Search Results (816)

Background/Objectives: Stress is increasingly recognized as an important modulator of gut microbiome composition and function through the bidirectional microbiota–gut–brain axis. Dietary, psychobiotic, and other lifestyle-oriented interventions have therefore attracted growing interest as potential strategies for simultaneously influencing stress-related outcomes and the gut microbiome. This systematic review aimed to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of lifestyle-oriented and psychobiotic interventions on both stress-related outcomes and the gut microbiome in adults. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL for English-language RCTs published between 2016 and April 2026, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years), evaluated lifestyle-oriented or psychobiotic interventions, and reported both gut microbiome-related and stress-related psychological or biological outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Owing to substantial methodological and clinical heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Twenty-nine RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Interventions included psychobiotic supplementation, dietary interventions and functional foods, and other lifestyle-oriented approaches. Across intervention categories, microbiome responses were heterogeneous, and no single taxonomic or diversity signature consistently characterized trials reporting favorable stress-related outcomes. Nevertheless, recurrent changes involving Bifidobacterium/Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus/Lactobacillaceae, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, and members of the Lachnospiraceae/Ruminococcaceae families were identified across several interventions, together with changes in SCFA-related microbial features. Changes in global microbial diversity were inconsistent, and psychological and microbiome responses did not invariably occur in parallel. Overall, the randomized evidence indicates recurrent taxonomic and functional signals rather than a uniform microbiome response across stress-targeting interventions. Substantial heterogeneity in populations, intervention characteristics, study duration, outcome measures, and microbiome assessment methods limited direct comparisons across trials. Conclusions: Current randomized evidence does not identify a uniform microbiome signature associated with successful stress-targeting interventions but suggests partial convergence involving selected bacterial taxa and functional microbial features. The lack of consistent parallel changes in psychological and microbiome outcomes precludes conclusions regarding whether microbiome alterations mediate improvements in stress-related outcomes. Larger, longer-term RCTs incorporating standardized microbiome methodologies and functional microbial analyses are needed to determine the reproducibility and mechanistic relevance of these signals. Full article

