Metabolic syndrome’s new therapy:Supplement the gut microbiome

This letter to the editor discusses the publication on gut microbiome supple-mentation as therapy for metabolic syndrome.Gut microbiome dysbiosis disrupts intestinal bacterial homeostasis and is related to chronic inflammation,insulin resistance,cardiovascular diseases,type 2 diabetes mellitus,and obesity.Previous research has found that increasing the abundance of beneficial microbiota in the gut modulates metabolic syndrome by reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.Prebiotics,probiotics,synbiotics,and postbiotics are often used as supplements to increase the number of beneficial microbes and thus the produc-tion of short-chain fatty acids,which have positive effects on the gut microbiome and metabolic syndrome.In this review article,the author summarizes the available supplements to increase the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota and reduce the abundance of harmful microbiota in patients with metabolic disorders.Our group is also researching the role of the gut microbiota in chronic liver disease.This article will be of great help to our research.At the end of the letter,the mechanism of the gut microbiota in chronic liver disease is discussed.

Dynamic gut microbiome-metabolome in cationic bovine serum albumin induced experimental immune-complex glomerulonephritis and effect of losartan and mycophenolate mofetil on microbiota modulation

Dynamic changes in gut dysbiosis and metabolomic dysregulation are associated with immune-complex glomerulonephritis(ICGN).However,an in-depth study on this topic is currently lacking.Herein,we report an ICGN model to address this gap.ICGN was induced via the intravenous injection of cationized bovine serum albumin(c-BSA)into Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats for two weeks,after which mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)and losartan were administered orally.Two and six weeks after ICGN establishment,fecal samples were collected and 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA)sequencing and untargeted metabolomic were conducted.Fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)was conducted to determine whether gut normali-zation caused by MMF and losartan contributed to their renal protective effects.A gradual decline in microbial diversity and richness was accompanied by a loss of renal function.Approximately 18 genera were found to have significantly different relative abundances between the early and later stages,and Marvinbryantia and Allobaculum were markedly upregulated in both stages.Untargeted metabolomics indicated that the tryptophan metabolism was enhanced in ICGN,characterized by the overproduction of indole and kynurenic acid,while the serotonin pathway was reduced.Administration of losartan and MMF ameliorated microbial dysbiosis and reduced the accumulation of indoxyl conjugates in feces.FMT using feces from animals administered MMF and losartan improved gut dysbiosis by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B)ratio but did not improve renal function.These findings indicate that ICGN induces serous gut dysbiosis,wherein an altered tryptophan metabolism may contribute to its pro-gression.MMF and losartan significantly reversed the gut microbial and metabolomic dysbiosis,which partially contributed to their renoprotective effects.

Lactobacillus from fermented bamboo shoots prevents inflammation in DSS-induced colitis mice via modulating gut microbiome and serum metabolites

Fermented bamboo shoots(FBS)is a region-specific food widely consumed in Southwestern China,with Lactobacillus as the predominant fermenting bacteria.However,the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus derived from FBS reminds largely unexplored,especially for diseases with a low prevalence in areas consuming FBS,namely,inflammatory bowel disease.In this study,Lactiplantibacillus pentosus YQ001 and Lentilactobacillus senioris YQ005 were screening by in vitro probiotic tests to further investigate the probioticlike bioactivity in dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis(UC)mouse.They exhibited more positive probiotic effects than Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in preventing intestinal inflammatory response.The results revealed that both strains improved the abundance of deficient intestinal microbiota in UC mice,including Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia.In the serum metabolome,they modulated the DSS-disturbed levels of metabolites,with significant increment of cinnamic acid.Meanwhile,they reduced the expression levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6)inflammatory factors and increased zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),Occludin,and cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide(CRAMP)in the colon.Consequently,these results demonstrated that Lactobacillus spp.isolates derived from FBS showed promising probiotic activity based on the gut microbiome homeostasis modulation,anti-inflammation and intestinal barrier protection in UC mice.

