Search Results (795)

Fermentation utilizing a combination of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is known to enhance the nutritional value of wheat germ extract via the production of functional bioactive compounds. In this work, fermentation via compound LAB significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of wheat germ extract. Compared to the unfermented group (CON), the in vitro antioxidant indices of Lactobacillus fermented wheat embryo extract were increased significantly: DPPH^·+/ABTS^·+ clearance (67.87 ± 3.48%/71.44 ± 5.90%), FRAP value (1.33 ± 0.02 μmol Trolox/10 mg), and active substance content including GSH (78.04 ± 1.43 μmol/g), total phenols (0.53 ± 0.01 mg GAE/10 mg), and total flavonoids (0.032 ± 0.01 mg/10 mg). Moreover, the antioxidant activity and substances of lactic acid bacteria-fermented wheat embryo extract were improved after gastrointestinal digestion compared with CON. In the erastin-induced Drosophila oxidative stress model, LFWGC intervention significantly improved behavioral performance (12.6 ± 3.78 s of tube climbing and 101.2 ± 7.98 jumps) and increased in vivo antioxidant levels: DPPH^·+·+ clearance by 31.75 ± 0.62%, ABTS^·+ clearance by 50.11 ± 0.82%, FRAP to 0.89 ± 0.03 μmol Trolox/10 mg, and GSH (116.30 ± 1.95 μmol/g), total phenols (0.117 ± 0.01 mg GAE/mg), and total flavonoids (0.027 ± 0.002 mg/g). Mechanistically, LFWGC enriched the intestinal flora with Levilactobacillus and Pseudomonas by restoring Tsf1 protein function, upregulating the expression of the TSF1 and GPX4 genes, and activating the pentose phosphate and a-lanine–aspartate-glutamate metabolic pathways, thereby synergistically enhancing the antioxidant defense system. LAB fermentation effectively enhanced the antioxidant capacity of wheat germ extract, providing a theoretical foundation for the development of functional foods. Full article

In this study, the structure of Walnut green husk polysaccharides (WGHP) and their effects on immune checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis (ICIIC) and intestinal microbiota in mice were studied. The results showed that WGHP was composed of mannose (Man) 0.56%, rhamnose (Rha) 6.81%, galacturonic acid (GalA) 53.52%, glucose (Glc) 8.93%, galactose (Gal) 13.94%, arabinose (Ara) 15.88% and fucose (Fuc) 0.35%. The results of animal experiments showed that the intake of WGHP could not only effectively improve the phenotype of ICIIC in mice, but also significantly regulate the composition of intestinal flora and the content of short-chain fatty acids in mice, such as regulating the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacterotoides, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Lactobacillus, and increasing the content of butyric acid, acetic acid, and isobutyric acid to restore intestinal homeostasis. In addition, WGHP improves inflammation in mouse ICIIC by inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, thereby activating the GPR43/PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway. Therefore, WGHP can be used as a functional polysaccharide for the prevention of ICIIC. Full article

Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OBEO) is an effective anesthetic and sedative for large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) during live transport. This study aimed to assess the impact of OBEO on various physiological and biochemical parameters during live transport, thereby enhancing animal welfare and survival. Fish were exposed to 0 and 5 mg/L OBEO for 72 h during transport. Blood and liver samples were collected every 12 h after transport to evaluate blood biochemistry, tissue damage, oxidative stress-related and inflammation-related gene expression, intestinal microbiota, and liver metabolomics. The results demonstrated that the OBEO treatment significantly reduced serum cortisol levels and heat shock protein 70 (p < 0.05) while increasing the activity of liver antioxidant enzymes in large yellow croakers. Furthermore, compared to the control group, the expression of genes related to oxidative stress and inflammation was upregulated (p < 0.05), thereby enhancing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of the fish. Microscopic examination of gill tissues revealed that OBEO alleviated morphological damage. Additionally, OBEO treatment altered the composition of intestinal microbiota, which contributed to the regulation of inflammatory responses. Moreover, liver metabolomics analysis identified key metabolic pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism, which could mitigate liver damage and enhance antioxidant and immune functions. In conclusion, OBEO effectively reduces transport stress in large yellow croakers through physiological, molecular, and metabolic mechanisms, providing a promising strategy to improve animal welfare and survival rate during live transport. Full article

