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Alterations of gut microbiota are associated with blood pressure: a cross-sectional clinical trial in Northwestern China.
Lv, J, Wang, J, Yu, Y, Zhao, M, Yang, W, Liu, J, Zhao, Y, Yang, Y, Wang, G, Guo, L, et al
Journal of translational medicine. 2023;21(1):429
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Hypertension (HTN) is a complex and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke, while a diverse range of endogenous and environmental factors contribute to both HTN onset and progression. The adult gut microbiota (GM) consists of trillions of microorganisms and maintains the gut immunity and whole-body homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the GM characteristics in HTN subjects in Northwestern China, and evaluate the associations of GM with blood pressure levels based on sex differences. This study was a cross-sectional study. Participants were randomly selected for the HTN and control groups. A total of 36 HTN subjects (24 females and 12 males) and 18 controls (9 females and 9 males) were randomly selected for metagenomic analysis. Results showed a positive association between GM characteristics and alterations and HTN in both females and males. Thus, GM dysbiosis underlies HTN pathogenesis. Authors conclude that further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions targeting GM for HTN prevention and management
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human gut microbiota (GM) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension (HTN), and could be affected by various factors, including sex and geography. However, available data directly linking GM to HTN based on sex differences are limited. METHODS This study investigated the GM characteristics in HTN subjects in Northwestern China, and evaluate the associations of GM with blood pressure levels based on sex differences. A total of 87 HTN subjects and 45 controls were recruited with demographic and clinical characteristics documented. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. RESULTS GM diversity was observed higher in females compared to males, and principal coordinate analysis showed an obvious segregation of females and males. Four predominant phyla of fecal GM included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. LEfSe analysis indicated that phylum unidentified_Bacteria was enriched in HTN females, while Leuconostocaceae, Weissella and Weissella_cibaria were enriched in control females (P < 0.05). Functionally, ROC analysis revealed that Cellular Processes (0.796, 95% CI 0.620 ~ 0.916), Human Diseases (0.773, 95% CI 0.595 ~ 0.900), Signal transduction (0.806, 95% CI 0.631 ~ 0.922) and Two-component system (0.806, 95% CI 0.631 ~ 0.922) could differentiate HTN females as effective functional classifiers, which were also positively correlated with systolic blood pressure levels. CONCLUSIONS This work provides evidence of fecal GM characteristics in HTN females and males in a northwestern Chinese population, further supporting the notion that GM dysbiosis may participate in the pathogenesis of HTN, and the role of sex differences should be considered. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800019191. Registered 30 October 2018 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/ .
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Matcha green tea beverage moderates fatigue and supports resistance training-induced adaptation.
Shigeta, M, Aoi, W, Morita, C, Soga, K, Inoue, R, Fukushima, Y, Kobayashi, Y, Kuwahata, M
Nutrition journal. 2023;22(1):32
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Skeletal muscles support physical activity and act as a major metabolic organ. Age-related muscle loss and decreased strength, referred to as sarcopenia, have been recognised as major risk factors and may necessitate nursing care in aged individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the daily consumption of matcha on resistance training-induced adaptation in humans. This study involved two randomised placebo-controlled trials. Thirty-six young and healthy men participated in this study. In both trials, participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: placebo or matcha and instructed to engage in resistance training. Results showed that matcha green tea consumption during resistance training modulates muscle adaptation. In addition, positive correlations were found between changes in muscle adaptation and microbiota. Authors conclude that further studies should examine the detailed mechanism of action of matcha and the significance of microbiota modulation.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance training adaptively increases muscle strength and mass, contributing to athletic performance and health promotion. Dietary intervention with natural foods provides nutrients that help accelerate muscle adaptation to training. Matcha green tea contains several bioactive factors such as antioxidants, amino acids, and dietary fibers; however, its effect on muscle adaptation is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of matcha beverage intake on muscle adaptation to resistance training. METHODS Healthy, untrained men were randomized into placebo and matcha groups. Participants consumed either a matcha beverage containing 1.5 g of matcha green tea powder or a placebo beverage twice a day and engaged in resistance training programs for 8 (trial 1) or 12 weeks (trial 2). RESULTS In trial 1, maximum leg strength after training tended to increase more in the matcha group than that in the placebo group. In the matcha group, subjective fatigue after exercise at 1 week of training was lower than that in the placebo group. Gut microbe analysis showed that the abundance of five genera changed after matcha intake. The change in Ruminococcus, Butyricimonas, and Oscillospira compositions positively correlated with the change in maximum strength. In trial 2, the change in skeletal muscle mass in response to training was larger in the matcha group. In addition, the salivary cortisol level was lower in the matcha group than that in the placebo group. CONCLUSION Daily intake of matcha green tea beverages may help in muscle adaptation to training, with modulations in stress and fatigue responses and microbiota composition.
