Search Results (18,852)

Background/Objectives: This exploratory study (n = 6 per group) investigated the associations between supplementation with α-lipoic acid (AL), betaine (BT), and L-carnitine (LC) and gut microbiota composition in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model. Methods: Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (10% fat), HFD (60% fat), or HFD supplemented with AL, BT, or LC (300 mg/kg BW/day) for nine weeks. Results: All three compounds were associated with shifts in microbial composition compared to the HFD-only group. While AL and BT supplementation moderately modulated specific Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes taxa, LC supplementation was linked to a more pronounced reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and a decreased abundance of genera such as Christensenellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Coprococcus 3. These microbial changes were correlated with obesity-related metabolic and adiposity markers, including leptin and lipid parameters. Furthermore, functional profiling via PICRUSt suggested potential alterations in amino acid metabolism; however, these findings represent inferred metabolic potential rather than direct metagenomic measurements. Conclusions: Collectively, these results indicate differential associations between dietary supplementation and gut microbiota composition in HFD-fed mice. Although this study was conducted within an exploratory framework and utilized a modest sample size, the observed microbial shifts consistently paralleled metabolic alterations, supporting biologically plausible associations that warrant further mechanistic investigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Butyricimonas species constitute a genus of Gram-negative, anaerobic bacteria that are part of the human gut microbiota. Infections caused by these organisms are extremely rare in clinical practice. While uncommon in the general population, their occurrence is higher among immunocompromised individuals or patients with significant underlying health conditions. This review aims to compile and analyze all reported cases of human Butyricimonas infections, focusing on epidemiology, microbiological characteristics, antimicrobial resistance patterns, treatment strategies, and associated mortality. Methods: This review was conducted using data retrieved from the PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Results: A total of 14 publications described Butyricimonas infections affecting 14 patients. The mean age of those affected was 66.46 years, and 10 (71.4%) were male. The most frequently reported predisposing factor was a history of malignancy, observed in almost one-third of cases (30.8%). Clinically, fever, organ dysfunction, and shock were the most common presentations (fivecases), followed by sepsis and the need for ICU in fourpatients. In vitro studies indicated that the isolates were generally susceptible to carbapenems and metronidazole, with only high resistance levels observed to penicillin. Among the antimicrobial therapies used, carbapenems were the most commonly administered (50%), followed by piperacillin/tazobactam (41.7%) and metronidazole (33.3%). The overall mortality rate across the cohort was 16.7%, with infection-attributable deaths representing 8.3% of cases. Conclusions: Given the potential of Butyricimonas species to cause severe infections, clinicians should consider this organism in patients presenting with unexplained bacteremia or intra-abdominal infections, particularly in the setting of mucosal disruption or immune dysfunction. Full article

The current understanding of microbiota–flavor correlations in Chinese sourdough steamed bread is predominantly derived from the central provinces, with comparatively limited investigation in northeastern and northwestern regions. This study bridges this gap by analyzing traditional starters from Heilongjiang (HLJ) and Ningxia (TX) versus an industrial starter (JM) through integrated metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics. HLJ was dominated by Limosilactobacillus fermentum (14.75%), while TX featured a synergistic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum–Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis consortium. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed enhanced glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid transformation driving flavor biosynthesis and dough rheology improvement, supported by nitrogen-metabolizing Bradyrhizobium spp. (6.00–6.61%). Core pathway enrichment established molecular foundations for region-specific flavors: HLJ generated sulfury/pungent notes via the enzymatic conversion of pentyl glucosinolate to isothiocyanates, whereas TX developed caramel–roasted aromas through stachyose/xylose-derived Maillard reactions forming 2-(methylthiomethyl)furan. Both consortia exhibited higher bitterness and lower umami than JM, with HLJ showing marginally higher umami and lower bitterness than TX. These findings elucidate the microbial mechanisms underlying regional flavor differentiation. Full article

Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota significantly influence female reproductive health by affecting hormonal, immune and metabolic processes. This research explored how a probiotic blend comprising Lactobacillus crispatus novaLCR6, Limosilactobacillus fermentum novaLF58 and Bifidobacterium bifidum novaBBF9 affects the gut–myometrium and gut–ovary axes. Intestinal epithelial cells were exposed to individual probiotics or their combination using a Transwell^® setup; their effects on barrier integrity, probiotic activity and short-chain fatty acid production were measured. Subsequently, basolateral metabolites were applied to myometrial and ovarian cells to assess viability, proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation, signalling pathways and hormone production. All probiotics enhanced intestinal cell viability and barrier function. The combined probiotic showed synergistic effects, enhancing butyrate production by ~23–51%, improving myometrial proliferation by up to ~78%, decreasing ROS and TNF-α levels by ~49% and ~74% and modulating oxytocin signalling. In ovarian cells, the probiotic mixture activated ERK/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways, normalised PAK1, ERβ and PAX8 expressions and significantly increased LH and FSH secretion compared to single strains. These findings suggest that a multi-strain probiotic may modulate pathways involved in reproductive tissue homeostasis through gut–reproductive axis interactions, providing mechanistic insight from an in vitro study. Full article

Background: Curcumin (Cur) has therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but is limited by its poor bioavailability. Methods: This study demonstrated that Cur-loaded core–shell structured microgel nanoparticles (LF/CP-Cur MN), fabricated through electrostatic complexation between lactoferrin and citrus pectin, followed by Ca²⁺ consolidation, overcome this limitation. Results: These nanoparticles effectively reduced the bitterness and astringency of curcumin while prolonging its release time. In an IBD mouse model, LF/CP-Cur MN treatment mitigated symptoms and inflammation of IBD, and restored intestinal barrier integrity. Crucially, compared with free Cur, the LF/CP-Cur MN enhanced colon-targeted accumulation of Cur and favorably modulated the gut microbiota by increasing beneficial genera like Lactobacillus and Dubosiella, while suppressing harmful genera like Enterobacter, thereby promoting levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of the LF/CP-Cur MN to improve Cur bioaccessibility and exert dual functional roles in modulating gut microbiota and alleviating inflammation, thus offering a promising dietary strategy for the management of IBD. Full article

The rising cost of conventional protein sources such as soybean meal has prompted the search for sustainable and economical alternatives in aquafeeds. Sugar beet pulp (SBP), an abundant by-product of the sugar industry, possesses nutritional potential but is limited by its high fiber and anti-nutritional factors. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers a promising approach to enhance its nutritive value and functional properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of mixed microbial solid-state fermented beet pulp (FBP) on the growth, systemic health and intestinal function of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). First, orthogonal optimization determined Lactiplantibacillus plantarum:Saccharomycopsis fibuligera:Bacillus subtilis = 1:3:3 as the optimal ratio, significantly improving the nutritional profile of FBP. Based on this optimized FBP, an 8-week feeding trial, five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated by replacing 0–12% soybean meal with FBP. The results demonstrated that 9% FBP inclusion yielded optimal growth performance and significantly improved muscle texture. At the systemic level, FBP supplementation reduced serum lipid markers and liver enzyme activities while enhancing antioxidant capacity. At the intestinal level, FBP promoted intestinal health by increasing key digestive enzyme (lipase, trypsin, amylase) activities, stimulating villus development, and improving intestinal antioxidant status. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis revealed that dietary FBP supplementation significantly modulated intestinal microbial composition, with notable enrichment of genera such as Leucobacter. In conclusion, FBP is a multi-functional ingredient that enhances growth, product quality, systemic physiology, and intestinal health in yellow catfish aquaculture. These findings provide a viable strategy for the sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products in aquafeeds. Full article