Lyophyllum decastes soluble dietary fiber (LDSDF) is a polysaccharide-based active ingredient derived from the edible and medicinal fungus L. decastes. However, its extraction methods remain unoptimized, and its hypolipidemic and gut microbiota effects have yet to be thoroughly investigated in mice. In this study, response surface optimization of the LDSDF extraction method indicated an optimal extraction temperature of 99 °C, a solid/liquid ratio of 25:1 mL/g, and an extraction time of 1.9 h. The optimal ethanol precipitation parameters were a concentration ratio of 3.9, an ethanol concentration of 74.4%, and a precipitation time of 16.4 h. These conditions afforded an LDSDF yield of 15.83%. Following 6 weeks of oral gavage of LDSDF in obese mice, the results showed that LDSDF inhibited increases in body and organ weight; reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; decreased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities; and lowered systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β). Concurrently, it elevated the hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; reduced malondialdehyde levels; and mitigated lesions in liver and epididymal fat cells. Meanwhile, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that LDSDF significantly alleviated intestinal flora imbalances. Overall, this study established an optimized extraction process to obtain LDSDF with a high yield and confirmed the hypolipidemic and gut microbiota-modulating efficacy of this active ingredient, highlighting its potential for use as a functional food ingredient. Full article

This study investigated the dietary effects of cerium (ammonium ceric nitrate, Ce (NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆) on the growth, serum antioxidant, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, tissue morphology and microbiota of Micropterus salmoides. Seven diets were designed with cerium supplementation of 0 (CON), 10 (Ce10), 20 (Ce20), 40 (Ce40), 60 (Ce60), 80 (Ce80) and 120 mg/kg (Ce120), respectively. Largemouth bass juveniles (initial weight of 16.89 ± 0.04 g) were fed with the above diets for 56 days. Compared with the control group, the weight gain of the Ce40 group increased by 14.4% and the feed conversion ratio decreased by 0.13 (p < 0.05). The Ce60, Ce80 and Ce120 groups showed significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity and lower malondialdehyde concentration compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Protease activity in the Ce20 and Ce40 groups and amylase activity in the Ce40 group were markedly elevated relative to the control group (p < 0.05). The proportion of Firmicutes was increased and the proportion of Proteobacteria was decreased by the addition of 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg Ce (Ce10 and Ce40 groups). In summary, dietary cerium supplementation can promote the growth, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, and positive modulation of the intestinal microbial flora of juvenile Micropterus salmoides. Based on the second-order polynomial regression analysis of WG or the FCR, the appropriate inclusion level of dietary cerium for juvenile largemouth bass was estimated to be 57.9 and 60.0 mg/kg, respectively. Full article

