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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 62900

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ghada Soliman

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Guest Editor

City University of New York (CUNY), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
Interests: nutrient metabolism; metabolomics; precision nutrition; mTOR signaling network; exposome; cardiometabolic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally. In 2017, the cost of diagnosed diabetes was $327 billion in the US. Diabetes is also associated with several morbidities, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. Thus, there is a critical need to develop new strategies to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. There are several modifiable risk factors associated with diabetes, including physical activity, diet, and gut microbiota.

Recent research documented that the human gut microbial distribution plays a role in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Dysbiosis, or derangements in the microbiota composition, has been associated with altered energy homeostasis, fermentation pathways, and metabolic dysregulation. Furthermore, recent advances in genomics and metabolomics have enabled the identification of several microbiota species and shed new light on microbe research. These advances link the diet, nutrient composition, and gut microbiome interactions. As such, the altered microbiome-host interactions may play a role in inflammation, insulin resistance, cardiometabolic risk, and diabetes.

In this Special Issue, we would like to address the microbiome, gut microbiota-host interaction, microbiome genomics, microbiome health, prebiotics, and probiotics, and their impact on diabetes, metabolic diseases, and obesity.

Dr. Ghada Soliman
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Microbiome
Dysbiosis
Metabolomics
Genomics
Diabetes Mellitus
Inflammasomes
Probiotics
Prebiotics
Microbiota-host interaction
Cardiometabolic risk
Type 2 Diabetes
Metabolic Syndrome
Obesity
Microbiome-host interaction
Energy homeostasis
Fermentation pathways

Published Papers (13 papers)

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13 pages, 2553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gut Microbial Signatures of Distinct Trimethylamine N-Oxide Response to Raspberry Consumption

by Maximilien Franck, Juan de Toro-Martín, Thibault V. Varin, Véronique Garneau, Geneviève Pilon, Denis Roy, Patrick Couture, Charles Couillard, André Marette and Marie-Claude Vohl

Nutrients 2022, 14(8), 1656; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14081656 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2244

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate the gut microbial signatures of distinct trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) responses following raspberry consumption. Investigations were carried out in 24 subjects at risk of developing metabolic syndrome who received 280 g/day of frozen raspberries for 8 weeks. Blood and stool samples were collected at weeks 0 and 8. Inter-individual variability in plasma TMAO levels was analyzed, 7 subjects were excluded due to noninformative signals and 17 subjects were kept for analysis and further stratified according to their TMAO response. Whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing analysis was used to determine the impact of raspberry consumption on gut microbial composition. Before the intervention, the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota was significantly higher in participants whose TMAO levels increased after the intervention (p = 0.03). The delta TMAO (absolute differences of baseline and week 8 levels) was positively associated with the abundance of gut bacteria such as Bilophila wadsworthia (p = 0.02; r² = 0.37), from the genus Granulicatella (p = 0.03; r² = 0.48) or the Erysipelotrichia class (p = 0.03; r² = 0.45). Changes in the gut microbial ecology induced by raspberry consumption over an 8-week period presumably impacted quaternary amines-utilizing activity and thus plasma TMAO levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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10 pages, 960 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Unique Habitual Food Intakes in the Gut Microbiota Cluster Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

by Yuriko Kondo, Yoshitaka Hashimoto, Masahide Hamaguchi, Shinto Ando, Ayumi Kaji, Ryosuke Sakai, Ryo Inoue, Saori Kashiwagi, Katsura Mizushima, Kazuhiko Uchiyama, Tomohisa Takagi, Yuji Naito and Michiaki Fukui

Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 3816; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13113816 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2309

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the characteristic gut microbiota of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding analysis and the k-means method and to clarify the relationship with background data, including dietary habits. The gut microbiota data of 383 patients with T2DM and 114 individuals without T2DM were classified into red, blue, green, and yellow groups. The proportions of patients with T2DM in the red, blue, green, and yellow groups was 86.8% (112/129), 69.8% (81/116), 76.3% (90/118), and 74.6% (100/134), respectively; the red group had the highest prevalence of T2DM. There were no intergroup differences in sex, age, or body mass index. The red group had higher percentages of the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera and lower percentages of the Blautia and Phascolarctobacterium genera. Higher proportions of patients with T2DM in the red group used α-glucosidase inhibitors and glinide medications and had a low intake of fermented soybean foods, including miso soup, than those in the other groups. The gut microbiota pattern of the red group may indicate characteristic changes in the gut microbiota associated with T2DM in Japan. These results also suggest that certain diabetes drugs and fermented foods may be involved in this change. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationships among traditional dietary habits, the gut microbiota, and T2DM in Japan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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12 pages, 623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Intakes of Recipients of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation: An Observational Pilot Study

by Annabel K. Clancy, Christina Lee, Harrison Hamblin, Anoja W. Gunaratne, Antoinette LeBusque, Eleanor J. Beck, Marie V. Dawson and Thomas J. Borody

