Gut Flora

Antidepressants are drugs commonly used in clinical settings. However, there are very limited studies on the effects of these drugs on the gut microbiota. Herein, we evaluated the effect of reboxetine (RBX), a selective norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitor (NRI), on gut microbiota in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats. This is the first report of relation between reboxetine use and the gut microbiota to our knowledge. In this study, type-1 diabetes induced by using streptozotocin (STZ) and RBX was administered to diabetic rats and healthy controls for 14 days. At the end of the treatment, stool samples were collected. Following DNA extraction, amplicon libraries for the V3-V4 region were prepared and sequenced with the Illumina Miseq platform. QIIME was used for preprocessing and analysis of the data. As a result, RBX had a significant effect on gut microbiota structure and composition in diabetic and healthy rats. For example, RBX exposure had a pronounced microbial s...

Research so far indicates that gut microbiome and diet interactions influence obesity, diabetes, host immunity, and brain function. The ability of athletes to perform to optimum for a more extended time, as well as the ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to fatigue, injury depends on the genetic factor, age, sex, training history, psychological factors, mode, intensity and frequency of training and their interactions with the external dietary components. However, recent evidence indicates that the gut microbiome may also potentially influence the development of endurance in response to the type and composition of the external diet, including several food supplements. Thus, the gut microbiome has become another target in the athlete's pursuit of optimal performance. This chapter discusses the effect of exercise on the gut microbiome, the interplay between dietary components and supplements on the gut microbiome, and its impact on endurance performance.

Background
Diarrhoeal diseases remain the second leading cause of preventable death globally, particularly among children under the age of five in developing countries, accounting for an estimated 2-3 million deaths annually. Among the bacterial pathogens causing diarrheal illness, Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) remains one of the major contributors, particularly in LMICs.As a common gut pathogen, C. jejuni expresses several secretory or surface-expressed colonisation proteins, namely Hcp, VgrG, CadF, FlpA, and JlpA. Most of these proteins play pivotal roles in bacterial self-survival, host-cell adhesion, and invasion in avian and non-avian hosts.
Methods
To minimise the C. jejuni adhesion and subsequent colonisation in the avian gut, we explored the potential of a multivalent mucosal vaccine composition using these putative subunits of C.jejuni. For this purpose, we bioengineered a food-grade Lactic Acid-producing Bacterium, Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis), to express three key immunogenic subunits, Hcp, CadF and JlpA. Utilising this live vector-based multi-component mucosal vaccine platform, we investigated the
immunoprotective potential of these antigens in chickens. Since the particular strain of L. lactis is non-colonising, we used chitosan as a natural mucoadhesive, biodegradable polymer to microencapsulate the engineered bacteria to increase their gut retention time for optimal interaction with local immune cells.
Results
Our in vivo immunisation study demonstrated that oral administration of this multivalent vaccine formulation elicited a strong local antibody response (sIgA) and upregulated key pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to robust mucosal immune protection against the ceca colonisation of C. jejuni. Moreover, gut metagenomic analysis of vaccinated birds revealed a marked reduction in the phylum Campylobacterota, accompanied by an increased abundance of the phyla Bacillota and Bacteroidota, as part of a beneficial microbial community.
Conclusions
Together, this study underscores the potential of a live vector-based, multivalent mucosal vaccine as a promising, cost-effective strategy to reduce the risk of foodborne transmission of C. jejuni, particularly in poultry production systems.

Background and Objectives: Rectal cancer management increasingly relies on watch-and-wait strategies after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Accurate, noninvasive prediction of pathological complete response (pCR) remains elusive. Emerging evidence suggests that gut-microbiome composition modulates radio-chemosensitivity. We systematically reviewed primary studies that correlated baseline or on-treatment gutmicrobiome features with nCRT response in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: MEDLINE, Embase and PubMed were searched from inception to 30 April 2025. Eligibility required (i) prospective or retrospective human studies of LARC, (ii) faecal or mucosal microbiome profiling by 16S, metagenomics, or metatranscriptomics, and (iii) response assessment using tumour-regression grade or pCR. Narrative synthesis and random-effects proportion meta-analysis were performed where data were homogeneous. Results: Twelve studies (n = 1354 unique patients, median sample = 73, range 22-735) met inclusion. Four independent machine-learning models achieved an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve AUROC ≥ 0.85 for pCR prediction. Consistently enriched taxa in responders included Lachnospiraceae bacterium, Blautia wexlerae, Roseburia spp., and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens. Non-responders showed over-representation of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides fragilis, and Prevotella spp. Two studies linked butyrate-producing modules to radiosensitivity, whereas nucleotide-biosynthesis pathways conferred resistance. Pooled pCR rate in patients with a "butyrate-rich" baseline profile was 44% (95% CI 35-54) versus 21% (95% CI 15-29) in controls (I 2 = 18%). Conclusions: Despite heterogeneity, convergent functional and taxonomic signals underpin a microbiome-based radiosensitivity axis in LARC. Multi-centre validation cohorts and intervention trials manipulating these taxa, such as prebiotics or live-biotherapeutics, are warranted before clinical deployment.

The acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AR) genes has rendered important pathogens nearly or fully unresponsive to antibiotics. It has been suggested that pathogens acquire AR traits from the gut microbiota, which collectively serve as a global reservoir for AR genes conferring resistance to all classes of antibiotics. However, only a subset of AR genes confers resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics, and, although these AR gene profiles are wellcharacterized for common pathogens, less is known about their taxonomic associations and transfer potential within diverse members of the gut microbiota. We examined a collection of 14,850 human metagenomes and 1666 environmental metagenomes from 33 countries, in addition to nearly 600,000 isolate genomes, to gain insight into the global prevalence and taxonomic range of clinically relevant AR genes. We find that several of the most concerning AR genes, such as those encoding the cephalosporinase CTX-M and carbapenemases KPC, IMP, NDM, and VIM, remain taxonomically restricted to Proteobacteria. Even cfiA, the most common carbapenemase gene within the human gut microbiome, remains tightly restricted to Bacteroides, despite being found on a mobilizable plasmid. We confirmed these findings in gut microbiome samples from India, Honduras, Pakistan, and Vietnam, using a high-sensitivity single-cell fusion PCR approach. Focusing on a set of genes encoding carbapenemases and cephalosporinases, thus far restricted to Bacteroides species, we find that few mutations are required for efficacy in a different phylum, raising the question of why these genes have not spread more widely. Overall, these data suggest that globally prevalent, clinically relevant AR genes have not yet established themselves across diverse commensal gut microbiota. Preventing the spread of multidrug-and pandrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria remains a primary focus of global health efforts 1 . Recognition that the commensal gut microbiota harbor extensive numbers of diverse AR genes [4] , engage in horizontal gene transfer (HGT) at higher rates than microbiota in other environments , and may serve as a stable reservoir for pathogenic acquisition has prompted broader AR surveillance beyond clinical isolates . The potential for the spread of AR genes between taxa through HGT 14-17 has raised further concern, especially for mcr genes, which confer resistance against colistin, and carbapenemases. However, many of the annotated AR genes observed to transfer within microbiomes, including many common Class A betalactamase variants 18 , do not confer phenotypic resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics. Understanding the global spread and HGT potential of clinically relevant AR genes-particularly those associated

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterised by intestinal inflammation driven by dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. Conventional therapies often have significant side effects, necessitating safer alternatives. This review explores the potential of functional foods as adjunctive therapies for IBD management. Functional foods, including prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties through various mechanisms. Prebiotics and probiotics modulate the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory metabolites. Polyphenols possess antioxidant and mast cell stabilising properties, while omega-3 fatty acids suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines. These foods can synergistically restore microbial balance, improve gut barrier function, and modulate immune responses, including reducing mast cell degranulation. Moreover, they addresses critical factors influencing their therapeutic potential, such as optimal functional food doses, bioavailability, and individual variation in response. Practical barriers to the clinical integration of functional foods, such as formulation stability, patient adherence, and regulatory constraints, are also discussed. Moreover, this review highlights the potential of dietary interventions in managing IBD by reducing reliance on medications and improving patient outcomes. However, further research is crucial to optimise the clinical application of functional foods in IBD management and to fully understand their mechanisms of action.

The application of bacterial metagenomic analysis as a biomarker for cancer detection is emerging. Our aim was to discover gut microbiota signatures with potential utility in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A prospective study was performed on a total of 77 fecal samples from CRC and NSCLC patients and controls. DNA from stool was analyzed for bacterial genomic sequencing using the Ion Torrent™ technology. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using the QIIME2 pipeline. We applied logistic regression to adjust for differences attributable to sex, age, and body mass index, and the diagnostic accuracy of our gut signatures was compared with other previously published results. The feces of patients affected by different tumor types, such as CRC and NSCLC, showed a differential intestinal microbiota profile. After adjusting for confounders, Parvimonas (OR = 53.3), Gemella (OR = 6.01), Eisenbergiella (OR = 5.35), Peptostreptococcus (OR = 9.42), Lactobacillus (OR = 6.72), Salmonella (OR = 5.44), and Fusobacterium (OR = 78.9) remained significantly associated with the risk of CRC. Two genera from the Ruminococcaceae family, DTU089 (OR = 20.1) and an uncharacterized genus (OR = 160.1), were associated with the risk of NSCLC. Our two panels had better diagnostic capacity for CRC (AUC = 0.840) and NSLC (AUC = 0.747) compared to the application of two other published panels to our population. Thus, we propose a gut bacteria panel for each cancer type and show its potential application in cancer diagnosis.

Background The role of intestinal microbiota in inflammatory bowel diseases is intensively researched. Pediatric studies on the relation between microbiota and treatment response are sparse. We aimed to determine whether absolute abundances of gut microbes characterize the response to infliximab induction in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Methods We recruited pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease introduced to infliximab at Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki. Stool samples were collected at 0, 2, and 6 weeks for microbiota and calprotectin analyses. We defined treatment response as fecal calprotectin value <100 µg/g at week 6. Intestinal microbiota were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. We analyzed total bacterial counts using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and transformed the relative abundances into absolute abundances based on the total counts. Results At baseline, the intestinal micro...