Functional pet foods are increasingly being developed to support host metabolism and intestinal health. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a major bioactive component of goji berries, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and gut microbiota-regulatory activities; however, its effects in domestic cats remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of dietary LBP supplementation on serum metabolomic profiles and gut microbiota in adult cats. Twenty-four healthy adult Chinese domestic cats (1.50 ± 0.50 years old; 3.70 ± 0.80 kg) were allocated to four groups using a body-weight-balanced procedure (n = 6 per group): a basal diet group (C) and basal diet supplemented with 0.2% (L), 0.3% (M), or 0.4% (H) LBP. After a 1-week adaptation period, the formal feeding trial lasted 8 weeks. Growth-related indices, health scores, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, untargeted serum metabolomics, and fecal 16S rRNA sequencing were evaluated. LBP supplementation did not significantly affect body weight, average daily feed intake, body condition score, fecal score, coat score, hematological indices, or serum biochemical parameters. Metabolomic analysis showed that LBP mainly affected lipid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, branched-chain amino acid metabolism, lysine degradation, and protein digestion and absorption-related pathways. Microbiota analysis showed changes in alpha diversity, community structure, and the relative abundance of taxa such as Olsenella, Bifidobacterium, Catenibacterium, Peptoclostridium, Collinsella, and Clostridium. Correlation analysis suggested potential associations between key bacterial genera and serum metabolites related to fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Overall, dietary LBP altered serum metabolic signatures and gut microbial composition without causing adverse effects in adult cats, These exploratory findings require confirmation in larger feline studies and do not establish an optimal supplementation level. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants widespread in aquatic environments; however, their effects across the different life stages of aquatic organisms remain poorly understood. This systematic review integrates recent experimental results on the developmental, physiological, and neurobehavioral effects of MP exposure on zebrafish (Danio rerio), a popular model organism for ecotoxicology research. A PRISMA-guided search using Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus as databases generated 581 articles, which were screened to 60 eligible articles. The collated results showed that MP toxicity at various life stages of zebrafish was strongly related to the physicochemical properties of MPs and exposure conditions. In terms of developmental toxicity, peer-reviewed publications assessing specific MP physicochemical properties—polymer type, size, concentration, shape, and degree of aging—reported concentration-dependent effects, with increasing MP concentrations generally associated with growth inhibition, cardiac dysfunction, increased malformations, and lower hatching rate, particularly at ≥10 mg/L to ≥100 mg/L. However, several studies noted that under particle-based exposure scenarios, MP toxicity exhibited threshold-like or non-monotonic responses, attributed to aggregation, bioavailability, and uptake dynamics. Weathered and artificially aged MPs exhibited higher embryotoxicity and neurodevelopmental toxicity, including changes in gene expression of neurons, decreased integrity of motor neurons, and impaired retinal development, compared with “virgin” MPs. In terms of physiological endpoints, oxidative imbalance like changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and disruption of tight junctions have been reported as key toxicity pathways. Chronic MP exposure in zebrafish also caused changes in the gut microbiota, hepatic metabolism, endocrine disruption, reproductive damage, thyroid function disruption, and genotoxicity in zebrafish. In terms of neurobehavioral effects, changes in locomotor activity, anxiety response, neurotransmitter homeostasis, and acetylcholinesterase function, have been observed, in both larvae and adults, with a potentiation effect in aged MP exposure. Finally, this systematic review found major limitations for inter-study comparisons because of inconsistencies and differences in methodology applied related to MP concentration, simulation of natural MP aging, and MP dose measurements. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a global health crisis, with nearly 589 million adults currently affected and projections pointing toward 853 million by 2050. Despite an expanding pharmacological armamentarium, a significant proportion of patients fail to achieve adequate glycaemic control, and the limitations of existing therapies, including adverse effects, cost, and limited accessibility, underscore the compelling need for novel therapeutic approaches. Phytochemicals such as curcumin, berberine, quercetin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate possess well-documented antidiabetic activity, operating through the PI3K/Akt, AMPK (activated protein kinase), NF-κB/JNK (nuclear factor kappa-B), and GLP-1R (glucagon-like peptide-1) signalling axes to improve insulin sensitivity, suppress gluconeogenesis, protect pancreatic beta-cells, and attenuate chronic metabolic inflammation. However, their clinical utility has been fundamentally constrained by poor oral bioavailability arising from low aqueous solubility, gastrointestinal instability, extensive first-pass metabolism, and P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux. Advanced drug delivery systems, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers, PLGA (Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)) and chitosan nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems, and phytosomes have demonstrated the capacity to overcome these barriers, achieving five- to ten-fold improvements in systemic bioavailability and substantially enhanced antidiabetic efficacy in preclinical models. Emerging mechanistic evidence further positions gut microbiota modulation and epigenetic reprogramming as additional therapeutic axes through which nano-encapsulated phytochemicals may exert durable metabolic benefits. Nonetheless, critical translational challenges persist, encompassing nanotoxicological risks, herb–drug interactions, the absence of harmonised regulatory frameworks for nano-phytomedicine products, phytochemical raw material variability, and formidable technical and economic barriers to scalable nanoparticle manufacturing. This review synthesises the current mechanistic, formulation, and clinical evidence within a unified analytical framework and identifies the strategic priorities of rigorous clinical development, regulatory clarity, and manufacturing standardisation required to translate nano-phytomedicine science into evidence-based T2DM therapeutics. Full article

