Article
Environmental Sciences
Loret Keulers, Ali Dehghani, Leon Knippels, Johan Garssen, Nikolaos Papadopoulos, Gert Folkerts, Saskia Braber, Jeroen van Bergenhenegouwen
Summary: Air pollution is a major public health issue, causing an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year. The exposure to air pollutants, both outdoor and indoor, can lead to gastrointestinal and respiratory impairments and diseases. The gut and lung have a crosstalk called the gut-lung axis, which can be influenced by probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, ultimately affecting gut and lung health.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Gu, Xiali Qin, Guoqiong Zhou, Chen Wang, Chenlu Mu, Xiang Liu, Weilong Zhong, Xin Xu, Bangmao Wang, Kui Jiang, Jinghua Liu, Hailong Cao
Summary: In this study, it was found that LGGs upregulated the expression of 5-HT4R, promoting the production of MUC2 and regulating the gut microbiota. These findings provide new evidence for the application of LGG in relieving gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Article
Oncology
Tomoki Sakakida, Takeshi Ishikawa, Toshifumi Doi, Ryuichi Morita, Yuki Endo, Shinya Matsumura, Takayuki Ota, Juichiro Yoshida, Yasuko Hirai, Katsura Mizushima, Yasuki Higashimura, Ken Inoue, Tetsuya Okayama, Kazuhiko Uchiyama, Tomohisa Takagi, Aya Abe, Ryo Inoue, Yoshito Itoh, Yuji Naito
Summary: This study investigated the potential effects of modifying the gut microenvironment with partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), a soluble dietary fiber, on cancer-related muscle wasting. The results showed that dietary fiber attenuated skeletal muscle loss in cachectic mice by suppressing the elevation of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases and autophagy markers. Additionally, dietary fiber improved the gut barrier function and reduced circulating levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and IL-6, leading to the suppression of proteolysis. These findings suggest that dietary fiber may have the potential to alleviate skeletal muscle loss in cancer cachexia.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lei Xu, Chung S. Yang, Yanan Liu, Xin Zhang
Summary: This article reviews the possible approach of modulating microbiota to prevent and treat respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19. The gut microbiota can affect lung immune function through the gut-lung axis, and beneficial bacteria can enhance human immunity and reduce the incidence and severity of infection. The use of probiotics and prebiotics can modulate the gut microbiota to prevent or alleviate COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amirabbas Nikkhah, Hanieh-Sadat Ejtahed, Fateme Ettehad Marvasti, MinaSadat Taghavi, Azin Pakmehr, Firouzeh Hajipour, Bagher Larijani
Summary: This systematic review examines the associations between gut microbiota alterations and skeletal muscle wasting in humans and animals. The findings suggest that gut microbiota dysbiosis affects muscle wasting through various pathways. Specific changes in gut microbiota composition, such as a reduction in SCFAs-producing bacteria and an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria, were observed in age-related sarcopenia and liver cirrhosis-induced sarcopenia. The review highlights the importance of understanding the role of gut microbiota in skeletal muscle wasting and its potential as a therapeutic target.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Garvita Sharma, Shristi Saroj Biswas, Jayapriya Mishra, Umashanker Navik, Ramesh Kandimalla, P. Hemachandra Reddy, Gurjit Kaur Bhatti, Jasvinder Singh Bhatti
Summary: Huntington's disease (HD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, and metabolic factors. Gut dysbiosis, the alteration of intestinal microbial profile, has been found to play a crucial role in HD pathophysiology through mechanisms such as neuroinflammation, immune system dysregulation, and altered metabolites composition. This review article provides an overview of the relationship between gut dysbiosis and HD, as well as future challenges and opportunities in therapeutics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Maria Kocot, Elzbieta Jarocka-Cyrta, Natalia Drabinska
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of biotics in maintaining the intestinal barrier function. The potential outcomes from in vitro and animal studies are presented, highlighting the need for further well-designed randomized clinical trials. The mechanisms by which biotics regulate intestinal barrier function should be further studied.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agata Chudzik, Anna Orzylowska, Radoslaw Rola, Greg J. Stanisz
Summary: The brain-gut-microbiome axis is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. Studies have shown that certain probiotics can help alleviate symptoms of depression, and clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in mood and changes in biochemical parameters in patients with depressive disorders.
