Search Results (71)

Background: Studies have shown that obesity contributes to colorectal tumors (CRC). Hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA) has been found to have a therapeutic effect on obesity-related diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). However, there are still no studies revealing whether HDCA has effects on CRC, which may suggest new uses for HDCA. Methods: C57BL/6 mice fed with high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5% HDCA were injected with MC38 cells subcutaneously to construct the subcutaneous metastasis model of CRC. The trend of body weight and tumor volume were evaluated, and blood metabolites and gut microbiota sequencing were analyzed. Results: Compared with HFD-fed mice, HDCA-treated mice had higher fecal and serum HDCA levels. After tumor inoculation, the HDCA mice had smaller subcutaneous tumor volumes, as well as higher HDCA and THDCA levels in feces and blood. Blood metabolomics revealed significant enrichment in pathways of bile secretion, arachidonic acid metabolism, primary bile acid metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Analysis of gut microbiota at the completion of obesity modeling revealed the Chao1 index of the feces being lower in the HDCA mice. The relative abundance of a total of nine genera were significantly higher and eighteen genera were lower. The KEGG results indicated significant upregulation of nine metabolic pathways and downregulation of sixteen metabolic pathways. Conclusions: HDCA intake ameliorates HFD-induced obesity phenotype, inhibiting colorectal tumor growth in mice, and decreases the abundance of gut microbiota. Gut microbiota affected by HDCA may participate in metabolism-related effects through circulation, which might be one way that HDCA affects colorectal tumors. Full article

Background an Objectives: The Mediterranean sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula co-occur on shallow rocky reefs but display contrasting ecological and physiological traits. We compared their gonadal metabolomes to identify species-specific metabolic strategies. Methods: High-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy to intact gonadal tissues, combining multivariate chemometric modelling with targeted integration, boxplot-based univariate analysis and pathway analysis. Results:A. lixula showed an osmolyte- and redox-oriented phenotype with elevated betaine, taurine, sarcosine, trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), carnitine, creatine, malonate, methylmalonate, uridine and xanthine. In contrast, P. lividus exhibited an amino-acid-enriched anabolic profile dominated by lysine, glycine and glutamine, together with higher levels of formaldehyde, methanol and 3-carboxypropyl-trimethylammonium. Pathway analysis indicated that A. lixula metabolites mapped onto glycine/serine–threonine metabolism and the folate-linked one-carbon pool, whereas P. lividus metabolites were enriched in glyoxylate/dicarboxylate, nitrogen and amino-acid pathways. These contrasting osmolyte–C₁ versus nitrogen–amino-acid strategies are compatible with species-specific host–microbiota metabolic interactions inferred from published microbiome data. Conclusions: Overall, our results support a framework in which A. lixula adopts a resilience-oriented osmolyte strategy and P. lividus an efficiency-oriented anabolic strategy, highlighting HR-MAS NMR metabolomics as a powerful approach to investigate adaptive biochemical diversity in marine invertebrates. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit increasing comorbidity, yet the shared contribution of gut microbiota remains unclear. To investigate parallel microbial and functional alterations underlying PD, T2DM, and PD with diabetes (PDDM), we performed fecal metagenomic sequencing in 156 PD, 41 T2DM, and 44 PD with diabetes (PDDM) patients and 83 healthy controls (HC). PD and T2DM showed highly concordant microbial shifts, with 22 genera and 91 species consistently altered across disease groups compared with HC. Functional enrichment highlighted common perturbations in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, retinol metabolism, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway, and xenobiotic degradation, implicating disrupted oxidative stress responses, neuro-metabolic regulation, and detoxification. Key taxa, including Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus porci, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, were increased and showed moderate positive correlations (|ρ| ≥ 0.3) with antioxidant/retinol–HIF-1, taurine–hypotaurine, and xenobiotic degradation pathways. Bifidobacterium breve (unadjusted analysis) was increased in PD and further enriched in PDDM, correlating with multiple beneficial pathways. Bifidobacterium simiarum (covariate-adjusted analyses) showed the broadest positive pathway associations, while selected Bacteroides species (e.g., B. acidifaciens) exhibited negative correlations with insulin-resistance pathways and positive correlations with steroid hormone biosynthesis. By contrast, Butyricimonas vaginalis showed negative correlations with HIF-1 and insulin signaling and with cytochrome P450-related drug metabolism. These findings provide the first systematic evidence of parallel taxonomic and functional dysbiosis in PD and T2DM, supporting gut microbiota as a shared mediator and potential therapeutic target in comorbidity. Full article

