chemical components were identified from Jinwugutong Capsules, among which coryfolin, 8-prenylnaringenin, demethoxycurcumin, isobavachin, and genistein may be the main active components of Jinwugutong Capsules in treating osteoporosis. The topological analysis of the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network revealed 10 core targets such as AKT1, ALB, catenin beta 1(CTNNB1), TNF, and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment showed that Jinwugutong Capsules mainly exerted the therapeutic effect by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway and so on. Molecular docking showed that the main active components of Jinwugutong Capsules well bound to the key targets. ELISA results showed that Jinwugutong Capsules down-regulated the protein levels of AKT1 and TNF-α and up-regulated the protein level of ALB, which preliminarily verified the reliability of network pharmacology. This study indicates that Jinwugutong Capsules may play a role in the treatment of osteoporosis through multiple components, targets, and pathways, which can provide reference for the further research.

Microbial metabolite deoxycholic acid promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation in intestinal carcinogenesis.

A high-fat diet (HFD) leads to long-term exposure to gut microbial metabolite secondary bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid (DCA), in the intestine, which is closely linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). Evidence reveals that vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a critical event for the malignant transformation of cancer. Therefore, this study investigated the crucial roles of DCA in the regulation of VM and the progression of intestinal carcinogenesis. The effects of an HFD on VM formation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human CRC tissues were investigated. The fecal DCA level was detected in HFD-treated Apcmin/+ mice. Then the effects of DCA on VM formation, EMT, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Here we demonstrated that compared with a normal diet, an HFD exacerbated VM formation and EMT in CRC patients. An HFD could alter the composition of the gut microbiota and significantly increase the fecal DCA level in Apcmin/+ mice. More importantly, DCA promoted tumor cell proliferation, induced EMT, increased VM formation, and activated VEGFR2, which led to intestinal carcinogenesis. In addition, DCA enhanced the proliferation and migration of HCT-116 cells, and induced EMT process and vitro tube formation. Furthermore, the silence of VEGFR2 reduced DCA-induced EMT, VM formation, and migration. Collectively, our results indicated that microbial metabolite DCA promoted VM formation and EMT through VEGFR2 activation, which further exacerbated intestinal carcinogenesis.

High-fat diet-induced dysbiosis mediates MCP-1/CCR2 axis-dependent M2 macrophage polarization and promotes intestinal adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence.

High-fat diet (HFD) is a well-known risk factor for gut microbiota dysbiosis and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, evidence relating HFD, gut microbiota and carcinogenesis is limited. Our study aimed to demonstrate that HFD-induced gut dysbiosis promoted intestinal adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence. In clinical study, we found that HFD increased the incidence of advanced colorectal neoplasia (AN). The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and CD163 in CRC patients with HFD was significantly higher than that in CRC patients with normal diet. When it comes to the Apcmin/+ mice, HFD consumption could induce gut dysbiosis and promote intestinal carcinogenesis, accompanying with activation of MCP-1/CCR2 axis that recruited and polarized M2 tumour-associated macrophages. Interestingly, transfer of faecal microbiota from HFD-fed mice to another batch of Apcmin/+ mice in the absence of HFD could also enhance carcinogenesis without significant body weight gain and induced MCP-1/CCR2 axis activation. HFD-induced dysbiosis could also be transmitted. Meanwhile, antibiotics cocktail treatment was sufficient to inhibit HFD-induced carcinogenesis, indicating the vital role of dysbiosis in cancer development. Conclusively, these data indicated that HFD-induced dysbiosis accelerated intestinal adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence through activation of MCP-1/CCR2 axis, which would provide new insight into better understanding of the mechanisms and prevention for HFD-related CRC.

The gut microbiota at the intersection of bile acids and intestinal carcinogenesis: An old story, yet mesmerizing.

