Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and gut microbial dysbiosis- underlying mechanisms and gut microbiota mediated treatment strategies.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is by far the most prevalent form of liver disease worldwide. It's also the leading cause of liver-related hospitalizations and deaths. Furthermore, there is a link between obesity and NAFLD risk. A projected 25% of the world's population grieves from NAFLD, making it the most common chronic liver disorder. Several factors, such as obesity, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, typically accompany NAFLD. Weight loss, lipid-lowering agents, thiazolidinediones, and metformin help prominently control NAFLD. Interestingly, pre-clinical studies demonstrate gut microbiota's potential causal role in NAFLD. Increased intestinal permeability and unhindered transport of microbial metabolites into the liver are the major disruptions due to gut microbiome dysbiosis, contributing to the development of NAFLD by dysregulating the gut-liver axis. Hence, altering the pathogenic bacterial population using probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could benefit patients with NAFLD. Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of microbiota-mediated therapeutic approaches for NAFLD and comprehend the underlying mechanisms that establish a connection between NAFLD and gut microbiota. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the affiliation between dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the progress of NAFLD, as well as the potential benefits of prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic supplementation, and FMT in obese individuals with NAFLD.

Genetic advancements in obesity management and CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing system.

Human genome research has reached new heights in the recent decade thanks to a major advance in genome editing. Genome editing enables scientists to understand better the functions of a single gene and its impact on a wide range of diseases. In brief, genome editing is a technique for introducing alterations into specific DNA sequences, such as insertions, deletions, or base substitutions. Several methods are adopted to perform genome editing and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) systems. Unfortunately, despite substantial progress in understanding the molecular pathways behind obesity, anti-obesity medications are now ineffective. If you are obese, a 10% weight decrease would be preferable to healthy body weight for most people. CRISPR-Cas9, on the other hand, has been shown to reduce body weight by an astonishing 20%. Hence, this updated review elaborates on the molecular basis of obesity, risk factors, types of gene therapy, possible mechanisms, and advantages of the CRISPR-Cas9 system over other methods.

Dietary fiber konjac glucomannan exerts an antidiabetic effect via inhibiting lipid absorption and regulation of PPAR-γ and gut microbiome.

Konjac glucomannan's influence on the regulation of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and gut microbial flora was evaluated in this study. In addition, a high-fat diet and streptozotocin were used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. At the end of the study, we analyzed various parameters such as body weight, plasma lipid profile, insulin levels by immunohistochemistry, degree of fibrosis in the liver, protein expression of PPAR-γ and p-SREBP-1C and gut microbial changes using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results of our study suggest that KGM supplementation significantly reduced the plasma lipid profile (TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, etc.). In addition, KGM has improved insulin levels, which were visualized using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, KGM also regulated the protein expression of key regulatory proteins of lipid metabolism PPAR-γ and p-SREBP-1C (Group 3). Similar results were seen in the groups treated with the standard drug rosiglitazone (group 4). Finally, the 16S rRNA sequencing shows that KGM contributes to gut microbiota composition alterations, and it was observed using the Simpson, Shannon, Chao-1, and actual otus indices (group 3). KGM further alters the production of beneficial SCFAs and helps host good health. Furthermore, several metabolic pathways have been activated in T2DM rats. As a result, it becomes apparent that the digestive system's microbiome will play a role in T2DM. KGM has various health advantages but is particularly useful in treating hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Serum Fibrinogen-Like Protein 1 Levels in Obese Patients Before and After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Six-Month Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: Fibrinogen-like protein (FGL)-1 is an original hepatokine with a critical role in developing hepatic steatosis. This study intends to examine the pre- and postoperative serum FGL-1 levels in bariatric patients and identify its relationship with other clinical indicators. Patients and Methods: Ninety-two individuals (60 bariatric patients and 32 people with normal weight) were enrolled in this research between July 2018 and April 2021. All bariatric patients finished follow-up visits 6 months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Clinical data, anthropometric parameters, biochemical variables, FibroScan, and serum FGL-1 levels were collected at baseline and 6 months after LSG. Results: FGL-1 levels in patients with obesity (44.66±20.03 ng/mL) were higher than in individuals with normal weight (20.73±9.73 ng/mL, p < 0.001). After LSG, FGL-1 levels were significantly decreased (27.53±11.45 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Besides, body mass index (BMI), liver enzyme levels, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, uric acid (UA), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were significantly improved. After adjusting possible confounders, FGL-1 levels at baseline were negatively associated with changes in LSM levels; changes in FGL-1 levels showed positive correlations with changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and UA levels at 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: Serum FGL-1 levels were significantly decreased following LSG in patients with obesity. The preoperative serum FGL-1 levels could be a predictor of postoperative liver fibrosis improvement. Furthermore, the decreased FGL-1 levels were associated with improved liver enzymes and UA but not with bodyweight or glucolipid metabolism.

