scholarly journals Alterations in the Blood Parameters and Fecal Microbiota and Metabolites during Pregnant and Lactating Stages in Bama Mini Pigs as a Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Cui Ma ◽  
QianKun Gao ◽  
WangHong Zhang ◽  
Md. Abul Kalam Azad ◽  
XiangFeng Kong

This study was conducted to analyze plasma reproductive hormone and biochemical parameter changes, as well as fecal microbiota composition and metabolites in sows, at different pregnancy and lactation stages, using Bama mini pig as an experimental animal model. We found that plasma prolactin (PRL), progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estrogen levels decreased from day 45 to day 105 of pregnancy. Plasma total protein and albumin levels were lower in pregnant sows, while glucose, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, as well as fecal acetate, butyrate, valerate, total short-chain fatty acids, skatole, and tyramine levels, were higher in lactating sows. Interestingly, the lactating sows showed lower α-diversity and Spirochaetes and Verrucomicrobia relative abundances, while pregnant sows showed a higher Proteobacteria relative abundance. Notably, the Akkermansia relative abundance was highest on day 7 of lactation. Spearman analysis showed a positive correlation between plasma triglyceride and cholinesterase levels and Akkermansia and Streptococcus relative abundances. Moreover, Oscillospira and Desulfovibrio relative abundances were also positively correlated with plasma FSH, LH, and E2 levels, as well as PRL and LH with Bacteroides. Collectively, plasma reproductive hormones, biochemical parameters, and fecal microbiota composition and metabolite levels could alter along with pregnancy and lactation, which might contribute to the growth and development demands of fetuses and newborns.

Author(s):  
Albert Shieh ◽  
S Melanie Lee ◽  
Venu Lagishetty ◽  
Carter Gottleib ◽  
Jonathan P Jacobs ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To determine whether correcting vitamin D deficiency with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3, D3) or calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 25(OH)D3) changes gut microbiome composition. Methods 18 adults with vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <20 ng/ml) received 60 mcg/day of D3 or 20 mcg/day of 25(OH)D3 for 8 weeks. Changes in serum 25(OH)D, 1,25-diydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) were assessed. We characterized composition of the fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and examined changes in α-diversity (Chao 1, Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity, Shannon Index), β-diversity (DEICODE), and genus-level abundances (DESeq2). Results Vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 groups were similar. After 8 weeks of vitamin D3, mean 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)2D increased significantly, but 1,25(OH)2D did not (25(OH)D: 17.8 to 30.1 ng/ml [p=0.002]; 24,25(OH)2D: 1.1 to 2.7 ng/ml [p=0.003]; 1,25(OH)2D: 49.5 to 53.0 pg/ml [p=0.9]). After 8 weeks of 25(OH)D3, mean 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D, and 1,25(OH)2D increased significantly (25(OH)D: 16.7 to 50.6 ng/ml [p<0.0001]; 24,25(OH)2D: 1.3 to 6.2 ng/ml [p=0.0001]; 1,25(OH)2D: 56.5 to 74.2 pg/ml [p=0.05]). Fecal microbial α-diversity and β-diversity did not change with D3 or 25D3 supplementation. Mean relative abundance of Firmicutes increased and mean relative abundance of Bacterioidetes decreased from baseline to four weeks, but returned to baseline by study completion. DESeq2 analysis did not confirm any statistically significant taxonomic changes. Main conclusions In a small sample of healthy adults with vitamin D deficiency, restoration of vitamin D sufficiency with vitamin D3 or 25(OH)D3 did not lead to lasting changes in the fecal microbiota.


Fermentation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Qingtao Gao ◽  
Kai Li ◽  
Ruqing Zhong ◽  
Cheng Long ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
...  