Termite guts represent a unique microbial habitat harboring bacteria with potential probiotic properties, owing to their ability to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms. This study investigated the probiotic characteristics of lactic acid bacteria newly isolated from the guts of the termite Termes propinquus, aiming to enhance growth performance and reduce the incidence of foodborne pathogen contamination in the commonly consumed edible two-spotted crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). In this study, five morphologically different bacteria (TPL-1 to TPL-5) were isolated and respectively identified as Levilactobacillus brevis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Streptococcus anginosus, Companilactobacillus alimentarius, and Aerococcus viridans based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and MALDI-TOF MS. All isolates were evaluated for tolerance to stressful conditions (pH 2.5 and 0.3% bile salts), cell surface properties, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens, safety profiles, and adhesion to human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2 and HT-29). Among them, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TPL-2 demonstrated the strongest probiotic attributes and was further assessed for anti-adhesion activity against foodborne pathogens and in vivo effects on the crickets. Dietary supplementation with Lb. plantarum TPL-2 significantly improved cricket growth, survival, and gut microbiota homeostasis. These findings point to the prospect of termite-derived lactic acid bacteria as beneficial probiotics for use in biotechnological applications and edible insect farming. Full article

High-fat diets (HFDs) containing dietary fats with different fatty acid (FA) compositions alter gut microbiota composition in a fat-source-dependent manner. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and unabsorbed lipids in the distal gut are potential regulators of the gut microbiota. However, their roles in mediating gut microbiota alterations induced by dietary fats with different FA compositions remain unclear. This study aims to examine the associations of these two factors with fat-source-dependent gut microbiota alterations. BALB/c mice were fed a normal diet, a high-lard diet, a high-olive oil diet, or a high-soybean oil diet for 27 weeks. Fecal samples were collected to assess microbiota composition, the IgA coating index (ICI)—which quantifies the extent of IgA coating on gut microbiota—and fecal fatty acid concentrations. At the phylum level, the concentration of fecal total long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) was positively correlated with the relative abundance (RA) of Bacillota and negatively correlated with that of Bacteroidota. In addition, a trend toward a positive association between the RA and the ICI was observed for Bacillota but not for Bacteroidota. At the genus level, the RAs of 12 taxa were positively correlated with fecal LCFA concentrations, whereas those of 6 taxa were negatively correlated. Although the RAs of most taxa appeared to be influenced by unabsorbed lipids and additional factors, only four Bacillota genera exhibited a positive correlation between the RA and the ICI. Our observations suggest that IgA coating of the gut microbiota may have a minimal association with fat-source-specific alterations in gut microbiota composition during HFD intake. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder in which gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to insulin resistance, metabolic inflammation, and impaired glucose homeostasis. Dietary fibers and prebiotics selectively modulate gut microbiota composition and function and may offer metabolic benefits in T2DM. This review examines the mechanistic links between dietary fibers, prebiotics, gut microbiota modulation, and metabolic outcomes in T2DM. Methods: Relevant experimental and clinical studies were reviewed to assess the effects of dietary fibers and prebiotics on microbial diversity, short-chain fatty acid production, intestinal barrier function, bile acid signaling, and glycemic control in T2DM. Results: Evidence indicates that T2DM is associated with reduced abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, increased intestinal permeability, metabolic endotoxemia, and altered bile acid metabolism. Dietary fibers and prebiotics enhance SCFA production, support gut barrier integrity, and modulate inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Clinical evidence demonstrates modest improvements in glycemic and inflammatory parameters, though outcomes vary according to fiber type, dose, and baseline microbiota composition. Conclusions: Dietary fibers and prebiotics are promising, low-risk strategies for gut microbiota modulation in T2DM. Further standardized, long-term randomized studies integrating microbiome profiling and clinically meaningful endpoints are required to support precision nutrition approaches. Full article

