Highland barley(HB)is a high-altitude cereal with rich nutritional components and potential health benefits.To clarify its hypoglycemic effect and mechanism,we investigated the effect of whole grain HB and fecal micro...Highland barley(HB)is a high-altitude cereal with rich nutritional components and potential health benefits.To clarify its hypoglycemic effect and mechanism,we investigated the effect of whole grain HB and fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet and streptozotocin(HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mice.The results showed that HB(40%)significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and the area under the glucose tolerance curve,significantly increased insulin secretion and improved insulin resistance in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice(P<0.05).Inflammatory factors and blood lipid indices were also significantly alleviated after 12 weeks of 40%HB intervention(P<0.05).Additionally,beneficial bacteria,such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia,were significantly enriched in the gut of diabetic mice after whole grain HB intervention.Meanwhile,the results of further FMT experiments verified that the fecal microbiota after the 40%HB intervention not only significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia but also effectively improved glucose metabolism and alleviated the inflammatory state in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice.Collectively,our study confirmed the bridge role of gut microbiota in improving glucose metabolism of whole grain HB,which could promote the development of precision nutrition.展开更多
Intestinal microbiota imbalance may worsen the progression of ulcerative colitis(UC).Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LS8(LR)has the potential ability to regulate microbiota through producing a novel antibacterial substan...Intestinal microbiota imbalance may worsen the progression of ulcerative colitis(UC).Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LS8(LR)has the potential ability to regulate microbiota through producing a novel antibacterial substance,cyclic opine:cycloalanopine.This study aimed to investigate whether LR could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC in mice via modulating intestinal microbiota using fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)experiment.The results showed that both LR and FMT attenuated UC as evidenced by 1)alleviating disease activity index and colonic pathology;2)up-regulating MUCs and tight junction proteins;3)increasing oxidative mediators and decreasing antioxidant mediators;4)down-regulating proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.These results were mainly attributable to the microbiota-regulating effect of LR,including increasing beneficial bacteria(like Akkermansia)and its related SCFAs,while decreasing harmful bacteria(like Proteobacteria)and its related LPS,thereby suppressing the hyperactivation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway.Consequently,LR can alleviate UC and is a potential dietary supplement to attenuate UC.展开更多
Understanding basic reproductive physiology is crucial for the management of both captive and free-ranging wolf. In the present study, we determined hormonal changes during pregnancy and the estrous cycle in captive f...Understanding basic reproductive physiology is crucial for the management of both captive and free-ranging wolf. In the present study, we determined hormonal changes during pregnancy and the estrous cycle in captive female wolf by measuring fecal steroids collected during the breeding season with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These biochemical analyses were validated using chemical devivatization and mass spectrometry, and interpreted along with the behavioral data. All four females undergoing estrus cycles were copulated with their partners and delivered pups successfully. We found that estradiol concen-trations were significantly higher during the estrus cycle than other stages (p0.01) and progesterone was also significantly increased throughout the pregnancy (p0.01). These hormonal fluctuations demonstrated pregnancy-specific changes in the fecal progesterone and estradiol con-centrations. Patterns of fecal estradiol and progesterone concentrations during estrous cycles were similar to those reported for other canids.展开更多
The Tibet Shannan Red Deer Nature Reserve is the center of the geographic distribution of Tibetan red deer. This paper presents the results of DNA analysis of 199 red deer fecal pellet groups collected during 2013 and...The Tibet Shannan Red Deer Nature Reserve is the center of the geographic distribution of Tibetan red deer. This paper presents the results of DNA analysis of 199 red deer fecal pellet groups collected during 2013 and 2014 during the green-plant period. We successfully extracted DNA from 87 DNA pellet groups and determined individual identification with 12 microsatellite loci. We evaluated the genetic diversity of the population and various population estimates with Capwire in R software. The87 successfully extracted pellet groups were from 50 individuals. In the population, the average number of alleles was 7.58 ± 0.18, the average effective number of alleles was 4.58 ± 0.15, and average polymorphism information content was 0.67 ± 0.01. Among the 12 loci,only T123 was moderately polymorphic; the other 11 loci were highly polymorphic. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.45 to 0.91, with an average of 0.72 ± 0.01, and average observed heterozygosity was 0.52 ± 0.11.Although Tibetan red deer remains endangered, the high genetic diversity indicates that this population has a good chance of recovery. This study provided insight that could be used by the local forestry department to develop programs to protect Tibetan red deer.展开更多