Beef and yam are valued as functional foods, yet their synergistic effects on gastrointestinal health and immunity remain underexplored. This study investigated the effects of beef and yam on the spleen and stomach. In the present study, a rat model of spleen deficiency was established by poor diet and exhaustive swimming. The weight, food intake, gastrointestinal and immune indexes, and the intestinal flora of the rats were examined. The results showed that the levels of gastrin, motilin, and four cytokines improved. Specifically, the beef group exhibited marked recovery in gastrointestinal hormones, with serum gastrin and motilin levels increasing to approximately 60 pg/mL and 70 pg/mL, respectively, close to the normal control levels, and significantly higher than the model group. The beef and yam effectively restored the balance of intestinal flora, which significantly increased the diversity of intestinal microorganisms. In addition, the tissue structure of the spleen, stomach, small intestine, and colon was also effectively improved. Additionally, yam increased gut microbial diversity and optimized the microbial community structure, consequently enhancing the overall health status. This study elucidates the multi-pathway mechanisms by which beef and yam ameliorate spleen deficiency, providing a scientific basis for their application in functional foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: The effect of proanthocyanidins (PAs) on neuroinflammation through the modulation of colonic microflora and their metabolites was investigated in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Thirty healthy male C57BL/6J mice of similar body weight were randomly divided into control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and proanthocyanidin (PA_HFD) groups. HFD and PA_HFD groups were fed an HFD, whereas the CON group was fed a basic diet for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the CON and HFD groups were administered equal doses of saline, and the PA_HFD group was administered PA (100 mg/kg/day) daily. We evaluated microbial changes through gut microbiota richness and probiotic relative abundance, analyzed metabolite variations via non-targeted metabolomics and pathway enrichment, assessed neuroinflammation via related gene expression, and measured cognitive function using platform crossing frequency and target quadrant time in the Morris water maze, where longer duration and more crossings indicate better cognition. Results: Body weight was significantly lower in the PA_HFD group than in the HFD group. In the PA_HFD group, fewer inflammatory and hepatic fat cells were observed, and hepatocellular edema was alleviated. PA significantly decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, IL-1β, TNF-α, lipopolysaccharide, and Lc3 expression and increased Sirt1 and FGF21 expression in hippocampal tissue (p < 0.01). PA significantly altered the abundance of colonic microbiota (p < 0.01), including phyla Patescibacteria and Bacteroidota and genera Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. KEGG analysis revealed that differences in metabolite profiles between CON and HFD groups were reflected in glycerophospholipid metabolism, while those between HFD and PA_HFD groups were in steroid hormone biosynthesis and tryptophan metabolism. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that changes in metabolites and microbiota were significantly correlated with neuroinflammation. Conclusions: In conclusion, PAs play a role in modulating neuroinflammation, colonic microflora, and colonic metabolites in mice and have a mitigating effect on cognitive decline in HFD-induced obese mice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) exhibit a range of biological activities; however, their limited natural abundance and high cost have constrained in vivo research. Lanolin represents a promising source for enriching BCFAs. Nevertheless, the in vivo application, safety, and dose-effect relationship of BCFAs derived from lanolin (BCFAs-DFL) remain unassessed. Methods: In this study, the acute toxicity in C57BL/6J mice was first evaluated for 7 days by a single oral administration of 5000 mg/kg BW of BCFAs-DFL. Subsequently, 40 mice were divided into four groups (control group, low dose of 100 mg/kg BW, medium dose of 300 mg/kg BW, and high dose of 600 mg/kg BW) and were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days to study the effects of BCFAs-DFL on the growth, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and intestinal flora of the mice. Results: In the acute toxicity test, BCFAs-DFL exhibited no lethality or abnormalities in mice, indicating its non-toxic nature. Throughout the 28-day trial, mice in the medium- and high-dose groups experienced a notable decrease in average daily feed intake (p < 0.05), yet their weight gain remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels declined in the high-dose group (p < 0.05). Conversely, serum aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels escalated in the medium- and high-dose groups, while triglycerides and urea nitrogen levels decreased (p < 0.05). The serum’s total antioxidant capacity and immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG) rose in proportion to the dosage (p < 0.05). BCFAs-DFL notably enhanced the villus height of the jejunum and ileum in mice (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis indicated no significant impact on overall α and β diversity. Conclusions: The 28-day intervention revealed that BCFAs-DFL can modulate feeding behavior, TG, T-AOC, and immunoglobulin levels in mice. Additionally, it promotes the development of intestinal villi. Based on various indicators, a dosage of 100 mg/kg BW effectively induces beneficial metabolic regulation, such as the reduction of triglycerides, without causing a burden on liver metabolism. This dosage may represent a more suitable application for potential use. Full article

