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Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 60586

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Prof. Dr. Baojun Xu

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Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai 519087, China
Interests: phytochemicals; natural products; functional foods; human health
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Dear Colleagues,

It is becoming clear that human gut microbiota plays a critical role in human health. Depending on dietary intake and, consequently, nutrient availability within the gut, the human gut microbiota can produce either harmful metabolites that lead to human diseases or beneficial compounds that protect against host diseases. Abnormal gut microbiota can produce endotoxins which enhance chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Hence, a promising strategy to help manage colon health and host health is the modification of gut microbiota by bioactive food components to balance its composition. Bioactive components obtained from dietary sources can be designed and characterized to meet human nutritional and immunological needs as well as balance the gut microbiota. The goal of this Special Issue is to collect the latest research findings on the interrelationship among bioactive food components (such as phytochemicals and complex carbohydrates), gut microbiota, colon stem cells, and chronic metabolic diseases. The health benefits of small molecular phytochemicals and large biopolymer polysaccharides have been reported in different disciplines; however, it is not clear how gut microbiota metabolize these dietary phytochemicals and polymers, and how the resulting gut metabolites may further affect the gut microbial population, gut microbial metabolism, and colon stem cells.

Prof. Dr. Baojun Xu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Phytochemicals
Complex carbohydrates
Bioactive nutrients
Gut microbiota
Prebiotics
Probiotics
Inflammation
Molecular mechanisms
Human health

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 197 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota

by Baojun Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13731; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms241813731 - 06 Sep 2023

Viewed by 604

Abstract

Many food components (such as phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, etc [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

Research

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17 pages, 3518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unique Gut Microbiome Signatures Depict Diet-Versus Genetically Induced Obesity in Mice

by Ravinder Nagpal, Sidharth P Mishra and Hariom Yadav

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(10), 3434; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21103434 - 13 May 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4094

Abstract

The gut microbiome plays an important role in obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, it remains unclear whether the gut microbiome could clarify the dietary versus genetic origin of these ailments. Moreover, studies examining the gut microbiome in diet- versus genetically induced obesity/T2D in the same experimental set-up are lacking. We herein characterized the gut microbiomes in three of the most widely used mouse models of obesity/T2D, i.e., genetically induced (leptin-deficient i.e., Lep^ob/ob; and leptin-receptor-deficient i.e., Lep^db/db) and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese (DIO)/T2D mice, with reference to their normal chow-fed (NC) and low-fat-diet-fed (LF) control counterparts. In terms of β-diversity, Lep^ob/ob and Lep^db/db mice showed similarity to NC mice, whereas DIO and LF mice appeared as distinct clusters. The phylum- and genus-level compositions were relatively similar in NC, Lep^ob/ob, and Lep^db/db mice, whereas DIO and LF mice demonstrated distinct compositions. Further analyses revealed several unique bacterial taxa, metagenomic functional features, and their correlation patterns in these models. The data revealed that obesity/T2D driven by diet as opposed to genetics presents distinct gut microbiome signatures enriched with distinct functional capacities, and indicated that these signatures can distinguish diet- versus genetically induced obesity/T2D and, if extrapolated to humans, might offer translational potential in devising dietary and/or genetics-based therapies against these maladies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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15 pages, 4095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Food Intake Specificity in Children with Autism on Gut Microbiota

by Aleksandra Tomova, Katarina Soltys, Petra Kemenyova, Miloslav Karhanek and Katarina Babinska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(8), 2797; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21082797 - 17 Apr 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4867

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing incidence. The microbiota of children with ASD is distinct from neurotypical children, their food habits are also different, and it is known that nutrient intake influences microbiota in a specific way. Thus, this study investigates the food habits of children with ASD and their association with the gut microbiota. Children with ASD had their dietary energy intakes similar to controls, but they more often demonstrated food selectivity, which seemed to result in deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins K, B6, C, iron, cooper, docosahexaenoic and docosapentanoic acid. Using high-throughput sequencing, a DNA library of intestinal microbiota was performed. Core microbiota was similar in children with and without ASD, but Dichelobacter, Nitriliruptor and Constrictibacter were found to be putative markers of ASD. The changes in gut microbiota that we observed in connection to food selectivity, intake of fats and omega-3 in particular, fermented milk products and animal/plant protein consumption had similar character, independent of diagnosis. However, high fibre intake was connected with a decreased α-diversity only in children with ASD. High carbohydrate and fibre intake influenced β-diversity, changing the abundance of Bacteroides and other genera, many of them members of the Clostidiaceae. Modulating food habits of ASD children can influence their gut microbiota composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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17 pages, 1245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Evaluation of Different Prebiotics on the Modulation of Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in Morbid Obese and Normal-Weight Subjects

by Alicja M. Nogacka, Nuria Salazar, Silvia Arboleya, Patricia Ruas-Madiedo, Leonardo Mancabelli, Adolfo Suarez, Ceferino Martinez-Faedo, Marco Ventura, Takumi Tochio, Katsuaki Hirano, Akihito Endo, Clara G. de los Reyes-Gavilán and Miguel Gueimonde