Black Truffle Extract Exerts Antidiabetic Effects through Inhibition of Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism Regulation.

Black truffle, a culinary and medical fungus, is highly valued worldwide for its nutritional and therapeutic importance. To enhance the existing knowledge about the beneficial properties, this study investigates the antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-inflammatory effects of black truffle extract in in vitro biochemical assays and animal study. Briefly, black truffle extract was administered orally to treat streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic Wistar rats for 45 days. At the end of the experimental duration, rats were sacrificed to perform biochemical and gene expression analyses related to lipid regulatory and inflammatory pathways. Our results indicated that total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, and low-density lipoprotein in different tissues and circulation were significantly increased in diabetic rats. Furthermore, the ß-hydroxy ß-methylglutaryl-CoA enzyme was also significantly increased; lipoprotein lipase and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase enzymes were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. However, the above conditions were reversed upon black truffle extract feeding. Furthermore, black truffle extract was also found to downregulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) and lipid regulatory genes (serum regulatory element-binding protein-1 and fatty acid synthase). The truffle extract-treated effects were comparable to glibenclamide and medication commonly used to treat diabetes mellitus. Overall, our results suggested that black truffle possesses strong antihyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects on diabetic rats. These findings will enhance the current knowledge about the therapeutic importance of black truffles. They might be exploited as a possible food supplement or even as a natural source of pharmaceutical agents for diabetes prevention and treatment.

A critical review on the health benefits of fish consumption and its bioactive constituents.

As one of food sources, fish provides sufficient nutrition to human. Diverse nutrients in fish make fish an important nutrient source available easily across the globe. Fish is proven to possess several health benefits, such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, wound healing, neuroprotection, cardioprotection, and hepatoprotection properties. Fish proteins, such as immunoglobins, act as defense agents against viral and bacterial infections and prevent protein-calorie malnutrition. Besides, fish oil constituents, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), regulate various signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa B pathway, Toll-like receptor pathway, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) pathway, and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor (PPAR) pathways. In this review, the literature about health benefits of fish consumption are accumulated from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the mechanistic action of health benefits are summarized. Fish consumption at least twice per week as part of a healthy diet is beneficial for a healthy heart. More advances in this field could pose fish as a major nutrients source of foods.

Antidiabetic effect of konjac glucomannan via insulin signaling pathway regulation in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that tends to disarray various metabolic pathways. Dietary-mediated T2DM prevention garners much attention in recent decades. Hence, this study was intended to elucidate the antidiabetic properties of Konjac glucomannan (KGM) in diabetic rats. Our experimental design includes five groups, with six rats in each group. Group 1 feeding standard diet pallet alone served as control rats; group 2 was KGM control rats administered intragastrically with KGM (120 mg/kg b.w.). Group 3 was developed as diabetic rats with a high-fat diet and an intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin-40 mg/kg b.w. Group 4 were diabetic rats treated with KGM (80 mg/kg b.w.), and group 5 were diabetic rats received rosiglitazone treatment (4 mg/kg b.w.). The results showed that STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly elevate liver marker enzymes and gluconeogenesis enzymes. Diminished glycolytic enzymes, liver glycogen, insulin signaling genes, and proteins were also seen in diabetic rats. Treatment with KGM augmented glycolytic enzymes and liver glycogen. On the other hand, KGM diminished gluconeogenesis, liver marker enzymes, upregulated gene, and protein expression of the insulin pathway. The current results suggest dietary KGM can offer a better health benefit in the treatment of T2DM.