The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has markedly increased worldwide in the last decade. Alterations of bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota have been reported to play vital roles in intestinal carcinogenesis. About trillions of bacteria have inhabited in the human gut and maintained the balance of host metabolism. Bile acids are one of numerous metabolites that are synthesized in the liver and further metabolized by the gut microbiota, and are essential in maintaining the normal gut microbiota and lipid digestion. Multiple receptors such as FXR, GPBAR1, PXR, CAR and VDR act as sensors of bile acids have been reported. In this review, we mainly discussed interplay between bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota in intestinal carcinogenesis. We then summarized the critical role of bile acids receptors involving in CRC, and also addressed the rationale of multiple interventions for CRC management by regulating bile acids-microbiota axis such as probiotics, metformin, ursodeoxycholic acid and fecal microbiota transplantation. Thus, by targeting the bile acids-microbiota axis may provide novel therapeutic modalities in CRC prevention and treatment.

Troxerutin dampened hypothalamic neuroinflammation via microglial IL-22/IL-22R1/IRF3 activation in dihydrotestosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive-endocrine condition in premenopausal women. Troxerutin, a common clinical anti-coagulant agent, was shown to work as a strong IL-22 boosting agent counteracting the hyperactivated gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and heightened GnRH release, the neuroendocrine origin of PCOS with unknown mechanism in rats. Exploring the off-label use of troxerutin medication for PCOS is thus sorely needed. METHODS: Serum IL-22 content and hypothalamic IL-22 protein were detected. Inflammatory factor levels in hypothalamo-pituitary were evaluated. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to determine the activation and M1/M2-prone polarization of microglia in arcuate hypothalamus and median eminence. RNA-sequencing and transcriptome analysis were applied to explore the potential driver of microglia M2-polarization in response to IL-22 bolstering effect. The function of microglial IL-22/IL-22R1/IRF3 system was further verified using in vivo knockdown of IL-22R1 and a potent IRF3 inhibitor in BV2 microglial cell lines in vitro. RESULTS: Troxerutin augmented serum IL-22 content, and its consequent spillover into the hypothalamus led to the direct activation of IL-22R1/IRF3 system on microglia, thereby promoted microglia M2 polarization in arcuate hypothalamus and median eminence, dampened hypothalamic neuroinflammation, inhibited hyperactive GnRH and rescued a breadth of PCOS-like traits in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) rats. The salutary effects of troxerutin treatment on hypothalamic neuroinflammation, microglial M1/2 polarization, GnRH secretion and numerous PCOS-like features were blocked by in vivo knockdown of IL-22R1. Moreover, evidence in vitro illustrated that IL-22 supplement to BV-2 microglia cell lines promoted M2 polarization, overproduction of anti-inflammatory marker and limitation of pro-inflammatory factors, whereas these IL-22 effects were blunted by geldanamycin, a potent IRF3 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Here, the present study reported the potential off-label use of troxerutin medication, a common clinical anti-coagulant agent and an endogenous IL-22 enhancer, for multiple purposes in PCOS. The rational underlying the application of troxerutin as a therapeutic choice in PCOS derived from its activity as an IL-22 memetic agent targeting the neuro-endocrine origin of PCOS, and its promotive impact on microglia M2 polarization via activating microglial IL-22R1/IRF3 system in the arcuate hypothalamus and median eminence of DHT female rats.

Solifenacin promotes remyelination in cuprizone mouse model by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Demyelinating diseases are a type of neurological disorder characterized by the damage to the myelin sheath in the central nervous system. Promoting the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) is crucial for treatment. Non-selective muscarinic receptor (MR) antagonists have been shown to improve remyelination in rodent models, although the mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we treated cuprizone (CPZ)-induced demyelination mouse model with different concentrations of Solifenacin (Sol), a selective M3 receptor antagonist, to determine the optimal concentration for promoting remyelination. Behavioral tests and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were used to observe the extent of remyelination, while immunofluorescence was used to measure the expression levels of myelin-related proteins, including myelin basic protein (MBP) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-α). Western blot analysis was employed to analyze the expression levels of molecules associated with the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. The results showed that Sol treatment significantly promoted myelin regeneration and OPCs differentiation in CPZ-induced demyelination mouse model. Additionally, Sol treatment inhibited the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and reversed the effects of CPZ on OPCs differentiation. In conclusion, Sol may promote the differentiation of OPCs by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, making it a potential therapeutic option for central nervous system demyelinating diseases.

Study of the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of Miao medicine comprising raw and processed Radix Wikstroemia indica using the "sweat soaking method".

