Constituents of Quercus eduardii leaf infusion: Their interaction with gut microbiota communities and therapeutic role in colorectal cancer.

The infusion of Q. eduardii leaves has been used ancestrally for medicinal purposes. We investigated the effect of Q. eduardii infusion intake on inflammatory and oncogenic biomarkers in animals induced to have colorectal cancer with DMH. We also investigated its influence on the microbiota, establishing the main microbial metabolites in the intestinal content of the experimental animals. The microbial metabolites associated with greater anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activity were 3́-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3HPA) and €-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) prop-2-enoic acid (TMCA). Finally, the intake of the Q. eduardii infusion significantly increased the abundance of the Erysipelotrichaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, that seems to have a great influence on the antitumor responses detected in the study.post-print4648 K

Effect of a protein supplement on the gut microbiota of endurance athletes: A randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study

Nutritional supplements are popular among athletes to improve performance and physical recovery. Protein supplements fulfill this function by improving performance and increasing muscle mass; however, their effect on other organs or systems is less well known. Diet alterations can induce gut microbiota imbalance, with beneficial or deleterious consequences for the host. To test this, we performed a randomized pilot study in cross-country runners whose diets were complemented with a protein supplement (whey isolate and beef hydrolysate) (n = 12) or maltodextrin (control) (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Microbiota, water content, pH, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed in fecal samples, whereas malondialdehyde levels (oxidative stress marker) were determined in plasma and urine. Fecal pH, water content, ammonia, and SCFA concentrations did not change, indicating that protein supplementation did not increase the presence of these fermentation-derived metabolites. Similarly, it had no impact on plasma or urine malondialdehyde levels; however, it increased the abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum and decreased the presence of health-related taxa including Roseburia, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium longum. Thus, long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota. Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota

Microbial transformation of the diterpene 7-epi-foliol by Fusarium fujikuroi

The incubation of 3,7,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene (7-epi-foliol) with the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi gave 3,7,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-en-18-al as the sole product. The biotransformation of other 7- or 7-hydroxy derivatives had led to the oxidation of C-19, which is a main step in the biosynthesis of gibberellins and kaurenolides. Now, the presence of the 3-hydroxyl impedes that oxidation, which is directed to the adjacent C-18 hydroxymethyl forming the corresponding aldehyde.This work has been supported by grant CTQ2012-38219-C03-01, MINECO, Spain.Peer Reviewe

Gibberellin analogues by reaction of 7-oxo-diterpenes with diacetoxyiodobenzene

In this work, the reaction of 7-oxo-diterpenes with diacetoxyiodobenzene (DIB) has been proved to be a good method for the preparation of gibberellin analogues, which can be applied to diterpenes with endocyclic or exocyclic double bonds. It has been studied with ent-kaur-16-ene, ent-trachylobane and ent-atis-16-ene diterpenes. Thus, the reaction of 7-oxo-ent-kaur-16-en-18-oic acid methyl ester and 7-oxo-ent-trachyloban-16-en-18-oic acid methyl ester with this reagent affords 4-epi-gibberellin A12 dimethyl ester and 4-epi-trachylobagibberellin A12 dimethyl ester, respectively. In some cases, especially with compounds functionalized at C-19, alternative reactions lead to the introduction in the substrate of a conjugated 5,6-double bond or to the formation of a ketal at the 6-position. Thus, the formation of gibberellin analogues, dehydrogenation products or 6-ketal derivatives depend on the neighbouring group participation of the C-18 (equatorial) and C-19 (axial) substituents at C-4.This work has been supported by grant CTQ 2009-14629-C02-01, MICINN, Spain. C.B. thanks Ministry of Science and Technology (Spain) for a FPI grant. V.G. thanks the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and the European Social Foundation for a I3P fellowship

Bioinformatic strategies to address limitations of 16rRNA short-read amplicons from different sequencing platforms

Sequencing the 16S gene rRNA has become a popular method when identifying bacterial communities. However, recent studies address differences in the characterization based on sample preparation, sequencing platforms, and data analysis. In this work, we tested some of the available user-friendly protocols for data analysis with the reads obtained from the sequencing machines Illumina MiSeq and Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM). We sought for the advantages and disadvantages of both platforms in terms of accuracy, detected species, and abundance, analyzing a staggered mock community. Four different pipelines were applied: QIIME 1.9.1 with default parameters, QIIME 1.9.1 with modified parameters and chimera removal, VSEARCH 2.3.4, and QIIME 2 v.2018.2. To address the limitations of species level detection we used species-classifier SPINGO. The optimal pipeline for PGM platform, was the use of QIIME 1.9.1 with default parameters (QIIME1), except when a study requires the detection of Bacteroides or other Bacteroidaceae members, in which QIIME1MOD (with chimera removal) seems to be a good alternative. For Illumina Miseq, VSEARCH strategy can be a good option. Our results also confirm that all the tested pipelines can be used for metagenomic analysis at family and genus levelMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad. Ayudas Ramón y Cajal (2012-11910)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (AGL2016-77288-R)UEM1319UEM15062.363 JCR (2020) Q3, 54/78 Biochemical Research Methods0.629 SJR (2020) Q3, 100/152 MicrobiologyNo data IDR 2020UE

Fabricación de cerveza e interprofesionalidad: experiencias para potenciar el aprendizaje