Taurine plays a key role in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health in dogs and may be deficient in some predisposed breeds despite consuming complete petfood. This study aimed to explore potential associations between serum taurine concentration and gut microbiota composition in clinically healthy Golden Retrievers, a breed predisposed to taurine deficiency-associated dilated cardiomyopathy. Eleven adult dogs, which were fed the same extruded commercial diet and living in the same kennel, underwent a nutritional evaluation, fecal analysis, and measurement of serum concentrations of taurine, folates, and vitamin B12. Taurine levels were below reference values in eight out of eleven dogs, and 50% of the tested dogs showed reduced serum folate. Microbiota analysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing revealed subtle compositional shifts in dogs with lower taurine levels, including a depletion of mucus-associated Deferribacterota and an enrichment of bile-sensitive taxa such as Lactobacillus and Streptococcus. While alpha and beta diversity metrics did not differ significantly between groups, unweighted UniFrac indicated a trend toward separation. These findings suggest that hypotaurinemia in Golden Retrievers may be associated with specific alterations in the gut microbiota, potentially reflecting subclinical dysbiosis. Further studies integrating metabolomic profiling are needed to clarify the functional implications of these microbial changes on taurine metabolism. Full article

Background and Objectives: Dairy products provide vital energy, high-quality protein, and micronutrients for over six billion people worldwide, with dairy cows contributing nearly 81% of global milk production. Sustainable strategies to enhance productivity are therefore critical. Feed additives such as essential oil blends (EOB), onion peel (OPE), and prebiotics including mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have been proposed to improve rumen fermentation, modulate microbial ecology, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated the combined effects of EOB, OPE, MOS, and GOS on rumen metabolism using the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC). Materials and Methods: Rumen inoculum from three cannulated Holstein Friesian cows was incubated across 16 vessels (four treatments × four replicates) for nine days. Treatments included a control (CON; TMR only), GEO (TMR + GOS + EOB + OPE), MEO (TMR + MOS + EOB + OPE), and OLEO (TMR + a 1:1 mixture of GOS and MOS + EOB + OPE). Additives were included at 3 µL/g TMR for EOB and 30 mg/g TMR (3% w/w) for OPE, GOS, MOS, or OLG. Rumen effluents were collected for untargeted metabolomic profiling by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, identifying 661 metabolites. Results: Partial least squares-discriminant analysis revealed clear separation between CON and additive groups, confirming distinct metabolic shifts. GEO primarily enhanced tryptophan, tyrosine, and purine metabolism; MEO stimulated phosphonate and pyrimidine pathways and bile acid biosynthesis; OLEO promoted phosphonate, nicotinamide, and taurine metabolism. Microbial analysis showed enrichment of taxa such as Lachnospira, Succinivibrionaceae, Macellibacteroides, Lysinibacillus, and Christensenellaceae, indicating complementary effects on fermentation and microbial stability. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that dietary supplementation with GEO, MEO, or OLEO modulates rumen metabolism and microbial ecology without impairing fermentation, supporting improved nutrient utilization, antioxidant defenses, and metabolic resilience in dairy cows, with potential benefits for productivity and sustainability. Full article

The quality and flavor of chicken meat are fundamentally determined by muscle metabolite composition, which reflects the regulatory effects of genetic background on metabolic pathways and muscle development. In this study, we profiled the meat quality of breast muscle across 3 crossbreeding combinations (D×HD, HD×D, and D×LD) between the Yunong D line and Houdan chickens to elucidate the metabolic mechanisms underlying flavor variation. Eighteen representative breast muscle samples were analyzed using common physicochemical indexes, untargeted metabolomics based on Gas Chromatography-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Quadrupole Exactive Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Differential metabolites were identified through Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Multivariate analysis revealed distinct metabolic signatures among crossbreeding combinations, with HD×D exhibiting the most favorable tenderness, color, and water-holding capacity. A total of nine differential metabolites (5 upregulated and 4 downregulated) were identified between D×HD and HD×D, and thirty-eight metabolites (18 upregulated and 27 downregulated) between D×HD and D×LD. The identified metabolites were predominantly associated with amino acid metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, nucleotide turnover, and energy metabolism. Among these, arachidonic acid, taurine, L-alanine, and citric acid exhibited marked intergroup differences. Enrichment analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) indicated significant involvement of pathways such as amino acid biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and ABC transporters in flavor formation. Hierarchical clustering and Pearson correlation analyses further delineated synergistic or antagonistic interactions among key metabolites, suggesting the existence of intricate regulatory mechanisms. These findings reveal critical metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with flavor attributes, offering both a theoretical framework and potential molecular targets for enhancing poultry meat quality through breeding strategies. Full article

