1.
Therapeutic potential of melatonin in colorectal cancer: Focus on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.
Pan, S, Guo, Y, Hong, F, Xu, P, Zhai, Y
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease. 2022;(1):166281
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. The occurrence and development of CRC are complicated processes. Obesity and dysbacteriosis have been increasingly regarded as the main risk factors for CRC. Understanding the etiology of CRC from multiple perspectives is conducive to screening for some potential drugs or new treatment strategies to limit the serious side effects of conventional treatment and prolong the survival of CRC patients. Melatonin, a natural indoleamine, is mainly produced by the pineal gland, but it is also abundant in other tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract, retina, testes, lymphocytes, and Harder's glands. Melatonin could participate in lipid metabolism by regulating adipogenesis and lipolysis. Additionally, many studies have focused on the potential beneficial effects of melatonin in CRC, such as promotion of apoptosis; inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; antioxidant activity; and immune regulation. Meaningfully, gut microbiota is the main determinant of all aspects of health and disease (including obesity and tumorigenesis). The gut microbiota is of great significance for understanding the relationship between obesity and increased risk of CRC. Although the current understanding of how the melatonin-mediated gut microbiota coordinates a variety of physiological and pathological activities is fairly comprehensive, there are still many unknown topics to be explored in the face of a complex nutritional status and a changeable microbiota. This review summarizes the potential links among melatonin, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and CRC to promote the development of melatonin as a preventive and therapeutic agent for CRC.
2.
Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 Can Characteristically Influence Glucose and Lipid Profile and Intestinal Microbiota in the Middle-Aged and Elderly.
Wang, K, Yu, X, Li, Y, Guo, Y, Ge, L, Pu, F, Ma, X, Cui, W, Marrota, F, He, F, et al
Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins. 2019;(4):1182-1194
Abstract
Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 strain (TMC3115) was orally administrated to 47 subjects with mild hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia aged 45 to 75 years for 3 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after intervention for profiling plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, as well as fasting blood glucose. Before and 3 and 4 weeks after intervention, the faecal samples were collected to analyse faecal microbiota using the sequencing of 16S rRNA genes with a next-generation sequencer. TMC3115 significantly decreased plasma TC and LDL-C levels of the tested subjects after intervention (P < 0.05). The frequencies of defaecation and faecal odour after the intervention and 1 week later were significantly better than at pre-intervention, respectively. TMC3115 administration increased Firmicutes, Bacteroides and Actinobacteria and decreases in Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. There were significant increases in the proportions of Dorea and Lachnospira after the intervention (P < 0.05). TMC3115 also increased the level of Firmicutes and decreased that of Bacteroidetes 1 week after the intervention (P < 0.05). Serum triglycerides correlated negatively with the proportions of Bacteroidetes (R = - 0.21, P = 0.047) and Bacteroides (R = - 0.23, P = 0.029), while the relative abundance of Dialister of Firmicutes correlated negatively and significantly with the serum LDL-C (R = - 0.24, P = 0.022) and TC levels (R = - 0.22, P = 0.030). These results indicate that TMC3115 might exhibit beneficial effects on the serum cholesterol metabolism of subjects with dyslipidaemia through modulation of their intestinal microbiota. Trial registration: ChiCTR-OOC-16010271.