The production performance, muscle quality, and gut microbiota of aquatic animals are closely associated with host growth stage and disease status. This study therefore compared the gut health, antioxidant capacity, and muscle nutritional composition of greenhouse-cultured Pelodiscus sinensis covering two growth stages (juvenile and adult) and two physiological states (healthy and diseased). The results showed that healthy turtles possessed significantly longer and denser intestinal villi compared with diseased turtles (p < 0.01), and adult turtles maintained higher activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lysozyme (LZM) than juveniles regardless of health condition. Digestive enzyme profiles varied with age and health. Compared with adult turtles, juveniles exhibited significantly higher trypsin activity in both healthy and diseased groups (p < 0.001). Conversely, juveniles displayed significantly lower lipase activity than adults in the diseased group (p = 0.008). For muscle nutritional composition, adults contained higher crude protein (CP), essential amino acids (EAAs), and umami amino acids (UAAs) than juveniles, while healthy turtles had significantly better muscle quality indices than diseased individuals (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, gut microbial composition differed significantly between growth stages and health states (p = 0.001). The relative abundance of unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_2 was positively correlated with GSH-Px and muscle nutritional composition indicators (CP, EAAs, and UAAs), whereas it was negatively correlated with liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and intestinal enzyme activities. Data also showed that unclassified_o_Bacteroidales and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae may affect muscle nutritional composition and non-specific immunity by regulating the microbial functional pathways of amino acid metabolism, the digestive system, and non-specific immunity system. Collectively, these observations offer insights into variations in physiological traits of greenhouse-cultured P. sinensis. These correlational findings suggest that gut microbiota are closely associated with muscle nutrition and antioxidant status, providing valuable insights for sustainable soft-shelled turtle aquaculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Functional constipation is common in older adults and impairs quality of life. Evidence for multi-strain orally disintegrating (OD) probiotic formulations in this population remains limited. Methods: In this single-center, open-label, single-arm pre–post study, adults aged 65–90 years meeting the Rome IV criteria for functional constipation were administered an OD tablet containing Bacillus subtilis TO-A, Enterococcus faecium T-110, and Clostridium butyricum TO-A for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in the defecation score based on a modified Bristol Stool Form Scale. Secondary endpoints included stool frequency, straining, JPAC-QOL, the modified Constipation Scoring System, Izumo Scale, Dietary Variety Score (DVS), selected metabolic/nutritional variables, and exploratory gut microbiota analyses. Results: Fifty participants provided consent, and 49 were included in the full analysis set; 45 participants completed the 8-week intervention and were included in the paired primary endpoint analysis. The defecation score showed a nominally significant change toward normalization of stool form at week 8 (IQR: −1.0, 7.0; 95%CI: −9.6, −4.2). Stool frequency did not change significantly, whereas constipation-related quality of life and symptom burden significantly changed. DVS increased modestly, and HbA1c decreased slightly; however, these secondary findings should be interpreted as exploratory because no adjustment for multiplicity was performed. Four patients withdrew from this study: one was due to death, but a causal relationship with the study drug was not confirmed. Two gastrointestinal adverse events could have been related to the study product. Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested a larger change in participants not receiving acid-suppressive therapy. Conclusions: The three-strain OD probiotic tablet was associated with changes in stool form and constipation-related symptom burden in older adults with functional constipation. Because this was a single-arm, open-label study without multiplicity adjustment for secondary endpoints, the findings should be regarded as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Given the absence of a control group, causal efficacy cannot be inferred, and placebo effects, natural symptom fluctuation, or other time-varying confounders cannot be excluded; therefore, the most robust conclusion is that the preparation appeared safe and well tolerated for over 8 weeks in this population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite increasing interest in the human gut microbiome, particularly in Bifidobacterium, studies focusing on traditionally living populations with high habitual dairy consumption remain limited. This study investigated species-level diversity, abundance, and regional variation of Bifidobacterium among healthy Mongolian adults and contextualized these findings within a global comparative framework. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adults were recruited from four Mongolian regions. Fecal samples were analyzed using species-resolved shotgun metagenomics, and dietary intake was assessed through a standardized food frequency questionnaire. Alpha- and beta-diversity metrics, differential abundance tests, and diet–microbe correlations were performed on members of the Bifidobacterium species. To assess the broader significance of the Mongolian Bifidobacterium profile, Shannon diversity was further compared against a curated global dataset comprising 1286 healthy adults from 29 countries using harmonized bioinformatic and statistical pipelines. Results: Shannon diversity within the Bifidobacterium genus was significantly higher in nomadic Mongolians, particularly those from Khuvsgul and Dundgobi, and strong geographic structuring was observed in beta-diversity analyses (PERMANOVA, p < 0.001). Nomadic populations showed higher relative abundances of B. adolescentis and B. angulatum, whereas B. pseudocatenulatum predominated in Ulaanbaatar. Although overall Bifidobacterium abundance was lowest in Bulgan, B. longum remained the dominant species in this region. Spearman correlation analysis with false discovery rate correction identified significant associations between dairy intake and specific Bifidobacterium species. Homemade yogurt and traditional dairy intake were positively associated with B. angulatum. B. catenulatum was positively associated with homemade yogurt, traditional dairy, and total fermented dairy intake, whereas factory milk intake was negatively associated with B. angulatum but positively associated with B. pseudocatenulatum. Mongolia ranked among the top eight of 30 countries for Bifidobacterium Shannon diversity though total Bifidobacterium abundance showed substantial inter-individual and regional variation. Conclusions: Mongolian adults exhibit relatively high Bifidobacterium diversity at both national and global scales. Traditional dairy consumption was associated with species-specific variation in Bifidobacterium composition, supporting the contribution of dietary practices to regional gut microbiota patterns. Full article

