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12 pages, 1331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthocyanin-Rich Extract Mitigates the Contribution of the Pathobiont Genus Haemophilus in Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis Patients

by Yannik Zobrist, Michael Doulberis, Luc Biedermann, Gabriel E. Leventhal and Gerhard Rogler

Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2376; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112376 - 20 Nov 2024

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Abstract

Anthocyanins (ACs) have been shown to elicit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in animal models of ulcerative colitis (UC). Furthermore, we previously observed in a double-blind randomized trial in UC patients that biochemical disease activity tended to be lower in patients that were exposed [...] Read more.

Anthocyanins (ACs) have been shown to elicit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in animal models of ulcerative colitis (UC). Furthermore, we previously observed in a double-blind randomized trial in UC patients that biochemical disease activity tended to be lower in patients that were exposed to AC. Here, we report on the changes in the fecal microbiome composition in these patients upon AC exposure. UC patients received a 3 g daily dose of an AC-rich bilberry extract (ACRE) for eight weeks. We determined the microbiome composition in longitudinal stool samples from 24 patients and quantified the degree of change over time. We also correlated the relative abundances of individual microbial taxa at different timepoints to fecal concentrations of calprotectin, a proxy for inflammation. Microbiome composition did not change over time as a result of the intervention, in terms of both alpha and beta diversity. However, before the intervention, the abundance of Haemophilus parainfluenzae was positively correlated with fecal calprotectin concentrations, and this correlation persisted in placebo-treated subjects throughout the study. In contrast, the correlation between H. parainfluenzae and calprotectin vanished in ACRE-treated subjects, while the relative abundance of H. parainfluenzae did not change. Our results suggest that ACRE treatment mitigates the contribution of H. parainfluenzae to inflammation. Further research is warranted to better comprehend the role of microbial composition in response to medical therapy including AC-rich extract in UC patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metataxonomic and Immunological Analysis of Feces from Children with or without Phelan–McDermid Syndrome

by Claudio Alba, Carmen Herranz, Miguel A. Monroy, Alberto Aragón, Rubén Jurado, David Díaz-Regañón, César Sánchez, Mar Tolín, Carmen Miranda, Bárbara Gómez-Taylor, Francisca Sempere, Guillermo Álvarez-Calatayud and Juan M. Rodríguez

Microorganisms 2024, 12(10), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12102006 - 2 Oct 2024

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Abstract

Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behaviors. Emerging research suggests a link between gut microbiota and neuropsychiatric conditions, including PMS. This study aimed to investigate the fecal microbiota and immune profiles of [...] Read more.

Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behaviors. Emerging research suggests a link between gut microbiota and neuropsychiatric conditions, including PMS. This study aimed to investigate the fecal microbiota and immune profiles of children with PMS compared to healthy controls. Fecal samples were collected from children diagnosed with PMS and age-matched healthy controls. The bacterial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were quantified through gas chromatography. Immunological profiling was conducted using a multiplex cytokine assay. Significant differences were observed in the gut microbiota composition between PMS patients and controls, including a lower abundance of key bacterial genera such as Faecalibacterium and Agathobacter in PMS patients. SCFA levels were also reduced in PMS patients. Immunological analysis revealed higher levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the PMS group, although these differences were not statistically significant. The findings indicate that children with PMS have distinct gut microbiota and SCFA profiles, which may contribute to the gastrointestinal and neurodevelopmental symptoms observed in this syndrome. These results suggest potential avenues for microbiota-targeted therapies in PMS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 1292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Aspirin Intervention on Inflammation-Associated Lingual Bacteria: A Pilot Study from a Randomized Clinical Trial

by Guillaume C. Onyeaghala, Shweta Sharma, Mosunmoluwa Oyenuga, Christopher M. Staley, Ginger L. Milne, Ryan T. Demmer, Aasma Shaukat, Bharat Thyagarajan, Robert J. Straka, Timothy R. Church and Anna E. Prizment

Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081609 - 7 Aug 2024

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Abstract

Several bacterial taxa enriched in inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer (CRC) are found in the oral cavity. We conducted a pilot study nested within a six-week aspirin intervention in a randomized placebo-controlled trial to test their response to aspirin intervention. Fifty healthy [...] Read more.

Several bacterial taxa enriched in inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer (CRC) are found in the oral cavity. We conducted a pilot study nested within a six-week aspirin intervention in a randomized placebo-controlled trial to test their response to aspirin intervention. Fifty healthy subjects, 50–75 years old, were randomized to receive 325 mg aspirin (n = 30) or placebo (n = 20) orally once daily for six weeks. Oral tongue swabs were collected at baseline and week six. We estimated the association between aspirin use and the temporal changes in the relative abundance of pre-specified genus level taxa from pre- to post-treatment. The temporal change in relative abundance differed for eight genus level taxa between the aspirin and placebo groups. In the aspirin group, there were significant increases in the relative abundances of Neisseria, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, and Rothia and significant decreases in Prevotella, Veillonella, Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas relative to placebo. The log ratio of Neisseria to Fusobacterium declined more in the aspirin group than placebo, signaling a potential marker associated with aspirin intervention. These preliminary findings should be validated using metagenomic sequencing and may guide future studies on the role of aspirin on taxa in various oral ecological niches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 5458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiomes in Laboratory Chinchillas, Ferrets, and Marmots: Implications for Pathogen Infection Research

by Jindan Guo, Weixiong Shi, Xue Li, Bochao Yang, Chuan Qin and Lei Su

Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040646 - 24 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1556

Abstract

Gut microbes play a vital role in the health and disease of animals, especially in relation to pathogen infections. Chinchillas, ferrets, and marmots are commonly used as important laboratory animals for infectious disease research. Here, we studied the bacterial and fungal microbiota and [...] Read more.

