• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.65 no.1
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2022

Microbial dysbiosis in the gut is associated with human diseases, and variations in mucus alter gut microbiota. Therefore, we explored the effects of mucin on the gut microbiota using a community of 19 synthetic gut microbial species. Cultivation of these species in modified Gifu anaerobic medium (GAM) supplemented with mucin before synthetic community assembly facilitated substantial growth of the Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and Clostridium genera. The results of 16S rRNA microbial relative abundance profiling revealed more of the beneficial microbes Collinsella, Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus, and Lactobacillus. This increased acetate levels in the community cultivated with, rather than without (control), mucin. We identified differences in predicted cell function and metabolism between microbes cultivated in GAM with and without mucin. Mucin not only changed the composition of the gut microbial community, but also modulated metabolic functions, indicating that it could help to modulate microbial changes associated with human diseases.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.8
• /
• pp.1195-1204
• /
• 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro fermentation profiles of different soybean oligosaccharides (SBOs) and their effects on skatole production and cecal microbiota of broilers. Methods: Five SBOs with varying main component contents were fermented using an in vitro batch incubation inoculated with broiler cecal microbiota. Gas production was recorded automatically, skatole, indole and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography, and microbial changes were analyzed using 16S DNA gene sequencing. Results: The addition of SBOs increased (p<0.05) gas production, suggesting bacterial growth-stimulating activities. In addition, the concentrations of indole were significantly (p<0.05) decreased after SBO supplementation, and SBO III, with higher sucrose and stachyose contents, decreased (p<0.05) the skatole level. Our results also revealed that the fermentation of SBOs by cecal microbiota produced (p<0.05) SCFAs, which were dominated by propionic acid, butyrate acid and lactic acid compared to the control. In addition, SBO III increased (p<0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes and Subdoligranulum and decreased that of Bacteroides. Conclusion: These results suggest that SBOs with higher sucrose and stachyose contents are promising prebiotics in modulating gut microbiota and reducing odor emission in broilers.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.9
• /
• pp.469-481
• /
• 2023

The gut microbiome is widely recognized as a dynamic organ with a profound influence on human physiology and pathology. Extensive epidemiological and longitudinal cohort studies have provided compelling evidence that disruptions in the early-life microbiome can have long-lasting health implications. Various factors before, during, and after birth contribute to shaping the composition and function of the neonatal and infant microbiome. While these alterations can be partially restored over time, metabolic phenotypes may persist, necessitating research to identify the critical period for early intervention to achieve phenotypic recovery beyond microbiome composition. In this review, we provide current understanding of changes in the gut microbiota throughout life and the various factors affecting these changes. Specifically, we highlight the profound impact of early-life gut microbiota disruption on the development of diseases later in life and discuss perspectives on efforts to recover from such disruptions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1132-1141
• /
• 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an increasing global burden and a predisposing factor to colorectal cancer. Although a number of treatment options are available, the side effects could be considerable. Studies on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an IBD intervention protocol require further validation as the underlying mechanisms for its attenuating effects remain unclear. This study aims to demonstrate the ameliorative role of FMT in an ulcerative colitis (UC) model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and elucidate its relative mechanisms in a mouse model. It was shown that FMT intervention decreased disease activity index (DAI) levels and increased the body weight, colon weight and colon length of experimental animals. It also alleviated histopathological changes, reduced key cytokine expression and oxidative status in the colon. A down-regulated expression level of genes associated with NF-κB signaling pathway was also observed. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that FMT intervention restored the gut microbiota to the pattern of the control group by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreasing the abundances of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. The relative abundances of the genera Lactobacillus, Butyricicoccus, Lachnoclostridium, Olsenella and Odoribacter were upregulated but Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Clostridium were reduced after FMT administration. Furthermore, FMT administration elevated the concentrations of SCFAs in the colon. In conclusion, FMT intervention could be suitable for UC control, but further validations via clinical trials are recommended.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.706-716
• /
• 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit changes. Although diverse complicated etiologies are involved in its pathogenesis, a dysregulated gut-brain axis may be an important factor. Red ginseng (RG), a traditional herbal medicine, is proven to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve brain function; however, these effects have not been investigated in IBS. Methods: Three-day intracolonic zymosan injections were used to induce post-infectious human IBS-like symptoms in mice. The animals were randomized to receive either phosphate-buffered saline (CG) or RG (30/100/300 mg/kg) for 10 days. Amitriptyline and sulfasalazine were used as positive controls. Macroscopic scoring was performed on day 4. Visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by colorectal distension and elevated plus maze and open field tests, respectively, on day 10. Next-generation sequencing of gut microbiota was performed, and biomarkers involved in gut-brain axis responses were analyzed. Results: Compared to CG, RG significantly decreased the macroscopic score, frequency of visceral pain, and anxiety-like behavior in the IBS mice. These effects were comparable to those after sulfasalazine and amitriptyline treatments. Moreover, RG significantly increased the proliferation of beneficial microbes, including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. RG significantly suppressed expression of IL-1β and c-fos in the gut and prefrontal cortex, respectively. Further, it restored the plasma levels of corticosterone to within the normal range, accompanied by an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone. Conclusion: RG may be a potential therapeutic option for the management of human IBS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1222-1226
• /
• 2020

Lactobacillus reuteri NK33 (NK33) and Bifidobacterium adolescentis NK98 (NK98) alleviate immobilization stress-induced depression. To understand the gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms of NK33 and NK98 against depression, we examined their effects on Escherichia coli K1 (K1)-induced depression and gut dysbiosis in mice. NK33, NK98, and their mixtures (1:1, 4:1, and 9:1) mitigated K1-induced depression and colitis. NK33 and NK98 additively or synergistically increased BDNF⁺/NeuN⁺ cell population and suppressed NF-κB action in the hippocampus. They alleviated gut dysbiosis by reducing the Proteobacteria population and increasing the Clostridia population. These results suggest that NK33 and NK98 may alleviate depression and colitis by ameliorating gut dysbiosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.15-27
• /
• 2019

