• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.38-47
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• 2022

The present study focused on lithocholic acid (LCA), a secondary bile acid that contributes to cholestatic pruritus. Although recent studies have found that LCA acts on MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor family member X4 (MRGPRX4) in humans, it is unclear which subtypes of MRGPRs are activated by LCA in mice since there is no precise ortholog of human MRGPRX4 in the mouse genome. Using calcium imaging, we found that LCA could activate mouse Mrgpra1 when transiently expressed in HEK293T cells. Moreover, LCA similarly activates mouse Mrgprb2. Importantly, LCA-induced responses showed dose-dependent effects through Mrgpra1 and Mrgprb2. Moreover, treatment with QWF (an antagonist of Mrgpra1 and Mrgprb2), YM254890 (Gα_q inhibitor), and U73122 (an inhibitor of phospholipase C) significantly suppressed the LCA-induced responses, implying that the LCA-induced responses are indeed mediated by Mrgpra1 and Mrgprb2. Furthermore, LCA activated primary cultures of mouse sensory neurons and peritoneal mast cells, suggesting that Mrgpra1 and Mrgprb2 contribute to LCA-induced pruritus. However, acute injection of LCA did not induce noticeable differences in scratching behavior, implying that the pruritogenic role of LCA may be marginal in non-cholestatic conditions. In summary, the present study identified for the first time that LCA can activate Mrgpra1 and Mrgprb2. The current findings provide further insight into the similarities and differences between human and mouse MRGPR families, paving a way to understand the complex roles of these pruriceptors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.655-662
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• 2007

This study examined the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 (LAB) on cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolemia-induced rats. Four treatment groups of rats (n=9) were fed experimental diets: normal diet, normal $diet+LAB(2{\times}10^6\;CFU/day)$, hypercholesterol diet (0.5% cholesterol, w/w), and hypercholesterol diet+LAB. Body weight, feed intake, and feed efficiency did not differ among the four groups. Supplementation with LAB reduced total serum cholesterol (25%) and VLDL+IDL+LDL cholesterol (42%) in hypercholesterol diet groups, although hepatic tissue cholesterol and lipid contents were not changed. In the normal diet group, cholesterol synthesis (HMG-CoA reductase expression), absorption (LDL receptor expression), and excretion via bile acids (cholesterol $7{\alpha}-hydroxylase$ expression) were increased by supplementation with LAB, and increased cholesterol absorption and decreased excretion were found in the hypercholesterol diet group. Total fecal acid sterols excretion was increased by supplementation with LAB. With proportional changes in both normal and hypercholesterol diet groups, primary bile acids (cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids) were reduced, and secondary bile acids (deoxycholic and lithocholic acids) were increased. Fecal neutral sterol excretion was not changed by LAB. In this experiment, the increase in insoluble bile acid (lithocholic acid) reduced blood cholesterol level in rats fed hypercholesterol diets supplemented with LAB. Thus, in the rat, L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 is more likely to affect deconjugation and dehydroxylation during cholesterol metabolism than the assimilation of cholesterol into cell membranes.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.531-534
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• 2023

We report the draft genome sequence of the yeast strain Hormonema macrosporum POB-4, capable of producing the biosurfactant glycocholic acid, one of the bile acids. A majority of genes with known function were associated with metabolism and transport of amino acid and carbohydrate as well as secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism. We observed genes of eleven C-N hydrolases and two CoA transferases which have been reported to be involved in the biosynthesis of glycocholic acid. Further experimental studies can help to elucidate the specific genes responsible for biosurfactant production in strain POB-4.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.47-50
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• 2000

A new technique has been developed for the preparation of Lactobacillus microcapsules to enhance the stability against high temperature, humidity, gastric acid and bile acid. Employing fluidized bed coating, primary sub-coating was processed in non-organic solvent system, so that Lactobacillus did not directly contact with organic solvent. Secondary enteric-coating was processed in organic solvent with low temperature $(below\;33^{\circ}C)$ technique, which minimized the heat labilability of Lactobacillus. Survival rate of Lactobacillus within microcapsule was not less than 95% and acid tolerance was above 30% in the artificial gastric acid. Further more it was dissolved in the artificial intestine juice within 2-3 hr. Average size of Lactobacillus microcapsules was $450\;{\mu}m$(25-50 mesh) and its viability was above 90% in the direct tableting.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.280-287
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• 2000

Generally, buckwheat has been regarded as a crop of secondary importance in many countries. In vitro functionalities of buckwheats as a food were evaluated in this study. Five of buckwheat cultivars were extracted with methanol, and the extractant were dried and lyophilized, separately. Or water soluble buckwheat components were digested with the commercial enzymes and the obtained protein hydrolysate was again fractionated by acid precipitation. The antioxidant capacity of the methanol extracts determined using Fe2+-ascorbic acid system was dependent ont the cultivars: The extract of Suwon 4 showed 3.3 times stronger activity than ascorbic acid in terms of IC50. Also, the extracts of buckwheats inhibited efficiently the activities of $\alpha$-amylase and lens aldose reductase. Buckwheat soluble protein or rutin suppressed the in vitro activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme, and the inhibitory degree depended largely on the cultivars. Buckwheat proteins exerted higher hydrophobicity being related to the sterol binding capacity than casein. The results suggested that buckwheat seeds may be desirable and functional food resources in human living in current society.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• 제50권11호
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• pp.14.1-14.14
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• 2018