Gut microbiota composition influences the clinical benefit of immune checkpoints in patients with advanced cancer but mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Molecular mechanism whereby gut microbiota influences immune responses is mainly assigned to gut microbial metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced in large amounts in the colon through bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber. We evaluate in mice and in patients treated with anti-CTLA-4 blocking mAbs whether SCFA levels is related to clinical outcome. High blood butyrate and propionate levels are associated with resistance to CTLA-4 blockade and higher proportion of Treg cells. In mice, butyrate restrains anti-CTLA-4-induced up-regulation of CD80/CD86 on dendritic cells and ICOS on T cells, accumulation of tumor-specific T cells and memory T cells. In patients, high blood butyrate levels moderate ipilimumab-induced accumulation of memory and ICOS + CD4 + T cells and IL-2 impregnation. Altogether,...

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterized by subclinical inflammatory process. Changes in composition or modulation of the gut microbiota may play an important role in the obesity-associated inflammatory process. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidumi) on gut microbiota, changes in permeability, and insulin sensitivity and signaling in high-fat diet and control animals. More importantly, we investigated the effects of these gut modulations on hypothalamic control of food intake, and insulin and leptin signaling. Swiss mice were submitted to a high-fat diet (HFD) with probiotics or pair-feeding for 5 weeks. Metagenome analyses were performed on DNA samples from mouse feces. Blood was drawn to determine levels of glucose, insulin, LPS, cytokines and GLP-1. Liver, muscle, ileum and hypothalamus tissue proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, liver and adipose tissues were analyzed using histology and immunohistochemistry. The HFD induced huge alterations in gut microbiota accompanied by increased intestinal permeability, LPS translocation and systemic low-grade inflammation, resulting in decreased glucose tolerance and hyperphagic behavior. All these obesity-related features were reversed by changes in the gut microbiota profile induced by probiotics. Probiotics also induced an improvement in hypothalamic insulin and leptin resistance. Our data demonstrate that the intestinal microbiome is a key modulator of inflammatory and metabolic pathways in both peripheral and central tissues. These findings shed light on probiotics as an important tool to prevent and treat patients with obesity and insulin resistance.

The fungi in the gastrointestinal tract, the gut mycobiota, are now recognised as a significant part of the gut microbiota, and they may be important to human health. In contrast to the adult gut mycobiota, the establishment of the early gut mycobiota has never been described, and there is little knowledge about the fungal transfer from mother to offspring. In a prospective cohort, we followed 298 pairs of healthy mothers and offspring from 36 weeks of gestation until 2 years of age (1516 samples) and explored the gut mycobiota in maternal and offspring samples. Half of the pregnant mothers were randomised into drinking probiotic milk during and after pregnancy. The probiotic bacteria included Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5. We quantified the fungal abundance of all the samples using qPCR of the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 segment, and we sequenced the 18S rRNA gene ITS1 region of 90 hig...

conducted by infecting both colonies with dengue type 1 virus. Mosquitoes were dissected on day 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 post infection to obtain salivary glands, midguts and ovaries. After extraction, presence of Wolbachia were determine using PCR and dengue virus load were determined using qPCR. Results: Wolbachia infected colonies had higher fecundity and egg viability compared to Wolbachia uninfected colony. Female lifespan for infected colony were slightly higher whereas male lifespan was significantly higher for Wolbachia uninfected colony. Virus titre load was the highest on day 12 for all three organs. Uninfected colony had higher viral amount on day 12 for salivary glands and midgut. The viral load in the ovaries were different at all intervals between Wolbachia infected and uninfected colonies. Conclusion: Wolbachia infected colonies had higher fecundity, longevity and egg viability compared to Wolbachia uninfected colonies but male lifespan were higher in Wolbachia uninfected colonies. Differences were noticeable in viral load pattern between Wolbachia infected and uninfected colonies for dengue type 1.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that consuming manuka honey, which contains antimicrobial methylglyoxal, may affect the gut microbiota. We undertook a mouse feeding study to investigate whether dietary manuka honey supplementation altered microbial numbers and their production of organic acid products from carbohydrate fermentation, which are markers of gut microbiota function. The caecum of C57BL/6 mice fed a diet supplemented with antimicrobial UMF® 20+ manuka honey at 2.2 g/kg animal did not show any significantly changed concentrations of microbial short chain fatty acids as measured by gas chromatography, except for increased formate and lowered succinate organic acid concentrations, compared to mice fed a control diet. There was no change in succinate-producing Bacteroidetes numbers, or honey-utilising Bifidobacteria, nor any other microbes measured by real time quantitative PCR. These results suggest that, despite the antimicrobial activity of the original ho...

Aquaculture is a cornerstone in protein production with the cultivation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), but it has faced challenges from pathogens such as the emerging bacterium Lactococcus garvieae. Humic acid (HA) was used as a prophylactic measure to evaluate its effect on the intestinal microbiota, immune system, and survival in tilapia challenged with L. garvieae under laboratory conditions. Four concentrations of HA were tested in feed over 83 days. The intestinal microbiota was analyzed in treatment IV (1.0 g/ kg of feed) and control through 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3). Liver and gill tissue were collected for immune system gene expression analysis (COX-2, TGF, IL-1B, and TNF-α) through real-time qPCR methods. On day 71, the fish were inoculated by immersion with L. garvieae (CL 50 = 8.5 × 10 5 CFU/mL). Gene expression in the liver (COX-2 and TNFα) and gills (COX-2, TGF-β, and IL-1β) increased significantly in treatment IV. Cetobacterium was among the most abundant genera in the tilapia gut. Fusobacteriota (phylum) and the genera Aeromonas, Rhodobacter, Gemobacter, and Ideonella were enriched in HA, whereas the phylum Patescibacteria and genera Pelomonas, Nitrobacter, and Clostridioides decreased significantly. Dietary HA supplementation significantly altered gut microbiota diversity and the interaction network core. Humic acid supplementation significantly improved tilapia survival against L. garvieae by enhancing immune gene expression and modulating gut microbiota-enriching Fusobacteriota and beneficial genera (Rhodobacter, Ideonella) while reducing pathogens (Pelomonas, Clostridioides). These findings support HA as a prophylactic alternative against lactococcosis in Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) farming.