Objectives This study was performed to evaluate anti-obesity effects of Crataegus pinnatifida (CP) on high-fat-diet induced obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into four groups: normal diet (NOR) group, high fat diet (HFD) group, HFD+Xenical (XEN) group, and HFD+CP (CP) group. NOR group was fed a normal diet and the other three groups were fed high fat diet during the experiment. After the first two weeks of diet, XEN group and CP group were administered with XEN or CP for seven weeks, respectively. After that, we measured body weight, liver weight, fat weight, food intake, and serum concentrations of lipids and liver enzymes. Also the liver, intestine, fat tissue was removed to estimate the obesity-related mRNA expressions and the stool sample was collected to analyze the gut microbiota. Results We found that body weight, fat weight, and triglyceride level were decreased significantly in CP group compared to HFD group. Also CP significantly suppressed gene expressions associated with lipogenesis and inflammation, and increased gene expressions of browning of white adipose tissue and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, it shifted the microbial diversity closer to that of NOR group and increased Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio. Conclusions These results suggest that CP decrease body weight, fat weight and serum triglyceride. Also it inhibit inflammation and adipogenesis, altering gut microbial diversity and abundance. In conclusion, CP could be used as a therapeutic drug for obesity via gut microbiota modulation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2021

Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium are commonly used probiotics. This study aimed to identify the effect of live combined Bacillus subtilis R0179 and Enterococcus faecium R0026 (LCBE) on obesity-associated hyperlipidemia and gut microbiota in C57BL/6 mice. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: normal group (N group), model group (M group), low-dose group (L group), and high-dose group (H group). Mice were gavaged with LCBE at 0.023 g/mice/day (L group) or 0.23 g/mice/day (H group) and fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. In vitro E. faecium R0026 showed an ability to lower the low-concentration of cholesterol by 46%, and the ability to lower the high-concentration of cholesterol by 58%. LCBE significantly reduced the body weight gain, Lee index, brown fat index and body mass index of mice on a high-fat diet. Moreover, LCBE markedly improved serum lipids (including serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein) while also significantly reducing liver total cholesterol. Serum lipopolysaccharide and total bile acid in L and H groups decreased significantly compared with M group. PCR-DGGE analysis showed that the composition of gut microbiota in the treatment groups was improved. Akkermansia muciniphila was found in H group. The PCA result indicated a similar gut microbiota structure between LCBE treatment groups and normal group while the number of bands and Shannon diversity index increased significantly in the LCBE treatment groups. Finally, qPCR showed Bifidobacterium spp. increased significantly in H group compared with M group, LCBE alleviated liver steatosis and improved brown adipose tissue index.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.57-68
• /
• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the current trends of various herbal medicine research on allergic disease with dysbiosis. Methods : Electronic searches were performed using Pubmed, Research Information Sharing Service(RISS), Korean studies Information Service System(KISS), Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS). Results : We analyzed ten studies on the effect of herbal medicine on allergic disease with dysbiosis. Eight studies were animal experimental studies, and two were randomized clinical trial(RCT) study and one-group pretest-posttest research, respectively. Among the studies, three studies were on atopic dermatitis, two on allergic rhinitis, and five on asthma. All different herbal medicines were used in the studies. Changes in gut microbiota composition were observed in nine studies except for 1 RCT study. In eight animal experimental studies, there was significant reduction in allergy-related inflammatory markers. Six studies evaluated the change of metabolites related to gut microbiota and three of them showed significant increase in short-chain fatty acids(SCFA). Conclusion : This study provides current trends of studies on herbal medicine research on allergic disease with dysbiosis. Most research is conducted using animal experiments, and this is a relatively recent trend. These studies offer basic knowledge on the correlation between herbal medicine, gut microbiota, and anti-inflammatory effects in allergic disease.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.1065-1076
• /
• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of dietary mulberry leaves on the growth, production performance, gut microbiota, and immunological parameters of poultry and livestock. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were systematically analyzed to identify pertinent studies up to December 2022. The effects of mulberry leaf diet was assessed using the weighted mean difference, and the 95% confidence interval was calculated using a random-effects model. Results: In total, 18 studies that sampled 2,335 poultry and livestock were selected for analysis. Mulberry leaves improved the average daily gain and reduced the feed/meat ratio in finishing pigs, and the average daily gain and average daily feed intake in chicken. In production performance, mulberry leaves lowered the half carcass weight, slaughter rate, and loin eye area in pigs, and the slaughter rate in chickens. Regarding meat quality in pigs, mulberry leaves reduced the cooked meat percentage, shear force, crude protein, and crude ash, and increased the 24 h pH and water content. In chickens, it increased the drip loss, shear force, 45 min and 24 h pH, crude protein, and crude ash. Mulberry leaves also affect the abundances of gut microbiota, including Bacteroides, Prevotella, Megamonas, Escherichia-Shigella, Butyricicoccus, unclassified Ruminococcaceae, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia coli in poultry and livestock. Mulberry leaves at different doses were associated with changes in antioxidant capacity in chickens, and immune organ indexes in pigs. With respect to egg quality, mulberry leaves at different doses improved the shell strength, yolk color, eggshell thickness, and eggshell weight. However, moderate doses diminished the egg yolk ratio and the egg yolk moisture content. Conclusion: In general, dietary mulberry leaves improved the growth, production performance, and immunological parameters in poultry and livestock, although the effects varied at different doses.