Growing evidence suggests a possible involvement of the intestinal microbiota in generating new neurons, but a detailed breakdown of the microbiota composition is lacking. In this report, we systematically reviewed preclinical rodent reports addressing the connection between the composition of the intestinal microbiota and neurogenesis and neurogenesis-affecting neurotrophins in the hippocampus. Various changes in bacterial composition from low taxonomic resolution at the phylum level to high taxonomic resolution at the species level were identified. As for neurogenesis, studies predominantly used doublecortin (DCX) as a marker of newly formed neurons or bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as a marker of proliferation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was the only neurotrophin found researched in relation to the intestinal microbiota. Phylum Actinobacteria, genus Bifidobacterium and genus Lactobacillus found the strongest positive while phylum Firmicutes, phylum Bacteroidetes and family Enterobacteriaceae as well as germ-free status, showed the strongest negative correlation towards neurogenesis or BDNF mRNA expression. Age, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), obesity and chronic stress were recurring topics in all studies identified. Overall, these findings add to the existing evidence of a connection between microbiota and processes in the brain. To better understand this interaction, further investigation based on analyses of higher taxonomic resolution and clinical studies would be a gain to the matter.

The “Gut-Liver Axis” refers to physiological bidirectional interplay between the gut and its microbiota and the liver which, in health, occurs thanks to a condition of immune tolerance. In recent years, several studies have shown that, in case of modifications of gut bacterial homeostasis or impairment of intestinal barrier functions, cholangiocytes, which are the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts, activate innate immune responses against gut-derived microorganisms or bacterial products that reach the liver via enterohepatic circulation. Intestinal dysbiosis or impaired intestinal barrier functions expose cholangiocytes to an increasing amount of microorganisms and may exacerbate inflammatory responses thus leading to fibrotic remodeling of the organ. The present review focuses on the role of the gut liver axis in the pathogenesis of cholangiopathies.

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative approach for blood cancers, yet its efficacy is undermined by a range of acute and chronic complications. In light of mounting evidence to suggest that these complications are linked to a dysbiotic gut microbiome, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) delivered during the acute phase after HSCT. Of note, this trial opted for FMT prepared using the individual’s own stool (autologous FMT) to mitigate risks of disease transmission from donor stool. Adults (>18 years) with multiple myeloma were recruited from a single centre. Stool was collected prior to starting first-line therapy. Patients that progressed to HSCT were offered FMT via 3 x re-tention enemas before day +5 (HSCT = day 0). Feasibility was determined by recruitment rate, number and volume of enemas administered, and retention time. Longitudinally collected stool samples were also col-lected to explore the influence of auto-FMT using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. N=4 (2F:2M) participants received auto-FMT in 12 months. Participants received an average of 2.25(1-3) enemas (43.67(25-50)mL total, retained for an average of 60.78(10-145)minutes). No AEs, attributed to the FMT, were identified. Although minimum requirements were met for the volume and retention of auto-FMT, recruitment was significantly impacted by the logistical challenges of pre-therapy stool collection. This ultimately under-mined the feasibility of this trial and suggests that third party (donor) FMT should be prioritised.

Salmonella infections can lead to intestinal inflammation and metabolic disorders in birds. However, whether ARA metabolism is involved in Salmonella-induced intestinal inflammation remains unclear. This experiment investigated the changes in cecal flora and arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism in Hainan Wenchang chickens infected with S. Typhimurium using 16s rDNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics. The results showed that the levels of ARA metabolites were increased in the cecum tissue of Wenchang chickens after infection with S. Typhimurium, including prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α, lipoxin A4, ±8(9)-EET, ±11(12)-EET, and ±8,9-DiHETrE. The content of key enzymes for ARA production and metabolism (PLA2 and COX-2) in chicken cecum tissues was increased after S. Typhimurium infection. The relative mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were also increased after infection, including IFN-γ, TGF-β1, IL-4, and IL-6. In HD11 cells, the use of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor reduced the increased levels of COX-2 and PGF2α induced by S. Typhimurium infection and effectively reduced the inflammatory response. In addition, the number of beneficial genera (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Odorobacterium) in the cecum of Wenchang chickens was significantly reduced after infection with S. Typhimurium. In this study, we revealed the structure of the cecal flora of Wenchang chickens infected with S. Typhimurium and demonstrated that S. Typhimurium can mediate the onset and development of intestinal inflammation through the activation of the metabolic pathway of ARA cyclooxygenase in Wenchang chickens. The results can provide data support and theoretical support for the prevention and control of avian salmonellosis.

Zn2+ has been implicated in the regulation of intestinal redox and microbial homeostasis, and we recently reported that transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 6 channel activity contributes to intracellular Zn2+ homeostasis in mammalian cells. This study aims to investigate the role of TRPC6-mediated Zn2+ influx in stress resistance of intestine. Expression profile of TRPC1-C7 mRNAs in the actively inflamed mucosa from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients was analyzed using GEO database. Systemic TRPC3-knockout (KO) and TRPC6-KO mice were treated with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis. The Zn2+ concentration and the mRNA expression levels of oxidative/inflammatory markers in colon tissues were quantitatively analyzed, and gut microbiota profiles were compared. TRPC6 mRNA expression level was increased in IBD patients and DSS-treated mouse colon tissues. DSS-treated TRPC6-KO mice, but not TRPC3-KO mice, showed severe weight loss and increased disease activity index compared with DSS-treated WT mice. The mRNA abundances of antioxidant proteins were basically increased in TRPC6-KO colon, with changes in gut microbiota profiles. Treatment with TRPC6 activator prevented the DSS-induced colitis progression accompanied by increasing Zn2+ concentration. We suggest that TRPC6-mediated Zn2+ influx activity plays a key role in stress resistance against IBD, providing a new strategy for treating colitis.

Circadian rhythm disruption is increasingly considered an environmental risk factor for the development and exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. We have reported in a previous study that nychthemeral dysregulation is associated with an increase in intestinal barrier permeability and inflammation in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. To investigate the effect of circadian rhythm disruption on the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota (GM). Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were divided initially to two groups, the shifted group (n=30) exposed to circadian shifts for three months and the non-shifted group (n=30) under a normal light-dark cycle. The mice of the shifted group were cyclically housed for five days under the normal 12:12 hour light-dark cycle followed by another five days under reversed light-dark cycle. At the end of the three months a colitis was induced by 2 % DSS given in the drinking water of 30 mice. Animals were then divided into four groups (n=15 per group), sham group non-shifted (Sham-NS), sham group shifted (Sham-S) and DSS non-shifted (DSS-NS) and DSS shifted (DSS-S). Fecal samples were collected from rectal content to investigate changes in GM composition by DNA extraction followed by high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The mouse GM was dominated by three phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in mice with induced colitis. The richness and diversity of the GM were reduced in the colitis group, especially in the group with inverted circadian rhythm. Moreover, GM composition was also modified in the inverted circadian rhythm group, with an increase in Alloprevotella, Turicibacter, Bacteroides and Streptococcus genera. Circadian rhythm inversion exacerbates GM dysbiosis to a less rich and diversified extent in a DSS-induced colitis model. These findings shows a possible interplay between circadian rhythm disruption, GM dynamics, and colitis pathogenesis.

Red cabbage (RC), a cruciferous vegetable rich in various bioactive substances, can significantly reduce the risk factors of several chronic metabolic diseases, but its mechanism remains clear. Given that the relationship between diet, gut microbiota and health, a diet -induced mice obesity model was used to elucidate the effects of RC on gut microbial composition and interactions in mice. After 24-hour dietary intervention, high-fat (HF) diet and intake of RC led to increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratios in the feces of mice. RC also reduced the relative abundance of Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus and Akkermansia muciniphila in mice fed low fat (LF) diet. After 8-weeks dietary intervention, RC significantly changed the structure and the ecological network of gut microbial community. Particularly, RC inhibited an HF-diet induced increase of AF12 in mice, and this genus was positively correlated with body weight, low-density lipoprotein level and fecal bile acid of mice. Unclassified Clostridiales, specifically increased by RC consumption, was also found to negatively correlate with hepatic free cholesterol levels in mice. Overall, our results demonstrated that RC modulation of gut microbial composition and interactions is associated with the attenuation of HF diet-induced body weight gain and altered cholesterol metabolism of mice.

The EPA has banned PFOA and PFOS as persistent organic pollutants, but their residues in environment should not be underestimated. Based on the demand for healthy aquaculture and safe aquatic products, it is necessary to explore alleviative methods for the toxicity of PFOA and PFOS to fish. This study is the first to investigate the protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus against oxidative damage, neurotoxicity, and gut microbial dysbiosis induced by PFOA and PFOS in adult zebrafish. The results showed that L. rhamnosus effectively alleviated PFOA- and PFOS-induced oxidative stress by restoring superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Both PFOA and PFOS caused intestinal tissue damage, and the degree of damage is PFOA+PFOS>PFOS>PFOA. L. rhamnosus can restore damaged intestinal villi and lymphocyte numbers and also have a restorative effect on intestinal tissue damage. The up-regulated proportion of beneficial Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was also found after L. rhamnosus feeding. These findings provide new insights for L. rhamnosus to alleviate the toxicity of PFOA and PFOS to zebrafish and promote the progress of research on the successful use of probiotics in freshwater aquaculture.

Anthocyanins (ACNs) have attracted considerable attention for their potential to modulate the immune system. Research has revealed their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which play a crucial role in immune regulation by influencing key immune cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Moreover, ACNs contribute to maintaining a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus promoting immune health. Beyond their direct effects on immune cells, ACNs significantly impact gut health and the microbiota, essential factors in immune regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that they positively influence the composition of the gut microbiome that enhance the immunomodulatory effects of ACNs. Furthermore, these compounds synergize with other bioactive substances, such as vitamins and minerals, further enhancing their potential as immune-supporting dietary supplements. However, detailed clinical studies must fully validate these findings and determine safe dosages for different populations. Incorporating these natural compounds into functional foods or supplements can revolutionize the management of immune-related conditions. Personalized nutrition and healthcare strategies can be developed to enhance overall well-being and immune resilience by fully understanding the mechanisms underlying their actions. Recent advancements in delivery methods have focused on improving the bioavailability and effectiveness of ACNs, providing promising avenues for future applications.

Much evidence reveals an important link between gut microbiota and the heart. In particular, the gut microbiota plays a key role in the onset of cardiovascular (CV) disease, including heart failure (HF). In HF, splanchnic hypoperfusion causes intestinal ischemia resulting in the translocation of bacteria and their metabolites into the blood circulation. Among these, the most important is the Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), which is responsible through various mechanisms for pathological processes in different organs and tissues. In this review, we summarise the complex interaction between gut microbiota and CV disease, particularly with HF, and the possible strategies to influence its composition and function. Finally, we highlight the potential role of TMAO as a novel prognostic marker and new therapeutic target of HF.

Fibre-based dietary interventions are at the forefront of gut microbiome modulation research, with a wealth of 16S rRNA information to demonstrate the prebiotic effects of isolated fibres. However, there is a distinct lack of data relating to the effect of a combination of soluble and insoluble fibres in a convenient to consume fruit juice food matrix on gut microbiota structure, diversity, and function. Here, we aimed to determine the impact of the MOJU Prebiotic Shot, a fruit juice drink blend containing chicory inulin, baobab, golden kiwi, and green banana powders, on gut microbiota structure and function. Healthy adults (n = 20) were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study receiving 60ml MOJU Prebiotic Shot or pla-cebo (without the fibre mix) for 3 weeks with a 3-week wash-out between interventions. Shotgun metagenomics revealed significant between-group differences in alpha and beta diversity. In addition, the relative abundance of the phyla Actinobacteria and Desulfobacteria was significantly increased as a result of the prebiotic intervention. 9 species were observed to be differentially abundant (uncorrected p-value of <0.05) as a result of the prebiotic treatment. Of these, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and CAG-81 sp900066785 (Lachnospiraceae) were present at increased abundance relative to baseline. Additionally, KEGG analysis showed an increased abundance in pathways associated with arginine biosynthesis and phenylacetate degradation during the prebiotic treatment. Our results show the effects of the daily consumption of 60ml MOJU Prebiotic Shot for 3 weeks and provide insight to the functional potential of B. adolescentis

