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Nutrients
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Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health
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Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Prebiotics and Probiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2024) | Viewed by 18716

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Xi Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Interests: environmental and gene-related diseases; gut microbiota; trace elements and biogeochemical diseases; Kashin–Beck disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a complex and dynamically changing ecosystem, the human gut microbiome evolves with the host and participates in metabolism, immunity, and neurological function. The influence of dietary habits on the composition of the gut microbiome is undoubtedly significant. A large number of studies have focused on the role of changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and tumors. It also provides ideas for the prevention and treatment of related diseases from the perspective of the gut microbiome and its derivatives.

This Special Issue will bring together a series of articles on the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome and human health and will provide new perspectives on the association between the gut microbiome and human health. We encourage and welcome authors to submit their original research on these topics, and we look forward to valuable comments and suggestions from experts in various fields.

Dr. Xi Wang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 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
  • dietary habit
  • therapeutic targets
  • mechanisms of disease
  • human health

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3476 KiB  
Article
The Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites and Their Association with the Risk of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study
by Chenyu Zhang, Weiping Teng, Chuyuan Wang and Zhongyan Shan
Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3898; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223898 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 412
Abstract
Objectives: Observational research shows associations of the gut microbiota and its metabolites with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but the causality is undetermined. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to analyze the association of the gut microbiota and its metabolites with [...] Read more.
Objectives: Observational research shows associations of the gut microbiota and its metabolites with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but the causality is undetermined. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to analyze the association of the gut microbiota and its metabolites with AITD. A total of 119 gut microbiotas and nine fecal/circulating metabolites were the exposures. AITD, Graves’ disease (GD), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) were the outcomes. Inverse-variance weighting (IVW) was primarily used to assess causality; Cochran’s Q was used to assess heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses (weighted median, MRPRESSO regression, MRPRESSO intercept, MRPRESSO global, Steiger filtering, leave-one-out) were conducted to assess causal estimate robustness. Multivariable MR (MVMR) was used to estimate the effects of body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption frequency on causality. Results: The outcomes were potentially causally associated with 22 gut microbiotas and three metabolites. After multiple-test correction, 3-indoleglyoxylic acid retained significant causality with AITD (IVW: odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.14, p = 2.43 × 10−5, FDR = 0.009). The sensitivity analyses were confirmatory (weighted median: OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01–1.12, p = 0.025; MRPRESSO: OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.15–1.14, p = 0.001). MVMR revealed no confounding effects on this association (BMI: OR = 1.21, 95% CI =1.08–1.35, p = 0.001; drinks/week: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04–1.43, p = 0.014). Conclusions: MR revealed no significant causal effects of the gut microbiota on the outcomes. However, MR revealed the causal effects of 3-indoleglyoxylic acid on the risk of AITD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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18 pages, 5227 KiB  
Article
Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium longum Alleviate High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Depression/Cognitive Impairment-like Behavior in Mice by Upregulating AMPK Activation and Downregulating Adipogenesis and Gut Dysbiosis
by Soo-Won Yun, Yoon-Jung Shin, Xiaoyang Ma and Dong-Hyun Kim
Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3810; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223810 - 7 Nov 2024
Viewed by 652
Abstract
Background/Objective: Long-term intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) leads to obesity and gut dysbiosis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy metabolism. Herein, we investigated the impacts of Lactobacillus (Lactiplantibacillus) plantarum P111 and Bifidobacterium longum P121, which suppressed dexamethasone-induced adipogenesis [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Long-term intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) leads to obesity and gut dysbiosis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy metabolism. Herein, we investigated the impacts of Lactobacillus (Lactiplantibacillus) plantarum P111 and Bifidobacterium longum P121, which suppressed dexamethasone-induced adipogenesis in 3T3 L1 cells and increased lipopolysaccharide-suppressed AMPK activation in HepG2 cells, on HFD-induced obesity, liver steatosis, gut inflammation and dysbiosis, and depression/cognitive impairment (DCi)-like behavior in mice. Methods: Obesity is induced in mice by feeding with HFD. Biomarker levels were measured using immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence staining. Results: Orally administered P111, P121, or their mix LpBl decreased HFD-induced body weight gain, epididymal fat pad weight, and triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and lipopolysaccharide levels in the blood. Additionally, they downregulated HFD-increased NF-κB activation and TNF-α expression in the liver and colon, while HFD-decreased AMPK activation was upregulated. They also suppressed HFD-induced DCi-like behavior and hippocampal NF-κB activation, NF-κB-positive cell population, and IL-1β and TNF-α levels, while increasing the hippocampal BDNF-positive cell population and BDNF level. The combination of P111 and P122 (LpBl) also improved body weight gain, liver steatosis, and DCi-like behavior. LpBl also mitigated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis: it decreased Desulfovibrionaceae, Helicobacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, and Streptococcaceae populations and lipopolysaccharide production, which were positively correlated with TNF-α expression; and increased Akkermansiaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and Prevotellaceae populations, which were positively correlated with the BDNF expression. Conclusions: P111 and/or P121 downregulated adipogenesis, gut dysbiosis, and NF-κB activation and upregulatde AMPK activation, leading to the alleviation of obesity, liver steatosis, and DCi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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23 pages, 6596 KiB  
