Search Results (68)

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasingly associated with alterations in gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and immune dysregulation. However, integrative studies exploring these mechanisms in Latin American populations are lacking. Objective: To characterize gut microbiota profiles in Colombian children with ASD and evaluate the effects of two microbiota-targeted interventions, an anti-inflammatory diet and a probiotic formulation, on microbial diversity and taxonomic composition. Methods: In a two-phase study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on fecal samples from 23 children with ASD and 7 typically developing (TD) controls. In the second phase, 17 children with ASD were randomized to receive a 12-week intervention (anti-inflammatory diet, probiotics, or no intervention). Alpha diversity indices (Shannon, Pielou, and Chao1) and differential abundance analyses were conducted. Results: Compared to TD children, those with ASD showed a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and a significantly increased abundance of genera such as Clostridioides, Thomasclavelia, Alistipes, and Coprococcus. The presence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in ASD patients is associated with reduced microbial richness. POST-intervention, the anti-inflammatory diet group showed that no statistically significant changes in alpha diversity were observed, although a slight upward trend was noted and significant enrichment of six bacterial genera, including Moraxella and Eubacterium. The probiotic group exhibited a significant increase in Romboutsia and a decrease in Lachnospira. Cytokine–microbiota networks in ASD were fragmented and dominated by IFN-γ and MCP-1 hubs, indicating systemic immune activation. Interventions induced functional remodeling: The anti-inflammatory diet increased the number of beneficial genera (Eubacterium, Adlercreutzia) and shifted networks toward positive correlations involving IL-8 and MIP-1β. Probiotics increased Romboutsia, reduced Lachnospira, and restructured networks with regulatory cytokines (SDF-1α, Eotaxin) and SCFA-producing taxa (Blautia, Roseburia). Conclusions: Children with ASD in Colombia displayed distinct microbial profiles characterized by pro-inflammatory taxa and altered richness. Both the anti-inflammatory diet and probiotics produced compositional shifts in the gut microbiota, although global changes in diversity were limited. These findings support the potential of microbiota-targeted nutritional strategies for ASD and underscore the need for precision interventions tailored to specific clinical and microbial phenotypes. Full article

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies and remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. Emerging evidence implicates the microbiota to be a potential contributor to its pathogenesis and progression. This review summarizes emerging evidence of microbial alterations across various body niches in breast cancer patients, including gut, breast tissue, nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), oral cavity, skin, urinary and reproductive tracts, and blood. Reductions in commensal taxa such as Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Lachnospira, Akkermansia, and Sphingomonas, along with an increase in pro-inflammatory genera like Prevotella, Fusobacterium, and Desulfovibrio, may promote breast tumor development and progression through multiple pathways including modulation of estrogen metabolism, production of microbial metabolites, and immunoregulation. The presence of cross-niche overlaps and possible translocation of microbiota between niches through the bloodstream suggests the existence of a complex interconnected oral–gut–breast microbiota axis. Progress in the field will depend on integrative multi-omics, translational approaches, and longitudinal studies to give a clearer mechanistic understanding of microbiota–host interactions to develop feasible microbiota-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in breast cancer. Full article

The gut microbiome has emerged as a potential modulator of COVID-19 severity, and there is particular interest in the Lachnospiraceae family due to its role in maintaining gut homeostasis. This study presents a comprehensive meta-analysis of microbiome datasets from multiple investigations focused on gut microbiota across various stages of COVID-19. We used a standardized bioinformatics pipeline based on Mothur v.1.47.0 and the SILVA v.138 reference database to analyze 16S rRNA gene sequencing data targeting the V3-V4 regions. Our findings reveal consistent patterns of depletion in key Lachnospiraceae genera, particularly Lachnospira and Roseburia, correlating with increased COVID-19 severity. Complex patterns were observed for Blautia and Coprococcus, suggesting strain-specific responses to disease states. In addition, several unclassified Lachnospiraceae taxa showed differential abundance across severity levels, indicating the need for further characterization of these potentially important bacteria. These results provide robust evidence for the association between specific Lachnospiraceae genera and COVID-19 severity. The observed microbial shifts suggest potential mechanisms by which gut dysbiosis may contribute to COVID-19 pathogenesis, including reduced production of beneficial metabolites and compromised intestinal barrier function. These findings highlight the potential of Lachnospiraceae genera as biomarkers for COVID-19 severity and suggest avenues for developing targeted probiotic interventions in COVID-19 management. Full article

