Rosemary extract improves egg quality by altering gut barrier function,intestinal microbiota and oviductal gene expressions in late-phase laying hens

Background Rosemary extract(RE)has been reported to exert antioxidant property.However,the application of RE in late-phase laying hens on egg quality,intestinal barrier and microbiota,and oviductal function has not been systematically studied.This study was investigated to detect the potential effects of RE on performance,egg quality,serum parameters,intestinal heath,cecal microbiota and metabolism,and oviductal gene expressions in late-phase laying hens.A total of 21065-week-old“Jing Tint 6”laying hens were randomly allocated into five treatments with six replicates and seven birds per replicate and fed basal diet(CON)or basal diet supplemented with chlortetracycline at 50 mg/kg(CTC)or RE at 50 mg/kg(RE50),100 mg/kg(RE100),and 200 mg/kg(RE200).Results Our results showed that RE200 improved(P<0.05)Haugh unit and n-6/n-3 of egg yolk,serum superoxide dismutase(SOD)compared with CON.No significant differences were observed for Haugh unit and n-6/n-3 of egg yolk among CTC,RE50,RE100 and RE200 groups.Compared with CTC and RE50 groups,RE200 increased serum SOD activity on d 28 and 56.Compared with CON,RE supplementation decreased(P<0.05)total cholesterol(TC)level.CTC,RE100 and RE200 decreased(P<0.05)serum interleukin-6(IL-6)content compared with CON.CTC and RE200 increased jejunal m RNA expression of ZO-1 and Occludin compared with CON.The biomarkers of cecal microbiota and metabolite induced by RE 200,including Firmicutes,Eisenbergiella,Paraprevotella,Papillibacter,and butyrate,were closely associated with Haugh unit,n-6/n-3,SOD,IL-6,and TC.PICRUSt2 analysis indicated that RE altered carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism of cecal microbiota and increased butyrate synthesizing enzymes,including 3-oxoacid Co A-transferase and butyrate-acetoacetate Co A-transferase.Moreover,transcriptomic analysis revealed that RE200 improved gene expressions and functional pathways related to immunity and albumen formation in the oviductal magnum.Conclusions Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg RE could increase egg quality of late-phase laying hens via modulating intestinal barrier,cecal microbiota and metabolism,and oviductal function.Overall,RE could be used as a promising feed additive to improve egg quality of laying hens at late stage of production.

Effects of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharides on growth performance,intestinal barrier function and cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers under heat stress

Background Global warming leading to heat stress(HS)is becoming a major challenge for broiler production.This study aimed to explore the protective effects of seaweed(Enteromorpha prolifera)polysaccharides(EPS)on the intestinal barrier function,microbial ecology,and performance of broilers under HS.A total of 144 yellow-feathered broilers(male,56 days old)with 682.59±7.38 g were randomly assigned to 3 groups:1)TN(thermal neutral zone,23.6±1.8℃),2)HS(heat stress,33.2±1.5℃ for 10 h/d),and 3)HSE(HS+0.1%EPS).Each group contained 6 replicates with 8 broilers per replicate.The study was conducted for 4 weeks;feed intake and body weights were measured at the end of weeks 2 and 4.At the end of the feeding trial,small intestine samples were collected for histomorphology,antioxidant,secretory immunoglobulin A(s Ig A)content,apoptosis,gene and protein expression analysis;cecal contents were also collected for microbiota analysis based on 16S r DNA sequencing.Results Dietary EPS promoted the average daily gain(ADG)of broilers during 3–4 weeks of HS(P<0.05).At the end of HS on broilers,the activity of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),glutathione S-transferase(GST),and the content of s Ig A in jejunum were improved by EPS supplementation(P<0.05).Besides,dietary EPS reduced the epithelial cell apoptosis of jejunum and ileum in heat-stressed broilers(P<0.05).Addition of EPS in HS group broilers'diet upregulated the relative m RNA expression of Occludin,ZO-1,γ-GCLc and IL-10 of the jejunum(P<0.05),whereas downregulated the relative m RNA expression of NF-κB p65,TNF-αand IL-1βof the jejunum(P<0.05).Dietary EPS increased the protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1,whereas it reduced the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and MLCK(P<0.01)and tended to decrease the protein expression of TNF-α(P=0.094)in heat-stressed broilers.Furthermore,the proportions of Bacteroides and Oscillospira among the three groups were positively associated with jejunal apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression(P<0.05)and negatively correlated with jejunal Occludin level(P<0.05).However,the proportions of Lactobacillus,Barnesiella,Subdoligranulum,Megasphaera,Collinsella,and Blautia among the three groups were positively related to ADG(P<0.05).Conclusions EPS can be used as a feed additive in yellow-feathered broilers.It effectively improves growth performance and alleviates HS-induced intestinal injury by relieving inflammatory damage and improving the tight junction proteins expression.These beneficial effects may be related to inhibiting NF-κB/MLCK signaling pathway activation and regulation of cecal microbiota.

