There is increasing evidence for the interaction between gut microbiome, diet, and health. It is known that dysbiosis is related to disease and that most of the times this imbalances in gut microbial ...populations can be promoted through diet. Western dietary habits, which are characterized by high intakes of calories, animal proteins, saturated fats, and simple sugars have been linked with higher risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the impact of dietary patterns, dietary components, and nutrients on gut microbiota in healthy people. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of nutrient compounds as well as adherence to a dietary pattern, as the Mediterranean diet (MD) on the gut microbiome of healthy adults. Consequently, gut microbiota composition in healthy individuals, may be used as a potential biomarker to identify nutritional habits as well as risk of disease related to these habits. Dietary information from healthy volunteers (
= 27) was recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Adherence to the MD was measured using the PREDIMED test. Microbiota composition and diversity were obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Microbial metabolic activity was determined by quantification of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results indicated that a higher ratio of Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes was related to lower adherence to the MD, and greater presence of Bacteroidetes was associated with lower animal protein intake. High consumption of animal protein, saturated fats, and sugars affected gut microbiota diversity. A significant higher presence of Christensenellaceae was found in normal-weight individuals compared to those who were overweight. This was also the case in volunteers with greater adherence to the MD compared to those with lower adherence.
,
, and
genera were associated with a BMI <25 and the genus
with a higher PREDIMED score. Higher bifidobacterial counts, and higher total SCFA were related to greater consumption of plant-based nutrients, such as vegetable proteins and polysaccharides. Better adherence to the MD was associated with significantly higher levels of total SCFA. Consequently, diet and specific dietary components could affect microbiota composition, diversity, and activity, which may have an effect on host metabolism by increasing the risk of Western diseases.
The linear polymer polyphosphate (poly-P) is present across all three domains of life and serves diverse physiological functions. The enzyme polyphosphate kinase (Ppk) is responsible for poly-P ...synthesis, whereas poly-P degradation is carried out by the enzyme exopolyphosphatase (Ppx). In many
, the Ppk-encoding gene (
) is found clustered together with two genes encoding putative exopolyphosphatases (
and
) each having different domain compositions, with the gene order
. However, the specific function of these
genes remains unexplored. An in-frame deletion of
in
BL23 resulted in bacteria unable to accumulate poly-P, whereas the disruption of
did not affect poly-P synthesis. The expression of
was not altered in the Δ
strain, and poly-P synthesis in this strain was only restored by expressing
in
. Moreover, no poly-P synthesis was observed when
was expressed from a plasmid in the Δ
strain. Purified Ppx2 exhibited
exopolyphosphatase activity, whereas no
enzymatic activity could be demonstrated for Ppx1. This observation corresponds with the absence in Ppx1 of conserved motifs essential for catalysis found in characterized exopolyphosphatases. Furthermore, assays with purified Ppk and Ppx1 evidenced that Ppx1 enhanced Ppk activity. These results demonstrate that Ppx1 is essential for poly-P synthesis in
and have unveiled, for the first time, an unexpected role of Ppx1 exopolyphosphatase in poly-P synthesis.IMPORTANCEPoly-P is a pivotal molecular player in bacteria, participating in a diverse array of processes ranging from stress resilience to pathogenesis while also serving as a functional component in probiotic bacteria. The synthesis of poly-P is tightly regulated, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Our study sheds light on the distinctive role played by the two exopolyphosphatases (Ppx) found in the
bacterial group, of relevance in food and health. This particular group is noteworthy for possessing two Ppx enzymes, supposedly involved in poly-P degradation. Remarkably, our investigation uncovers an unprecedented function of Ppx1 in
, where its absence leads to the total cessation of poly-P synthesis, paralleling the impact observed upon eliminating the poly-P forming enzyme, poly-P kinase. Unlike the anticipated role as a conventional exopolyphosphatase, Ppx1 demonstrates an unexpected function. Our results added a layer of complexity to our understanding of poly-P dynamics in bacteria.