Gut microbes play a vital role in the health and disease of animals, especially in relation to pathogen infections. Chinchillas, ferrets, and marmots are commonly used as important laboratory animals for infectious disease research. Here, we studied the bacterial and fungal microbiota and discovered that chinchillas had higher alpha diversity and a higher abundance of bacteria compared to marmots and ferrets by using the metabarcoding of 16S rRNA genes and ITS2, coupled with co-occurrence network analysis. The dominant microbes varied significantly among the three animal species, particularly in the gut mycobiota. In the ferrets, the feces were dominated by yeast such as Rhodotorula and Kurtzmaniella, while in the chinchillas, we found Teunomyces and Penicillium dominating, and Acaulium, Piromyces, and Kernia in the marmots. Nevertheless, the dominant bacterial genera shared some similarities, such as Clostridium and Pseudomonas across the three animal species. However, there were significant differences observed, such as Vagococcus and Ignatzschineria in the ferrets, Acinetobacter and Bacteroides in the chinchillas, and Bacteroides and Cellvibrio in the marmots. Additionally, our differential analysis revealed significant differences in classification levels among the three different animal species, as well as variations in feeding habitats that resulted in distinct contributions from the host microbiome. Therefore, our data are valuable for monitoring and evaluating the impacts of the microbiome, as well as considering potential applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 4875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Multi-Strain E3 Probiotic Formula Improved the Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Chinese Psoriasis Patients

by Pui Ling Kella Siu, Chi Tung Choy, Helen Hoi Yin Chan, Ross Ka Kit Leung, Un Kei Chan, Junwei Zhou, Chi Ho Wong, Yuk Wai Lee, Ho Wang Chan, Claudia Jun Yi Lo, Joseph Chi Ching Tsui, Steven King Fan Loo and Stephen Kwok Wing Tsui

Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010208 - 19 Jan 2024

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Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the skin and other systems. Gastrointestinal disease was found to be correlated with psoriasis in previous studies and it can significantly affect the quality of life of psoriasis patients. Despite the importance of the gut [...] Read more.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the skin and other systems. Gastrointestinal disease was found to be correlated with psoriasis in previous studies and it can significantly affect the quality of life of psoriasis patients. Despite the importance of the gut microbiome in gut and skin health having already been demonstrated in many research studies, the potential effect of probiotics on GI comorbidities in psoriasis patients is unclear. To investigate the effects of probiotics on functional GI comorbidities including irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and functional diarrhea in psoriasis patients, we conducted a targeted 16S rRNA sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatic analysis among southern Chinese patients to compare the gut microbiome profiles of 45 psoriasis patients over an 8-week course of novel oral probiotics. All the participants were stratified into responders and non-responders according to their improvement in GI comorbidities, which were based on their Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) scores after intervention. The Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) score revealed a significant improvement in quality of life within the responder group (DLQI: mean 10.4 at week 0 vs. mean 15.9 at week 8, p = 0.0366). The proportion of psoriasis patients without GI comorbidity manifestation at week 8 was significantly higher than that at week 0 (week 0: Normal 53.33%, Constipation/Diarrhea 46.67%; week 8: Normal 75.56%, Constipation/Diarrhea 24.44%, p = 0.0467). In addition, a significant difference in the gut microbiome composition between the responders and non-responders was observed according to alpha and beta diversities. Differential abundance analysis revealed that the psoriasis patients exhibited (1) an elevated relative abundance of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Ruminococcus bromii and (2) a reduced relative abundance of Oscillibacter, Bacteroides vulgatus, Escherichia sp., and Biophila wadsworthia after the 8-week intervention. The responders also exhibited a higher relative abundance of Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans when compared to the non-responders. In summary, our study discovers the potential clinical improvement effects of the novel probiotic formula in improving GI comorbidities and quality of life in psoriasis patients. We also revealed the different gut microbiome composition as well as the gut microbial signatures in the patients who responded to probiotics. These findings could provide insight into the use of probiotics in the management of psoriasis symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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12 pages, 1395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Related Metabolites following PCSK9 Inhibition in Statin-Treated Patients with Elevated Levels of Lipoprotein(a)

by Jose A. Caparrós-Martín, Patrice Maher, Natalie C. Ward, Montserrat Saladié, Patricia Agudelo-Romero, Stephen M. Stick, Dick C. Chan, Gerald F. Watts and Fergal O’Gara

Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010170 - 15 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1979

Abstract

Background. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of global mortality, often associated with high blood levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-c). Medications like statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, are used to manage LDL-c levels and reduce ASCVD risk. Recent findings connect the gut [...] Read more.