Glycerol was generally added to the inoculum as a cryoprotectant. However, it was also a suitable substrate for microbial fermentation, which may produce more SCFAs, thereby decreased pH of the fermentation broth. This study investigated the effect of supplementing glycerol to inoculum on in vitro fermentation and whether an enhanced buffer capacity of medium could maintain the pH stability during in vitro batch fermentation, subsequently improving the accuracy of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) determination, especially propionate. Two ileal digesta were fermented by pig fecal inoculum with or without glycerol (served as anti-frozen inoculum or frozen inoculum) in standard buffer or enhanced buffer solution (served as normal or modified medium). Along with the fermentation, adding glycerol decreased the pH of fermentation broth (p < 0.05). However, modified medium could alleviate the pH decrement compared with normal medium (p < 0.05). The concentration of total propionic acid production was much higher than that of other SCFAs in anti-frozen inoculum fermentation at 24 and 36 h, thereby increasing the variation (SD) of net production of propionate. The α-diversity analysis showed that adding glycerol decreased Chao1 and Shannon index under normal medium fermentation (p < 0.05) compared to modified medium (p < 0.05) along with fermentation. PCoA showed that all groups were clustered differently (p < 0.01). Adding glycerol improved the relative abundances of Firmicutes, Anaerovibrio, unclassified_f_Selenomonadaceae, and decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Firmicutes, such as Lactobacillus, Blautia and Eubacterium_Ruminantium_group in modified medium with frozen inoculum fermentation were higher than (p < 0.05) those in normal medium at 36 h of incubation. These results showed that adding glycerol in inoculum changed the fermentation patterns, regardless of substrate and medium, and suggested fermentation using frozen inoculum with modified medium could maintain stability of pH, improve the accuracy of SCFA determination, as well as maintain a balanced microbial community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Ming Xu ◽  
Hong-Li Huang ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
Jie He ◽  
Chong Zhao ◽  
...  

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can inhibit the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, how FMT modulates the gut microbiota and which biomarker is valuable for evaluating the efficacy of FMT have not been clarified. This study aimed to determine the changes in the gut microbiota and their relationship with butyric acid following FMT for UC. Fecal microbiota (FM) was isolated from healthy individuals or mice and transplanted into 12 UC patients or colitis mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Their clinical colitis severities were monitored. Their gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S sequencing and bioinformatics. The levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from five UC patients with recurrent symptoms after FMT and individual mice were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The impact of butyric acid on the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota was tested in vitro. The effect of the combination of butyric acid-producing bacterium and FMT on the clinical responses of 45 UC patients was retrospectively analyzed. Compared with that in the controls, the FMT significantly increased the abundance of butyric acid-producing bacteria and fecal butyric acid levels in UC patients. The FMT significantly increased the α-diversity, changed gut microbial structure, and elevated fecal butyric acid levels in colitis mice. Anaerobic culture with butyrate significantly increased the α-diversity of the gut microbiota from colitis mice and changed their structure. FMT combination with Clostridium butyricum-containing probiotics significantly prolonged the UC remission in the clinic. Therefore, fecal butyric acid level may be a biomarker for evaluating the efficacy of FMT for UC, and addition of butyrate-producing bacteria may prolong the therapeutic effect of FMT on UC by changing the gut microbiota.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1723
Author(s):  
Jacques Gonzales ◽  
Justine Marchix ◽  
Laetitia Aymeric ◽  
Catherine Le Berre-Scoul ◽  
Johanna Zoppi ◽  
...  

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders defined by impaired social interactions and communication with repetitive behaviors, activities, or interests. Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances and gut microbiota dysbiosis are frequently associated with ASD in childhood. However, it is not known whether microbiota dysbiosis in ASD patients also occurs in adulthood. Further, the consequences of altered gut microbiota on digestive functions and the enteric nervous system (ENS) remain unexplored. Therefore, we studied, in mice, the ability offecal supernatant (FS) from adult ASD patients to induce GI dysfunctions and ENS remodeling. First, the analyses of the fecal microbiota composition in adult ASD patients indicated a reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of three bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variants compared to healthy controls (HC). The transfer of FS from ASD patients (FS–ASD) to mice decreased colonic barrier permeability by 29% and 58% compared to FS–HC for paracellular and transcellular permeability, respectively. These effects are associated with the reduced expression of the tight junction proteins JAM-A, ZO-2, cingulin, and proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL1β. In addition, the expression of glial and neuronal molecules was reduced by FS–ASD as compared to FS-HC in particular for those involved in neuronal connectivity (βIII-tubulin and synapsin decreased by 31% and 67%, respectively). Our data suggest that changes in microbiota composition in ASD may contribute to GI alterations, and in part, via ENS remodeling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 650-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Jing Tao ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Xiaolin Cao ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
...  

