Article
Chemistry, Applied
Bowei Zhang, Yingchuan Xu, Huan Lv, Wenwen Pang, Jin Wang, Hui Ma, Shuo Wang
Summary: This study investigated the intestinal pharmacokinetics of resveratrol in mice using HPLC-MS/MS and found that resveratrol and its metabolites were present in significant amounts in the entire intestinal tract and feces, with a peak concentration at 4 hours post-administration. The study also demonstrated the promotion of Lactobacillus reuteri growth by resveratrol-3-O-sulfate during in vitro fermentation and the up-regulation of tight junction and mucin-related proteins mRNA expressions by resveratrol-3-O-sulfate during incubation with Caco-2 cells.
Review
Immunology
Yusuke Kinashi, Koji Hase
Summary: The intestinal surface is constantly exposed to various antigens, and intestinal epithelial cells play a crucial role in preventing the translocation of harmful antigens into the body. Disruption of the epithelial barrier can lead to increased intestinal permeability and leaky gut syndrome. The gut commensal microbiota is essential for regulating host immunity, and dysbiosis is associated with autoimmune diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Shuying He, Shudan Cui, Wen Song, Yonghong Jiang, Hongsheng Chen, Dongjiang Liao, Xinpeng Lu, Jun Li, Xueqing Chen, Liang Peng
Summary: IL-17 plays a crucial role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through the modulation of gut microbiota. T(H)17 cells restore the intestinal barrier, while dysbiosis of the microbiota leads to intestinal injury and disease progression.
Review
Immunology
Longhuan Ma, Laurence Morel
Summary: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology. Increased gut permeability and dysbiosis of gut microbiota are associated with SLE progression. Impaired intestinal barrier allows translocation of bacteria and bacterial components into systemic organs, leading to immune cell activation and autoantibody generation. Restoring microbial balance eliminates gut leakage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Qiuyu Zhang, Lei Cheng, Junjuan Wang, Mengzhen Hao, Huilian Che
Summary: Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota increases susceptibility and severity of food allergies, possibly due to increased intestinal permeability caused by decreased tight junction proteins and enhanced inflammatory response.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuebing Chen, Jingshen Zhuang, Qianling Chen, Luyao Xu, Xia Yue, Dongfang Qiao
Summary: This study investigated the toxic effects of PVC-MPs on mice, and found that PVC-MPs can cause intestinal injury and alter gut microbiome composition and metabolome profiles. The research is of great importance in assessing the health risks of PVC-MPs to humans.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
C. Pirozzi, N. Opallo, L. Coretti, A. Lama, C. Annunziata, F. Comella, S. Melini, E. Buommino, M. P. Mollica, G. Aviello, G. Mattace Raso, F. Lembo, R. Meli
Summary: This study evaluates the effect and protective mechanisms of a probiotic formulation containing Alkalihalobacillus clausii spores on antibiotic-induced intestinal injury (AIJ). The probiotic preserved colonic integrity, reduced tissue inflammation, and regulated the production of colonic cytokines. It also restored the gut microbiota composition and promoted epithelium repair and mucus synthesis.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyuan Meng, Shiran Huang, Wei Sun, Sen Yan, Xiaojun Chen, Jinling Diao, Zhiqiang Zhou, Wentao Zhu
Summary: This study systematically investigated the adverse effects of PTC and PTCd on liver function in mice from the perspective of gut microbiota, revealing that exposure to these compounds can cause liver damage by changing gut microbiota, disrupting intestinal barrier function, and promoting bacterial translocation. Additionally, exposure to PTC and PTCd also affects lipid metabolism in the liver tissue and gene expression related to inflammation and barrier function in colon tissue, leading to liver and intestinal dysfunction in mice. The findings highlight the key role of gut microbiota in liver damage induced by pesticides, offering new insights into the mechanisms of liver toxicity through the gut-liver axis.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Minqi Xiong, Zilong Zhang, Jingang Cui, Xiaoye Du, Yu Chen, Teng Zhang
Summary: This study evaluated the potential impact of DYNT treatment on atherosclerosis. The results showed that DYNT treatment reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaques, lowered lipid retention, and mitigated macrophagic burden. Additionally, DYNT treatment offered protection against dyslipidemia, fatty liver pathologies, dysbiosis, and impairment in the intestinal epithelial barrier associated with atherosclerosis.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shaodong Wei, Martin Iain Bahl, Simon Mark Dahl Baunwall, Christian Lodberg Hvas, Tine Rask Licht
Summary: This paper lists various types of dysbiosis indexes identified in the literature, introduces their methodology, categorizes them, and discusses their potential descriptive and clinical applications as well as their limitations. The focus is on the methodological approaches available to determine and quantify the dysbiosis condition, rather than on the implications of dysbiosis for disease.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ning Wang, Sicong Ma, Lingjie Fu
Summary: Transferring feces from senile osteoporotic rats to young rats can induce osteoporosis by altering gut microbiota and impairing intestinal barrier function.
CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Jingyi Chen, Yu Wang, Yongxia Shi, Yongpan Liu, Chengyi Wu, Yanrong Luo
Summary: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R) is a common acute and critical condition with a lack of effective prevention and treatment measures. The gut microbiota has been found to play a pivotal role in II/R, and maintaining the homeostasis of the gut microbiota and its metabolites may be a potential strategy for treatment. This review highlights the importance of the crosstalk between the gastrointestinal ecosystem and II/R, and discusses the potential applications of microbial-based therapies in II/R.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yuting Chen, Zhangsen Hao, Han Zhao, Xiaofeng Duan, Dongsheng Jia, Kaipeng Li, Yuxin Yang, Hongjuan Cui, Mingming Gao, Ding Zhao
Summary: Berberine can alleviate intestinal barrier dysfunction in GLMDs by modulating gut microbiota and gut-microbiota-related tryptophan metabolites, which may be one of the pharmacological mechanisms for the treatment of GLMDs. Berberine is metabolized into 12 metabolites by gut microbiota, with the main metabolic pathways being oxidation, demethylation, and hydrogenation. Furthermore, berberine improves the species diversity and uniformity of gut microbiota and promotes the proliferation of beneficial microbiota. Berberine also alters the levels of intestinal tight junction proteins and intestinal immune factors.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Ren, Huimin Li, Guixing Zeng, Boxian Pang, Qiuhong Wang, Junping Wei
Summary: Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to aging and age-related diseases, and dysregulation of the gut flora plays a major role in triggering this inflammation. Changes in gut flora composition and exposure to related metabolites impact the host's inflammatory system, leading to crosstalk between the gut barrier and immune system, contributing to chronic low-grade inflammation and compromised health. Probiotics can improve gut microbiota diversity, protect the gut barrier, and regulate gut immunity, thereby reducing inflammation. Using probiotics is a promising strategy to modulate the immune system and protect the gut barrier through gut microbiota, which can positively influence common inflammatory diseases in the elderly.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Fang Zhou, Yi-Long Li, Xin Zhang, Kun-Bo Wang, Jian-An Huang, Zhong-Hua Liu, Ming-Zhi Zhu
Summary: The study found that FBTP supplementation effectively reduced obesity in HFD-fed rats by improving intestinal oxidative stress and barrier function, as well as attenuating gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by HFD. Specific core microbes, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Alloprevotella, Bacteroides, and Faecalibaculum, were improved by FBTPs. The antiobesity effect of FBTPs was shown to be dependent on gut microbiota, as demonstrated by a fecal microbiota transplantation experiment.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shang Chen, Dong Liu, Qi Zhang, Peng Guo, Shuangyang Ding, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu, Wenhan Lin
Summary: Equisetin, derived from marine natural products, shows promising antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE, and can also restore sensitivity to antibiotics in colistin-resistant bacteria. Moreover, low-level equisetin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus displays collateral sensitivity to multiple classes of existing antibiotics and decreased capacity to produce biofilm. Additionally, equisetin is effective against MRSA in infected animal models, indicating its potential as a lead compound in overcoming antibiotic resistance and providing new insights for future antibiotic discovery and development.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Li, Fei Liu, Jiangjiang Zhang, Xiaoye Liu, Peihong Xiao, Haotian Bai, Shang Chen, Dong Wang, Simon H. P. Sung, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: Infected cells acting as Trojan horses protect bacteria and increase pathogen dissemination; AIEgens have broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against MDR bacteria and activate cellular autophagy.