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: To explore the differences in the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanisms of the Miao medicine, both raw and after processing, using the "sweat soaking method" of Radix Wikstroemia indica (RWI). AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of action before and after the processing of the Miao medicine (RWI) using the "sweat soaking method." MATERIALS AND METHODS: Network pharmacology technology was used to construct the "drug-component target-pathway-disease" network, and the main anti-inflammatory pathways of RWI were identified. Rat models of collagen-induced arthritis were established. The changes in body weight, swelling rate of the foot pad and ankle joint, arthritis index, thymus index, spleen index, pathological changes of the ankle joint, and the content of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and NO) were used as indices to evaluate the effect of RWI on rats with collagen-induced arthritis before and after its processing. Plasma and urine samples were collected from the rats, and the potential biomarkers of, and metabolic pathways underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of RWI before and after processing were identified using 1H-Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics combined with a multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: Eleven key anti-inflammatory targets of IL6, IL-1ß, TNF, ALB, AKT1, IFNG, INS, STAT3, EGFR, TP53, and SRC were identified by network pharmacology. The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, steroid hormone biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and other pathways were mainly involved in these effects. Pharmacodynamic studies found that both raw and processed RWI products downregulated inflammatory factors in rats with collagen-induced arthritis and alleviated the pathological changes. A total of 41 potential pathways for the anti-inflammatory effects of raw RWI products and 36 potential pathways for the anti-inflammatory effects of processed RWI products were identified by plasma and urine metabolomics. The common pathways of network pharmacology and metabolomics were steroid hormone biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory effect of RWI was mainly related to the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. Finally, the "sweat soaking method" enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of RWI.

Joint Sparse Collaborative Regression on Imaging Genetics Study of Schizophrenia.

The imaging genetics approach generates large amount of high dimensional and multi-modal data, providing complementary information for comprehensive study of Schizophrenia, a complex mental disease. However, at the same time, the variety of these data in structures, resolutions, and formats makes their integrative study a forbidding task. In this paper, we propose a novel model called Joint Sparse Collaborative Regression (JSCoReg), which can extract class-specific features from different health conditions/disease classes. We first evaluate the performance of feature selection in terms of Receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the ROC curve in the simulation experiment. We demonstrate that the JSCoReg model can achieve higher accuracy compared with similar models including Joint Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis and Sparse Collaborative Regression. We then applied the JSCoReg model to the analysis of schizophrenia dataset collected from the Mind Clinical Imaging Consortium. The JSCoReg enables us to better identify biomarkers associated with schizophrenia, which are verified to be both biologically and statistically significant.

Ebselen alleviates white matter lesions and improves cognitive deficits by attenuating oxidative stress via Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion mice.

Oxidative stress is crucial in cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Therefore, ameliorating oxidative damage is considered to be a beneficial strategy for the treatment of WMLs. Ebselen (EbSe), a small lipid organoselenium compound, its lipid peroxidation activity is mediated through the glutathione peroxidase-mimetic properties. This study aimed to investigate the role of EbSe in WMLs after bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). The BCAS model can moderately reduce cerebral blood flow, and mimics white matter damage caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion or small vessel disease. Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) was used to monitor the cerebral blood flow of mice. The spatial learning and memory were tested by using the eight-arm maze. LFB staining was used to detect demyelination. The expression of MBP, GFAP and Iba1 was assayed by immunofluorescence. The demyelination was assessed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The activities of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px were detected by assay kits. The mRNA levels of SOD, GSH-Px and HO-1 was detected by realtime PCR. The activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and the expression of SOD, GSH-Px and HO-1was assessed by Western blot. EbSe ameliorated cognitive deficits and white matter lesions induced by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). The expression of GFAP and Iba1 was decreased in the corpus callosum of BCAS mice after EbSe treatment. Moreover, EbSe alleviated the level of MDA by elevating the expression and mRNA of SOD, GSH-Px and HO-1 in BCAS mice. Furthermore, EbSe promoted the dissociation of the Keap1/Nrf2 complex, resulting in the accumulation of Nrf2 in the nucleus. This study demonstrates a favorable effect of EbSe on cognitive impairment in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model, and the improvement of EbSe's antioxidant property is mediated by Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Clostridium butyricum, a butyrate-producing potential probiotic, alleviates experimental colitis through epidermal growth factor receptor activation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Modulation of gut microbiota with dietary and nutritional targets is a feasible strategy for the prevention and treatment of IBD. In this study, we focused on Clostridium butyricum Prazmowski (CB), a butyrate-producing potential probiotic. We found that CB feeding decreased the disease activity index, colon inflammation/injury score and cell apoptosis in an experimental colitis mouse model, as well as elevated the level of SCFAs in cecal feces. CB could also balance the inflammatory cytokines, protect tight junctions, and increase the number of goblet cells and MUC2 production in mice, accompanied by EGFR signaling activation triggered by heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) and amphiregulin (AREG). From the perspective of mechanism, the CB supernatant (CBS) stimulated EGFR activation in colon epithelial cell lines in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners. CBS reduced the damage of tight junctions induced by H2O2, and inhibition of EGFR could suppress the protective effect of CBS. In conclusion, CB could protect the gut barrier and alleviate experimental colitis through the transactivation of EGFR signaling in intestinal epithelial cells induced by ligands (HB-EGF and AREG). This study identified the potential efficacy of CB as a preventive strategy for IBD and showed the broad prospect of CB as a food supplement.

