All articles tagged with #gut microbiota
Researchers show gut bacteria transform nitrate and plant-based iron from vegetables into dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) that travel to the liver and kidneys; in animal models, higher DNIC levels were linked to lower blood pressure, better blood sugar control, improved vascular function, and reduced liver fat, offering a possible mechanism for vegetables' protective effects—though human studies are needed.
A comprehensive review of 100+ studies maps how genetic risk, the TG2 enzyme, immune cells (including intraepithelial lymphocytes), stromal cell signals, and gut bacteria interact to amplify gluten-triggered immune damage to the gut lining. This multi-factor cascade helps explain why only some genetically predisposed people develop celiac disease and could guide future therapies beyond a gluten-free diet.
SCFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate) are produced by gut microbes from non-digestible carbohydrates and serve as both energy substrates and signaling molecules. They influence metabolism, immune function, and tissue homeostasis across organs via receptor-mediated signaling and epigenetic mechanisms. Production is shaped by microbiome composition, cross-feeding, and dietary fiber, and the review synthesizes how SCFAs impact health and disease and how diet or therapies might target SCFA pathways for metabolic health.
A UNIFESP study in rats shows ten weeks of xanthan gum intake triggers colon inflammation, alters gut microbiota toward dysbiosis, and weakens the intestinal barrier by upregulating Claudin-2. The findings raise concerns about daily consumption of this common thickener in ultra-processed foods and dysphagia products, though occasional use may be safe. The authors call for human translational research, gut-health monitoring, and probiotic strategies, noting historical links to infant necrotizing enterocolitis and regulatory caution.
Researchers propose a Trigger–Gateway–Hub–Effector framework showing how gut dysbiosis and microbiota-derived signals may disrupt the intestinal barrier, ENS signaling, and gut motility, contributing to constipation; therapies aiming to rebalance the microbiota, modulate immune or neural responses, or protect enteric neurons—via probiotics, prebiotics, or fecal transplants—are being explored, though human mechanistic data remains limited and evidence is moderate.
A 54-participant, double-blind study found that a 13 g daily blend of dietary fibers from resistant dextrin, pectins, citrus fiber, and oat fiber improved spontaneous bowel movements and stool form versus placebo over 28 days in adults with functional constipation, with good tolerability; results suggest combined fibers may offer rapid relief, though larger, multicenter trials are needed.
A Cell Press Blue study finds romantic partners share mouth bacteria far more than gut bacteria, likely due to kissing, and shows mouth bacteria can seed the gut. Analyzing 1,644 saliva–stool samples from 808 people in 207 households, researchers describe a two-step transmission: bacteria spread between cohabitants, then move from mouth to gut, with some gut strains linked to poorer cardiometabolic health, though causality isn’t established; results are correlational and limited by sequencing data.
A new review says berberine isn’t a universal metabolic fix or a hormone-like drug; it mostly acts in the gut by shaping microbiota, inflammation, and the intestinal barrier, with effects that vary by individual gut ecosystems. Its low bioavailability keeps activity local to the intestine, where microbiota may convert it into active compounds. It should be used under medical supervision due to safety concerns and drug interactions, not as a replacement for prescribed meds.
Research shows that maternal consumption of common food additives called emulsifiers can negatively impact the gut microbiota of offspring, leading to increased risks of inflammatory bowel conditions and obesity later in life, highlighting the need for further human studies and regulation of food additives in products like baby formula.
A Brazilian cohort study suggests that high consumption of non-caloric artificial sweeteners may be associated with accelerated cognitive decline over eight years, raising concerns about their long-term safety despite regulatory approval, with potential mechanisms involving neurotoxicity and gut microbiota alterations.
A study found common and distinct patterns in gut bacteria among children with autism, ADHD, and anorexia nervosa, revealing links between gut microbes, appetite hormones, and brain health, though further research is needed due to limitations like small sample size.
Researchers in Spain found a link between the amino acid proline, found in foods like beef and fish, and depression, suggesting that controlling proline levels or its transport to the brain could help prevent or treat depression, with gut bacteria playing a significant role in this process.
The SWEET study is a 1-year randomized controlled trial that found replacing sugar with sweeteners and sweetness enhancers in a healthy, sugar-reduced diet improved weight loss maintenance and altered gut microbiota composition in adults with overweight or obesity, without adverse effects on cardiometabolic health markers.
Researchers discovered that a constipation drug, lubiprostone, can slow kidney function decline in CKD patients by improving gut microbiota and mitochondrial health, showing promise as a new treatment approach.
A Phase II clinical trial led by Tohoku University found that lubiprostone, a drug typically used for constipation, can help prevent the decline of kidney function in CKD patients by improving gut microbiota and mitochondrial function, offering a potential new treatment approach.