The link between antibiotic treatment and IF-associated liver disease (IFALD) is unclear. Here, we study the effect of antibiotic treatment on bile acid (BA) metabolism and investigate the involved mechanisms. The results showed that pediatric IF patients with cholestasis had a significantly lower abundance of BA-biotransforming bacteria than patients without cholestasis. In addition, the BA composition was altered in the serum, feces, and liver of pediatric IF patients with cholestasis, as reflected by the increased proportion of primary BAs. In the ileum, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) expression was reduced in patients with cholestasis. Correspondingly, the serum FGF19 levels decreased significantly in patients with cholestasis. In the liver, the expression of the rate-limiting enzyme in bile salt synthesis, cytochrome P450 7a1 (CYP7A1), increased noticeably in IF patients with cholestasis. In mice, we showed that oral antibiotics (gentamicin, GM or vancomycin, VCM) reduced colonic microbial diversity, with a decrease in both Gram-negative bacteria (GM affected Eubacterium and Bacteroides) and Gram-positive bacteria (VCM affected Clostridium, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus). Concomitantly, treatment with GM or VCM decreased secondary BAs in the colonic contents, with a simultaneous increase in primary BAs in plasma. Moreover, the changes in the colonic BA profile especially that of tauro-beta-muricholic acid ($T{\beta}MCA$), were predominantly associated with the inhibition of the FXR and further altered BA synthesis and transport. In conclusion, the administration of antibiotics significantly decreased the intestinal microbiota diversity and subsequently altered the BA composition. The alterations in BA composition contributed to cholestasis in IF patients by regulating FXR signaling.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.88-90
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• 2020

A one year old spayed female Bichon Frise dog presented with gait abnormalities and seizure. Serum biochemical results showed elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and ammonia. Serum bile acid level was also increased to be over 30 μmol/L on preprandial. Urinalysis identified the presence of ammonium urate crystal. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT revealed aberrant, tortuous, and multiple small vessels connected to the caudal vena cava between left kidney and caudal vena cava. Macroscopic specific findings associated with extrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) or other liver diseases were not identified. Liver biopsy was performed. Histopathologic evaluation revealed hepatic lobular hypoplasia with portal arterial duplication and vascular shunts. Based on these finding, this case was diagnosed as multiple acquired PSS secondary to hepatic microvascular dysplasia (HMD) and hepatic encephalopathy. A liver biopsy is recommended to differentiate HMD from other liver diseases and to confirm HMD when a young dog has multiple acquired PSS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.780-789
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• 2022

Background: Incretin impairment, characterized by insufficient secretion of L-cell-derived glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is a defining step of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ginsenoside compound K (CK) can stimulate GLP-1 secretion; however, the potential mechanism underlying this effect has not been established. Methods: CK (40 mg/kg) was administered orally to male db/db mice for 4 weeks. The body weight, oral glucose tolerance, GLP-1 secretion, gut microbiota sequencing, bile acid (BA) profiles, and BA synthesis markers of each subject were then analyzed. Moreover, TGR5 expression was evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, and L-cell lineage markers involved in L-cell abundance were analyzed. Results: CK ameliorated obesity and impaired glucose tolerance in db/db mice by altering the gut microbiota, especially Ruminococcaceae family, and this changed microbe was positively correlated with secondary BA synthesis. Additionally, CK treatment resulted in the up-regulation of CYP7B1 and CYP27A1 and the down-regulation of CYP8B1, thereby shifting BA biosynthesis from the classical pathway to the alternative pathway. CK altered the BA pool by mainly increasing LCA and DCA. Furthermore, CK induced L-cell number expansion leading to enhanced GLP-1 release through TGR5 activation. These increases were supported by the upregulation of genes governing GLP-1 secretion and L-cell differentiation. Conclusions: The results indicate that CK improves glucose homeostasis by increasing L-cell numbers, which enhances GLP-1 release through a mechanism partially mediated by the gut microbiota-BA-TGR5 pathway. Therefore, that therapeutic attempts with CK might be useful for patients with T2DM.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.844-861
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• 2019

Over the last few years, marine environment was found to be a source of surplus natural products and microorganisms with new bioactive secondary metabolites of interest which can divulge nutritional and biological impact on the host. This study aims to assess the possible, inherent and functional probiotic properties of a novel probiotic strain Enterococcus durans F3 (E. durans F3) isolated from the gut of fresh water fish Catla catla. Parameters for evaluating and describing the probiotics described in FAD/WHO guidelines were followed. E. durans F3 demonstrated affirmative results including simulated bile, acid and gastric juice tolerance with exhibited significant bactericidal effect against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This can be due to the enterocin produced by E. durans F3 strain, which was resolute by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gel with amplification of the anticipated fragment of a structural gene; enterocin A, followed by antibiotic susceptibility assessment. Effective antioxidant potentiality against ${\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\alpha}$-picrylhydrazyl free radicals including lipase, bile salt hydrolase activity with auto-aggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity was similarly observed. Results are proving the potentiality of E. durans F3, which can also be used as probiotic starter culture in dairy industries for manufacturing new products that imparts health benefits to the host. Finding the potent and novel probiotic strains will also satisfy the current developing market demand for probiotics.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.671-695
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• 2022

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem that contains a large number of microorganisms with different metabolic capacities. Modulation of the gut microbiome can improve the growth and promote health in pigs. Crosstalk between the host, diet, and the gut microbiome can influence the health of the host, potentially through the production of several metabolites with various functions. Short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, polyamines, indoles, and phenolic compounds are metabolites produced by the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome can also produce neurotransmitters (such as γ-aminobutyric acid, catecholamines, and serotonin), their precursors, and vitamins. Several studies in pigs have demonstrated the importance of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in improving growth performance and feed efficiency, alleviating stress, and providing protection from pathogens. The use of probiotics is one of the strategies employed to target the gut microbiome of pigs. Promising results have been published on the use of probiotics in optimizing pig production. This review focuses on the role of gut microbiome-derived metabolites in the performance of pigs and the effects of probiotics on altering the levels of these metabolites.