An improved lentiviral system for efficient expression and purification of ß-defensins in mammalian cells.

ß-Defensins are a family of conserved small cationic antimicrobial peptides with different significant biological functions. The majority of mammalian ß-defensins are expressed in epididymis, and many of them are predicted to have post-translational modifications. However, only a few of its members have been well studied due to the limitations of expressing and purifying bioactive proteins with correct post-translational modifications efficiently. Here we developed a novel Fc tagged lentiviral system and Fc tagged prokaryotic expression systems provided new options for ß-defensins expression and purification. The novel lentiviral system contains a secretive signal peptide, an N-terminal IgG Fc tag, a green fluorescent protein (GFP), and a puromycin selection marker to facilitate efficient expression and fast purification of ß-defensins by protein A magnetic or agarose beads. It also enables stable and large-scale expression of ß-defensins with regular biological activities and post-translational modification. Purified ß-defensins such as Bin1b and a novel human ß-defensin hBD129 showed antimicrobial activity, immuno-regulatory activity, and expected post-translational phosphorylation, which were not found in Escherichia coli (E. coli) in expressed form. Furthermore, we successfully applied the novel system to identify mBin1b interacting proteins, explaining Bin1b in a better way. These results suggest that the novel lentiviral system is a powerful approach to produce correct post-translational processed ß-defensins with bioactivities and is useful to identify their interacting proteins. This study has laid the foundation for future studies to characterize function and mechanism of novel ß-defensins.

Lower Baseline Serum Triglyceride Levels Are Associated With Higher Decrease in Body Mass Index After Laparoscopy Sleeve Gastrectomy Among Obese Patients.

Aims: To investigate the predictive value of baseline serum triglyceride (TG) levels for improvements of metabolism after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods: 112 obese patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2] underwent LSG and with complete information of anthropometric and metabolic parameters were divided into normal TG group (group A) and high TG group (group B), while group A had TG levels ≤ 1.7 mmol/L, and group B had TG levels > 1.7 mmol/L. The post-operative changes (Δ) in metabolic parameters between the two groups were compared. Results: In the whole cohort, the metabolic parameters were significantly improved at 6 months after LSG. BMI and waist circumference (WC) decreased significantly in the two groups. The ΔBMI among group A and group B were 11.42±3.23 vs 9.13±2.77 kg/m2 (p<0.001), respectively. ΔBMI was positively correlated with ΔWC (r=0.696, p<0.001), Δfasting insulin level (r=0.440, p=0.002), Δfasting serum C peptide level (r=0.453, p=0.002), and Δhomeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (r=0.418, p=0.004) in group A. Compared with group B, group A had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of 2.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]1.25-6.38, p=0.012)and 2.73 (95% CI 1.11-6.72, p=0.029) for ΔBMI and ΔWC after adjustment for age and gender, respectively. Conclusions: Obese patients with baseline TG levels under 1.7 mmol/L had greater loss of weight at six months follow-up later LSG. This finding suggests that baseline TG level may have a predictive value for weight loss, at least in the short-term follow-up.

Nomograms for Predicting Non-remission in Patients Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China.

BACKGROUND: As a reflection of the increasing global incidence of obesity, there is a corresponding increase in the proportion of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. This study reviewed the factors and outcomes of patients who underwent bariatric surgical procedures and determined the relationships and developed a nomogram to calculate individualized patient risk. METHODS: The nomogram was based on a retrospective study on 259 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at the Chengdu Third People's Hospital from June 2017 to June 2019. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were determined by the ROC curve and C-index, respectively. The results were validated using bootstrap resampling and a retrospective study on 121 patients operated on from May 2015 to May 2019 at the Tenth People's Hospital of Shanghai. RESULTS: The predictors contained in the prediction nomogram included age, sex, surgical approach, hyperlipidemia, blood pressure (BP), hyperuricemia, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). The 6-month model displayed good discrimination with a C-index of 0.765 (95% CI: 0.756 to 0.774) and good calibration. The 1-year model reached a C-index of 0.768 (95% CI, 0.759 to 0.777) in the training cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed nomogram resulted in more accurate non-remission prediction for patients with obesity after bariatric surgery and may provide a reference for the preoperative choice of surgical methods.