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Ameliorating effects of L-carnitine and synbiotic co-supplementation on anthropometric measures and cardiometabolic traits in women with obesity: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Fallah, F, Mahdavi, R
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2023;14:1237882
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Obesity is a multifactorial relapsing chronic disease attributed to the complicated interaction of behavioural, environmental, and genetic factors. Given the adverse effects of anti-obesity medications, there has been a great appeal in the consumption of weight loss supplements among individuals suffering from obesity seeking a “magic bullet,” which is less demanding than conventional weight management protocols. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of concomitant supplementation of L-carnitine and a multistrain/multispecies synbiotic compared with L-carnitine single therapy on the anthropometric and cardiometabolic indices in healthy women with obesity. This study was a double-blind, controlled, randomised clinical trial. Following a 2-week run-in period, the participants were randomly allocated to the “L-carnitine + synbiotic” or “L-carnitine + placebo” groups (1:1 ratio). Results showed that supplementation of multistrain/multispecies synbiotic (250 mg/day) concomitant with L-carnitine (2 × 500 mg/day) for 8 weeks led to greater amendments in anthropometric and glycaemic indices, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in healthy female individuals with obesity without any severe side effects. Authors concluded that co-administration of L-carnitine and synbiotic may be an encouraging therapeutic strategy for obesity and related cardiometabolic complications.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity, a multifactorial disorder with pandemic dimensions, is conceded a major culprit of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating efficient therapeutic strategies. Nutraceuticals and functional foods are considered promising adjuvant/complementary approaches for weight management in individuals with obesity who have low adherence to conventional treatments. Current literature supports the weight-reducing efficacy of pro/pre/synbiotics or L-carnitine; however, the superiority of the nutraceutical joint supplementation approach over common single therapies to counter obesity and accompanying comorbidities is well documented. This study was designed to assess the effects of L-carnitine single therapy compared with L-carnitine and multistrain/multispecies synbiotic co-supplementation on anthropometric and cardiometabolic indicators in women with obesity. METHODS The current placebo-controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 46 women with obesity, randomly allocated to either concomitant supplementation [L-carnitine tartrate (2 × 500 mg/day) + multistrain/multispecies synbiotic (1 capsule/day)] or monotherapy [L-carnitine tartrate (2 × 500 mg/day) + maltodextrin (1 capsule/day)] groups for 8 weeks. Participants in both groups received healthy eating dietary advice. RESULTS Anthropometric, lipid, and glycemic indices significantly improved in both intervention groups; however, L-carnitine + synbiotic co-administration elicited a greater reduction in the anthropometric measures including body mass index (BMI), body weight, and neck, waist, and hip circumferences (p < 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, = 0.012, and =0.030, respectively) after adjusting for probable confounders. Moreover, L-carnitine + synbiotic joint supplementation resulted in a greater reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin (though marginal), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and more increment in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI; p = 0.014, 0.051, 0.024, and 0.019, respectively) compared with the L-carnitine + placebo monosupplementation. No significant intergroup changes were found for the lipid profile biomarkers, except for a greater increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations (HDL-C) in the L-carnitine + synbiotic group (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION L-carnitine + synbiotic co-supplementation was more beneficial in ameliorating anthropometric indices as well as some cardiometabolic parameters compared with L-carnitine single therapy, suggesting that it is a promising adjuvant approach to ameliorate obesity or associated metabolic complications through potential synergistic or complementary mechanisms. Further longer duration clinical trials in a three-group design are demanded to verify the complementary or synergistic mechanisms. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION www.irct.ir, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20080904001197N13.
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Effects of inulin supplementation on body composition and metabolic outcomes in children with obesity.