Background: Health behaviors, such as diet and exercise, are actions individuals take that can potentially impact gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and the gut microbiota. Little is known about how health behaviours impact GI symptoms and the gut microbiota after anti-cancer therapies. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study that investigated relationships between GI symptoms, gut microbiota, and patient-reported outcomes in adult cancer survivors. Gut microbiota was assessed from stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. GI symptoms and health behaviors were measured via self-report. Descriptive statistics, linear regression, and correlation analyses are reported. Results: A total of 334 cancer survivors participated and a subsample of 17 provided stool samples. Most survivors rated their diet as moderately healthy (55.7%) and reported engaging in low intensity exercise (53.9%) for ≤5 hours/week (69.1%). Antibiotic use was associated with more belly pain, constipation, and diarrhea (p&lt; .05). Survivors consuming a healthier diet had fewer symptoms of gas/bloating (p= 0.02). Better diet health was positively correlated with Lachnospiraceae abundance, and negatively with Bacteroides abundance (ps &lt;.05). Greater exercise frequency positively correlated with abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Anaerostipes, Alistipes, and Subdoligranulum. (ps&lt;.05). Conclusion: Results provide evidence for associations between dietary health behaviours and GI symptoms. Diet and exercise behaviours are related to certain types of bacteria, but the direction of causality is unknown. Dietary-based interventions may be optimally suited to address survivors’ GI symptoms by influencing the gut microbiota. Larger trials are needed.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in childhood obesity, and diet is a dominating driver. The effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), as a dietary fiber, on the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota in healthy children was investigated by vitro fermentation system with a reformative YCFA medium (rich in tryptic hydrolysates of meat). The 16S rRNA sequencing technology was utilized to analyze the varieties of gut microbiota. Measurement of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gases were used by the gas chromatograph. Majorbio Cloud Platform and MetOrigin, as the interactive cloud server, perform the microbiota analysis, the metabolic pathway enrichment analysis, the statistical correlations, and biological relationships using network visualization. We found that the FOS group significantly regulated the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota. The co-metabolism network showed that 3 metabolites were related to 6 differential bacteria and 8 metabolism pathways. These findings suggest that dietary fiber could regulate the composition of gut microbiota and its metabolites in a better direction, but when dietary fiber participates in precision nutrition formula, it may be relevant for precision obesity, may help identify windows of opportunity for the dietary intervention of childhood obesity.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is an increasingly prevalent and serious health problem. Its onset is typically associated with metabolic disorders and disturbances in the gut microbiota. Previous studies have reported the anti-T2DM effects of Pueraria thomsonii Radix as a functional food. However, the mechanism of action is still unknown. In this study, the effects of Pueraria thomsonii Radix water extract(PTR) on db/db mice were evaluated by pharmacology, metabolomics, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that PTR could improve the body weight of mice, reduce fasting blood glucose(FBG), urinary glucose(UGLU), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance(HOMA-IR), urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR), and reduce pancreatic tissue damage. Metabolomics showed that the Model group produced 109 differential metabolites, of which 74 could be regulated by PTR. 16S rRNA sequencing was done in fecal samples and results showed that PTR could reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio(F/B) associated with obesity and regulate 3 beneficial bacteria and 1 harmful bacteria. In conclusion, the results showed that PTR could ameliorate T2DM symptoms, metabolic disorder, and gut microbiota imbalance of db/db mice, and it was superior to metformin in some aspects. We suggested for the first time that γ-aminobutyric(GABA) may be involved in the regulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis(MGB) and thus affect the metabolic disorders associated with T2DM. This study will provide a scientific basis for the development of functional food with PTR.

The frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has exacerbated setting diagnostic challenges, which increases the need for reliable non-invasive diagnostic tools. Due to the importance of gut-liver axis in the progression of NAFLD, studies try to reveal microbial signatures in NAFLD, evaluate them as diagnostic biomarkers and to predict the disease progression. The gut microbiome affects human physiology by processing the ingested food to bioactive metabolites. These molecules can penetrate the portal vein and the liver to promote or prevent hepatic fat accumulation. Here findings of human fecal metagenomic and metabolomic studies in relation to NAFLD are reviewed. The studies present mostly distinct and even contradictory findings on microbial metabolites and functional genes in NAFLD. The most reproducing microbial biomarkers are increased lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, enhanced degradation of lysine, increased levels of branched chain amino acids as well as altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Among other causes, the discrepancies between the studies may be related to the obesity status of the patients and severity of NAFLD. In none of the studies except one, diet was considered, though it is an important factor driving the gut microbiota metabolism. The future studies should consider diet in the analyses.

Epithelial surfaces in humans are home to symbiotic microbes (i.e., microbiota) that influence the defensive function against pathogens depending on the health of the microbiota. Healthy microbiota contribute to the well-being of their host in general (e.g., via the gut-brain-axis), and their respective anatomical site in particular (e.g., oral, urogenital, skin or respiratory microbiota). Despite efforts towards a more responsible use of antibiotics, they are often prescribed for uncomplicated, self-limiting infections and can have a substantial negative impact on the gut microbiota. Treatment alternatives such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also influence the microbiota and thus can have lasting adverse effects. Herbal drugs offer a generally safe treatment option for uncomplicated infections of the urinary or respiratory tract. Additionally, their microbiota preserving properties allow for a more appropriate therapy of uncomplicated infections without contributing to an increase in antibiotic resistance or disturbing the gut microbiota. Here, herbal treatments may be a more appropriate therapy with a generally favorable safety profile.

A diet high in polyphenols is associated with a diversified gut microbiome. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, after water. The health benefits of tea might be attributed to the presence of polyphenol compounds such as catechins, theaflavins, tannins, and flavonoids. Although many studies are on tea, little is known of its effects on trillions of gut microbiota. Hence, this review is aimed at systematically studying the effect of tea polyphenols on the stimulation or suppression of gut microbiota in humans and animals. It was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Articles were retrieved from PubMed and Scopus databases, and data were extracted from 6 human trials and 15 animal studies. Overall, huge variations were observed in terms of microbiota composition between humans and animals. A more consistent pattern of diversified microbiota was observed in animal studies. Tea alleviated the gut microbiota imbalance caused by high-fat diet-induced obesity, diabetes, and ultraviolet-induced damage. Overall changes in microbiota composition measured by beta diversity analysis showed that tea had shifted the microbiota from the pattern seen in animals that received tea-free intervention. In humans, the prebiotic-like effect was observed towards gut microbiota, but these results appear in lower-quality studies. Beta diversity in human microbiota remains intact despite tea intervention; supplementation with different teas affected different types of bacterial taxa in the gut. These studies suggest that tea polyphenols may have a prebiotic effect in disease-induced animals and in a limited number of human interventions. Further intervention is needed to identify the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of tea on gut microbiota.

The gut microbiota has been suggested as an important factor in the pathogenic mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to investigate whether the intake of different kinds of dietary fiber was related to the disease progression rate (∆FS) and survival time. In total, 272 sporadic ALS patients diagnosed according to the revised EI Escorial criteria were recruited from March 2011 and were followed-up until the occurrence of events or the end of September 2020. The events included percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, tracheostomy, and death. Dietary fiber intake was calculated based on a 24-hour dietary recall and classified according to five major fiber-rich foods: vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds. Among the total participants, the group with ∆FS values lower than the mean ∆FS (0.75) was noted in the highest tertiles of total and vegetable fiber intake. Participants with the highest tertile of vegetable fiber intake showed longer survival in the Kaplan–Meier analysis (p = 0.033). Notably, vegetable fiber intake was negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. This study showed that vegetable fiber intake could influence the disease progression rate and survival time. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm whether dietary fiber supplementation improves the prognosis of ALS.

Community-level mass treatment with azithromycin has been associated with a mortality benefit in children. However, antibiotic exposures result in disruption of the gut microbiota and repeated exposures may reduce recovery of the gut flora. We conducted a nested cohort study to examine associations between mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin and the gut microbiota of rural Malawian children aged between 1-59 months. Fecal samples were collected from the children prior to treatment and 6 months after two or four biannual rounds of azithromycin treatment. DNA was extracted from fecal samples and V4-16S rRNA sequencing used to characterize the gut microbiota. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla while Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium were the most prevalent genera. There were no associations between azithromycin treatment and changes in alpha diversity, however, four biannual rounds of treatment were associated with increased abundance of Prevotella. The lack of significant changes in gut microbiota after four biannual treatments supports the use of mass azithromycin treatment to reduce mortality in children living in low- and middle-income settings.

Nutrition is crucial for the management of patients affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) to slow down disease progression and to correct symptoms. The mainstay of the nutritional approach to renal patients is protein restriction coupled with adequate energy supply to prevent malnutrition. However, other aspects of renal diets, including fiber content, can be beneficial. This paper summarizes the latest literature on the role of different types of dietary fiber in CKD, with special attention to intestinal microbiota and the potential protective role of renal diets. Fibers have been identified based on aqueous solubility, but other features, such as viscosity, fermentability, and bulking effect in the colon should be considered. A proper amount of fiber should be recommended not only in the general population but also in CKD patients, to achieve an adequate composition and metabolism of intestinal microbiota and to reduce the risks connected with obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

It is of merit to study the appropriate amount of fiber to add to free-range chickens feed to improve the microbial diversity and gut health in times of plant fiber deprivation. OptiCell is a useful source of fiber as a type of eubiotic lignocellulose, and its positive effects on the growth performance and laying performance of chickens has already been proven. However, few researchers have researched the effects of adding OptiCell on the gut microbiota of chickens. In this research we added three different levels of OptiCell (0%, 2% and 4%) to the feed of caged and free-range Bian chickens from September to November, aiming to observe the effects of adding OptiCell and different feeding modes on the gut microbial diversity and gut health of chickens, and aiming to determine an appropriate amount of OptiCell. The results showed that adding OptiCell could increase the thickness of the cecum mucus layer and the abundance of Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium in caged chickens, and 4% OptiCell was optimum. In addition, adding OptiCell increased the microbial diversity and the abundance of the butyrate-producing bacteria Faecalibacterium and Roseburia of fee-range chickens. The α-diversity and the length of the small intestine with 2% OptiCell in free-range chickens were better than with 2% OptiCell in caged chickens. In addition, compared with caged chickens, the free-range chickens had longer small intestine and lower GLP-1. Taken together, an appropriate amount of OptiCell benefitted the microbial diversity and health of chickens; it was necessary to add dietary fiber to the feed of free-range chickens when plant fibers was lacking, and 2% OptiCell was found to be optimum.

Recent research has implicated the gut microbiota in the development of lymphoma. Dysbiosis of the gut microbial community can disrupt the production of gut microbial metabolites, thereby impacting host physiology and potentially contributing to lymphoma. Dysbiosis-driven release of gut microbial metabolites such as lipopolysaccharides can promote chronic inflammation, potentially elevating the risk of lymphoma. In contrast, gut microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, have shown promise in preclinical studies by promoting regulatory T-cell function, suppressing inflammation, and preventing lymphoma. Another metabolite, urolithin A, exhibited immunomodulatory and antiproliferative properties against lymphoma cell lines in vitro. While research on the role of gut microbial metabolites in lymphoma is limited, this article emphasizes the need to comprehend their significance, including therapeutic applications, molecular mechanisms of action, and interactions with standard chemotherapies. The article also suggests promising directions for future research in this emerging lymphoma and gut microbiome investigation field.

Some management practices, such as maintaining birds under high group density, used in the poultry industry may cause birds stress, leading to injurious behaviors, such as injurious pecking, aggression, and cannibalism. In addition, some management practices used to prevent severe injuries in birds may cause pain. Beak trimming (BT), removal of 1/3 to 1/2 of a beak, is a routine husbandry procedure practiced in laying hens to prevent or reduce injurious behaviors. However, BT causes tissue damage, which may increase somatosensory sensitization of the damaged nerve tissues, resulting in pain (acute, chronic or both) in the treated birds because the beak is a complex, functional organ with an extensive nerve supply. BT has already been heavily regulated or prohibited in several European countries and, in time, this trend will impact the practice used in the United States poultry industry. With the growing public concern for poultry welfare there is a pressing need to identify and develop alternatives to BT. Probiotics defined “as a source of live (viable) naturally occurring microorganisms (direct-fed microbials)” have been used as dietary supplements or functional foods to target gut microbiota (microbiome) for prevention or therapeutic treatment of mental diseases including social stress-induced psychiatric disorders in humans and various experimental animals. In our studies, chickens were used as an animal model to assess if dietary supplementation of probiotic, Bacillus subtilis, reduces injurious behaviors following social challenge. Hens of Dekalb XL strain, an aggressive line, were used in the studies. Our results indicate that dietary supplementation of the Bacillus subtilis based probiotic reduces aggressive behaviors in chickens. These results suggest dietary probiotics could be a suitable strategy for increasing hosts’ health status and welfare conditions.

Currently, obesity is a critical global public health burden. Numerous studies have demonstrated the regulation of the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic abnormalities by the gut microbiota and microbial factors; however, their involvement in the various degrees of obesity is not yet understood well. Previously, obesity has been shown to be associated with decreased levels of vitamin B12. Considering exclusive microbial production of vitamin B12, we hypothesised that a decrease in cobalamin levels in obese individuals may be at least partially caused by its depleted production in the intestinal tract by the commensal microbiota. In the present study, our aim was to estimate the abundance of enzymes and metabolic pathways for vitamin B12 synthesis in the gut microbiota of mouse models of alimentary and genetically determined obesity, to evaluate the contribution of the obesogenic microbiome to vitamin B12 synthesis in the gut. We have defined a significantly lower representation of enzymes and metabolic pathways for vitamin B12 biosynthesis in obese mice compared to non-obese mice, wherein enzyme depletion was more pronounced in lepr(-/-) (db/db) mice, which developed severe obesity. The representation of enzymes involved in cobalamin synthesis is strongly correlated with representation of several microbes in high-fat diet fed mice, whereas there were almost no correlations in db/db mice. Therefore, the degree of obesity and the composition of the correspondent microbiota are the main contributors to the representation of genes and pathways for cobalamin biosynthesis in the mouse gut.

Despite accumulating evidence that suggests a unique gut microbiota composition in athletes, a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon is lacking. Furthermore, seasonal variation in the gut microbiota of athletes, particularly during the off-season, remains underexplored. This study aimed to compare the gut microbiotas between athletic subjects (AS) and non-athletic subjects (NS), and to investigate variations between athletic and off-season periods. The data were derived from an observational study involving Japanese male handball players. The results revealed a distinct gut microbiota composition in AS compared with NS, characterized by significantly higher alpha-diversity and a greater relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Streptococcus. Moreover, a comparative analysis between athletic and off-season periods in AS demonstrated a significant change in alpha-diversity. Notably, AS exhibited significantly higher alpha-diversity than NS during the athletic season, but no significant difference was observed during the off-season. This study demonstrates the characteristics of the gut microbiota of Japanese handball players and highlights the potential for changes in alpha-diversity during the off-season. These findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamic nature of the gut microbiota of athletes throughout the season.

