Gut taste receptor type 1 member 3 is an intrinsic regulator of Western diet-induced intestinal inflammation.

Background: Long-term intake of a Western diet (WD), characterized by a high-fat content and sugary drinks, is hypothesized to contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite the identified clinical association, the molecular mechanisms by which dietary changes contribute to IBD development remain unknown. Therefore, we examined the influence of long-term intake of a WD on intestinal inflammation and the mechanisms by which WD intake affects IBD development.

Catecholamine induces Kupffer cell apoptosis via growth differentiation factor 15 in alcohol-associated liver disease.

Chronic alcohol consumption often induces hepatic steatosis but rarely causes severe inflammation in Kupffer cells (KCs) despite the increased hepatic influx of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting the presence of a veiled tolerance mechanism. In addition to LPS, the liver is affected by several gut-derived neurotransmitters through the portal blood, but the effects of catecholamines on KCs have not been clearly explored in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Hence, we investigated the regulatory roles of catecholamine on inflammatory KCs under chronic alcohol exposure.

Distinct Changes in Microbiota-Mediated Intestinal Metabolites and Immune Responses Induced by Different Antibiotics.

The cocktails of antibiotics are utilized to study the functions of microbiota. There have been studies on the alteration of not only the microbiota composition but also the host's metabolism or immunity. However, the bacterial species associated with these altered physiologic markers are still unclear.

Bacteroides vulgatus SNUG 40005 Restores Akkermansia Depletion by Metabolite Modulation.

Background & Aims: Weight loss and exercise intervention have been reported to increase the interaction between Bacteroides spp and Akkermansiamuciniphila (Am), although the underlying mechanisms and consequences of the interaction remain unknown.

Methods: Using a healthy Korean twin cohort (n = 582), we analyzed taxonomic associations with host body mass index. B vulgatus strains were isolated from mice and human subjects to investigate the strain-specific effect of B vulgatus SNUG 40005 (Bvul) on obesity.

Wnt-activating human skin organoid model of atopic dermatitis induced by and its protective effects by .

A recently developed human PSC-derived skin organoid model has opened up new avenues for studying skin development, diseases, and regeneration. The current model has limitations since the generated organoids are enclosed, circular aggregates with an inside-out morphology with unintended off-target development of cartilage. Here, we first demonstrated that Wnt signaling activation resulted in larger organoids without off-target cartilage.

Interaction effect between NAFLD severity and high carbohydrate diet on gut microbiome alteration and hepatic lipogenesis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with high carbohydrate (HC) intake. We investigated whether the relationship between carbohydrate intake and NAFLD is mediated by interactions between gut microbial modulation, impaired insulin response, and hepatic lipogenesis (DNL). Stool samples were collected from 204 Korean subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD (n = 129) and without NAFLD (n = 75).

Revisiting the role of as a therapeutic bacterium.

Despite a short history since its first isolation, has been extensively studied in relation to its effects on human metabolism. A recent human intervention study also demonstrated that the bacterium is safe to use for therapeutic purposes. The best-known effects of in human health and disease relate to its ability to strengthen gut integrity, modulate insulin resistance, and protect the host from metabolic inflammation.

Sputum Bacterial Metacommunities in Distinguishing Heterogeneity in Respiratory Health and Disease.

Background And Objective: Cluster-based analysis, or community typing, has been attempted as a method for studying the human microbiome in various body niches with the aim of reducing variations in the bacterial composition and linking the defined communities to host health and disease. In this study, we have presented the bacterial subcommunities in the healthy and the diseased population cohorts and have assessed whether these subcommunities can distinguish different host health conditions.

Methods: We performed community typing analysis on the sputum microbiome dataset obtained from a healthy Korean twin-family cohort ( = 202) and an external chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohort ( = 324) and implemented a networks analysis to investigate the associations of bacterial metacommunities with host health parameters and microbial interactions in disease.

Butyl-fructooligosaccharides modulate gut microbiota in healthy mice and ameliorate ulcerative colitis in a DSS-induced model.

Butyl-fructooligosaccharides (B-FOSs) are newly synthesized prebiotics composed of short-chain FOS (GF2, 1-kestose; GF3, nystose; GF4, fructofuranosyl-nystose; GF5, 1-F-(1-b-D-fructofuranosyl)-2-nystose) bound with one or two butyric groups by ester bonds. Previous studies have shown that B-FOS treatment increases butyrate production and protects the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria during fermentation. The aim of this study was to further test B-FOS as a novel prebiotic compound by evaluating the effect of B-FOS on gut microbiota 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis in an Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse model and examining its anti-inflammatory efficacy in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS).

Therapeutic Potential of a Novel Identified Through Microbiome Profiling of RA Patients With Different RF Levels.

The potential therapeutic effects of probiotic bacteria in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain controversial. Thus, this study aimed to discover potential therapeutic bacteria based on the relationship between the gut microbiome and rheumatoid factor (RF) in RA. Bacterial genomic DNA was extracted from the fecal samples of 93 RA patients and 16 healthy subjects.

