Alterations in Gut Microbiota and Immunity by Dietary Fat

Gut microbiota play critical physiological roles in energy extraction from the intestine and in the control of systemic immunity, as well as local intestinal immunity. Disturbance of gut microbiota leads to the development of several diseases, such as colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer, etc. From a metabolic point of view, the gut is a large metabolic organ and one of the first to come into contact with dietary fats. Interestingly, excessive dietary fat has been incriminated as a primary culprit of metabolic syndrome and obesity. After intake of high-fat diet or Western diet, extensive changes in gut microbiota have been observed, which may be an underlying cause of alterations in whole body metabolism and nutrient homeostasis. Here, we summarize recent data on changes in the gut microbiota and immunity associated with dietary fat, as well as their relationships with the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. These findings may provide insight into the understanding of the complex pathophysiology related to the development of metabolic diseases and offer an opportunity to develop novel candidates for therapeutic agents.

Improvement effect of extracts from Aconitum kongboense on intestinal immune function of Drosophila melanogaster / 中草药

Objective: To study the effects of extracts from Aconitum kongboense on gut immunity of Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: Flies fed with standard cornmeal-yeast medium were used as control, and the treatment groups contained 1% of A. kongboense aqueous extracts in standard medium. D. melanogaster was treated by some toxic compounds such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), DSS, H2O2, and Paraquat (PQ) with or without extracts of A. kongboense, and the effect of A. kongboense on the survival rate, intestinal epithelium cell death, relative contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in intestinal epithelium cells, and the number of intestinal epithelium cells and intestinal morphology changes were analyzed. Results: A. kongboense could significantly improve the survival rate of SDS, DSS, H2O2, and PQ-infected D. melanogaster, reduce the intestinal epithelial cell death and the level of intestinal ROS, decrease the over-proliferation of intestinal epithelial cell and the formation of melanotic masses. Conclusion: The extracts of A. kongboense could significantly improve the injury induced by chemical substances. This result provides experimental foundation for the exploitation of A. kongboense.

Effect of extract from Trichosathis Fructus, Carthami Flos, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Chrysanthemi Flos on oxidative stress-induced gut immunity in Drosophila melanogaster / 中草药

Objective: To study the effect of the extract from Chinese materia medica (CMM) on oxidative stress-induced gut immunity of Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: D. melanogaster was treated by Paraquat and H2O2 with or without CMM, and the effects of 50 kinds of CMM on the survival rate of D. melanogaster in response to oxidative stress were recorded. And the antioxidant effects of CMM on lifespan and the number of ISC and enteroblast (EB) in intestinal epithelium cells were analyzed. Results: The extracts from Trichosanthes kirilowii (Trichosathis Fructus), Carthamus tinctorius (Carthami Flos), Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Chrysanthemum monfolium (Chrysanthemi Flos) could significantly improve the survival rate of Paraquat and H2O2-induced D. melanogaster, increase the lifespan of D. melanogaster, and regulate Paraquat-induced and age-related changes in the number of ISC and EB. Conclusion: The extracts from T. kirilowii, C. tinctorius, L. chuanxiong, and C. monfolium could significantly improve the oxidative stress-induced gut immunity of D. melanogaster.