On the Machinability Evolution in Asymmetric Milling of TC25 Ti Alloy Aiming at High Performance Machining.

In this paper, the evolutions of cutting force, cutting temperature, and surface roughness, and the corresponding machinability in asymmetric up-milling of TC25 alloy are investigated. The results indicated that radial depth of cut generated opposite influence on the cutting force/cutting temperature versus surface roughness. The reason can be accounted as the intertwining of feed marks at low radial depth of cut, and the mechanism of hard cutting at a high radial depth of cut. Moreover, the asymmetry has a significant effect on the machinability in asymmetry up-milling TC25 alloy. Changing the asymmetry, i.e., the radial depth of cut, can alter the machinability while maintain the balanced development of various indexes. The machinability reaches the best when the radial depth of cut is ae = 8 mm. The axial depth of cut and feed per tooth should be selected as large as possible to avoid work hardening and to improve machining efficiency in asymmetric up-milling TC25 alloy. The cutting speed should be controlled within Vc = 100-120 m/min to obtain better machinability. On the basis of this research, it is expected to find optimized milling parameters to realize high efficiency milling of TC25 alloy.

Bile Acid-Gut Microbiota Axis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Bench to Bedside.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, with increasing prevalence, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggested that gut microbiota and bile acids play pivotal roles in intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. Patients with IBD exhibit decreased microbial diversity and abnormal microbial composition marked by the depletion of phylum Firmicutes (including bacteria involved in bile acid metabolism) and the enrichment of phylum Proteobacteria. Dysbiosis leads to blocked bile acid transformation. Thus, the concentration of primary and conjugated bile acids is elevated at the expense of secondary bile acids in IBD. In turn, bile acids could modulate the microbial community. Gut dysbiosis and disturbed bile acids impair the gut barrier and immunity. Several therapies, such as diets, probiotics, prebiotics, engineered bacteria, fecal microbiota transplantation and ursodeoxycholic acid, may alleviate IBD by restoring gut microbiota and bile acids. Thus, the bile acid-gut microbiota axis is closely connected with IBD pathogenesis. Regulation of this axis may be a novel option for treating IBD.

Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolites in Colorectal Cancer: The Bad and the Challenges.