Follicular atresia is mainly driven by the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs). Oxidative stress mediated by H₂O₂ is the predominant form of stress in cells and plays a key role in the death of porcine GCs. In the present study, using integrated transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomic approaches, we explored the mechanisms underlying the regulation of oxidative stress in porcine follicular GCs. Per the transcriptomic analysis, compared with the control group, we identified 328 differentially expressed mRNAs (260 upregulated, 68 downregulated) in the H₂O₂-treatment group; these mRNAs were significantly enriched in apoptosis-related pathways, including the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and p53 signalling pathways. Furthermore, via untargeted metabolomic analysis, we identified 150 differentially expressed metabolites (101 positive, 49 negative). The pathways associated with protein digestion and absorption, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and carbon metabolism were enriched with these metabolites. The integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed taurine, creatine, L-serine, and hypoxanthine as the key metabolites under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. Both the differential genes and metabolites were notably enriched in the FOXO and mineral absorption pathways. In the present study, we elucidated the regulatory mechanism underlying H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in porcine follicular GCs via transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Our findings offer novel insights into the alleviation of oxidative stress in GCs. Full article

This study aims to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) fortification on growth performance and the Se content in kale using Se fertilizer, and it determines the influences of Se fortification on the metabolic profile of kale using quasi-targeted metabolomics. The results showed that Se fortification increased the plant height and leaf weight of kale, up-regulated the total Se content and decreased the chlorophyll and total phenolic contents in kale leaf. Se fortification elevated selenate (Se(IV)), selenite (Se(VI)), selenocystine (SeCys₂), Se-methylselenocysteine (Se-MeSeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet) contents, as well as total contents of Se in different forms in kale leaf. Se fortification also changed the metabolic profile of kale leaf, via six particular types of compounds (amino acid and its derivatives; organic acid and its derivatives; carbohydrates and its derivatives; lipids; flavonoids; organoheterocyclic compounds) and eight metabolic pathways (alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; sulfur metabolism; starch and sucrose metabolism; taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; glycolysis/gluconeogenesis; fructose and mannose metabolism; nitrogen metabolism). Moreover, 24 metabolic biomarkers were screened for kale leaf affected by Se fortification. Furthermore, correlations were observed between metabolic biomarkers and Se contents as well as speciation. These results indicate that Se fortification has a significant influence on the growth performance and nutritional compounds of kale, providing references for the future study on the production and bioactivity of Se-enriched kale. Full article

Background/Objectives: The differential diagnosis between primary polycythemia vera (PV) and secondary polycythemia (SP) presents significant clinical challenges owing to substantial phenotypic overlap. This investigation utilized untargeted metabolomic approaches to elucidate disease-specific metabolic perturbations and evaluate the metabolic consequences of cytoreductive therapeutic interventions. Methods: Plasma specimens obtained from PV patients (n = 40) and SP patients (n = 25) underwent comprehensive metabolomic profiling utilizing liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) platforms. Multivariate statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA), were employed in conjunction with pathway enrichment analyses to characterize disease-associated metabolic dysregulation. Additionally, receiving treatment (tPV) (n = 25) and not receiving treatment (ntPV) (n = 15) PV patients were compared to assess therapeutic metabolic effects. Results: Comprehensive metabolomic analysis identified 67 significantly altered metabolites between PV and SP patients, with 36 upregulated and 31 downregulated in PV. Key upregulated metabolites in PV included thyrotropin-releasing hormone, 3-sulfinoalanine, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide, and protoporphyrin IX, while 4-hydroxyretinoic acid and deoxyuridine were notably downregulated. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed disruptions in taurine, glutamate, nicotinate, and cysteine metabolism in PV. ntPV patients exhibited higher glucose and octanoyl-CoA levels compared to treated patients, indicating the normalization of glucose and fatty acid metabolism with cytoreductive therapy. ntPV was also associated with altered B-vitamin metabolism, including decreased nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide and increased nicotinamide ribotide levels. Cross-comparison analysis revealed overlapping pathway enrichment in glutamate metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and cysteine metabolism between both comparisons. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PV and SP exhibit fundamentally distinct metabolic signatures, providing novel insights into disease pathogenesis and potential diagnostic biomarkers. The identification of oxidative stress signatures, disrupted energy metabolism, and altered B-vitamin cofactor pathways distinguishes PV from SP at the molecular level. Cytoreductive therapy significantly normalizes metabolic dysregulation, particularly glucose and nucleotide metabolism, validating current therapeutic approaches while revealing broader systemic treatment effects. The metabolic signatures identified, particularly the combination of deoxyuridine, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and oxidative stress metabolites, may serve as complementary diagnostic tools to traditional morphological and molecular approaches. These findings advance our understanding of myeloproliferative neoplasm pathophysiology and provide a foundation for developing metabolically targeted therapeutic strategies and precision medicine approaches in PV management. Full article