Background The gut microbiota plays an important role in shaping the immune system and may be closely connected to the development of allergic diseases. Objective This study aimed to determine the gut microbiota composition in Chinese allergic rhinitis (AR) patients as compared with healthy controls (HCs). Methods We collected stool samples from 93 AR patients and 72 age- and sex-matched HCs. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using QIIME targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Functional pathways were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States. Statistical analysis was performed using the R program, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe), analysis of QIIME, and statistical analysis of metagenomic profiles, among other tests. Results Compared with HCs, AR patients had significantly lower gut-microbiota α-diversity ( P < .001). The gut microbiota composition significantly differed between the 2 study groups. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was higher while those of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were lower in the AR group than in the HC group ( P < .001, q < 0.001). At the genus level, Escherichia-Shigella, Prevotella, and Parabacteroides ( P < .001, q < 0.001) had significantly higher relative abundances in the AR group than in the HC group. LefSe analysis indicated that Escherichia-Shigella, Lachnoclostridium, Parabacteroides, and Dialister were potential biomarkers for AR. In addition, predictive metagenome functional analysis showed that pyruvate, porphyrin, chlorophyll, purine metabolism, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis significantly differed between the AR and HC groups. Conclusion A comparison of the gut microbiota of AR patients and HCs suggested that dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota is involved in the development of AR. The present results may reveal key differences and identify targets for preventive or therapeutic intervention.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kane E. Deering ◽  
Amanda Devine ◽  
Therese A. O’Sullivan ◽  
Johnny Lo ◽  
Mary C. Boyce ◽  
...  

The consortium of trillions of microorganisms that live inside the human gut are integral to health. Little has been done to collate and characterize the microbiome of children. A systematic review was undertaken to address this gap (PROSPERO ID: CRD42018109599). MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using the keywords: “healthy preadolescent children” and “gut microbiome” to 31 August 2018. Of the 815 journal articles, 42 met the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was the relative abundance of bacteria at the phylum, family, and genus taxonomic ranks. α-diversity, short chain fatty acid concentrations, diet, 16S rRNA sequencing region, and geographical location were documented. The preadolescent gut microbiome is dominated at the phylum level by Firmicutes (weighted overall average relative abundance = 51.1%) and Bacteroidetes (36.0%); genus level by Bacteroides (16.0%), Prevotella (8.69%), Faecalibacterium (7.51%), and Bifidobacterium (5.47%). Geographic location and 16S rRNA sequencing region were independently associated with microbial proportions. There was limited consensus between studies that reported α-diversity and short chain fatty acids. Broadly speaking, participants from non-Western locations, who were less likely to follow a Westernized dietary pattern, had higher α-diversity and SCFA concentrations. Confirmatory studies will increase the understanding of the composition and functional capacity of the preadolescent gut microbiome.


2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.200551
Author(s):  
Anders Öman ◽  
Johan Dicksved ◽  
Lars Engstrand ◽  
Lillemor Berntson

Objective Changes in the composition of gut microbiota has been suggested to be associated with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The objective in this study was to investigate if the diversity and composition of the fecal microbiota differed between children with JIA and healthy controls, and if the microbiota differed between children with JIA and their healthy siblings. Methods In this multicenter, case-control study, fecal samples were collected from 75 children with JIA and 32 healthy controls. Eight of the healthy controls were siblings to eight children with JIA and they were compared only pairwise with their siblings. The microbiota was determined using sequencing amplicons from the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Alpha diversity, community composition of microbiota and relative abundances of taxa were compared between children with JIA and healthy unrelated controls as well as between children with JIA and healthy siblings. Results Our data revealed no significant differences in α-diversity or community composition of microbiota between children with JIA, healthy unrelated controls or healthy siblings. Analyses of relative abundances of phyla, families and genera identified trends of differing abundances of some taxa in children with JIA, in comparison with both healthy controls and healthy siblings, but none of these findings were significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Conclusion There were no significant differences in the composition of fecal microbiota in children with JIA compared with healthy controls. The composition of microbiota in children with JIA did not differ significantly from that in their healthy siblings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 884-892
Author(s):  
M Isabel Ordiz ◽  
Stefan Janssen ◽  
Greg Humphrey ◽  
Gail Ackermann ◽  
Kevin Stephenson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Common bean and cowpea contain about 25% protein and 25% fiber, and are recommended as complementary foods in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective The objective of this study was to determine if a daily legume supplement given to Malawian infants aged 6 to 12 mo alters the 16S configuration of the fecal microbiota as read out by amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). Methods This study was conducted within the context of a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to assess whether cowpea or common bean supplementation reduced intestinal permeability or increased linear growth. There were 2 village clusters in which the study was conducted. Fresh stool collections were flash frozen from 236 infants at ≤6 time points. The stools were sequenced using Earth Microbiome project protocols and data were processed using Qiime and Qiita, open-source, validated software packages. α-diversity was measured using the Faith's test. The 16S configuration was characterized by determining the weighted UniFrac distances of the ASVs and comparing them using permutational multivariate ANOVA. Results Among the 1249 samples analyzed, the α-diversity of the fecal microbiome was unchanged among subjects after initiation of legume supplementation. Neither cowpea nor common bean altered the overall 16S configuration at any age. The 16S configuration differed between children with adequate and poor linear growth aged from 6 to 9 mo, but no specific ASVs differed in relative abundance. The 16S configuration differed between children with normal and abnormal intestinal permeability at 9 mo, but no specific ASVs differed in relative abundance. Among categorical characteristics of the population associated with different 16S configurations, village cluster was most pronounced. Conclusion Legume supplementation in breastfed, rural African infants did not affect the structure of the gut microbial communities until the children were aged 9 mo. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02472262.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3041
Author(s):  
Chien-Ning Hsu ◽  
Chih-Yao Hou ◽  
Chien-Te Lee ◽  
Guo-Ping Chang-Chien ◽  
Sufan Lin ◽  
...  

