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Microorganisms
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Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases
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Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Gut Microbiota".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2023) | Viewed by 22932

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yunhe Fu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
Interests: gut microbiome; inflammatory disease; mastitis; probiotic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Over the years, it has been found that the gut microbiota is not only critical for gastrointestinal health, but also involved in a variety of disease processes, including metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, tumors and inflammatory diseases. In this Research Topic, we aim to explore the potential roles of gut microbiota and its metabolites in host diseases and the treatments that target gut microbiota for inflammatory diseases.

We encourage the exploration of the relationship between gut microbiota and host diseases, as well as the treatment of diseases that target the gut microbiota. Both original research and review articles are welcomed here, including but not limited to, the following research topics:

  • Correlation analysis of gut microbiota composition and host diseases;
  • Mechanisms of gut microbiota affecting the development of host diseases;
  • Prevention and diagnosis of host diseases based on gut microbiota;
  • Probiotics, synbiotics, herbal medicines and other therapies that target the gut microbiota for host diseases.

Prof. Dr. Yunhe Fu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gut microbiome
  • host disease
  • probiotics
  • herbal medicines
  • inflammation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

16 pages, 13344 KiB  
Article
Impact of Donepezil Supplementation on Alzheimer’s Disease-like Pathology and Gut Microbiome in APP/PS1 Mice
by Yuan Li, Mengyao Wu, Mengmeng Kong, Shaomei Sui, Qi Wang, Yan He and Jinsong Gu
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2306; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092306 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1481
Abstract
Based on published information, the occurrence and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are potentially related to gut microbiota changes. Donepezil hydrochloride (DH), which enhances cholinergic activity by blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE), is one of the first-line drugs for AD treatment approved by the Food [...] Read more.
Based on published information, the occurrence and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are potentially related to gut microbiota changes. Donepezil hydrochloride (DH), which enhances cholinergic activity by blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE), is one of the first-line drugs for AD treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA. However, the potential link between the effects of DH on the pathophysiological processes of AD and the gut microbiota remains unclear. In this study, pathological changes in the brain and colon, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and AChE, and changes in intestinal flora were observed. The results showed that Aβ deposition in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of AD mice was significantly decreased, while colonic inflammation was significantly alleviated by DH treatment. Concomitantly, SOD activity was significantly improved, while AChE was significantly reduced after DH administration. In addition, the gut microbiota community composition of AD mice was significantly altered after DH treatment. The relative abundance of Akkermansia in the AD group was 54.8% higher than that in the N group. The relative abundance of Akkermansia was increased by 18.3% and 53.8% in the AD_G group and the N_G group, respectively. Interestingly, Akkermansia showed a potential predictive value and might be a biomarker for AD. Molecular docking revealed the binding mode and major forces between DH and membrane proteins of Akkermansia. The overall results suggest a novel therapeutic mechanism for treating AD and highlight the critical role of gut microbiota in AD pathology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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15 pages, 1126 KiB  
Article
Maternal Psychosocial Stress Is Associated with Reduced Diversity in the Early Infant Gut Microbiome
by Christopher L. Dutton, Felicien Masanga Maisha, Edward B. Quinn, Katherine Liceth Morales, Julie M. Moore and Connie J. Mulligan
Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040975 - 8 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3915
Abstract
The developing infant gut microbiome is highly sensitive to environmental exposures, enabling its evolution into an organ that supports the immune system, confers protection from infection, and facilitates optimal gut and central nervous system function. In this study, we focus on the impact [...] Read more.
The developing infant gut microbiome is highly sensitive to environmental exposures, enabling its evolution into an organ that supports the immune system, confers protection from infection, and facilitates optimal gut and central nervous system function. In this study, we focus on the impact of maternal psychosocial stress on the infant gut microbiome. Forty-seven mother–infant dyads were recruited at the HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Extensive medical, demographic, and psychosocial stress data were collected at birth, and infant stool samples were collected at six weeks, three months, and six months. A composite maternal psychosocial stress score was created, based on eight questionnaires to capture a diverse range of stress exposures. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences were generated. Infants of mothers with high composite stress scores showed lower levels of gut microbiome beta diversity at six weeks and three months, as well as higher levels of alpha diversity at six months compared to infants of low stress mothers. Longitudinal analyses showed that infants of high stress mothers had lower levels of health-promoting Lactobacillus gasseri and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum at six weeks compared to infants of low stress mothers, but the differences largely disappeared by three to six months. Previous research has shown that L. gasseri can be used as a probiotic to reduce inflammation, stress, and fatigue, as well as to improve mental state, while B. pseudocatenulatum is important in modulating the gut–brain axis in early development and in preventing mood disorders. Our finding of reduced levels of these health-promoting bacteria in infants of high stress mothers suggests that the infant gut microbiome may help mediate the effect of maternal stress on infant health and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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19 pages, 2571 KiB  
Article
Alteration of Community Metabolism by Prebiotics and Medicinal Herbs
by Christine Tara Peterson, Josué Pérez-Santiago, Stanislav N. Iablokov, Dmitry A. Rodionov and Scott N. Peterson
Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040868 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
