Gut microorganisms inhabiting the intestinal tract play key roles in host's health and disease. A properly functioning gut microbiome requires the availability of adequate carbon, nitrogen and energy sources. One of the main sources of energy for intestinal bacteria are glycans, of which amino sugars are important components. Amino sugars are a class of carbohydrates in which one or more hydroxyl groups

Gut microbiota exerts a pivotal influence on the development of Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), although the specific contributions of individual bacterial strains and their metabolites remain poorly defined. We conducted stool shotgun metagenomic sequencing and plasma untargeted metabolomics in a large prospective cohort comprising 120 MAFLD patients and 120 matched healthy controls

Chronic pouchitis is a common complication after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with limited treatment options. In this case series, we aimed to investigate clinical and microbiome changes, as well as adverse events, associated with using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from a donor with a normal functioning IPAA to induce remission in patients with chronic pouchitis. Methods The study

Research indicates that abnormal gut microbiota metabolism is linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, but the role of microbiota-related tryptophan metabolism disruption remains unclear. Using metagenomic sequencing and targeted Trp metabolomics, our research identified that CRC patients had abnormal indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) levels, which were related to tumor malignancy. Exogenous ILA administration

Mangiferin (MAN), a natural C-glycosylxanthone, is recognized for its health-promoting effects in traditional medicinal preparations. However, its poor bioavailability and limited intestinal permeability restrict its direct biological activity in vivo. Previous studies have suggested a potential bacterial breakdown of MAN into norathyriol (NOR), an aglycone with significantly higher bioavailability

Pregnancy induces notable alterations in the gut, vaginal, and oral microbiota driven by hormonal, immune, metabolic, dietary, and environmental factors. During pregnancy, the gut microbiota is characterized by increased proportions of the genus Bifidobacterium and the phyla Pseudomonadota (formerly Proteobacteria) and Actinomycetota (formerly Actinobacteria). These changes occur alongside reduced

Alterations in the gut microbiome affect the development and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). We analyzed microbiomes of obese children with and without MASLD, MASH, and healthy controls. Electronic databases were searched for studies on the gut microbiome in children with obesity with/without MASLD

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease(MASLD) is increasing in prevalence worldwide and has become the greatest potential risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular liver cancer. Currently, the role of gut microbiota in the development of MASLD has become a research hotspot. The development of MASLD can affect the homeostasis of gut microbiota, and significant changes in the composition

Genetic predispositions can shape the gut microbiome, which in turn modulates host gene expression and impacts host physiology. The complex interplay between host genetics and the gut microbiome likely contributes to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, yet the mechanisms behind these interactions remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota in Negr1 knockout

Toxin B (TcdB) is a critical virulence factor in Clostridioides difficile-associated disease (CDAD), which activates macrophages to promote inflammation and epithelial damage. However, the mechanism by which TcdB targets inflammation-related receptors on the macrophage surface and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The frizzled-binding domain of TcdB (TcdB-FBD) is a promising target

The most common extra-intestinal manifestation (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), IBD-associated arthritis (IAA), occurs in 25-40% of patients and can be debilitating. In IBD, mucosal and stool microbiota richness is decreased, and compositional changes can precede or accompany disease onset. Likewise, spondyloarthritides are associated with altered gut microbiota, with overlapping bacterial

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviors. In addition to neurobehavioral symptoms, children with ASD often have gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. constipation, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, reflux). Several studies have proposed the role of gut microbiota and metabolic disorders

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eleventh most commonly diagnosed cancer, and its prognosis remains poor. Several challenges remain for improving the clinical outcomes of EC, and improving technologies for early detection, diversifying treatment options, and advancing personalized treatment are essential. Alterations in the intestinal and esophageal microbiota are associated with the pathogenesis and

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurrent colonic inflammation. Standard treatments focus on controlling inflammation but remain ineffective for one-third of patients. This underscores the need for alternative approaches, such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which transfers healthy donor microbiota to patients. The role of viruses in this process

Anaerobutyricum soehngenii (previously Eubacterium hallii) is a butyrate-producing next-generation beneficial microbe generally recognized as safe. Several short-term intervention trials by A. soehngenii L2-7 have shown improvement of insulin sensitivity in prediabetic subjects and type 2 diabetes patients. To determine the long-term cardiometabolic benefits and safety, we performed a 3-month double-blind

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has been recognized as a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections and a considerable threat to public health globally. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathogenesis of CDI. The taxonomic composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiota associated with CDI have not been studied systematically. Here

Aging is a primary driver of the escalating prevalence of heart failure (HF). Age-associated gut microbiota dysbiosis has been implicated in various age-related diseases, yet its role in age-related HF remains largely unexplored. In this study, we sought to explore the potential link between age-related gut microbiota alterations and HF in the elderly. We analyzed a publicly available single-cell sequencing