Visuthranukul, C, Chamni, S, Kwanbunbumpen, T, Saengpanit, P, Chongpison, Y, Tepaamorndech, S, Panichsillaphakit, E, Uaariyapanichkul, J, Nonpat, N, Chomtho, S
Scientific reports. 2022;12(1):13014
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The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen dramatically. Overweight and obese children are at risk of developing co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, non-alcohol fatty liver disease and premature cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, obese children are highly prone to become obese adults. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of prebiotic (as inulin) supplementation on body weight, adiposity, and metabolic profiles in obese Thai children. This study is a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Participants (n=165) were randomly allocated to 3 groups: inulin, placebo, and dietary fibre advice group. Results show that the intensive behavioural modification and frequent follow-up are effective strategies to reduce body mass index and adiposity in obese children. Furthermore, even though inulin supplementation did not demonstrate considerable effect on adiposity and metabolic outcomes, it can increase fat-free mass in these children. Authors conclude that further research regarding the change of gut microbiota composition and their metabolites are needed to determine inulin’s impact on host microbe interaction in obese paediatric population.
Abstract
Inulin might improve body composition in obese children. We aimed to determine the effects of inulin supplementation on body composition and metabolic outcomes in obese children. A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study was conducted in obese Thai children aged 7-15 years. Participants were assigned to 3 treatment groups for 6 months: 13 g of extracted inulin powder from Thai Jerusalem artichoke, isocaloric maltodextrin, and dietary fiber advice groups. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. One-hundred and fifty-five children completed the study (mean age 10.4 ± 2.2 years, BMI z-score 3.2 ± 1.0, 59% male). The drop-out rate was 6%. The inulin extract yielded more than 90% compliance without significant gastrointestinal side effects. All three groups demonstrated a significant decrease in BMI z-score, fat mass index (FMI), and trunk FMI, but the differences between groups were not observed. Fat-free mass index significantly increased only in the inulin group (16.18 ± 1.90 vs. 16.38 ± 1.98 kg/m2, P = 0.009). There were no significant differences in the metabolic profiles between groups. Despite showing no substantial effect on adiposity, inulin may increase fat-free mass in obese children. Further research in the change of gut microbiota composition is needed to determine inulin's impact on host-microbe interaction in pediatric obesity.
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One-year supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 counteracts a degradation of gut microbiota in older women with low bone mineral density.
Li, P, Ji, B, Luo, H, Sundh, D, Lorentzon, M, Nielsen, J
NPJ biofilms and microbiomes. 2022;8(1):84
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Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent bone disease in the elderly population and is characterised by decreased bone mineral density, deteriorated bone microarchitecture, reduced bone strength and increased susceptibility to fragility fractures. Due to the lack of awareness about osteoporosis, there is the need to develop a novel and effective intervention for its prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to gain mechanistic insight into the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 on bone metabolism and identify factors important for a good response to the probiotic. This study was based on a placebo-controlled cohort trial where 68 elderly women had been randomised to supplementation with the probiotic strain L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 or placebo. For this secondary analysis, 20 out of the 68 elderly women with bone loss who supplemented with probiotic L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 were selected. Results showed that after one-year probiotic supplementation, there was decreased inflammation and significantly increased gene richness of the gut microbiota in the good responders, whereas there was altered microbial composition and function, including enrichment of E. coli and its biofilm formation in the poor responders. Authors conclude that L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 supplementation might promote bone formation by modulating the gut microbiota composition and function, which could be crucial for the development of novel osteoporosis treatments.
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that probiotic supplementation has beneficial effects on bone metabolism. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) we demonstrated that supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 reduced bone loss in older women with low bone mineral density. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the effect of L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 on bone metabolism, 20 women with the highest changes (good responders) and the lowest changes (poor responders) in tibia total volumetric BMD after one-year supplementation were selected from our previous RCT. In the current study we characterized the gut microbiome composition and function as well as serum metabolome in good responders and poor responders to the probiotic treatment as a secondary analysis. Although there were no significant differences in the microbial composition at high taxonomic levels, gene richness of the gut microbiota was significantly higher (P < 0.01 by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test) and inflammatory state was improved (P < 0.05 by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test) in the good responders at the end of the 12-month daily supplementation. Moreover, detrimental changes including the enrichment of E. coli (adjusted P < 0.05 by DESeq2) and its biofilm formation (P < 0.05 by GSA) observed in the poor responders were alleviated in the good responders by the treatment. Our results indicate that L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 supplementation has the potential to prevent a deterioration of the gut microbiota and inflammatory status in elderly women with low bone mineral density, which might have beneficial effects on bone metabolism.