Several studies have examined the impact of prebiotics on gut microbiota and associated changes in host physiology. Here, we used the in vitro cultivation of human fecal samples stimulated with a series of chemically related prebiotics and medicinal herbs commonly used in Ayurvedic [...] Read more.
Several studies have examined the impact of prebiotics on gut microbiota and associated changes in host physiology. Here, we used the in vitro cultivation of human fecal samples stimulated with a series of chemically related prebiotics and medicinal herbs commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, followed by 16S rRNA sequencing. We applied a genome-wide metabolic reconstruction of enumerated communities to compare and contrast the structural and functional impact of prebiotics and medicinal herbs. In doings so, we examined the relationships between discrete variations in sugar composition and sugar linkages associated with each prebiotic to drive changes in microbiota composition. The restructuring of microbial communities with glycan substrates alters community metabolism and its potential impact on host physiology. We analyzed sugar fermentation pathways and products predicted to be formed and prebiotic-induced changes in vitamin and amino acid biosynthesis and degradation. These results highlight the utility of combining a genome-wide metabolic reconstruction methodology with 16S rRNA sequence-based community profiles to provide insights pertaining to community metabolism. This process also provides a rational means for prioritizing in vivo analysis of prebiotics and medicinal herbs in vivo to test hypotheses related to therapeutic potential in specific diseases of interest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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13 pages, 865 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Paraskevas Gkolfakis, Georgios Tziatzios, Gabriela Leite, Ioannis S. Papanikolaou, Elias Xirouchakis, Ioannis G. Panayiotides, Athanasios Karageorgos, Maria Jesus Millan, Ruchi Mathur, Stacy Weitsman, George D. Dimitriadis, Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Mark Pimentel and Konstantinos Triantafyllou
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030723 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2543
Abstract
Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial, wide-spectrum liver disorder. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by an increase in the number and/or type of colonic bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract. SIBO, through energy salvage and induction of inflammation, [...] Read more.
Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial, wide-spectrum liver disorder. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by an increase in the number and/or type of colonic bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract. SIBO, through energy salvage and induction of inflammation, may be a pathophysiological factor for NAFLD development and progression. Aim/Methods: Consecutive patients with histological, biochemical, or radiological diagnosis of any stage of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver [NAFL], non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], cirrhosis) underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Duodenal fluid (2cc) was aspirated from the 3rd–4th part of duodenum into sterile containers. SIBO was defined as ≥103 aerobic colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of duodenal aspirate and/or the presence of colonic-type bacteria. Patients without any liver disease undergoing gastroscopy due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) comprised the healthy control (HC) group. Concentrations (pg/mL) of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were also measured in the duodenal fluid. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO in NAFLD patients, while the comparison of SIBO prevalence among NAFLD patients and healthy controls was a secondary endpoint. Results: We enrolled 125 patients (51 NAFL, 27 NASH, 17 cirrhosis, and 30 HC) aged 54 ± 11.9 years and with a weight of 88.3 ± 19.6 kg (NAFLD vs. HC 90.7 ± 19.1 vs. 80.8 ± 19.6 kg, p = 0.02). Overall, SIBO was diagnosed in 23/125 (18.4%) patients, with Gram-negative bacteria being the predominant species (19/23; 82.6%). SIBO prevalence was higher in the NAFLD cohort compared to HC (22/95; 23.2% vs. 1/30; 3.3%, p = 0.014). Patients with NASH had higher SIBO prevalence (6/27; 22.2%) compared to NAFL individuals (8/51; 15.7%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11). Patients with NASH-associated cirrhosis had a higher SIBO prevalence compared to patients with NAFL (8/17; 47.1% vs. 8/51; 15.7%, p = 0.02), while SIBO prevalence between patients with NASH-associated cirrhosis and NASH was not statistically different (8/17; 47.1% vs. 6/27; 22.2%, p = 0.11). Mean concentration of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 did not differ among the different groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of SIBO is significantly higher in a cohort of patients with NAFLD compared to healthy controls. Moreover, SIBO is more prevalent in patients with NASH-associated cirrhosis compared to patients with NAFL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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10 pages, 1535 KiB  
Article
A Simple Assay to Assess Salmonella Typhimurium Impact on Performance and Immune Status of Growing Pigs after Different Inoculation Doses
by Graziela Alves da Cunha Valini, Pedro Righetti Arnaut, Larissa Gonçalves Barbosa, Paulo Henrique Amadeu de Azevedo, Antonio Diego Brandão Melo, Danilo Alves Marçal, Paulo Henrique Reis Furtado Campos and Luciano Hauschild
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020446 - 10 Feb 2023
Viewed by 2008
Abstract
Salmonella Typhimurium is the most frequent serovar in pigs and causes infections in humans. However, the dosage used for experimentation is not well defined. The present study aimed to evaluate a dosage for oral inoculation with Salmonella Typhimurium to assess immunological and growth [...] Read more.
Salmonella Typhimurium is the most frequent serovar in pigs and causes infections in humans. However, the dosage used for experimentation is not well defined. The present study aimed to evaluate a dosage for oral inoculation with Salmonella Typhimurium to assess immunological and growth performance alterations in pigs. Gilts were randomly allocated into one of three experimental treatments: no Salmonella Typhimurium inoculation (Basal), or oral inoculation of 1 × 108 or 1.5 × 108 colony-forming units of Salmonella Typhimurium. Growth rate, rectal temperature, and fecal Salmonella shedding were recorded. Blood samples were taken. Inoculated pigs shed the bacteria for up to 7 days, but no differences were observed between the groups. No differences were observed in rectal temperature, body weight, or average daily feed intake. However, reductions in average daily gain (−17 and −22%) and feed efficiency (−14 and −20%) were observed in pigs inoculated with 1 × 108 and 1.5 × 108 colony-forming units, respectively. The hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations increased in challenged pigs compared to Basal pigs. The oral dosage of 1.5 × 108 colony-forming units of Salmonella Typhimurium is suitable for activating the immune system of pigs and assessing the impact of Salmonella on pig performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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Review