The microbiome, especially that present in the gut, has emerged as a key modulator of animal behavior. However, the extent of its influence across species and behavioral repertoires, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains poorly understood. Increasing evidence suggests that microbial metabolites play an important role in driving behavioral variation. In this review, we synthesize findings from

Emerging clinical and experimental evidence highlight the involvement of gut microbiota in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) via neuroinflammatory processes along the gut-brain axis. Despite this, the precise mechanisms governing gut microbial involvement in AD remain elusive. In this study, we observed that AppNL-G-F AD mice raised under germ-free

Probiotics encounter colonization resistance from native gut microbiomes, affecting their effectiveness. Genetic engineering of probiotics lacks universal applicability, as gut microbiotas are highly individualized. Here, we employed probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HNU082 (Lp082) to test whether Lp082 gut-adapted mutants can resolve colonization resistance in a new gut environment. Relying

Dietary gluten triggers symptoms in patients with gluten-related disorders (GRDs) including celiac disease (CeD), non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and subsets of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). The gastrointestinal microbiota is altered in these patients when compared to healthy individuals. As the microbiota is crucial for the hydrolysis of gluten, we hypothesized that the capacity of

The emergence of new viral pathogens necessitates innovative antiviral therapies and vaccines. Traditional approaches, such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, are often hindered by resistance, limited effectiveness, and high costs. Here, we develop an engineered probiotic-based antiviral platform using Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), capable of providing both mucosal and systemic immunity via

Breast milk, rich in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), supports the early-life colonization of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, potentially reducing early-life antibiotic resistance. However, antibiotic treatment may interfere with the beneficial functions of HMO-degrading bacteria. This study investigated the metabolism of HMOs by bifidobacteria and lactobacilli isolated

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates. An increasing body of research suggests that obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of CRC. Moreover, recent findings have highlighted the close association between the gut microbiota and both obesity and CRC. Despite this, the specific mechanisms by which the gut microbiota

Insulin resistance (IR) is an early marker of cardiometabolic deterioration which may develop heterogeneously in key metabolic organs, including the liver (LIR) and skeletal muscle (MIR). This tissue-specific IR is characterized by distinct metabolic signatures, but the role of the gut microbiota in its etiology remains unclear. Here, we profiled the gut microbiota, its metabolites and the plasma metabolome

Tryptophan-derived indoles produced by the gut microbiota, particularly indole-3-propionate (IPA), are key compounds associated with gastrointestinal balance and overall health. Reduced levels of IPA have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer. Since fiber-rich diets have been shown to promote IPA, we aimed to decipher fiber-specific effects and identify

Pathogenic Escherichia coli are a major cause of infections in both humans and animals, leading to conditions such as severe diarrheal diseases, urinary tract infections, enteritis, and septicemia. To combat bacterial infections, antibiotics are widely utilized. However, the extensive and inappropriate use of antibiotics has fueled the development and spread of antibiotic resistance, posing a significant

Enteric bacterial pathogens pose significant threats to human health; however, the mechanisms by which they infect the mammalian gut in the face of daunting host defenses remain to be fully defined. For the attaching and effacing (A/E) bacterial family member and murine pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, its virulence strategy appears to involve penetration of the colonic mucus barrier to reach the underlying

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a procedure involving the transfer of intestinal microbiota from a healthy donor to a patient to restore a functional intestinal microbiome. First described in modern science in 1958, the use of FMT has been practiced for decades, but only during the past dozen years have clinical frameworks and legal regulations from competent authorities been developed. Future

Major depression (MD) significantly impacts individual well-being and society. The vagus nerve plays a pivotal role in the gut-brain axis, facilitating bidirectional communication between these systems. Recent meta-analyses suggest potential antidepressant effects of probiotics, although their mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of a multi-species probiotic (OMNi-BiOTiC®

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the manifestation of intestinal dysfunction associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The mechanosensory Piezo2 has been implicated in the regulation of intestinal function. However, it remains unclear whether Piezo2 is modulated by the gut microbiota, thus contributing to the development of visceral hypersensitivity and gut dysmotility. The study enrolled

Chronic low-grade inflammation and hyperinsulinemia are linked with metabolic dysfunction and dysbiosis. This study investigated the role of dietary inflammatory and insulinemic potential on gut microbiome and circulating health biomarkers in older men. Data from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study were analyzed. Reversed Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (rEDIP), Empirical Dietary

The gut microbiota has been linked to a number of neurological disorders. However, it is unclear whether the gut microbiota is involved in the genesis of chronic itch, a refractory condition that afflicts patients both physically and mentally. Here, we report that depletion of gut microbiota enhances tolerance to itch in mice orally administered with antibiotics (ABX) and mice free of germ. Of note

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that leads to lower bone mineral density and intensifies the risk of unexpected fractures. Recently, our group reported that numerical defect in the frequencies of Bregs along with their compromised tendency to produce IL-10 cytokine further aggravates inflammatory bone loss in post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMO). Dysbiosis induced mucosal injury and leaky

