Search Results (5,838)

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is a widely studied probiotic species with significant strain-specific functional diversity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying these variations remain largely unexplored. In this study, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and untargeted metabolomics were employed to comprehensively characterize the genetic architecture and extracellular metabolic profile of Lp. plantarum FRT4 (CGMCC 17955), a probiotic strain previously studied for its metabolic effects in animal models. WGS revealed a circular chromosome and five plasmids, encoding 3301 protein-coding genes enriched in amino acid biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and environmental response pathways. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy) annotation revealed 135 carbohydrate-active enzyme genes, dominated by glycoside hydrolases and glycosyl transferases. Untargeted metabolomic analysis comparing the fermentation supernatant of FRT4 with non-inoculated MRS medium revealed significant alterations in metabolite composition, including elevated levels of acetylcholine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and trans-3-coumarate, and reduced levels of uridine, inosine, and fructose-1-phosphate, indicating active modulation of neurotransmission, redox balance, and purine metabolism. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment showed significant regulation of pathways related to amino acid metabolism, carbon metabolism, and cofactor biosynthesis. These findings highlight the metabolic versatility and functional potential of FRT4, offering mechanistic insights into its probiotic effects and providing a basis for its potential application in fermentation-based formulations. Full article

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of obesity continues to rise globally, and with this an increase in the use of herbal weight loss supplements (WLS). At present, there is limited evidence to support the efficacy and safety of WLS, and there have been growing reports of adverse events associated with their use. We aimed to determine those WLS that caused toxicity in vitro and to use ¹H nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR) to examine the metabolomic changes induced by these WLS in human hepatic and intestinal cells. Materials and Methods: This study used in vitro methods and ¹H NMR spectroscopy to analyse the metabolomic changes in vitro of WLS available for purchase in Australia. Ten WLS were selected, nine WLS caused significant toxicity in HepG2 human liver cells, and of these, six met the criteria for ¹H NMR analysis, which was based on a 25–50% reduction in cell viability. Results: All 10 WLS caused a significant reduction in viability of Caco-2 human intestinal cells, with seven selected for metabolic profiling. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (O-PLS-DA) of ¹H NMR spectral data was used to characterise the metabolites that differed between the untreated and treated cells and the fold changes of the metabolites were determined. The results showed alterations to key metabolites such as amino acids, glucose, carboxylic acids, and amines in all treatment groups compared to untreated controls across both cell lines. Conclusions: Collectively, these biochemical changes represent disturbances to intracellular proteins, energy metabolism, and membrane lipids suggestive of oxidative stress. This study highlights the need for further investigations into the actions of these WLS in vivo, and, as these products were regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) at the time of purchase, this study suggests improved pre-market screening to ensure consumer health is protected. Full article

Arid and semi-arid regions show distinctive bacterial groups important for the sustainability of ecosystems and soil health. This study aims to investigate how environmental factors across five Qatari soils influence the taxonomic composition of bacterial communities and their predicted functional roles using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and soil chemical analysis. Soil samples from five different locations in Qatar (three coastal and two inland) identified 26 bacterial phyla, which were dominated by Actinomycetota (35–43%), Pseudomonadota (12–16%), and Acidobacteriota (4–13%). Species-level analysis discovered taxa such as Rubrobacter tropicus, Longimicrobium terrae, Gaiella occulta, Kallotenue papyrolyticum, and Sphingomonas jaspsi, suggesting the presence of possible novel microbial families. The functional predictions showed development in pathways related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and stress tolerance. In addition, heavy-metal-related taxa, which are known to harbor genes for metal resistance mechanisms including efflux pumps, metal chelation, and oxidative stress tolerance. The presence of Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus highlights their roles in stress tolerance, biodegradation, and metabolite production. These findings improve the understanding of microbial roles in dry soils, especially in nutrient cycling and ecosystem resilience. They highlight the importance of local bacteria for sustaining desert soil functions. Further research is needed to validate these relationships, using metabolomic approaches while monitoring microbial-community-changing aspects under fluctuating environmental conditions. Full article

Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is an economically important silk-producing insect, whose gut microbiota play a crucial role in growth, development, and nutrient metabolism. This study focused on the entire larval developmental stages of A. pernyi. Using the Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform, we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing on the gut microbiota of laboratory-reared A. pernyi larvae, analyzing in detail the composition and diversity characteristics of the gut microbial communities across all five instars (1st to 5th instar). Additionally, functional predictions were conducted to explore the potential roles of these microbiota during larvae development. The study revealed that the core gut microbiota of A. pernyi larvae primarily consisted of Actinomycetota (39.78%), Cyanobacteriota (32.46%), Bacillota (18.08%), and Pseudomonadota (9.02%). Among these, Actinomycetota dominated in the 1st to 4th-instar larvae, while Cyanobacteriota became the predominant phylum in the 5th instar. Linear discriminant analysis effect size identified statistically significant biomarkers across different instar larvae of A. pernyi. Alpha diversity analysis showed that gut microbiota diversity initially increased and then decreased with larval development, peaking in the 3rd instar, and reaching its lowest level in the 5th instar. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) of beta diversity indicated that the gut microbiota structures of the 1st to 4th instars were similar but significantly differed from that of the 5th instar. Functional prediction analysis based on the KEGG database revealed that Carbohydrate metabolism and Amino acid metabolism-related genes were significantly lower in the 5th instar compared to other instars, while Energy metabolism and Cofactor and vitamin metabolism-related genes were significantly higher. This study offers valuable insights for the development of gut microbial resources in Lepidoptera insects. Full article

Golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is an economically important fish species along China’s southern coast. However, infections by Cryptocaryon irritans severely constrain the healthy and sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. To investigate the genetic basis of resistance to this parasite in golden pompano, this study employed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to compare differences between susceptible (ES) and resistant (RS) groups following C. irritans challenge. Transcriptome analysis identified 2031 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between EST and RST groups, comprising 1004 up-regulated and 1027 down-regulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment revealed that these DEGs were primarily enriched in lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways. Untargeted metabolomics detected 461 significantly differentially abundant metabolites (295 up-regulated, 166 down-regulated), confirming pronounced metabolic differences between ES and RS groups, particularly in lipid and amino acid metabolism. Further, KEGG enrichment highlighted steroid hormone biosynthesis, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism as the most significantly altered pathways upon infection. This integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic study reveals substantial differences in gene expression and metabolite profiles between susceptible and resistant golden pompano in response to C. irritans. These changes predominantly involve lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, suggesting that these processes are critical in determining host resistance/susceptibility. Full article

Lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (lean MASLD) challenges longstanding views that link hepatic steatosis primarily to obesity. Emerging as a distinct and under-recognized clinical entity, lean MASLD affects individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI), yet carries risks of cardiovascular disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality comparable to obesity-associated MASLD. The absence of overt metabolic dysfunction complicates diagnosis, revealing critical limitations in current screening frameworks centered on BMI. This review synthesizes evolving clinical insights and epidemiological trends in lean MASLD, and delineates its unique pathophysiological mechanisms. Recent advances in metabolomics have uncovered disease-specific disruptions in lipid and amino acid metabolism, bile acid signaling, and gut microbiota-derived metabolites. By integrating evidence from metabolic, genetic, and epigenetic domains, we identified promising biomarkers, and therapeutic targets that may support earlier detection and precision-guided treatment strategies. Full article

Salt–alkaline soil poses a significant challenge to soybean productivity. While plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer a sustainable strategy for stress mitigation, their field-level application remains underexplored. Here, a field experiment was conducted in the Yellow River Delta of Shandong, China, a typical salt–alkaline region. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Bacillus velezensis 41S2 in enhancing soybean performance under salt–alkaline soil through integrated field trials and transcriptomic analysis. Inoculation with strain 41S2 significantly improved plant biomass, yield components, and seed yield under salt–alkaline soil, and notably increased seed protein and isoflavone contents. Physiological analyses revealed that strain 41S2 markedly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, indicating alleviation of oxidative stress. Moreover, strain 41S2 modulated the levels of soluble sugars and amino acids, contributing to osmotic regulation and carbon–nitrogen (C-N) metabolic balance. Transcriptome profiling further indicated that strain 41S2 upregulated genes involved in antioxidant response, C–N metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, highlighting its role in coordinating multilayered stress response pathways. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of B. velezensis 41S2 as a multifunctional bioinoculant for improving salt tolerance and presents a promising tool for sustainable crop production and ecological restoration in salt–alkaline soil. Full article

