Bacterial Taxa Associated with High Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in a Spanish Population

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recognised as one of the healthiest diets worldwide and is associated with the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, among others. Dietary habits are considered one of the strongest modulators of the gut microbiota, which seems to play a significant role in the health and disease of the host. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate interactive associations between gut microbiota composition and habitual dietary intake in 360 Spanish adults of the Obekit cohort (normal weight, overweight and obese subjects). Dietary intake and adherence to the MD tests together with faecal samples were collected from each subject. Faecal 16S rRNA sequencing was performed and checked against the dietary habits. MetagenomeSeq was the statistical tool applied to analyse at the species taxonomic level. Results from this study confirm that a strong adherence to the MD increases the population of some beneficial bacteria, improving microbiota status towards a healthier pattern. Bifidobacterium animalis is the species with the strongest association with the MD. One of the highlights is the positive association between several SCFA-producing bacteria and high adherence to the MD. In conclusion, this study shows that MD, fibre, legumes, vegetables, fruit and nuts intakes are associated with an increase in butyrate-producing taxa such as Roseburia faecis, Ruminococcus bromii and Oscillospira (Flavonifractor) plautii

Association of the Gut Microbiota with the Host's Health through an Analysis of Biochemical Markers, Dietary Estimation, and Microbial Composition

This research was funded by Centro Tecnológico para el Desarrollo Industrial (CDTI) through the program Consorcio de Investigación Empresarial Nacional (Programa CIEN, BIOFOOD Project) and by CIBERobn (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CB12/03/30002).This study aims to analyze the relationship between gut microbiota composition and health parameters through specific biochemical markers and food consumption patterns in the Spanish population. This research includes 60 Spanish adults aged 47.3 ± 11.2 years old. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements, and a self-referred dietary survey (food frequency questionnaire), were analyzed and compared with the participant's gut microbiota composition analyzed by 16s rDNA sequencing. Several bacterial strains differed significantly with the biochemical markers analyzed, suggesting an involvement in the participant's metabolic health. Lower levels of Lactobacillaceae and Oscillospiraceae and an increase in Pasteurellaceae, Phascolarctobacterium, and Haemophilus were observed in individuals with higher AST levels. Higher levels of the Christensenellaceae and a decrease in Peptococcaceae were associated with higher levels of HDL-c. High levels of Phascolarctobacterium and Peptococcus and low levels of Butyricicoccus were found in individuals with higher insulin levels. This study also identified associations between bacteria and specific food groups, such as an increase in lactic acid bacteria with the consumption of fermented dairy products or an increase in Verrucomicrobiaceae with the consumption of olive oil. In conclusion, this study reinforces the idea that specific food groups can favorably modulate gut microbiota composition and have an impact on host's health

Implication of gut microbiota in the physiology of rats intermittently exposed to cold and hypobaric hypoxia

This study examines the influence of intermittent exposure to cold, hypobaric hypoxia, and their combination, in gut microbiota and their metabolites in vivo, and explores their effects on the physiology of the host. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to cold (4ºC), hypobaric hypoxia (462 torr), or both simultaneously, 4 h/day for 21 days. Biometrical and hematological parameters were monitored. Gut bacterial subgroups were evaluated by qRT-PCR and short-chain fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography in caecum and feces. Cold increased brown adipose tissue, Clostridiales subpopulation and the concentration of butyric and isovaleric acids in caecum. Hypobaric hypoxia increased hemoglobin, red and white cell counts and Enterobacteriales, and reduced body and adipose tissues weights and Lactobacilliales. Cold plus hypobaric hypoxia counteracted the hypoxia-induced weight loss as well as the increase in white blood cells, while reducing the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio and normalizing the populations of Enterobacteriales and Lactobacilliales. In conclusion, intermittent cold and hypobaric hypoxia exposures by themselves modified some of the main physiological variables in vivo , while their combination kept the rats nearer to their basal status. The reduction of the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio and balanced populations of Enterobacteriales and Lactobacilliales in the gut may contribute to this effect

An In Vitro Protocol to Study the Modulatory Effects of a Food or Biocompound on Human Gut Microbiome and Metabolome

The gut microbiota plays a key role in gastrointestinal immune and metabolic functions and is influenced by dietary composition. An in vitro protocol simulating the physiological conditions of the digestive system helps to study the effects of foods/biocompounds on gut microbiome and metabolome. The Dynamic-Colonic Gastrointestinal Digester consists of five interconnected compartments, double jacket vessels that simulate the physiological conditions of the stomach, the small intestine and the three colonic sections, which are the ascending colon, transverse colon and descending colon. Human faeces are required to reproduce the conditions and culture medium of the human colon, allowing the growth of the intestinal microbiota. After a stabilization period of 12 days, a food/biocompound can be introduced to study its modulatory effects during the next 14 days (treatment period). At the end of the stabilization and treatment period, samples taken from the colon compartments are analysed. The 16S rRNA gene analysis reveals the microbiota composition. The untargeted metabolomics analysis gives more than 10,000 features (metabolites/compounds). The present protocol allows in vitro testing of the modulatory effects of foods or biocompounds on gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity

