The Food-gut Human Axis: The Effects of Diet on Gut Microbiota and Metabolome

Gut microbiota, the largest symbiont community hosted in human organism, is emerging as a pivotal player in the relationship between dietary habits and health. Oral and, especially, intestinal microbes metabolize dietary components, affecting human health by producing harmful or beneficial metabolites, which are involved in the incidence and progression of several intestinal related and non-related diseases. Habitual diet (Western, Agrarian and Mediterranean omnivore diets, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets) drives the composition of the gut microbiota and metabolome. Within the dietary components, polymers (mainly fibers, proteins, fat and polyphenols) that are not hydrolyzed by human enzymes seem to be the main leads of the metabolic pathways of gut microbiota, which in turn directly influence the human metabolome. Specific relationships between diet and microbes, microbes and metabolites, microbes and immune functions and microbes and/or their metabolites and some human diseases are being established. Dietary treatments with fibers are the most effective to benefit the metabolome profile, by improving the synthesis of short chain fatty acids and decreasing the level of molecules, such as p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine N-oxide, involved in disease state. Based on the axis diet-microbiota-health, this review aims at describing the most recent knowledge oriented towards a profitable use of diet to provide benefits to human health, both directly and indirectly, through the activity of gut microbiota.

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Dietary Components, Microbial Metabolites and Human Health: Reading between the Lines

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9081045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1045

Author(s):

Yao Guo ◽

Xiaohan Bian ◽

Jiali Liu ◽

Ming Zhu ◽

Lin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linoleic Acid ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Health ◽

Kynurenic Acid ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Human Gut ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Host Metabolism

Trillions of bacteria reside in the human gut and they metabolize dietary substances to obtain nutrients and energy while producing metabolites. Therefore, different dietary components could affect human health in various ways through microbial metabolism. Many such metabolites have been shown to affect human physiological activities, including short-chain fatty acids metabolized from carbohydrates; indole, kynurenic acid and para-cresol, metabolized from amino acids; conjugated linoleic acid and linoleic acid, metabolized from lipids. Here, we review the features of these metabolites and summarize the possible molecular mechanisms of their metabolisms by gut microbiota. We discuss the potential roles of these metabolites in health and diseases, and the interactions between host metabolism and the gut microbiota. We also show some of the major dietary patterns around the world and hope this review can provide insights into our eating habits and improve consumers’ health conditions.

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The relationship between gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the possible role of dietary fibre

Acta Diabetologica ◽

10.1007/s00592-021-01727-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dominic Salamone ◽

Angela Albarosa Rivellese ◽

Claudia Vetrani

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Fibre ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

The Relationship ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

AbstractGut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to influence multiple physiological mechanisms related to human health. Among microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are modulators of different metabolic pathways. On the other hand, several studies suggested that diet might influence gut microbiota composition and activity thus modulating the risk of metabolic disease, i.e. obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Among dietary component, dietary fibre may play a pivotal role by virtue of its prebiotic effect on fibre-fermenting bacteria, that may increase SCFA production. The aim of this review was to summarize and discuss current knowledge on the impact of dietary fibre as modulator of the relationship between glucose metabolism and microbiota composition in humans. More specifically, we analysed evidence from observational studies and randomized nutritional intervention investigating the relationship between gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids and glucose metabolism. The possible mechanisms behind this association were also discussed.

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Gut Microbiome Modulation Based on Probiotic Application for Anti-Obesity: A Review on Efficacy and Validation

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms7100456 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 456 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kaliyan Barathikannan ◽

Ramachandran Chelliah ◽

Momna Rubab ◽

Eric Banan-Mwine Daliri ◽

Fazle Elahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Genetic Profile ◽

Fecal Transplantation ◽

Intestinal Microbes ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Future Direction ◽

The Impact

The growing prevalence of obesity has become an important problem worldwide as obesity has several health risks. Notably, factors such as excessive food consumption, a sedentary way of life, high sugar consumption, a fat-rich diet, and a certain genetic profile may lead to obesity. The present review brings together recent advances regarding the significance of interventions involving intestinal gut bacteria and host metabolic phenotypes. We assess important biological molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of gut microbiota on hosts including bile salt metabolism, short-chain fatty acids, and metabolic endotoxemia. Some previous studies have shown a link between microbiota and obesity, and associated disease reports have been documented. Thus, this review focuses on obesity and gut microbiota interactions and further develops the mechanism of the gut microbiome approach related to human obesity. Specifically, we highlight several alternative diet treatments including dietary changes and supplementation with probiotics. The future direction or comparative significance of fecal transplantation, synbiotics, and metabolomics as an approach to the modulation of intestinal microbes is also discussed.