Leaf senescence is the final stage of plant leaf development, closely related to the yield and quality of cereal crops. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism of rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaf senescence is not yet very clear. This study conducted weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) using two independent senescence-related transcriptome datasets of rice. Modules positively/negatively correlated with leaf senescence were obtained for each dataset. The additional intersection analysis screened out 180 and 248 common genes highly and positively/negatively correlated with leaf senescence. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses showed that these identified common genes were mainly enriched in senescence-related biological processes and pathways, such as reactive oxygen metabolism, hormone pathway, cell death regulation, stimulus–response, amino acid metabolism, photosynthetic metabolism, etc. Transcription factors and studied genes were identified from these common genes, finding that transcription regulation, hormone regulation, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and photosynthesis pathways play an essential role in rice leaf senescence. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified 28 key genes probably involved in leaf senescence. Hub network analysis identified 68 hub genes probably participating in leaf senescence. Twelve genes from the PPI network and the hub gene network were selected for RT-qPCR validation of their expression patterns during leaf senescence. The functions of the senescence-correlated genes identified in this study are discussed in detail. These results provide valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of leaf senescence in rice and lay a foundation for functional research on candidate senescence genes. Full article

Ovarian aging is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The development of adjunctive treatments that mitigate age-related subfertility is warranted. We examined the benefits of nutraceutical supplementation (FE; Fertility Enhancer) with mitochondrial antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, metabolic activators, vitamins and minerals, and amino acids on ovarian aging, metabolic activity, and reproductive success in young (Y; 6-month-old) and middle-aged (O; 11-month-old) female C57BL/6J mice. The mice were fed calorie- and macronutrient-matched diets w/wo the FE supplement for three months and harem mated twice. Daily FE supplementation promoted significant body re-composition, including loss of white adipose tissue (gWAT: −36% vs. CON, p < 0.001), gain of skeletal muscle (SkM: +67% vs. CON, p < 0.001), and improved SkM/gWAT ratio (+185% vs. CON, p < 0.001). Metabolic testing showed enhanced fat oxidation (+38%, p < 0.01) and energy expenditure (+7%, p = 0.051) in FE mice. Breeding and immunoblotting data demonstrated improved reproductive success (Y-CON: 44%, Y-FE: 89%, O-CON: 0%, O-FE: 18%) and a modest attenuation of ovarian aging markers in both FE groups. We surmise that a multi-ingredient supplement, such as the Fertility Enhancer, may improve body re-composition, metabolic activity, and markers of ovarian aging, thus enhancing reproductive health and fertility in females. Full article

Tuanao, a traditional Northern Thai fermented soybean product, was profiled with an integrated multi-omics workflow to clarify how microbes and metabolites co-evolve during household fermentation. Soybeans were fermented spontaneously for three days; samples from four time points were analyzed by shotgun metagenomics alongside 1H-NMR and UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS metabolomics. Bacillus spp. (phylum Bacilliota) quickly supplanted early Enterobacterales and dominated the mature microbiome. The rise of Bacillus coincided with genes for peptide and carbohydrate utilization and with the accumulation of acetate, free amino acids (glutamine, leucine, alanine, valine) and diverse oligopeptides, whereas citrate and glucose-1-phosphate were depleted. This Bacillus-linked metabolic shift indicates that Tuanao is a promising source of probiotics and bioactive compounds. Our study provides the first system-level view of Tuanao fermentation and offers molecular markers to guide starter-culture design and quality control. Full article

This study aimed to examine the effects of oats cultivated in saline and non-saline environments on the meat quality and muscle metabolism of Qinghai Tibetan sheep. First, targeted and untargeted metabolomics were used to examine oat quality and metabolites. Second, sheep muscle quality and metabolites were analyzed. Finally, a combined examination of the quality of the oats and their metabolites, as well as that of the muscles, was compared with saline oats. This study hypothesizes that, compared with non-saline environments, soil salinization can improve the nutritional quality of oats, thereby enhancing the meat quality and muscle metabolism of Qinghai Tibetan sheep. Saline-grown oats were shown to have higher levels of crude protein, crude fat, free amino acids, and simple sugar. The meat quality of the sheep fed on saline oats was higher due to free amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in improved texture, color, water-holding capacity, and cooked meat percentage, with lower steaming loss. The findings of this study confirm the hypothesis that salinization improves Tibetan sheep meat quality by optimizing oat composition, providing a reference for agricultural and animal husbandry production in saline areas. Full article