Lactobacillus casei is a lactic acid bacterium commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, and some strains are used as probiotics. The ability of probiotic strains to survive the ...passage through the gastrointestinal tract is considered a key factor for their probiotic action. Therefore, tolerance to bile salts is a desirable feature for probiotic strains. In this study we have characterized the response of L. casei BL23 to bile by a transcriptomic and proteomic approach. The analysis revealed that exposure to bile induced changes in the abundance of 52 proteins and the transcript levels of 67 genes. The observed changes affected genes and proteins involved in the stress response, fatty acid and cell wall biosynthesis, metabolism of carbohydrates, transport of peptides, coenzyme levels, membrane H(+)-ATPase, and a number of uncharacterized genes and proteins. These data provide new insights into the mechanisms that enable L. casei BL23 to cope with bile stress.
Mediterranean plants, such as fig and olive leaves, are well-known to exert beneficial effects in humans because of the presence of a wide range of bioactive compounds. However, scarce information ...regarding the impact of extraction methods, such as ultrasound and types of solvents, on their profile of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds is provided. In addition, no information is available on the effects of extraction methods and solvents on the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria or promoting probiotic growth. In this scenario, this study was aimed to study the effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and solvent on the phenolic profile (Triple TOF-LC-MS/MS), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds of olive and fig leaves. Results showed that UAE extracted more carotenoids compared to conventional extraction, while the conventional extraction impacted on higher flavonoids (olive leaves) and total phenolics (fig leaves). The antioxidant capacity of aqueous extract of fig leaves was three times higher than the extract obtained with ethanol for conventional extraction and four times higher for UAE. In general terms, hydroethanolic extracts presented the highest bacterial growth inhibition, and showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. In conclusion, these side streams can be used as sources of bioactive compounds for further development of high-added-value products.
The beneficial effects of olive leaves are known from ancient times. In this regard, both the olive leaves and the different preparations obtained from them (e.g. infusions, extracts) have been ...traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases or to alleviate the symptoms associated with different pathologies. In addition, the use of olive leaves extracts as nutraceuticals along today's continuous usage in cosmetics and medicine is common.
Most of the health-related benefits of olive leaves have been associated to their high content in antioxidant bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, etc., being oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol some of the phenolic compounds which have attracted more interest by the both the scientific community and industry (food, pharmaceutical, among others). In this regard, olive leaves can be used to prevent oxidation processes as well as for other several applications in food industry such as to enhance the nutritive value of foods by delivering important nutrients to consumer's diets. At this stage of development, the implications of the extracts obtained from olive leaves and/or the isolated compounds on gut microbiota is scarce and limited.
In the present review, the main extraction techniques (conventional and innovative), the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the compounds found in olives as well as their impact on gut microbiota will be discussed.
•Olive leaves (OL) used in the human diet as an extract, a herbal tea and a powder.•OL rich source of antioxidant bioactive compounds (eg. oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol).•There is a need to optimize extraction processes according to targeted compound.•Different biological activity according to the targeted polyphenols.•OL important role preventing oxidative stress and risk of developing chronic diseases.
The proline‐rich oligopeptide from Bothrops jararaca snake venom, Bj‐PRO‐7a, promotes acute effects in blood pressure in hypertensive animals. However, the cardiac effects of this heptapeptide are ...completely unknown. Thus, we sought to evaluate whether the Bj‐PRO‐7a could protect against cardiac remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR were treated with Bj‐PRO‐7a (71 nmol/kg/day, s.c.) or saline for 28 days. Wistar rats were used as control. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured by tail‐cuff plethysmography. Cardiomyocyte diameter and interstitial and perivascular fibrosis of the left ventricle (LV) were evaluated using Picrosirius staining. Immunofluorescence was used to detect collagen I and III. Fibroblast proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemistry to detect proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Protein expression was assessed by western blot. The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and the concentration of lipid peroxidation products were evaluated in the LV. The SBP and HR were not different between treated and non‐treated SHR at the end of the treatment. However, Bj‐PRO‐7a attenuated the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, deposition of interstitial and perivascular fibrosis and collagen I, and positive PCNA‐labelled fibroblasts. This peptide also reduced the increased levels of TBARS, expression and activity of catalase, and activity of SOD in LV from SHR. Also, the Bj‐PRO‐7a increased the expression of metalloproteinases‐2 in SHR hearts. These findings demonstrate that the Bj‐PRO‐7a reduced the pathological cardiac remodelling in a pressure‐independent manner in hypertensive rats through mechanisms mediated by oxidative stress regulation.