Accumulating evidence from studies in humans and animal models has elucidated that gut microbiota, acting as a complex ecosystem, contributes critically to colorectal cancer (CRC). The potential mechanisms often reported emphasize the vital role of carcinogenic activities of specific pathogens, but in fact, a series of metabolites produced from exogenous dietary substrates or endogenous host compounds occupy a decisive position similarly. Detrimental gut microbiota-derived metabolites such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, secondary bile acids, hydrogen sulfide and N-nitroso compounds could reconstruct the ecological composition and metabolic activity of intestinal microorganisms and formulate a microenvironment that opens susceptibility to carcinogenic stimuli. They are implicated in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of CRC through different mechanisms, including inducing inflammation and DNA damage, activating tumorigenic signaling pathways and regulating tumor immunity. In this review, we mainly summarized the intimate relationship between detrimental gut microbiota-derived metabolites and CRC, and updated the current knowledge about detrimental metabolites in CRC pathogenesis. Then, multiple interventions targeting these metabolites for CRC management were critically reviewed, including diet modulation, probiotics/prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, as well as more precise measures such as engineered bacteria, phage therapy and chemopreventive drugs. A better understanding of the interplay between detrimental microbial metabolites and CRC would hold great promise against CRC.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Colonization in Early Life Ameliorates Inflammaging of Offspring by Activating SIRT1/AMPK/PGC-1α Pathway.

Inflammaging refers to chronic, low-grade inflammation during aging, which contributes to the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. Studies have shown that probiotic intervention in the aging stage could delay aging-related disorders. However, whether the application of probiotics in early life could have antiaging effects on offspring was unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) colonization in early life on inflammaging of offspring. Pregnant mice with the same conception time were given LGG live bacteria (LC group) or LGG fixed bacteria (NC group) from the 18th day after pregnancy until natural birth. The progeny mice were treated with 107 cfu of live or fixed LGG for 0-5 days after birth, respectively. LGG colonization could be detected in the feces of 3-week offspring. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of 3-week-old offspring showed that colonization of LGG in early life could alter the composition and diversity of gut microbiota. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of LGG colonization in early life on the microbiota lasted to 8 months old. The abundance of longevity-related bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia muciniphila) increased significantly in the LGG colonization group. In addition, LGG colonization increased the abundance of short-chain fatty acid- (SCFA-) producing bacteria and the production of cecal SCFAs. LGG colonization in early life protected the intestinal barrier, enhanced antioxidant defense, attenuated epithelial cell DNA damage, and inhibited intestinal low-grade inflammation in 8-month-old progeny mice. Mechanically, LGG could upregulate Sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) pathway and repress activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), while the protective effect of LGG was blunted after SIRT1 gene silencing. Together, LGG colonization in early life could ameliorate inflammaging of offspring, which would provide a new strategy for the prevention of age-related diseases.

Gut Dysbiosis and Abnormal Bile Acid Metabolism in Colitis-Associated Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with prolonged inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can develop into colorectal cancer (CRC), also called colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Studies have shown the association between gut dysbiosis, abnormal bile acid metabolism, and inflammation process. Here, we aimed to investigate these two factors in the CAC model. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated to two groups: azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) and control. The AOM/DSS group received AOM injection followed by DSS drinking water. Intestinal inflammation, mucosal barrier, and bile acid receptors were determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Fecal microbiome and bile acids were detected via 16S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The AOM/DSS group exhibited severe mucosal barrier impairment, inflammatory response, and tumor formation. In the CAC model, the richness and biodiversity of gut microbiota were decreased, along with significant alteration of composition. The abundance of pathogens was increased, while the short-chain fatty acids producing bacteria were reduced. Interestingly, Clostridium XlV and Lactobacillus, which might be involved in the bile acid deconjugation, transformation, and desulfation, were significantly decreased. Accordingly, fecal bile acids were decreased, accompanied by reduced transformation of primary to secondary bile acids. Given bile acid receptors, the ileum farnesoid X receptor-fibroblast growth factor 15 (FXR-FGF15) axis was downregulated, while Takeda G-protein receptor 5 (TGR5) was overexpressed in colonic tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Gut dysbiosis might alter the metabolism of bile acids and promote CAC, which would provide a potential preventive strategy of CAC by regulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition by interacting with Transgelin in Colorectal Cancer.