Debaryomyces hansenii supplementation in low fish meal diets promotes growth,modulates microbiota and enhances intestinal condition in juvenile marine fish

Background The development of a sustainable business model with social acceptance,makes necessary to develop new strategies to guarantee the growth,health,and well-being of farmed animals.Debaryomyces hansenii is a yeast species that can be used as a probiotic in aquaculture due to its capacity to i)promote cell proliferation and differen-tiation,ii)have immunostimulatory effects,iii)modulate gut microbiota,and/or iv)enhance the digestive function.To provide inside into the effects of D.hansenii on juveniles of gilthead seabream(Sparus aurata)condition,we inte-grated the evaluation of the main key performance indicators coupled with the integrative analysis of the intestine condition,through histological and microbiota state,and its transcriptomic profiling.Results After 70 days of a nutritional trial in which a diet with low levels of fishmeal(7%)was supplemented with 1.1%of D.hansenii(17.2×10^(5) CFU),an increase of ca.12%in somatic growth was observed together with an improve-ment in feed conversion in fish fed a yeast-supplemented diet.In terms of intestinal condition,this probiotic modu-lated gut microbiota without affecting the intestine cell organization,whereas an increase in the staining intensity of mucins rich in carboxylated and weakly sulphated glycoconjugates coupled with changes in the affinity for certain lectins were noted in goblet cells.Changes in microbiota were characterized by the reduction in abundance of several groups of Proteobacteria,especially those characterized as opportunistic groups.The microarrays-based transcrip-tomic analysis found 232 differential expressed genes in the anterior-mid intestine of S.aurata,that were mostly related to metabolic,antioxidant,immune,and symbiotic processes.Conclusions Dietary administration of D.hansenii enhanced somatic growth and improved feed efficiency param-eters,results that were coupled to an improvement of intestinal condition as histochemical and transcriptomic tools indicated.This probiotic yeast stimulated host-microbiota interactions without altering the intestinal cell organization nor generating dysbiosis,which demonstrated its safety as a feed additive.At the transcriptomic level,D.hansenii pro-moted metabolic pathways,mainly protein-related,sphingolipid,and thymidylate pathways,in addition to enhance antioxidant-related intestinal mechanisms,and to regulate sentinel immune processes,potentiating the defensive capacity meanwhile maintaining the homeostatic status of the intestine.

Effects of forsythin extract in Forsythia leaves on intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in rats fed a high-fat diet

Forsythia suspensa,belonging to the deciduous shrubs of the Luteaceae family,a traditional Chinese medicine,has effects of alleviating swelling,clearing heat,detoxification and promoting blood circulation.The leaves of F.suspensa contain multiple chemical components and have a long history of use in folk medicines and health foods.The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of forsythin extract from F.suspensa leaves on intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)content in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet.Forsythin extract in F.suspensa leaves increased the abundance of the intestinal microbiota,ameliorated intestinal microbiota disorders and inhibited the increase in total SCFA content in the intestinal tract in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet.These results suggested that forsythin extract in F.suspensa leaves may slow the development of obesity induced by a high-fat diet;thus,its active components and efficacy are worthy of further study.