Article
The Combination of Exercise and Konjac Glucomannan More Effectively Prevents Antibiotics-Induced Dysbiosis in Mice Compared with Singular Intervention
by Minghan Wang, Yonglin Chen, Ang-Xin Song, Xiquan Weng, Yan Meng, Jieru Lin and Yu-Heng Mao
Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2942; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172942 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 934
Abstract
Our previous studies have demonstrated that konjac glucomannan (KGM) can prevent dysbiosis induced by antibiotics. While exercise may also impact the gut microbiome, there are limited studies reporting its protective effect on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Therefore, this study investigated the preventive and regulatory effects [...] Read more.
Our previous studies have demonstrated that konjac glucomannan (KGM) can prevent dysbiosis induced by antibiotics. While exercise may also impact the gut microbiome, there are limited studies reporting its protective effect on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Therefore, this study investigated the preventive and regulatory effects of a combination of 6-week exercise and KGM intervention on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in C57BL/6J mice compared with a single intervention. The results showed that combined exercise and KGM intervention could restore the changes in the relative abundance of Bacteroides (3.73% with CTL versus 14.23% with ATBX versus 4.46% with EK) and Prevotellaceae_Prevotella (0.33% with CTL versus 0.00% with ATBX versus 0.30% with EK) induced by antibiotics (p < 0.05), and minimized the Bray–Curtis distance induced by antibiotics (0.55 with CTL versus 0.81 with ATBX versus 0.80 with EXC versus 0.83 with KGM versus 0.75 with EK). Compared with the combined intervention, exercise intervention also produced a certain level of recovery effects; the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae (1.96% with CTL versus 0.09% with ATBX versus 0.49% with EXC) was restored, while KGM supplementation showed the best preventive effect. In addition, the combination of exercise and KGM significantly enriched microbial purine metabolic pathways (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that combining exercise with KGM could be a promising approach to reducing the side effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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24 pages, 2229 KiB  
Article
Co-Supplementation of Baobab Fiber and Arabic Gum Synergistically Modulates the In Vitro Human Gut Microbiome Revealing Complementary and Promising Prebiotic Properties
by Cindy Duysburgh, Marlies Govaert, Damien Guillemet and Massimo Marzorati
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1570; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111570 - 22 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1305
Abstract
Arabic gum, a high molecular weight heteropolysaccharide, is a promising prebiotic candidate as its fermentation occurs more distally in the colon, which is the region where most chronic colonic diseases originate. Baobab fiber could be complementary due to its relatively simple structure, facilitating [...] Read more.
Arabic gum, a high molecular weight heteropolysaccharide, is a promising prebiotic candidate as its fermentation occurs more distally in the colon, which is the region where most chronic colonic diseases originate. Baobab fiber could be complementary due to its relatively simple structure, facilitating breakdown in the proximal colon. Therefore, the current study aimed to gain insight into how the human gut microbiota was affected in response to long-term baobab fiber and Arabic gum supplementation when tested individually or as a combination of both, allowing the identification of potential complementary and/or synergetic effects. The validated Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®), an in vitro gut model simulating the entire human gastrointestinal tract, was used. The microbial metabolic activity was examined, and quantitative 16S-targeted Illumina sequencing was used to monitor the gut microbial composition. Moreover, the effect on the gut microbial metabolome was quantitatively analyzed. Repeated administration of baobab fiber, Arabic gum, and their combination had a significant effect on the metabolic activity, diversity index, and community composition of the microbiome present in the simulated proximal and distal colon with specific impacts on Bifidobacteriaceae and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Despite the lower dosage strategy (2.5 g/day), co-supplementation of both compounds resulted in some specific synergistic prebiotic effects, including a biological activity throughout the entire colon, SCFA synthesis including a synergy on propionate, specifically increasing abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Christensenellaceae in the distal colon region, and enhancing levels of spermidine and other metabolites of interest (such as serotonin and ProBetaine). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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20 pages, 6130 KiB  
Article
The Human Gut and Dietary Salt: The Bacteroides/Prevotella Ratio as a Potential Marker of Sodium Intake and Beyond
by Omololu Fagunwa, Kirsty Davies and Jane Bradbury
Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16070942 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 3236
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a dynamic ecosystem that plays a pivotal role in maintaining host health. The perturbation of these microbes has been linked to several health conditions. Hence, they have emerged as promising targets for understanding and promoting good health. Despite the [...] Read more.
