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Nutrients
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Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota
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Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Prebiotics and Probiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 3927

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dandan Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: gut microbiota; animal nutrition; fermentation; prebiotics; probiotics; fiber; inflammatory bowel disease; mucosal immunity
Dr. Xiaolong Gu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Interests: toxicology; metabolism; molecular mechanism; signaling pathway; food toxicity and chemical

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gut microbiota is critically involved in maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract, the gut mucosal homeostasis, and host nutritional metabolism. The specific signatures of intestinal microbiome and alterations are likely to play an important (but still underestimated) role in determining susceptibility and resilience to disease outcomes locally and systemically. The human and animal gut microbiomes are shaped by diet and host factors, in which different dietary patterns acutely and persistently perturb microbial communities. It is important to understand the complex interactions between microbiota and host immunity, including which and how gut microbiota metabolizes these dietary elements, and the molecular links and underlying mechanisms of how diet-reshaped gut microbes and their metabolites modulate host immunity systems, physiological metabolism, and health. In this Special Issue, we will pay attention to how those elements from different dietary patterns that modulate gut microbiota, and how specific gut microbes and their metabolites work to be involved in the development of chronic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.

Dr. Dandan Han
Dr. Xiaolong Gu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • prebiotics
  • probiotics
  • dietary fiber
  • gut microbiota
  • inflammation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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17 pages, 4667 KiB  
Article
Mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 in Regulating the Metabolic Function of Intestinal Flora for the Treatment of High-Purine Dietary Hyperuricemia
by Qiang Sun, Zhiman Li, Yang Yu and Yinshi Sun
Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1844; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111844 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 55
Abstract
Objective: Study the mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 in ameliorating hyperuricemia (HUA) induced by high-purine diet. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into groups, and the HUA model was established by administering a high-purine diet containing potassium oxonate combined with yeast. After the [...] Read more.
Objective: Study the mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 in ameliorating hyperuricemia (HUA) induced by high-purine diet. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into groups, and the HUA model was established by administering a high-purine diet containing potassium oxonate combined with yeast. After the experiment, blood was collected via cardiac puncture, and the organ indices of the rats were calculated. Serum biochemical markers including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), xanthine oxidase (XOD), creatinine (CREA), uric acid (UA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Histopathological sections of the kidney and intestine were prepared. Western blot was used to assess the expression levels of intestinal occludin and zonula occludens-1 barrier proteins and key proteins in IL-17/NF-κB inflammatory pathways. After the experiment, fecal samples were collected from the rats. The gut microbiota of HUA-induced rats was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing, and the levels of short-chain fatty acids in the fecal samples were quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results: Ginsenoside Rg1 significantly increased body weight and organ indexes as well as reduced serum levels of BUN, CREA, ALT, AST, XOD, and UA. Pathologic analysis showed that ginsenoside Rg1 improved renal cell injury, glomerulosclerosis, and renal interstitial fibrosis while restoring intestinal barrier function. Ginsenoside Rg1 down-regulated the expression of inflammatory proteins and up-regulated the levels of intestinal barrier proteins. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that ginsenoside Rg1 significantly increased the diversity index of gut microbiota and enhanced the number of beneficial bacteria in HUA rats. Short-chain fatty acids analysis demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg1 markedly elevated the levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate in HUA rats. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates and treats HUA by improving the composition of intestinal flora and inhibiting the IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce inflammatory factors in the intestinal tract in HUA rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota)
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19 pages, 2766 KiB  
Article
Lactobacillus plantarum and Galacto-Oligosaccharides Synbiotic Relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Reshaping Gut Microbiota and Attenuating Mast Cell Hyperactivation
by Qi Yao, Wenbo Zhang, Yuze Wang, Le Shi, Yixiao Zhao, Jiarui Liang, Yu Zhao, Jiawei Kang, Xudong Zheng, Rui Guo, Tian Yuan, Yongbo She and Zhigang Liu
Nutrients 2025, 17(10), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17101670 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 420
Abstract
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) significantly impairs the lifestyle and quality of life of the global population. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain largely elusive. While conventional pharmacological approaches show limited therapeutic efficacy, emerging microbiota-targeted dietary interventions present promising alternatives. Objectives: The present [...] Read more.