Background and Objectives: Poor sleep quality and gut microbiota dysbiosis are independently associated with cognitive decline, yet their effects on cognition in heart failure (HF) patients remain unexamined. To assess the independent associations of sleep quality and gut microbiota diversity with cognition in patients with HF. Methods: This exploratory/pilot cross-sectional study enrolled adults with chronic stable HF from an outpatient cardiology clinic. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Fecal samples were analyzed for gut microbiota composition, including Shannon diversity and Simpson indices. Multivariable linear regression analysis of MoCA scores with sleep quality and alpha diversity (Shannon index) as primary exposures, adjusted for age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was conducted. Results: Of 59 enrolled patients (mean age 73.3 ± 10.8 years; 72.7% male; 86.4% White), 40 provided fecal samples. Analysis of microbiota data revealed a composition dominated by Bacillota (63.7%). In multivariable regressions, poor sleep quality was independently associated with lower MoCA scores (β = −3.01 to −3.88, p < 0.01). Similarly, Shannon diversity was also associated with lower MoCA (β = −3.45, p < 0.05). Beta-diversity analyses showed no consistent association between overall microbial community composition and cognition. No significant interactions between microbiota diversity and sleep variables were identified (all p > 0.20). Conclusions: Sleep quality and gut microbiota alpha diversity are independently associated with cognitive function in HF. Microbial pathways favoring short-chain fatty acid production align with better sleep, while lipopolysaccharide-related pathways associate with poorer sleep and cognition. Full article

(1) Background: Intestinal dysbiosis has been implicated in numerous gastrointestinal, metabolic, and immune-mediated disorders; however, data regarding its prevalence in asymptomatic adults remain limited. This study evaluated the prevalence and integrated profile of microbiological, functional, and immunological alterations associated with dysbiosis in apparently healthy adults undergoing intestinal microbiota screening. (2) Methods: A laboratory-based cross-sectional study included 98 asymptomatic adults. In the present study, intestinal dysbiosis was defined as a multidimensional laboratory phenotype reflecting disruption of intestinal microbial, fungal, metabolic, luminal, or mucosal immune homeostasis. Bacterial and fungal markers, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), fecal pH, and mucosal immune biomarkers were assessed and grouped into predefined biological domains. Dysbiosis complexity was evaluated according to the number of affected domains. (3) Results: At least one laboratory abnormality was identified in 97 participants (99.0%), while 54 (55.1%) exhibited alterations in three or more biological domains. Core bacterial imbalance was detected in 87 (88.8%) participants, inflammatory and mucosal immune abnormalities in 85 (86.7%), opportunistic bacterial overgrowth in 61 (62.2%), depletion of protective bacteria in 58 (59.2%), and fungal overgrowth in 49 (50.0%). Reduced SCFA markers were observed in 27 (27.6%) participants and altered fecal pH in 33 (33.7%). Correlation analysis revealed clustering of SCFA markers and biologically plausible associations between microbial and mucosal immune biomarkers. (4) Conclusions: Laboratory abnormalities related to intestinal dysbiosis were highly prevalent and predominantly occurred as multidomain profiles, supporting dysbiosis as a complex biological phenotype requiring integrated microbiological, metabolic, and immunological assessment. Full article

Background: The early-life gut microbiota plays a critical role in programming intestinal barrier function and immune homeostasis, with profound implications for long-term host health. However, the effects of early-life compound probiotic intervention on the maturation of intestinal barrier function and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, particularly in large-animal models relevant to human physiology. Methods: In this preclinical study, 3627 neonatal piglets—a well-established translational model for human infant gut development—were orally administered a novel compound probiotic formulation comprising Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis BZ, Lactobacillus plantarum LZ, and Pediococcus acidilactici PZ during early life. A total of 1512 fecal samples collected at seven time points from birth to day 180 were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and 525 samples from three developmental windows (days 10, 25, and 70) were subjected to LC-MS-based metabolomics. The candidate metabolite indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) was further mechanistically validated in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model and in IPEC-J2 cells. Results: Early-life probiotic intervention significantly enhanced intestinal barrier integrity, as evidenced by improved intestinal morphology and upregulated expression of tight junction proteins—zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin (OCLN), and Claudin-1 (CLDN1)—in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Notably, intervention at birth was more effective than post-weaning administration, and two administrations (birth + weaning) yielded superior outcomes compared with a single administration (p < 0.05). Microbiome analysis revealed enhanced microbial diversity and enrichment of beneficial genera during the juvenile-to-adult transition (p < 0.05). Metabolomic profiling identified ILA as a signature metabolite consistently elevated by probiotic supplementation. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that early-life compound probiotic intervention is associated with improved intestinal barrier maturation, with ILA identified as a key candidate metabolite that may mediate this effect, as supported by functional validation in murine and cellular models. This provides a mechanistic rationale for probiotic-based strategies to support intestinal health in human infants during critical developmental windows. Full article