The prostate is susceptible to changes in androgen levels, which can play an important role in the development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Natural compounds have beneficial properties for ...organisms and can be an important therapeutic strategy in the treatment of diseases. β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a phytocannabinoid present in several medicinal and food plants species and has shown beneficial effects in different organs. However, little is known about its effects on the prostate. The present study seeks to evaluate the effects of exposure to BCP on the morphophysiology of the ventral prostate of adult gerbils supplemented with testosterone.
Animals were distributed into four groups (n = 8/group): Intact control (C); β-Caryophyllene (BCP): β-Caryophyllene (50 mg/kg/day); Testosterone (T): animals received subcutaneous injections of Testosterone Cypionate (3 mg/Kg), on alternate days, for one month and were euthanized 30 days supplementation ended; Testosterone and β-Caryophyllene (TBCP): animals were exposed to testosterone cypionate (3 mg/Kg) to induce hyperplastic alterations followed by daily BCP (50 mg/kg). Morphological, biometric, immunohistochemical, and serological analyses were performed.
Proliferative disorders and inflammatory foci were present in the ventral prostate of all experimental groups. An increase in the multiplicity of benign intraepithelial neoplasm and subepithelial inflammatory foci was observed in T group. The incidence of intraluminal inflammatory foci and microinvasive carcinoma was verified only in the T group. Cellular rearrangement and tissue remodeling occurred in the prostate of groups exposed to phytocannabinoids. A reduction was observed in the frequency of PHH3 and Cox2 markers in the prostatic epithelium of TBCP in comparison with T. A decrease in F4/80 and CD163 positive macrophages were also observed in the prostatic stroma of the TBCP group in comparison with T. The results suggest that BCP had favorable effects on BPH, reducing the proliferation and frequency of some inflammatory cells.
BCP impacts the tissue remodeling process in the premalignant prostate environment and that the use of this phytocannabinoid can have a promising effect in the handling of BPH.
The prostate is a mammalian gland that shows a complex process of organogenesis. Here, a morphological study to characterize the organogenesis of the ventral prostate lobe in male gerbils was ...conducted. The urogenital sinus (UGS) was dissected out and processed for paraffin embedding. Histological sections were subjected to cytochemical, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical, and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques. We found that the first ventral buds emerged from the ventral urethral epithelium between the days 20 and 21 of prenatal life, reaching the ventral mesenchymal pad and initiating the branching process on the first day of postnatal life. The buds presented a V-shaped elongation, suggesting that the smooth muscle layer (SML) plays an important role during budding events. Indeed, whereas the androgen receptor (AR) was preferentially found in the UGS mesenchyme (UGM), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was localized in both the UGM and in the emerging buds. This study characterized the morphological aspects of the budding process in a different rodent from rat and mice, serving as a new model for future studies on developmental biology of the prostate.
Aluminum (Al) is a widespread metal in the environment, and is found in fresh or processed foods, household utensils, packaging, and medicines. In addition to its high toxicity, Al can also have ...estrogenic agonistic effects on target organs. Considering that the Al effects on the prostate are little known, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aluminum chloride (AlCl
) subacute exposure on the morphophysiology of the male ventral prostate and the female prostate of adult gerbils. Furthermore, the glandular restoration capacity in face of the Al insults was evaluated in gerbils that were submitted to 30 days of recovery. Male and female gerbils were orally exposed to AlCl
(10 mg/kg) for 30 consecutive days. The animals were euthanized 1 day (Al1D) or 30 days (Al30D) after the end of treatment. Prostates were dissected out and processed for structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses. Male ventral prostates and female prostates of the Al1D group showed increased cell proliferation, glandular hyperplasia, increased secretory activity and greater androgen receptor immunoreactivity. In males, Al withdrawal (Al30D) allowed a partial recovery of the prostate, as the glandular secretory activity, and frequency of androgen receptor positive cells were similar to the control group. In females, the recuperation interval (Al30D) was not enough to restore the prostatic morphology, since the gland remained hyperplastic, proliferative, and with greater androgen and estrogen receptor immunoreactivity. These data alert to the importance of avoiding Al exposure, since this metal can have a harmful and prolonged action on the prostate.
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