This research aimed to systematically investigate the regulatory effects of six key fatty acids and rationally designed a functional fatty acid component (FFAC) to alleviate palmitic acid (PA)-induced glycolipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance (IR) in HepG2 cells and Western diet-induced IR in the C57BL/6 mice model. In vitro experiments showed that saturated fatty acids such as PA and stearic acid (SA) induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and IR in HepG2 cells, while unsaturated fatty acids, including palmitoleic acid (POA), oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA), enhanced cell viability and exerted protective effects. Based on the principle of balanced fatty acid ratio and the obtained cell experimental results, FFAC was designed as PA:SA:POA:OA:LA:ALA = 4:1:1:4:4:1 and formulated using dietary oils. In vivo, a 13-week dietary intervention revealed that FFAC substitution mitigated Western diet-induced weight gain, systemic IR, serum lipid disorders, and hepatic steatosis in mice. Mechanistically, FFAC restored the IRS1/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β insulin signaling pathway in HepG2 cells and reshaped gut microbiota by enriching beneficial genera such as Akkermansia. These findings demonstrated that FFAC effectively alleviates diet-induced metabolic disorders through multiple pathways, highlighting the potential of rationally designed dietary fatty acid compositions in managing metabolic disorders. Full article

Thermal spring waters (TSWs) have long been used in dermatology for chronic inflammatory dermatoses and sensitive skin and are increasingly positioned as cosmeceutical active ingredients. This review summarizes studies on the use of TSW and their hydrobiome derivatives in dermocosmetics and cosmeceuticals for skin health. TSW exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothing, hydrating and barrier-restoring effects in vitro, ex vivo and in clinical studies, improving conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, sensitive skin, radiation dermatitis and post-procedure erythema. In parallel, the hydrobiome of TSW has enabled the development of postbiotic and paraprobiotic ingredients, which modulate skin immunity, microbiota, barrier function and clinical signs of inflammatory and sensitive skin. Despite robust preclinical and growing clinical evidence, cosmeceuticals remain regulated as cosmetics in most regions, highlighting the need for specific regulatory frameworks and standardized approaches to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of TSW-based cosmeceuticals, as well as defining acceptable claim categories and minimum evidence thresholds. Full article

Environmental toxins can impair gut microbiota and increase intestinal permeability, contributing to various health problems. While many such toxins are known to disrupt tight junctions and compromise barrier function, research specifically examining carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) as a trigger of intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction remains limited. In this study, 54 young Western albino male rats, weighing 180–200 g, were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups, each comprising six rats. Group 1 received 1 mL of oral saline and served as a control. Groups 2 and 3 received 0.2 g/kg body weight probiotic and prebiotic, respectively, for four weeks. CCl₄ (1 mL/kg, i.p.) was administered either at the beginning of day 1 (damage induction; Group 4) or at the end of day 28 (protection assessment; Group 7). Intervention groups received probiotics and prebiotics for 4 weeks after (therapeutic) CCl₄ exposure on day 1 in Groups 5 and 6, respectively. Groups 8 and 9 received probiotics and prebiotics for 4 weeks before CCl₄ exposure on day 28, respectively. Quantification of gut bacterial populations, serum levels of Occludin and Zonulin, as biomarkers of intestinal permeability, and histopathological analysis of intestinal tissue were conducted. CCl₄ induces significant intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction with marked histopathological alterations. Probiotic treatment was more effective than prebiotics at normalizing serum Zonulin and Occludin levels in CCl₄-induced intestinal damage. Probiotics restore microbial balance by suppressing the overgrowth of pathogenic organisms, while prebiotics confer partial protection. CCl₄-induced gut barrier disruption is restored through probiotic supplements by restoring gut microbial balance and normalizing tight junction-associated biomarkers. Full article