Tan sheep, a valuable indigenous breed in China, are vulnerable to coccidiosis caused by Eimeria ovinoidalis. In this case-control study, four 8-month-old Tan sheep raised under identical conditions were enrolled, including two with confirmed E. ovinoidalis infection (the Eo group) and two healthy controls (the HC group). Integrated metagenomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed to assess gut microbiota and metabolic alterations. Results showed reduced alpha diversity and a distinct microbial composition in the Eo group. LEfSe identified 38 differentially abundant bacterial species, with Prevotella sp. and Fusobacterium necrophorum enriched in the Eo group and Faecalibacterium sp. and Lachnospira sp. enriched in the HC group. KEGG and VFDB analyses revealed significant differences in microbial functional pathways and virulence factor profiles. A total of 543 metabolites were differentially expressed, involving pathways related to inflammation, stress response, and amino acid metabolism. Microbiome–metabolome correlation analysis showed that Eo-associated bacteria were positively linked to pro-inflammatory metabolites, while HC-associated taxa correlated with markers of metabolic homeostasis. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ovine coccidiosis and may inform targeted interventions. Full article

A 14-day study was conducted to evaluate the effect of litter type (dirty litter, DL; fresh litter, FL) and Salmonella Enteritidis SE challenge (no challenge, NC; challenge, SE) on the growth performance and cecal microbial composition of neonate chicks. Day-old chicks (n = 240, Ross 708 male) were allocated to a 2 × 2 factorial design consisting of four treatments: chicks raised on dirty litter (CONDL), chicks raised on fresh litter (CONFL); and chicks raised on litter types similar to CONDL and CONFL but inoculated with 7.46 × 108 CFU SE/mL at d 1 (CONDLSE and CONFLSE). The performance indices measured included body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), mortality, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Cecal SE concentration was assessed on d 3 and 14, and ceca were collected from chicks on day 14 for DNA extraction. The Illumina Miseq platform was used for microbiome analysis of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The interaction of litter type and SE influenced FCR and FI. CONDL recorded the poorest FCR (1.832). FI was highest and similar in CONFLSE, CONDL, and CONDLSE (0.655, 0.692, and 0.677, respectively). Cecal SE concentration was significantly reduced in CONDLSE at d 3 and 14. Alpha diversity was higher (p < 0.05) in the DL compared to that in NC. Beta diversity showed a separation (p < 0.05) between the DL and the FL. Comparative tree analysis revealed 21 differential significant genera, with 14 prevalent in the DL and 7 in the FL, specifically, bacteria genera such as Lactobacillus, Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, Lachnospira, Oscillospiraceae UCG_005, and Marvinbryantia, which play significant roles relating to improved growth performance, metabolic homeostasis within the gut, energy metabolism, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) utilization. Our results concluded that litter management regimen differentially alters the microbiome of chicks, which accounts for the improved performance and exclusion of pathogens in the study. Full article

Background: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent health concerns and has a major impact on human health and quality of life. Increasing evidence indicates the gut microbiota’s role in sleep regulation through the gut–brain axis. This systematic review aims to summarise current evidence on the role of gut microbiota alterations in insomnia. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library through November 2024 for case–control studies comparing gut microbiota in insomnia subjects and controls. The primary outcome was changes in microbiota diversity and bacteria taxonomy. Results: We included 15 case–control studies from 14 articles, consisting of 1321 subjects (603 insomnia; 718 controls). Eight studies showed reduced alpha diversity and eleven showed altered beta diversity in insomnia subjects. Depletions of specific taxa such as Lactobacillales (class Bacilli), Faecalibacterium, and Lachnospira and the enrichment of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidales (class Bacteroidia), and several genera, including Streptococcus, Blautia, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Holdemanella, and Eubacterium hallii, were observed in insomnia subjects. There was a negative association between insomnia severity and abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lachnospira, and positive associations with Blautia. Conclusions: This systematic review identifies specific alterations in gut microbiota among insomnia subjects characterised by taxonomic changes that may serve as promising therapeutic targets for sleep disorders. Full article