Collagen content is a key determinant of flesh quality and directly influences consumer acceptance. This study investigated the effects of the main collagen amino acids, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, on the growth performance and flesh quality of mirror carp. A total of 240 fish (initial weight: 174.4 g) were randomly assigned to a control and three treatment groups, each receiving 5 g of glycine, proline, or hydroxyproline per kilogram of feed for eight weeks. Measured parameters included growth performance, serum hormones, flesh quality traits, free amino acid profiles, and proteomics. Glycine and hydroxyproline increased serum GH and IGF-1 levels (p < 0.001), while somatostatin was differentially regulated across treatments. Hydroxyproline notably improved flesh quality by reducing drip loss and increasing muscle moisture and protein content (p = 0.022; p = 0.040; p = 0.026). Collagen levels in muscle and skin were elevated in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). Free amino acid analysis revealed elevated levels of leucine and taurine in the glycine group, increased taurine in the proline group, and elevated methionine and taurine in the hydroxyproline group (p < 0.05). Proteomic analysis identified differentially expressed proteins enriched in pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione metabolism, and valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation. These findings suggest that hydroxyproline plays a regulatory role in hormone secretion and muscle quality enhancement, offering new insights for optimizing aquafeed formulations. Full article

This study investigates the effects of saline, alkaline, and combined saline–alkaline water environments on the growth, muscle quality, gene expression, and metabolic profiles of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Juvenile fish were exposed to five water conditions for 60 days: freshwater (FW), saline water (SW, 10 ppt), alkaline water (AW, 15 mmol/L), and two saline–alkaline combinations (SAW-1: 4 ppt + 10 mmol/L; SAW-2: 6 ppt + 15 mmol/L). While growth rate was similar across groups, SAW-2 caused a significant decrease in survival rate and induced notable alterations in muscle texture and fiber structure. Transcriptomic analyses revealed group-specific enrichment of stress-responsive pathways. The FoxO signaling pathway acts as a central regulator of muscle maintenance and energy reallocation. The solute carrier gene slc38a4 and glula (glutamine synthetase), both closely associated with ammonia detoxification via glutamine synthesis and transport, were upregulated under saline–alkaline stress, indicating enhanced capacity for nitrogen metabolism. In addition, two key regulators of muscle remodeling, loc119898415 and tbx18, were significantly upregulated, suggesting a potential chromatin–transcription program underlying compensatory myogenesis and muscle fiber adaptation in response to environmental challenges. Metabolomic profiling showed an accumulation of osmoprotectants (betaine, taurine) in SW and SAW-2 groups, suggesting enhanced stress resistance. Multiomics integration further indicated coordinated regulation between lipid metabolism and insulin signaling, potentially mediated by the FoxO pathway. These results offer practical guidance for improving largemouth bass aquaculture under inland saline–alkaline conditions. Full article

In aquaculture, Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) growth in low-salinity waters is limited by osmoregulatory stress; therefore, improving resistance to low-salinity stress via nutritional modulation is key. In the present study, shrimp postlarvae were provided with a taurine supplement under low-salinity stress, and then the survival rate, the histology, the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) expression pattern and transcriptomic sequencing were investigated to evaluate the postlarval responses. The results showed that the postlarva survival rate in low-salinity water was only 61.11%, which is significantly lower than that for postlarvae reared in saline water (92.67%). However, taurine supplementation significantly increased the postlarva survival rate in low-salinity culture to 76.67% and also increased the shrimp body length. Moreover, immunofluorescence and enzyme activity assays indicated that taurine alleviated NKA overactivation in the shrimp postlarvae under low-salinity stress. Furthermore, a GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes suggested that the overactivation of hormone and receptor signaling under low-salinity stress was significantly downregulated after taurine supplementation. On the other hand, taurine supplementation may promote epithelial cell proliferation in shrimp postlarvae by negatively regulating the Wnt signaling pathway. These findings suggest that taurine may enhance the shrimp postlarval osmoregulatory capacity, thereby improving their ability to acclimatize to low-salinity environments. Full article