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16 pages, 1379 KiB  
Review
Gut Microbiome Transplants and Their Health Impacts across Species
by Benjamin H. Levine and Jessica M. Hoffman
Microorganisms 2023, 11(6), 1488; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061488 - 3 Jun 2023
Viewed by 2325
Abstract
The human gut, required for ingesting and processing food, extracting nutrients, and excreting waste, is made up of not just human tissue but also trillions of microbes that are responsible for many health-promoting functions. However, this gut microbiome is also associated with multiple [...] Read more.
The human gut, required for ingesting and processing food, extracting nutrients, and excreting waste, is made up of not just human tissue but also trillions of microbes that are responsible for many health-promoting functions. However, this gut microbiome is also associated with multiple diseases and negative health outcomes, many of which do not have a cure or treatment. One potential mechanism to alleviate these negative health effects caused by the microbiome is the use of microbiome transplants. Here, we briefly review the gut’s functional relationships in laboratory model systems and humans, with a focus on the different diseases they directly affect. We then provide an overview of the history of microbiome transplants and their use in multiple diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, as well as Clostridioides difficile infections, and irritable bowel syndrome. We finally provide insights into areas of research in which microbiome transplant research is lacking, but that simultaneously may provide significant health improvements, including age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

11 pages, 1114 KiB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplant on Behavioral and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Pediatric Autism: A Systematic Review
by Zahra Dossaji, Adam Khattak, Kyaw Min Tun, Mark Hsu, Kavita Batra and Annie S. Hong
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030806 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5233
Abstract
Background and Aims: There is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal-related (GI) symptoms among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is associated with the severity of behavioral symptoms. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a proposed therapeutic strategy that aims to address the dysregulation [...] Read more.
Background and Aims: There is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal-related (GI) symptoms among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is associated with the severity of behavioral symptoms. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a proposed therapeutic strategy that aims to address the dysregulation of the gut microbiome among children with ASD. Our study performed the first systematic review aimed to evaluate the benefits of FMT on the behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms of pediatric patients with autism. Methods: A literature search was performed using variations of the keywords “pediatrics” and “fecal microbiota transplantation” in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science from inception to 30 June 2022. Four studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in the systematic review. The efficacy of FMT on behavioral symptoms was measured by the difference in Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Child Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores before and after FMT. Results: We found a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in ABC and CARS scores following FMT, with a statistically significant decrease in scores observed across all studies. In addition, substantial improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms were observed across all studies. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that FMT may offer a promising intervention for treating both behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients with autism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Host Diseases)
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