This study investigated the impact of Hypericum attenuatum Choisy extract (HYG) on immunological function and the cecum microflora in broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old AA broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates of 8 broilers each: 1) the CN group, in which broilers were injected with saline and fed a basal diet; 2) the PC group, in which broilers were injected with lipolyaccharide (LPS) and fed a basal diet; 3) the HYG1 group, in which broilers were injected with LPS and fed a 400 mg/kg HYG-supplemented diet; 4) the HYG2 group, in which broilers were injected with LPS and fed a 800 mg/kg HYG-supplemented diet; 5) the HYG3 group, in which broilers were injected with LPS and fed a 1,200 mg/kg HYG-supplemented diet. Broilers were injected with 1 mg/kg LPS or the same amount saline 12 hours before sampling on d 21 and 42. The results revealed that dietary 400 mg/kg HYG supplementation alleviated spleen index and thymus index abnormalities, balanced the disturbance of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgA levels, and regulated the cytokine balance in the serum, liver, spleen and jejunum tissues included induced by LPS. Dietary supplementation with 400 mg/kg HYG also downregulated the relative expression of the inhibitor of kappa B kinase alpha (IKKα) and interleukin (IL)-6 mRNAs in the liver and upregulated the relative expression of the inhibitor kappa B alpha (IκBα) and IL-10 mRNAs in the spleen. Dietary HYG improved the cecal microflora balance at 42 d by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Alistipes and Phascolarctobacterium, while reducing the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Helicobacter and Colidextribacter. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between activation of the NF-κB inhibitory pathway in the liver and the presence of Phascolarctobacterium, Erysipelatoclostridium, Subdoligranulum and Parabacteroides. Conclusions: The incorporation of 400 mg/kg HYG into the diet was optimal in improving broiler immunological function.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of potassium diformate (KDF) on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, serum biochemical indices, and intestinal microflora of Cherry Valley ducks. In total, 144 female healthy 1-day-old Cherry Valley ducks were divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates per group and 8 ducks per replicate according to the principle of similar body weight. The control group was fed a basic diet. In the 2 experimental groups, 0.8% and 1.2% KDF was added to the basic diet, respectively. The trial period was 6 wk and the pretrial period was 3 wk. The final weight and ADG were significantly higher in the 0.8% KDF group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The feed-to-gain ratio was significantly lower in both KDF groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of CP was significantly higher in both KDF groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of calcium was also significantly higher in the 0.8% KDF group (P < 0.05). The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and total protein were significantly lower in the 0.8% KDF group than in the control group (P < 0.05), the IgM content was significantly higher (P < 0.05), the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01), and the glucose level was significantly higher (P < 0.01). The serum total protein level was significantly higher in the 1.2% KDF group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Patescibacteria in the gut of ducks was significantly higher in the 0.8% KDF group than in the control group (P < 0.05), the relative abundance of unclassified Erysipelotrichaceae and Lactobacillus was significantly higher (P < 0.01), and the relative abundance of Fusobacteriota was significantly lower (P < 0.05). However, the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the gut of ducks was significantly higher in the 1.2% KDF group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of unclassified Erysipelotrichaceae and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was significantly higher (P < 0.01), as was the relative abundance of Fusobacteriota and Proteobacteria (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that the addition of 0.8% KDF to the diet can improve the growth performance of Cherry Valley ducks, promote the absorption of nutrients, change the structure of the microflora in the cecum, and increase the relative abundance of dominant bacteria. It was also shown that there was a significant difference between the 0.8% and 1.2% KDF levels which suggest that the safety margin for overdosing is quite low.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing owing to the elderly population. Here, we investigated the effects of heat-treated Enterococcus faecalis (FK-23) and lysozyme-treated FK-23 (LFK) on the progression of CKD in rats. A CKD model was established using male Wistar rats by subjecting them to right nephrectomy (1K), followed by ischemia and reperfusion (IR). FK-23 or LFK was fed ad libitum as a mixed diet after right nephrectomy. Animals subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) showed increased plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Furthermore, in the kidneys, collagen accumulation and α-smooth muscle actin, indicative of fibroblast activation and fibrosis-related gene and protein expression, increased 3 weeks after IRI. FK-23 and LFK suppressed the increase in the mRNA levels of some of these genes. The increase in oxidative stress markers, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and nitrotyrosine in the kidney, as well as increased plasma uremic toxins after IRI, were also ameliorated by FK-23 and LFK. Metagenomic analysis of fecal samples revealed that gut microbial alteration caused by IRI was also ameliorated by LFK treatment. These results suggest that Enterococcus faecalis ingredients may improve CKD progression by suppressing oxidative stress and correcting the balance of the intestinal microflora.