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Interactions Between Food and Gut Microbiota: Impact on Human Health

Annual Review of Food Science and Technology ◽

10.1146/annurev-food-032818-121303 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 389-408 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yanbei Wu ◽

Jiawei Wan ◽

Uyory Choe ◽

Quynhchi Pham ◽

Norberta W. Schoene ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Human Health ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

The Other ◽

Bioactive Components ◽

Food Components ◽

The Relationship

Understanding the relationship between food and the gut microbiota, their interactions, and how each modulates the other is critical for successful promotion of human health. This review seeks to summarize ( a) the current knowledge on the effects of food and food components on gut microbiota and ( b) the association between gut microbiota, consumption of food, and food bioactive components and the resulting beneficial health outcomes. Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art information on food and gut microbiota interactions and to stimulate discussions and research approaches that will move the field forward.

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Gut Biofactory—Neurocompetent Metabolites within the Gastrointestinal Tract. A Scoping Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12113369 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3369 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka ◽

Karolina Jakubczyk ◽

Dominika Maciejewska-Markiewicz ◽

Katarzyna Janda ◽

Karolina Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Literature Search ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Human Organism ◽

Search Terms ◽

Complex Ecosystem ◽

Tryptophan Catabolites ◽

Scientific Attention ◽

New Compounds

The gut microbiota have gained much scientific attention recently. Apart from unravelling the taxonomic data, we should understand how the altered microbiota structure corresponds to functions of this complex ecosystem. The metabolites of intestinal microorganisms, especially bacteria, exert pleiotropic effects on the human organism and contribute to the host systemic balance. These molecules play key roles in regulating immune and metabolic processes. A subset of them affect the gut brain axis signaling and balance the mental wellbeing. Neurotransmitters, short chain fatty acids, tryptophan catabolites, bile acids and phosphatidylcholine, choline, serotonin, and L-carnitine metabolites possess high neuroactive potential. A scoping literature search in PubMed/Embase was conducted up until 20 June 2020, using three major search terms “microbiota metabolites” AND “gut brain axis” AND “mental health”. This review aimed to enhance our knowledge regarding the gut microbiota functional capacity, and support current and future attempts to create new compounds for future clinical interventions.

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The role of probiotics on the roadmap to a healthy microbiota: a symposium report

Gut Microbiome ◽

10.1017/gmb.2020.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

Author(s):

Stacey Lockyer ◽

Marisol Aguirre ◽

Louise Durrant ◽

Bruno Pot ◽

Kaori Suzuki

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Endocrine System ◽

Immune Functions ◽

Epigenetic Programming ◽

Microbiome Research ◽

Probiotic Mechanisms ◽

The Relationship ◽

Host Genes

ABSTRACT The ninth International Yakult Symposium was held in Ghent, Belgium in April 2018. Keynote lectures were from Professor Wijmenga on using biobanks to understand the relationship between the gut microbiota and health; and Professor Hill on phage–probiotic interactions. Session one included talks from Professor Plӧsch on epigenetic programming by nutritional and environmental factors; Professor Wilmes on the use of “omics” methodologies in microbiome research and Professor Rescigno on the gut vascular barrier. Session two explored the evidence behind Lactobacillus casei Shirota with Dr Nanno explaining the plasticity in immunomodulation that enables the strain to balance immune functions; Dr Macnaughtan outlining its potential therapeutic use in cirrhosis and Professor Nishida detailing effects in subjects under stress. The third session saw Professor Marchesi describing that both the host genes and the gut microbiota can play a role in cancer; Professor Bergheim highlighting crosstalk between the gut and the liver and Professor Cani describing the relationship between the gut microbiota and the endocrine system. The final session explored probiotic mechanisms, with Professor Lebeer dissecting the challenges in conducting mechanistic studies; Professor Wehkamp describing the mucosal defence system and Professor Van de Wiele detailing methods for modelling the gut microbiota in vitro.

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Gut–Lung Axis: Microbial Crosstalk in Pediatric Respiratory Tract Infections

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.741233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Wenxia Zhu ◽

Yilin Wu ◽

Hui Liu ◽

Caini Jiang ◽

Lili Huo

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Intestinal Flora ◽

Intestinal Microbes ◽

Important Regulator ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Relationship ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

The gut microbiota is an important regulator for maintaining the organ microenvironment through effects on the gut-vital organs axis. Respiratory tract infections are one of the most widespread and harmful diseases, especially in the last 2 years. Many lines of evidence indicate that the gut microbiota and its metabolites can be considered in therapeutic strategies to effectively prevent and treat respiratory diseases. However, due to the different gut microbiota composition in children compared to adults and the dynamic development of the immature immune system, studies on the interaction between children’s intestinal flora and respiratory infections are still lacking. Here, we describe the changes in the gut microbiota of children with respiratory tract infections and explain the relationship between the microbiota of children with their immune function and disease development. In addition, we will provide perspectives on the direct manipulation of intestinal microbes to prevent or treat pediatric respiratory infections.

