Immunological mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a successful method for treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection (rCDI) with around 90% efficacy. Due to the relative simplicity of this approach, it is being widely used and currently, thousands of patients have been treated with FMT worldwide. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying its effects are just beginning to be understood. Data indicate that FMT effectiveness is due to a combination of microbiological direct mechanisms against C. difficile, but also through indirect mechanisms including the production of microbiota-derived metabolites as secondary bile acids and short chain fatty acids. Moreover, the modulation of the strong inflammatory response triggered by C. difficile after FMT seems to rely on a pivotal role of regulatory T cells, which would be responsible for the reduction of several cells and soluble inflammatory mediators, ensuing normalization of the intestinal mucosal immune system. In this minireview, we analyze recent advances in these immunological aspects associated with the efficacy of FMT.     

The role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of Alzheimer’s disease: A narrative review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for more than 50 million patients worldwide. Current evidence suggests the exact mechanism behind this devastating disease to be of multifactorial origin, which seriously complicates the quest for an effective disease-modifying therapy, as well as impedes the search for strategic preventative measures. Of interest, preclinical studies point to serotonergic alterations, either induced via selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin receptor (ant)agonists, in mitigating AD brain neuropathology next to its clinical symptoms, the latter being supported by a handful of human intervention trials. Additionally, a substantial amount of preclinical trials highlight the potential of diet, fecal microbiota transplantations, as well as pre- and probiotics in modulating the brain’s serotonergic neurotransmitter system, starting from the gut. Whether such interventions could truly prevent, reverse or slow down AD progression likewise, should be initially tested in preclinical studies with AD mouse models, including sufficient analytical measurements both in gut and brain. Thereafter, its potential therapeutic effect could be confirmed in rigorously randomized controlled trials in humans, preferentially across the Alzheimer’s continuum, but especially from the prodromal up to the mild stages, where both high adherence to such therapies, as well as sufficient room for noticeable enhancement are feasible still. In the end, such studies might aid in the development of a comprehensive approach to tackle this complex multifactorial disease, since serotonin and its derivatives across the microbiota-gut-brain axis might serve as possible biomarkers of disease progression, next to forming a valuable target in AD drug development. In this narrative review, the available evidence concerning the orchestrating role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of AD is summarized and discussed, and general considerations for future studies are highlighted.     

Assessment of oral ciprofloxacin impaired gut barrier integrity on gut bacteria in mice

Gut bacteria and gut barrier plays important roles in body homeostasis. Ciprofloxacin (CPFX) is widely used to treat bacterial infections. However, whether high dosage of CPFX has side effects on gut barrier integrity is still unclear. Our results indicated that the High CPFX treatment (1 mg/ml) caused weight loss, nervousness, anorexia, and increased apoptosis cells in gut, but less influence was observed in the Low CPFX group (0.2 mg/ml). Meanwhile, the High CPFX treatment impaired tight junction molecules Ocln/ZO-1 level and down-regulated antibacterial genes expression (reg3γ, pla2g2α and defb1). Further, the High CPFX treatment increased pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in intestinal tract, decreased IL-17A of duodenum but increased IL-17A of colon at day 37. In addition, the gut bacterial diversity and richness behaved significantly loss regarding CPFX treatment, especially in the High CPFX group during the experiment. Indole exhibited sharply decline in both Low and High CPFX groups at day 7, and the High CPFX mice needed longer time on restoring indole level. Meanwhile, CPFX treatment strongly decreased the concentrations of butyric acid and valeric acid at day 1. Correlation analysis indicated that the linked patterns between the key bacteria (families Bacteroidales_S247, Ruminococcaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae) and metabolites (indole and butyric acid) were disturbed via the CPFX treatment. In conclusion, the High CPFX treatment impaired the gut barrier with the evidence of reduced expression of tight junction proteins, increased apoptosis cells and inflammatory cells, decreased the bacterial diversity and composition, which suggesting a proper antibiotic-dosage use should be carefully considered in disease treatment.     