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) are well-recognized for their beneficial effects on intestinal health, yet their regulatory impacts on the metabolic dynamics of other intestinal metabolites remain elusive. In this study, 24 male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to three groups: control (CON), low-dose GOS (L-GOS; 500 mg/kg body weight), and high-dose GOS (H-GOS; 800 mg/kg body weight). Following a 4-week intervention, the cecal contents were analyzed to characterize the bacterial community structure and metabolic profiles. Results indicated that GOS supplementation significantly increased the ACE and Chao1 indices of cecal bacteria. Specifically, L-GOS led to notable enrichment of the [Eubacterium] brachy group, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002, Faecalimonas, and the [Eubacterium] siraeum group, whereas H-GOS significantly increased the abundance of Clostridium, Ruminiclostridium, Thomasclavelia, Adlercreutzia, and Faecalimonas. Metabolomic profiling revealed that L-GOS profoundly reduced levels of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and their downstream metabolites, while inhibiting the conversion of sphingolipids to ceramides. The changes in phospholipid derivatives imply enhanced intestinal epithelial integrity, supporting intestinal homeostasis. GOS intervention also decreased phenylacetic acid content. L-GOS increased the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid content, whereas H-GOS reduced 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid levels. Notably, H-GOS significantly up-regulated the production of indole-3-acetic acid, a tryptophan-derived microbial metabolite with multiple biological activities. Collectively, these findings provide insights and potential targets for future research on GOS application in intestinal health interventions. Full article

Obesity has become a major disease in dogs and cats. Dietary management is a preventive measure because controlling energy intake (e.g., portion size and diet energy density) helps maintain an ideal BCS and reduces the likelihood of progressive weight gain and associated metabolic abnormalities. This study evaluated a low-fat diet, with or without plant-extract supplementation, and its effects on serum biochemistry, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and metabolic profiles in healthy beagles. Thirty beagles were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 per group): a conventional diet (Group A), a low-fat diet (Group B), and a low-fat diet supplemented with plant extract (Group C). The experiment lasted for a total of 9 weeks, comprising an adaptation period of one week and an experimental period of eight weeks. Results showed that, compared with Group A, the low-fat diet interventions (Groups B and C) significantly reduced serum levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and total bile acids (p < 0.05). Furthermore, superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in Groups B and C than in Group A (p < 0.05). Compared with both Groups A and B, Group C exhibited significantly lower malondialdehyde levels, reduced proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6; p < 0.05), and decreased serum diamine oxidase activity and lipopolysaccharide levels (p < 0.05). The gut microbiota analysis revealed that Group C had a significantly increased relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus (p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis further indicated that beneficial metabolites, including γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamine, were significantly upregulated in Group C (p < 0.05). In conclusion, while a low-fat diet effectively regulated serum lipids in healthy dogs, the supplementation of a blended extract from Atractylodes lancea, Magnolia officinalis, and Citrus reticulata Blanco demonstrated broader efficacy. It further improved lipid metabolism, systemic antioxidant status, and intestinal barrier function, while attenuating inflammation and enriching beneficial gut microbes (Lactobacillus) and metabolites (GABA and glutamine). These findings suggest that while a low-fat diet alone is beneficial, its combination with plant extract provides a novel dietary strategy for promoting lipid metabolism and potentially reducing obesity-related disease risk in dogs. Full article

Both epidemiological studies and prior work in animal models suggest that moderate-dose alcohol reduces disease severity across several autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the mechanisms underlying the potentially beneficial effects of alcohol and how these effects may change with alcohol dose in autoimmunity remain underexplored. In this study, we characterize the effects of chronic, high-dose ethanol consumption in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS, by examining EAE disease severity, gut microbial composition, and peripheral cell immunophenotypes. We found that high-dose ethanol-fed males exhibited a significant amelioration in peak EAE disease severity, in association with decreased T cell activation and B cell proportions. Concurrently, we observed proinflammatory shifts in gut microbiota and hepatic lipid accumulation. Our results suggest that high dose ethanol may benefit autoimmune neuroinflammation in EAE through immunosuppressive effects on adaptive immunity, however its toxic systemic effects preclude the use of alcohol as an immunomodulator in MS. Overall, our findings reveal a mechanistic basis for alcohol’s beneficial properties in autoimmunity and could inform the development of more targeted disease modifying therapies that recapitulate these benefits without alcohol-associated toxicity. Full article