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), a bile acid conjugate, has been suggested to improve cognition in models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), although its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TUDCA and its potential pathways in APP/PS1 mice. Behavioral tests, assessments of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, neuroinflammation, peripheral inflammatory responses, intestinal barrier integrity, and gut microbiota composition were performed, along with pseudo-sterile mouse experiments and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The expression of genes related to the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway was also examined. TUDCA significantly ameliorated cognitive impairments, reduced Aβ accumulation, and suppressed inflammatory responses in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. It improved intestinal barrier function and reshaped gut microbial composition by reducing pro-inflammatory taxa. FMT demonstrated that TUDCA-modulated microbiota contributed to improved learning and memory in AD mice, whereas antibiotic-induced pseudo-sterility indicated that TUDCA also exerted cognitive benefits independent of gut flora. Moreover, TUDCA inhibited the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. In conclusion, TUDCA alleviates AD-related cognitive deficits partly through modulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis while also acting via microbiota-independent mechanisms, supporting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function. Its main pathological features include accumulation of Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, excessive phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau (tau protein), and neuroinflammation. In recent years, studies have confirmed intestinal flora is closely connected to AD. Gut–brain axis has an important part in AD. Intestinal flora can achieve signal communication between gut and brain through metabolic, immune, neural, and endocrine pathways, thereby slowing down AD. It has been discovered that exercise is not only beneficial to physical health but also has a positive impact on the brain function. In recent years, more and more studies have found exercise can alleviate AD through the following four major pathways: regulating the diversity of intestinal flora, strengthening the blood–brain barrier (BBB), regulating immune homeostasis, and upregulating the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In this review, we have summarized intestinal flora in AD and systematically expounded potential regulatory pathways of exercise in modulating intestinal flora for AD. This provides a more theoretical basis for subsequent research targeting “gut–brain axis” to regulate AD. At the same time, this review also summarizes differences in different exercise types on improving intestinal flora for alleviating AD, providing new ideas and strategies for AD. Full article

In intensive farming systems, broilers are exposed to various stressors that trigger immune stress. Reduced glutathione is known to play a crucial role in modulating immune function. This study investigated the effects of different doses of reduced glutathione on the growth performance, intestinal immune function, and gut microbiota of broilers under immune stress. One-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to five groups: group K (control), group L (lipopolysaccharide), and three glutathione supplementation groups, Y1 (50 mg/kg), Y2 (100 mg/kg), and Y3 (200 mg/kg). Each group had four replicates, with 11 broilers per replicate. On days 16, 18, and 20, broilers in groups L and Y1-Y3 received intraperitoneal injections of 0.5 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide, while group K received an equal volume of saline. On day 16, the average daily weight gain and final body weight of group Y3 were significantly higher than those of groups K and L, whereas on day 21, the average daily weight gain of group Y3 was still significantly higher than that of group L. On day 21 broilers were slaughtered, and samples were collected. In the jejunal mucosa, group Y3 showed significantly reduced levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-1β, and TNF-α compared to group L. Additionally, group Y3 exhibited reduced relative expression levels of NF-κB, TLR4, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, TNF-α, and IL-2 mRNA; a decreased abundance of Enterococcus, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria; and a restored abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Turicibacter, and Firmicutes to normal levels. These findings suggest that 200 mg/kg of reduced glutathione is the optimal dose for improving the gut microbiota composition and mitigating gut damage caused by immune stress by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Full article

Kombucha is a millennia-old beverage crafted from green or black tea and saccharides and fermented with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). This functional drink boasts health benefits, such as improved intestinal flora function, hepatoprotection and inhibition of amyloid fibers. It contains bioactive antioxidants, such as catechins, ascorbic acid, vitamins and other polyphenolic compounds. With kombucha’s rising popularity, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented control procedures to ensure the quality and safety of this food product. Due to the antioxidant properties of the major bioactive compounds in kombucha, feasible and low-cost electroanalytical methods emerge as promising alternatives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the voltammetric behavior of kombucha samples to establish and compare their redox profiles and antioxidant activities. Thus, 18 kombucha samples were used, comprising commercial samples and samples prepared in the laboratory from different SCOBYs purchased from different countries, and analyzed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) on a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The electrochemical index (EI) values determined from the samples were used to establish their antioxidant activities. The EI values were also compared with spectrophotometric data from Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) on the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and intestinal flora regulatory capacity of jackfruit polysaccharides (JPs). Under optimized UAE conditions (liquid-to-solid ratio 30 mL/g, extraction time 30 min, power 90 W), the yield of JP reached 8.70 ± 0.11%. Compared with hot-water-extracted jackfruit polysaccharides (HAE-JPs), ultrasonic-assisted extracted jackfruit polysaccharides (UAE-JPs) exhibited a lower molecular weight, a smaller particle size, and a significant 11.5-fold increase in galacturonic acid content. Structural analyses confirmed that UAE-JPs retained a triple-helix and highly branched conformation but with enhanced exposure of acidic monosaccharides. These structural modifications contributed to superior antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition ability, demonstrated by its lower IC₅₀ values against DPPH, ABTS radicals, and α-glucosidase. Crucially, in vitro fecal fermentation revealed that UAE-JPs and HAE-JPs differentially modulated the gut microbiota. UAE-JPs preferentially promoted the proliferation of Lactobacillus (an increase of 27.04%) and Bifidobacterium, facilitating short-term acidification. In contrast, HAE-JPs enriched butyrate-producing bacteria like Clostridium (increase of 18.56%). Both polysaccharides significantly inhibited the growth of Fusobacterium (a decrease of 5.23%) related to cancer. Consequently, this study establishes UAE as a green and efficient technique capable of not only modifying the structure of JPs but also precisely tailoring their prebiotic functionality, which ultimately demonstrates the potential of UAE-JPs as a functional food ingredient with enhanced bioactivity. Full article