Characterization of mulberry leaf instant tea and evaluation of its hypolipidemia effect via regulation of intestinal microbiota

The purpose of this study was to characterize mulberry leaf instant tea(MLIT)powder prepared from the'Longsang No.1'(Morus abla L.cv.Longsang 1)mulberry leaves in Heilongjiang Province(China)and assess its obesity-preventing/relieving effects.A total of 174 compounds including quercetin,chlorogenic acid,1-deoxyecomycin(1-DNJ)related to antihyperlipidemia effects were identified from the MLIT powder.MLIT treatment reversed the Lee's index,fat coefficient,and serum biochemical parameters in both the obesity relieving and obesity preventing mice fed with high-fat diet.In the obesity relieving experiment,the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio in mouse feces decreased after both 0.5%and 1%MLIT treatments.In obesity preventing experiments,mouse with different amount of MLIT treatments showed increased relative abundance of Akkermansia,Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus,while Deferribacteres,Desulfobacterota decreased.The beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract of mice treated with MLIT increased.This study proved that MLIT had antihyperlipidemia potential via modulating intestinal microbiota in mice.

Effects of Fresh Cupressus sempervirens Leaves Infusion on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Haemato-Biochemical Parameters in Broilers

The accumulation of growth-promoting antibiotic residues in animal products and the resistance developed by bacteria in poultry farms has led to a search for natural compounds derived from plants. This study was designed to promote the production performance of broiler chickens using fresh Cupressus sempervirens leaves infusion. Fresh Cupressus sempervirens leaves were harvested, washed, chopped and ground to a paste using a blender and fermented for three days in a closed container at a rate of 500 g/L of water. The solution obtained was filtered and added at the rate of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ml/L of drinking water. The chickens fed on the graded level of the solution were compared to a control ration without an additive and positive control group supplemented with 1 g antibiotic/kg feed. At the finisher phase and throughout the study period, water intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of infusion. Feed intake decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with 2 and 4 ml of infusion/L drinking water. Live weight and weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) higher with 6 ml/L, while feed conversion significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with the same treatment compared with the control treatment without additives (T0). Carcass characteristics were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the inclusion of Cupressus sempervirens infusion. Haematological parameters significantly (P < 0.05) increase independently of the rate of incorporation of the infusion into the drinking water, with the exception of RBCs, MCHT and PCT. Serum content in total protein, globulins, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (P < 0.05) high with 8 and 10 ml Cupressus sempervirens infusion/litre drinking water as compared to all other treatments. AST, ALT, urea, creatine, albumin, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were not significantly affected. The lactic acid bacteria load increased significantly (P E. coli and salmonella counts decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with infusion compared to the control without additive. In conclusion, 6 ml of Cupressus sempervirens infusion can be used as an alternative to antibiotic feed additives to promote growth performance in broilers.

Microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract: Friend or foe?

The gut microbiota is currently considered an external organ of the human body that provides important mechanisms of metabolic regulation and protection.The gut microbiota encodes over 3 million genes,which is approximately 150 times more than the total number of genes present in the human genome.Changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microbiome lead to disruption in the synthesis of key bacterial metabolites,changes in intestinal barrier function,and inflammation and can cause the development of a wide variety of diseases,such as diabetes,obesity,gastrointestinal disorders,cardiovascular issues,neurological disorders and oncological concerns.In this review,I consider issues related to the role of the microbiome in the regulation of intestinal barrier function,its influence on physiological and pathological processes occurring in the body,and potential new therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the gut microbiome.Herewith,it is important to understand that the gut microbiota and human body should be considered as a single biological system,where change of one element will inevitably affect its other components.Thus,the study of the impact of the intestinal microbiota on health should be considered only taking into account numerous factors,the role of which has not yet been fully elucidated.