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(3), 906; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21030906 - 30 Jan 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4285

Abstract

The gut microbiota remains relatively stable during adulthood; however, certain intrinsic and environmental factors can lead to microbiota dysbiosis. Its restoration towards a healthy condition using best-suited prebiotics requires previous development of in vitro models for evaluating their functionality. Herein, we carried out fecal cultures with microbiota from healthy normal-weight and morbid obese adults. Cultures were supplemented with different inulin-type fructans (1-kestose, Actilight, P95, Synergy1 and Inulin) and a galactooligosaccharide. Their impact on the gut microbiota was assessed by monitoring gas production and evaluating changes in the microbiota composition (qPCR and 16S rRNA gene profiling) and metabolic activity (gas chromatography). Additionally, the effect on the bifidobacterial species was assessed (ITS-sequencing). Moreover, the functionality of the microbiota before and after prebiotic-modulation was determined in an in vitro model of interaction with an intestinal cell line. In general, 1-kestose was the compound showing the largest effects. The modulation with prebiotics led to significant increases in the Bacteroides group and Faecalibacterium in obese subjects, whereas in normal-weight individuals, substantial rises in Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium were appreciated. Notably, the results obtained showed differences in the responses among the tested compounds but also among the studied human populations, indicating the need for developing population-specific products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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18 pages, 4836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

by Simona Terzo, Flavia Mulè, Gaetano Felice Caldara, Sara Baldassano, Roberto Puleio, Maria Vitale, Giovanni Cassata, Vincenzo Ferrantelli and Antonella Amato

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(1), 365; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21010365 - 06 Jan 2020

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 6833

Abstract

High-fat diet (HFD) induces inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, which are components of the metabolic syndrome. Nutritional strategies can be a valid tool to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the chronic intake of pistachio prevents obesity-associated inflammation and dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. Three groups of male mice (four weeks old; n = 8 per group) were fed for 16 weeks with a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachios (HFD-P; 180 g/kg of HFD). Serum, hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation markers were analyzed in HFD-P animals and compared to HFD and STD groups. Measures of inflammation, obesity, and intestinal integrity were assessed. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis. Serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P compared to HFD. Number and area of adipocytes, crown-like structure density, IL-1β, TNF-α, F4-80, and CCL-2 mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, compared to HFD. A significant reduction in the number of inflammatory foci and IL-1β and CCL-2 gene expression was observed in the liver of HFD-P mice compared with HFD. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was reduced in HFD-P mice in comparison to the HFD group. A pistachio diet significantly increased abundance of healthy bacteria genera such as Parabacteroides, Dorea, Allobaculum, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, and Anaeroplasma, and greatly reduced bacteria associated with inflammation, such as Oscillospira, Desulfovibrio, Coprobacillus, and Bilophila. The intestinal conductance was lower in HFD-P mice than in the HFD mice, suggesting an improvement in the gut barrier function. The results of the present study showed that regular pistachio consumption improved inflammation in obese mice. The positive effects could be related to positive modulation of the microbiota composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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12 pages, 3376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan Ameliorates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Mice by Enhancing Intestinal Barrier Function and Improving Microflora

by Jia Wang, Cuili Zhang, Chunmei Guo and Xinli Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(22), 5751; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms20225751 - 15 Nov 2019

Cited by 157 | Viewed by 8631

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has been identified as one of the inflammatory diseases. Intestinal mucosal barrier function and microflora play major roles in UC. Modified-chitosan products have been consumed as effective and safe drugs to treat UC. The present work aimed to investigate the effect of chitosan (CS) on intestinal microflora and intestinal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms. KM (Kunming) mice received water/CS (250, 150 mg/kg) for 5 days, and then received 3% DSS for 5 days to induce UC. Subsequently, CS (250, 150 mg/kg) was administered daily for 5 days. Clinical signs, body weight, colon length, and histological changes were recorded. Alterations of intestinal microflora were analyzed by PCR-DGGE, expressions of TNF-α and tight junction proteins were detected by Western blotting. CS showed a significant effect against UC by the increased body weight and colon length, decreased DAI (disease activity index) and histological injury scores, and alleviated histopathological changes. CS reduced the expression of TNF-α, promoted the expressions of tight junction proteins such as claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 to maintain the intestinal mucosal barrier function for attenuating UC in mice. Furthermore, Parabacteroides, Blautia, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella were dominant organisms in the intestinal tract. Blautia and Lactobacillus decreased with DSS treatment, but increased obviously with CS treatment. This is the first time that the effect of original CS against UC in mice has been reported and it is through promoting dominant intestinal microflora such as Blautia, mitigating intestinal microflora dysbiosis, and regulating the expressions of TNF-α, claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1. CS can be developed as an effective food and health care product for the prevention and treatment of UC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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17 pages, 3850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Constipation-Relieving Property of d-Tagatose by Modulating the Composition of Gut Microbiota

by Yu-Xuan Liang, Peng Wen, Yu Wang, Dong-Mei OuYang, Da Wang, Yu-Zhong Chen, Ya Song, Jie Deng, Yuan-Ming Sun and Hong Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(22), 5721; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms20225721 - 14 Nov 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4647