Harnessing hyperuricemia to atherosclerosis and understanding its mechanistic dependence.

Atherosclerosis is regarded as the disease of the arterial vasculature. The main characteristics of atherosclerosis are the abnormal accumulation of lipids, increased inflammatory cells, matrix deposits, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperlipidemia are the most studied risk factors of atherosclerosis. One least studied risk factor is the uric acid (UA), a high UA in circulation is interlinked with many pathological processes. Several epidemiological studies suggest elevated UA levels as an essential biomarker in the forecast of several cardiovascular diseases. Available evidence claims that UA upholds the atherosclerosis process via disturbing lipid metabolism, reducing the nitric oxide synthesis in endothelial cells, promoting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and overwhelms inflammation. In endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery lesions, UA is considered as an independent predictor. The updated studies on the involvement of hyperuricemia in atherosclerosis prove that treatment with xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors not just benefits the treatment of hyperuricemia but also reduces the burden of atherosclerosis to a greater extent. In this review, we highlight how the hyperuricemia affects vascular integrity, causes atherosclerosis, and the mechanism of action of XO inhibitors on atherosclerosis.

The Increased Risk of Thyroid Cancer-Specific Mortality With Tumor Size in Stage IVB Patients.

Purpose: To investigate the risk-stratifying utility of tumor size and a threshold for further stratification on cancer-specific mortality of thyroid cancer (TC) patients in stage IVB. Methods: One thousand three hundred and forty-five patients (620 males and 725 females) with initial distant metastasis over 55 years between 2004 and 2016 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases were investigated, with a median follow-up time of 23 months [interquartile range (IQR), 5-56 months] and a median age of 70 years (IQR, 63-77 years). TC-specific mortality rates were calculated under different classifications. Cox regressions were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and Kaplan-Meier Analyses were conducted to investigate TC-specific survivals. Results: In the whole cohort, patients with tumors >4 cm had the highest TC-specific mortality (67.9%, 330/486), followed by tumor size >1 cm but ≤ 4 cm (43.08%, 190/441), and tumor size ≤ 1 cm (32.69%, 34/104). Kaplan-Meier curves showed the increased tumor size was associated with a statistically significant decrease in TC-specific survival (P < 0.001). Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with tumors >4 cm had significantly higher hazard ratios (HRs) of 2.84 (1.72-4.70) and 3.11 (1.84-5.26) after adjusting age, gender, race, and radiation treatment, compared with patients with tumors ≤ 1 cm (P < 0.001). The TC-specific mortalities and survivals were further investigated among more detailed subgroups divided by different tumor size, and a threshold of 3 cm could be observed (P < 0.005) for risk stratification. Conclusions: Mortality risk increased with tumor size in PTC patients in stage IVB. Our findings demonstrated the possibility of further stratification in IVB stage in current TNM staging system. Patients with tumor size over 3 cm had an excessively high risk of PTC-specific mortality, which may justify the necessity of more aggressive treatment for them.

Diet-Derived Phytochemicals Targeting Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal disease caused by the uncontrolled propagation and endurance of atypical colon cells. A person's lifestyle and eating pattern have significant impacts on the CRC in a positive and/or negative way. Diet-derived phytochemicals modulate the microbiome as well as targeting colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are found to offer significant protective effects against CRC, which were organized in an appropriate spot on the paper. All information on dietary phytochemicals, gut microbiome, CSCs, and their influence on CRC were accessed from the various databases and electronic search engines. The effectiveness of CRC can be reduced using various dietary phytochemicals or modulating microbiome that reduces or inverses the progression of a tumor as well as CSCs, which could be a promising and efficient way to reduce the burden of CRC. Phytochemicals with modulation of gut microbiome continue to be auspicious investigations in CRC through noticeable anti-tumorigenic effects and goals to CSCs, which provides new openings for cancer inhibition and treatment.

In vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of soluble dietary fiber Konjac glucomannan in type-2 diabetic rats.