Review
Cell Biology
Jeremy B. Ducharme, Zachary J. McKenna, Michael R. Deyhle
Summary: Conditions characterized by muscle wasting, such as cachexia and sarcopenia, have a significant impact on individuals and public health. Inflammation, specifically lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through Toll-like receptor-4 activation, plays a role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Understanding the mechanisms of Toll-like receptor-4 activation and the effects of exercise on this axis may lead to nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yuan-Wei Zhang, Mu-Min Cao, Ying-Juan Li, Guang-Chun Dai, Pan-Pan Lu, Ming Zhang, Li-Yong Bai, Xiang-Xu Chen, Cheng Zhang, Liu Shi, Yun-Feng Rui
Summary: This review explores the potential mechanisms of probiotics and prebiotics on osteoporosis, focusing on the regulation of intestinal metabolites, intestinal epithelial barrier function, involvement of neuromodulation, immune regulation, and endocrine regulation.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Mihaela Cristina Buhas, Laura Ioana Gavrilas, Rares Candrea, Adrian Catinean, Andrei Mocan, Doina Miere, Alexandru Tataru
Summary: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with autoimmune characteristics, and its pathogenesis is closely related to gut microbiota. Modulation of gut microbiota through dietary approaches or supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics could serve as a novel therapeutic approach for psoriasis.
Review
Immunology
Olga Maria Nardone, Roberto de Sire, Valentina Petito, Anna Testa, Guido Villani, Franco Scaldaferri, Fabiana Castiglione
Summary: Sarcopenia, characterized by muscle mass and function loss, poses a significant health burden in industrialized countries. Factors such as aging, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance contribute to its pathogenesis. Recent studies show that gut microbiota play a crucial role in the development of muscle failure in inflammatory bowel disease patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Kotryna Simonyte Sjodin, Andreas Sjodin, Marek Ruszczynski, Mette Bach Kristensen, Olle Hernell, Hania Szajewska, Christina E. E. West
Summary: Adding synbiotics to formula milk can prevent infections in infants. This study found that synbiotic feeding led to the development of a healthier gut microbiota, with lower levels of Klebsiella and higher levels of Bifidobacterium. It also increased the production of metabolites associated with immune signaling.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yinxi He, Yanxia Chen
Summary: This article summarizes the relationship between gut microbiota and osteoporosis, and discusses the positive therapeutic effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and traditional Chinese medicine on improving bone metabolism. The research suggests that gut microbiota may be a new therapeutic target for treating osteoporosis and preventing fractures.
OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Shuting Tong, Peiyu Zhang, Qi Cheng, Mo Chen, Xin Chen, Zitao Wang, Xiaoyong Lu, Huaxiang Wu
Summary: This article summarizes the role of gut microbiota in the onset and progression of gout, discusses its importance in the diagnosis and treatment of gout, and explores potential therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clara Belzer
Summary: This opinion paper discusses the important role of the interplay between microbes and human-produced glycans in the symbiotic relationship between humans and gut microbes, highlighting the contribution of microbes to mucosal health and the role of breast milk glycans in mucosal colonization by microbes. The use of prebiotic mucin glycans is suggested to modulate the microbiota and improve mucosal health, especially in specialized infant and medical nutrition.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yangwenshan Ou, Clara Belzer, Hauke Smidt, Carolina de Weerth
Summary: This study investigates the development of gut microbiota in healthy children from birth till age 10 and its potential associations with behavior. The findings suggest that breastfeeding has a significant role in shaping gut microbial ecology up till age 10. While microbial clusters were not associated with behavior, a specific microbe group, Prevotella_9, was found to be positively related to externalizing behavior at age 10. The study highlights the importance of understanding the gut microbiota development and its influence on behavior during early childhood.