Background. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of global mortality, often associated with high blood levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-c). Medications like statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, are used to manage LDL-c levels and reduce ASCVD risk. Recent findings connect the gut microbiota and its metabolites to ASCVD development. We showed that statins modulate the gut microbiota including the production of microbial metabolites involved in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs). Whether this pleiotropic effect of statins is associated with their antimicrobial properties or it is secondary to the modulation of cholesterol metabolism in the host is unknown. In this observational study, we evaluated whether alirocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor administered subcutaneously, alters the stool-associated microbiota and the profiles of SCFAs and BAs. Methods. We used stool and plasma collected from patients enrolled in a single-sequence study using alirocumab. Microbial DNA was extracted from stool, and the bacterial component of the gut microbiota profiled following an amplicon sequencing strategy targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bile acids and SCFAs were profiled and quantified in stool and plasma using mass spectrometry. Results. Treatment with alirocumab did not alter bacterial alpha (Shannon index, p = 0.74) or beta diversity (PERMANOVA, p = 0.89) in feces. Similarly, circulating levels of SCFAs (mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI)), 8.12 [−7.15–23.36] µM, p = 0.25) and BAs (mean difference (95% CI), 0.04 [−0.11–0.19] log10(nmol mg⁻¹ feces), p = 0.56) were equivalent regardless of PCSK9 inhibition. Alirocumab therapy was associated with increased concentration of BAs in feces (mean difference (95% CI), 0.20 [0.05–0.34] log10(nmol mg⁻¹ feces), p = 0.01). Conclusion. In statin-treated patients, the use of alirocumab to inhibit PCSK9 leads to elevated levels of fecal BAs without altering the bacterial population of the gut microbiota. The association of alirocumab with increased fecal BA concentration suggests an additional mechanism for the cholesterol-lowering effect of PCSK9 inhibition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 2766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Frailty and Chronological Age as Determinants of the Murine Gut Microbiota in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model

by Laura Malina Kapphan, Vu Thu Thuy Nguyen, Isabel Heinrich, Oliver Tüscher, Pamela Passauer, Andreas Schwiertz and Kristina Endres

Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2856; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122856 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1288

Abstract

The ageing of an organism is associated with certain features of functional decline that can be assessed at the cellular level (e.g., reduced telomere length, loss of proteostasis, etc.), but also at the organismic level. Frailty is an independent syndrome that involves increased [...] Read more.

The ageing of an organism is associated with certain features of functional decline that can be assessed at the cellular level (e.g., reduced telomere length, loss of proteostasis, etc.), but also at the organismic level. Frailty is an independent syndrome that involves increased multidimensional age-related deficits, heightens vulnerability to stressors, and involves physical deficits in mainly the locomotor/muscular capacity, but also in physical appearance and cognition. For sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, age per se is one of the most relevant risk factors, but frailty has also been associated with this disease. Therefore, we aimed to answer the two following questions within a cross-sectional study: (1) do Alzheimer’s model mice show increased frailty, and (2) what changes of the microbiota occur concerning chronological age or frailty? Indeed, aged 5xFAD mice showed increased frailty compared to wild type littermates. In addition, 5xFAD mice had significantly lower quantities of Bacteroides spp. when only considering frailty, and lower levels of Bacteroidetes in terms of both frailty and chronological age compared to their wild type littermates. Thus, the quality of ageing—as assessed by frailty measures—should be taken into account to unravel potential changes in the gut microbial community in Alzheimer’s disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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Review

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20 pages, 3481 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Ambiguous Correlation of Blautia with Obesity: A Systematic Review

by Warren Chanda, He Jiang and Shuang-Jiang Liu

Microorganisms 2024, 12(9), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091768 - 26 Aug 2024

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Abstract

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease with global epidemic proportions, posing significant health and economic challenges. Whilst diet and lifestyle are well-established contributors to the pathogenesis, the gut microbiota’s role in obesity development is increasingly recognized. Blautia, as one of the [...] Read more.

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease with global epidemic proportions, posing significant health and economic challenges. Whilst diet and lifestyle are well-established contributors to the pathogenesis, the gut microbiota’s role in obesity development is increasingly recognized. Blautia, as one of the major intestinal bacteria of the Firmicutes phylum, is reported with both potential probiotic properties and causal factors for obesity in different studies, making its role controversial. To summarize the current understanding of the Blautia–obesity correlation and to evaluate the evidence from animal and clinical studies, we used “Blautia” AND “obesity” as keywords searching through PubMed and SpringerLink databases for research articles. After removing duplicates and inadequate articles using the exclusion criteria, we observed different results between studies supporting and opposing the beneficial role of Blautia in obesity at the genus level. Additionally, several studies showed probiotic effectiveness at the species level for Blautia coccoides, B. wexlerae, B. hansenii, B. producta, and B. luti. Therefore, the current evidence does not demonstrate Blautia’s direct involvement as a pathogenic microbe in obesity development or progression, which informs future research and therapeutic strategies targeting the gut Blautia in obesity management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiome in Homeostasis and Disease, 2nd Edition)

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