Dietary supplementation of zinc oxide modulates intestinal functionality during the post-weaning period in clinically healthy piglets

Background To improve our understanding of host and intestinal microbiome interaction,this research investigated the effects of a high-level zinc oxide in the diet as model intervention on the intestinal microbiome and small intestinal functionality in clinically healthy post-weaning piglets.In study 1,piglets received either a high concentration of zinc(Zn)as zinc oxide(Zn O,Zn,2,690 mg/kg)or a low Zn concentration(100 mg/kg)in the diet during the post weaning period(d 14–23).The effects on the piglet's small intestinal microbiome and functionality of intestinal tissue were investigated.In study 2,the impact of timing of the dietary zinc intervention was investigated,i.e.,between d 0–14 and/or d 14–23 post weaning,and the consecutive effects on the piglet's intestinal functionality,here referring to microbiota composition and diversity and gene expression profiles.Results Differences in the small intestinal functionality were observed during the post weaning period between piglets receiving a diet with a low or high concentration Zn O content.A shift in the microbiota composition in the small intestine was observed that could be characterized as a non-pathological change,where mainly the commensals inter-changed.In the immediate post weaning period,i.e.,d 0–14,the highest number of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in intestinal tissue were observed between animals receiving a diet with a low or high concentration Zn O content,i.e.,23 DEGs in jejunal tissue and 11 DEGs in ileal tissue.These genes are involved in biological processes related to immunity and inflammatory responses.For example,genes CD59 and REG3G were downregulated in the animals receiving a diet with a high concentration Zn O content compared to low Zn O content in both jejunum and ileum tissue.In the second study,a similar result was obtained regarding the expression of genes in intestinal tissue related to immune pathways when comparing piglets receiving a diet with a high concentration Zn O content compared to low Zn O content.Conclusions Supplementing a diet with a pharmaceutical level of Zn as Zn O for clinically healthy post weaning piglets influences various aspects intestinal functionality,in particular in the first two weeks post-weaning.The model intervention increased both the alpha diversity of the intestinal microbiome and the expression of a limited number of genes linked to the local immune system in intestinal tissue.The effects do not seem related to a direct antimicrobial effect of Zn O.

Dietary organic acids ameliorate high stocking density stress-induced intestinal inflammation through the restoration of intestinal microbiota in broilers

Background:High stocking density(HSD)stress has detrimental effects on growth performance,intestinal barrier function,and intestinal microbiota in intensive animal production.Organic acids(OA)are widely used as feed addi-tives for their ability to improve growth performance and intestinal health in poultry.However,whether dietary OA can ameliorate HSD stress-induced impaired intestinal barrier in broilers remains elusive.In this study,a total of 528 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated into 3 treatments with 12 replicates per treatment including 10 birds for normal stocking density and 17 birds for HSD.The dietary treatments were as follows:1)Normal stocking density+basal diet;2)HSD+basal diets;3)HSD+OA.Results:HSD stress can induce increased levels of serum corticosterone,lipopolysaccharides,interleukin-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α,and down-regulated mRNA expression of ZO-1,resulting in compromised growth performance of broilers(P<0.05).Dietary OA could significantly reduce levels of serum corticosterone,lipopolysaccharides,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α,which were accompanied by up-regulated interleukin-10,mRNA expres-sion of ZO-1,and growth performance(P<0.05).Moreover,OA could down-regulate the mRNA expression of TLR4 and MyD88 to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway(P<0.05).Additionally,HSD stress significantly decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and disturbed the balance of microbial ecosystems,whereas OA significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and restored the disordered gut microbiota by reducing competitive and exploita-tive interactions in microbial communities(P<0.05).Meanwhile,OA significantly increased the content of acetic and butyric acids,which showed significant correlations with intestinal inflammation indicators(P<0.05).Conclusions:Dietary OA ameliorated intestinal inflammation and growth performance of broilers through restor-ing the disordered gut microbial compositions and interactions induced by HSD and elevating short-chain fatty acid production to inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.These findings demonstrated the critical role of intestinal microbiota in mediating the HSD-induced inflammatory responses,contributing to exploring nutritional strategies to alleviate HSD-induced stress in animals.

Research Progress of Intestinal Flora in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer, as a common malignant tumor, has been increasing in incidence year by year and has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Meanwhile, researchers have found a close relationship between dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and colorectal cancer, which has further triggered indepth exploration of the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that there are specific microbial changes in colorectal cancer tissues, including enrichment or depletion of certain bacterial species, which may be associated with tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, gut microbiota has been found to be closely linked to tumor microenvironment, tumor immune response, chemotherapy drug metabolism, and other factors. In this context, it is imperative to study the gut microbiota in colorectal cancer. A comprehensive understanding of the interaction between gut microbiota and colorectal cancer is not only helpful in revealing novel mechanisms of colorectal cancer development, but also holds promise in providing new strategies and targets for early diagnosis, individualized treatment, and prevention of colorectal cancer. This review aims to thoroughly discuss the research progress of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer, including its compositional characteristics, its role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer, and its potential clinical applications. The goal is to provide references and insights for further research in this field.