Antihypertensive effects of whey protein hydrolysate involve reshaping the gut microbiome in spontaneously hypertension rats

Novel angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory peptides were identified from whey protein hydrolysates(WPH)in vitro in our previous study and the antihypertensive abilities of WPH in vivo were further investigated in the current study.Results indicated that WPH significantly inhibited the development of high blood pressure and tissue injuries caused by hypertension.WPH inhibited ACE activity(20.81%,P<0.01),and reduced renin concentration(P<0.05),thereby reducing systolic blood pressure(SBP)(12.63%,P<0.05)in spontaneously hypertensive rats.The increased Akkermansia,Bacteroides,and Lactobacillus abundance promoted high short chain fatty acid content in feces after WPH intervention.These changes jointly contributed to low blood pressure.The heart weight and cardiomyocyte injuries(hypertrophy and degeneration)were alleviated by WPH.The proteomic results revealed that 19 protein expressions in the heart mainly associated with the wingless/integrated(Wnt)signaling pathway and Apelin signaling pathway were altered after WPH supplementation.Notably,WPH alleviated serum oxidative stress,indicated by the decreased malondialdehyde content(P<0.01),enhanced total antioxidant capacity(P<0.01)and superoxide dismutase activity(P<0.01).The current study suggests that WPH exhibit promising antihypertensive abilities in vivo and could be a potential alternative for antihypertensive dietary supplements.

Distinct gut microbiomes in Thai patients with colorectal polyps

BACKGROUND Colorectal polyps that develop via the conventional adenoma-carcinoma sequence[e.g.,tubular adenoma(TA)]often progress to malignancy and are closely associated with changes in the composition of the gut microbiome.There is limited research concerning the microbial functions and gut microbiomes associated with colorectal polyps that arise through the serrated polyp pathway,such as hyperplastic polyps(HP).Exploration of microbiome alterations asso-ciated with HP and TA would improve the understanding of mechanisms by which specific microbes and their metabolic pathways contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis.AIM To investigate gut microbiome signatures,microbial associations,and microbial functions in HP and TA patients.METHODS Full-length 16S rRNA sequencing was used to characterize the gut microbiome in stool samples from control participants without polyps[control group(CT),n=40],patients with HP(n=52),and patients with TA(n=60).Significant differences in gut microbiome composition and functional mechanisms were identified between the CT group and patients with HP or TA.Analytical techniques in this study included differential abundance analysis,co-occurrence network analysis,and differential pathway analysis.RESULTS Colorectal cancer(CRC)-associated bacteria,including Streptococcus gallolyticus(S.gallolyticus),Bacteroides fragilis,and Clostridium symbiosum,were identified as characteristic microbial species in TA patients.Mediterraneibacter gnavus,associated with dysbiosis and gastrointestinal diseases,was significantly differentially abundant in the HP and TA groups.Functional pathway analysis revealed that HP patients exhibited enrichment in the sulfur oxidation pathway exclusively,whereas TA patients showed dominance in pathways related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis(e.g.,mevalonate);S.gallolyticus was a major contributor.Co-occurrence network and dynamic network analyses revealed co-occurrence of dysbiosis-associated bacteria in HP patients,whereas TA patients exhibited co-occurrence of CRC-associated bacteria.Furthermore,the co-occurrence of SCFA-producing bacteria was lower in TA patients than HP patients.CONCLUSION This study revealed distinct gut microbiome signatures associated with pathways of colorectal polyp development,providing insights concerning the roles of microbial species,functional pathways,and microbial interactions in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Gut microbiome:A revolution in typeⅡdiabetes mellitus

TypeⅡdiabetes mellitus(T2DM)has experienced a dramatic increase globally across countries of various income levels over the past three decades.The persistent prevalence of T2DM is attributed to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.While numerous pharmaceutical therapies have been developed,there remains an urgent need for innovative treatment approaches that offer effectiveness without significant adverse effects.In this context,the exploration of the gut microbiome presents a promising avenue.Research has increasingly shown that the gut microbiome of individuals with T2DM exhibits distinct differences compared to healthy individuals,suggesting its potential role in the disease’s pathogenesis and progression.This emerging field offers diverse applications,particularly in modifying the gut environment through the administration of prebiotics,probiotics,and fecal microbiome transfer.These interventions aim to restore a healthy microbiome balance,which could potentially alleviate or even reverse the metabolic dysfunctions associated with T2DM.Although current results from clinical trials have not yet shown dramatic effects on diabetes management,the groundwork has been laid for deeper investigation.Ongoing and future clinical trials are critical to advancing our understanding of the microbiome’s impact on diabetes.By further elucidating the mechanisms through which microbiome alterations influence insulin resistance and glucose metabolism,researchers can develop more targeted interventions.The potential to harness the gut microbiome in developing new therapeutic strategies offers a compelling prospect to transform the treatment landscape of T2DM,potentially reducing the disease’s burden significantly with approaches that are less reliant on traditional pharmaceuticals and more focused on holistic,systemic health improvements.