In the world, migraine is one of the most common cause of disability in adults. To date, there is no a single cause for this disorder, but rather a set of physio-pathogenic triggers, in combination with a genetic predisposition. Among factors related to the migraine onset, a crucial role seems to be played by gut dysbiosis. In fact, it has been demonstrated how the intestine is able to modulate the central nervous system activities, through the gut-brain axis, and how gut dysbiosis can influence neurological pathologies, including migraine attacks. In this contest, in addition to migraine conventional pharmacological treatments, attention has been paid to an adjuvant therapeutic strategy based on different nutritional approaches and lifestyle changes able to positively modulate the gut microbiota composition. In fact, the restoration of the balance between the different gut bacterial species, the reconstruction of the gut barrier integrity and the control of the release of gut-derived inflammatory neuropeptides, obtained through specific nutritional patterns and lifestyle changes, represent a possible beneficial additive therapy for many migraine subtypes. Herein, this review explores the bi-directional correlation between migraine and the main chronic non-communicable diseases, like diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, obesity, cancer and chronic kidney diseases, whose link is represented by gut dysbiosis.

Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) is a medium-size carnivore that in Europe is restricted to Iberia. The bio-ecology of this species remains to be elucidated in several dimensions, including gut microbiota that is nowadays recognized as a fundamental component of mammals. In this work, we investigated the gut microbiota of this herpestid by single-molecule real-time sequencing of twenty paired male (n=10) and female (n=10) intestinal samples. This culture-independent approach enabled microbial profiling based on 16S rDNA and investigation of taxonomical and functional features. The core gut microbiome of the adult subpopulation was dominated by Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Eight genera were uniquely found in adults and five in non-adults. When comparing gut bacterial communities across sex, four genera were exclusive of females and six uniquely found in males. Despite these compositional distinctions, alpha- and beta-diversity analyses showed no statistically significant differences across sex or between adult and non-adult specimens. However, males presented a significantly higher abundance of amino acid and citrate cycle metabolic pathways, compared to the significant overrepresentation in females of galactose’ metabolic pathways. Adults showed a significantly higher abundance of cationic antimicrobial peptide resistance pathways, while non-adults bared a significant overrepresentation of two-component systems associated with antibiotic synthesis, flagellin production and chemotaxis control. This study adds new insights into mongoose bio-ecology palette, highlighting taxonomical and functional microbiome dissimilarities across sex and age classes, possibly related to primary production resources and life-history traits that impact on behavior, diet and gut ecosystem.

Our knowledge on the plastic functions of the serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype 7 (5-HT7R) in the brain physiology and pathology considerably advanced in the last few years. A wealth of data show that the 5-HT7R is a key player in the establishment and remodeling of neuronal cytoarchitecture during development and in the mature brain, and its dysfunction is linked to neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental diseases. The involvement of this receptor in synaptic plasticity is further demonstrated by data showing that its activation allows to rescue long term potentiation (LTP) and long term depression (LTD) deficits in various animal models of neurodevelopmental diseases. In addition, it is becoming clear that the 5-HT7R is involved in inflammatory intestinal diseases, possibly playing a role in the gut-brain axis, and modulates the function of immune cells. In this review, we will mainly focus on recent findings on this receptor’s role in the structural and synaptic plasticity of the mammalian brain, although we will also illustrate novel aspects highlighted in gut and immune system.

Gut microbiota dysfunction is a key factor affecting chronic kidney disease (CKD) susceptibility. Puerariae Lobatae Radix (PLR), a traditional Chinese medicine and food homologous herb, is known to promote gut microbiota homeostasis, however, its role in renoprotection remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and potential mechanism of PLR to alleviate CKD. An 8-week 2% NaCl-feeding murine model was applied to induce CKD and evaluate the therapeutic effect of PLR supplementary. After gavage for 8 weeks, PLR significantly alleviated CKD-associated creatinine, urine protein increasement and nephritic histopathological injury. Moreover, PLR protected kidney from fibrosis by reducing inflammatory response and down-regulating the canonical Wnt / β-catenin pathway. Further, PLR rescued gut microbiota dysbiosis and protected high salt-induced gut barrier dysfunction. We found enrichment of Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium after PLR intervention, the relative abundance of which were in positive correlation with normal maintenance of renal histology and function. Next, fecal microbiota transplantation experiment verified that the positive effect of PLR on CKD was at least partially exerted through gut microbiota reestablishment and down-regulation of the Wnt / β-catenin pathway. Our study provides evidence for new function of PLR on kidney protection and put forward a potential therapeutic strategy target for CKD.

Recent research has revealed surprisingly important connections between animals’ microbiome and social behaviour. Social interactions can affect the composition and function of the microbiome; conversely, the microbiome affects social communication by influencing the hosts’ central nervous system and peripheral chemical communication. These discoveries set the stage for novel research venues focusing on the evolution and physiology of animal social behaviour in relation to microbial transmission strategies. Here, we discuss the emerging roles of teleost fish model candidates and their key potential for advancing research fields linked to sociality and microbial regulation. We argue that fish models, such as the zebrafish, sticklebacks, guppies and cleaner-client dyads, will provide valuable insights into the roles of microbiome in shaping social behaviour and vice versa, while also being of direct relevance to the food and ornamental fish trades.

Identifying appropriate animal models is critical in developing translatable in vitro and in vivo systems for therapeutic development and investigating disease pathophysiology. These animal models should have direct biological and translational relevance to the underlying disease they are supposed to mimic. Aging dogs naturally develop a cognitive decline in many aspects including learning and memory, but also exhibit human-like individual variability in the aging process. Neurodegenerative processes that can be observed in both human and canine brains include the progressive accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) found as diffuse plaques in the prefrontal cortex, including the gyrus proreus, the hippocampus, and in the cerebral vasculature. A growing body of epidemiological data shows that human patients with neurodegenerative diseases have concurrent intestinal lesions, and histopathological changes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract occurs decades that evolve before neurodegenerative changes. Gut microbiome alterations also have been observed in many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and inflammatory CNS diseases. Interestingly, only recently has the dog gut microbiome been recognized to more closely resemble in composition and in functional overlap with the human gut microbiome as compared to rodent models. This article aims to review the physiology of the gut-brain axis (GBA), and its involvement with neurodegenerative diseases in dogs and humans. Additionally, we outline the advantages and disadvantages of traditional in vitro and in vivo models and discuss future research directions investigating major human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases using dogs.

The non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are indispensable for controlling genes and genetic programming during development, as well as for health and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac arrhythmia is a frequent cardiovascular disease, which has a complex pathology. Recent studies have shown that ncRNAs are also associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Many non-coding RNAs and/or genomes have been reported as a genetic background for cardiac arrhythmias. Arrhythmias may be affected by several functional and structural changes in the myocardium. Therefore, ncRNAs might be indispensable regulators of gene expression in cardiomyocytes, which could play a dynamic role in regulating the stability of cardiac conduction and/or in the remodeling process. Although it remains almost unclear how ncRNAs regulate the expression of molecules for controlling the cardiac conduction and/or in the remodeling process, gut microbiota and immune system within the intricate networks might be involved in the regulatory mechanisms. This study would discuss them and provide a research basis for ncRNAs modulation, which might support the development of emerging innovative therapies against cardiac arrhythmias.

Popped amaranth is a nutritious food consumed since pre-Hispanic times, currently its consumption has been associated with recovery of malnourished children. However, there is no information on the impact that popped amaranth consumption has on gut microbiota composition. A non-randomized pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the changes on composition, structure, and function of gut microbiota of stunted children who received four grams of popped amaranth daily for three months. Stool and serum were collected at the beginning and at the end of the trial. Short-chain-fatty acids were quantified and gut bacterial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biome-try and hematology results showed that children have no other pathology more than to be low-height-for age. Increase of total SCFAs levels in feces was ob-served as well as a decrease in relative abundance of Alistipes putredinis, Bac-teroides coprocola, and Bacteroides stercoris, bacteria related with inflammation and colitis. On the contrary, an increase in relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Streptococcus thermophiles, bacteria associated with health and longevity, was observed. Results have proven that popped amaranth, a nutri-tious food, help to combat children malnutrition through gut microbiota modu-lation.

Red beetroot, is a well-recognized and established source of bioactives (e.g., betalains and polyphenols) with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is proposed as a potential alternative to zinc oxide, with a focus on gut microbiota modulation and metabolite production. In this study, weaned pigs aged 28-days were fed either a control diet, diet supplemented with zinc oxide (3,000 mg/kg), or 2% and 4% pulverized whole red beetroot (CON, ZNO, RB2 and RB4; respectively) for 14 days. After the pigs were euthanized, blood and digesta samples were collected for microbial composition and metabolite analyses. Results showed, red beetroot supplemented diet at 2% improved the gut microbial richness relative to other diets, but marginally influenced the caecal microbial diversity compared to zinc oxide supplemented diet. Further increase in red beetroot levels (4% -RB4) lead to loss of caecal diversity, decreased short chain fatty acids and secondary bile acid concentrations. An increased Proteobacteria abundance, presumably due to increased lactate/lactic acid producing bacteria was also observed. Summarily, red beetroot contains several components conceived to improve the gut microbiota and metabolite output of weaned pigs. Future studies investigating individual components in red beetroot will better elucidate their contributions to gut microbiota modulation and pig health.

Red palm weevils (RPWs) are a major pest to coconut and palm trees, causing significant economic losses in many countries. The current control method involves using insecticides, which are unsustainable and environmentally damaging. Thus, it is necessary to develop an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to mitigate the RPW problem. Our studies have revealed that feeding RPWs with food containing specific herbs can affect the weevils' mutualistic relationship with gut microbiota or their growth hormones, resulting in a notable reduction in the metamorphosis rate at the pupation stage. For instance, the addition of Kra-jeab (a roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa) and Kra-pao (a holy basil Ocimum tenuiflorum) led to a reduction of 76.7% and 75.6%, respectively, in the metamorphosis rate, while combining the two herbs resulted in a higher reduction rate of 86.7%. In addition to these findings, altering their pupation nature by reducing the fiber length used in RPW feed to less than 1 centimeter can stop the weevil’s pupation entirely. These findings demonstrate the potential application of biological and physical factors to reduce RPWs' metamorphosis rate and control their destructive impact on palm industries, thus providing a promising solution for the conflict between palm and insect farmers.

Dietary factors play an important role in shaping the gut microbiome which, in turn, regulates the molecular events in colonic mucosa. The composition and resulting metabolism of the gut microbiome have been implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Diets low in dietary fibers and phytomolecules as well as other lifestyle-related factors may predispose to CRC. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the predominance of microbes, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, can predispose the colonic mucosa to malignant transformation. Dietary and lifestyle modifications have been demonstrated to restrict the growth of potentially harmful opportunistic organisms. In this study, we aim to present evidence regarding the relationship of dietary factors to the gut microbiome and development of CRC.

Although it is known that the gut microbiota (GM) can be modulated by diet, the efficacy of specific dietary interventions in determining its composition and diversity in obese patients remains to be ascertained. The present work aims to evaluate the impact of a moderately hypocaloric Mediterranean diet on the GM of obese and overweight patients (OB). The GM of 23 OB patients (F/M= 20/3) was compared before (T0) and after 3 months (T3) of the nutritional intervention (NI). Fecal samples were analyzed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. At baseline, the GM characterization confirmed the typical obesity-associated dysbiosis. After 3 months of NI, patients presented a statistically significant reduction of the body weight and fat mass, along with changes in the relative abundance of many microbial patterns. In fact, we observed an increased abundance in several Bacteroidetes taxa (i.e. Sphingobacteriaceae, Sphingobacterium, Bacteroides spp., Prevotella stercorea) and depletion of many Firmicutes taxa (i.e. Lachnospiraceae members, Ruminococcaceae and Ruminococcus, Veillonellaceae, Catenibacterium, Megamonas). In addition, the phylum Proteobacteria showed an increased abundance, while the genus Sutterella, within the same phylum, decreased after the intervention. Metabolic pathways, predicted by bioinformatic analyses, showed a decrease in membrane transport and cell motility after NI. The present study extends our knowledge of the GM profiles in OB, highlighting the potential benefit of a moderate caloric restriction in counteracting the gut dysbiosis.

Increasing numbers of researchers are interested in the importance of dietary fiber for the gut microbiota, microbiotal metabolite SCFA, energy metabolism and gut health of the host. However, studies have demonstrated that long-term and longitudinal observation may be needed to evaluate the effect of dietary fiber better, and few such works have been made in chickens. Therefore, we successively fed low-fiber, high--fiber and low-fiber diets to two breeds of chickens during different growth periods (1—8, 9—20 and 21—50 weeks), aiming to longitudinally observe the long-term effect of altered dietary fiber on the gut microbiota, SCFA and development of cecum of chickens with age. The results showed that the composition and function of the gut microbiota, SCFA and the development of the cecum were different during different periods, which was largly affected by dietary fiber. However, the causes of some effects were different during the different periods. For example, compared with that in low-fiber chickens at 8 weeks, dominant fiber-degradation bacteria such as Bacteroidetes, Alloprevotella and SCFA-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium increased due to a high-fiber diet at 20 weeks, while due to a high feed intake in 50 weeks. Moreover, the concentration of SCFA in 20 weeks was significantly higher than in 8 weeks and 50 weeks, but the causes of this difference were also distinct. It was proposed that a long-term observation was needed to evaluate the effect of dietary fiber better on chickens. The metabolite pathways of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters encoded by Firmicutes were enriched in 8 weeks, while a two-component system and β–glucosidase encoded by Bacteroidetes were enriched in 20 and 50 weeks. The trend was the same in two breeds of chickens except for Alloprevotella. In addition, the total content of SCFA in the contents of cecum was also affected by the size of the cecum. Surprisingly, the length of the cecum shortened from 20—50 weeks, maybe due to reduced dietary fiber.

