Lactobacillus gasseri LA39 Activates the Oxidative Phosphorylation Pathway in Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Intestinal microbial interactions with the host epithelium have important roles in host health. Our previous data have suggested that Lactobacillus gasseri LA39 is the predominant intestinal Lactobacillus in weaned piglets. However, the regulatory role of L. gasseri LA39 in the intestinal epithelial protein expression in piglets remains unclear. In the present study, we conducted comparative proteomics approach to investigate the intestinal epithelial protein profile alteration caused by L. gasseri LA39 in piglets. The expressions of 15 proteins significantly increased, whereas the expressions of 13 proteins significantly decreased in the IPEC-J2 cells upon L. gasseri LA39 treatment. Bioinformatics analyses, including COG function annotation, GO annotation, and KEGG pathway analysis for the differentially expressed proteins revealed that the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway in IPEC-J2 cells was significantly activated by L. gasseri LA39 treatment. Further data indicated that two differentially expressed proteins UQCRC2 and TCIRG1, associated with the OXPHOS pathway, and cellular ATP levels in IPEC-J2 cells were significantly up-regulated by L. gasseri LA39 treatment. Importantly, the in vivo data indicated that oral gavage of L. gasseri LA39 significantly increased the expression of UQCRC2 and TCIRG1 and the cellular ATP levels in the intestinal epithelial cells of weaned piglets. Our results, both in vitro and in vivo, reveal that L. gasseri LA39 activates the OXPHOS pathway and increases the energy production in porcine intestinal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that L. gasseri LA39 may be a potential probiotics candidate for intestinal energy production promotion and confers health-promoting functions in mammals

Taxifolin Alleviates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Acting on Gut Microbiome to Produce Butyric Acid

Taxifolin is a bioflavonoid which has been used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease. However, taxifolin on DSS-induced colitis and gut health is still unclear. Here, we studied the effect of taxifolin on DSS-induced intestinal mucositis in mice. We measured the degree of intestinal mucosal injury and inflammatory response in DSS treated mice with or without taxifolin administration and studied the changes of fecal metabolites and intestinal microflora using 16S rRNA. The mechanism was further explored by fecal microbiota transplantation. The results showed that the weight loss and diarrhea score of the mice treated with taxifolin decreased in DSS-induced mice and longer colon length was displayed after taxifolin supplementation. Meanwhile, the expression of GPR41 and GPR43 in the colon was significantly increased by taxifolin treatment. Moreover, the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in colon tissue was inhibited by taxifolin treatment. The fecal metabolism pattern changed significantly after DSS treatment, which was reversed by taxifolin treatment. Importantly, taxifolin significantly increased the levels of butyric acid and isobutyric acid in the feces of DSS-treated mice. In terms of gut flora, taxifolin reversed the changes of Akkermansia, and further decreased uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae. Fecal transplantation from taxifolin-treated mice showed a lower diarrhea score, reduced inflammatory response in the colon, and reduced intestinal mucosal damage, which may be related to the increased level of butyric acid in fecal metabolites. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that taxifolin can ameliorate DSS-induced colitis by altering gut microbiota to increase the production of SCFAs

Multi-omics analysis reveals gut microbiota-ovary axis contributed to the follicular development difference between Meishan and Landrace × Yorkshire sows

Abstract Background The mechanism by which Meishan (MS) sows are superior to white crossbred sows in ovarian follicle development remains unclear. Given gut microbiota could regulate female ovarian function and reproductive capacity, this study aimed to determine the role of gut microbiota-ovary axis on follicular development in sows. Methods We compared the ovarian follicular development, gut microbiota, plasma metabolome, and follicular fluid metabolome between MS and Landrace × Yorkshire (L × Y) sows. A H2O2-induced cell apoptosis model was used to evaluate the effects of multi-omics identified metabolites on the apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells in vitro. Results Compared with L × Y sows, MS sows have greater ovary weight and improved follicular development, including the greater counts of large follicles of diameter ≥ 5 mm, secondary follicles, and antral follicles, but lesser atretic follicles. The ovarian granulosa cells in MS sows had alleviated apoptosis, which was indicated by the increased BCL-2, decreased caspases-3, and decreased cleaved caspases-3 than in L × Y sows. The ovarian follicular fluid of MS sows had higher concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and insulin like growth factor 1 than L × Y sows. Gut microbiota of MS sows formed a distinct cluster and had improved alpha diversity, including increased Shannon and decreased Simpson than those of L × Y sows. Corresponding to the enhanced function of carbohydrate metabolism and elevated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces, the differential metabolites in plasma between MS and L × Y sows are also mainly enriched in pathways of fatty acid metabolism. There were significant correlations among SCFAs with follicular development, ovarian granulosa cells apoptosis, and follicular fluid hormones, respectively. Noteworthily, compared with L × Y sows, MS sows had higher follicular fluid SCFAs concentrations which could ameliorate H2O2-induced porcine granulosa cells apoptosis in vitro. Conclusion MS sows have more secondary and antral follicles, but fewer atretic follicles and apoptotic ovarian granulosa cells, as well as harbored a distinctive gut microbiota than L × Y sows. Gut microbiota may participate in regulating ovarian follicular development via SCFAs affecting granulosa cells apoptosis in sows