Human Gut Microbiota Modulation through Functional Foods

El tracte gastrointestinal processa aproximadament 60 tones d'aliments al llarg de la vida. Això, juntament amb tots els microorganismes que el colonitzen (microbiota intestinal), representa una amenaça per la seva integritat. La ciència estudia com modular la microbiota intestinal mitjançant diferents aliments o productes farmacèutics per induir un perfil de microbiota més saludable. Aquestes eines moduladores són principalment prebiòtics i probiòtics, ja que tenen el potencial de millorar la seva composició i funció. Una altra eina són els postbiòtics, definits com a productes metabòlics dels probiòtics, els quals no requereixen bacteris vius per ser administrats a l'hoste i són més estables. Entre ells, els SCFA són els més populars, ja que tenen una àmplia gamma de beneficis per a la salut. El consum de prebiòtics i probiòtics pot promoure la producció de SCFA, destacant la importància d'una dieta saludable i variada. L'abast d'aquest treball es centra en aliments específics, rics en fitoquímics i fibres, i com, mitjançant la modulació de la microbiota intestinal, poden ajudar a combatre i prevenir l'aparició de trastorns metabòlics i obesitat. Els resultats mostren un augment dels nivells de probiòtics després d'un major consum d'aliments basats en plantes. A més, una alta ingestió de fibra promou els bacteris degradadors de fibra, augmentant la producció de SCFA. No obstant això, els efectes d'aquests bacteris incrementats varien segons les espècies i soques específiques i els contextos individuals, pel que és difícil arribar a conclusions finals per a tothom.El tracto gastrointestinal procesa aproximadamente 60 toneladas de alimentos a lo largo de la vida. Esto, junto con todos los microorganismos que lo colonizan (microbiota intestinal), representa una amenaza para su integridad. La ciencia estudia cómo modular la microbiota intestinal a través de diferentes alimentos o productos farmacéuticos para inducir un perfil de microbiota más saludable. Estas herramientas moduladoras son principalmente prebióticos y probióticos, ya que tienen el potencial de mejorar su composición y función. Otra herramienta son los postbióticos, definidos como productos metabólicos de los probióticos, que no requieren bacterias vivas para ser administrados al huésped y son más estables. Entre ellos, los SCFA (ácidos grasos de cadena corta) son los más populares, ya que tienen una amplia gama de beneficios para la salud. El consumo de prebióticos y probióticos puede promover la producción de SCFA, destacando la importancia de una dieta saludable y variada. El alcance de este trabajo se centra en alimentos específicos, ricos en fitoquímicos y fibras, y cómo, a través de la modulación de la microbiota intestinal, pueden ayudar a combatir y prevenir la aparición de trastornos metabólicos y la obesidad. Los resultados muestran un aumento en los niveles de probióticos después de un mayor consumo de alimentos basados en plantas. Además, una alta ingesta de fibra promueve las bacterias degradadoras de fibra, aumentando la producción de SCFA. Sin embargo, los efectos de estos bacterias incrementadas varían según las especies y cepas específicas y los contextos individuales, por lo que es difícil llegar a conclusiones finales para todos.The gastrointestinal tract processes around 60 tonnes of food in a lifetime. This, together with all the microorganisms that colonize it (gut microbiota), pose a threat on its integrity. Science studies how to modulate the gut microbiota, through different foods or pharmaceutical products to induce a healthier microbiota profile. These modulatory tools are mainly prebiotics and probiotics, for having the potential to improve its composition and function. Another tool are the postbiotics, defined as metabolic by products of probiotics , which do not require live bacteria to be administered to the host, being more stable. Among them, SCFA s are the most popular ones, having a wide range of health benefits. The consumption of prebiotics and probiotics can promote the production of SCFAs, highlighting the importance of a healthy and varied diet. The scope of this work lies on specific foods, rich in phytochemicals and fibres, and how, through gut microbiota modulation, may help to fight and prevent the onset of metabolic disorders and obesity. The results show increased levels of probiotics following an increased consumption of plan based foods. Furthermore, a high intake of fibre promotes fibre degrading bacteria, increasing the output of SCFAs. However, the effects of these increased bacteria vary depending on the specific species, strains, and individual contexts, therefore it is hard to get final conclusions for everyone