A large number of studies have shown that propolis has positive effects in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,there are have only been a few reports that are based on an ultra-high performance liq...A large number of studies have shown that propolis has positive effects in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,there are have only been a few reports that are based on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)analysis of the fecal metabolomics of ethanol extract of propolis(EEP)in the treatment of T2DM.The present investigation was designed to screen potential biomarkers of T2DM by the metabonomic method and to explain the possible anti-diabetes mechanism of EEP according to the changes in the biomarkers.The results showed that EEP improved the body weight(BW)of T2DM mice,lowered blood sugar levels,and significantly restored blood biochemical indicators related to T2DM,such as fasting insulin(FINS),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),aspartate transaminase(AST),and alanine aminotransferase(ALT).Liver pathology showed that EEP reversed liver damage caused by T2DM.Metabolomics data identified 27 potential biomarkers in fecal samples.EEP effectively regulated the dysfunction in the metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipids,sphingolipids,riboflavins,and sterol lipids caused by T2DM.In summary,our research results revealed positive effects of EEP in the treatment of T2DM and provided potential candidate markers for further research and in the clinical treatment of T2DM.展开更多
Fortunella margarita polysaccharides(FMPS)are composed of 4 polysaccharide fragments,namely mannogalactoglucan,galactoglucan,glucan and arabinoglucan.This study investigated the in vitro fermentation of FMPS fractions...Fortunella margarita polysaccharides(FMPS)are composed of 4 polysaccharide fragments,namely mannogalactoglucan,galactoglucan,glucan and arabinoglucan.This study investigated the in vitro fermentation of FMPS fractions and their effect on the fecal microbiota of mice and short chain fatty acids(SCFAs)production.The results showed that the structure of the fecal microbiota was changed after FMPS fermentation.At the phylum level,the polysaccharide fractions reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes compared with the inulin group.At the genus level,the polysaccharide fractions increased the abundance of Lactobacillus,and decreased the abundance of Granulicatella,Proteus and Rummeliibacillus.Polysaccharide fractions could promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria(Lactobacillus),and decreased harmful bacteria(Granulicatella,Proteus,Rummeliibacillus and Serratia).Furthermore,there was a significant distinction in the genus level flora processed by different polysaccharide fractions,especially mannogalactoglucan.Polysaccharide fractions showed potential prebiotic effects,with mannogalactoglucan,in particular,promoting proliferation of SCFA-producing bacteria.SCFAs were regulated by monosaccharide composition,molecular weight of the FMPS fractions,and the composition of the fecal bacteria.Polysaccharide fractions could modulate metabolic function of the fecal microbiota,altering the levels of SCFAs.These results suggested that FMPS are important functional components in gut health,especially mannogalactoglucan.展开更多
Western diet(rich in highly refined sugar and fat)can induce a range of metabolic dysfunctions in animals and humans,including neuroinflammation and cognitive function decline.Neuroinflammation and cognitive impairmen...Western diet(rich in highly refined sugar and fat)can induce a range of metabolic dysfunctions in animals and humans,including neuroinflammation and cognitive function decline.Neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment,two critical pathological characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease,have been closely associated with microbial alteration via the gut-brain axis.Thus,the present study aimed to investigate the influence of 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid(AA-2βG)isolated from the fruits of Lycium barbarum on preventing the high-fructose diet(HFrD)induced neuroinflammation in mice.It was found that AA-2βG prevented HFr D-induced cognitive deficits.AA-2βG also predominantly enhanced the gut barrier integrity,decreased lipopolysaccharide entry into the circulation,which subsequently countered the activation of glial cells and neuroinflammatory response.These beneficial effects were transmissible by horizontal fecal microbiome transplantation,transferring from AA-2βG fed mice to HFr D fed mice.Additionally,AA-2βG exerted neuroprotective effects involving the enrichment of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia,potentially beneficial intestinal bacteria.The present study provided the evidence that AA-2βG could improve indices of cognition and neuroinflammmation via modulating gut dybiosis and preventing leaky gut.As a potential functional food ingredient,AA-2βG may be applied to attenuate neuroinflammation associated with Western-style diets.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32101876)the Discipline ConstructionFood Science and Engineering(SPKX-202202)grants。