Abstract

d-tagatose, a monosaccharide as well as a dietary supplement, has been reported as having a wide range of applicability in the food industry, however, the prebiotic activity, anticonstipation effects, and related mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, using the loperamide-induced constipation Kunming mice as the animal model, the effects of d-tagatose for the prevention of constipation were evaluated by gastrointestinal transit experiment and defecation experiment. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism was clarified by evaluating the change of the biochemical indicators and analyzing 16S rRNA amplicon of gut microbiota among the different mice groups. The results showed that the gastrointestinal transit rate, fecal number, and weight in six hours were significantly enhanced after the administration of d-tagatose. In addition, d-tagatose significantly increased the serum levels of acetylcholine (Ach) and substance P (SP), whereas the serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) were significantly decreased. Moreover, the 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the changes in the gut microbiota caused by constipation were restored by d-tagatose treatment. In conclusion, this study indicated that the administration of d-tagatose as a dietary supplement can effectively prevent and relieve constipation in Kunming mice, and it is a promising prebiotic candidate with constipation-relieving properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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Review

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26 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessReview

Insights into the Role of Bioactive Food Ingredients and the Microbiome in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

by Josep Mercader-Barceló, Joan Truyols-Vives, Carlos Río, Nora López-Safont, Ernest Sala-Llinàs and Alice Chaplin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(17), 6051; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21176051 - 22 Aug 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5257

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic disease mainly associated with aging and, to date, its causes are still largely unknown. It has been shown that dietary habits can accelerate or delay the occurrence of aging-related diseases; however, their potential role in IPF development has been underestimated so far. The present review summarizes the evidence regarding the relationship between diet and IPF in humans, and in animal models of pulmonary fibrosis, in which we discuss the bioactivity of specific dietary food ingredients, including fatty acids, peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Interestingly, many animal studies reveal preventive and therapeutic effects of particular compounds. Furthermore, it has been recently suggested that the lung and gut microbiota could be involved in IPF, a relationship which may be linked to changes in immunological and inflammatory factors. Thus, all the evidence so far puts forward the idea that the gut-lung axis could be modulated by dietary factors, which in turn have an influence on IPF development. Overall, the data reviewed here support the notion of identifying food ingredients with potential benefits in IPF, with the ultimate aim of designing nutritional approaches as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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26 pages, 2775 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diet-Derived Phytochemicals Targeting Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer

by Kumar Ganesan, Muthukumaran Jayachandran and Baojun Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 3976; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21113976 - 01 Jun 2020

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 5486

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal disease caused by the uncontrolled propagation and endurance of atypical colon cells. A person’s lifestyle and eating pattern have significant impacts on the CRC in a positive and/or negative way. Diet-derived phytochemicals modulate the microbiome as well as targeting colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are found to offer significant protective effects against CRC, which were organized in an appropriate spot on the paper. All information on dietary phytochemicals, gut microbiome, CSCs, and their influence on CRC were accessed from the various databases and electronic search engines. The effectiveness of CRC can be reduced using various dietary phytochemicals or modulating microbiome that reduces or inverses the progression of a tumor as well as CSCs, which could be a promising and efficient way to reduce the burden of CRC. Phytochemicals with modulation of gut microbiome continue to be auspicious investigations in CRC through noticeable anti-tumorigenic effects and goals to CSCs, which provides new openings for cancer inhibition and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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19 pages, 1004 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gut Microbiota Metabolism and Interaction with Food Components

by Pamela Vernocchi, Federica Del Chierico and Lorenza Putignani

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(10), 3688; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21103688 - 23 May 2020

Cited by 87 | Viewed by 14560

Abstract

The human gut contains trillions of microbes that play a central role in host biology, including the provision of key nutrients from the diet. Food is a major source of precursors for metabolite production; in fact, diet modulates the gut microbiota (GM) as the nutrients, derived from dietary intake, reach the GM, affecting both the ecosystem and microbial metabolic profile. GM metabolic ability has an impact on human nutritional status from childhood. However, there is a wide variability of dietary patterns that exist among individuals. The study of interactions with the host via GM metabolic pathways is an interesting field of research in medicine, as microbiota members produce myriads of molecules with many bioactive properties. Indeed, much evidence has demonstrated the importance of metabolites produced by the bacterial metabolism from foods at the gut level that dynamically participate in various biochemical mechanisms of a cell as a reaction to environmental stimuli. Hence, the GM modulate homeostasis at the gut level, and the alteration in their composition can concur in disease onset or progression, including immunological, inflammatory, and metabolic disorders, as well as cancer. Understanding the gut microbe–nutrient interactions will increase our knowledge of how diet affects host health and disease, thus enabling personalized therapeutics and nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Nutrients Promoting Health through Gut Microbiota)

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