Article
Pediatrics
Emmy Van Daele, Kim Kamphorst, Arine M. Vlieger, Gerben Hermes, Christian Milani, Marco Ventura, Clara Belzer, Hauke Smidt, Ruurd M. van Elburg, Jan Knol
Summary: Study found that exposure to antibiotics in the first week of life can alter the development of the infant's fecal microbiota, with long-term deviations in relative abundance of certain taxa observed up to 1 year of age. The effects varied based on the mode of delivery.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Katja C. W. van Dongen, Leonie Kappetein, Ignacio Miro Estruch, Clara Belzer, Karsten Beekmann, Ivonne M. C. M. Rietjens
Summary: This review investigates the roles of endogenously versus exogenously formed glycation products in the potential induction of adverse health effects. Based on the available data, exogenous low molecular mass glycation products appear to be bioavailable and contribute to dicarbonyl stress and protein cross-linking, resulting in formation of endogenous AGEs. On the other hand, exogenous high molecular mass glycation products have limited bioavailability but can bind to the AGE receptor, initiating adverse health effects. Additionally, effects on gut microbiota induced by glycation products is proposed as another mode of action.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sudarshan A. Shetty, Ioannis Kostopoulos, Sharon Y. Geerlings, Hauke Smidt, Willem M. de Vos, Clara Belzer
Summary: This study investigates the ecological and metabolic interactions of 16 key bacteria in the human gut using a synthetic minimal microbiome, revealing crucial insights into their co-existence, metabolic niches, and trophic roles in a highly dynamic and competitive in vitro ecosystem.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Prokopis Konstanti, Marloes van Splunter, Erik van den Brink, Clara Belzer, Arjen Nauta, R. J. Joost van Neerven, Hauke Smidt
Summary: Supplementation of bLF increased the relative abundance of Holdemanella in the fecal microbiota of healthy elderly women, while the addition of GOS further increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium.
Article
Microbiology
Janneke P. Ouwerkerk, Hanne L. P. Tytgat, Janneke Elzinga, Jasper Koehorst, Pieter Van den Abbeele, Bernard Henrissat, Miguel Gueimonde, Patrice D. Cani, Tom Van de Wiele, Clara Belzer, Willem M. de Vos
Summary: This study isolated six novel strains of Akkermansia muciniphila from healthy human donors and compared their genomic, proteomic, and physiological characteristics to the type strains. The isolates clustered into two distinct subspecies, with one subspecies yet to be well characterized. All strains showed unique characteristics, and it was found that single healthy individuals can carry multiple strains of A. muciniphila. The strains exhibited strong conservation in mucin degradation pathways and showed potential as beneficial microbes without significant antibiotic resistance risks.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jordi Morwani-Mangnani, Panagiotis Giannos, Clara Belzer, Marian Beekman, P. Eline Slagboom, Konstantinos Prokopidis
Summary: Sleep disturbances are associated with changes in gut microbial composition and aging-related health issues. Shorter sleep duration is linked to increased pro-inflammatory bacteria in older adults, while improved sleep quality is associated with increased beneficial bacteria. The effects of sleep disruption on gut microbiome composition in young adults are inconclusive.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Xiaolin Li, Tosca Holtrop, Fleur A. C. Jansen, Brennan Olson, Pete Levasseur, Xinxia Zhu, Mieke Poland, Winni Schalwijk, Renger F. Witkamp, Daniel L. Marks, Klaske van Norren
Summary: Cachexia-anorexia syndrome is characterized by skeletal muscle wasting, reduced food intake, and systemic inflammation. This study investigated gut barrier function in pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia mouse models, revealing a link between intestinal permeability and cachexia severity. Tumour-derived PGE2 may play a key role in cancer-related cachexia-anorexia syndrome through tumour-gut-brain crosstalk.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Radu Bachmann, Matthias Van Hul, Pamela Baldin, Daniel Leonard, Nathalie M. Delzenne, Clara Belzer, Janneke P. Ouwerkerk, Dirk Repsilber, Ignacio Rangel, Alex Kartheuser, Robert Jan Brummer, Willem M. De Vos, Patrice D. Cani