Berberine Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis and Inhibits the Secretion of Gut Lysozyme via Promoting Autophagy

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the primary types of inflammatory bowel disease, the occurrence of which has been increasing worldwide. Research in recent years has found that the level of lysozyme in the feces and blood of UC patients is abnormally elevated, and the bacterial product after the action of lysozyme can be used as an agonist to recognize different cell pattern receptors, thus regulating the process of intestinal inflammation. Berberine (BBR), as a clinical anti-diarrhea and anti-inflammatory drug, has been used in China for hundreds of years. In this study, results showed that BBR can significantly inhibit the expression and secretion of lysozyme in mice. Therefore, we try to investigate the mechanism behind it and elucidate the new anti-inflammatory mechanism of BBR. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish an inflammatory cell model, and transcriptomic was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LPS group and the LPS + BBR treatment group. In vivo, dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) was used to establish a UC mice model, and histologic section and immunofluorescence trails were used to estimate the effect of BBR on UC mice and the expression of lysozyme in Paneth cells. Research results showed that BBR can inhibit the expression and secretion of lysozyme by promoting autophagy via the AMPK/MTOR/ULK1 pathway, and BBR promotes the maturation and expression of lysosomes. Accordingly, we conclude that inhibiting the expression and secretion of intestinal lysozyme is a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of BBR

Obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota rewires carnitine metabolism to promote muscle fatty acid deposition in lean DLY pigs

The gut microbiota consistently shows strong correlations with lipid metabolism in humans and animals, and whether the gut microbiota contributes to muscle fatty acid (FA) deposition and meat traits in farm animals has not been fully resolved. In this study, we aimed to unveil the microbial mechanisms underlying muscle FA deposition in pigs. First, we systematically revealed the correlation between the gut microbiome and muscle FA levels in 43 obese Ningxiang pigs and 50 lean Duroc Landrace Yorkshire (DLY) pigs. Mutual fecal microbial transplantation showed that the obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota increased the muscle FA content and improved meat quality by reshaping the gut microbial composition in lean DLY pigs. Lactobacillus reuteri has been identified as a potential microbial biomarker in obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota-challenged DLY pigs. A gavage experiment using lean DLY pigs confirmed that L. reuteri XL0930 isolated from obese Ningxiang pigs was the causal species that increased the muscle FA content. Mechanistically, SLC22A5, a carnitine transporter, was downregulated in L. reuteri XL0930-fed DLY pigs, resulting in reduced muscle carnitine levels. Muscle and intestinal L-carnitine levels, which correlated with the muscle FA content, impeded fat synthesis and FA accumulation in in vitro and in vivo models. In conclusion, we uncovered an unexpected and important role of the obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota in regulating muscle FA metabolism via the SLC22A5-mediated carnitine system

Cross-linked branching nanohybrid polymer electrolyte with monodispersed TiO2 nanoparticles for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Nanohybrid polymer electrolytes (NHPE) with ceramic particles have attracted significant attention owing to their improvement in electrochemical performance. However, particle aggregation and weak nanoparticle/polymer matrix interaction restrict their further application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). We demonstrate a facile in-situ polymerization/crystallization method to synthesize a homogeneous TiO2-grafted NHPE with a cross-linked branching structure, comprised of ion-conducting poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEM) and non-polar stearyl methacrylate (SMA). This technique is different from existing methods of blending functionalized ceramic particles into the polymer matrix. Highly monodispersed TiO2 nanocrystals enhance the effective interfacial interactions between particles and polymer matrix, which suppress the crystallization of ethylene oxide (EO) groups and facilitate forming continuously interconnected ion-conducting channels. Moreover, an increased dissociation degree of Li salt can also be achieved. The TiO2-grafted NHPE exhibits superior electrochemical properties with an ionic conductivity of 1.1 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 30 degrees C, a high lithium ion transference number and excellent interfacial compatibility with the lithium electrode. In particular, a lithium-ion battery based on TiO2-grafted NHPE demonstrates good C-rate performance, as well as excellent cycling stability with an initial discharge capacity of 153.5 mAh g(-1) and a capacity retention of 96% after 300 cycles at 1 C (80 degrees C)

A borate decorated anion-immobilized solid polymer electrolyte for dendrite-free, long-life Li metal batteries

Abrupt Li dendrite growth and the safety hazards caused by liquid electrolytes are generally acknowledged as major technical barriers for the practical application of Li metal batteries. Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are promising to overcome these obstacles, but suffer from rigidity-conductivity inconsistency, ununiform ion distribution and inferior interfacial compatibility. Herein, an anion-immobilized SPE using vinylene carbonate as the rigid polymer backbone and flexible ether oxygen chains containing anion-trapping boron moieties is proposed, which facilitates the Li+ transport and adjusts the ion distribution. This ingenious design along with facile in situ preparation effectively integrates a favorable Young\u27s modulus (2.41 GPa), high ionic conductivity (9.11 x 10-4 S cm-1 at 25 °C) and a high Li+ transference number (0.68), as well as achieving a stable solid electrolyte interface layer. As a result, these integrative properties enable dendrite-free LiFePO4/Li batteries with excellent rate capacity (8C, 98.3 mA h g-1) and superior long-term cyclability over 600 cycles at 30 °C, providing a new strategy for safe and high-energy all-solid-state energy storage systems