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1487; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13051487 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1990

Abstract

This study reports on the dietary intake of recipients of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), comparing this with dietary guidelines, and investigates the relationship between dietary intake and clinical outcomes. Males and females aged ≥ 16 years with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease undergoing FMT were invited to complete validated symptom and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires and three-day weighed food diaries. Descriptive statistics were calculated for symptom scores, QOL scores, nutrients, and food group servings, and compared to Australian population norms, nutrient reference values, and dietary guidelines. The relationship between dietary intake, symptoms, and QOL was assessed. Participants (n = 18) reported baseline symptoms of urgency, abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating and reduced QOL. Of the participants who completed food diaries, 8/14 met the recommended 30 g of fibre when including supplements. Participants met the recommendations for micronutrients and food groups except calcium, fruit, and dairy/dairy alternatives. There was a non-significant trend towards lower symptom severity scores in participants who met the fibre target. The high degree of variability in participant fibre intakes highlights diet as a key variable that has not been previously controlled for in FMT intervention studies. Future studies examining FMT should include dietary analysis of habitual intake of the recipients and donors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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21 pages, 3570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Obeticholic Acid Inhibits Anxiety via Alleviating Gut Microbiota-Mediated Microglia Accumulation in the Brain of High-Fat High-Sugar Diet Mice

by Li Wu, Yuqiu Han, Zhipeng Zheng, Shuai Zhu, Jun Chen, Yuanyuan Yao, Siqing Yue, Andreas Teufel, Honglei Weng, Lanjuan Li and Baohong Wang

Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 940; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13030940 - 15 Mar 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2951

Abstract

Anxiety is one of the complications of metabolic disorders (MDs). Obeticholic acid (OCA), the bile acids (BAs) derivative, is a promising agent for improving MDs in association with gut dysbiosis. Yet, its protective effect on MDs-driven anxiety remains unknown. Here, we assessed the serum biochemical parameters and behavioral performance by open field and Morris water maze tests in HFHS diet-induced MDs mice after OCA intervention for nine and 18 weeks. Moreover, antibiotics intervention for microbial depletion was conducted simultaneously. We found that OCA treatment inhibited the initiation and progression of anxiety in HFHS diet-MDs mice via a microbiota–BAs–brain axis: OCA decreased the neuroinflammatory microglia and IL-1β expression in the hippocampus, reversed intestinal barrier dysfunction and serum proinflammatory LPS to a normal level, modified the microbial community, including the known anxiety-related Rikenellaceae and Alistipes, and improved the microbial metabolites especially the increased BAs in feces and circulation. Moreover, the OCA-reversed bile acid taurocholate linked disordered serum lipid metabolites and indole derivatives to anxiety as assessed by network analysis. Additionally, microbial depletion with antibiotics also improved the anxiety, microgliosis and BAs enrichment in the experimental MDs mice. Together, these findings provide microbiota–BAs–brain axis as a novel therapeutic target for MDs-associated neuropsychiatric disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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17 pages, 2047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intraperitoneal Administration of Short-Chain Fatty Acids Improves Lipid Metabolism of Long–Evans Rats in a Sex-Specific Manner

by Shrushti Shah, Tiffany Fillier, Thu Huong Pham, Raymond Thomas and Sukhinder Kaur Cheema

Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 892; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13030892 - 10 Mar 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3702

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites, mainly generated by the action of gut microbiota on dietary fibers. Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are the three main SCFAs produced typically in a 60:20:20 molar ratio in the colon. Acetate, propionate, and butyrate, when given individually as supplements, have shown a protective role in obesity and hyperglycemia; however, the sex-specific effects of a mixture of SCFAs, when given in 60:20:20 ratio, on the regulation of lipid metabolism and lipid profile are not known. Male and female Long–Evans rats were given a mixture of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate; molar ratio 60:20:20) each day for seven days intraperitoneally; plasma and hepatic lipids, gene expression, and lipidomics profile were analyzed. SCFAs significantly decreased plasma and hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol in males, whereas the fatty acyl composition of cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, and phospholipids was modulated in females. SCFAs decreased the mRNA expression of hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 in both males and females. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that SCFAs (60:20:20) improved plasma and hepatic lipid levels and fatty acyl composition in a manner that may provide cardio-protective and anti-inflammatory effects in both sexes, via independent mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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12 pages, 2348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soluble Fraction from Lysate of a High Concentration Multi-Strain Probiotic Formulation Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced Intestinal Fibrosis on CCD-18Co Cells

by Francesca Lombardi, Francesca Rosaria Augello, Paola Palumbo, Elona Mollsi, Maurizio Giuliani, Anna Maria Cimini, Maria Grazia Cifone and Benedetta Cinque

Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 882; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13030882 - 09 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2924

Abstract

Fibrosis is a severe complication of chronic inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Current strategies are not fully effective in treating fibrosis; therefore, innovative anti-fibrotic approaches are urgently needed. TGF-β1 plays a central role in the fibrotic process by inducing myofibroblast differentiation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) protein deposition. Here, we explored the potential anti-fibrotic impact of two high concentration multi-strain probiotic formulations on TGF-β1-activated human intestinal colonic myofibroblast CCD-18Co. Human colonic fibroblast CCD-18Co cells were cultured in the presence of TGF-β1 to develop a fibrotic phenotype. Cell viability and growth were measured using the Trypan Blue dye exclusion test. The collagen-I, α-SMA, and pSmad2/3 expression levels were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Fibrosis markers were also analyzed by immunofluorescence and microscopy. The levels of TGF-β1 in the culture medium were assessed by ELISA. The effects of commercially available probiotic products VSL#3^® and Vivomixx^® were evaluated as the soluble fraction of bacterial lysates. The results suggested that the soluble fraction of Vivomixx^® formulation, but not VSL#3^®, was able to antagonize the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β1 on CCD-18Co cells, being able to prevent all of the cellular and molecular parameters that are related to the fibrotic phenotype. The mechanism underlying the observed effect appeared to be associated with inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. To our knowledge, this study provides the first experimental evidence that Vivomixx^® could be considered to be a promising candidate against intestinal fibrosis, being able to antagonize TGF-β1 pro-fibrotic effects. The differences that were observed in our fibrosis model between the two probiotics used could be attributable to the different number of strains in different proportions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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17 pages, 3269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Dependent Effects of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone on Metabolic Health Are Associated with Alterations in the Host Gut Microbiome

by Priyanka Sharma, Guojun Wu, Deeptha Kumaraswamy, Natalie Burchat, Hong Ye, Yongjia Gong, Liping Zhao, Yan Y. Lam and Harini Sampath

Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 637; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13020637 - 16 Feb 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3107

Abstract

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (DHF) is a naturally occurring flavonoid that has been reported to protect against a variety of pathologies. Chronic administration of DHF prevents high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in female, but not male, mice. However, the mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism have not been elucidated. We have discovered that oral DHF supplementation significantly attenuates fat mass, hepatic lipid accumulation, and adipose tissue inflammation in female mice. In contrast, male mice were not protected from adiposity, and had a paradoxical worsening of hepatic lipid accumulation and adipose tissue inflammation upon DHF supplementation. Consistent with these sexually dimorphic effects on body weight and metabolic health, 7,8-DHF induced early and stable remodeling of the female intestinal microbiome. DHF supplementation significantly increased gut microbial diversity, and suppressed potentially detrimental bacteria, particularly Desulfovibrionaceae, which are pro-inflammatory and positively associated with obesity and inflammation. Changes in the female gut microbiome preceded alterations in body weights, and in silico analyses indicated that these early microbial changes were highly predictive of subsequent weight gain in female mice. While some alterations in the intestinal microbiome were also observed in male DHF-supplemented mice, these changes were distinct from those in females and, importantly, were not predictive of subsequent body weight changes in male animals. The temporality of microbial changes preceding alterations in body weight in female mice suggests a role for the gut microbiome in mediating the sexually dimorphic effects of DHF on body weight. Given the significant clinical interest in this flavonoid across a wide range of pathologies, further elucidation of these sexually dimorphic effects will aid the development of effective clinical therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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16 pages, 1581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Low-Fat Vegan Diet on Gut Microbiota in Overweight Individuals and Relationships with Body Weight, Body Composition, and Insulin Sensitivity. A Randomized Clinical Trial

by Hana Kahleova, Emilie Rembert, Jihad Alwarith, Willy N. Yonas, Andrea Tura, Richard Holubkov, Melissa Agnello, Robynne Chutkan and Neal D. Barnard

Nutrients 2020, 12(10), 2917; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12102917 - 24 Sep 2020