Apicomplexan infections, such as giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, negatively impact a considerable proportion of human and commercial livestock populations. Despite this, the molecular mecha-nisms of disease, particularly the effect on the body beyond the gastrointestinal tract, are still poorly understood. To highlight host-parasite-microbiome biochemical interactions, we utilised integrated metabolomics-16S rRNA genomics and metabolomics-proteomics approaches in a C57BL/6J mouse model of giardiasis and compared these to Cryptosporidium and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infections. Comprehensive samples (faeces, blood, liver, and luminal contents from duo-denum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) were collected 10 days post infection and subjected to proteome and metabolome analysis by liquid and gas chromatographic mass-spectrometry, re-spectively. Microbial populations in faeces and luminal washes were examined using 16S rRNA metagenomics. Proteome-metabolome analyses indicated that 12 and 16 key pathways were sig-nificantly altered in the gut and liver, respectively, during giardiasis with respect to other infections. Energy pathways including glycolysis and supporting pathways of glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and redox pathway of glutathione metabolism, were upregulated in small intestinal luminal contents and the liver during giardiasis. Metabolomics-16S rRNA genetics integration in-dicated that populations of three bacterial families –Autopobiaceae (Up), Desulfovibrionaceae (Up) and Akkermanasiaceae (Down) – were most significantly affected across the gut during giardiasis, causing upregulated glycolysis and short-chained fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. In particular, the perturbed Akkermanasiaceae population seemed to cause oxidative stress responses along the gut-liver axis. Overall, the systems biology approach applied in this study highlighted that the effects of host-parasite-microbiome biochemical interactions extended beyond the gut ecosystem to the gut-liver axis. These findings form the first steps in a comprehensive comparison to ascertain the major molecular and biochemical contributors of host-parasite interactions and contribute towards the development of biomarker discovery and precision health solutions for apicomplexan infections.

Autoimmune kidney diseases arise from a loss of tolerance to antigens, often with unclear triggers. In this review we explore the role of the gut microbiome and how disease, diet and therapy can alter the gut microbiota consortium. Perturbations in the gut microbiota may induce the translocation of microbiota-derived inflammatory molecules such as liposaccharide (LPS) and other toxins systemically by penetrating the gut epithelial barrier. Once in the blood stream these pro-inflammatory mediators activate immune cells which release pro-inflammatory molecules many of which are antigens in autoimmune diseases. The ratio of gut bacteria Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes is associated with worse outcomes in multiple autoimmune kidney diseases including Lupus nephritis, MPO-ANCA vasculitis and Goodpasture’s syndrome. Therapies which enhance short chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria in the gut have powerful therapeutic potential. Dietary fibre is fermented by gut bacteria which in turn release SCFAs which protect the gut barrier as well as modulate immune responses towards a tolerogenic anti-inflammatory state. Herein, we describe where the current field of research is and the strategies to harness the gut microbiome as potential therapy.

Despite the recent availability of immune checkpoint inhibitors, not all patients affected by Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) benefit from immunotherapy. The reason for this variability relies to a variety of factors which may allow the identification of novel biomarkers. Presently, a variety of biomarkers are under investigation, including the PD1/PDL1 axis, the tumor mutational burden, and the Microbiota. This latter is made by all bacteria and other microorganisms hosted in our body. The gut microbiota is the most represented and has been involved in different physiological and pathological events, including cancer. In this light, it appears that all conditions modifying gut microbiota can influence cancer, its treatment, and its treatment-related toxicities. The aim of this review is to analyze all conditions influencing the gut microbiota and, therefore, affecting response to immunotherapy, iRAEs and their management in NSCLC patients. The investigation of the landscape of these biological events can allow novel insights for optimal management of NSCLC immunotherapy.

Background: Numerous investigations have shed light on the intriguing interplay between gut microbiota(GM) and psoriasis (Ps) as well as psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, the precise nature of the causal relationship between them remains an area of active investigation. Methods: For the purpose of our investigation, we meticulously curated a collection of genetic variants (P < 1 × 10−5) associated with GM (n = 18,340) derived from the MiBioGen study. To explore the intricate relationship between GM and Ps as well as PsA, we harnessed the comprehensive resources of the FinnGen database, encompassing a vast cohort of individuals, including 4,510 Ps cases and 212,242 controls, and 1,637 PsA cases and 212,242 controls. Even complementary MR methods were implemented, including an inverse variance weighting method, followed by a sensitivity analysis to verify the robustness of the results. Results: In this study, we found that certain bacterial taxa, such as Lactococcus, Ruminiclostridium 5, and Eubacterium fissicatena, were identified as risk factors. Conversely, Alloprevotella and Odoribacter demonstrated a protective effect against Ps. In the case of PsA, our results revealed a distinct set of risk factors and protective factors among the gut bacterial taxa. Lactococcus, Verrucomicrobiales, Akkermansia, Coprococcus 1, Lachnospiraceae, and Verrucomicrobiaceae were identified as risk factors for PsA. On the other hand, Odoribacter, Rikenellaceae, Clostridium innocuum, and Marvinbryantia exhibited a protective effect against the development of PsA. Conclusion: Our findings shed light on the distinctive disease characteristics and onset features between Ps and PsA. Notably, certain intestinal flora were implicated in the pathogenesis of PsA, suggesting their potential role as early diagnostic indicators. Furthermore, we identified several bacterial flora that exhibit a potential protective effect against the occurrence of Ps and PsA. These discoveries lay a solid foundation for future endeavors in the prevention and treatment of these conditions.

Amebiasis is a disease caused by the unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic but when symptomatic, the infection can cause dysentery and invasive extraintestinal complications. In the gut, E.histolytica feeds on bacteria. Increasing evidences support the role of the gut microbiota in the development of the disease. In this review we will discuss the consequences of E.histolytica infection on the gut microbiota. We will also discuss new evidences about the role of the gut microbiota in regulating the resistance of the parasite to oxi-dative stress and its virulence.

Hazardous toxic metals, such as lead and cadmium, and to a lesser extent aluminum, are extensively recognized as detrimental for health following ingestion within food and water, or following inhalation. Gut and food-derived microbes, by interacting with heavy metals, may actively or passively modulate their bioavailability inside the gut, either by adsorption or by sequestration. Such a bioremediation within the gut implies the selection of safe microbes, based on their specific capacities to immobilize metals. We investigated the metal removal ability of 225 bacteria toward the potential harmful trace elements lead, cadmium and aluminum in vitro, using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry analysis. Interspecies and intraspecies comparisons were addressed and discussed among bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes, which are mostly lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacillus spp, with some Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Carnobacterium representatives, Actinobacteria as well as Proteobacteria. The effect on mixture of lead and cadmium was also investigated. Although the purpose of such a screening is so far not to elucidate each of the various strain specific- and metal dependent- mechanisms of heavy metal removal, we identified potential bacteria which are able to alleviate Pb(II) and Cd(II) concerns in order to propose performing candidate probiotics for metal xenobiotic bioremediation.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and colorectal cancer (CRC) are associated with alterations of the intestinal microbiota. However, few data are available on the perpetuation of FAP and ulcerative colitis (UC) in relation to microbial dysbiosis. This study evaluated the UC and genetically confirmed FAP patients’ gut microbial balance in concordance to clinical outcome. Fecal materials (average mass of 0.54 g) were collected from three FAP and five UC patients to compare with healthy individuals as control group. Genomic materials of micro-biota were isolated for next generation sequencing of 16S rRNA that was performed by using QIAseq 16S/ITS panel in Illumina Miseq Platform. Data processing and bioinformatics analysis were performed via CLC Genomic Workbench bioinformatics tool. The comparison between FAP, UC and control group revealed an alteration in the intestinal microbial composition. More in details, relative abundance of class levels showed statistical significance differences among FAP, UC and control groups. Our preliminary data focused on the explanation of how dysbiosis can lead to inflammation and drive processes together with host genetic profile that leads to colorectal carcinogenesis.

Gut bacteria play an important role in several metabolic processes and human diseases, such as obesity and its co-morbidities, like fatty liver disease, insulin resistance/diabetes and cardiovascular events. Among several factors, dietary patterns, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, antimicrobials and non-dietary factors, such as stress, age, exercise and climatic conditions, can dramatically impact the human gut microbiota diversity and equilibrium. However, the effect of minor food constituents, including food additives and trace contaminants, on human gut microbiota has received less attention. Consequently, the present review aimed to provide an objective perspective of the current knowledge regarding the impacts of minor food constituents on human gut microbiota and consequently, on human health.

The human gut microbiota (GM) is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that hosts trillions of commensal and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. It is crucial in protecting humans from pathogens and in maintaining immune and metabolic homeostasis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that GM has a significant impact on health and disease, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired short-term memory and cognitive deficits. Patients with AD have been reported to exhibit abnormalities in GM density and species composition. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the onset and progression of AD, however, the relationship between OS and gut microbiota in AD onset and progression is not clear. Twendee X®︎ (TwX), an oral supplement consisting of 8 active ingredients, has been shown to prevent dementia in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in humans and substantially improve cognitive impairment in mouse models of AD. This positive effect is achieved through the potency of the combined antioxidants that regulate OS and therefore similar results cannot be achieved by a single antioxidant ingredient. To examine the impact of long-term OS elevation as seen in AD on the body and GM, we examined GM alterations during the initial OS elevation using a rat 2-week OS loading model, and examined the effects of TwX on OS and GM. Furthermore, using a questionnaire survey and fecal samples, we analyzed the impact of TwX on healthy individuals' gut bacteria and the associated effect on their quality of life (QOL). TwX was found to increase the number of bacteria species and their diversity in GM, as well as butyrate-producing bacteria, which tend to be reduced in AD patients. Additionally, TwX improved defecation condition and QOL. The gut bacteria function as part of the homeostatic function during OS elevation, and prophylactic administration of TwX strengthened this function. The results suggests that the preventative effect of TwX on dementia may involve the GM in addition to the other effects previously demonstrated.

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/βKlotho/fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) pathway is crucial for maintaining the intestinal barrier and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC). We used an FXR ago-nist, GW4064, and FXR knockout (KO) mice to investigate the role of FXR/Klothos/FGFs pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. The results showed that upregulation of FXR in enterocytes effectively ameliorated intestinal tight junction markers (claudin1, Zonula occludens-1), inflammation, and bile acid levels, thereby protecting mice from intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. GW4064 treatment increased FXR, αKlotho, βKlotho, FGF19, FGF21, and FGF23 in wild-type mice exposed to LPS, while FXR KO mice had decreased levels. FXR KO mice exhibited elevated colon cancer markers (β-catenin, LGR5, CD44, CD34, Cyclin D1) under LPS, underscoring the pivotal role of FXR in inhibiting the development of colon tumorigenesis. The varying gut microbiota responses in FXR KO mice versus wild-type mice post-LPS exposure emphasize the pivotal role of FXR in pre-serving intestinal microbial health, involving Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Helicobacter hepaticus. Our study validates the effectiveness of GW4064 in alleviating LPS-induced disruptions to the intestinal barrier and colon carcinogenesis, emphasizing the importance of the FXR/αKlotho/βKlotho/FGFs pathway and the interplay between bile acids and gut microbiota.

Avian necrotic enteritis is an enteric disease of broiler chickens caused by certain pathogenic strains of Clostridium perfringens in combination with predisposing factors. A vaccine offering complete protection against the disease has not yet been commercialized. In a previous study, we produced five recombinant proteins predicted to be surface-exposed and unique to necrotic enteritis-causing C. perfringens and the immunogenicity of these potential vaccine candidates was assessed in broiler chickens. In the current work, the relative contribution of the antibodies raised by these putative antigens to protect broiler chickens was evaluated using an experimental necrotic enteritis induction model. Additionally, the link between the immune response elicited and the gut microbiota profiles in immunized birds subjected to infection with virulent C. perfringens was studied. ELISA results showed that the IgY antibody titers in vaccinated birds on days 21 and 33 were significantly higher than those on days 7 and 14 and those in birds receiving the adjuvant alone, while the relative contribution of the specific immunity attributed to these antibodies could not be precisely determined using this experimental NE induction model. Besides, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed that immunization of birds with recombinant proteins had a low impact on the chicken caecal microbiota.

IBD, encompassing CD and UC, are characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation due to abnormal immune responses to gut microflora. The bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, known as the GBA, is disrupted in IBD, leading to neurobiological imbalances and affective symptoms. Systemic inflammation in IBD affects the brain's inflammatory response system, hormonal axis, and BBB integrity, influencing gut microbiota and clinical responses to probiotics. This review aims to explore the links between dysregulations in the GBA, serum biomarkers, and the development of MCI and NDDs. The objective is to identify potential correlations and propose future research directions to understand the impact of altered microbiomes and intestinal barrier functions on NDDs. Studies suggest a potential link between IBD and extraintestinal complications such as MCI and NDDs. Mechanisms include systemic inflammation, BBB dysfunction, autoimmune responses, GBA dysfunction, medication effects, and comorbidities. Serum biomarkers, including vitamin D3, C-reactive protein, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, vitamin B12, homocysteine, serum amyloid, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament light chain, S100 proteins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, IL-6, LP-2 associated phospholipase, prostaglandin E2, IL-1β, and TNF-α, have been investigated for their potential to predict MCI but current results are lacking clarity.

