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15 pages, 3935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metagenomic Shotgun Sequencing Reveals Specific Human Gut Microbiota Associated with Insulin Resistance and Body Fat Distribution in Saudi Women

by Ghadeer S. Aljuraiban, Mohammad A. Alfhili, Madhawi M. Aldhwayan, Esra’a A. Aljazairy and Sara Al-Musharaf

Biomolecules 2023, 13(4), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13040640 - 2 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2591

Abstract

(1) Background: Gut microbiota dysbiosis may lead to diseases such as insulin resistance and obesity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance, body fat distribution, and gut microbiota composition. (2) Methods: The present study included 92 Saudi women (18–25 years) with [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Gut microbiota dysbiosis may lead to diseases such as insulin resistance and obesity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance, body fat distribution, and gut microbiota composition. (2) Methods: The present study included 92 Saudi women (18–25 years) with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², n = 44) and with normal weight (BMI 18.50–24.99 kg/m², n = 48). Body composition indices, biochemical data, and stool samples were collected. The whole-genome shotgun sequencing technique was used to analyze the gut microbiota. Participants were divided into subgroups stratified by the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and other adiposity indices. (3) Results: HOMA-IR was inversely correlated with Actinobacteria (r = −0.31, p = 0.003), fasting blood glucose was inversely correlated with Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense (r = −0.22, p = 0.03), and insulin was inversely correlated with Bifidobacterium adolescentis (r = −0.22, p = 0.04). There were significant differences in α- and β-diversities in those with high HOMA-IR and waist–hip ratio (WHR) compared to low HOMA-IR and WHR (p = 0.02, 0.03, respectively). (4) Conclusions: Our findings highlight the relationship between specific gut microbiota at different taxonomic levels and measures of glycemic control in Saudi Arabian women. Future studies are required to determine the role of the identified strains in the development of insulin resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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17 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gut Micro- and Mycobiota in Preeclampsia: Bacterial Composition Differences Suggest Role in Pathophysiology

by Sofie Meijer, Elena Pasquinelli, Sonia Renzi, Shahram Lavasani, Mehrnaz Nouri, Lena Erlandsson, Duccio Cavalieri and Stefan R. Hansson

Biomolecules 2023, 13(2), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13020346 - 10 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2362

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy-related inflammatory disease without an effective treatment. The pathophysiology remains partly unknown. However, an increased inflammatory response and oxidative stress are part of the maternal systemic reaction. Recent data have suggested that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome plays a [...] Read more.

Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy-related inflammatory disease without an effective treatment. The pathophysiology remains partly unknown. However, an increased inflammatory response and oxidative stress are part of the maternal systemic reaction. Recent data have suggested that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome plays a role in preeclampsia as well as other inflammatory diseases. However, dysbiosis in preeclampsia has not been studied in a Scandinavian population. Furthermore, although the fungal flora may also have anti-inflammatory properties, it has never been studied in preeclampsia. We included 25 preeclamptic and 29 healthy third-trimester women for the ITS and 16S sequencing of fungal and bacterial microbiota, respectively. Calprotectin was measured to assess systemic and intestinal inflammatory responses. The fungal diversity differed with BMI and gestational length, suggesting a link between fungi and the immune changes seen in pregnancy. An LEfSe analysis showed 18 significantly differentially abundant bacterial taxa in PE, including enriched Bacteroidetes and depleted Verrucomicrobia and Syntergistota at the phylum level and depleted Akkermansia at the genus level, suggesting a role in the pathophysiology of PE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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23 pages, 9798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Biometric Patient Data, Probiotic Supplementation, and Selected Gut Microorganisms on Calprotectin, Zonulin, and sIgA Concentrations in the Stool of Adults Aged 18–74 Years

by Magdalena Jendraszak, Mirosława Gałęcka, Małgorzata Kotwicka, Andreas Schwiertz, Aleksandra Regdos, Michalina Pazgrat-Patan and Mirosław Andrusiewicz

Biomolecules 2022, 12(12), 1781; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12121781 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2586

Abstract

Alterations to the intestinal barrier may be involved in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases. The diagnosis of mucosal barrier disruption has become a new therapeutic target for disease prevention. The aim of this study was to determine whether various patient demographic and [...] Read more.