肠道菌群与中药及其有效组分相互作用治疗消化系统疾病的研究进展＊

肠道菌群作为药物代谢的重要媒介，被认为是人体的又一器官，其在消化系统疾病发生、发展中所起到的重要价值已经得到学术界的公认，近五年来，从肠道菌群的角度出发，人们对中药及其有效组分治疗消化系统疾病的作用机制研究取得了一定成就，本研究将对这些成果进行归纳、总结。     

Interplay between bile acids and the gut microbiota promotes intestinal carcinogenesis

The gut microbiota and the bile acid pool play pivotal roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Bile acids are produced in the liver from cholesterol and metabolized in the intestine by the gut microbiota. Gut dysbiosis has been reported to be associated with colorectal cancer. However, the interplay between bile acid metabolism and the gut microbiota during intestinal carcinogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential roles of bile acids and the gut microbiota in the cholic acid (CA; a primary bile acid)‐induced intestinal adenoma‐adenocarcinoma sequence. Apc ^min/+ mice, which spontaneously develop intestinal adenomas, were fed a diet supplemented with 0.4% CA for 12 weeks. Mice that were fed a normal diet were regarded as untreated controls. In CA‐treated Apc ^min/+ mice, the composition of the gut microbiota was significantly altered, and CA was efficiently transformed into deoxycholic acid (a secondary bile acid) by the bacterial 7α‐dehydroxylation reaction. The intestinal adenoma‐adenocarcinoma sequence was observed in CA‐treated Apc ^min/+ mice and was accompanied by an impaired intestinal barrier function and IL‐6/STAT3‐related low‐grade inflammation. More importantly, microbiota depletion using an antibiotic cocktail globally compromised CA‐induced intestinal carcinogenesis, suggesting a leading role for the microbiota during this process. Overall, our data suggested that the crosstalk between bile acids and the gut microbiota mediated intestinal carcinogenesis, which might provide novel therapeutic strategies against intestinal tumor development.     

从脾论治慢性肾脏病的生物学基础探讨

脾为后天之源,肾为先天之本,以后天滋先天,使从脾论治成为中医临床治疗慢性肾脏病(CKD)的经典方法。现代医学研究发现人体内最庞大的“器官”——肠道菌群与“脾”的功能非常密切。目前研究发现肠道菌群紊乱是加速CKD进展的重要环节,基于脾肾互根互用的中医原理,收集、整理肠道菌群与CKD代谢功能、免疫应答及肾脏损伤关联的文献,从肠道菌群与机体功能代谢和内环境稳态的角度进行探讨,认识到运用中医药可通过干预肠道菌群的丰度、结构和代谢功能,维持肠道微生态的平衡,从而达到调节肾脏代谢和免疫应答的作用,提出肠道菌群是从脾论治慢性肾脏病的重要生物学基础。     

补肾化浊方联合粪菌移植对来曲唑诱导的多囊卵巢综合征大鼠生殖、代谢功能及相关炎症因子的影响

目的以肠道微生态为切入点探讨补肾化浊方联合粪菌移植治疗多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)潜在机制。方法将30只6周龄SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、中药组、粪菌移植组、中药+粪菌移植组,每组6只。来曲唑1 mg/(kg d)灌胃51 d,第22日起,中药组加灌补肾化浊方21.7 g/(kg d),粪菌移植组加灌新鲜粪便2 g/(kg d),中药+粪菌移植组加灌补肾化浊方21.7 g/(kg d)和新鲜粪便2 g/(kg d),连续30 d,另设空白组。干预结束后,腹主动脉取血检测大鼠血清性激素、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、空腹血糖(FPG),ELISA检测大鼠血清白细胞介素(IL)-18、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平,HE染色观察大鼠卵巢形态学变化。结果与空白组比较,模型组大鼠卵巢呈多囊样改变,体质量、睾酮、黄体生成素(LH)/促卵泡激素(FSH)、FPG、HOMA-IR、IL-18、TNF-α水平均明显升高(P<0.01,P<0.001);与模型组比较,中药+粪菌移植组可显著改善上述指标(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),中药组可显著改善除TNF-α外各项指标(P<0.05,P<0.01),粪菌移植组可显著降低PCOS大鼠LH/FSH、IL-18水平(P<0.01,P<0.001);在降低IL-18水平方面,中药+粪菌移植组作用显著优于中药组(P<0.01)。结论中药联合粪菌移植可显著改善PCOS大鼠生殖和代谢功能,改善慢性炎症状态。