Although the anti-diabetic properties of Konjac glucomannan (KGM) have been reported previously; however, the molecular pathways of its anti-diabetic properties are not clear. The present study hypothesized that KGM could mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation. Three doses of KGM (40, 80, 120 mg/kg b.w.) decreased the levels of plasma glucose and insulin in type-2 diabetic rats induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) after administration for 28 days. Besides, the C-reactive protein, antioxidants, and the pathways of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) showed amelioration and positively regulation after treated with a medium dose of KGM (80 mg/kg b.w.). The results of the histological study indicated that the medium dose of KGM was able to reverse the structural impairment of kidney and liver caused by type-2 diabetes. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that KGM reduced the hyperglycemia, regulated the Nrf2 pathway and by which it prevented oxidative stress, besides, it reduced the inflammation via regulation of the NF-kB pathway.

Guava leaves extract ameliorates STZ induced diabetes mellitus via activation of PI3K/AKT signaling in skeletal muscle of rats.

Blood glucose homeostasis and insulin signaling pathway regulation take a vital role in the management of diabetes mellitus. Our present was designed to explore the mechanism of the blood homeostasis, regulation of oxidative stress and insulin signaling pathway by guava leaf extract (GLE). Diabetes mellitus was induced in male albino Wistar by streptozotocin (STZ) (Single dose-40 mg/kg b.w.). As an extension STZ rats received GLE (GLE; 200 mg/kg b.w). At the end of the study the lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants, insulin signaling genes were analyzed. Treatment with GLE resulted in decreased plasma and skeletal muscle lipid peroxidation markers, increased antioxidants, and improved insulin signaling genes. GLE treatment helps to maintain blood homeostasis alleviates oxidative stress and regulates the insulin signaling genes in skeletal muscle. Overall the results suggest GLE treatment regulates blood glucose, inhibits oxidative stress, and importantly it regulates insulin signaling pathway genes in skeletal muscle. Further studies on the GLE role in other important pathways can add additional strength to the claim that GLE is a strong anti-diabetic candidate.

Changes of serum retinol-binding protein 4 associated with improved insulin resistance after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Chinese obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) plays a critical role in insulin resistance. The mechanism behind the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on glucose metabolism is unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the triangle relationship between the RBP4, glucose metabolism, and LSG in patients of Chinese ethnicity. METHODS: The study enrolled eighty-two obese patients. Glucose-lipid metabolic index, uric acid (UA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured. RBP4 levels were detected by enzyme-link immunosorbent assay. 30 obese patients underwent LSG were studied. All these markers were measured again at a time interval of 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: (1) Circulating RBP4 levels were positively associated with body mass index(BMI), blood glucose in 0 min (BG0), BG30, BG120, BG180, fasting inulin(FINS), fasting C peptide(FCP), homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), SOD, TSH and negatively associated with Matsuda index in obesity with a significant difference (P < 0.05). RBP4 levels in the patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia were significantly higher than the patients without IFG, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia (P = 0.035, P = 0.001, and P = 0.007). (2) LSG resulted in significantly decreased FBG, FINS, FCP and HOMA-IR at 3, 6 months after surgery (all P < 0.05). The RBP4 levels were significantly decreased after surgery (all P < 0.05) with no gender difference. (3) The change in RBP4 levels was significantly associated with the change in FINS, FCP, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-ß at 6 months and the change in TSH at 3 months after surgery in males (all P < 0.05). The change in RBP4 levels were significantly associated with the change in FINS, FCP, HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß, and TCH at 3 months after surgery in females (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results interpret the significant correlations between RBP4, glucose-lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and thyroid function in obese patients. Further, the LSG brings a decline in RBP4 levels and that may contribute partly to the improved insulin resistance in obese Chinese patients.