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health issue, influenced by sedentary behavior and obesity. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in T2D pathophysiology through effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. This systematic review included eleven studies, six observational and five interventional, examining the relationship between physical activity, exercise, and gut microbiota in individuals with or at risk of T2D. Observational studies associated low physical activity and high sedentary time with reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. Interventional studies showed that structured exercise, including moderate-intensity and sprint interval training, increased beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Veillonella, Lachnospira, and Bifidobacterium, linked to anti-inflammatory effects and improved metabolic profiles. However, overall microbial diversity often remained unchanged unless combined with dietary modifications. Exercise also reduced levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, a metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. Despite increases in butyrate-producing taxa, most studies did not report significant short-term changes in short-chain fatty acid levels, highlighting the complex interaction between microbiota and host metabolism. These findings support physical activity and exercise as modifiable factors that can influence gut microbiota composition, potentially contributing to improved metabolic regulation and better management of T2D. Full article

Probiotics demonstrate the ability to maintain intestinal homeostasis and promote gut health. However, their effects on gut microbiota in adults over 60 years old with chronic metabolic disease (CMD) or cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCD) remain poorly understood. This study analyzed 1586 stool samples from 1377 adults (CMD, CCD, and healthy controls) using 16S rRNA sequencing. Cohort 1 (n = 1168) was used for cross-sectional analysis, while cohort 2 (n = 209) underwent longitudinal assessment over approximately 13 months. The results demonstrated that probiotics promoted significant gut microbiota alterations across both cohorts. Probiotic supplementation significantly increased lactobacilli in the CMD, CCD, and H groups. In both cohorts, probiotic supplementation enhanced Butyricicoccus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Coprococcus in H groups, enhanced Anaerostipes and Fusicatenibacter in CMD groups, and reduced Haemophilus and Lachnospira in CCD groups. Notably, long-term supplementation not only elevated Dorea, Eubacterium hallii group, and Blautia in all groups but also suppressed Klebsiella and Bilophila in the CMD and CCD groups. Enterotype analysis revealed that probiotics increased the proportion of enterotype 1 and transition probabilities from enterotype 2 to 1 in the CMD and CCD groups, demonstrating that CCD/CMD gut microbiota exhibited greater responsiveness to probiotic modulation. Overall, this study suggests probiotics’ role in modulating adult gut microbiota and their potential benefits in chronic metabolic and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Full article

Psychological distress and gut dysbiosis play key roles in IBD. This study investigated whether specific psychopathological and gut microbiota features predict adverse outcomes in UC patients. This retrospective cohort study included 35 UC patients recruited in 2019. Baseline assessments involved clinical interviews, psychiatric evaluations, and stool sampling. In 2024, follow-up interviews and medical record reviews assessed disease progression, including biologic therapy failure, hospitalization, surgery, and diagnosis changes. Disease activity was measured via the Mayo score. Psychological testing included MMPI-2, STAI-Y2, GSES, CD-RISC, and TAS-20. Patients with biological therapy failure showed increased levels of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Trabulsiella, while Firmicutes were less abundant. UC-related hospitalized patients had lower levels of Rikenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Methanobrevibacter, and Phascolarctobacterium compared to non-hospitalized patients. Hospitalized patients scored higher on the Sc clinical scale and the OBS and HEA content scales. Acidaminococcus and Bilophila were more abundant in patients who underwent surgery. PCA revealed differences between patients with and without biological failure. Logistic regression found that Fusobacteria were negatively correlated with the failure of three or more biologics, while Hy and Pd were positively correlated. Pa and Pt were negatively correlated with multifailure. Obsessiveness, health concerns, somatization, and reduced SCFA-producing bacteria may predict UC-related adverse outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia (SA), an age-related impairment in skeletal muscle mass and function, is related to gut microbiota (GM) through inflammation and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generation. However, data on this relationship in older Japanese adults remain limited. We investigated the relationship of GM composition with SA, based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria, among elderly Japanese outpatients. Methods: Between June 2022 and January 2023, this prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 356 community-dwelling outpatients aged ≥ 65 years at the Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center. SA was determined based on the AWGS 2019 consensus criteria. GM was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and alpha/beta diversity, taxonomic composition, detection rates, and correlations with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), grip strength, and gait speed were investigated. Results: Among 356 (144 males, 212 females) participants, 50 (35 males, 15 females) had SA. Differences in GM diversity and composition were primarily noted among male participants. Men with SA had lower alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity profiles. Six bacterial genera—Eubacterium I, Fusicatenibacter, Holdemanella, Unclassified Lachnospira, Enterococcus H, and Bariatricus—had lower abundances in the SA group. Several of these genera showed positive correlations with SMI, grip strength, and gait speed. Conversely, no differences in GM characteristics were seen among females. Conclusions: GM composition was associated with SA among older Japanese men. These sex-specific differences emerged consistently, highlighting the potential of microbiota-based strategies for SA prevention in older males. Full article