Effects of oral probiotics on inflammation and intestinal function in adult patients after appendectomy:Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Appendectomy is an acute abdominal surgery that is often accompanied by severe abdominal inflammation.Oral probiotics are one of the postoperative treatments for rapid rehabilitation.However,there is a lack of prospective studies on this topic after appendectomy.AIM To investigate whether the postoperative probiotics can modulate the inflammatory response and restore intestinal function in patients following appendectomy.METHODS This was a prospective,randomized trial.A total of 60 emergency patients were randomly divided into a control group(n=30)and a probiotic group(n=30).Patients in the control group started to drink some water the first day after surgery,and those in the probiotic group were given water supplemented with Bacillus licheniformis capsules for 5 consecutive days postsurgery.The indices of inflammation and postoperative conditions were recorded,and the data were analyzed with RStudio 4.3.2 software.RESULTS A total of 60 participants were included.Compared with those in the control group,the C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin 6 and procalcitonin(PCT)levels were significantly lower in the probiotic group at 2 d after surgery(P=2.224e-05,P=0.037,and P=0.002,respectively,all P<0.05).This trend persisted at day 5 post-surgery,with CRP and PCT levels remaining significantly lower in the probiotic group(P=0.001 and P=0.043,both P<0.05).Furthermore,probiotics0.028,both P<0.05).CONCLUSION Postoperative oral administration of probiotics may modulate the gut microbiota,benefit the recovery of the early inflammatory response,and subsequently enhance recovery after appendectomy.

Elaidic acid-induced intestinal barrier damage led to gut-liver axis derangement and triggered NLRP3 inflammasome in the liver of SD rats

Previous studies have shown that trans fatty acids(TFA) are associated with several chronic diseases,the gut microbiota is directly influenced by dietary components and linked to chronic diseases.Our research investigated the effects of elaidic acid(EA),a typical TFA,on the gut microbiota to understand the underlying mechanisms of TFA-related chronic diseases.16S rDNA gene sequencing on faecal samples from Sprague-Dawley rats were performed to explore the composition change of the gut microbiota by EA gavage for 4 weeks.The results showed that the intake of EA increased the abundance of well-documented harmful bacteria,such as Proteobacteria,Anaerotruncus,Oscillibacter and Desulfovibrionaceae.Plus,EA induced translocation of lipopolysaccharides(LPS) and the above pathogenic bacteria,disrupted the intestinal barrier,led to gut-liver axis derangement and TLR4 pathway activation in the liver.Overall,EA induced intestinal barrier damage and regulated TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB/MAPK pathways in the liver of SD rats,leading to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory liver damage.

Dietary supplementation of Macleaya cordata extract and Bacillus in combination improve laying performance by regulating reproductive hormones,intestinal microbiota and barrier function of laying hens

Background:This study aimed to investigate whether the combination of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE)and Bacil-lus could improve the laying performance and health of laying hens better.Methods:A total of 36029-week-old Jingbai laying hens were randomly divided into 4 treatments:control group(basal diet),MCE group(basal diet+MCE),Probiotics Bacillus Compound(PBC)group(basal diet+compound Bacil-lus),MCE+PBC group(basal diet+MCE+compound Bacillus).The feeding experiment lasted for 42 d.Results:The results showed that the laying rate and the average daily egg mass in the MCE+PBC group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05)and better than the MCE and PBC group.Combina-tion of MCE and Bacillus significantly increased the content of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)in the serum and up-regulated the expression of related hormone receptor gene(estrogen receptor-β,FSHR and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor)in the ovary of laying hens(P<0.05).In the MCE+PBC group,the mRNA expressions of zonula occluden-1,Occludin and mucin-2 in jejunum was increased and the intestinal epithelial barrier detected by transmission electron microscopy was enhanced compared with the control group(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the control group,combination of MCE and Bacillus significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity(P<0.05),and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of inflammation-related genes(interleukin-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α)as well as apoptosis-related genes(Caspase 3,Caspase 8 and P53)(P<0.05).The concen-tration of acetic acid and butyric acid in the cecum content of laying hens in the MCE+PBC group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Collectively,dietary supplementation of 600μg/kg MCE and 5×108 CFU/kg compound Bacillus can improve laying performance by improving microbiota to enhance antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier,regulate reproductive hormones and the concentration of cecal short-chain fatty acids of laying hens,and the combined effect of MCE and Bacillus is better than that of single supplementation.