Disused muscle atrophy (DMA) is characterized by skeletal muscle loss and functional decline due to prolonged inactivity. Though evidence remains limited, recent studies suggest that ferroptosis, an iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-driven form of cell death, may contribute to DMA. Taurine, a natural amino acid enriched in energy drinks, can improve the proliferation and myogenic differentiation potential of myoblasts. This study aimed to investigate whether taurine supplementation could protect against DMA and explore its potential role in modulating ferroptosis. Using a hindlimb suspension-induced DMA model in male C57BL/6J mice (6–8 weeks old), we assessed muscle mass, function, ferroptosis-related markers, histopathological changes, and metabolic alterations. The results showed that taurine supplementation improved muscle strength and morphology while attenuating markers of ferroptosis, including iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione and related protein (NRF2, GPX4, and xCT) depletion. Metabolomic analysis suggested that taurine modulates disorders in glutathione and lipid metabolism, potentially associated with the regulation of the xCT-GSH-GPX4 and AMPK-ACC-ACSL4 pathways. While these findings support a protective role for taurine and a possible link between ferroptosis and DMA, further functional studies are needed to confirm causality and assess the compound’s translational potential. This study provides initial in vivo evidence implicating ferroptosis in DMA and highlights taurine as a promising candidate for future therapeutic exploration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ovarian follicular cysts (OFCs) in dairy cows represent a significant cause of infertility and share striking similarities with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OFCs and their relevance to PCOS by profiling differentially expressed (DE) microRNAs (miRNAs) and constructing integrative RNA interaction networks. Methods: Expression analysis of 84 bovine miRNAs was conducted in antral follicular fluid from normal and cystic follicles using miScript PCR arrays. Bioinformatic tools including miRBase, miRNet, and STRING were employed to predict miRNA targets, construct protein–protein interaction networks, and perform gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment. Network analyses integrated miRNAs with coding (mRNAs) and non-coding RNAs (circRNAs, lncRNAs, snRNAs). Results: Seventeen miRNAs were significantly dysregulated in OFCs, including bta-miR-18a, bta-miR-30e-5p, and bta-miR-15b-5p, which were associated with follicular arrest, insulin resistance, and impaired steroidogenesis. Upregulated miRNAs such as bta-miR-132 and bta-miR-145 correlated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and intrafollicular androgen excess. Key regulatory lncRNAs such as Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1), Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily Q Member 1 Opposite Strand/Antisense Transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1), Taurine-Upregulated 1 (TUG1), and X Inactive Specific Transcript (XIST), as well as circRNA/pseudogene hubs, were identified, targeting pathways involved in metabolism, inflammation, steroidogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Conclusions: The observed transcriptomic changes mirror core features of human PCOS, supporting the use of bovine OFCs as a comparative model. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory RNA networks driving ovarian dysfunction and suggest potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for reproductive disorders. This network-based approach enhances our understanding of the complex transcriptomic landscape associated with follicular pathologies in both cattle and women. Full article

Additives in fish feeds are used worldwide to provide better productivity and improve fish’s health in facing disease outbreaks. This study aimed to identify the protective effect of taurine on the immune-related parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities of Seriola rivoliana juveniles after being challenged with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). Previously, the fish were submitted to a feeding trial for 60 days with feed enriched with different doses of external taurine (0, 1%, and 2%). Juveniles fed on different doses of taurine were injected with LPS (0%, LPS+T0%; 1%, LPS+T1%; 2%, LPS+T2%), and a control group was injected with saline solution (LPS-). The immune-related mRNA expression was evaluated, as were lysozyme enzyme activity and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase—SOD; catalase). Regarding immune mRNA expression, all the treatments had a peak of expression at 24 h post-LPS-injection, with a sharp decrease at 72 h post-injection, reaching similar mRNA expression as at 0 h post-injection. The results showed that the LPS+T2% treatment improved the expression of il1-β, tnf-α, and tlr-3 at 24 h post-LPS injection. Antioxidant and lysozyme activities were higher in both treatments with taurine when compared to the LPS+T0% and LPS- groups after 72 h post-LPS injection. These results suggest using 2% of exogenous external taurine can improve immunocompetency and counteract the oxidative stress caused by exposure to LPS in S. rivoliana juveniles. Full article