Aquaculture is a cornerstone in protein production with the cultivation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), but it has faced challenges from pathogens such as the emerging bacterium Lactococcus garvieae. Humic acid (HA) was used as a prophylactic measure to evaluate its effect on the intestinal microbiota, immune system, and survival in tilapia challenged with L. garvieae under laboratory conditions. Four concentrations of HA were tested in feed over 83 days. The intestinal microbiota was analyzed in treatment IV (1.0 g/ kg of feed) and control through 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3). Liver and gill tissue were collected for immune system gene expression analysis (COX-2, TGF, IL-1B, and TNF-α) through real-time qPCR methods. On day 71, the fish were inoculated by immersion with L. garvieae (CL 50 = 8.5 × 10 5 CFU/mL). Gene expression in the liver (COX-2 and TNFα) and gills (COX-2, TGF-β, and IL-1β) increased significantly in treatment IV. Cetobacterium was among the most abundant genera in the tilapia gut. Fusobacteriota (phylum) and the genera Aeromonas, Rhodobacter, Gemobacter, and Ideonella were enriched in HA, whereas the phylum Patescibacteria and genera Pelomonas, Nitrobacter, and Clostridioides decreased significantly. Dietary HA supplementation significantly altered gut microbiota diversity and the interaction network core. Humic acid supplementation significantly improved tilapia survival against L. garvieae by enhancing immune gene expression and modulating gut microbiota-enriching Fusobacteriota and beneficial genera (Rhodobacter, Ideonella) while reducing pathogens (Pelomonas, Clostridioides). These findings support HA as a prophylactic alternative against lactococcosis in Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) farming.

Many studies address the influence of the gut microbiome on the immune system, but few dissect the effect of T cells on gut microbiota and mucosal responses. We have employed larval thymectomy in Xenopus to study the gut microbiota with and without the influence of T lymphocytes. Pyrosequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes was used to assess the relative abundance of bacterial groups present in the stomach, small and large intestine. Clostridiaceae was the most abundant family throughout the gut, while Bacteroidaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Flavobacteriaceae also were well represented. Unifrac analysis revealed no differences in microbiota distribution between thymectomized and unoperated frogs. This is consistent with immunization data showing that levels of the mucosal immunoglobulin IgX are not altered significantly by thymectomy. This study in Xenopus represents the oldest organisms that exhibit class switch to a mucosal isotype and is relevant to mammalian immunology, as IgA appears to have evolved from IgX based upon phylogeny, genomic synteny, and function.

Constipation is a condition that affects a consistent part of the general population, with increasing numbers of incidence worldwide. Its causes can be attributed to several factors. One of these factors (and one of the most relevant causes) is dietary choices. For instance, poor nutrition habits have been shown to adversely affect the function of the digestive tract, eliciting abnormal physiological responses that might lead to constipation. Prebiotics are specialized types of fermentable fibres which have been hypothesised to play a beneficial role in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and inulin are the most common types of prebiotics. There are several studies to demonstrate that prebiotics have many interactions with the bowel and its movements, thus they are potentially beneficial in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation. Some prebiotics can retain water and therefore increase stool mass an...

Humans have a symbiotic relationship with gut microbiota, normally comprised of greater amount of the phyla firmicutes as opposed to Bacteroidetes. Which are respectfully categorized as gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Their gut microbiome facilitates metabolism of substances which are otherwise indigestible to humans. Relevant literature reiterates their vital role to our daily life. Amongst individuals with metabolic disease syndrome (MetS) or/and obesity have shown to have disproportionate microbiome compared to healthy individuals. Giving rise to therapeutic options such as, prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics as well as an educated diet. GPB, which have been shown to be a protective factor against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced gut-barrier dysfunctions and gut inflammation that are considered to be risk factors against MetS and obesity. In turn, the amount of GNB have a positive correlation with LPS. Relevant research supports dietary effects on microbiome and by extension on MetS and obesity. The authors acknowledge the need for more research and increased education to the general population, as well as to specialists about these implications.

Background Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) has become one of most common and harmful chronic diseases worldwide. T2D is characterized as insulin resistant and is often associated with unhealthy dietary habits. The present study assessed the effects of freeze-dried Saskatoon berry powder (SBp) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G, an anthocyanin enriched in SBp) on metabolism, inflammatory markers and gut microbiota in high fat-high sucrose diet (HFHS) diet induced insulin resistant mice. Results Male C57 BL/6J mice received control, HFHS, HFHS + SBp (8.0 g/kg body weight/day) or HFHS + C3G (7.2 mg/kg/day, equal amount of C3G in 8.0 g/kg/day SBp) diet for 11 weeks. HFHS diet significantly increased the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance and inflammatory mediators in plasma. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that HFHS diet increased the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes (B/F) phylum bacteria and an elevated abundance of Muriculaceae family bacteria in ...