The gut microbiota is a dynamic ecosystem that plays a pivotal role in maintaining host health. The perturbation of these microbes has been linked to several health conditions. Hence, they have emerged as promising targets for understanding and promoting good health. Despite the growing body of research on the role of sodium in health, its effects on the human gut microbiome remain under-explored. Here, using nutrition and metagenomics methods, we investigate the influence of dietary sodium intake and alterations of the human gut microbiota. We found that a high-sodium diet (HSD) altered the gut microbiota composition with a significant reduction in Bacteroides and inverse increase in Prevotella compared to a low-sodium diet (LSD). However, there is no clear distinction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio between the two diet types. Metabolic pathway reconstruction revealed the presence of sodium reabsorption genes in the HSD, but not LSD. Since it is currently difficult in microbiome studies to confidently associate the F/B ratio with what is considered healthy (e.g., low sodium) or unhealthy (e.g., high sodium), we suggest that the use of a genus-based ratio such as the Bacteroides/Prevotella (B/P) ratio may be more beneficial for the application of microbiome studies in health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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16 pages, 2668 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota from Rats Induced by Se Deficiency and T-2 Toxin
by Yifan Wu, Yi Gong, Yu Zhang, Shujin Li, Chaowei Wang, Yuequan Yuan, Xi Lv, Yanli Liu, Feihong Chen, Sijie Chen, Feiyu Zhang, Xiong Guo, Xi Wang, Yujie Ning and Hongmou Zhao
Nutrients 2023, 15(24), 5027; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245027 - 7 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1633
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in gut microbiota between selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin intervention rats. Knee joint and fecal samples of rats were collected. The pathological characteristics of knee cartilage were observed by safranin O/fast green staining. [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in gut microbiota between selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin intervention rats. Knee joint and fecal samples of rats were collected. The pathological characteristics of knee cartilage were observed by safranin O/fast green staining. DNA was extracted from fecal samples for PCR amplification, and 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to compare the gut microbiota of rats. At the phylum level, Firmicutes (81.39% vs. 77.06%) and Bacteroidetes (11.11% vs. 14.85%) were dominant in the Se-deficient (SD) group and T-2 exposure (T-2) groups. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Ruminococcus_1 (12.62%) and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 (10.31%) in the SD group were higher. In the T-2 group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (11.71%) and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 (9.26%) were higher. At the species level, the high-quality bacteria in the SD group was Ruminococcus_1_unclassified, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005_unclassified in the T-2 group. Lactobacillus_sp__L_YJ and Lactobacillus_crispatus were the most significant biomarkers in the T-2 group. This study analyzed the different compositions of gut microbiota in rats induced by selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin, and revealed the changes in gut microbiota, so as to provide a certain basis for promoting the study of the pathogenesis of Kashin–Beck disease (KBD). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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16 pages, 2737 KiB  
Article
Twelve Months of Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Cognition and Alters Microbiome Composition Independent of Macronutrient Composition
by Abbi R. Hernandez, Cory Watson, Quinten P. Federico, Rachel Fletcher, Armen Brotgandel, Thomas W. Buford, Christy S. Carter and Sara N. Burke
Nutrients 2022, 14(19), 3977; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14193977 - 24 Sep 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4702
Abstract
Declining health, gut dysbiosis, and cognitive impairments are hallmarks of advanced age. While caloric restriction is known to robustly extend the healthspan and alter gut microbiome composition, it is difficult maintain. Time-restricted feeding or changes in dietary macronutrient composition could be feasible alternatives [...] Read more.
