Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ziyun Li, Ranran Zhang, Hongna Mu, Wenduo Zhang, Jie Zeng, Hongxia Li, Siming Wang, Xianghui Zhao, Wenxiang Chen, Jun Dong, Ruiyue Yang
Summary: This study found that dietary BCAA supplementation can attenuate HFD-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice through improved dyslipidemia and inflammation, mechanisms involving the intestinal microbiota, and promotion of BA excretion.
Review
Biology
Yuanyuan Jin, Ling Chen, Yufen Yu, Muhammad Hussain, Hao Zhong
Summary: Fruit intake plays a crucial role in regulating the gut microbiota and has potential benefits for host health. Fruits contain bioactive compounds that can interact with microorganisms and help balance the gut microbiota, thus contributing to disease prevention and treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yang Yang, Ming Zhao, Xi He, Qing Wu, Dong-Ling Li, Wei-Jin Zang
Summary: The disruption of gut microbes, BCAA catabolism, and vagal activity in diabetic cardiomyopathy mice were improved by pyridostigmine, leading to reduced cardiac damage. This study provides new insights for developing therapeutic strategies targeting gut microbes and BCAA metabolism to alleviate diabetes-induced cardiac injury.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Zhenzhen Yan, Fan Yang, Linlin Sun, Jing Yu, Lina Sun, Yao Si, Lifen Yao
Summary: Neuroinflammation caused by gut microbiota disorder and its metabolites is involved in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study found that a high BCAA diet intervention could attenuate inflammation levels, improve motor and non-motor dysfunctions, and protect dopaminergic neurons in a PD mouse model.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Constantina Neophytou, Chrysoula Pitsouli
Summary: Host-microbiota interactions play a crucial role in regulating host physiology and behavior. Recent studies using the Drosophila model have provided insights into how microbiota-derived metabolites affect host intestinal stem cells, offering potential treatments for ISC-related diseases in the future.
Article
Microbiology
Ranran Zhang, Hongna Mu, Ziyun Li, Jie Zeng, Qi Zhou, Hongxia Li, Siming Wang, Xianghui Li, Xianghui Zhao, Liang Sun, Wenxiang Chen, Jun Dong, Ruiyue Yang
Summary: BCAA supplementation has significant beneficial effects on MAFLD mouse model, reducing hepatic lipid accumulation and serum cholesterol levels, regulating the expression of lipogenesis and lipolysis-related enzymes in the liver, and improving gut microbiota diversity and composition.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Arun Kumar, Asgar Ali, Raj Kishore Kapardar, Ghulam Mehdi Dar, Abhay Kumar Sharma, Renu Verma, Real Sumayya Abdul Sattar, Ejaj Ahmad, Bhawna Mahajan, Sundeep Singh Saluja
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, and the association between gut microbiota and CRC is crucial. Diet plays a significant role in the composition of gut microbiota and may increase the risk of CRC. Patients with CRC exhibit dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, which can be identified by a decline in beneficial bacterial species and an increase in harmful bacterial populations. Using probiotics or altering the gut microbiota could be effective in CRC treatment.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Meili Bao, Kexin Hou, Chao Xin, Deyong Zeng, Cuilin Cheng, Haitian Zhao, Zhenyu Wang, Lu Wang
Summary: Portulaca oleracea L. extracts (PE) improve diabetes-related biochemical abnormalities by modulating gut microbiota composition and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism, as well as protecting intestinal mucosal epithelium.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ji Eun Kim, Hoonsik Nam, Ji In Park, Hyunjeong Cho, Jangwook Lee, Hyo-Eun Kim, Dong Ki Kim, Kwon Wook Joo, Yon Su Kim, Bong-Soo Kim, Sunghyouk Park, Hajeong Lee
Summary: This study investigated the relationships among gut microbial species, genes, and metabolites in diabetic mellitus nephropathy (DMN) patients. Significant elevations of six bacterial species were found in DMN patients, and differential microbial genes and metabolites were identified between DMN and control groups. Methionine and branched-chain amino acids were found to be important features in differentiating the DMN group from the control group, along with estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria. The study provides insights into the gut microbial involvement in the pathogenesis of DMN and may have implications for potential therapeutic targets.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saijuan Li, Tingting Li, Binqiang Wang, Chang Wen, Meixia Li, Kan Ding
Summary: This study revealed that the polysaccharide SA02B from Semiaquilegia adoxoides has bioactivity on human gut microbiota by promoting the growth of Bacteroides spp. and generating SCFAs. Competition might exist between Bacteroides spp. and probiotics. SA02B may be explored as a prebiotic to benefit the health of gut microbiota.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Martin Kummen, Louise B. Thingholm, Malte C. Ruhlemann, Kristian Holm, Simen H. Hansen, Lucas Moitinho-Silva, Timur Liwinski, Roman Zenouzi, Christopher Storm-Larsen, Oyvind Midttun, Adrian McCann, Per M. Ueland, Marte L. Hoivik, Mette Vesterhus, Marius Troseid, Matthias Laudes, Wolfgang Lieb, Tom H. Karlsen, Corinna Bang, Christoph Schramm, Andre Franke, Johannes R. Hov