Administration of freeze-dried powder of Saskatoon berry (SB), a popular fruit enriched with antioxidants, reduced glucose level, inflammatory markers and gut microbiota disorder in high fat-high sucrose (HFHS) diet-induced insulin resistant mice. The present study examined the dose-response relationship in metabolic, inflammatory and gut microbiotic variables to SB power (SBp) supplementation in HFHS diet-fed mice. Male C57 BL/6J mice were fed with HFHS diet supplemented with 0, 1%, 2.5% or 5% SBp for 11 weeks. HFHS diet significantly increased the levels of fast plasma glucose (FPG), cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, but decreased fecal Bacteroidetes phylum bacteria and Muribaculaceae family bacteria compared to low fat diet. SBp dose-dependently reduced metabolic and inflammatory variables and gut dysbiosis in mice compare...

Debugging Metabolic Disease Obesity, now officially recognized as an epidemic in many developed nations, is a key component of “metabolic syndrome,” an array of metabolic disturbances that increase an individual's risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. The rise in obesity rates has been largely attributed to the growing imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure, but recent provocative work has suggested a possible link between obesity and the composition of microbes residing within the gut. Vijay-Kumar et al. (p. 228 , published online 4 March; see the Perspective by Sandoval and Seeley ) now find that mutant mice deficient in a component of the innate immune system (which defends the body against microbial pathogens) develop hallmark features of metabolic syndrome, accompanied by changes in gut microbiota. Notably, transfer of gut microbiota from the mutant mice to wild-type mice conferred several features of metabolic syndrome to the recipients. Thus, the de...

The escalating global obesity epidemic requires comprehensive investigations for effective weight management strategies. Understanding the patterns, barriers, and facilitators of dietary interventions is crucial for developing effective weight management protocols. This research aims to assess dietary modification interventions among weight loss subjects in Tamilnadu, South India. Specific objectives included evaluating various weight loss interventions, analyzing dietary patterns adopted by subjects, and examining characteristics, barriers, and facilitators associated with specific dietary modification approaches. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 participants from Tamilnadu, South India. The research employed a comprehensive data collection approach, gathering information on demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary modification patterns, and intervention outcomes. Participants were categorized based on their chosen dietary interventions, particularly distinguishing between intermittent fasting and alternative dietary approaches. The study systematically evaluated various parameters, including regular adherence, physiological effects, psychological impacts, and barriers to maintenance. Statistical analysis utilized chi-square and Fischer's exact tests for categorical variables, while independent t-tests were employed for continuous variables. This study encompassed 432 participants, with demographically diverse participants characterized by a predominance of urban residents (295, 68.3%), highly educated individuals (383, 88.6%), and students (190,

Background:  The escalating global obesity epidemic requires comprehensive investigations for effective weight management strategies. Understanding the patterns, barriers, and facilitators of dietary interventions is crucial for developing effective weight management protocols. This research aims to assess dietary modification interventions among weight loss subjects in Tamilnadu, South India. Specific objectives included evaluating various weight loss interventions, analyzing dietary patterns adopted by subjects, and examining characteristics, barriers, and facilitators associated with specific dietary modification approaches.

Highlights d Changes in the gut microbiota are required for the antiseizure effects of the KD d Specific KD-associated bacteria mediate and confer the anti-seizure effects of the KD d KD microbiota regulate amino acid g-glutamylation and hippocampal GABA/glutamate

The microbiota is increasingly recognized for its ability to influence the development and function of the nervous system and several complex host behaviors. In this review, we discuss emerging roles for the gut microbiota in modulating host social and communicative behavior, stressorinduced behavior, and performance in learning and memory tasks. We summarize effects of the microbiota on host neurophysiology, including brain microstructure, gene expression, and neurochemical metabolism across regions of the amygdala, hippocampus, frontal cortex, and hypothalamus. We further assess evidence linking dysbiosis of the gut microbiota to neurobehavioral diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder and major depression, drawing upon findings from animal models and human trials. Finally, based on increasing associations between the microbiota, neurophysiology, and behavior, we consider whether investigating mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain axis could lead to novel approaches for treating particular neurological conditions.

The microbiota is increasingly recognized for its ability to influence the development and function of the nervous system and several complex host behaviors. In this review, we discuss emerging roles for the gut microbiota in modulating host social and communicative behavior, stressor-induced behavior, and performance in learning and memory tasks. We summarize effects of the microbiota on host neurophysiology, including brain microstructure, gene expression, and neurochemical metabolism across regions of the amygdala, hippocampus, frontal cortex, and hypothalamus. We further assess evidence linking dysbiosis of the gut microbiota to neurobehavioral diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder and major depression, drawing upon findings from animal models and human trials. Finally, based on increasing associations between the microbiota, neurophysiology, and behavior, we consider whether investigating mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain axis could lead to novel approaches fo...