Declining health, gut dysbiosis, and cognitive impairments are hallmarks of advanced age. While caloric restriction is known to robustly extend the healthspan and alter gut microbiome composition, it is difficult maintain. Time-restricted feeding or changes in dietary macronutrient composition could be feasible alternatives for enhancing late life cognitive and physical health that are easier to comply with for extended periods of time. To investigate this possibility, 8-month-old rats were placed on time-restricted feeding with a ketogenic or micronutrient- and calorically matched control diet for 13 months. A third group of rats was permitted to eat standard chow ad libitum during this time. At 22 months, all rats were tested on a biconditional association task and fecal samples were collected for microbiome composition analysis. Regardless of dietary composition, time-restricted-fed rats had better cognitive performance than ad libitum-fed rats. This observation could not be accounted for by differences in motivation, procedural or sensorimotor impairments. Additionally, there were significant differences in gut microbiome diversity and composition between all diet conditions. Allobaculum abundance was associated with cognitive task performance, indicating a link between gut health and cognitive outcomes in aged subjects. Overall, time restricted feeding had the largest influence on cognitive performance in aged rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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Review

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29 pages, 829 KiB  
Review
Targeting the Gut Microbiota for Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes
by Sabrina Donati Zeppa, Marco Gervasi, Alessia Bartolacci, Fabio Ferrini, Antonino Patti, Piero Sestili, Vilberto Stocchi and Deborah Agostini
Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3951; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223951 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 306
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder with a heterogeneous etiology encompassing societal and behavioral risk factors in addition to genetic and environmental susceptibility. The cardiovascular consequences of diabetes account for more than two-thirds of mortality among people with T2D. Not [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder with a heterogeneous etiology encompassing societal and behavioral risk factors in addition to genetic and environmental susceptibility. The cardiovascular consequences of diabetes account for more than two-thirds of mortality among people with T2D. Not only does T2D shorten life expectancy, but it also lowers quality of life and is associated with extremely high health expenditures since diabetic complications raise both direct and indirect healthcare costs. An increasing body of research indicates a connection between T2D and gut microbial traits, as numerous alterations in the intestinal microorganisms have been noted in pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals. These include pro-inflammatory bacterial patterns, increased intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, and hyperglycemia-favoring conditions, such as the alteration of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. Restoring microbial homeostasis can be very beneficial for preventing and co-treating T2D and improving antidiabetic therapy outcomes. This review summarizes the characteristics of a “diabetic” microbiota and the metabolites produced by microbial species that can worsen or ameliorate T2D risk and progression, suggesting gut microbiota-targeted strategies to restore eubiosis and regulate blood glucose. Nutritional supplementation, diet, and physical exercise are known to play important roles in T2D, and here their effects on the gut microbiota are discussed, suggesting non-pharmacological approaches that can greatly help in diabetes management and highlighting the importance of tailoring treatments to individual needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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22 pages, 1217 KiB  
Review
Dietary Patterns, Gut Microbiota and Sports Performance in Athletes: A Narrative Review
by Yonglin Chen, Keer Yang, Mingxin Xu, Yishuo Zhang, Xiquan Weng, Jiaji Luo, Yanshuo Li and Yu-Heng Mao
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111634 - 26 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4704
Abstract
The intestinal tract of humans harbors a dynamic and complex bacterial community known as the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in regulating functions such as metabolism and immunity in the human body. Numerous studies conducted in recent decades have also highlighted [...] Read more.
The intestinal tract of humans harbors a dynamic and complex bacterial community known as the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in regulating functions such as metabolism and immunity in the human body. Numerous studies conducted in recent decades have also highlighted the significant potential of the gut microbiota in promoting human health. It is widely recognized that training and nutrition strategies are pivotal factors that allow athletes to achieve optimal performance. Consequently, there has been an increasing focus on whether training and dietary patterns influence sports performance through their impact on the gut microbiota. In this review, we aim to present the concept and primary functions of the gut microbiota, explore the relationship between exercise and the gut microbiota, and specifically examine the popular dietary patterns associated with athletes’ sports performance while considering their interaction with the gut microbiota. Finally, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which dietary patterns affect sports performance from a nutritional perspective, aiming to elucidate the intricate interplay among dietary patterns, the gut microbiota, and sports performance. We have found that the precise application of specific dietary patterns (ketogenic diet, plant-based diet, high-protein diet, Mediterranean diet, and high intake of carbohydrate) can improve vascular function and reduce the risk of illness in health promotion, etc., as well as promoting recovery and controlling weight with regard to improving sports performance, etc. In conclusion, although it can be inferred that certain aspects of an athlete’s ability may benefit from specific dietary patterns mediated by the gut microbiota to some extent, further high-quality clinical studies are warranted to substantiate these claims and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Habit, Gut Microbiome and Human Health)
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