Background: The dynamic advancement of pediatric hemato-oncology and intensified therapeutic protocols have significantly increased survival rates while simultaneously highlighting the challenge of long-term treatment complications. Within the cohort of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors, delayed neurocognitive deficits, often manifesting as the chemobrain phenotype, and psychosocial disorders constitute a particularly substantial burden. Contemporary neurogastroenterological evidence indicates a fundamental role of persistent dysbiosis and gut–brain axis dysfunction in the pathogenesis of these alterations. This review aims to critically synthesize translational evidence elucidating the impact of iatrogenic gut microbiota damage and modifiable dietary patterns on the development of long-term neurocognitive sequelae in survivors of early childhood cancer. Methods: A systematized narrative review was conducted in accordance with the SANRA guidelines by integrating data from in vivo models and observational studies. A comprehensive literature search across the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to June 2026 was performed utilizing the Population, Exposure, and Outcomes (PEO) framework. Results: Oncological therapies, including myeloablative conditioning and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, induce a microbial scar phenomenon characterized by the depletion of commensal Firmicutes in favor of resistant pathobionts. The subsequent decline in the synthesis of neuroprotective short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) alongside the pathological activation of the kynurenine pathway disrupts central nervous system homeostasis. Translocation of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) across the compromised intestinal barrier generates systemic inflammation recognized as inflammaging, which, in turn, stimulates neurotoxic microglial hyperreactivity. This pathophysiological cascade is accelerated by a pro-inflammatory Western diet, whereas anti-inflammatory interventions such as the MIND diet and postbiotics demonstrate measurable restorative potential. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of delayed neurotoxicity is largely a consequence of systemic neuroinflammation driven by intestinal dysbiosis. Implementing individualized dietary and microbiome-targeted strategies into survivorship care protocols constitutes a crucial direction for clinical prophylaxis. Validating their clinical efficacy in the AYA population necessitates prospective randomized controlled trials integrated with shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Full article

Exercise alters gut microbiome composition, but the temporal dynamics and diet-dependent metabolic interactions remain unclear. We investigated longitudinal changes in gut microbiota, functional pathways, and metabolite profiles during and after an exercise intervention. Twenty-four healthy adults completed a sequential three-phase protocol: an 8-week self-directed exercise intervention, an 8-week washout, and an 8-week no-exercise control period. Fecal samples were collected at T1 (baseline), T2 (post-exercise), T3 (post-washout), and T4 (post-control). Microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing, functional pathways predicted using PICRUSt2, metabolites predicted using COBRA Toolbox, and fecal SCFAs and bile acids quantified by GC and HPLC. Temporal causal relationships were examined using Tigramite analysis with dietary pattern stratification, and microbiota-environment associations were assessed by redundancy analysis (RDA). Alpha diversity was significantly higher at T2 than at T4 (p < 0.05). Beta diversity differed significantly between T2 and both T3 and T4, with no difference between T1 and T4, indicating reversibility. Ruminococcus gnavus was significantly higher at T2 than at T4 (p < 0.001), with several additional taxa higher at T2 at a less stringent threshold. Propionate and butyrate were elevated at T2, while total bile acids were lower. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron was positively associated with body weight in the total cohort and specifically under a balanced dietary pattern (BD), with no significant time-lagged associations detected under a Western-style diet (WSD). In RDA, taxa associated with body weight substantially overlapped with taxa found to increase during exercise, whereas physical performance measures showed no direct temporal association with microbiota composition in causal analysis. In conclusion, exercise-induced changes in the gut microbiome were not sustained after structured exercise ended, suggesting that continuous exercise may be required. Diet further shaped whether microbiota–host associations were detectable, underscoring dietary pattern as a factor for future microbiome-targeted exercise interventions. Full article