Summary: The study found significant functional differences in the gut microbiome of PSC patients, including microbial metabolism of essential nutrients. Changes in related circulating metabolites associated with disease course suggest that microbial functions may be relevant for the disease process in PSC.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Woo Kyun Kim, Amit Kumar Singh, Jinquan Wang, Todd Applegate
Summary: This review discusses the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on poultry growth, production performance, immunity, and intestinal health. The imbalance of BCAA ratio in a low protein diet can hinder poultry growth performance. The recommended levels of BCAA for poultry are influenced by the type of diet, breed, and age of the birds. BCAA supplementation in low protein diets can reduce nitrogen excretion. Further research is needed to understand the impact of BCAA inclusion ratio in different disease-challenged conditions.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jiayu Ma, Xiangshu Piao, Shad Mahfuz, Shenfei Long, Jian Wang
Summary: The interaction between gut microbiota and the host gut is crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of the organism, with short chain fatty acids playing a vital role in regulating intestinal community homeostasis and influencing the host gut barriers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wen -Fang Song, Wei-Qin Yao, Qi-Wen Chen, Diwei Zheng, Zi-Yi Han, Xian-Zheng Zhang
Summary: This study developed a bioorthogonal-mediated bacterial delivery strategy to enhance the colonization of probiotics by modulating bacterial adhesion between probiotics and gut inhabitants, thereby improving the clinical treatment efficacy of oral bacterial therapy.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chang Liu, Changwu Sun, Yuliang Cheng
Summary: The polysaccharide OBG has beneficial effects on the gut microecological balance in mice with colitis by impacting the interactions between gut microbes and amino acid metabolism, particularly tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Maurizio Ragni, Carolina Magdalen Greco, Arianna Felicetta, Shuxun Vincent Ren, Paolo Kunderfranco, Chiara Ruocco, Pierluigi Carullo, Veronica Larcher, Laura Tedesco, Ilenia Severi, Antonio Giordano, Saverio Cinti, Alessandra Valerio, Haipeng Sun, Yibin Wang, Chen Gao, Gianluigi Condorelli, Enzo Nisoli
Summary: A designer diet with essential amino acids substituted for protein has shown remarkable therapeutic effects on heart failure, improving glucose metabolism and mitochondrial fuel oxidation.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Ghibaudi, Alessia Amenta, Miriam Agosti, Marco Riva, Jean-Marie Graic, Francesco Bifari, Luca Bonfanti
Summary: Recently, a population of immature neurons generated prenatally, retaining immaturity for long periods and finally integrating in adult circuits has been described in the cerebral cortex. Comparative studies revealed differences in occurrence/rate of different forms of neurogenic plasticity across mammals, with gyrencephalic species having more immature neurons. To extend experimentation to large-brained mammals, including humans, it is important to detect cell markers of neurogenic plasticity in brain tissues obtained through different procedures. However, the variability in fixation methods and antibody specificity makes comparison difficult.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Serena Marcozzi, Giorgia Bigossi, Maria Elisa Giuliani, Robertina Giacconi, Maurizio Cardelli, Francesco Piacenza, Fiorenza Orlando, Agnese Segala, Alessandra Valerio, Enzo Nisoli, Dario Brunetti, Annibale Puca, Federico Boschi, Carlo Gaetano, Alessia Mongelli, Fabrizia Lattanzio, Mauro Provinciali, Marco Malavolta
Summary: Frailty is an age-related condition characterized by functional decline, vulnerability to stressors, and adverse health outcomes. Two validated measurements, frailty phenotype (FP) and clinical frailty index (CFI), have limitations in identifying frail mice. In this study, a physical function score (PFS) was developed as a continuous variable integrating the criteria of FP to reduce misclassification of frailty. The PFS, along with CFI, was used to calculate a vitality score (VS) in aging mice, which showed higher association with mortality and correlated with biomarkers linked to senescent cells and the epigenetic clock. This non-invasive assessment and the VS may improve frailty identification, reduce sample size, and evaluate interventions for age-related diseases in geriatric animals.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Riccardo Dalle Grave, Simona Calugi, Chiara Ruocco, Mirko Chimini, Agnese Segala, Maurizio Ragni, Michele Carruba, Alessandra Valerio, Enzo Nisoli