Alterations to the intestinal barrier may be involved in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases. The diagnosis of mucosal barrier disruption has become a new therapeutic target for disease prevention. The aim of this study was to determine whether various patient demographic and biometric data, often not included in diagnostic analyses, may affect calprotectin, zonulin, and sIgA biomarker values. Stool markers’ levels in 160 samples were measured colorimetrically. The analysis of twenty key bacteria (15 genera and 5 species) was carried out on the basis of diagnostic tests, including cultures and molecular tests. The concentrations of selected markers were within reference ranges for most patients. The sIgA level was significantly lower in participants declaring probiotics supplementation (p = 0.0464). We did not observe differences in gastrointestinal discomfort in participants. We found significant differences in the sIgA level between the 29–55 years and >55 years age-related intervals groups (p = 0.0191), together with a significant decreasing trend (p = 0.0337) in age-dependent sIgA concentration. We observed complex interdependencies and relationships between their microbiota and the analyzed biomarkers. For correct clinical application, standardized values of calprotectin and sIgA should be determined, especially in elderly patients. We observed a correlation between the composition of the gut community and biomarker levels, although it requires further in-depth analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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Review

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14 pages, 965 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pro-Inflammatory Food, Gut Microbiota, and Cardiovascular and Pancreatic Diseases

by Bing Chen, Shriraj Patel, Lingyu Bao, Danial Nadeem and Chayakrit Krittanawong

Biomolecules 2024, 14(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14020210 - 10 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2541

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that a pro-inflammatory diet and dysbiosis, especially a high level of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), are associated with various adverse health conditions. Cardiovascular diseases and pancreatic diseases are two major morbidities in the modern world. Through this narrative review, we aimed [...] Read more.

Recent studies have shown that a pro-inflammatory diet and dysbiosis, especially a high level of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), are associated with various adverse health conditions. Cardiovascular diseases and pancreatic diseases are two major morbidities in the modern world. Through this narrative review, we aimed to summarize the association between a pro-inflammatory diet, gut microbiota, and cardiovascular and pancreatic diseases, along with their underlying mechanisms. Our review revealed that TMAO is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases by promoting platelet aggregation, atherosclerotic plaque formation, and vascular inflammation. TMAO is also associated with the development of acute pancreatitis. The pro-inflammatory diet is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer and cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms that include increasing TMAO levels, activating the lipopolysaccharides cascade, and the direct pro-inflammatory effect of certain nutrients. Meanwhile, an anti-inflammatory diet decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and pancreatic cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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22 pages, 2568 KiB

Open AccessReview

Synergistic Effect of Retinoic Acid and Lactoferrin in the Maintenance of Gut Homeostasis

by Ma. Concepción Peña-Juárez, Omar Rodrigo Guadarrama-Escobar, Pablo Serrano-Castañeda, Abraham Méndez-Albores, Alma Vázquez-Durán, Ricardo Vera-Graziano, Betsabé Rodríguez-Pérez, Mariana Salgado-Machuca, Ericka Anguiano-Almazán, Miriam Isabel Morales-Florido, Isabel Marlene Rodríguez-Cruz and José Juan Escobar-Chávez

Biomolecules 2024, 14(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010078 - 8 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3015

Abstract

Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein that binds to iron ions (Fe²⁺) and other metallic ions, such as Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺, and has antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The antibacterial properties of LF are due to [...] Read more.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein that binds to iron ions (Fe²⁺) and other metallic ions, such as Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺, and has antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The antibacterial properties of LF are due to its ability to sequester iron. The immunomodulatory capability of LF promotes homeostasis in the enteric environment, acting directly on the beneficial microbiota. LF can modulate antigen-presenting cell (APC) biology, including migration and cell activation. Nonetheless, some gut microbiota strains produce toxic metabolites, and APCs are responsible for initiating the process that inhibits the inflammatory response against them. Thus, eliminating harmful strains lowers the risk of inducing chronic inflammation, and consequently, metabolic disease, which can progress to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). LF and retinoic acid (RA) exhibit immunomodulatory properties such as decreasing cytokine production, thus modifying the inflammatory response. Their activities have been observed both in vitro and in vivo. The combined, simultaneous effect of these molecules has not been studied; however, the synergistic effect of LF and RA may be employed for enhancing the secretion of humoral factors, such as IgA. We speculate that the combination of LF and RA could be a potential prophylactic alternative for the treatment of metabolic dysregulations such as T2DM. The present review focuses on the importance of a healthy diet for a balanced gut and describes how probiotics and prebiotics with immunomodulatory activity as well as inductors of differentiation and cell proliferation could be acquired directly from the diet or indirectly through the oral administration of formulations aimed to maintain gut health or restore a eubiotic state in an intestinal environment that has been dysregulated by external factors such as stress and a high-fat diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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21 pages, 833 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prebiotics Progress Shifts in the Intestinal Microbiome That Benefits Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