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex, lifelong, neurodevelopmental conditions of largely unknown cause. The global prevalence of autism has increased twentyfold to thirtyfold since the earliest epidemiologic studies were conducted in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Recent reports agree on the association of ASD with the alteration of the microbiome (dysbiosis), which raises the possible role of external factors. Our study aimed at identifying antibiotic classes that might be associated with the development of ASD-related dysbiosis either promoting or inhibiting the process. Statistical comparison was made between the average yearly consumption of different antibiotic classes (1997-2020) and the number of individuals living with ASD estimated for 2023/100000 population in 30 European countries and the results were statistically analyzed. Tetracycline (J01A) showed significant positive (promoting) association with the prevalence of ASD (Pearson r: 0.373, p: 0.043. OR: 1.312, CI95%: 0.995-1.791, p: 0.065) and narrow-spectrum, beta-lactamase resistant penicillin (J01CF) (Pearson r: 0.524, p: 0.003, OR: 3.240, CI95%: 1.710-8.853, p: 0.004, Kruskal-Wallis p: 0.032). Mild, negative (inhibitory) association was observed with broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase sensitive penicillin (J01CA) (Pearson r: -0.278, p: 0.157, OR: 0.808, CI95%: 0649-0957, p: 0.028) and narrow-spectrum, beta-lactamase-sensitive penicillin (J01CE) (Pearson p: -0.032, r: 0.865, OR: 0.725, CI95%: 0.543-0.885, p: 0,009). Our findings strongly support the animal experiments when penicillin-exposed newborn mice developed "autism-like" behavior.

Background: Abdominal migraine (AM) is a clinical diagnosis specified by Rome IV and ICHD III as a functional gastrointestinal disease (FGID) and a migraine associated syndrome, respectively. AM is undiagnosed and undertreated, and thus far the FDA has not approved any drug for AM treatment. We and others showed that changes in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism played an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of FIGDs. Changes in the KYN pathway were shown in migraine. Findings: Abdominal migraine reflects impairments in communication within the gut-brain axis. Treatment approaches have not been sufficiently documented and are based on experience of physicians, presenting personal rather than evidence-based practice and including efficacy of some drugs used in adult migraine. Non-pharmacological treatment of AM is aimed preventing or ameliorating AM triggers. Modulations within the KYN pathway of TRP metabolism induced by changes in TRP content in the diet, may ameliorate FGIDs and support their pharmacological treatment. Pharmacological manipulations of brain KYNs in animals have brought promising results for clinical applications. Conclusions: In conclusion, controlled placebo-based clinical trials with dietary manipulation to adjust the amount of the product of the KYN pathway of TRP metabolism are justified in children and adolescents with AM. Further preclinical studies are needed to establish details of these trials.

Gut microbiota and its metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are linked with pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)- a debilitating public health problem in older adults. However, strategies to beneficially modulate gut microbiota and its sensing signaling pathways remain largely unknown. Here, we screened, validated and established the agonists of free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) signaling, which senses beneficial signals from SCFAs produced by microbiota in the gut. We demonstrated that inhibition of FFAR2 signaling increases amyloid-beta (Aβ) stimulated neuronal toxicity. Thus, we screened FFAR2 agonists, using in-silico library of more than 144,000 natural compounds, and 15 compounds were selected based on binding with FFAR2 agonist sites. Further, cell culture toxicity and FFAR2 stimulatory experiments demonstrated that Fenchol (a natural compound commonly present in basil) was potent FFAR2 agonist in neuronal cells. Interestingly, we also demonstrated that Fenchol protects Aβ-stimulated neurodegeneration in FFAR2 dependent manner. In addition, Fenchol reduced AD like phenotypes such as Aβ-accumulation and, learning and memory behaviors in Caenorhabditis (C.) elegans. Fenchol increased Aβ-clearance by increasing proteasome/lysosome activity and reduced senescence in neuronal cells. These results demonstrated that the inhibition of FFAR2 signaling promotes Aβ-induced neurodegeneration, while activating it by Fenchol as a natural agonist reverse it by promoting Aβ-clearance and reducing cellular senescence; thus stimulation of FFAR2 signaling can be a therapeutic approach to prevent/ treat AD.

Mood disorders are among the commonest mental disorders worldwide. Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that there are close links between infectious diseases and mood disorders, but the strength and direction of these association remain largely unknown. Theoretical models have attempted to explain this link based on evolutionary or immune-related factors, but these have not been empirically verified. The current study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the incidence of infectious diseases and mood disorders, while correcting for climate and economic factors, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Studies, 1990-2019. It was found that major depressive disorder was positively associated with lower respiratory infections, while bipolar disorder was positively associated with upper respiratory infections and negatively associated with enteric and tropical infections, both cross-sectionally and over a period of thirty years. These results suggest that a complex, bidirectional relationship exists between these disorders. This relationship may be mediated through the immune system as well as through the gut-brain and lung-brain axes. Understanding the mechanisms that link these groups of disorders could lead to advances in the prevention and treatment of both.

The interplay between Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) and the gut microbiota represents a compelling area of research, offering insights into the relationship between spinal degenerative diseases and the gut's microbial inhabitants. This comprehensive review seeks to unravel the complex connection, shedding light on its implications for human health and potential therapeutic avenues. A crucial section dives into the world of gut microbiota (GM), exploring its impact on human health, featuring its defining characteristics, and highlighting its role in metabolism, immunomodulation, host interaction, and how its composition changes over time. The subsequent portion delves into the relationship between microbiome composition and pathological bone development, including the link between Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) and gut inflammation, emphasizing how gut inflammation and GM dysbiosis play pivotal roles. Further dissecting the interconnections, various axes of influence, including the gut-spine axis, gut-bone axis, gut-joint axis, gut-disc axis (specific to DISH), gut-ligament axis, and gut-muscle axis, are discussed. Of particular interest is the section on the impact of GM on DISH-derived pain, addressing a critical aspect of the condition's manifestation. The review discusses the potential of GM modulation as a treatment for DISH, providing hope for therapeutic advancements. Additionally, it highlights the positive impact of lifestyle interventions, such as dietary modifications, sleep optimization, and exercise regimens, in mitigating GM dysbiosis and potentially improving DISH outcomes. Lastly, the intriguing prospect of fecal microbiome transplant and its implications for DISH management is examined, opening new avenues for research and therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores the intricate interplay between DISH and the gut microbiota, offering a fresh perspective on the impact of GM on spinal degenerative diseases. It emphasizes the potential for innovative treatments, such as GM modulation and lifestyle interventions, and presents fecal microbiome transplant as an exciting area for future exploration.

Investigation of bacterial communities is on the rise both in human and veterinary medicine. Their role in health maintenance and pathogenic mechanisms is in the limelight of infectious, metabolic, and cancer research. Among the most considered, gut bacterial communities takes the cake. Their part in animals was assessed mainly to improve animal production, public health, and pet management. In this regard, canaries deserve attention, being a popular pet and source of economic income for bird-keepers, for whom breeding represents a pivotal point. Thus, the aim of the present work was to follow gut bacterial communities’ evolution along on whole reproductive cycle of 12 healthy female canaries. Feces were collected during parental care, molting, and resting phase, and submitted for 16S rRNA sequencing. Data analysis a substantial presence of Lactobacillus aviarius along all the phases, and a relevant shift of microbiota during molting and rest due to an abrupt decrease of Vermiphilaceae family. Although the meaning of such change is not clear, future research may highlight unforeseen scenarios. Moreover, Lactobacillus aviarius may be deemed for normal bacteria flora restoration in debilitated birds, perhaps improving their health and productivity.

Background: The gut microbiome plays a major role in chronic diseases, of which several are characterized by an altered composition and diversity of bacterial communities. Large-scale sequencing projects allowed characterizing the perturbations of these communities. However, translating these discoveries into clinical applications remains a challenges. To facilitate routine implementation of microbiome profiling in clinical settings, portable, real-time, and low-cost sequencing technologies are needed. Results: Here, we propose a computational and experimental protocol for whole genome quantitative metagenomics studies of human gut microbiome with Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology (ONT) that could be applied to other microbial ecosystems. We developed a bioinformatic protocol to analyse ONT sequences taxonomically and functionally and optimized pre-analytic protocols including stool collection and DNA extraction methods to maximize read length. This is a critical parameter for the sequence alignment and classification. Our protocol was evaluated using simulations of metagenomic communities which reflect naturally occuring compositional variations. Next, we validated both protocols using stool samples from a bariatric surgery cohort, sequenced with ONT, Illumina and SOLiD technologies. Results revealed similar diversity and microbial composition profiles. Conclusion: This protocol can be implemented in the clinical or research setting, bringing rapid personalized whole genome profiling of target microbiome species.

The modification the gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome and associated chronic diseases is among leading tasks of microbiome research and needs for clinical use of probiotics. Evidence lack for the implications for microbiome modification to improve metabolic health in particular when applied impersonalized. Probiotics have tremendous potential in personalized nutrition and medicine to develop healthy diets. The aim was to to conduct comprehensive overview of recent updates of role of microbiota on human health and development of metabolic syndrome and efficacy of microbiota modulation considering specific properties of probiotic strain and particular aspects of metabolic syndrome and patient`s phenotype to fill the gap between probiotic product and individual to facilitate development of individualized / personalized probiotic and prebiotic treatments. We discuss the relevance of using host phenotype-associated biomarkers, those based on imaging and molecular and patrient`s history, reliable and accessible to facilitate person-specific appication of probiotics and prebiotic substances. Microbiome phenotypes can be parameters of predictive medicine to recognize patient`s predispositions and evaluate treatment responses; the number of phenotype markers can be effectively involved to monitor microbiome modulation. The studied strain-dependent properties of probiotic strains are potentially relevant for individualized treatment for gut and distant sites microbiome modulation. The evidence regarding probiotic strains properties can be taken to account via pathophysiology-based approach for most effective individualized treatment via gut, oral and vaginal and other sites microbiome modulation according to phenotype of the patient providing individualized and personalized medical approaches. Preventive potential of probiotics is strong and well-documented. Recommendations for individualized clinical use of probiotics, and for probiotic studies design have been suggested.

The psychedelic renaissance has reignited interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for mental health and well-being. An emerging area of interest is the potential modulation of psychedelic effects by the gut microbiome - the ecosystem of microorganisms residing in our digestive tract. This review explores the intersection of the gut microbiome and psychedelic therapy, underlining potential implications for personalized medicine and mental health. We delve into the current understanding of the gut-brain axis, its influence on mood, cognition, and behavior, and how the microbiome may affect the metabolism and bioavailability of psychedelic substances. We also discuss the role of microbiome variations in shaping individual responses to psychedelics, along with potential risks and benefits. Moreover, we consider the prospect of microbiome-targeted interventions as a fresh approach to boost or modulate psychedelic therapy's effectiveness. By synthesizing insights from the fields of psychopharmacology, microbiology, and neuroscience, our objective is to advance knowledge about the intricate relationship between the microbiome and psychedelic substances, thereby paving the way for novel strategies to optimize mental health outcomes amid the ongoing psychedelic renaissance.

: Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are becoming an increasingly severe global problem due to their widespread distribution and complex impact on living organisms. Apart from their environmental impact, the effects of MNPs on living organisms have also continued to attract attention. The harmful impact of MNPs has been extensively documented in marine invertebrates and larger marine vertebrates like fish. However, the research on the toxicity of these particles on mammals is still limited, and their possible effects on humans are poorly understood. Considering that MNPs are commonly found in food or food packaging, humans are primarily exposed to them through ingestion. It would be valuable to investigate the potential harmful effects of these particles on gut health. This review focuses on recent research exploring the toxicological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the gut, as observed in human cell lines and mammalian models. Available data from various studies indicate that the accumulation of MNPs in mammalian models and human cells may result in adverse consequences, in terms of epithelial toxicity, immune toxicity, and disruption of gut microbiota. The paper also discusses the current research limitations and prospects in this field, aiming to provide a scientific basis and reference for further studies on the toxic mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics.

Probiotics are namely yeast and bacteria which are regarded as dietary supplements and food. Many probiotics are being commonly used now, the most frequently used, lactic acid bacteria are called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Many of the diseases associated with GIT are related to microbiota found in GIT, an imbalance of which causes gastrointestinal diseases. Probiotics, in light of scientific literature, are thought to play an important role in relieving symptoms of many diseases associated with GIT, i.e. beneficially regulating the microbiota composition. In the present review, we aimed to highlight the main considerations for main probiotic formulations to date. This study reviews the role of different probiotic formulations introduced so far in treating GI diseases in cohort ageing ≤18 years. We searched PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov without any restrictions. This study comprises the descriptive and comparative analysis between Single-organism and Composite probiotics. These GI diseases include NEC, FAP, AGE, Acute Diarrhea, Ulcerative Colitis and etc. The results have been categorized according to title and outcomes. The positive outcomes emphasize the drug’s effectiveness in improving health and the negative outcome elaborates on the adverse effects the drug may have shown. Conclusively, discussed practices will assist in reducing GI disorders and strengthening the gut. Further insight into the various gut microbes and microbiomes with specific demographic is recommended.

We have shown that prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) increased beneficial gut microbiota (GM) and prevented high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis, but the mechanisms behind these effects are not clear. We studied whether XOS affects adipose tissue inflammation and insulin signaling, and whether the GM and fecal metabolome explain associated patterns. XOS was supplemented or not with high (HFD) or low (LFD) fat diet for 12-weeks in male Wistar rats (n = 10/group). Previously analyzed GM and fecal metabolites were biclustered to reduce data dimensionality and identify interpretable groups of co-occurring genera and metabolites. Based on our findings, biclustering provides a useful algorithmic method for capturing such joint signatures. On the HFD, XOS-supplemented rats showed lower number of adipose tissue crown-like structures, increased phosphorylation of AKT in liver and adipose tissue as well as lower expression of hepatic miRNAs. XOS-supplemented rats had more fecal glycine and less hypoxanthine, isovalerate, branched chain amino acids and aromatic amino acids. Several bacterial genera were associated with the metabolic signatures. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of XOS on hepatic steatosis involved decreased adipose tissue inflammation and likely improved insulin signaling, which were further associated with fecal metabolites and GM.