Background: The disruption of the intestinal barrier and the imbalance of the gut microbiota (GM) seem to play a major role in the complex pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Specific microbial strains could improve the gut microenvironment, promoting anti-inflammatory pathways; similarly, vitamin D supplementation could play a role in enhancing the barrier integrity and modulating the immune response in the gut. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a new multistrain probiotic, combined with vitamin D, in improving gut barrier function in IBS without constipation. Methods: In this phase IIb double-blind randomized placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, clinical trial, 35 patients were treated for 12 weeks with OttaBac^®, a high concentration multistrain probiotic plus cholecalciferol, or placebo and were followed up until week 16. Symptoms, quality of life, intestinal permeability, fecal biomarkers, and microbiota composition were evaluated at 0, 12, and 16 weeks. Results: Mean zonulin values showed a significant progressive reduction in the active group (−10.2 ng/mL at week 12, p = 0.0375; −19.5 ng/mL at week 16, p = 0.0002), with a significant difference between groups at week 16 in the per-protocol population (−19.01, p = 0.0053). The active group showed a more stable trend toward improvement in stool frequency and consistency at both week 12 and 16, with a significant improvement compared to the baseline and to the placebo group (−23.2, p = 0.0265, and 5.57 vs. −23.2, p = 0.0492, respectively). No differences were found in regards to the lactulose/mannitol ratio, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) total scores, plasmalemmal vesicle associated protein-1 (PV-1), and citrulline levels. In the active group, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus levels were increased (p < 0.05), while those for Lachnospira were decreased (p < 0.05), and significant changes in Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were observed (p < 0.05). Lactate (p < 0.01) and acetate (p < 0.05) levels increased post-treatment. Correlation analysis pointed out a significant association between the microbial biomarkers and the symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Probiotic plus vitamin D could improve IBS-associated symptoms through gut microbiota modulation and gut barrier enhancement, with persistent benefits after treatment discontinuation. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing disease severity and progression. Emerging research indicates that the human microbiota, particularly beneficial bacteria, significantly impacts immune responses and health outcomes in COVID-19 patients. While existing studies provide general insights into the relationship between the microbiota and probiotics with COVID-19, they often lack a detailed exploration of how specific bacterial taxa might be used as adjunctive treatments. This review aims to address this gap by focusing on ten key genera of beneficial bacteria, discussing their roles in COVID-19 and evaluating their potential as probiotics for prevention and treatment. The review covers the impact of these microbes on human health, their population alterations in COVID-19 patients, and their interactions with other viral infections. Among these microbes, several exhibit distinct patterns of abundance in COVID-19 patients, influencing disease outcomes and highlighting their potential roles in infection dynamics. In COVID-19 patients, populations of Akkermansia, Ruminococcus, and Roseburia are consistently reduced, while those of Faecalibacterium show a significant decline in more severe cases. Bacteroides presents varying effects depending on the species involved. Alterations in the abundance of Blautia and Lachnospiraceae are associated with increased inflammation and disease severity. Likewise, the depletion of Lachnospira and Coprococcus populations, both linked to anti-inflammatory effects, may exacerbate symptom severity. Oscillospira, though less studied, is connected to overall health and could have implications for viral infections. This review synthesizes the current understanding of these beneficial microbes to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiota to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies involving microbiota modulation. Full article