文摘Highland barley(HB)is a high-altitude cereal with rich nutritional components and potential health benefits.To clarify its hypoglycemic effect and mechanism,we investigated the effect of whole grain HB and fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet and streptozotocin(HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mice.The results showed that HB(40%)significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and the area under the glucose tolerance curve,significantly increased insulin secretion and improved insulin resistance in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice(P<0.05).Inflammatory factors and blood lipid indices were also significantly alleviated after 12 weeks of 40%HB intervention(P<0.05).Additionally,beneficial bacteria,such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia,were significantly enriched in the gut of diabetic mice after whole grain HB intervention.Meanwhile,the results of further FMT experiments verified that the fecal microbiota after the 40%HB intervention not only significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia but also effectively improved glucose metabolism and alleviated the inflammatory state in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice.Collectively,our study confirmed the bridge role of gut microbiota in improving glucose metabolism of whole grain HB,which could promote the development of precision nutrition.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32001652)Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(2452018062)Keypoint Research and Invention Program of Shannxi Province(2021ZDLNY05-06)。
文摘Intestinal microbiota imbalance may worsen the progression of ulcerative colitis(UC).Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LS8(LR)has the potential ability to regulate microbiota through producing a novel antibacterial substance,cyclic opine:cycloalanopine.This study aimed to investigate whether LR could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC in mice via modulating intestinal microbiota using fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)experiment.The results showed that both LR and FMT attenuated UC as evidenced by 1)alleviating disease activity index and colonic pathology;2)up-regulating MUCs and tight junction proteins;3)increasing oxidative mediators and decreasing antioxidant mediators;4)down-regulating proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.These results were mainly attributable to the microbiota-regulating effect of LR,including increasing beneficial bacteria(like Akkermansia)and its related SCFAs,while decreasing harmful bacteria(like Proteobacteria)and its related LPS,thereby suppressing the hyperactivation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway.Consequently,LR can alleviate UC and is a potential dietary supplement to attenuate UC.
基金This research was supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents (NCET-07-0507)Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation (Z2008D01)+1 种基金Project of Science and Technology Development Plan in Shandong Province (2007GG2009011)Shandong Province Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(2005BS02005, 2008BS09011)
文摘Understanding basic reproductive physiology is crucial for the management of both captive and free-ranging wolf. In the present study, we determined hormonal changes during pregnancy and the estrous cycle in captive female wolf by measuring fecal steroids collected during the breeding season with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These biochemical analyses were validated using chemical devivatization and mass spectrometry, and interpreted along with the behavioral data. All four females undergoing estrus cycles were copulated with their partners and delivered pups successfully. We found that estradiol concen-trations were significantly higher during the estrus cycle than other stages (p0.01) and progesterone was also significantly increased throughout the pregnancy (p0.01). These hormonal fluctuations demonstrated pregnancy-specific changes in the fecal progesterone and estradiol con-centrations. Patterns of fecal estradiol and progesterone concentrations during estrous cycles were similar to those reported for other canids.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31500328)Project of State Forestry Administration:Population Monitoring and Habitat Maintenance of Tibetan Red Deer(2015419)
文摘The Tibet Shannan Red Deer Nature Reserve is the center of the geographic distribution of Tibetan red deer. This paper presents the results of DNA analysis of 199 red deer fecal pellet groups collected during 2013 and 2014 during the green-plant period. We successfully extracted DNA from 87 DNA pellet groups and determined individual identification with 12 microsatellite loci. We evaluated the genetic diversity of the population and various population estimates with Capwire in R software. The87 successfully extracted pellet groups were from 50 individuals. In the population, the average number of alleles was 7.58 ± 0.18, the average effective number of alleles was 4.58 ± 0.15, and average polymorphism information content was 0.67 ± 0.01. Among the 12 loci,only T123 was moderately polymorphic; the other 11 loci were highly polymorphic. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.45 to 0.91, with an average of 0.72 ± 0.01, and average observed heterozygosity was 0.52 ± 0.11.Although Tibetan red deer remains endangered, the high genetic diversity indicates that this population has a good chance of recovery. This study provided insight that could be used by the local forestry department to develop programs to protect Tibetan red deer.