The underlying molecular basis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is not well understood. Characterized by chronic, unexplained fatigue, a disabling payback following exertion (“post-exertional malaise”) and variably presenting, multi-system symptoms, ME/CFS is a complex disease which demands concerted biomedical investigation from disparate fields of expertise. ME/CFS research and patient treatment have been challenged by the lack of diagnostic biomarkers and finding these is a prominent direction of current work. Despite these challenges, modern research demonstrates a tangible biomedical basis for the disorder across many body systems. This evidence is largely comprised of disturbances to immunological and inflammatory pathways, autonomic and neurologic systems, abnormalities in muscle and mitochondrial function, shifts in metabolism, and gut physiology or gut microbiome disturbances. It is possible that these threads are together entangled as parts of an underlying molecular pathology reflecting a far-reaching homeostatic shift affecting each of these systems. Due to the variability of non-overlapping symptom presentation or precipitating events such as infection or other bodily stresses, the initiation of body-wide pathological cascades with similar outcomes stemming from different causes may be implicated in the condition. Patient stratification to account for this heterogeneity is therefore one important consideration during exploration of potential diagnostic developments.

Compelling epidemiologic data support the critical role of dietary fructose in the epidemic of obesity, metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The metabolic effects of fructose on the development of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD are not completely understood. High fructose intake impairs copper status, and copper-fructose interactions have been well documented in rats. Altered copper-fructose metabolism leads to exacerbated experimental metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that copper levels are low in NAFLD patients. Moreover, hepatic and serum copper levels are inversely correlated with the severity of NAFLD. Thus, high fructose consumption and low copper availability are considered two important risk factors in NAFLD. However, the causal effect of copper-fructose interactions as well as the effects of fructose intake on copper status remain to be evaluated in humans. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of copper-fructose interactions in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and discuss the potential underlying mechanisms. This review will shed light on the role of copper homeostasis and high fructose intake and point to copper-fructose interactions as novel mechanisms in the fructose induced NAFLD.

Abstract: Supplementation of infant formula with ingredients potentially able to manage, in a way positive for the host, the gut microbiota of infants, is nowadays widely used by infant food producers. The impact of this class of compounds, named prebiotics, on gut microbiota composition, was initially measured on the enrichment of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp., but the use of culture-independent analytical techniques has allowed to establish that a larger number of intestinal microorganisms are affected by the ingestion of prebiotics. However, despite a relevant number of scientific publications, actually there is no consensus on the amount of prebiotics to be administered daily, the potentially different actions exerted by prebiotics which differ in biochemical structures, as well as the impact of different percentages of the same prebiotics when used in mixtures and/or combination. This paper is aimed to critically review the available data on the use of prebiotics in infant formula, with special attention paid to identify a link between, the dosage used, the mixture composition and the observed outcomes, keeping in mind the influences in nutrition quality and growth influence.

The gut microbiota has recently been associated with susceptibility/resistance to malaria in animal models and humans, yet the impact of the gut microbiota on the risk of a malaria attack remains to be assessed. This study aims at assessing the influence of the gut microbiota on malaria attacks and Plasmodium parasitæmia in children living in a malaria-endemic area in Mali. Three hundred healthy children were included in a 16-months cohort study in Bandiagara. Their gut bacteria and fungi community structures were characterised via 16S and ITS metabarcoding from stool samples collected at inclusion. Clinician team monitored the occurrence of malaria attacks. Asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium was assessed by qPCR. Over the 16-month period, 107 (36%) children experienced at least one occurrence of malaria attacks, and 82 (27%) at least one asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitæmia episode. A higher gut bacteria richness was independently associated with susceptibility to asymptomatic parasitæmia episodes and malaria attacks; while the Shannon H diversity and Chao-1 richness index of gut fungi community structure was relatively homogeneous in children who were and were not infected with P. falciparum. Using a linear discriminant effect size analysis of operational taxonomic units assigned to the species level, 17 bacteria, including Clostridiaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Senegalimassilia sp., Atopobiaceae and Lachnosipraceae, and seven fungi, including Dioszegia fristigensis, Ogataea polymorpha and Cutaneotrichosporon cyanovorans, were associated with susceptibility; whereas eight bacteria, including, Bifidobacterium spp., Weissela confusa and Peptostreptococcacea, and 3 fungi, Malassezia sp., Niesslia exosporoides, and Didymocrea leucaenae, were associated with resistance to malaria. Moreover, 15 bacteria, including Coproccus eutactus, Terrisporobacter petrolearius, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ruminococcaceae, and 13 fungi, including Wallemia mellicola, were associated with susceptibility, whereas 19 bacteria, including Bifidobacterium spp., Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcacea, and Lactobacillus ruminis, and three fungi, including Cryptococcus neoformans, were associated with resistance to asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitæmia episodes. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings that point the way towards strategies aiming to reduce the risk of malaria by modulating gut microbiota components in at-risk populations.

Administration of crude polysaccharides extract from natural product is a promising gut microbiota-targeted approach to preventing obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Dietary restrictions can change the type and number of gut bacteria, which is an important factor in delaying the onset and burden of diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-yield crude polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris (CMP) on high-fat diet (HFD) mice model and the gut microbiota community assembly, and to identify whether selenium (Se) addition would improve CMP action mode during cultivation. We found that the CMP treatment ameliorated adipose and liver pathologic morphology and fat accumulation in obese mice, while, SeCMP intervention was not superior than CMP in body mass gain, but notably decreasing serum triglyceride level increased by HFD. The upregulated expression of gene Cyp7a1 in liver and protein UCP1 in brown adipose tissue (BAT) preliminary indicated that the effect might relate to bile acids (BAs) metabolism pathway and thermogenesis. In addition, CMP showed a drastic decrease in the gut microbes which positively correlated with dyslipidemia parameters. Our result reveals the potential of CMP to be used as functional food in the prevention of diet-induced adipose and liver steatosis, so does SeCMP has outstanding capacity of improving dyslipidemia.

Background: Post-delivery period could be characterized by psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, sadness, and irritability), leading to post-partum depression (PPD). Objective: The present clinical study assess the effect of probiotic supplementation containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri PBS072 and Bifidobacterium breve BB077 (4x10⁹ CFU/day) on mother’s mood and breastfeeding quality during the first trimester after delivery. Methods: A Randomized Double Blind Controlled (RDBPC) trial has been carried out in 200 healthy new mothers divided into an active group taking a supplement containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri PBS072 and Bifidobacterium breve BB077 (4x10⁹ CFU/day) plus multivitamins, and a control group (multivitamin complex only) for 90 days. Symptoms related to maternal depression and breastfeeding quality were evaluated at days 45 and 90 by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short-Form (BSES-SF). Results: At days 45 and 90, probiotic treatment significantly ameliorated the mothers’ mood compared to the control treatment (p<0.001). Likewise, breastfeeding quality and baby’s cries significantly improved in the probiotic group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Microbiota alterations could influence post-delivery woman’s mental state. According to our results, L. reuteri PBS072 and B. breve BB077 are potential candidates able to improve stress resilience in the post-partum period.

Carrot juice and its associated beverage products are well-known healthy drinks all over the world. However, what effect carrot juice has on the human gut microbiota and how it is fermented by the intestinal microbes have not been studied. Here, using an in vitro model of anaerobic fermentation, we demonstrated that carrot juice could be fermented into lactate and acetate by the human gut microbiota. 16S high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analyses indicated that fermentation of carrot juice could significantly change the composition of the human gut microbiome. Interestingly, carrot juice remarkably increased the abundances of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus mucosae and Bacteroides uniformis and decreased the population of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecium in the gut. Collectively, our study illustrates a favorable effect of carrot juice on the human gut microbiota and lays a foundation for the development of carrot juice as a novel prebiotic agent.

A growing body of evidences is showing that dysbiotic gut microbiota may correlate with a wide range of disorders; hence, the clinical use of microbiota maps and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can be exploited in the clinic of some infectious diseases. Through direct or indirect ecological and functional competition, FMT may stimulate decolonization of pathogens or opportunistic pathogens, modulating immune response and colonic inflammation, and restoring intestinal homeostasis, with reduction of host damage. Herein, we discuss how diagnostic parasitology may contribute to design clinical metagenomics pipelines and FMT programs, especially in pediatric subjects. The consequences of a more specialized diagnostics in the context of gut microbiota communities may improve the clinical parasitology and extend its applications to the prevention and treatment of several communicable and even noncommunicable disorders.

Background: allergic diseases and, in particular food allergy (FA), have been identified as one of the major diseases in the world. The first 1000 days of life can be a “window of opportunity” or a “window of susceptibility” during which several factors can predispose children to FA development. Changes in gut microbiota composition, from pregnancy to infancy, could have a pivotal role in this regard: some bacterial genus such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium seem to be protective from FA development, on the contrary Clostridium and Staphylococcus appear to be unprotective. Methods: we conducted a research through the most recent literature (2013-2023), using Pubmed and Scopus as databases. We included English original papers, clinical trials, metanalysis and reviews. Case reports, series and letters have been excluded. Results: during pregnancy, maternal diet can play a fundamental role in influencing gut microbiota composition of newborns. After birth, human milk can promote the development of protective microbial species by human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), that play a prebiotic role. Also complementary feeding can modify gut microbiota composition. Conclusions: the first two years of life are a critical period where several factors, in genetic predisposed children, can increase the risk of FA development.

The enteric nervous system is affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Gut microbiota ferment dietary fibers and produce short-chain fatty acids, such as Butyrate, which bind to G protein-coupled receptors, such as GPR41, and contribute to maintaining intestinal health. This work aimed to study the GPR41 in myenteric neurons and analyze the effect of Butyrate in mice submitted to experimental ulcerative colitis. The 2, 4, 6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was injected intrarectally in C57BL/6 mice (Colitis). Sham group received ethanol (vehicle). One group was treated with 100mg/kg of Sodium Butyrate (Butyrate), and the other groups received saline. Animals were euthanized 7 days after colitis induction. Analyzes demonstrated colocalization of GPR41 with neurons immunoreactive (-ir) to nNOS and ChAT-ir, and absence of colocalization of the GPR41 with GFAP-ir glia. Quantitative results demonstrated losses of nNOS-ir, ChAT-ir, and GPR41-ir neurons in Colitis group, and Butyrate treatment attenuated neuronal loss. The number of GFAP-ir glia increased in Colitis group, whereas Butyrate reduced the number of these cells. In addition, morphological alterations observed in Colitis group were attenuated in Butyrate group. The presence of GPR41 in myenteric neurons was identified and the treatment with Butyrate attenuated the damage caused by experimental ulcerative colitis.

Three different fields intersect in search of an understanding of the point-of-origin of modern-age diseases: 1) D-amino acids and their role under stress conditions; 2) evolutionary origin of the mitochondrion organelle in the eukaryotic cell; and 3) gut microbiota and human healthHere it is first suggested that D-amino acids function as universal signaling agents, after having evolved as prokaryotic communication, part of an organic communication process that governs the basic activities of all the cells and coordinates cell action.Mitochondria (symbiotic prokaryotic organelles), are creative source of D-amino acids as signaling agents in the central nervous system and in the neuroendocrine systems.Amino acids racemases catalyzes the conversion between the L-enantiomers ( protein building blocks) into D-enantiomers (signaling agents).It is suggested that hectic modern life may affect human health by causing stress to the gut microbiota. These affected, gut microbiota then secrete D-amino acids that enter the blood stream, as signaling agents, causing communication errors in the central nervous system, and in the neuroendocrine systems due to excessive quantity of D-amino acids.Treating gut microbiota with inhibitors of amino acids racemases or finding D-amino acid scavengers may be used in developing novel therapeutic strategies for diseases related to the central nervous system and neuroendocrine systems caused by stressed gut microbiota.

The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by the gut microbiota. The main phyla are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, now renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), an increase in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes abundance promotes its pathogenesis and evolution into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. For this reason, an early treatment is necessary to disfavor its progression. The aim of the present narrative review is to evaluate the different therapeutic approaches to MAFLD. The most important treatment for MAFLD is lifestyle changes. In this regard, the Mediterranean diet could be considered the gold standard in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. In contrast, a Western diet should be discouraged. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation seem to be valid, safe, and effective alternatives for MAFLD treatment. However, more studies with a longer follow up and with a larger cohort of patients are needed to underline the more effective ap-proaches to contrasting MAFLD.

Individuals with autism often experience gastrointestinal issues but the cause is unknown. Many gene mutations that modify neuronal synapse function are associated with autism and therefore may impact the enteric nervous system that regulates gastrointestinal function. A missense mutation in the Nlgn3 gene encoding the cell adhesion protein, Neuroligin-3, was identified in two brothers with autism who both experienced severe gastrointestinal dysfunction. Mice expressing this mutation (Nlgn3R451C mice) are a well-studied preclinical model of autism and show autism-relevant characteristics, including impaired social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behaviour. We previously showed colonic dysmotility in response to GABAergic inhibition and increased myenteric neuronal numbers in the small intestine in Nlgn3R451C mice bred on a mixed genetic background. Here we show that gut dysfunction is a persistent phenotype of the Nlgn3 R451C mutation in mice backcrossed onto a C57BL/6 background. We report that Nlgn3R451C mice show faster gastrointestinal transit in vivo and have longer small intestines compared to wild-types due to a reduction in smooth muscle tone. In Nlgn3R451C mice, we observed a decrease in resting jejunal diameter and neurally-regulated dysmotility as well as shorter durations of contractile complexes in the ileum. In Nlgn3R451C mouse colons, short contractions were inhibited to a greater extent by the GABAA antagonist, gabazine, compared to wild-type mice. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis decreased the frequency of contractile complexes in the jejunum, but not the ileum, in both wild-type and Nlgn3R451C mice. These findings demonstrate that changes in enteric nervous system function contribute to gastrointestinal dysmotility in mice expressing the autism-associated R451C missense mutation in the Neuroligin-3 protein.