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 11333

Abstract

Diet modulates gut microbiota and plays an important role in human health. The aim of this study was to test the effect of a low-fat vegan diet on gut microbiota and its association with weight, body composition, and insulin resistance in overweight men and women. We enrolled 168 participants and randomly assigned them to a vegan (n = 84) or a control group (n = 84) for 16 weeks. Of these, 115 returned all gut microbiome samples. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using uBiome Explorer™ kits. Body composition was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Insulin sensitivity was quantified with the predicted clamp-derived insulin sensitivity index from a standard meal test. Repeated measure ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Body weight decreased in the vegan group (treatment effect −5.9 kg [95% CI, −7.0 to −4.9 kg]; p < 0.001), mainly due to a reduction in fat mass (−3.9 kg [95% CI, −4.6 to −3.1 kg]; p < 0.001) and in visceral fat (−240 cm³ [95% CI, −345 to −135 kg]; p < 0.001). PREDIcted M, insulin sensitivity index (PREDIM) increased in the vegan group (treatment effect +0.83 [95% CI, +0.48 to +1.2]; p < 0.001). The relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii increased in the vegan group (+5.1% [95% CI, +2.4 to +7.9%]; p < 0.001) and correlated negatively with changes in weight (r = −0.24; p = 0.01), fat mass (r = −0.22; p = 0.02), and visceral fat (r = −0.20; p = 0.03). The relative abundance of Bacteroides fragilis decreased in both groups, but less in the vegan group, making the treatment effect positive (+18.9% [95% CI, +14.2 to +23.7%]; p < 0.001), which correlated negatively with changes in weight (r = −0.44; p < 0.001), fat mass (r = −0.43; p < 0.001), and visceral fat (r = −0.28; p = 0.003) and positively with PREDIM (r = 0.36; p < 0.001), so a smaller reduction in Bacteroides fragilis was associated with a greater loss of body weight, fat mass, visceral fat, and a greater increase in insulin sensitivity. A low-fat vegan diet induced significant changes in gut microbiota, which were related to changes in weight, body composition, and insulin sensitivity in overweight adults, suggesting a potential use in clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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20 pages, 1708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Choline Forms and Gut Microbiota Composition on Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Response in Healthy Men

by Clara E. Cho, Niklas D. J. Aardema, Madison L. Bunnell, Deanna P. Larson, Sheryl S. Aguilar, Janet R. Bergeson, Olga V. Malysheva, Marie A. Caudill and Michael Lefevre

Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2220; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12082220 - 25 Jul 2020

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5528

Abstract

Background: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a choline-derived gut microbiota-dependent metabolite, is a newly recognized risk marker for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine: (1) TMAO response to meals containing free versus lipid-soluble choline and (2) effects of gut microbiome on TMAO response. Methods: In a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, crossover study, healthy men (n = 37) were provided meals containing 600 mg choline either as choline bitartrate or phosphatidylcholine, or no choline control. Results: Choline bitartrate yielded three-times greater plasma TMAO AUC (p = 0.01) and 2.5-times greater urinary TMAO change from baseline (p = 0.01) compared to no choline and phosphatidylcholine. Gut microbiota composition differed (permutational multivariate analysis of variance, PERMANOVA; p = 0.01) between high-TMAO producers (with ≥40% increase in urinary TMAO response to choline bitartrate) and low-TMAO producers (with <40% increase in TMAO response). High-TMAO producers had more abundant lineages of Clostridium from Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae compared to low-TMAO producers (analysis of composition of microbiomes, ANCOM; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Given that phosphatidylcholine is the major form of choline in food, the absence of TMAO elevation with phosphatidylcholine counters arguments that phosphatidylcholine should be avoided due to TMAO-producing characteristics. Further, development of individualized dietary recommendations based on the gut microbiome may be effective in reducing disease risk Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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Review

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18 pages, 354 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Use of Probiotics for Management and Improvement of Reproductive Eubiosis and Function

by Nesrein M. Hashem and Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes

Nutrients 2022, 14(4), 902; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14040902 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5586