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), once regarded solely as a toxic gas, is now recognized as a vital endogenous signaling molecule with important roles in both health and disease. Growing evidence supports the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) framework, in which early-life disturbances in H₂S signaling may drive the later development of cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome—a condition that encompasses chronic kidney disease, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This review highlights the emerging importance of H₂S in CKM programming and the potential of H₂S-based interventions during gestation and lactation to prevent long-term adverse health outcomes in offspring. Findings from animal studies suggest that maternal supplementation with sulfur-containing amino acids, N-acetylcysteine, H₂S donors, and related sulfur-containing biomolecules can attenuate CKM-related risks in progeny. Despite these advances, several critical areas remain underexplored, including the role of gut microbiota-derived H₂S, the epigenetic mechanisms influenced by H₂S during development, and the clinical translation of preclinical findings. Targeting H₂S signaling offers a promising strategy for early-life prevention of CKM syndrome and may also hold broader potential for preventing other DOHaD-related chronic diseases. Full article

The health impacts of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in plateau regions have attracted concerns, along with local population growth and rapid urbanization. This study collected PM_2.5 samples at summer and winter in Xining, a city located in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The chemical composition of PM_2.5 and its cytotoxicity on human lung epithelial cells (A549) are characterized, and composition–cytotoxicity correlation is discussed. The toxic mechanisms of PM_2.5 in different seasons were further investigated through metabolomic analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The average PM_2.5 mass concentration in Xining during winter was 2.10 times higher than that during summer. The carbonaceous components in PM_2.5 were dominated by OC, while the main water-soluble ions were SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺, with Mg, Al, Fe, and Ca also present in high concentrations in metal elements. LDH and ROS emerged as the most PM_2.5-affected toxicity indices in summer (34.59 ± 4.86 ng/L, 1.19× control) and winter (8.62 ± 1.25 ng/mL, 1.77× control), respectively. OC, Cl⁻, F⁻, Sn, Cr, SO₄²⁻, Pb, Zn, Mg, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺ may synergistically exacerbate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses on A549 cells in Xining. Furthermore, glutathione metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism were identified as key pathways influencing cellular oxidation and inflammation. Thimonacic, 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)-9-oxononanoic acid, and hypoxanthine were common metabolites in both seasons. Our findings greatly enhance the understanding of health risks associated with PM_2.5 in the plateau city. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diet and obesity contribute to approximately 50% of tumor development. Therefore, nutrition plays a key role not only in cancer prevention but also in determining prognosis. Notably, between 30% and 90% of cancer patients experience malnutrition. Furthermore, the hypercatabolic state induced by tumors leads to widespread protein degradation, clinically manifesting as sarcopenia or cachexia, and ultimately accelerating mortality. This narrative review examines the potential role of amino acids (AAs) in inhibiting tumor growth and counteracting protein–energy malnutrition—aiming to preserve muscle mass and nourish healthy cells while placing neoplastic cells in a state of metabolic stress. Methods: The analysis was conducted following the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Results: Administration of targeted mixtures of essential amino acids (EAAs) has been shown to improve muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in patients with hypercatabolic conditions. Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies also suggest a potential inhibitory effect on tumor proliferation. However, increased availability of certain AAs may, in some cases, stimulate tumor growth, one reason why EAAs supplementation in cancer patients remains controversial. Conclusions: Despite prevailing concerns, emerging evidence indicates that supplementation with a complete, well-balanced EAAs formulation may be a valuable adjunct to standard cancer therapies. This approach could help correct cancer-associated protein imbalances, enhance patients’ quality of life, and create a metabolic environment unfavorable to tumor progression. Full article

Sour camel milk, as a nutritious fermented dairy product, faces challenges in terms of quality stability. Sparassis crispa, due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, shows potential in improving food quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different active components of Sparassis crispa on the quality of sour camel milk. The results indicated that Component I was the most effective Sparassis crispa component in enhancing the quality of sour camel milk. The components of Component I were identified as LysoPC(0_0_18_2(9Z,12Z)), LysoPC(18_1(11Z)_0_0), and N-(2-hydroxymethyl-3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl) anthranilic acid, among others. It increased the total viable count of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and water-holding capacity (WHC) while improving the texture of sour camel milk. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the first component of sour camel milk (FCS) and Sparassis crispa sour camel milk (SS) have a high degree of similarity in the composition of flavor substances. The characteristic flavor metabolites included 2-amylfuran, isoamyl alcohol, 2-methylbutyraldehyde, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Additionally, the supplementation of Component I increased the levels of metabolites such as amino acids, free fatty acids, organic acids, and carbohydrates, thereby contributing to the enhanced taste and nutritional quality of sour camel milk. This intervention also strengthened carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in LAB. These findings provide a theoretical basis for utilizing Component I to improve the quality of sour camel milk. Full article