Maternal exposure to environmental pollutants affects fetal development, which can result in hypertension in adulthood. Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been associated with hypertension. We tested a hypothesis that maternal 3,3-Dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB, a TMA inhibitor) therapy prevents 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure-induced hypertension in adult offspring relevant to alterations of gut microbiota-derived metabolites, the mediation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given weekly oral dose of TCDD 200 ng/kg for four doses (T), 1% DMB in drinking water (D), TCDD + DMB (TD), or vehicle (C) in pregnancy and lactation periods. Male progeny (n = 8/group) were sacrificed at the age of 12 weeks. Perinatal TCDD exposure caused hypertension in adult male offspring coinciding with reduced α-diversity, increased the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, less abundant beneficial bacteria, impaired SCFA receptors’ expression, the activation of AHR signaling, and the aberrant activation of the RAS. Treatment with DMB during pregnancy and lactation rescued hypertension induced by perinatal TCDD exposure. This was accompanied by reshaping gut microbiota, mediating TMA-TMAO metabolic pathway, increasing acetic acid and its receptors, and restoring the AHR and RAS pathway. Our data provide new insights into the therapeutic potential of DMB, a microbiome-based metabolite treatment, for the prevention of hypertension of developmental origins.


Author(s):  
F. Borgo ◽  
A. D. Macandog ◽  
S. Diviccaro ◽  
E. Falvo ◽  
S. Giatti ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) has been reported in a subset of patients treated with finasteride (an inhibitor of the enzyme 5alpha-reductase) for androgenetic alopecia. These patients showed, despite the suspension of the treatment, a variety of persistent symptoms, like sexual dysfunction and cognitive and psychological disorders, including depression. A growing body of literature highlights the relevance of the gut microbiota-brain axis in human health and disease. For instance, alterations in gut microbiota composition have been reported in patients with major depressive disorder. Therefore, we have here analyzed the gut microbiota composition in PFS patients in comparison with a healthy cohort. Methods Fecal microbiota of 23 PFS patients was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and compared with that reported in ten healthy male subjects. Results Sexual dysfunction, psychological and cognitive complaints, muscular problems, and physical alterations symptoms were reported in more than half of the PFS patients at the moment of sample collection. The quality sequence check revealed a low library depth for two fecal samples. Therefore, the gut microbiota analyses were conducted on 21 patients. The α-diversity was significantly lower in PFS group, showing a reduction of richness and diversity of gut microbiota structure. Moreover, when visualizing β-diversity, a clustering effect was found in the gut microbiota of a subset of PFS subjects, which was also characterized by a reduction in Faecalibacterium spp. and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, while Alloprevotella and Odoribacter spp were increased compared to healthy control. Conclusion Gut microbiota population is altered in PFS patients, suggesting that it might represent a diagnostic marker and a possible therapeutic target for this syndrome.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document