En las últimas décadas, las reformas de la enseñanza han pasado a focalizarse en los intereses de los estudiantes, siendo éstos el centro del modelo de aprendizaje. En este contexto, los estudiantes adquieren un conocimiento de los contenidos más completo desarrollando su capacidad crítica y creatividad. En el curso 2017-2018 se ha implementado la metodología de aprendizaje experiencial en conjunto con aprendizaje basado en proyectos (PBL) e interprofesionalidad. Los objetivos se centraron en: involucrar a los alumnos en la resolución de problemas de la vida profesional demostrando sus conocimientos y competencias al desarrollar un producto real; reforzar la cooperación inter-profesional para que los estudiantes tomen conciencia de la importancia de combinar distintas áreas de conocimiento y mejorar la motivación utilizando el proceso de elaboración de la cerveza. Según nuestra hipótesis de trabajo, la implementación del modelo de aprendizaje en proyectos incrementa la motivación y participación del alumno. A nivel cualitativo, en la comparación de la comprensión de conceptos teóricos de la gestión empresarial, los alumnos demostraron una mayor comprensión e implementación práctica a través de esa experiencia, en comparación con otras actividades de aprendizaje como el Método del Caso. Asimismo, se reflejó una mayor motivación tanto en el desarrollo de aprendizaje práctico como en la implementación de aspectos teóricos para la consecución de los objetivos dentro de cada asignatura. Finalmente cabe destacar que los alumnos aprendieron la importancia de las relaciones interprofesionales para el éxito del desarrollo de un producto, combinando profesiones que típicamente no se vinculan en entornos universitarios.SIN FINANCIACIÓNNo data 2018UE

The microbiological transformation of 7α-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives by Gibberella fujikuroi

7 pages, 1 table, 1 scheme.-- PMID: 17467750 [PubMed].-- Printed version published Jun 2007.The biotransformation of 7α-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene (epi-candol A) by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi gave 7α,16α,17-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene and a seco-ring B derivative, fujenoic acid, whilst the incubation of candicandiol (7α,18-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene) and canditriol (7α,15α,18-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene) afforded 7α,18,19-trihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene and 7α,11β,15α,18-tetrahydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, respectively. The presence of a 7α-hydroxyl group in epi-candol A avoids its biotransformation along the biosynthetic pathway of gibberellins, and directs it to the seco-ring B acids route. The 15α-hydroxyl group in canditriol inhibits oxidation at C-19 and direct hydroxylation at C-11(β). The formation of fujenoic acid, from 7α-hydroxy-ent-kaur-16-ene, probably occurs via 7α-hydroxykaurenoic acid and 7-oxokaurenoic acid, with subsequent hydroxylation at the C-6(β) position

Unraveling Gut Microbiota Signatures Associated with PPARD and PARGC1A Genetic Polymorphisms in a Healthy Population

Recent studies have revealed the importance of the gut microbiota in the regulation of metabolic phenotypes of highly prevalent metabolic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of ligand-activated nuclear receptors that interact with PPAR-γ co-activator-1α (PPARGC1A) to regulate lipid and glucose metabolism. Genetic polymorphisms in PPARD (rs 2267668; A/G) and PPARGC1A (rs 8192678; G/A) are linked to T2DM. We studied the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs 2267668 and rs 8192678 and microbiota signatures and their relation to predicted metagenome functions, with the aim of determining possible microbial markers in a healthy population. Body composition, physical exercise and diet were characterized as potential confounders. Microbiota analysis of subjects with PPARGC1A (rs 8192678) and PPARD (rs 2267668) SNPs revealed certain taxa associated with the development of insulin resistance and T2DM. Kyoto encyclopedia of gene and genomes analysis of metabolic pathways predicted from metagenomes highlighted an overrepresentation of ABC sugar transporters for the PPARGC1A (rs 8192678) SNP. Our findings suggest an association between sugar metabolism and the PPARGC1A rs 8192678 (G/A) genotype and support the notion of specific microbiota signatures as factors related to the onset of T2DM

Lifestyle modulation of gut microbiota

En los últimos años, el avance en el conocimiento de la microbiota intestinal nos ha demostrado que es clave en el desarrollo y en el estado de salud del ser humano. Son numerosos los factores que influyen sobre la microbiota intestinal y su equilibrio, y nuestro estilo de vida es uno de los factores claves. Existe una asociación entre la alimentación y la práctica de ejercicio físico. Las personas que tienen una vida activa tienen, además, una alimentación más saludable, más rica en fibra, verduras y frutas, mientras que el sedentarismo se asociada al consumo de dietas con mayor contenido de grasa y poca fibra. Nuestro estilo de vida, entendido como alimentación y realización de ejercicio físico, determina la diversidad microbiana, así como la presencia de bacterias beneficiosas para nuestra salud. La influencia de estos factores está determinada por el estado del individuo (enfermedad/salud, obeso/delgado, joven/anciano), por lo que es necesaria más investigación para determinar cómo se producen los cambios en la microbiota en función del individuo, con el fin de poder avanzar hacia una nutrición y unas recomendaciones de ejercicio personalizadas acordes a las necesidades de cada persona.Programa Ramón y Cajal (2012_11910).Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (AGL2016-77288-R).UEM1715.0.888 JCR (2019) Q4, 77/89 Nutrition & Dietetics0.259 SJR (2019) Q3, 89/128 Nutrition and Dietetics, 1805/2754 Medicine (miscellaneous)No data IDR 2019UE