Background and Purpose: The role of the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor progression has been studied, but its exact regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Methods: The interaction between COMP and the actin-binding protein transgelin (TAGLN) was identified by interaction protein prediction and co-immunoprecipitation and verified through the stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) and duolink experiments. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to detect the changes in EMT-related markers after COMP overexpression and knockdown. Molecular docking and Biacore of the interaction interface of COMP/TAGLN revealed that Chrysin directly targeted COMP. The promotion of COMP and the Chrysin inhibition of EMT were detected through the cell migration, invasion, apoptosis, and xenotransplantation of nude mice. Results: COMP interacts with TAGLN in EMT in colorectal cancer to regulate cytoskeletal remodeling and promote malignant progression. COMP is highly expressed in highly malignant colorectal cancer and positively correlated with TAGLN expression. COMP knockdown can inhibit colorectal cancer metastasis and invasion, whereas COMP overexpression promotes EMT in colorectal cancer. Through virtual screening of the protein interaction interface, Chrysin, a flavonoid compound extracted from Oroxylum indicum, was found to have the highest docking score to the COMP/TAGLN complex. Chrysin inhibited COMP, thereby preventing EMT and the malignant progression of colorectal cancer. Conclusions: This study illustrated the role of COMP in EMT and suggested that COMP/TAGLN may be a potential tumor therapeutic target. Chrysin exhibits obvious antitumor effects. This work provides a preliminary antitumor therapy to target COMP or its interaction protein to inhibit EMT.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in the Treatment of Diseases Associated with Orthopedic Injuries.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentrate prepared from the whole blood that is activated to release growth factors (GFs) and cytokines and has been shown to have the potential capacity to reduce inflammation and improve tissue anabolism for regeneration. The use of PRP provides a potential for repair due to its abundant GFs and cytokines, which are key in initiating and modulating regenerative microenvironments for soft and hard tissues. Among outpatients, orthopedic injuries are common and include bone defects, ligament injury, enthesopathy, musculoskeletal injury, peripheral nerve injury, chronic nonhealing wounds, articular cartilage lesions, and osteoarthritis, which are caused by trauma, sport-related or other types of trauma, or tumor resection. Surgical intervention is often required to treat these injuries. However, for numerous reasons regarding limited regeneration capacity and insufficient blood supply of the defect region, these treatments commonly result in unsatisfactory outcomes, and follow-up treatment is challenging. The aim of the present review is to explore future research in the field of PRP therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with orthopedic injuries. Impact statement In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become widely used in the treatment of diseases associated with orthopedic injuries, and the results of numerous studies are encouraging. Due to diseases associated with orthopedic injuries being common in clinics, as a conservative treatment, more and more doctors and patients are more likely to accept PRP. Importantly, PRP is a biological product of autologous blood that is obtained by a centrifugation procedure to enrich platelets from whole blood, resulting in few complications, such as negligible immunogenicity from an autologous source, and it is also simple to produce through an efficient and cost-effective method in a sterile environment. However, the applicability, advantages, and disadvantages of PRP therapy have not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of the present review is to explore future research in the field of PRP therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with orthopedic injuries, as well as to provide references for clinics.

Maternal sucralose intake alters gut microbiota of offspring and exacerbates hepatic steatosis in adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be associated with diet and gut dysbiosis. Excessive sucralose can induce gut dysbiosis and negatively affect host health. Maternal diet shapes the microbial communities of neonate and this effect continues in later life. We aimed to investigate the effects of maternal sucralose (MS) intake on the susceptibility of offspring to hepatic steatosis in adulthood. METHODS: C57BL/6 pregnant mice were randomized into MS group (MS during gestation and lactation) and maternal control (MC) group (MC diet). After weaning, all offspring were fed a control diet until 8 weeks of age, and then treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. The intestinal development, mucosal barrier function, and gut microbiota were assessed in the 3-week-old offspring. Moreover, the severity of hepatic steatosis, serum biochemistry, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota was then assessed in the 12th week. RESULTS: MS significantly inhibited intestinal development and disrupted barrier function in 3-week-old offspring. MS also induced intestinal low-grade inflammation, significantly changed the compositions and diversity of gut microbiota including reducing butyrate-producing bacteria and cecal butyrate production with down-regulation of GPR43. Mechanically, blocking GPR43 blunted the anti-inflammatory effect of one of the butyrate-producing bacteria, Clostridium butyricum in vitro. After HFD treatment, MS exacerbated hepatic steatosis, and disturbed fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, accompanied by inducing gut dysbiosis compared with MC group. CONCLUSIONS: MS intake inhibits intestinal development, induces gut dysbiosis in offspring through down-regulation of GPR43, and exacerbates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in adulthood.