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains much of the body's serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), but mechanisms controlling the metabolism of gut-derived 5-HT remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the microbiota plays a critical role in regulating host 5-HT. Indigenous spore-forming bacteria (Sp) from the mouse and human microbiota promote 5-HT biosynthesis from colonic enterochromaffin cells (ECs), which supply 5-HT to the mucosa, lumen, and circulating platelets. Importantly, microbiota-dependent effects on gut 5-HT significantly impact host physiology, modulating GI motility and platelet function. We identify select fecal metabolites that are increased by Sp and that elevate 5-HT in chromaffin cell cultures, suggesting direct metabolic signaling of gut microbes to ECs. Furthermore, elevating luminal concentrations of particular microbial metabolites increases colonic and blood 5-HT in germ-free mice. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Sp are important modulator...

Highlights d Changes in the gut microbiota are required for the antiseizure effects of the KD d Specific KD-associated bacteria mediate and confer the anti-seizure effects of the KD d KD microbiota regulate amino acid g-glutamylation and hippocampal GABA/glutamate

The gut microbiota has been linked to metabolic diseases. However, information on the microbiome of young adults at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional analysis was to investigate whether insulin resistant women with previous gestational diabetes (pGDM), a high risk group for T2D, differ in their stool microbiota from women after a normoglycemic pregnancy (controls). Bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing using fecal samples from 42 pGDM and 35 control subjects 3–16 months after delivery. Clinical characterization included a 5-point OGTT, anthropometrics, clinical chemistry markers and a food frequency questionnaire. Women with a Prevotellaceae-dominated intestinal microbiome were overrepresented in the pGDM group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes was significantly lower in women pGDM (median 48.5 vs. 56.8%; p = 0.013). Taxa richness (alpha diversity) was simi...

Although fasting can be an effective strategy for managing obesity, it should be practiced thoughtfully, with individualized plans that prioritize long-term health and well-being. Research on pairing fasting with chemotherapy is still developing, so any such approach must be carried out under the strict supervision of the patient's oncology team. To safely include fasting in a cancer treatment regimen, it's vital to choose suitable patients, provide ongoing monitoring, and tailor the plan to each individual's needs. Since fasting's impact on blood sugar control can differ from person to person, careful tracking of glucose levels is especially important for people with diabetes or other health conditions. When used properly, fasting may support the effects of diabetes medications in controlling blood sugar. Additionally, the timing and length of fasting sessions can affect how cancer cells respond, with shorter intermittent fasting possibly helping to trigger cancer cell death more selectively, while extended fasting might offer extra advantages. Overall, expert guidance, personal assessment, and vigilant monitoring are key to safely incorporating fasting, reducing risks, and enhancing its potential benefits.

The gastrointestinal tract of humans is a complex microbial ecosystem known as gut microbiota. The microbiota is involved in several critical physiological processes such as digestion, absorption, and related physiological functions and plays a crucial role in determining the host’s health. The habitual consumption of specific dietary components can impact beyond their nutritional benefits, altering gut microbiota diversity and function and could manipulate health. Phytochemicals are non-nutrient biologically active plant components that can modify the composition of gut microflora through selective stimulation of proliferation or inhibition of certain microbial communities in the intestine. Plants secrete these components, and they accumulate in the cell wall and cell sap compartments (body) for their development and survival. These compounds have low bioavailability and long time-retention in the intestine due to their poor absorption, resulting in beneficial impacts on gut microb...

People living with HIV infection (PWH) disclose that cannabis is an effective strategy for alleviating symptoms associated with HIV disease. However, some medical providers feel ill-informed to engage in evidence-based conversations. HIV leads to alterations in the gut microbiome, gut-brain axis signaling, and chronic inflammation. The endocannabinoid system regulates homeostasis of multiple organ systems. When deficient, dysregulation of the gut-brain axis can result in chronic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Cannabis along with the naturally occurring endocannabinoids has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can support healing and restoration as an adjunctive therapy. The purpose of this literature review is to report the physiologic mechanisms that occur in the pathology of HIV and discuss potential benefits of cannabinoids in supporting health and reducing the negative effects of comorbidities in PWH.

Background: Several microbial studies reported gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The functional consequences of this phenomenon are poorly understood. Faecal metaproteomics allows the quantitative analysis of host and microbial proteins to address functional changes resulting from this dysbiosis. Methods: We analysed faecal protein extracts from fifteen patients with CF that have pancreatic insufficiency and from their unaffected siblings by shotgun proteomics. Novel computational and statistical tools were introduced to evaluate changes in taxonomic composition and protein abundance. Results: Faecal protein extracts from patients with CF were dominated by host proteins involved in inflammation and mucus formation. Taxonomic analysis of the microbial proteins confirmed the strong reduction of butyrate reducers such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and increase of Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcus gnavus and Clostridia species. Conclusion: Faecal metaproteomics provides insights in intestinal dysbiosis, inflammation in patients with CF and can be used to monitor different disease markers in parallel.

The human colonic microflora has a central role in health and disease, being unique in its complexity and range of functions. As such, dietary modulation is important for improved gut health, especially during the highly-sensitive stage of infancy. Diet can affect the composition of the gut microflora through the availability of different substrates for bacterial fermentation. Differences in gut microflora composition and incidence of infection exist between breast-fed and formula-fed infants, with the former thought to have improved protection. Historically, this improvement has been believed to be a result of the higher presence of reportedly-beneficial genera such as the bifidobacteria. As such, functional food ingredients such as prebiotics and probiotics could effect a beneficial modification in the composition and activities of gut microflora of infants by increasing positive flora components. The prebiotic approach aims to increase resident bacteria that are considered to be ...