The ketogenic diet (KD) induces prolonged hyperketonemia, characterized by elevated circulating level of β-hydroxybutyrate. However, the KD can negatively affect host metabolic health by altering the gut microbial community. Despite this, the regulatory effect of the gut microbiota on hepatic ketogenesis and triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation during a KD remains poorly understood. Here, we hypothesized

Helminths can manipulate their host's gut microbiota, with the expansion of the lactobacilli population being a common feature. This process profoundly influences host immunoregulation, yet the underlying mechanisms remain almost unknown. Using a tissue-dwelling helminth model (larval Echinococcus multilocularis) while validating key findings from other helminth infections, we show that helminths harness

Excessive intake of dietary fats is strongly associated with an increased risk of various chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, hepatic metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, chronic intestinal inflammation, and certain cancers. A significant portion of the adverse effects of high-fat diet on disease risk is mediated through modifications in the gut microbiota. Specifically, high-fat diets

The ubiquitous bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica is the causative agent of both enteric fever and gastroenteritis. Despite its significant global health burden, we lack an understanding of its genetic diversity during acute infection, with ramifications for treatment and prevention. Here, we investigated within-host infection diversity of acute salmonellosis using whole-genome sequencing of blood

Decompensated liver cirrhosis (dLC) is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, however, underlying reasons and clinical consequences remain largely unexplored. We investigated bacterial and fungal microbiota, their relation with gut barrier integrity, inflammation, and cirrhosis-specific complications in dLC-patients. Competing-risk analyses were performed to investigate clinical outcomes within 90 days

The pathogenesis of cancer is closely related to the disruption of homeostasis in the human body. The gut microbiome plays crucial roles in maintaining the homeostasis of its host throughout lifespan. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is involved in the entire process of cancer initiation, development, and prognosis by influencing the host immune

The initial microbial colonization of the infant gut during birth plays a critical role in shaping both immediate and long-term health outcomes. While mode of delivery is a known determinant of this colonization process, the potential impacts of infant sex and birth order remain underexplored. This study investigates the influence of delivery mode, infant sex, and birth order (maternal parity) on the

The gut microbiota transforms energy stored as undigestible carbohydrates into a remarkable number of metabolites that fuel intestinal bacterial communities and the host tissue. Colonic epithelial cells at the microbiota-host interface depend upon such microbiota-derived metabolites (MDMs) to satisfy their energy requisite. Microbial dysbiosis eliciting MDM loss contributes to barrier dysfunction and

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) plays a crucial role in infant gut microbiome assembly and development. However, few studies have investigated the effects of EBF in restoring a perturbed microbiome. In this study, we applied whole metagenomic sequencing to assess the gut microbiome assembly in 525 Brazilian infants from 3 to 9 months of age of the Germina Cohort, demonstrating the early determinants

The gut microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and acidifies the proximal colon which inhibits enteric pathogens. However, for many microbiota constituents, how they themselves resist these stresses is unknown. The anaerobic Lachnospiraceae family, which includes the acetogenic genus Blautia, produce SCFA, are genomically diverse, and vary in their capacity to acidify culture media. Here

Reliable engraftment assessment of donor microbial communities and individual strains is an essential component of characterizing the pharmacokinetics of microbiota transplant therapies (MTTs). Recent methods for measuring donor engraftment use whole-genome sequencing and reference databases or metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) to track individual bacterial strains but lack the ability to disambiguate

Gut microbiota have been shown to influence the social behaviors of their hosts, while variations in host genetics can affect the composition of the microbiome. Nonetheless, the degree to which genetic variations in microbial populations impact host behavior, as well as any potential transgenerational effects, remains inadequately understood. Utilizing C. elegans as a model organism, we identified

Liver injury is an independent risk factor for multiple organ dysfunction and high mortality in patients with sepsis. However, the pathological mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for sepsis-associated liver injury have not been fully elucidated. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a promising dietary regime, but its role in septic liver injury remains unknown. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Q200 targeted

The gut microbiome, composed of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of human health. Emerging evidence suggests that microbiome disruptions can have far-reaching implications, ranging from the development of inflammatory diseases and cancer to metabolic disorders. Bacteriophages, or "phages", are viruses that specifically infect bacterial cells, and

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease primarily characterized by cartilage degeneration. Increasing evidence suggests that there is an interplay between the gut microbiota (GM) and joint health, known as the gut-joint axis. In recent years, with the advancement of bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) research, its role in the gut-joint axis has attracted increasing attention. BEVs

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is considered significant global health concerns worldwide. Many studies have demonstrated that environmental and dietary factors influence the gut microbiota, which in turn orchestrates the host immune responses. These interactions are also involved in complex metabolic processes that contribute to the pathogenesis

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) has emerged as a potential contributor to ulcerative colitis (UC) pathogenesis, although the specific mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study demonstrates that F. nucleatum promotes colitis by disrupting intestinal barrier integrity, inducing apoptosis in epithelial cells, and modulating inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrate that F.