Chronic gastroduodenal symptoms are prevalent worldwide, and there is a need for new diagnostic and treatment approaches. Several overlapping processes may contribute to these symptoms, including gastric dysmotility, hypersensitivity, gut-brain axis disorders, gastric outflow resistance, and duodenal inflammation. Gastric Alimetry® (Alimetry, New Zealand) is a non-invasive test for evaluating gastric function that combines body surface gastric mapping (high-resolution electrophysiology) with validated symptom profiling. Together, these complementary data streams enable important new clinical insights into gastric disorders and their symptom correlations, with emerging therapeutic implications. A comprehensive database has been established, currently comprising >2,000 Gastric Alimetry tests, including both controls and patients with various gastroduodenal disorders. From studies employing this database, this pa-per presents a systematic methodology for Gastric Alimetry test interpretation, together with an extensive supporting literature review. Reporting is grouped into four sections: Test Quality, Spectral Analysis, Symptoms, and Conclusions. This review compiles, assesses, and evaluates each of these aspects of test assessment, with discussion of relevant evidence, example cases, limitations, and areas for future work. The resultant interpretation methodology is recommended for use in clinical practice and research to assist clinicians in their use of Gastric Alimetry as a diagnostic aid, and is expected to continue to evolve with further development.

Recent research has identified the gut-brain axis as a key mechanistic pathway and potential therapeutic target in depression. In this paper, the potential role of gut hormones as potential treatments or predictors of response in depression is examined, with specific reference to the peptide hormone motilin. This possibility is explored through two methods: (a) a conceptual review of the possible links between motilin and depression, including evidence from animal and human research as well as clinical trials, and (b) an analysis of the relationship between a functional polymorphism (rs2281820) of the motilin (MLN) gene and cross-national variations in the prevalence of depression. It was observed that (a) there are several plausible mechanisms, including interactions with diet, monoamine, and neuroendocrine pathways, to suggest that motilin may be relevant to the pathophysiology and treatment of depression, and (b) there was a significant correlation between rs2281820 allele frequencies and the prevalence of depression after correcting for multiple confounding factors. These results suggest that further evaluation of the utility of motilin and related gut peptides as markers of antidepressant response is required, and that these molecular pathways represent potential future mechanisms for antidepressant drug development.

Soil microbiome plays key role in plant health. Native soil microbiome inoculation, metagenomic profiling and high-throughput cultivation require efficient microbe extraction. The sonication and oscillation are most common methods to extract soil microbiome. However, the extraction efficiency of those methods has barely been investigated. Here, we compared the culturable microbe numbers, community structures and alpha diversities among the methods including sonication, oscillation, centrifugation and their processing time. The results showed that, sonication significantly increases culturable colony number compare with oscillation and centrifugation factors. Furthermore, sonication strategy shows a main factor influence extraction efficiency, but increased sonication time can recovery this impact. Finally, processing times of extraction show a significant negative relationship with α diversity among extracted microbiota. In conclusion, sonication is a main factor for enrich in-suit microbiota, and increased extraction time significantly decrease α diversity of extracted microbiota. These results can provide insights into the isolation and utilization of microorganism source.

Mediterranean Diet (MD), rich in minimally processed plant foods and in monounsaturated fats, but low in saturated fats, meat and dairy products, represents one of the most studied diets for cardiovascular health. It has been shown, from both observational and randomized controlled trials, that MD reduces body weight, improves cardiovascular disease surrogates such as waist-to-hip ratio, lipids, and inflammation markers, and even prevents the development of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. However, it is unclear whether it offers cardiovascular benefits from its individual components or as a whole. Furthermore, limitations in the methodology of studies and meta-analyses have raised some concerns on its potential cardiovascular benefits. MD is also associated with characteristic changes in the intestinal microbiota, mediated through its constituents. These include increased growth of species producing short-chain fatty acids, such as Clostridium leptum and Eubacterium rectale, increased growth of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii species, and reduced growth of Firmicutes and Blautia species. Such changes are known to be favorably associated with inflammation, oxidative status, and overall metabolic health. This review will focus on the effects of MD on cardiovascular health through its action on gut microbioma.

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. In addition to viral hepatitis, genetic conditions such as steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and Wilson’s disease can also lead to cirrhosis. Moreover, alcohol can cause cirrhosis on its own and exacerbate chronic liver disease from other causes. The treatment of cirrhosis can be divided into addressing the cause of cirrhosis and reversing liver fibrosis. To this date, there is still no clear consensus on the treatment of cirrhosis. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in potential treatments that modulate the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis for the treatment of cirrhosis. According to recent studies, modulation of the gut microbiome by probiotics ameliorates the progression of liver disease. The precise mechanism for relieving cirrhosis via gut microbial modulation has not been identified. This paper summarizes the role and effects of the gut microbiome in cirrhosis based on experimental and clinical studies on absorbable antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Moreover, it provides evidence of a relationship between the gut microbiome and liver cirrhosis.

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the history for food, fiber and drugs for thousands of years. Extension of cannabis genetic variation developed in a wide- ranging choice of varieties with various complementary phenotypes and secondary metabolites. Cannabis grow practices is very diverse, especially indoor cultivation factors, such as different lighting conditions, pot size, humidity, fertilizers. These growth factors influence a lot on the production of cannabinoids. For medical or pharmaceutical purposes, ratio of CBD or THC is very important. Plants traits and metabolic compounds are related to various conditions produced by microbes. Investigating this crosstalk between plants and microbes can play a vital role not only for stimulating the biosynthetic and signaling pathways of the host plants for the production of agronomically or pharmaceutically essential metabolic compounds but also against pathogens. This study emphasis on decoding the crosstalk between cannabis and associated microbes in the belowground environmental niches that would unravel the complexity of stabilizing cannabinoid production.

Viral infections as well as changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and virome have been linked to cancer. Moreover, the success of cancer immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has been correlated with the intestinal microbial composition of patients. The transfer of feces – which contains mainly bacteria and their viruses (phages) – from immunotherapy responders to non-responders, known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), has been shown to be able convert some non-responders to responders. Since phages may also increase the response to immunotherapy, for example by inducing T cells cross-reacting with cancer antigens, modulating phage populations may provide a new avenue to improve immunotherapy responsiveness. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the human virome and its links to cancer, and discuss the potential utility of bacteriophages in increasing the responder rate for cancer immunotherapy.

Given the accelerating scientific, clinical and consumer interest in highly-prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders, appropriate therapeutic strategies are needed to address the many aspects of digestive dysfunction. Accumulating evidence for the crucifer-derived bioactive molecule, sulforaphane in upstream cellular defence mechanisms highlights its potential as a therapeutic candidate in targeting functional gastrointestinal conditions together with systemic disorders. This article catalogues the evolution of and rationale for a hypothesis that utilises multifunctional sulforaphane as the initial step in restoring the ecology of the gut ecosystem; it does this primarily by targeting the functions of intestinal epithelial cells. A growing body of work has identified the colonocyte as the driver of dysbiosis, so that targeting gut epithelial function could provide an alternative to targeting the microbes themselves for remediation of microbial dysbiosis. The hypothesis discussed herein has evolved over several years and is supported by case studies showing the application of sulforaphane in gastrointestinal disorders, related food intolerance and several systemic conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first time the effects of sulforaphane have been reported in a clinical environment where several of its key properties within the gut ecosystem appear to be related to its nutrigenomic effects on gene expression.

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in the topic of gut health and food, revealing a complex interplay that affects many facets of human health beyond just digestion. This in-depth overview investigates crucial aspects of this connection, illuminating issues including the effects of processed meals, the advantages of fermented foods, individualized diets, and the harmonious relationship between gut bacteria and dietary components. In this article, we'll take a look at how processed foods affect your digestive system, and how their convenience might backfire by upsetting your body's delicate microbial balance. The effects of these diets have been studied, and the results suggest that there may be disruptions in microbial diversity, inflammation, and metabolic health. Instead, fermented foods are explored as potential allies in the fight for gut health. These foods' high probiotic content not only improves digestion and nutrition absorption, but may also have an effect on one's state of mind. There is growing evidence that eating fermented foods can help you maintain a healthy and robust gut microbiome. Recognizing that everyone has a different gut microbiota composition, the idea of individualized nutrition has come to the forefront. One novel strategy for improving digestive health is to provide nutritional advice based on a person's unique microbial profile. This paper looks at how microbiome testing can be combined with professional advice to create food programs that feed specific bacteria communities, improving both diversity and health. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the reciprocal interaction between dietary choices and the gut microbiota, and the significant impact that gut health has on numerous aspects of human health. The more we learn about the complexities of this interplay, the more we can take a holistic approach to nutrition, one that respects the uniqueness of each person's gut microbiome and encourages healthy eating habits. By taking a more all-encompassing view, we are reminded of the critical function of the gut microbiota in determining our health and of the significance of fostering this nuanced symbiotic connection.

Tumor-associated microbiota refers to the community of microorganisms found in tumors and is part of the larger tumor microenvironment (TME). The discovery of the complex relationship between these microbial populations and the growth of cancer has prompted the creation of cutting-edge tailored methods to cancer treatment. In recent years, microbiota profiling's potential as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic optimization tool has been increasingly apparent. The diagnostic and prognostic use of microbiota profiling is explored in this abstract. Microbiota profiling shows potential for early cancer detection, improved risk stratification, and greater prediction of treatment outcomes by identifying different microbial signatures associated with early-stage tumors, aggressive characteristics, and responses to treatment. In addition, this method provides the way for individualized medicinal approaches based on an individual's specific microbiome.Microbiota profiling is investigated as a means of customizing treatment plans, illuminating how knowledge of an individual's microbiome might direct the development of individualized treatments and multimodal approaches. These kind of interventions have the potential to herald in a new era of patient-centered oncology care by increasing treatment efficacy while decreasing side effects. Despite significant promise, microbiota profiling has obstacles that must be overcome before it can be successfully translated into therapeutic practice. This abstract highlights the revolutionary potential of microbiota-based approaches in cancer care and the need for ongoing research and technology improvements to harness the power of the tumor-associated microbiome for improved patient outcomes.

Manipulation of the intestinal microbiome is an emerging area of research, especially in hind-gut fermenters such as the horse. The aim of this study was to determine whether fecal pH can provide a simple and cost-effective tool to document changes in the intestinal metabolome and microbiome following supplementation of feed with an enzyme rich malt extract (ERME). Fecal pH was determined weekly in triplicate using a commercial soil pH meter in 72 Thoroughbred racehorses in training before and during supplementation with ERME (300mls per day divided into two feeds) alongside their regular feeding schedule. No control group was included. Fecal pH increased over the 4 weeks of treatment from 6.20 (6.15-6.24) to 6.40 (6.38-6.44; P&lt;0.0001). Changes were not observed at one-week intervals but were apparent after 2 weeks There was a significant increase in the proportion of horses with a ‘normal’ pH at the end of the study (55%) compared to the start of the study (11%; p&lt;0.001). These data support the further validation of the use of fecal pH in large scale microbiome/metabolome studies in the horse, although comparisons with these outcomes are now warranted.

Emerging data have demonstrated a strong association between the gut microbiota and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as atherosclerosis, inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, platelet hyperactivity, and plasma lipid abnormalities. Several studies in humans and animal models have demonstrated an association between gut microbial metabolites, such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids, and bile acid metabolites, amino acid breakdown products, with CVD. Human blood platelets are a critical contributor to the hemostatic process. Besides, these blood cells play a crucial role in developing atherosclerosis and, finally, contribute to cardiac events. Since the TMAO, and other metabolites of the gut microbiota, are associated with platelet hyperactivity, lipid disorders, and oxidative stress, the diet-gut microbiota interactions have become an important research area in the cardiovascular field. Platelets became hyperactive in people with diabetes mellitus, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and insulin resistance and exhibited increased sensitivity at a baseline level and in response to agonists, ultimately contributing to increased aggregation plaque development. In addition to these factors, TMAO also contributes to platelet hyperactivity. Several approaches are now suggested to reduce plasma TMAO levels, such as microbiota modulation using probiotics, prebiotics, and oral broad-spectrum antibiotics. This review describes the association between microbiota-derived metabolites and CVD development.

Commonly the periodontitis has been linked to periodontopathogens categorized in Socransky's microbial complexes, however, there is a lack of knowledge regarding “other microorganisms” or "cryptic microorganisms", which are rarely thought of as significant oral pathogens and are neither previously categorized nor connected to illnesses in the oral cavity. This study hypothesized that these cryptic microorganisms could contribute to the modulation of oral microbiota present in health or disease (periodontitis and/or OSA patients). For this purpose, the presence and the correlation among these cultivable cryptic oral microorganisms were identified and their possible role in both conditions was determined. Data from oral samples of individuals with or without periodontitis and with or without OSA were obtained from a previous study. Demographic data, clinical oral characteristics, and genera and species of cultivable cryptic oral microorganisms identified by MALDI-TOF were recorded. The data of 75 participants were analyzed to determine the relative frequencies of cultivable cryptic microorganisms’ genus and species, microbial clusters and correlations tests were performed. According to periodontal condition, Gingivitis - dental biofilm-induced in reduced periodontium and stage III periodontitis were found to have the highest diversity of cryptic microorganism species. Based on the experimental condition these findings showed that there are genera related to disease conditions and others related to healthy conditions, with species that could be related to different chronic diseases being highlighted as comorbidities periodontitis and OSA. The cryptic microorganisms within the oral microbiota of patients with periodontitis and OSA are present as potential pathogens, promoting the development of dysbiotic microbiota, and the occurrence of chronic diseases, which have been previously proposed to be common risk factors for periodontitis and OSA. Understanding the function of possible pathogens in the oral microbiota will take more research.