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor involved in regulating multiple physiological processes. Recent studies have demonstrated that AHR exerts a multifaceted regulatory role in liver diseases by integrating metabolic and immune signaling pathways; however, the specific role of AHR in MAFLD is not clear. In our work, a rat model of MAFLD was established by feeding wild-type (WT) and AHR knockout (AHR^−/−) rats with a high-fat, high-fructose, and high-cholesterol diet (HFHFrHCD) for 10 weeks, and then the liver injury markers, lipid-related biochemical indices and liver histopathology were examined to elucidate the effect of AHR on MAFLD progression. We discovered that AHR deficiency can elevate plasma transaminase levels, increase hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and exacerbate insulin resistance (IR) under an overnutrition environment. Subsequently, liver transcriptome and RT-qPCR were performed to investigate the underlying mechanism, which revealed that the hepatic bile acid synthesis was inhibited because of lower Cytochrome P450 Family 7 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP7A1) expression in the liver when AHR was knockout. Additionally, intestinal flora dysbiosis occurred in AHR^−/− rats fed with HFHFrHCD, which might also contribute to the hepatic cholesterol accumulation. Taken together, our results suggested that AHR might play an important role in regulating cholesterol metabolism by inhibiting bile acid synthesis and breaking the steady state of the gut microbiota during the MAFLD progression. Full article

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) impairs poultry production and causes substantial economic losses. This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri postbiotics (LR) on growth performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens challenged with E. coli. A total of 180 one-day-old Arbor Acres+ broilers were allocated into three groups (six replicates per group and 10 chicks each replicate): CTR, control group; E. coli-infected group, orally challenged with a mixture of E. coli O₁, O₂, and O₇₈ at a dose of 10⁹ CFU/mL; LR + E. coli-infected group, challenged with E. coli and fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg LR. The results showed that dietary LR significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) in the LR + E. coli group compared to the E. coli-infected group from days 1 to 18 (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in average daily feed intake (ADFI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed among the CTR, E. coli, and LR + E. coli groups. Infection with E. coli led to lower total antioxidant capacity in jejunum and activity of total superoxide dismutase in ileum. Moreover, dietary LR significantly alleviated the down-regulation of Mucin2 and Aquaporin-3 gene expression in jejunum and ileum caused by E. coli infection and up-regulated the gene expression of Claudin-1 and Zonula occludens 1 in the ileum. In addition, dietary LR treatment led to the up-regulation of interleukin-10 mRNA transcripts in the jejunum. Further analysis demonstrated that dietary supplementation with LR reshaped the ileal flora of birds challenged with E. coli via elevating the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Bacteroidota, while reducing the abundance of Candidatus_Arthromitus and Escherichia-Shigella. In conclusion, dietary LR supplementation improved the expression of intestinal barrier and anti-inflammatory genes and reshaped the intestinal flora in E. coli-infected broilers. Full article