The Effect of Macronutrient Restrictions on Gut Microbiome and Biochemical Parameters of Wistar Albino Rats

Macronutrients serve as a source of energy for both gut microbiota and its host. An increase or decrease in macronutrients can either increase or decrease the composition of gut microbiota, leading to gut dysbiosis which has been implicated in many diseases state including non-communicable diseases. To achieve this, seven diets were formulated by restricting 60% of each macronutrient. These diets were fed on 42 albino rats (Wistar), divided into 7 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 was fed on a normal laboratory chow diet (ND), group 2 received a fat-restricted diet (FRD), group 3 received a protein-restricted diet, (PFD), group 4 received a carbohydrate-restricted diet (CRD), group 5 received a protein and fat-restricted diet (PFRD), group 6 re-ceived a carbohydrate and fat-restricted diet (CFRD) and group 7 received a carbohydrate and protein-restricted diet (CPRD). Feed and water intake were given ad libitum and daily weight and food intake were recorded. The experiment went on for 4 weeks after which animals were sacrificed and intestinal content and blood were collected for analysis (gut microbial composition, glucose, insulin levels, serum lipid, and enzyme). Compared to the control group results showed a decrease in Bacteroides (40.50 - 14.00 CFU), HDL (68.20 - 40.40 mg/dl), and AST (66.62 - 64.74 U/L) in FRD. An increase in AST (66.6 - 69.43 U/L), Bifidobacterial (59.50 - 92.00 CFU) and decreased Bacteroides (40.5 - 19.5 CFU) for PRD was also recorded. CRD reduced Lactobacillus (73 - 33.5 CFU), total bacterial count (129 - 48 CFU), HDL (68.2 - 30.8 mg/dl), and cholesterol (121.44 - 88.65 mg/dl) whereas intestinal composition of E. coli (30.5 - 51.5 CFU) increased. PFRD increased Lactobacillus (73.00 - 102.5 CFU), Bifidobacterial (59.5 - 100 CFU), HDL (68.2 - 74.7 mg/dl), and Triglyceride (111.67 - 146.67 mg/dl) concentration. Meanwhile, a reduction in Bifidobacterial (59.5 - 41.5 CFU), and an increasing of AST (66.62 - 70.30 U/l) were recorded for CFRD. However, Bacteroides (40.5 69.5 CFU), LDL (30.95 - 41.98 mg/dl) increased and Bifidobacterial (59.5 - 38.00 CFU) and HDL (68.2 - 53.5 mg/dl) decreased for CPRD. This work, therefore, concludes that macronutrient restriction causes significant changes in serum marker and enzyme profile, and gut microbial composition which can cause gut dysbiosis and later on could expose the host to inflammatory diseases in the long run.

Update on the gut microbiome in health and diseases

The Human Microbiome Project,Earth Microbiome Project,and next-generation sequencing have advanced novel genome association,host genetic linkages,and pathogen identification.The microbiome is the sum of the microbes,their genetic information,and their ecological niche.This study will describe how millions of bacteria in the gut affect the human body in health and disease.The gut microbiome changes in relation with age,with an increase in Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes.Host and environmental factors affecting the gut microbiome are diet,drugs,age,smoking,exercise,and host genetics.In addition,changes in the gut microbiome may affect the local gut immune system and systemic immune system.In this study,we discuss how the microbiome may affect the metabolism of healthy subjects or may affect the pathogenesis of metabolism-generating metabolic diseases.Due to the high number of publications on the argument,from a methodologically point of view,we decided to select the best papers published in referred journals in the last 3 years.Then we selected the previously published papers.The major goals of our study were to elucidate which microbiome and by which pathways are related to healthy and disease conditions.

Gut microbiome in alcohol use disorder:Implications for health outcomes and therapeutic strategies-a literature review

Alcohol use disorder(AUD)represents a major public health issue which affects millions of people globally and consist a chronic relapsing condition associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and has emerged as a significant contributor to the pathophysiology of various psychiatric disorders.Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is intimately linked to the development and progression of AUD,with alcohol consumption directly impacting its composition and function.This review article aims to explore the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and AUD,focusing on the implications for mental health outcomes and potential therapeutic strategies.We discuss the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the brain,highlighting the role of microbiotaderived metabolites in neuroinflammation,neurotransmission,and mood regulation.Furthermore,we examine the influence of AUD-related factors,such as alcohol-induced gut dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability,on mental health outcomes.Finally,we explore emerging therapeutic avenues targeting the gut microbiome in the management of AUD,including prebiotics,probiotics,and fecal microbiota transplantation.Understanding the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and AUD holds promise for developing novel interventions that could improve mental health outcomes in individuals with AUD.