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota (GM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are significantly associated, but the causal relationship has not been fully elucidated. Methods: We investigated the association between GM and RA using Mendelian randomization (MR) with two independent samples. Our study aimed to determine the causal relationship between gut microbiota and RA, including its seronegative and seropositive subtypes. Using data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified instrumental variables for 211 gut bacteria types. We then analyzed the FinnGen GWAS dataset, which included 3877 seronegative RA cases and 285,035 controls, along with 4290 seropositive RA cases and 368,362 controls, employing the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and rigorous tests for pleiotropy and heterogeneity to ensure reliability. Results: The IVW results revealed that Prevotella 9, Sutterella, and Christensenellaceae R.7 exhibited an adverse correlation with seronegative RA (p < 0.05). Additionally, Lachnospira, Slackia, Roseburia, Barnesiella, and Prevotella 7 were associated with a reduced occurrence of seropositive RA (p < 0.05). Conversely, Ruminococcaceae UCG002 and Ruminococcus gauvreauii were linked to an increased susceptibility to seropositive RA (p < 0.05). Notably, no significant heterogeneity (p > 0.05) or pleiotropy (p > 0.05) was detected in the analysis of the significant MR estimates. Conclusions: Our study suggested significant associations between several gut bacteria and RA subtypes, indicating a potential microbial influence on RA development. These findings enhance our understanding of the gut-joint axis in RA and highlight promising targets for future microbiota-based therapies. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, and is a significant contributor to both morbidity and mortality rates. Emerging research has promptly highlighted the potential role of the gut microbiome in the development and progression of CRC. This study aims to investigate the differences in gut microbiota between CRC patients and healthy individuals in Iraq, using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing on Illumina NovaSeq (PE250-Seq). A total of 21 stool samples were analyzed: 12 from early-stage CRC patients and nine from healthy controls. Bacterial DNA was extracted, followed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to profile the microbial communities. The results indicated significant differences between the fecal microbiome of the two groups. Remarkably, CRC patients exhibited a marked reduction in Bacteroidota and an increase in Verrucomicrobiota compared to healthy controls. At the genus level, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Barnesiella, Eubacterium Lachnospiraceae_UCG_004, and Lachnospira were significantly less abundant in CRC patients compared to the healthy individuals, while Actinomyces, Monoglobus, Desulfovibrio, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides were highly enriched. In addition, diversity analyses further indicated decreased α-diversity and distinct β-diversity patterns in the CRC patients, suggesting significant shifts in the gut microbial composition. These findings underscore the potential of microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutic strategies, with microbial alterations serving as biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. Further research needs to focus on elucidating the causal relationships and therapeutic potential of these microbiome changes in CRC management. Full article

Mustard seed meal, an oil industry by-product, shows promise as a dietary additive in animal feed due to its rich content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential. The present study examined its impact on the gut microbiota of post-weaning piglets exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Twenty-four cross-bred TOPIGS-40 piglets were divided into four groups: C—control group on a basal diet; LPS—group on a basal diet later exposed to lipopolysaccharides; M—group on a basal diet with an 8% w/w mustard seed meal addition; and M+LPS—a combined mustard and LPS group. After 21 days, colonic content analysis using Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that while LPS challenge led to an increased abundance of Spirochaetota and Desulfobacterota in the LPS group, the presence of mustard seed meal kept these levels low in the M+LPS group. Notably, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio decreased from 2.87 to 1.12 in the M+LPS group. Furthermore, Lactobacillus showed a 4.7-fold increase while Lachnospira decreased by 67.7% in the M+LPS group compared to the LPS group. These findings highlight mustard seed meal’s potential to prevent LPS-induced gut dysbiosis, enhancing gut health in weaning piglets. Full article