Summary: Akkermansia muciniphila pretreatment reduces mortality and severity of peritonitis following colonic leakage. This effect is associated with improved wound healing and increased IL22 production, but not changes in mucus layer thickness or genes involved in cell renewal, proliferation, or differentiation. MyD88 in intestinal cells is required for these effects. Additionally, colonic administration of A. muciniphila in healthy humans leads to changes in gene expression related to immune pathways.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Torsten P. M. Scheithauer, Hilde Herrema, Hongbing Yu, Guido J. Bakker, Maaike Winkelmeijer, Galina Soukhatcheva, Derek Dai, Caixia Ma, Stefan R. Havik, Manon Balvers, Mark Davids, Abraham S. Meijnikman, Omrum Aydin, Bert-Jan H. Van den Born, Marc G. Besselink, Olivier R. Busch, Maurits de Brauw, Arnold van de Laar, Clara Belzer, Martin Stahl, Willem M. de Vos, Bruce A. Vallance, Max Nieuwdorp, C. Bruce Verchere, Daniel H. van Raalte
Summary: This study found that flagellin, which is more abundant in the gut of individuals with T2D, induces an inflammatory response in pancreatic islets and leads to beta-cell dysfunction, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for T2D.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alessandro Atzeni, Maria Ageles Martinez, Nancy Babio, Prokopis Konstanti, Francisco J. Tinahones, Jesus Vioque, Dolores Corella, Montserrat Fito, Josep Vidal, Isabel Moreno-Indias, Salvador Pertusa-Martinez, Andrea Alvarez-Sala, Olga Castaner, Albert Goday, Miguel Damas-Fuentes, Clara Belzer, Miguel A. Martinez-Gonzalez, Frank B. Hu, Jordi Salas-Salvado
Summary: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is associated with alterations in gut microbiota, reduced adherence to a Mediterranean diet, and higher total energy intake in senior subjects with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, specific fecal microbiota taxa related to inflammatory gastro-intestinal diseases and low consumption of fruits and vegetables were positively associated with UPF consumption.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Yangwenshan Ou, Clara Belzer, Hauke Smidt, Carolina de Weerth
Summary: The study investigated the development of gut microbiota in children during the first 14 years of life and its relation to mental health problems in puberty. The analysis of fecal microbiota composition revealed the presence of four distinct microbial clusters in puberty. Prevotella 9 and Faecalibacterium were found to be associated with externalizing behavior and social anxiety, respectively. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fleur A. C. Jansen, Vincenzo Fogliano, Josep Rubert, Tamara Hoppenbrouwers
Summary: Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) are stable reaction products formed when amino acids, peptides, or proteins are glycated by the non-enzymatic Maillard Reaction. Their formation and accumulation in vivo are linked to inflammation-based pathological outcomes and non-communicable diseases. The impact of dietary AGEs on the intestinal epithelium is reviewed, and the methodology and limitations of current studies are discussed.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maryse D. Berkhout, Caroline M. Plugge, Clara Belzer
Summary: The intestinal epithelium is protected from direct contact with gut microbes by a mucus layer composed of mucin glycoproteins. Specific gut microbiota in the large intestine can degrade mucin in the outer mucus layer. Mucin glycan degradation is a complex process that requires a network of glycan degrading enzymes and multiple resident microbes in the gut mucosa. This review investigates the evolutionary relationships and role of microbial enzymes in the degradation of gut mucin glycans.