Abstract

Reproductive tract dysbiosis, due to the action of pathogens and/or unhealthy lifestyle, has been related to many reproductive diseases and disorders in mammalian species. Classically, such a problem has been confronted by the administration of antibiotics. Despite their effectiveness for controlling disease, treatments with antibiotics may negatively affect the fertility of males and females and, mainly, may induce antibiotic resistance. Accordingly, safer alternatives for maintaining reproductive system eubiosis, such as probiotics, are required. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the biodiversity of the microbiota at the reproductive tract, possible changes in the case of dysbiosis, and their relationships with adequate reproductive health and functioning in both females and males. Afterwards, mechanisms of action and benefits of different probiotics are weighed since the biological activities of probiotics may provide a promising alternative to antibiotics for maintaining and restoring reproductive eubiosis and function. However, at present, it is still necessary for further research to focus on: (a) identifying mechanisms by which probiotics can affect reproductive processes; (b) the safety of probiotics to the host, specifically when consumed during sensitive reproductive windows such as pregnancy; and (c) the hazards instructions and regulatory rules required for marketing these biological-based therapies with sufficient safety. Thus, in this review, to draw a comprehensive overview with a relatively low number of clinical studies in this field, we showed the findings of studies performed either on human or animal models. This review strategy may help provide concrete facts on the eligible probiotic strains, probiotics colonization and transfer route, and prophylactic and/or therapeutic effects of different probiotic strains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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32 pages, 3060 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Obesity-Associated Chronic Gastrointestinal Disorders

by Maafi R. Islam, Subha Arthur, Jennifer Haynes, Molly R. Butts, Niraj Nepal and Uma Sundaram

Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 624; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14030624 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5907

Abstract

The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that has become a new focus of attention due to its association with numerous human diseases. Research over the last few decades has shown that the gut microbiota plays a considerable role in regulating intestinal homeostasis, and disruption to the microbial community has been linked to chronic disease conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer (CRC), and obesity. Obesity has become a global pandemic, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide mostly in Western countries due to a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-fat/high-sugar diets. Obesity-mediated gut microbiota alterations have been associated with the development of IBD and IBD-induced CRC. This review highlights how obesity-associated dysbiosis can lead to the pathogenesis of IBD and CRC with a special focus on mechanisms of altered absorption of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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22 pages, 995 KiB

Open AccessReview

Do Gut Microbes Taste?

by Ryan Leung and Mihai Covasa

Nutrients 2021, 13(8), 2581; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13082581 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6161

Abstract

Gut microbiota has emerged as a major metabolically active organ with critical functions in both health and disease. The trillions of microorganisms hosted by the gastrointestinal tract are involved in numerous physiological and metabolic processes including modulation of appetite and regulation of energy in the host spanning from periphery to the brain. Indeed, bacteria and their metabolic byproducts are working in concert with the host chemosensory signaling pathways to affect both short- and long-term ingestive behavior. Sensing of nutrients and taste by specialized G protein-coupled receptor cells is important in transmitting food-related signals, optimizing nutrition as well as in prevention and treatment of several diseases, notably obesity, diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. Further, bacteria metabolites interact with specialized receptors cells expressed by gut epithelium leading to taste and appetite response changes to nutrients. This review describes recent advances on the role of gut bacteria in taste perception and functions. It further discusses how intestinal dysbiosis characteristic of several pathological conditions may alter and modulate taste preference and food consumption via changes in taste receptor expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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17 pages, 795 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Nutritional Interventions in the Control of Musculoskeletal Pain: An Integrative Review

by Carolina Rodrigues Mendonça, Matias Noll, Maria Clara Rezende Castro and Erika Aparecida Silveira

Nutrients 2020, 12(10), 3075; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12103075 - 09 Oct 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7020

Abstract

Food consumption has significant positive effects on an individual’s health status, including the reduction of symptoms associated with musculoskeletal pain. However, specific food groups indicated for the treatment of pain are not yet determined. Hence, this review aimed to analyze the effects of nutritional interventions with specific diets, oils and/or fatty acids, and foodstuffs in natura in the reduction of musculoskeletal pain. An integrative review was conducted in the following databases: Embase, PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar. Clinical trials written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and published between 2000 and March 2020 were included in this review. Seventeen studies were included. Among these, a reduction of musculoskeletal pain with different types of nutritional interventions, such as vegan and Mediterranean diets and the consumption of blueberry, strawberry, passion fruit peel extract, argan oil, fish oil (omega-3), olive oil, and undenatured type II collagen and vitamin D gel capsules, was observed in 14 studies. Eight studies evaluated the profiles of several inflammatory markers, and of these, decreased interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were observed in two studies. This review suggests that different nutritional interventions with specific diets, oils and/or fatty acids, and foodstuffs in natura reduce musculoskeletal pain, specifically in adults with osteoarthritis. Besides pain improvement, nutritional interventions, including the consumption of strawberry and vitamin D gel capsules, decrease the levels of several inflammatory markers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Microbiome)

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