Gut microbiome signatures distinguish type 2 diabetes mellitus from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and these two metabolic diseases demonstrate bidirectional influences. The identification of microbiome profiles that are specific to liver injury or impaired glucose metabolism may assist understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in the relationship between NAFLD and T2D. Here, we studied a biopsy-proven Asian NAFLD cohort (n = 329; 187 participants with NAFLD, 101 with NAFLD and T2D, and 41 with neither) and identified , , and as the principal taxa associated with the severity of NAFLD and T2D, whereas and were specific to NAFLD.

and inhibition of by pH3A, monolaurin, and grapefruit seed extract.

infection is the most common cause of gastritis and gastric ulcers. Considering the severe side effects of current antibiotic therapies, it is crucial to find an alternate treatment for infection. In this study, we investigated the anti- effects of a newly isolated strain of (pH3A), monolaurin, grapefruit seed extract (GSE), and their synergies and .

Akkermansia muciniphila secretes a glucagon-like peptide-1-inducing protein that improves glucose homeostasis and ameliorates metabolic disease in mice.

The gut microbiota, which includes Akkermansia muciniphila, is known to modulate energy metabolism, glucose tolerance, immune system maturation and function in humans. Although A. muciniphila is correlated with metabolic diseases and its beneficial causal effects were reported on host metabolism, the molecular mechanisms involved have not been identified.

Protective Effects of Korean Herbal Remedy against Airway Inflammation in an Allergic Asthma by Suppressing Eosinophil Recruitment and Infiltration in Lung.

The increasing prevalence of allergic asthma has become the world's major health issue. Current treatments for allergic asthma focus on treating symptoms, while permanent cures still remain undiscovered. In this study, we investigated the effect of Korean traditional herbal remedy, Pyunkang-tang (PGT)-composed of six plants-on asthma alleviation in a mouse model.

Effects of Selenium- and Zinc-Enriched SeZi on Antioxidant Capacities and Gut Microbiome in an ICR Mouse Model.

Selenium and zinc are essential trace minerals for humans with various biological functions. In this study, selenium- and zinc-tolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates were screened out from human fecal samples. Amongst three hundred LAB isolates, the SeZi strain displayed the tolerance against selenium and zinc with the greatest biomass production and bioaccumulation of selenium and zinc.

Distinct signatures of gut microbiome and metabolites associated with significant fibrosis in non-obese NAFLD.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity but also found in non-obese individuals. Gut microbiome profiles of 171 Asians with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 31 non-NAFLD controls are analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing; an independent Western cohort is used for external validation. Subjects are classified into three subgroups according to histological spectra of NAFLD or fibrosis severity.

Co-Culture with Improves the Growth, Gut Colonization, and Butyrate Production of : In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

is a major commensal bacterium in the human gut. It produces short-chain fatty acids that promote intestinal health. However, the bacterium is extremely oxygen-sensitive, making it difficult to develop as a probiotic.

Microbial biocatalysis of quercetin-3-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside in and their contribution to improved anti-inflammatory activity.

(glasswort) is a traditional Asian medicinal plant which exhibits multiple nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. Quercetin-3-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside are the major flavonoid glycosides found in . Multiple researchers have shown that flavonoid glycosides can be structurally transformed into minor aglycone molecules, which play a significant role in exerting physiological responses .

Production, Structural Characterization, and In Vitro Assessment of the Prebiotic Potential of Butyl-Fructooligosaccharides.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate, produced in mammalian intestinal tracts via fermentation of dietary fiber, are known biofunctional compounds in humans. However, the variability of fermentable fiber consumed on a daily basis and the diversity of gut microbiota within individuals often limits the production of short-chain fatty acids in the human gut. In this study, we attempted to enhance the butyrate levels in human fecal samples by utilizing butyl-fructooligosaccharides (B-FOS) as a novel prebiotic substance.

Vaginal lactobacilli inhibit growth and hyphae formation of Candida albicans.

Lactobacillus species are the predominant vaginal microbiota found in healthy women of reproductive age and help to prevent pathogen infection by producing lactic acid, HO and anti-microbial compounds. Identification of novel vaginal Lactobacillus isolates that exhibit efficient colonisation and secrete anti-Candida factors is a promising strategy to prevent vulvovaginal candidiasis. The azole antifungal agents used to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis elicit adverse effects such as allergic responses and exhibit drug interactions.

Gut Microbial Composition and Function Are Altered in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation of the joints and extra-articular manifestations. Recent studies have shown that microorganisms affect RA pathogenesis. However, few studies have examined the microbial distribution of early RA patients, particularly female patients.

The Anti-Rotaviral Activity of Low Molecular Weight and Non-Proteinaceous Substance from BORI Cell Extract.

Rotavirus infection is the most common diarrheal disease worldwide in children under five years of age, and it often results in death. In recent years, research on the relationship between rotavirus and probiotics has shown that probiotics are effective against diarrhea. A clinical trial has reported that BORI reduced diarrhea induced by rotavirus.

Decreased serum magnesium levels in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Magnesium (Mg), an endogenous N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has received increased attention recently because of its role in the pathophysiology of and treatment response in depression. However, whether Mg level is decreased in depression is not firmly established. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to help making consensus for the association between Mg levels and depression.

Biocatalysis of Platycoside E and Platycodin D3 Using Fungal Extracellular β-Glucosidase Responsible for Rapid Platycodin D Production.

Platycodi radix (i.e., root) products (e.