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is an intensively cultured and economically important herbivorous fish species in China, but its culture is often impacted by Aeromonas pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas veronii. In this study, healthy grass carp were separately infected with A. hydrophila or A. veronii for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of intestinal inflammatory factors (tnf-α, il-1β and il-8), complement factors (c3 and c4), antimicrobial peptides (hepcidin, nk-lysin and β-defensin-1), immunoglobulins (igm and igt), and immune pathway-related signaling molecules (tlr1, tlr2, tlr4, myd88, irak4, irak1, traf6, nf-κb p65 and ap-1) were differentially upregulated in response to A. hydrophila and A. veronii challenge. Additionally, the expression levels of the intestinal pro-apoptotic genes tnfr1, tnfr2, tradd, caspase-8, caspase-3 and bax were significantly increased, whereas the expression of the inhibitory factor bcl-2 was significantly downregulated, indicating that Aeromonas infection significantly induced apoptosis in the intestine of grass carp. Moreover, the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (occludin, zo-1, claudin b and claudin c) was significantly decreased after infection with Aeromonas. Histopathological analysis indicated the Aeromonas challenge caused severe damage to the intestinal villi with adhesions and detachment of intestinal villi accompanied by severe inflammatory cell infiltration at 12 h and 72 h. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that Aeromonas infection significantly altered the structure of the intestinal microflora of the grass carp at the phylum (Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes) and genus (Proteus, Cetobacterium, Bacteroides, and Aeromonas) levels. Take together, the findings of this study revealed that Aeromonas infection induces an intestinal immune response, triggers cell apoptosis, destroys physical barriers and alters microflora structure in the intestine of juvenile grass carp; the results will help to reveal the pathogenesis of intestinal bacterial diseases in grass carp.

The effects of intestinal microflora on extraintestinal immune response by intestinal cytokines and metabolites have been documented, but whether intestinal microbes stimulate serum antibody generation is unknown. Here, serum antibodies against 69 outer membrane proteins of Escherichia coli, a dominant bacterium in the human intestine, are detected in 141 healthy individuals of varying ages. Antibodies against E. coli outer membrane proteins are determined in all serum samples tested, and frequencies of antibodies to five outer membrane proteins (OmpA, OmpX, TsX, HlpA, and FepA) are close to 100%. Serum antibodies against E. coli outer membrane proteins are further validated by Western blot and bacterial pull-down. Moreover, the present study shows that OstA, HlpA, Tsx, NlpB, OmpC, YfcU, and OmpA provide specific immune protection against pathogenic E. coli, while HlpA and OmpA also exhibit cross-protection against Staphylococcus aureus infection. These finding indicate that intestinal E. coli activate extraintestinal antibody responses and provide anti-infective immunity.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of \"brain-gut coherence\" method of acupuncture on cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) and explore its action mechanism.
METHODS: A total of 82 patients with CIS were randomly divided into an observation group (41 cases, 3 cases dropped out, 2 cases discontinued) and a control group (41 cases, 4 cases dropped out, 2 cases excluded). The conventional basic treatment was administered in the two groups. Additionally, in the observation group, \"brain-gut coherence\" method of acupuncture was delivered. The stimulating points included the parietal and temporal anterior oblique line on the affected side, Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). In the control group, the routine acupuncture was operated at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 24+), bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) and Zusanli (ST 36), and Hegu (LI 4), Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Futu (ST 32), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) on the affected side. Acupuncture stimulation lasted 30 min each time, once daily, and for 5 days a week. The intervention for 4 weeks was required. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA), Berg balance scale (BBS) and the modified Barthel index (MBI), as well as the score of gastrointestinal symptoms were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The neutrophil count (NUE) and the content of the serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were detected before and after treatment in the two groups. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the structure and relative abundance of intestinal microflora was detected before and after treatment; and with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) adopted, the levels of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (iFABP), D-lactate (D-LA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the serum were detected before and after treatment in the two groups.
RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of FMA, BBS and MBI were increased (P<0.05), and the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms were decreased (P<0.05) compared with those before treatment in the two groups. Compared with the control group, the scores of FMA, BBS and MBI were higher (P<0.05) and the score of gastrointestinal symptoms was lower (P<0.05) in the observation group after treatment. NEU and the content of serum NT-proBNP were reduced in the two groups (P<0.05), and the content of serum NT-proBNP in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. Chao1, Ace, Sobs and Shannon indexes were increased after treatment compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); and these indexes in the observation group were higher when compared with the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Streptococcaceae and Sutterellaceae was reduced in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); and the relative abundance of these microflora was lower in the observation group when compared with the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and Coriobacteriaceae was increased in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); and the relative abundance of these microflora was elevated in the observation group when compared with the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of iFABP, D-LA, LPS, LBP, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and these levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: \"Brain-gut coherence\" method of acupuncture can improve the motor function and gastrointestinal function of the patients with cerebral ischemic stroke, which may be related to modulating the structure of intestinal microflora, alleviating inflammatory reactions and accelerating the intestinal barrier repair.
目的：观察“脑肠同调”法针刺治疗缺血性脑卒中的临床疗效，探讨其作用机制。方法：将82例缺血性脑卒中患者随机分为观察组（41例，脱落3例、中止2例）和对照组（41例，脱落4例、剔除2例）。两组均采用常规基础治疗，观察组予“脑肠同调”法针刺治疗，穴取患侧顶颞前斜线，中脘、关元，双侧天枢、足三里、上巨虚、下巨虚；对照组予常规针刺，穴取百会、印堂，双侧风池、足三里，患侧合谷、肩髃、曲池、外关、伏兔、三阴交、太冲。均每次30 min，每日1次，每周治疗5 d，共治疗4周。比较两组患者治疗前后Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定量表（FMA）、Berg平衡量表（BBS）、改良Barthel指数(MBI）评分及胃肠症状积分；检测两组患者治疗前后中性粒细胞计数（NUE）及血清N末端B型利钠肽原（NT-proBNP）含量；采用16S rRNA基因测序检测两组患者治疗前后肠道菌群组成结构及相对丰度；ELISA法检测两组患者治疗前后血清脂肪酸结合蛋白（iFABP）、D-乳酸（D-LA）、脂多糖（LPS）、脂多糖结合蛋白（LBP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）含量。结果：治疗后，两组患者FMA、BBS、MBI评分均较治疗前升高（P<0.05），胃肠症状积分较治疗前降低（P<0.05）；观察组FMA、BBS、MBI评分高于对照组（P<0.05），胃肠症状积分低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后，两组患者NEU及血清NT-proBNP含量较治疗前降低（P<0.05）；观察组血清NT-proBNP含量低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后，两组患者Chao1指数、Ace指数、Sobs指数、Shannon指数较治疗前升高（P<0.05），且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）；两组患者拟杆菌科、肠杆菌科、颤螺菌科、链球菌科、梭菌科相对丰度较治疗前降低（P<0.05），且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后，两组患者毛螺菌科、瘤胃球菌科、双歧杆菌科、红蝽菌科相对丰度较治疗前升高（P<0.05），且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后，两组患者血清iFABP、D-LA、LPS、LBP、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6含量较治疗前降低（P<0.05），且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：“脑肠同调”法针刺可改善缺血性脑卒中患者运动功能、胃肠道功能，可能与调节肠道菌群组成结构，减轻炎性反应，促进肠道屏障修复有关。.

Intestinal fibrosis is a prevalent complication of IBD that that can frequently be triggered by prolonged inflammation. Fibrosis in the gut can cause a number of issues, which continue as an ongoing challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. The primary causes of intestinal fibrosis are soluble molecules, G protein-coupled receptors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal or endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and the gut microbiota. Fresh perspectives coming from in vivo and in vitro experimental models demonstrate that fibrogenic pathways might be different, at least to some extent, independent of the ones that influence inflammation. Understanding the distinctive procedures of intestinal fibrogenesis should provide a realistic foundation for targeting and blocking specific fibrogenic pathways, estimating the risk of fibrotic consequences, detecting early fibrotic alterations, and eventually allowing therapy development. Here, we first summarize the inflammatory and non-inflammatory components of fibrosis, and then we elaborate on the underlying mechanism associated with multiple cytokines in fibrosis, providing the framework for future clinical practice. Following that, we discuss the relationship between modernization and disease, as well as the shortcomings of current studies. We outline fibrosis diagnosis and therapy, as well as our recommendations for the future treatment of intestinal fibrosis. We anticipate that the global review will provides a wealth of fresh knowledge and suggestions for future fibrosis clinical practice.