Menopause is accompanied by endocrine, metabolic, and neuroimmune shifts that may interact with features of
the gut microbiota to influence symptom burden and long-term health. This narrative review (human and
translational studies indexed through August 2025, prioritizing prospective cohorts, randomized trials, and
multi-omics analyses) synthesizes evidence linking menopausal status with microbial structure and function,
highlighting associations with metabolic-syndrome components, adiposity, and inflammatory tone. Mechanistic
hypotheses center on (i) enterohepatic estrogen recycling modulated by microbial β-glucuronidase activity
within the estrobolome (affecting deconjugation and bioavailability rather than de novo synthesis), (ii) shortchain fatty acids and bile-acid signaling that shape insulin sensitivity, adiposity, and bone remodeling, and (iii)
gut–brain–immune crosstalk relevant to mood, sleep, and vasomotor symptom perception. Small trials of
probiotics/synbiotics and higher-fiber, polyphenol-rich dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean-style) report
improvements in select symptom scales or biomarkers, while consistent reductions in vasomotor symptoms
remain preliminary and heterogeneous; urogenital outcomes appear more responsive to targeted Lactobacillus
interventions. Because most human data are associative and trials are small with nonstandardized endpoints and
potential confounding by diet, HRT, and lifestyle, firm causal inferences are premature. A systems-biology
program integrating metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and host multi-omics with harmonized
clinical phenotyping is needed to identify reproducible microbial functions and host pathways, define riskstratification biomarkers, and test microbiota-directed strategies in adequately powered RCTs; until then,
guidance should emphasize evidence-aligned nutrition and cautious, indication-specific use of microbial
therapeutics.

1) Background: A clinical laboratory index to assess gut dysbiosis is the F/B ratio < 0.8. In fact, an elevated proportion of Firmicutes and a reduced population of Bacteroides in diabetes type 2 (T2D) subjects has been observed. This study aimed to detail the dysbiosis status in the Italian population, focusing on some pathogenic spectra (T2D) or metabolic disorders. (2) Material and methods: A quantity of 334 fecal samples was analyzed in order to perform genetic testing and sequencing. (3) Results: A trend in over imbalance was observed in the percentage of Proteobacteria (median value: 6.75%; interquartile range (IQR): 3.57-17.29%). A statistically significant association (χ 2 p = 0.033) was observed between type of dysbiosis and T2D, corresponding to an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.86. It was noted that females with cystitis/candidiasis are significantly prevalent in T2D patients (p < 0.01; OR: 3.59; 95% CI: 1.43-8.99). Although, in non-diabetic males, a sugar craving is significantly associated with the rate of dysbiosis in non-diabetic males (p < 0.05; OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.00-1.16). (4) Conclusion: In T2D patients, the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio was biased in favor of Proteobacteria, to be expected due to the nutritional habits of the patients. Thus, T2D females had altered gut permeability favoring the development of infections in the vaginal tract.

The microbial trajectory across pregnancy and early life coincides with key neurodevelopmental periods. • Diet, drugs and stress modulate early-life microbial colonization. • Early-life interventions with prebiotics and probiotics could modulate the microbiota and neurodevelopment.

The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse array of microorganisms that play fundamental roles in health and disease. Imbalance in the gut microbiota, namely dysbiosis, can lead to various diseases, including cancer and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Approaches to improve gut dysbiosis, such as dietary intervention, intake of probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation are emerging strategies to treat these diseases. Various medicinal botanicals have reported anti-cancer and/or antiinflammatory properties. Preclinical studies have illustrated that some of these natural products are also capable to modulate the gut microbiota, suggesting their use as possible alternative approach to improve gut dysbiosis and thereby assist diseases treatment. In this review article, we have summarized the current knowledge on the effects of natural compounds, medicinal plants, and mushrooms on the gut microbiota in various cancers and colitis in preclinical animal models. Challenges towards the clinical use of these medicinal botanicals as modulators of the gut microbiota in cancer and colitis treatment are also discussed.

The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse array of microorganisms that play fundamental roles in health and disease. Imbalance in the gut microbiota, namely dysbiosis, can lead to various diseases, including cancer and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Approaches to improve gut dysbiosis, such as dietary intervention, intake of probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation are emerging strategies to treat these diseases. Various medicinal botanicals have reported anti-cancer and/or antiinflammatory properties. Preclinical studies have illustrated that some of these natural products are also capable to modulate the gut microbiota, suggesting their use as possible alternative approach to improve gut dysbiosis and thereby assist diseases treatment. In this review article, we have summarized the current knowledge on the effects of natural compounds, medicinal plants, and mushrooms on the gut microbiota in various cancers and colitis in preclinical animal models. Challenges towards the clinical use of these medicinal botanicals as modulators of the gut microbiota in cancer and colitis treatment are also discussed.