by Luis Vitetta, Nick N. Gorgani, Gemma Vitetta and Jeremy D. Henson

Biomolecules 2023, 13(9), 1307; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13091307 - 25 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2807

Abstract

Hypoglycemic medications that could be co-administered with prebiotics and functional foods can potentially reduce the burden of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The efficacy of drugs such as metformin and sulfonylureas can be enhanced by the activity of the [...] Read more.

Hypoglycemic medications that could be co-administered with prebiotics and functional foods can potentially reduce the burden of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The efficacy of drugs such as metformin and sulfonylureas can be enhanced by the activity of the intestinal microbiome elaborated metabolites. Functional foods such as prebiotics (e.g., oligofructose) and dietary fibers can treat a dysbiotic gut microbiome by enhancing the diversity of microbial niches in the gut. These beneficial shifts in intestinal microbiome profiles include an increased abundance of bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prauznitzii, Akkermancia muciniphila, Roseburia species, and Bifidobacterium species. An important net effect is an increase in the levels of luminal SCFAs (e.g., butyrate) that provide energy carbon sources for the intestinal microbiome in cross-feeding activities, with concomitant improvement in intestinal dysbiosis with attenuation of inflammatory sequalae and improved intestinal gut barrier integrity, which alleviates the morbidity of T2DM. Oligosaccharides administered adjunctively with pharmacotherapy to ameliorate T2DM represent current plausible treatment modalities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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19 pages, 2546 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

by Yuan Dang, Chunxiang Ma, Kexin Chen, Yiding Chen, Mingshan Jiang, Kehan Hu, Lili Li, Zhen Zeng and Hu Zhang

Biomolecules 2023, 13(6), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13060905 - 30 May 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4181

Abstract

The interactions among diet, intestinal immunity, and microbiota are complex and play contradictory roles in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An increasing number of studies has shed light on this field. The intestinal immune balance is disrupted by a high-fat diet (HFD) in several [...] Read more.

The interactions among diet, intestinal immunity, and microbiota are complex and play contradictory roles in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An increasing number of studies has shed light on this field. The intestinal immune balance is disrupted by a high-fat diet (HFD) in several ways, such as impairing the intestinal barrier, influencing immune cells, and altering the gut microbiota. In contrast, a rational diet is thought to maintain intestinal immunity by regulating gut microbiota. In this review, we emphasize the crucial contributions made by an HFD to the gut immune system and microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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17 pages, 1495 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dietary Capsaicin: A Spicy Way to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Health?

by Arpad Szallasi

Biomolecules 2022, 12(12), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12121783 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 8952

Abstract

Today’s sedentary lifestyle with too much food and too little exercise has made metabolic syndrome a pandemic. Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. New knowledge of medical and nutraceutical intervention in the early stages of metabolic [...] Read more.

Today’s sedentary lifestyle with too much food and too little exercise has made metabolic syndrome a pandemic. Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. New knowledge of medical and nutraceutical intervention in the early stages of metabolic syndrome is central to prevent these deadly complications. People who eat chili pepper on a regular basis seem to stay healthier and live longer than those who do not. Animal experiments suggest a therapeutic potential for dietary capsaicin, the active principle in hot chili pepper, to reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. This is an attractive theory since capsaicin has been a culinary staple for thousands of years, and is generally deemed safe when consumed in hedonically acceptable doses. The broad expression of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1 in metabolically active tissues lends experimental support to this theory. This review critically evaluates the available experimental and clinical evidence for and against dietary capsaicin being an effective dietary means to improve cardio-metabolic health. It comes to the conclusion that although a chili pepper-rich diet is associated with a reduced risk of dying due to cardiovascular disease, dietary capsaicin has no clear effect on blood glucose or lipid profiles. Therefore, the reduced mortality risk may reflect the beneficial action of digested capsaicin on gut microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Gut Microbiome and Diet in Health and Diseases)

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