For effective restoration, conservation of Ussruri whitefish Coregonus ussuriensis Berg and coping with global climate change, effects of environmental temperature on Ussruri whitefish urgently need to be explored. In current study, the effects of different acclimation temperatures on the growth, digestive physiology, antioxidant ability, liver transcriptional responses and intestinal microflora patterns of Ussruri whitefish were investigated. Ussruri whitefish (15.20 g ± 1.23 g) were reared for 42 days under different acclimation temperatures, i.e., 10, 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25 °C, respectively. Result first determined 28 °C as the semi-lethal temperature in order to design the temperature gradient test. Highest main gain rate (MGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in fish group having acclimation temperature of 19 °C. Significantly decrease (P < 0.05) in triglyceride (TG) content appeared at 19 °C as compared to the 10 °C and 13 °C temperature groups. 19 °C notablely increased protease activities of stomach and intestine and intestinal lipase and amylase activities. 19 °C group obtained the highest activities of chloramphnicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The intestinal microflora composition was most conducive to maintaining overall intestinal health when the temperature was 19 °C, compared to 10 °C and 25 °C. Ussruri whitefish exposed to 10 °C and 25 °C possessed the lower Lactobacillus abundance compared to exposure to 19 °C. Temperature down to 10 °C or up to 25 °C, respectively, triggered cold stress and heat stress, which leading to impairment in intestinal digestion, liver antioxidant capacity and intestinal microflora structure. Liver transcriptome response to 10 °C, 19 °C and 25 °C revealed that Ussruri whitefish might require the initiation of endoplasmic reticulum stress to correct protein damage from cold-temperature and high-temperature stress, and it was speculated that DNAJB11 could be regarded as a biomarker of cold stress response.Based on the quadratic regression analysis of MGR and SGR against temperature, the optimal acclamation temperature were, respectively, 18.0 °C and 18.1 °C. Our findings provide valuable theoretical insights for an in-depth understanding of temperature acclimation mechanisms and laid the foundation for conservation and development of Ussruri whitefish germplasm resources.

This study aimed to explore the gut microbiota characteristics of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. A case-control study was conducted, and high-throughput sequencing of the V4-V5 region of 16S rRNA was used to analyze the differences in gut microbiota. The results showed that Proteobacteria was significantly increased in the ischemic stroke group compared with the healthy control group, while Fusobacteria was significantly increased in the hemorrhagic stroke group. In the ischemic stroke group, Butyricimonas, Alloprevotella, and Escherichia were significantly more abundant than in the healthy control group. In the hemorrhagic stroke group, Atopobium, Hungatella, Eisenbergiella, Butyricimonas, Odonbacter, Lachnociostridium, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, and Fusobacterium were significantly more abundant than in the healthy control group. Additionally, Alloprevotella, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella were significantly more abundant in the ischemic stroke group than in the hemorrhagic stroke group. The gut microbiota of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients has significant diversity characteristics. These results provide new theoretical basis for exploring the prevention and treatment of different types of stroke through gut microbiota research.

UNASSIGNED: With the worsening of the greenhouse effect, the correlation between the damp-heat environment (DH) and the incidence of various diseases has gained increasing attention. Previous studies have demonstrated that DH can lead to intestinal disorders, enteritis, and an up-regulation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). However, the mechanism of NLRP3 in this process remains unclear.
UNASSIGNED: We established a DH animal model to observe the impact of a high temperature and humidity environment on the mice. We sequenced the 16S rRNA of mouse feces, and the RNA transcriptome of intestinal tissue, as well as the levels of cytokines including interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in serum.
UNASSIGNED: Our results indicate that the intestinal macrophage infiltration and the expression of inflammatory genes were increased in mice challenged with DH for 14 days, while the M2 macrophages were decreased in Nlrp3 -/- mice. The alpha diversity of intestinal bacteria in Nlrp3 -/- mice was significantly higher than that in control mice, including an up-regulation of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 307 differentially expressed genes were decreased in Nlrp3 -/- mice compared with control mice, which was related to humoral immune response, complement activation, phagocytic recognition, malaria and inflammatory bowel disease. The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 was decreased in control mice but increased in Nlrp3 -/- mice.
UNASSIGNED: Our study found that the inflammation induced by DH promotes Th2-mediated immunity via NLRP3, which is closely related to the disruption of intestinal flora.