Recently scientific research began to shift their focus on looking at both the gut and the skin microbiota as having a reciprocal and integral relationship with one another, rather than assessing them as separate and unrelated fields. In the past five years, the field of microbial endocrinology emerged, which examines how our gut microbiota influences and modulates hormones. We’ve known for decades that hormones greatly affect the condition of the skin, and many skin conditions are often treated with oral hormonal therapy as means to internally treat skin conditions visible on the dermis. Now, a growing body research and discourse examining this triad of biological spheres – gut microbiota, skin microbiota, and the endocrine system – as interconnected rather than binary and unrelated. While there is ample research established and being conducted examining the gut-skin axis, the gut-brain axis, and the gut-hormone axis, through this paper I will review and synthesize some of the significant advancements in this emerging and inclusive field of science to suggest that the fields need to expand the axis and their modality for researching these fields as a connected whole in order to better understand the role of the microbiota in disease prevention as a whole.

The microbiome gut brain (MGB) axis involves bidirectional routes of communication and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for multiple medical specialities including psychiatry. Significant numbers of preclinical trials have taken place with some transitioning to clinical studies in more recent years. Some positive results have been reported secondary to probiotic administration in both healthy populations and specific patient groups. This review aims to summarise the current understanding of the MGB axis and the preclinical and clinical findings relevant to psychiatry. The link between the gut microbiome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is well established. Significant differences have been identified between the microbiome of patients with a diagnosis of depressive disorder and healthy controls. Similar findings have occurred in patients diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. A probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium bifidum produced clinically measurable symptom improvement in patients with depressive disorder. To date some promising results have suggested that probiotics could play a role in the treatment of stress-related psychiatric disease. However, more well-controlled clinical trials are required to determine which clinical conditions are likely to benefit most significantly from this novel approach.

Different nutraceuticals are often considered by parents of infants and children with abdominal pain and disorders of the gut-brain interaction. Herb extracts and natural compounds have long been used in traditional medicine, but clinical pediatric trials are very limited. This narrative review based on relevant studies identified through Pubmed-Medline literature search updated to October 2023, focused on the effect of nutraceuticals in infantile colic, functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in children and adolescents. Significant reduction of colic episodes and crying time was reported in two studies on fennel (seeds oil or tea), in three studies on different multiple herbal extracts (all including fennel), in one study on Mentha piperita, and in at least two double-blind randomized controlled studies on Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 (108 CFU/day for at least 21 days) in breast-fed infants. Compared to placebo, in children with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome a significant reduction of pain was reported in two studies supplementing peppermint oil capsules or psyllium fibers, in one study on corn fiber cookies or partial hydrolysed guar gum or a specific multiple herbal extract (STW-5) or vitamin D supplementation. To date, there is a moderate certainty of evidence with a weak grade of recommendation for Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (108 CFU/day) for reducing pain intensity in children with functional abdominal pain and for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1-3 x109 CFU twice daily) for reducing pain frequency and intensity in children with IBS. Further large and well-designed pediatric studies are needed to prove efficacy and safety of different herbal extracts and prolonged use of studied products in infants and children with pain disorders of the gut-brain interaction.

Whole-brain radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery are two treatment modalities commonly utilized to treat brain metastases (BMs). The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the main radio-oncologic and clinical-demographic aspects of a cohort of BM patients treated with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for radiosurgery (VMAT-RS). This is a cross-sectional observational design study with retrospective review of medical records of patients with brain metastases treated with VMAT- RS between 2012 and 2018. Clinical and demographic data, with special attention to sex, age, primary tumor, brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE), number and brain location of BMs, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), the updated DS-GPA prognostic index and the survival estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier model from the date of radiosurgery were analyzed. One hundred and twenty-one patients with 229 BMs were treated with VMAT-RS. Patients presented 1-4 BMs, which were treated with 5 non-coplanar VMAT arcs. Sixty-eight percent of the patients had lung cancer and 35% of the BMs were in the frontal lobe. Proportion of local control was 88.5%. BTRE prevalence was 30.6%. The median survival time (MST) was 7.7 months. In the multivariate analysis of the Cox Regression model KPS70 (HRKPS&lt;70=2.59; p=0.001) and higher DS-GPA (HRDS-GPAII =0.55, p=0.022; HRDS-GPAIII-IV =0.38, p=0.006) were associated with improved survival. In the univariate analysis, primary tumor, age and the presence of metastases in the posterior fossa (PFBMs) were also significative. In conclusion, the VMAT-RS is a technique with an overall survival comparable to other radiosurgery techniques. The median survival is significantly longer in those with higher KPS and DS-GPA. Other variables such as the type of primary tumor, age and PFBMs could also influence survival, although further studies are needed.

Because data on the fungal gut community structure of African children are scarce, we aimed to describe by reanalysing rRNA ITS1 and ITS2metabarcoding data from a study designed to assess the influence of microbiota in malaria susceptibility in Malian children from the Dogon country. More specifically, we aimed to establish the core gut mycobiome and compare the gut fungal community structure of breastfed children, aged 0-2 years, with other age groups. Briefly, DNA was extracted from 296 children’s stool samples. Both rRNA ITS1 and ITS2 genomic barcodes were amplified and subjected to Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The ITS2 barcode generated 1,975,320 reads and 532 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), while the ITS1 barcode generated 647,816 reads and 532 OTUs. The alpha diversity was significantly higher by using the ITS1 compared to the ITS2 barcode (p

The mammalian gut ecosystem plays critical roles in multiple functions related to health and homeostasis. In many cases, disturbances in the gut ecosystem are associated with a large number of metabolic and chronic diseases and disorders such as diabetes, cancer, and obesity. A diverse community of microorganisms ranging from viruses to bacteria comprise the gut microbiota, which is often considered as an organ in itself. Recent studies have profiled the influence of lifestyles and dietary behavior by comparing the gut microbiome of populations with different cultural underpinnings. In this review, we provide an overview of the studies which report the influence on the gut microbial composition of dietary and lifestyle patterns in different contexts such as western industrialized countries and indigenous cultures (corresponding to different lifestyle gradients such as hunter-gatherers and pastoralists) and how this association may influence health and disease.

Gut microbiota composition can affect tumor microenvironment and its interaction with the immune system, thereby having implications on treatment predictions. This article reviews the studies available to better understand how gut microbiomes help the immune system to fight cancer. To describe this fact, different mechanisms, and approaches of utilizing probiotics to improve advancements in cancer treatment will be discussed. Moreover, not only the calorie intake but also the variety and quality of diet can influence cancer patient’s immunotherapy treatment because dietary patterns could impair the immunological activities either by stimulating or suppressing the innate and adaptive immunity. Therefore, it is interesting and critical to understand the gut microbiome composition as a biomarker to decide cancer immunotherapy outcomes and responses. Here, more emphasis would be given to the recent development in immunotherapies utilizing microbiota to improve cancer therapies which is beneficial for cancer patients.

The body's billions of bacteria—the microbiota—influence health and illness. The microbiome—the genetic material of these microbes—affects digestion, immunological function, and mental health. Due to bacterial variety, complicated relationships, and research technique constraints, investigating the microbiota is difficult. AI and machine learning have expanded microbiome research. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can efficiently scan large microbiome datasets to help researchers understand microbial populations and their functions. AI-based predictive algorithms can analyze food impacts on microbial communities and forecast illness risks based on gut microbiota composition. AI helps find microbial biomarkers linked to specific health disorders, enabling early illness identification and targeted therapy. AI-driven medication development platforms also modulate microbiome to treat microbiota-related diseases. Understanding microbial populations' involvement in health and illness requires understanding complicated microbial interactions within the microbiome and between it and the host. AI systems improve human health by comprehending these complex relationships. AI in microbiota study must overcome various obstacles. Data quality and AI model interpretability are essential for accurate findings. Diverse and representative datasets avoid biases and strengthen AI-driven conclusions. AI in microbiota research requires data protection, informed permission, and appropriate use of sensitive data. AI is improving our understanding of the human microbiome and its health effects, changing microbiota research. Overcoming difficulties and adhering to ethical norms will enable the proper use of AI-driven findings, leading to microbiome insights and precision medical breakthroughs.

The trillions of bacteria that live in and on our bodies make up the human microbiota, which is a very important part of keeping us healthy and protecting us from pathogenic infections. Dysbiosis is when there are changes in the composition and variety of the microbiota. This can upset the delicate balance between the host and its microbes, making the host more vulnerable to pathogens. Understanding the complicated link between microbiota and pathogens is important for coming up with effective ways to change microbiota and boost the body's defenses against infections. This study looks at how microbiota modulation affects the spread of pathogens and infections. It talks about how the makeup of microbiota affects how susceptible you are to pathogens. It shows how a healthy microbiota can protect you by making it hard for pathogens to grow and take over. The review also goes into detail about how the microbiota protects against pathogens, such as through competitive exclusion, the production of antimicrobial compounds, and the regulation of immune reactions. The study also looks at the idea of dysbiosis and how it is linked to pathogenic shifts. Disruptions in the microbiota can make it easier for pathogens to grow and make it harder for the host to fight off infections. It focuses on the need to recover microbial balance to improve the host's defenses and lower risks caused by pathogens. There is also talk about the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as ways to change the microbiome. The goal of these interventions is to restore the diversity and function of microbes, improve the integrity of barriers, and boost the immune system's reaction to pathogens. The review shows how these methods could be used to change the microbiota and make it easier for the body to fight off infections. In conclusion, knowing how the microbiota and pathogens work together in a complicated way can help a lot when it comes to making specific interventions for microbiota modulation. Strategies that restore the balance of microbes and boost the host's defenses could stop pathogens from taking over and making people sick. More study needs to be done in this area to improve therapeutic approaches and use the microbiota to its fullest extent to fight infectious diseases.

Probiotics have become a potential way to change the microbiota, which allows for more personalized ways to improve health results. This abstract gives an outline of the most important parts of personalized microbiota regulation through probiotics. It focuses on effectiveness and mechanisms, clinical applications, safety and tolerability, formulations and delivery methods, and customized approaches. Many studies have looked into how and why probiotics change the microbiome. These studies show that probiotics can change the makeup and function of microbial communities. Probiotics have been shown to help treat a number of health problems, such as digestive problems, immune system problems, metabolic problems, and mental health problems. It is important for the success of probiotics to find out if they are safe and can be tolerated. Studies have shown that probiotics are usually safe for most people, but there are some things that need to be taken into account to make sure they are safe, especially for people who are weak. Formulations and transport methods are very important for making sure that probiotics are alive, stable, and delivered to the right places in the GI tract. Probiotic strains work better in the gut because of improvements in how probiotic preparation technologies protect and control the release of probiotic strains. Personalized methods take into account how each person's microbiome and health are different. By using individual microbiota profiling, custom probiotic approaches can be made to address specific microbial imbalances and promote a healthier microbial environment, which could improve treatment results. Even though individual methods show promise, there are still problems, such as the need to standardize microbiota profiling techniques, figure out how to understand data, and keep track of people over time. For personalized probiotics to reach their full potential and change the way patients are cared for based on the microbiota-host relationship, more study, technological advances, and teamwork are needed. In conclusion, probiotics can be used to change your microbiome in a way that is specific to you and your health goals. By using the power of individualized microbiota profiling, personalized probiotic treatments might be able to help with certain health problems and make the microbial environment better. Putting personalized probiotics into clinical practice and changing the way patients are cared for will require more study and partnerships between different fields.

Oryzias latipes is an important model organism for physiology, genetics and developmental studies, and has also emerged a relevant vertebrate model for aquatic ecotoxicology. Knowledge regarding its associ-ated microbiota on the other hand is still scarce and limited to adults, despite the relevance of associated microbiome to hosts biology. This study provides first insights into the establishment of bacterial mi-crobiota during early developmental stages of laboratory-reared medaka using a 16SrRNA sequenc-ing-based approach. Major shifts in community compositions are observed, from a Proteobacte-ria-dominated community in larvae and juveniles to a more phylum diverse community towards adult-hood, with no obvious difference between female and male specimens. Major bacterial taxa found in adults, including genera Cetobacterium and ZOR0006, establish progressively and are rare during early stages. Dominance shifts are comparable to those documented in another major model teleost, the zebrafish. Results from this study provide a basis for future work investigating the influence of meda-ka-associated bacteria during host development.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is considered a significant and increasing problem worldwide. The growing body of evidence points out that a hostile intrauterine environment in mothers with GDM via epigenetic mechanisms induces "diabetogenic" and "obesogenic" changes in an offspring's DNA. This sets in motion a vicious intergenerational cycle of metabolic diseases gradually deteriorating the health of the human population. One of the most important players in this process seems to be altered microbiota/microbiome. There is a chance that the identification of specific epigenetic marks may provide a key for future diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic solutions/measures in the field of person-alized medicine. Given the reversibility of most epigenetic changes, an opportunity arises to improve the long-term health of the human population/race. In this manuscript, we aim to summarize available data on epigenetic changes among women suffering from GDM and their progeny in association with changes in microbiome.