Article
Microbiology
Yifan Wu, Yongqiang Wang, Huiming Yang, Qian Li, Xiaoxia Gong, Guozhong Zhang, Kui Zhu
Summary: The study highlights the potential of using specific antibiotics to target Staphylococcus spp. and reduce Av. paragallinarum infections in poultry, providing a new approach for treating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Article
Microbiology
Yanyan Hu, Wenjing Peng, Yifan Wu, Hui Li, Qi Wang, Huahua Yi, Rong Zhang, Bing Shao, Kui Zhu
Summary: The study demonstrated that the epidemic clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in non-cystic fibrosis patients, particularly ST463, exhibited multidrug resistance and carried a variety of virulence genes. These isolates showed high levels of resistance to antibiotics and produced toxins, indicating a high-risk potential for virulence.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meirong Song, Ying Liu, Tingting Li, Xiaojia Liu, Zhihui Hao, Shuangyang Ding, Pharkphoom Panichayupakaranant, Kui Zhu, Jianzhong Shen
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of natural flavonoids from plants against multidrug resistant bacteria, with a focus on the structure-activity relationship analysis of two compounds, alpha-mangostin and isobavachalcone. These compounds show rapid bactericidal activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and mechanism studies suggest they target bacterial membrane phospholipids. The efficacy of these natural products in infection or contamination models highlights them as a promising and underappreciated resource for combating antibiotic resistance.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoye Liu, Yifan Wu, Changsi Mao, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu
Summary: The sharp increase in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has become a devastating global public health threat. There is an urgent need for alternative intervention strategies. Host-acting antibacterial compounds (HACs) offer promising approaches to eliminate internalized bacteria. This review focuses on the interactions between host cells and facultative intracellular bacteria to discover potential targets for the development of HACs.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qian Li, Shang Chen, Kui Zhu, Xiaoluo Huang, Yucheng Huang, Zhangqi Shen, Shuangyang Ding, Danxia Gu, Qiwen Yang, Hongli Sun, Fupin Hu, Hui Wang, Jiachang Cai, Bing Ma, Rong Zhang, Jianzhong Shen
Summary: Acquisition of resistance to one antibiotic can sometimes increase susceptibility to a second antibiotic. In this study, it was found that vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains showed remarkable increase in susceptibility to pleuromutilin antibiotics (such as lefamulin). The trade-off between vancomycin and pleuromutilins is mediated by epistasis between van gene cluster and msrC, suggesting pleuromutilins may be useful in treating vancomycin-resistant E. faecium infections.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jiayao Tian, Shang Chen, Fei Liu, Qian Zhu, Jianzhong Shen, Wenhan Lin, Kui Zhu
Summary: The marine-derived compound equisetin efficiently eliminates intracellular Staphylococcus aureus by potentiating host autophagy and inducing ROS generation, showing remarkable anti-infection activity in a mouse model.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shaoqi Qu, Yiming Han, Ying Liu, Jiajia Zhu, Ulas Acaroz, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu
Summary: This study functionalizes milk exosomes with phosphatidylserine to improve the solubility of BCS class II and IV drugs, facilitating oral drug delivery. Loading a natural flavonoid, α-mangostin, into exosomes enhances the antibacterial efficiency and demonstrates significant therapeutic efficacy in two animal infection models. This work expands the application of milk exosomes in improving drug solubility and enhancing the efficacy of oral administration.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zhiqiang Yang, Meirong Song, Xiaoyu Li, Qi Zhang, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the synergistic activity of outer membrane disruptor SLAP-S25 in combination with hydrophobic antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. The results show that SLAP-S25 disrupts the outer membrane and facilitates the entry of hydrophobic antibiotics to kill the pathogens. In a mouse infection model, the combination of SLAP-S25 and rifampicin exhibits promising therapeutic effects.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Syeda Tasmia Asma, Ulas Acaroz, Kalman Imre, Adriana Morar, Syed Rizwan Ali Shah, Syed Zajif Hussain, Damla Arslan-Acaroz, Hayri Demirbas, Zehra Hajrulai-Musliu, Fatih Ramazan Istanbullugil, Ali Soleimanzadeh, Dmitry Morozov, Kui Zhu, Viorel Herman, Abdelhanine Ayad, Christos Athanassiou, Sinan Ince
Summary: Cancer is a deadly disease that has seen a significant rise in mortality rates globally. The search for potent anticancer agents has led to a focus on natural sources for novel and effective drugs. Plants and microbial species, chosen based on their composition, ecology, phytochemical, and ethnopharmacological properties, have played a crucial role in producing effective anticancer agents. The clinical development of various plant-derived bioactive compounds against cancer, as well as the conjugation of natural compounds with anti-cancerous drugs, show promise in generating targeted treatment therapies. Awareness from pharmaceutical research studies in this field could lead to alternative drug development strategies that are economical, reliable, and safe to use.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ying Liu, Jianfei Zhu, Shaoqi Qu, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu
Summary: In this study, plant-derived antibacterial xanthones, especially alpha-mangostin (AMG) from mangosteen peel, showed remarkable activities against Clostridium perfringens. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that prenylation influenced the activity of xanthones. The efficacy of AMG was also demonstrated in a broiler chicken necrotic enteritis model infected with Clostridium perfringens, where AMG maintained gut microbiome homeostasis and promoted intestinal barrier integrity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoyu Li, Shaoqi Qu, Xiangbin Song, Congming Wu, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu
Summary: This study presents an all-in-one drug delivery strategy that has bactericidal activity, LPS neutralization, and detoxification capabilities, able to recognize, kill pathogens, and alleviate acute inflammatory responses triggered by LPS. The bactericidal drug colistin rapidly kills bacteria and subsequently neutralizes the released LPS. The neutralized LPS is then cleared by acyloxyacyl hydrolase, removing secondary fatty chains and detoxifying LPS in situ. Finally, this system shows high efficacy in two mouse infection models challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, providing a promising alternative intervention for sepsis-associated infections.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaojia Liu, Jianzhong Shen, Kui Zhu
Summary: The study focuses on the antibacterial activities of phytoxanthones, summarizing their structures, sources, categories, drug-likeness evaluations, and antibacterial activities. The results suggest that biprenylated xanthone derivatives may be promising antibacterial candidates.
RSC MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)