Human Gut Microbiota Modulation through Functional Foods

El tracte gastrointestinal processa aproximadament 60 tones d'aliments al llarg de la vida. Això, juntament amb tots els microorganismes que el colonitzen (microbiota intestinal), representa una amenaça per la seva integritat. La ciència estudia com modular la microbiota intestinal mitjançant diferents aliments o productes farmacèutics per induir un perfil de microbiota més saludable. Aquestes eines moduladores són principalment prebiòtics i probiòtics, ja que tenen el potencial de millorar la seva composició i funció. Una altra eina són els postbiòtics, definits com a productes metabòlics dels probiòtics, els quals no requereixen bacteris vius per ser administrats a l'hoste i són més estables. Entre ells, els SCFA són els més populars, ja que tenen una àmplia gamma de beneficis per a la salut. El consum de prebiòtics i probiòtics pot promoure la producció de SCFA, destacant la importància d'una dieta saludable i variada. L'abast d'aquest treball es centra en aliments específics, rics en fitoquímics i fibres, i com, mitjançant la modulació de la microbiota intestinal, poden ajudar a combatre i prevenir l'aparició de trastorns metabòlics i obesitat. Els resultats mostren un augment dels nivells de probiòtics després d'un major consum d'aliments basats en plantes. A més, una alta ingestió de fibra promou els bacteris degradadors de fibra, augmentant la producció de SCFA. No obstant això, els efectes d'aquests bacteris incrementats varien segons les espècies i soques específiques i els contextos individuals, pel que és difícil arribar a conclusions finals per a tothom.El tracto gastrointestinal procesa aproximadamente 60 toneladas de alimentos a lo largo de la vida. Esto, junto con todos los microorganismos que lo colonizan (microbiota intestinal), representa una amenaza para su integridad. La ciencia estudia cómo modular la microbiota intestinal a través de diferentes alimentos o productos farmacéuticos para inducir un perfil de microbiota más saludable. Estas herramientas moduladoras son principalmente prebióticos y probióticos, ya que tienen el potencial de mejorar su composición y función. Otra herramienta son los postbióticos, definidos como productos metabólicos de los probióticos, que no requieren bacterias vivas para ser administrados al huésped y son más estables. Entre ellos, los SCFA (ácidos grasos de cadena corta) son los más populares, ya que tienen una amplia gama de beneficios para la salud. El consumo de prebióticos y probióticos puede promover la producción de SCFA, destacando la importancia de una dieta saludable y variada. El alcance de este trabajo se centra en alimentos específicos, ricos en fitoquímicos y fibras, y cómo, a través de la modulación de la microbiota intestinal, pueden ayudar a combatir y prevenir la aparición de trastornos metabólicos y la obesidad. Los resultados muestran un aumento en los niveles de probióticos después de un mayor consumo de alimentos basados en plantas. Además, una alta ingesta de fibra promueve las bacterias degradadoras de fibra, aumentando la producción de SCFA. Sin embargo, los efectos de estos bacterias incrementadas varían según las especies y cepas específicas y los contextos individuales, por lo que es difícil llegar a conclusiones finales para todos.The gastrointestinal tract processes around 60 tonnes of food in a lifetime. This, together with all the microorganisms that colonize it (gut microbiota), pose a threat on its integrity. Science studies how to modulate the gut microbiota, through different foods or pharmaceutical products to induce a healthier microbiota profile. These modulatory tools are mainly prebiotics and probiotics, for having the potential to improve its composition and function. Another tool are the postbiotics, defined as metabolic by products of probiotics , which do not require live bacteria to be administered to the host, being more stable. Among them, SCFA s are the most popular ones, having a wide range of health benefits. The consumption of prebiotics and probiotics can promote the production of SCFAs, highlighting the importance of a healthy and varied diet. The scope of this work lies on specific foods, rich in phytochemicals and fibres, and how, through gut microbiota modulation, may help to fight and prevent the onset of metabolic disorders and obesity. The results show increased levels of probiotics following an increased consumption of plan based foods. Furthermore, a high intake of fibre promotes fibre degrading bacteria, increasing the output of SCFAs. However, the effects of these increased bacteria vary depending on the specific species, strains, and individual contexts, therefore it is hard to get final conclusions for everyone.Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Programa de Doctorat en Bioquímica, Biologia Molecular i Biomedicin

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography estimation of size and composition of procyanidins after thiolysis with cysteine