Supplemental N-acyl homoserine lactonase alleviates intestinal disruption and improves gut microbiota in broilers challenged by Salmonella Typhimurium

Background Salmonella Typhimurium challenge causes a huge detriment to chicken production.N-acyl homoserine lactonase(AHLase),a quorum quenching enzyme,potentially inhibits the growth and virulence of Gram-negative bacteria.However,it is unknown whether AHLase can protect chickens against S.Typhimurium challenge.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of AHLase on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers challenged by S.Typhimurium.A total of 240 one-day-old female crossbred broilers(817C)were randomly divided into 5 groups(6 replicates/group):negative control(NC),positive control(PC),and PC group supplemented with 5,10 or 20 U/g AHLase.All birds except those in NC were challenged with S.Typhimurium from 7 to 9 days of age.All parameters related to growth and intestinal health were determined on d 10 and 14.Results The reductions(P<0.05)in body weight(BW)and average daily gain(ADG)in challenged birds were alleviated by AHLase addition especially at 10 U/g.Thus,samples from NC,PC and PC plus 10 U/g AHLase group were selected for further analysis.S.Typhimurium challenge impaired(P<0.05)intestinal morphology,elevated(P<0.05)ileal inflammatory cytokines(IL-1βand IL-8)expression,and increased(P<0.05)serum diamine oxidase(DAO)activity on d 10.However,AHLase addition normalized these changes.Gut microbiota analysis on d 10 showed that AHLase reversed the reductions(P<0.05)in several beneficial bacteria(e.g.Bacilli,Bacillales and Lactobacillales),along with increases(P<0.05)in certain harmful bacteria(e.g.Proteobacteria,Gammaproteobacteria,Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia/Shigel a)in PC group.Furthermore,AHLase-induced increased beneficial bacteria and decreased harmful bacteria were basically negatively correlated(P<0.05)with the reductions of ileal IL-1βand IL-8 expression and serum DAO activity,but positively correlated(P<0.05)with the increased BW and ADG.Functional prediction revealed that AHLase abolished S.Typhimurium-induced upregulations(P<0.05)of certain pathogenicity-related pathways such as lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis,shigellosis,bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and pathogenic Escherichia coli infection of gut microbiota.Conclusions Supplemental AHLase attenuated S.Typhimurium-induced growth retardation and intestinal disruption in broilers,which could be associated with the observed recovery of gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Time-dependent impact of a high-fat diet on the intestinal barrier of male mice

BACKGROUND Excessive saturated fat intake compromises the integrity of the intestinal mucosa,leading to low-grade inflammation,impaired mucosal integrity,and increased intestinal permeability,resulting in the migration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to other tissues.AIM To evaluate the chronic effects(at 10 and 16 wk)of a high-fat diet(HFD)(with 50%energy as fat)on the phylogenetic gut microbiota distribution and intestinal barrier structure and protection in C57BL/6 mice.METHODS Forty adult male mice were divided into four nutritional groups,where the letters refer to the type of diet(control and HFD or HF)and the numbers refer to the period(in weeks)of diet administration:Control diet for 10 wk,HFD for 10 wk,control diet for 16 wk,and HFD for 16 wk.After sacrifice,biochemical,molecular,and stereological analyses were performed.RESULTS The HF groups were overweight,had gut dysbiosis,had a progressive decrease in occludin immunostaining,and had increased LPS concentrations.Dietary progression reduced the number of goblet cells per large intestine area and Mucin2 expression in the HF16 group,consistent with a completely disarranged intestinal ultrastructure after 16 wk of HFD intake.CONCLUSION Chronic HFD intake causes overweight,gut dysbiosis,and morphological and functional alterations of the intestinal barrier after 10 or 16 wk.Time-dependent reductions in goblet cell numerical density and mucus production have emerged as targets for countering obesity-driven intestinal damage.

