Search

Bacillus coagulans has a potential role in improving intestinal injury. However, the specific mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the protective effect of B. coagulans MZY531 on intestinal mucosa injury in cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced immunosuppressed mice were investigated. The results indicated that the immune organ (thymus and spleen) indices of B. coagulans MZY531 treatment groups were significantly increased compared to the CYP group. B. coagulans MZY531 administration promotes the expression of immune proteins (IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM). B. coagulans MZY531 could upregulate the ileum levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in immunosuppressed mice. Moreover, B. coagulans MZY531 restores the villus height and crypt depth of the jejunum and alleviates injury of intestinal endothelial cells caused by CYP. Furthermore, the western blotting results showed that B. coagulans MZY531 ameliorated CYP-induced intestinal mucosal injury and inflammatory via up-regulates the ZO-1 pathway and down-regulates the expression of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. After treatment with B. coagulans MZY531, the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum was dramatically increased, as well as the genera of Prevotella and Bifidobacterium, and reducing harmful bacteria. These findings suggested that B. coagulans MZY531 has a potential immunomodulatory activity on chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging serious global health problem. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in COVID-19 patients, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA has been detected in stool specimens. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and disease remains to be established. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 30 patients with COVID-19, 24 patients with influenza A(H1N1), and 30 matched healthy controls (HCs) to identify differences in the gut microbiota by 16S ribosomal RNA gene V3–V4 region sequencing. Results Compared with HCs, COVID-19 patients had significantly reduced bacterial diversity; a significantly higher relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens, such as Streptococcus , Rothia , Veillonella , and Actinomyces ; and a lower relative abundance of beneficial symbionts. Five biomarkers showed high accuracy for distinguishing COVID-19 patients from HCs with an area under the curve (AUC) up to 0.89. Patients with H1N1 displayed lower diversity and different overall microbial composition compared with COVID-19 patients. Seven biomarkers were selected to distinguish the 2 cohorts (AUC = 0.94). Conclusions The gut microbial signature of patients with COVID-19 was different from that of H1N1 patients and HCs. Our study suggests the potential value of the gut microbiota as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for COVID-19, but further validation is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is the most commonly used drug in autoimmune disease, cancer, blood and marrow transplantation. Recent data revealed that therapy efficacy of CP is gut microbiota-dependent. So, it is very important to understand how CP affects intestinal microbiota and immune function. In this study, the effects of CP on mice immuno-activity were firstly evaluated, then, the fecal microbiota from normal and CP-treated mice was compared, and the characteristic bacterial diversity and compositions were identified, using 454 pyrosequencing technology. The results showed that CP reduced the diversity and shifted the fecal microbiota composition. Specifically, CP treatment decreased the proportion of Bacteroidetes while increased the proportion of Firmictutes in the microbial community. Most importantly, specific microbiota signatures belonging to Bacteroides acidifaciens , Streptococcaceae and Alistipes were also identified, which would provide new insight into the efficacy and side effects in clinical usage of CP. This should be helpful for further demonstration of CP's action mechanism, development of personalized therapy strategies, and prediction of potential side effects related to various treatment regimens of CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne illnesses are among the most serious and costly public health problems. Increasing data suggest the existence of new diet-derived health concerns associated with gut microbiota, and prompt us to revolutionize the way we view modern food safety. This opinion paper focuses on some important issues about gut microbiota and food safety. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The intestinal microbiota is a complicated ecosystem that influences many aspects of host physiology (i.e. diet, disease development, drug metabolism, and regulation of the immune system). It also exhibits spatial patterning and temporal dynamics. In this review, the effects of internal and external (environmental) factors on intestinal microbiota are discussed. We describe the roles of the gut microbiota in maintaining intestinal and immune system homeostasis and the relationship between gut microbiota and diseases. In particular, the contributions of polysaccharides, as the most abundant diet components in intestinal microbiota and host health are presented. Finally, perspectives for research avenues relating to gut microbiota are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]