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) significantly impairs the lifestyle and quality of life of the global population. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain largely elusive. While conventional pharmacological approaches show limited therapeutic efficacy, emerging microbiota-targeted dietary interventions present promising alternatives. Objectives: The present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which a synbiotic mitigates IBS and associated colonic dysfunctions in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: The mouse model was induced by a Citrobacter rodentium (C. rodentium) infection combined with water avoidance stress (WAS). Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) were identified as the optimal carbon source for the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum ZYC501 (L. plantarum ZYC501), leading to the establishment of the synbiotic formulation. Results: The 32-day synbiotic intervention, consisting of L. plantarum ZYC501 (1 × 109 CFU/day) and GOS (10 g/L, w/w), significantly alleviated colonic transit dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity, and anxiety-like behaviors in IBS mice. The synbiotic treatment significantly inhibited the expression levels of histamine, mast cell tryptase, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (p < 0.05). The synbiotic also suppressed colonic inflammation by reducing the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TNF-α, and IL-6 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the synbiotic increased the expression of MUC2 and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate (p < 0.05). In terms of gut microbiota modulation, the synbiotic reshaped the gut microbiota composition, increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia while decreasing the levels of Helicobacter and Saccharibacteria. Correlation analysis further revealed a strong association among SCFAs, colonic inflammation, and the gut microbiota. Conclusions: In conclusion, the synbiotic composed of L. plantarum ZYC501 and GOS effectively alleviates IBS and associated colonic dysfunctions by modulating the gut microbiota, reducing mast cell hyperactivity, and enhancing colonic barrier integrity. These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing gut microbiota-targeted dietary interventions for the management of IBS and improvement in gut health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota)
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19 pages, 4240 KiB  
Article
Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis by Modulating the Colonic Microbiota Composition and Metabolome in Mice
by Beibei He, Tao Duan, Dandan Hu, Lixian Chen, Lin Qiao, Dan Song, Li Wang, Shijie Fan, Kunru Teng, Weiwei Wang and Aike Li
Nutrients 2025, 17(8), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081348 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 511
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lactobacillus strains are widely used as probiotics in the functional food industry and show potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the strain specificity and limited stress resistance of Lactobacillus restricts its therapeutic effectiveness. The aim of this study was [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Lactobacillus strains are widely used as probiotics in the functional food industry and show potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the strain specificity and limited stress resistance of Lactobacillus restricts its therapeutic effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 on the intestinal immune responses, gut microbiota composition, and metabolic characteristics in colitis mice. Methods: Mice were pre-fed a diet containing microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 for 3 weeks and then treated with 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 8 days to induce colitis. Results: The results showed that microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 effectively alleviated clinical symptoms and histopathological features of colitis mice and suppressed the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-17 in the colon of colitis mice. Additionally, Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 significantly increased the relative abundance of several beneficial bacterial taxa, including Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014, Bacteroides, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, Lactococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, and so on. Moreover, it regulated the levels of multiple inflammation-related metabolites involved in linolenic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism. Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 reduced colitis inflammation in mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic characteristics, which may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for IBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota)
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11 pages, 556 KiB  
Systematic Review
Gut Microbiota and Oral Contraceptive Use in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review
by Jakub Wydra, Katarzyna Szlendak-Sauer, Magdalena Zgliczyńska, Natalia Żeber-Lubecka and Michał Ciebiera
Nutrients 2024, 16(19), 3382; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193382 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2437
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine syndromes affecting women at reproductive age. With increasing knowledge of the role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of PCOS, new management strategies began to emerge. However, data on the impact [...] Read more.
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine syndromes affecting women at reproductive age. With increasing knowledge of the role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of PCOS, new management strategies began to emerge. However, data on the impact of established treatment regimens, such as metformin and oral contraceptive agents, on the gut microbiota composition are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the specificity of the gut microbiota in women with PCOS before and after treatment with oral contraceptives. Methods: We have systematically searched the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The last search was performed on 13 May 2024. We included only full-text original research articles written in English. The risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: The above described search strategy retrieved 46 articles. Additionally, 136 articles were identified and screened through Google Scholar. After removing duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts, resulting in three eligible articles constituting the final pool. They were published between 2020 and 2022 and are based on three ethnically distinct study populations: Turkish, Spanish and American. The studies included a total of 37 women diagnosed with PCOS and using OCs. Conclusions: OC treatment does not seem to affect the gut microbiota in a significant way in patients with PCOS in short observation. Well-designed randomized controlled studies with adequate, unified sample size are lacking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiota)
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