The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a globally distributed polyphagous pest that damages various crops. Pesticides remain a primary and effective strategy for controlling cotton bollworm populations. This study evaluated the effects of broflanilide on H. armigera by integrating life-table analysis, detoxification enzyme activity assays, and gut microbiome characterization. Broflanilide showed high toxicity against third-instar larvae. Parental LC₅₀ exposure prolonged larval development and reduced larval survival in the F₁ generation. In addition, parental exposure to both LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ reduced adult emergence, fecundity and major population growth parameters, especially the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R₀), demonstrating a significant transgenerational inhibitory effect. Enzyme assays showed that carboxylesterase (CarE) activity was induced after broflanilide exposure, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity showed a time-dependent response with the strongest induction generally observed under LC₁₀ treatment, whereas cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) activity was generally inhibited. Gut microbiota analysis showed that LC₅₀ exposure significantly reduced the relative abundance of Enterococcus. Functional prediction further indicated enrichment trends in pathways related to xenobiotic degradation and metabolism. Overall, broflanilide not only exhibited strong lethal activity against H. armigera, but also produced sustained effects on population fitness, detoxification metabolism and gut microbial ecology. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of broflanilide and improve our understanding of its sublethal physiological and microbial effects on H. armigera. Full article

Hypertension is the most common comorbidity in chronic kidney disease (CKD), affecting roughly 80–85% of patients overall and an even higher proportion in nondialysis CKD G3–G5. This narrative review examines whether, and under what clinical conditions, fruits, vegetables, and legumes can be used safely in adults with hypertensive CKD, especially nondialysis CKD G3–G5, as well as moderate to severe loss of kidney function, paying close attention to the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, gut-derived uremic toxins, potassium bioavailability, and modifiable clinical risk factors. The clinical effect of plant foods on serum potassium cannot be predicted from total potassium content alone. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2024 guidelines explicitly advise individualized potassium management and emphasize limiting foods rich in bioavailable potassium, especially processed foods, rather than reflexively restricting fruits and vegetables. Across CKD studies, the association between dietary potassium and serum potassium is weak or inconsistent, and the risk of hyperkalemia is modified by kidney function, bowel function, metabolic acidosis, diabetes and hyperglycemia, medications, food processing, and the food matrix itself. Potassium bioavailability varies substantially according to the food matrix, preparation method, portion size, and processing method; some minimally processed plant foods may provide less readily absorbable potassium than potassium-rich processed foods, juices, or potassium additives. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes also provide fiber, resistant starch, and polyphenols that can support saccharolytic fermentation, short-chain fatty acid production, bowel transit, and lower concentrations of some gut-derived uremic toxins. However, blood-pressure and kidney-outcome benefits in CKD are supported more strongly by observational and selected alkali-diet trials than by large microbiome-focused randomized studies. In hypertensive CKD, fruits, vegetables, and legumes should not be universally restricted simply because they contain potassium. A safer and more evidence-aligned strategy is individualized, food-source-aware prescribing that prioritizes minimally processed plant foods, accounts for preparation method and portion size, corrects constipation and acidosis, reviews potassium-raising medications and additives, and monitors serum potassium according to baseline risk. Full article

Insect-derived feed ingredients are increasingly considered alternative protein sources, but their time-dependent effects on digestive function remain unclear. This study evaluated how the duration of feeding a diet containing Cuban cricket meal (CCM) affected fecal bacterial enzyme activity and apparent nutrient digestibility in adult rabbits. Thirty-two New Zealand White male rabbits were allocated to four groups. The control group received a diet containing 14% soybean meal throughout the six-week trial, whereas experimental groups received soybean meal followed by a diet in which 10% CCM replaced soybean meal for the final two, four, or six weeks. It was found that the fecal enzymatic response depended on feeding duration. Short-term feeding induced limited changes, whereas longer feeding periods (four and six weeks) increased the activity of enzymes involved in the degradation of complex substrates, including chitin, and enhanced the extracellular activity of several enzymes. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and energy was unaffected. By contrast, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin digestibility increased after four and six weeks (p < 0.001). These results could be interpreted as indirect evidence that rabbits’ gut microbiota requires an adaptation period to effectively respond to insect-derived components. Full article