Traditional Chinese Medicine's Spleen Strengthening and Intestinal Microecology

The"spleen"in traditional Chinese medicine is the"acquired foundation"and the"source of qi and blood biochemistry".Strengthening the"spleen"is one of the important treat‐ment methods in traditional Chinese medicine;The gut microbiota has been a hot topic in modern scientific research in recent years,and its nutritional and immune functions correspond to some of the functions of the spleen in traditional Chinese medicine.In terms of philosophy,traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the balance between the spleen and the gut microbiota,emphasizing the importance of supporting the right and eliminating evil,preventing diseases before they occur,seeking the root cause of treat‐ment,and adapting measures to the three causes;Clinically,the treatment of obesity,con‐stipation,diarrhea and other diseases by invigorating the spleen and the treatment mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion,chiropractic and invigorating the spleen are all related to microecology.This article combines relevant literature on traditional Chinese medicine's"spleen"and"spleen health"to explore the treatment concept,clinical application,and correlation with intestinal microbiota of traditional Chinese medicine's"spleen health".It also elaborates on the latest literature,aiming to exchange ideas with peers and promote research on the microbiota of traditional Chinese medicine's"spleen".

Research Progress on Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Intestinal Flora

In recent years,the World Health Organization has proposed the concept that only intes‐tinal health can lead to longevity.It can be seen that gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining human health,and gut microbiota has become a hot topic in medical research.With the change of Chinese residents'lifestyle,the incidence rate of diabetes is increasing rapidly.Research shows that the incidence of diabetes is closely related to intestinal flora imbalance.Traditional Chinese medicine can reduce blood sugar and improve clinical symptoms by regulating intestinal flora.Based on the theory of tradi‐tional Chinese medicine,this paper discusses the etiology and pathogenesis of intestinal flora imbalance,and provides a theoretical basis for traditional Chinese medicine to regu‐late intestinal flora to prevent and treat diabetes.Intestinal flora is a complex ecosystem,which plays an important role in maintaining human health.The imbalance of intestinal flora may lead to the occurrence of diabetes.The dynamic balance of gut microbiota is closely related to the kidneys,spleen,liver,and lungs.Traditional Chinese medicine monomer and compound can prevent and cure diabetes by regulating intestinal flora.

The protective effects of Levilactobacillus brevis FZU0713 on lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats

Levilactobacillus brevis FZU0713, a potential probiotic previously isolated from the traditional brewing process of Hongqu rice wine, may have the beneficial effects on improving lipid metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo protective effects and possible mechanism of L. brevis FZU0713 on the disturbance of lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats fed a high-fat diet(HFD). Results showed that oral administration of L. brevis FZU0713 could significantly inhibit obesity, ameliorate the lipid metabolism disorder, including serum/liver biochemical parameters and hepatic oxidative stress in HFD-fed rats. Histopathological result also indicated that dietary intervention of L. brevis FZU0713 could reduce the accumulation of lipid droplets in liver induced by 8 weeks HFD feeding. Furthermore, L. brevis FZU0713 intervention significantly increased the fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs, including acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate)in HFD-fed rats, which may be closely related to the changes of intestinal microbial composition and metabolic function. Intestinal microbiota profiling by 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that L. brevis FZU0713 intervention significantly altered the relative abundance of Coprococcus, Butyricicoccus, Intestinimonas, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214 group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 and UCG-014 at genus levels. Based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, serum and liver lipid metabolism related biochemical parameters were positively correlated with genera Ruminococcus, Pediococcus and Lachnospiraceae, but negatively correlated with genera Pseudoflavonifractor, Butyricicoccus and Intestinimonas. Furthermore, liver metabolomics analysis demonstrated that L. brevis FZU0713 had a significant regulatory effect on the composition of liver metabolites in hyperlipidemic rats, especially the levels of some important biomarkers involved in the metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, fructose and mannose metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, etc. Additionally, oral administration of L. brevis FZU0713 significantly regulated the mR NA levels of liver genes(including Acat2, Acox1, Hmgcr, Cd36, Srebp-1c and Cyp7a1)involved in lipid metabolism and bile acid homeostasis. In conclusion, our findings provide the evidence that L. brevis FZU0713 has the potential to improve disturbance of lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal microflora and liver metabonomic profile. Therefore, L. brevis FZU0713 may be used as a potential probiotic strain to produce functional food to prevent hyperlipidemia.