Rifaximin ameliorates hepatic encephalopathy and endotoxemia without affecting the gut microbiome diversity

AIM To determine the efficacy of rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy(HE) with the linkage of gut microbiome in decompensated cirrhotic patients.METHODS Twenty patients(12 men and 8 women; median age, 66.8 years; range, 46-81 years) with decompensated cirrhosis(Child-pugh score > 7) underwent cognitive neuropsychological testing, endotoxin analysis, and fecal microbiome assessment at baseline and after 4 wk of treatment with rifaximin 400 mg thrice a day. HE was determined by serum ammonia level and number connection test(NCT)-A. Changes in whole blood endotoxin activity(EA) was analyzed by endotoxinactivity assay. Fecal microbiome was assessed by 16 S ribosome RNA(rR NA) gene sequencing.RESULTS Treatment with rifaximin for 4 wk improved hyperammonemia(from 90.6 ± 23.9 μg/d L to 73.1 ± 33.1 μg/dL; P < 0.05) and time required for NCT(from 68.2 ± 17.4 s to 54.9 ± 20.3 s; P < 0.05) in patients who had higher levels at baseline. Endotoxin activity was reduced(from 0.43 ± 0.03 to 0.32 ± 0.09; P < 0.05) in direct correlation with decrease in serum ammonia levels(r = 0.5886, P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the diversity estimator(Shannon diversity index) and major components of the gut microbiome between the baseline and after treatment groups(3.948 ± 0.548 at baseline vs 3.980 ± 0.968 after treatment; P = 0.544), but the relative abundances of genus Veillonella and Streptococcus were lowered.CONCLUSION Rifaximin significantly improved cognition and reduced endotoxin activity without significantly affecting the composition of the gut microbiome in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Antimicrobial peptides and the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease

Antimicrobial peptides(AMP)are highly diverse and dynamic molecules that are expressed by specific intestinal epithelial cells,Paneth cells,as well as immune cells in the gastrointestinal(GI)tract.They play critical roles in maintaining tolerance to gut microbiota and protecting against enteric infections.Given that disruptions in tolerance to commensal microbiota and loss of barrier function play major roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and converge on the function of AMP,the significance of AMP as potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in IBD have been increasingly recognized in recent years.In this frontier article,we discuss the function and mechanisms of AMP in the GI tract,examine the interaction of AMP with the gut microbiome,explore the role of AMP in the pathogenesis of IBD,and review translational applications of AMP in patients with IBD.

Gut microbiome in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated hepatocellular carcinoma:Current knowledge and potential for therapeutics

Metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)are rising in incidence and are an increasingly common cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The gut microbiome is closely connected to the liver via the portal vein,and has recently been identified as a predictor of liver disease state.Studies in NAFLD,cirrhosis and HCC have identified certain microbial signatures associated with these diseases,with the disease-associated microbiome changes collectively referred to as dysbiosis.The pathophysiologic underpinnings of these observations are an area of ongoing investigation,with current evidence demonstrating that the gut microbiome can influence liver disease and carcinogenesis via effects on intestinal permeability(leaky gut)and activation of the innate immune system.In the innate immune system,pathogen recognition receptors(Toll like receptors)on resident liver cells and macrophages cause liver inflammation,fibrosis,hepatocyte proliferation and reduced antitumor immunity,leading to chronic liver disease and carcinogenesis.Dysbiosis-associated changes include increase in secondary bile acids and reduced expression of FXR(nuclear receptor),which have also been associated with deleterious effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism associated with progressive liver disease.Longitudinal experimental and clinical studies are needed in different populations to examine these questions further.The role of therapeutics that modulate the microbiome is an emerging field with experimental studies showing the potential of diet,probiotics,fecal microbiota transplantation and prebiotics in improving liver disease in experimental models.Clinical studies are ongoing with preliminary evidence showing improvement in liver enzymes and steatosis.The microbial profile is different in responders to cancer immunotherapy including liver cancer,but whether or not manipulation of the microbiome can be utilized to affect response is being investigated.