A balanced gut microbiome is necessary to maintain good mental health.The inexplicable relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health has emerged as a notable area of scientific exploration. Recent research has established a competing bi-directional relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health outcomes.The gutbrain axis(GBA), a bi-directional communication pathway involving the gut microbiome,central nervous system and enteric nervous system,has emerged as a vital element in mental health disorders. GBA can monitor and combine gut activities, connecting emotional and cognitive centers.Communication within the GBA is facilitated by neurology, immunology and endocrinology.This review synthesizes current research on the relationship between gut microbiome and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.This review highlights the key mechanisms of the gut-brain axis, the role of specific microbial species, the impact of diet and lifestyle, dysbiosis in several mental disorders and the therapeutic potential of targeting the microbiome. It also suggests novel avenues for understanding, diagnosing and medicating a wide range of psychiatric conditions. It identifies crucial research gaps, offering insights for advancing mental healthcare through innovative microbiome-informed approaches. This review concludes by illuminating the importance of continued research to further elucidate these complex interactions and translate findings into effective clinical interventions.

Growing interest in gut and digestive processes and their potential link to brain and peripheral based inflammation or biobehavioral phenotypes has led to an increasing number of basic and translational scientific reports focused on the role of gut microbiota within the context of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the effect of dietary modification on specific gut metabolites, in association with immune, metabolic, and psychopathological functioning in schizophrenia spectrum disorders has not been well characterized. The short chain fatty acids (SCFA) acetate, butyrate, and propionate, major metabolites derived from fermentation of dietary fibers by gut microbes, interact with multiple immune and metabolic pathways. The specific pathways that SCFA are thought to target, are dysregulated in cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and systemic inflammation. Most notably, these disorders are consistently linked to an attenuated lifespan in schizophrenia. Although, unhealthy dietar...

The gut-brain axis is a dynamic, bidirectional communication system connecting the central nervous system with the enteric nervous system. It regulates digestion, cognition, mood, and immune responses and plays an important role in neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders. Psychobiotics are described as live organisms that interact with the gut-brain axis to improve mental health in the host when consumed in sufficient amounts. This review outlines the mechanism through which psychobiotics will exert their effects, including neurotransmitter modulation (e.g., serotonin, GABA), regulation of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis, inhibition of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, restoration of intestinal barrier integrity, and production of neuroactive microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan derivatives. Advances in psychobiotics include engineered microbial strains, targeted delivery systems, personalized therapies, and combination therapies improving mental health. Despite these advances, challenges such as individual differences, regulatory issues, and ethical concerns persist. Continued clinical research is needed to confirm that the psychobiotics are safe and effective for the treatment of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Vancomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in cases of suspected sepsis in premature neonates. While appropriate and potentially lifesaving in this setting, early-life antibiotic exposure alters the developing microbiome and is associated with an increased risk of deadly complications, including late-onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Recent studies show that neonatal vancomycin treatment disrupts postnatal enteric nervous system (ENS) development in mouse pups, which is in part dependent upon neuroimmune interactions. This suggests that early-life antibiotic exposure could disrupt these interactions in the neonatal gut. Notably, a subset of tissue-resident intestinal macrophages, muscularis macrophages, has been identified as important contributors to the development of postnatal ENS. We hypothesized that vancomycin-induced neonatal dysbiosis impacts postnatal ENS development through its effects on macrophages. Using a mouse model, we found that expo...

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a major global health challenge in aging populations, with their incidence continuing to rise worldwide. Although substantial progress has been made in elucidating the clinical features and molecular underpinnings of these disorders, the precise mechanisms driving neurodegeneration remain incompletely understood. This review examines the increasing significance of the gut-brain-immune triad in the pathogenesis of NDs, with particular attention to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. It explores how disruptions in gut microbiota composition and function influence neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier integrity, and immune modulation through microbial-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, and bacterial amyloids. In both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, a reduced abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacterial taxa has been consistently associated with heightened pro-inflammatory signaling, thereby facilitating disease progression. Although detailed mechanistic understanding remains limited, experimental evidence-primarily from rodent models-indicates that microbial metabolites derived from a dysbiotic gut may initiate or aggravate central nervous system dysfunctions, such as neuroinflammation, synaptic dysregulation, neuronal degeneration, and disruptions in neurotransmitter signaling via vagal, humoral, and immune-mediated pathways. The review further highlights how gut microbiota alterations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis contribute to dysregulated T cell polarization, glial cell activation, and central nervous system inflammation, implicating microbial factors in disease pathophysiology. In addition to identifying critical knowledge gaps, the review emphasizes the need for sustained, multifactorial research efforts, including the development of physiologically relevant brain-gut organoid models and the implementation of standardized experimental protocols. A major limitation in the field remains the difficulty of establishing causality, as clinical manifestations often arise after extended preclinical phases-lasting years or decades-during which aging, dietary patterns, pharmacological exposures, environmental factors, and comorbidities collectively modulate the gut microbiome. Finally, the review discusses how microbial influences on host epigenetic regulation may offer innovative avenues for modulating neuroimmune dynamics, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeted microbiomebased interventions in neurodegenerative diseases.

enterocolitis [NEC]. The study investigated the influence of probiotic supplementation on neonatal gut function and feeding outcomes. The study was conducted with 100 neonates admitted to the NICU and divided into two groups intervention and control. The intervention group receives the probiotic and the control group receives only standardized care for feeding. The findings demonstrate that neonates who received the probiotics improved the feeding tolerance, and reduced vomiting and reflux as compared to the feeding in the controlled group. Additionally, probiotic supplementation was linked with a lower incidence of feeding-related complications which suggests its potential role in improving neonatal digestive health. Despite the positive effects the study demonstrates the limitations of sample sampling and needs further research to address the limitations.