Pien Tze Huang alleviates Concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by regulating intestinal microbiota and memory regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine has used the drug Pien Tze Huang(PTH),a classic prescription,to treat autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).However,the precise mode of action is still unknown.AIM To investigate the mechanism of PTH in an AIH mouse model by determining the changes in gut microbiota structure and memory regulatory T(mTreg)cells functional levels.METHODS Following induction of the AIH mouse model induced by Concanavalin A(Con A),prophylactic administration of PTH was given for 10 d.The levels of mTreg cells were measured by flow cytometry,and intestinal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA analysis,while western blotting was used to identify activation of the toll-like receptor(TLR)2,TLR4/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),and CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathways.RESULTS In the liver of mice with AIH,PTH relieved the pathological damage and reduced the numbers of T helper type 17 cells and interferon-γ,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-2,IL-6,and IL-21 expression.Simultaneously,PTH stimulated the abundance of helpful bacteria,promoted activation of the TLR2 signal,which may enhance Treg/mTreg cells quantity to produce IL-10,and suppressed activation of the TLR4/NF-κB and CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathways.CONCLUSION PTH regulates intestinal microbiota balance and restores mTreg cells to alleviate experimental AIH,which is closely related to the TLR/CXCL16/CXCR6/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Alteration of intestinal microbiota is associated with diabetic retinopathy and its severity:Samples collected from southeast coast Chinese

BACKGROUND Current approaches for the therapy of diabetic retinopathy(DR),which was one of leading causes of visual impairment,have their limitations.Animal experiments revealed that restructuring of intestinal microbiota can prevent retinopathy.AIM To explore the relationship between intestinal microbiota and DR among patients in the southeast coast of China,and provide clues for novel ways to prevention and treatment methods of DR.METHODS The fecal samples of non-diabetics(Group C,n=15)and diabetics(Group DM,n=30),including 15 samples with DR(Group DR)and 15 samples without DR(Group D),were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.Intestinal microbiota compositions were compared between Group C and Group DM,Group DR and Group D,as well as patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)(Group PDR,n=8)and patients without PDR(Group NPDR,n=7).Spearman correlation analyses were performed to explore the associations between intestinal microbiota and clinical indicators.RESULTS The alpha and beta diversity did not differ significantly between Group DR and Group D as well as Group PDR and Group NPDR.At the family level,Fusobacteriaceae,Desulfovibrionaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were significantly increased in Group DR than in Group D(P<0.05,respectively).At the genera level,Fusobacterium,Pseudomonas,and Adlercreutzia were increased in Group DR than Group D while Senegalimassilia was decreased(P<0.05,respectively).Pseudomonas was negatively correlated with NK cell count(r=-0.39,P=0.03).Further,the abundance of genera Eubacterium(P<0.01),Peptococcus,Desulfovibrio,Acetanaerobacterium and Negativibacillus(P<0.05,respectively)were higher in Group PDR compared to Group NPDR,while Pseudomonas,Alloprevotella and Tyzzerella(P<0.05,respectively)were lower.Acetanaerobacterium and Desulfovibrio were positively correlated with fasting insulin(r=0.53 and 0.61,respectively,P<0.05),when Negativibacillus was negatively correlated with B cell count(r=-0.67,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that the alteration of gut microbiota was associated with DR and its severity among patients in the southeast coast of China,probably by multiple mechanisms such as producing short-chain fatty acids,influencing permeability of blood vessels,affecting levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,hypoxia-inducible factor-1,B cell and insulin.Modulating gut microbiota composition might be a novel strategy for prevention of DR,particularly PDR in population above.