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Different impacts of plant proteins and animal proteins on human health through altering gut microbiotaant proteins and animal proteins on human health through altering gut microbiota

Functional Foods in Health and Disease ◽

10.31989/ffhd.v10i5.699 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Baojun Xu ◽

Sunil Christudas ◽

Ramya Devi Devaraj

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Health ◽

Animal Protein ◽

Dietary Proteins ◽

Immune Functions ◽

Glucose And Lipid Metabolism ◽

Physiological Properties ◽

Wide Range ◽

Enormous Number

Dietary proteins exert a wide range of nutritional and biological functions. Apart from their nutritional roles as the source of amino acids for protein synthesis, they take part mainly in the regulation of food intake, blood pressure, bone metabolism, glucose and lipid metabolism, and immune functions. The interaction of dietary proteins with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a chief role in determining the physiological properties of proteins. The enzymes protease and peptidase hydrolyze dietary protein to generate dipeptides, tripeptides, and amino acids in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. These products digested from dietary proteins are utilized in the small intestine by microbes. Moreover, the microbes also convert the macro and micronutrients from the diet into an enormous number of compounds that may have either beneficial or adverse effects on human health. The present review discusses the various impacts caused by both dietary plant and animal protein sources on microbiota in the GI tract.Keywords: Animal protein; Plant protein; Dietary proteins; Gut microbiota; Human health.

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Xenobiotics Formed during Food Processing: Their Relation with the Intestinal Microbiota and Colorectal Cancer

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20082051 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (8) ◽

pp. 2051 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Alicja M. Nogacka ◽

María Gómez-Martín ◽

Adolfo Suárez ◽

Oscar González-Bernardo ◽

Clara G. de los Reyes-Gavilán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Food Processing ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Intestinal Bacteria ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic ◽

Modifiable Factor ◽

Microbial Groups ◽

The Relationship

The colonic epithelium is exposed to a mixture of compounds through diet, among which some are procarcinogens, whereas others have a protective effect. Therefore, the net impact of these compounds on human health depends on the overall balance between all factors involved. Strong scientific evidence has demonstrated the relationship between nitrosamines (NA), heterocyclic amines (HCAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are the major genotoxins derived from cooking and food processing, and cancer. The mechanisms of the relationship between dietary toxic xenobiotics and cancer risk are not yet well understood, but it has been suggested that differences in dietary habits affect the colonic environment by increasing or decreasing the exposure to mutagens directly and indirectly through changes in the composition and activity of the gut microbiota. Several changes in the proportions of specific microbial groups have been proposed as risk factors for the development of neoplastic lesions and the enrichment of enterotoxigenic microbial strains in stool. In addition, changes in the gut microbiota composition and activity promoted by diet may modify the faecal genotoxicity/cytotoxicity, which can be associated with a higher or lower risk of developing cancer. Therefore, the interaction between dietary components and intestinal bacteria may be a modifiable factor for the development of colorectal cancer in humans and deserves more attention in the near future.

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Gut Environment and Dietary Habits in Healthy Japanese Adults and their Association with Bowel Movement

Digestion ◽

10.1159/000501961 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 101 (6) ◽

pp. 706-716 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Atsushi Tanabe ◽

Kazunori Adachi ◽

Yoshiharu Yamaguchi ◽

Shinya Izawa ◽

Sayuri Yamamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Bowel Movement ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Dietary Habit ◽

Polymorphism Analysis ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Food Groups ◽

Negatively Associated

Introduction: Constipation is a common symptom that impairs the quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bowel movement and gut microbiota and dietary intake. Methods: To investigate correlations among bowel movement, food intake, and gut environment, 60 healthy Japanese participants were recruited. Bowel movement was assessed using the Bristol stool form scale (BSFS) and constipation scoring system (CSS). Dietary habit was assessed with a self-administered questionnaire wherein the food intake frequency was classified into 8 categories for 72 food/food groups. Gut microbiota was analyzed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: The constipation rate was significantly higher in females than in males. The QOL was significantly impaired in the constipated group. The fecal count of Bacteroides was decreased and that of Clostridium cluster IV was increased in participants with constipation. The BSFS score was negatively associated with the fecal count of Clostridium cluster XI and positively associated with the fecal count of Clostridium cluster XVIII and consumption of green tea. The total CSS score was positively associated with the fecal Prevotella count and negatively associated with fecal acetate levels and consumption of vegetables. Discriminant analysis estimated that constipation could be predicted correctly in 83% (p < 0.001) of the participants based on fecal microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids. Discussion/Conclusion: Bowel movement was strongly affected by gut environment and food intake in Japanese participants. Improvement in dietary habits could promote bowel movement through the improvement of the environment in the gut, resulting in ameliorated QOL issues in healthy adults.

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