The Black Truffle, Tuber melanosporum (Ascomycetes), Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Regulates Insulin Signaling Pathway in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Black truffle mushroom, Tuber melanosporum, is effective in treating various symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus such as hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and hyperlipidemia and is used as traditional medicine. The aim of our study is to elucidate the antidiabetic potential of T. melanosporum. Male albino Wistar rats were administered a single dose of STZ (40 mg/kg b.w.) to induce mild diabetes mellitus (DM). After the confirmation of hyperglycemia, rats were treated with three different doses of truffle extract (TE) (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg b.w.) for the duration of 45 days. The various tissues were collected at the end of the study. The levels of glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin, hexokinase, glucose 6 phosphatase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and regulation of insulin signaling genes were quantified. The results showed that STZ- induced rats have a higher blood glucose level and a lower insulin level compared with the control groups and TE treated groups. Results also reveal that STZ suppressed the expressions of insulin signaling genes in diabetic rats and TE treatment resulted in a positive regulation of the insulin signaling pathway. The results of TE are similar to the results attained in glibenclamide (GB) group rats. Overall, the study provides scientific evidence for the medicinal properties of black truffle; future clinical studies can warrant a potential antidiabetic drug in the form of diet.

A critical review on diet-induced microbiota changes and cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) commonly denote the disorders that generally occur as a result of unhealthy food habits. Heart failure, cerebrovascular illness, rheumatic heart disease are the common CVDs. The prevalence of CVD is increased considerably in recent decades upon unhealthy food habits and varied alternative factors such as diabetes, smoking and excessive use of alcohol. A change into a healthy food habit can reverse the strategy during a course of time.Objectives of the study: The objective of this review is to summarize the research findings and elaborate the relationship between the diet, gut microbiota, and CVD.Results: The dietary products containing the least saturated, trans-fat and cholesterol have the tendency to scale back the burden of CVDs, for instance, vegetables and fruits. The potential reason for the cardioprotective activity of the diet ought to be its high-unsaturated fatty acid composition and less saturated fat. Recent studies have found that gut microbiota plays a key role in mediating disease prevention. The metabolism of dietary products into varied bioactive metabolites is regulated by gut microbiota. The contributory role of gut microbiota in dietary metabolism and CVD prevention studies are increasing with promising outcomes.Conclusion: Hence, the review was proposed to reach the researchers within this field of study and share the available knowledge in gut microbiota-mediated CVD prevention. In our current review, we have updated all the research findings within the field of diet-mediated cardiovascular prevention through gut microbiota.

A critical review of the relationship between dietary components, the gut microbe Akkermansia muciniphila, and human health.

The human gut contains trillions of microorganisms with a great diversity that are associated with various health benefits. Recent studies have reported an increasing correlation between diet, gut microbiota, and human health, indicating rapid development in the field of gut health. Diet is an important factor that determines the gut microbiota composition. The gut comprises great diversities of microbes involved in immune modulation and other functions. In particular, Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium is believed to have several health benefits in humans. Several studies have evaluated the prebiotic effects of various dietary components on A. muciniphila and their association with various ailments, such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Hence, this review aims to provide a plausible mechanistic basis for the interactions between dietary components, and A. muciniphila and for the therapeutic benefits of this interaction on various illnesses.

Anti-fatigue effect of aqueous extract of Hechong (Tylorrhynchus heterochaetus) via AMPK linked pathway.

Tylorrhynchus heterochaetus (Hechong in Chinese) has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for treating various diseases. This study was aimed to assess the anti-fatigue effect of T. heterochaetus on Kunming mice and its primary mechanism of action using forced running, rotating rod and weight-loaded swimming tests. Low (2.70 mg/0.5 mL/20 g), medium (5.41 mg/0.5 mL/20 g) and high (6.58 mg/0.5 mL/20 g) doses of T. heterochaetus aqueous extract were treated to mice for 28 days. Among the doses, the low and medium doses showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) anti-fatigue effect on the weight-loaded swimming test. Also, T. heterochaetus extract showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on fatigue-related blood parameters by increasing the GLU, TG and LDH levels and decreasing the LA, CK and BUN levels. The levels of liver and skeletal muscle glycogen were also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased after treatment. Further, on Western blot analysis, it has been found that T. heterochaetus enhanced the expressions of AMPK and PGC-1α in the liver and skeletal muscles of mice. From the study, our outcomes suggest that T. heterochaetus possess an anti-fatigue effect through the AMPK-linked pathway and thereby it can regularize the energy metabolism.