Role of bile acids in liver diseases mediated by the gut microbiome

The intensive crosstalk between the liver and the intestine performs many essential functions.This crosstalk is important for natural immune surveillance,adaptive immune response regulation and nutrient metabolism and elimination of toxic bacterial metabolites.The interaction between the gut microbiome and bile acids is bidirectional.The gut microbiome regulates the synthesis of bile acids and their biological signaling activity and circulation via enzymes.Similarly,bile acids also shape the composition of the gut microbiome by modulating the host’s natural antibacterial defense and the intestinal immune system.The interaction between bile acids and the gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many intestinal and extra intestinal diseases,especially liver diseases.As essential mediators of the gut-liver crosstalk,bile acids regulate specific host metabolic pathways and modulate the inflammatory responses through farnesoid X-activated receptor and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1.Several clinical trials have demonstrated the signaling effects of bile acids in the context of liver diseases.We hypothesize the existence of a gut microbiome-bile acids-liver triangle and explore the potential therapeutic strategies for liver diseases targeting the triangle.

Colonization and development of the gut microbiome in calves

Colonization and development of the gut microbiome are crucial for the growth and health of calves.In this review,we summarized the colonization,beneficial nutrition,immune function of gut microbiota,function of the gut barrier,and the evolution of core microbiota in the gut of calves of different ages.Homeostasis of gut microbiome is beneficial for nutritional and immune system development of calves.Disruption of the gut microbiome leads to digestive diseases in calves,such as diarrhea and intestinal inflammation.Microbiota already exists in the gut of calf fetuses,and the colonization of microbiota continues to change dynamically under the influence of various factors,which include probiotics,diet,age,and genotype.Colonization depends on the interaction between the gut microbiota and the immune system of calves.The abundance and diversity of these commensal microbiota stabilize and play a critical role in the health of calves.

Dysbiosis of gut microbiome affecting small intestine morphology and immune balance:a rhesus macaque model

There is a growing appreciation for the specific health benefits conferred by commensal microbiota on their hosts.Clinical microbiota analysis and animal studies in germ-free or antibiotic-treated mice have been crucial for improving our understanding of the role of the microbiome on the host mucosal surface;however,studies on the mechanisms involved in microbiome-host interactions remain limited to small animal models.Here,we demonstrated that rhesus monkeys under short-term broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment could be used as a model to study the gut mucosal host-microbiome niche and immune balance with steady health status.Results showed that the diversity and community structure of the gut commensal bacteria in rhesus monkeys were both disrupted after antibiotic treatment.Furthermore,the 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing results indicated that Escherichia-Shigella were predominant in stool samples 9 d of treatment,and the abundances of bacterial functional genes and predicted KEGG pathways were significantly changed.In addition to inducing aberrant morphology of small intestinal villi,the depletion of gut commensal bacteria led to increased proportions of CD3+T,CD4+T,and CD16+NK cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs),but decreased numbers of Treg and CD20+B cells.The transcriptome of PBMCs from antibiotic-treated monkeys showed that the immune balance was affected by modulation of the expression of many functional genes,including IL-13,VCAM1,and LGR4.

Application of zebrafish in the study of the gut microbiome

Zebrafish(D anio rerio)have attracted much attention over the past decade as a reliable model for gut microbiome research.Owing to their low cost,strong genetic and development coherence,efficient preparation of germ-f ree(GF)larvae,availability in high-t hroughput chemical screening,and fitness for intravital imaging in vivo,zebrafish have been extensively used to investigate microbiome-h ost interactions and evaluate the toxicity of environmental pollutants.In this review,the advantages and disadvantages of zebrafish for studying the role of the gut microbiome compared with warm-b looded animal models are first summarized.Then,the roles of zebrafish gut microbiome on host development,metabolic pathways,gut-b rain axis,and immune disorders and responses are addressed.Furthermore,their applications for the toxicological assessment of aquatic environmental pollutants and exploration of the molecular mechanism of pathogen infections are reviewed.We highlight the great potential of the zebrafish model for developing probiotics for xenobiotic detoxification,resistance against bacterial infection,and disease prevention and cure.Overall,the zebrafish model promises a brighter future for gut microbiome research.