基金supported by the Shanxi Proxince Higher Education Revitalization Plan “1331 Project” (J201811301)
文摘A large number of studies have shown that propolis has positive effects in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,there are have only been a few reports that are based on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)analysis of the fecal metabolomics of ethanol extract of propolis(EEP)in the treatment of T2DM.The present investigation was designed to screen potential biomarkers of T2DM by the metabonomic method and to explain the possible anti-diabetes mechanism of EEP according to the changes in the biomarkers.The results showed that EEP improved the body weight(BW)of T2DM mice,lowered blood sugar levels,and significantly restored blood biochemical indicators related to T2DM,such as fasting insulin(FINS),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),aspartate transaminase(AST),and alanine aminotransferase(ALT).Liver pathology showed that EEP reversed liver damage caused by T2DM.Metabolomics data identified 27 potential biomarkers in fecal samples.EEP effectively regulated the dysfunction in the metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipids,sphingolipids,riboflavins,and sterol lipids caused by T2DM.In summary,our research results revealed positive effects of EEP in the treatment of T2DM and provided potential candidate markers for further research and in the clinical treatment of T2DM.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Foundation of Graduate School of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(1122yb065)the Support Project for Distinguished Young Scholars of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(xjq201714)+2 种基金the Program for Leading Talent in Fujian Provincial University(660160190)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province University(KLA18058A)Fujian Science and Technology Economic Integration Service Platform of Fujian Association for Science and Technology(2020K02).
文摘Fortunella margarita polysaccharides(FMPS)are composed of 4 polysaccharide fragments,namely mannogalactoglucan,galactoglucan,glucan and arabinoglucan.This study investigated the in vitro fermentation of FMPS fractions and their effect on the fecal microbiota of mice and short chain fatty acids(SCFAs)production.The results showed that the structure of the fecal microbiota was changed after FMPS fermentation.At the phylum level,the polysaccharide fractions reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes compared with the inulin group.At the genus level,the polysaccharide fractions increased the abundance of Lactobacillus,and decreased the abundance of Granulicatella,Proteus and Rummeliibacillus.Polysaccharide fractions could promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria(Lactobacillus),and decreased harmful bacteria(Granulicatella,Proteus,Rummeliibacillus and Serratia).Furthermore,there was a significant distinction in the genus level flora processed by different polysaccharide fractions,especially mannogalactoglucan.Polysaccharide fractions showed potential prebiotic effects,with mannogalactoglucan,in particular,promoting proliferation of SCFA-producing bacteria.SCFAs were regulated by monosaccharide composition,molecular weight of the FMPS fractions,and the composition of the fecal bacteria.Polysaccharide fractions could modulate metabolic function of the fecal microbiota,altering the levels of SCFAs.These results suggested that FMPS are important functional components in gut health,especially mannogalactoglucan.
基金the financial support from the Key Research and Development Program of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China(2021BEF02008)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32272330)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions。
文摘Western diet(rich in highly refined sugar and fat)can induce a range of metabolic dysfunctions in animals and humans,including neuroinflammation and cognitive function decline.Neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment,two critical pathological characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease,have been closely associated with microbial alteration via the gut-brain axis.Thus,the present study aimed to investigate the influence of 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid(AA-2βG)isolated from the fruits of Lycium barbarum on preventing the high-fructose diet(HFrD)induced neuroinflammation in mice.It was found that AA-2βG prevented HFr D-induced cognitive deficits.AA-2βG also predominantly enhanced the gut barrier integrity,decreased lipopolysaccharide entry into the circulation,which subsequently countered the activation of glial cells and neuroinflammatory response.These beneficial effects were transmissible by horizontal fecal microbiome transplantation,transferring from AA-2βG fed mice to HFr D fed mice.Additionally,AA-2βG exerted neuroprotective effects involving the enrichment of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia,potentially beneficial intestinal bacteria.The present study provided the evidence that AA-2βG could improve indices of cognition and neuroinflammmation via modulating gut dybiosis and preventing leaky gut.As a potential functional food ingredient,AA-2βG may be applied to attenuate neuroinflammation associated with Western-style diets.