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of supplementing a mixture of essential amino acids (EAA) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates in increasing lean body mass (LBM) and improving physical and psychological outcomes in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) who undergo specialized intensive treatment for eating disorders. The results of this study will provide insights on the effectiveness of supplementation with EAA and TCA intermediates in improving LBM and other important physical and psychological outcomes in AN patients who regain weight with specialized intensive treatment.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alexis Elias Malavazos, Gianluca Iacobellis, Elena Dozio, Sara Basilico, Angelica Di Vincenzo, Carola Dubini, Lorenzo Menicanti, Elena Vianello, Chiara Meregalli, Chiara Ruocco, Maurizio Ragni, Francesco Secchi, Pietro Spagnolo, Serenella Castelvecchio, Lelio Morricone, Silvio Buscemi, Antonio Giordano, Jeffrey J. Goldberger, Michele Carruba, Saverio Cinti, Massimiliano Marco Corsi Romanelli, Enzo Nisoli
Summary: Human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a unique and multifunctional fat compartment of the heart that can directly interact with the myocardium. It plays a key role in the development and progression of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Targeting EAT through G-protein-coupled receptors, such as GLP-1R agonists, can be a novel therapeutic approach.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Maurizio Ragni, Francesca Fenaroli, Chiara Ruocco, Agnese Segala, Giuseppe D'Antona, Enzo Nisoli, Alessandra Valerio
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, including ischemic stroke. Non-pharmacological interventions like exercise can prevent stroke, but they are challenging for older individuals. This study suggests that dietary supplementation with a balanced essential amino acid mixture (BCAAem) can mimic the effects of exercise on brain mitochondria and prevent neurodegeneration. BCAAem treatment directly promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and protects cortical neurons from ischemic damage. The mTOR and eNOS signaling pathways are involved in the effects of BCAAem. It is proposed that BCAAem supplementation can be an alternative to exercise in preventing brain mitochondrial dysfunction and aiding recovery after cerebral ischemia.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maurizio Ragni, Luca Canciani, Letizia Spataro, Chiara Ruocco, Alessandra Valerio, Enzo Nisoli
Summary: The skin is greatly affected by the aging process, and nutritional approaches that promote ECM gene expression may help counteract skin aging. This study found that a formulation enriched with tricarboxylic acid intermediates stimulated ECM gene expression, and protected against oxidative damage. These findings suggest that this non-pharmacological approach could be used to combat skin aging.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chiara Ruocco, Alexis Elias Malavazos, Maurizio Ragni, Michele O. Carruba, Alessandra Valerio, Gianluca Iacobellis, Enzo Nisoli
Summary: Adaptive thermogenesis refers to the heat production by muscle contractions or brown adipose tissue in response to external stimuli. Brown adipose tissue and beige fat communicate with peripheral organs and the brain through secretory and absorption processes, and have potential therapeutic applications in obesity-related disorders.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Amelia Brunani, Raffaella Cancello, Michele Gobbi, Elisa Lucchetti, Giulia Di Guglielmo, Sabrina Maestrini, Stefania Cattaldo, Paolo Pitera, Chiara Ruocco, Alessandra Milesi, Alessandra Valerio, Paolo Capodaglio, Enzo Nisoli
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of protein or amino acid supplements on muscle mass loss in middle-aged men. The results showed that the PD-E07 supplement group had a notable increase in muscle mass compared to the control group, while the protein and BCAA supplement groups did not exhibit a significant difference. Therefore, amino acid-based supplements may effectively mitigate the loss of muscle mass during weight reduction.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emirena Garrafa, Agnese Segala, Marika Vezzoli, Emanuela Bottani, Barbara Zanini, Alice Vetturi, Renata Bracale, Chiara Ricci, Alessandra Valerio
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health emergency due to its high prevalence and lack of specific therapies. This study found that mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is associated with NAFLD, as indicated by reduced basal respiration, ATP-linked respiration, maximal respiration, and spare respiratory capacity in NAFLD patients compared to control subjects. These mitochondrial respiratory parameters were correlated with triglycerides, fasting insulin levels, IL-6 levels, HDL-cholesterol level, and fatty liver index, suggesting their potential as predictive biomarkers for NAFLD.