Bacteriophage cocktail supplementation improves growth performance,gut microbiome and production traits in broiler chickens

Background:Effective antibiotic alternatives are urgently needed in the poultry industry to control disease outbreaks.Phage therapy mainly utilizes lytic phages to kill their respective bacterial hosts and can be an attractive solution to combating the emergence of antibiotic resistance in livestock.Methods:Five hundred and four,one-day-old broilers(Ross 308)were allotted to 1 of 4 treatment groups in a completely randomized design.Treatments consisted of CON(basal diet),PC(CON+0.025%Avilamax®),BP 0.05(CON+0.05%bacteriophage),and BP 0.10(CON+0.10%bacteriophage).Results:A significant linear effect on body weight gain(BWG)was observed during days 1–7,days 22–35,and cumulatively in bacteriophage(BP)supplemented groups.The BWG tended to be higher(P=0.08)and the feed intake(FI)was increased(P=0.017)in the PC group over CON group.A greater(P=0.016)BWG and trends in increased FI(P=0.06)were observed in the experiment in birds fed PC than CON diet.At the genus level,the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was decreased in PC(65.28%),while it was similar in BP 0.05 and BP 0.10(90.65%,86.72%)compared to CON(90.19%).At the species level,the relative abundance of Lactobacillus salivarus was higher in BP 0.05(40.15%)and BP 0.10(38.58%)compared to the CON(20.04%)and PC(18.05%).A linear reduction in the weight of bursa of Fabricius(P=0.022)and spleen(P=0.052)was observed in birds fed graded level of BP and an increase(P=0.059)in the weight of gizzard was observed in birds fed PC over BP diets.Linear and quadratic responses were observed in redness of breast muscle color in birds fed graded level of BP.Conclusions:The inclusion of the 0.05%and 0.1%BP cocktail linearly improved broiler weight during the first 7 days,22–35 days and cumulatively,whereas 0.05%BP addition was sufficient for supporting immune organs,bursa and spleen as well as enhancing gut microbiome,indicating the efficacy of 0.05%BP as a substitute antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diets.

16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of gut microbiome in a mini-pig diabetes model

Background:Currently,increasing attention is being paid to the important role of intestinal microbiome in diabetes.However,few studies have evaluated the characteristics of gut microbiome in diabetic miniature pigs,despite it being a good model animal for assessing diabetes.Methods:In this study,a mini-pig diabetes model(DM)was established by 9-month high-fat diet(HFD)combined with lowdose streptozotocin,while the animals fed standard chow diet constituted the control group.16S ribosomal RNA(rRNA)gene sequencing was performed to assess the characteristics of the intestinal microbiome in diabetic mini-pigs.Results:The results showed that microbial structure in diabetic mini-pigs was altered,reflected by increases in levels of Coprococcus_3 and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1,which were positively correlated with diabetes,and decreases in levels of the bac-teria Rikenellaceae,Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group,and Bacteroidales_RF16_group,which were inversely correlated with blood glucose and insulin resistance.Moreover,PICRUSt-predicted pathways related to the glycolysis and Entner-Doudoroff superpathway,enterobactin biosynthesis,and the L-tryptophan biosynthesis were significantly elevated in the DM group.Conclusion:These results reveal the composition and predictive functions of the intestinal microbiome in the mini-pig diabetes model,further verifying the relationship between HFD,gut microbiome,and diabetes,and providing novel insights into the application of the mini-pig diabetes model in gut microbiome research.

Impact of gut microbiome in the development and treatment of pancreatic cancer:Newer insights

The gut microbiome plays an important role in the variation of pharmacologic response.This aspect is especially important in the era of precision medicine,where understanding how and to what extent the gut microbiome interacts with drugs and their actions will be key to individualizing therapy.The impact of the composition of the gut microbiome on the efficacy of newer cancer therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell treatment has become an active area of research.Pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAC)has a poor prognosis even in those with potentially resectable disease,and treatment options are very limited.Newer studies have concluded that there is a synergistic effect for immunotherapy in combination with cytotoxic drugs,in the treatment of PAC.A variety of commensal microbiota can affect the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy by modulating the tumor microenvironment in the treatment of PAC.This review will provide newer insights on the impact that alterations made in the gut microbial system have in the development and treatment of PAC.

Gut microbiome in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and specific changes associated with acute graft vs host disease

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(aHSCT)is a standard validated therapy for patients suffering from malignant and nonmalignant hematological diseases.However,aHSCT procedures are limited by potentially life-threatening complications,and one of the most serious complications is acute graft-versus-host disease(GVHD).During the last decades,DNA sequencing technologies were used to investigate relationship between composition or function of the gut microbiome and disease states.Even if it remains unclear whether these microbiome alterations are causative or secondary to the presence of the disease,they may be useful for diagnosis,prevention and therapy in aHSCT recipients.Here,we summarized the most recent findings of the association between human gut microbiome changes and acute GVHD in patients receiving aHSCT.