7 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables.-- PMID: 12731026 [PubMed].-- Printed version published Apr 2003.This paper describes the characterization of procyanidin mixtures by acid depolymerization in the presence of cysteine (thiolysis with cysteine) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and MEKC were investigated for the separation of the major components of the depolymerized mixtures (catechins and their cysteinyl derivatives). The solutes could only be effectively separated using MEKC. Two background electrolytes (BGEs) are recommended: (i) 50 mM phosphate at pH 7, containing 40 mM sodium cholate (SC) and 10 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); (ii) a BGE with the same composition but containing only 50 mM SDS. The MEKC procedures here reported, are cheap, reliable and fast, and their potential in the determination of the size and composition in procyanidin mixtures has been shown. The proposed MEKC methods were validated by comparison with our intralaboratory reference RP-HPLC method using cysteamine as thiol donor.The financial support of the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología of the Spanish Government and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional of the European Union (projects PPQ2000-0688-C05-03 and BQU2001-3226).Peer reviewe

An in vitro protocol to study the modulatory effects of a food or biocompound on human gut microbiome and metabolome

The gut microbiota plays a key role in gastrointestinal immune and metabolic functions and is influenced by dietary composition. An in vitro protocol simulating the physiological conditions of the digestive system helps to study the effects of foods/biocompounds on gut microbiome and metabolome. The Dynamic-Colonic Gastrointestinal Digester consists of five interconnected compartments, double jacket vessels that simulate the physiological conditions of the stomach, the small intestine and the three colonic sections, which are the ascending colon, transverse colon and descending colon. Human faeces are required to reproduce the conditions and culture medium of the human colon, allowing the growth of the intestinal microbiota. After a stabilization period of 12 days, a food/biocompound can be introduced to study its modulatory effects during the next 14 days (treatment period). At the end of the stabilization and treatment period, samples taken from the colon compartments are analysed. The 16S rRNA gene analysis reveals the microbiota composition. The untargeted metabolomics analysis gives more than 10,000 features (metabolites/compounds). The present protocol allows in vitro testing of the modulatory effects of foods or biocompounds on gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity

Gut Microbiota Bacterial Species Associated with Mediterranean Diet-Related Food Groups in a Northern Spanish Population

The MD (Mediterranean diet) is recognized as one of the healthiest diets worldwide and is associated with the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Dietary habits are considered one of the strongest modulators of gut microbiota, which seem to play a significant role in health status of the host. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate interactive associations between gut microbiota composition and habitual dietary intake in 360 Spanish adults from the Obekit cohort (normal weight, overweight, and obese participants). Dietary intake and adherence to the MD tests were administered and fecal samples were collected from each participant. Fecal 16S rRNA (ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid) gene sequencing was performed and checked against the dietary habits. MetagenomeSeq was the statistical tool applied to analyze data at the species taxonomic level. Results from this study identified several beneficial bacteria that were more abundant in the individuals with higher adherence to the MD. Bifidobacterium animalis was the species with the strongest association with the MD. Some SCFA (Short Chain Fatty Acids) -producing bacteria were also associated with MD. In conclusion, this study showed that MD, fiber, legumes, vegetable, fruit, and nut intake are associated with an increase in butyrate-producing taxa such as Roseburia faecis, Ruminococcus bromii, and Oscillospira (Flavonifractor) plautii

Effects Glucosinolate-Enriched Red Radish (Raphanus sativus) on In Vitro Models of Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolic Syndrome-Related Functionalities

The gut microbiota profile is determined by diet composition, and therefore this interaction is crucial for promoting specific bacterial growth and enhancing the health status. Red radish (Raphanus sativus L.) contains several secondary plant metabolites that can exert a protective effect on human health. Recent studies have shown that radish leaves have a higher content of major nutrients, minerals, and fiber than roots, and they have garnered attention as a healthy food or supplement. Therefore, the consumption of the whole plant should be considered, as its nutritional value may be of greater interest. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of glucosinolate (GSL)-enriched radish with elicitors on the intestinal microbiota and metabolic syndrome-related functionalities by using an in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal system and several cellular models developed to study the GSL impact on different health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol metabolism, insulin resistance, adipogenesis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The treatment with red radish had an influence on short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production, especially on acetic and propionic acid and many butyrate-producing bacteria, suggesting that consumption of the entire red radish plant (leaves and roots) could modify the human gut microbiota profile toward a healthier one. The evaluation of the metabolic syndrome-related functionalities showed a significant decrease in the gene expression of endothelin, interleukin IL-6, and cholesterol transporter-associated biomarkers (ABCA1 and ABCG5), suggesting an improvement of three risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. The results support the idea that the use of elicitors on red radish crops and its further consumption (the entire plant) may contribute to improving the general health status and gut microbiota profileThe Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI) was the financer of this research: BIOTAGUT (CDTI strategical project 2017). Carles Rosés was hired for the Biotagut research projectPeer reviewe