Dataset Information

Fermented cotton stalks preserve colonic epithelial integrity in Hu sheep by modulating the microbiota–metabolite–NF-kB/MLCK axis

ABSTRACT:

This study compared three cotton-stalk processing strategies—grinding (FS), steam explosion (PH), and microbial fermentation (FJ)—and evaluated whether the barrier-preserving phenotype observed with fermented cotton stalks is associated with coordinated changes in the microbiota–metabolite milieu and NF-?B/MLCK-related mucosal signaling in Hu sheep. Fifteen clinically healthy Hu sheep (26.7 ± 1.76 kg body weight; 115 ± 4 d of age) were used after a 14-d adaptation period and randomly assigned to one of three diets (n = 5 per treatment) containing 40% processed cotton stalks (FS, PH, or FJ) for 8 weeks. The results showed that PH and FJ increased final body weight compared with FS, and average daily gain increased progressively from FS to PH to FJ (206.07, 282.50, and 322.14 g/d, respectively; p < 0.05). Colonic fermentation profiles were markedly improved by FJ, evidenced by lower pH, ammonia nitrogen, free gossypol, and acetate (p < 0.05), alongside higher total VFAs with elevated propionate and butyrate (p < 0.05), whereas LPS was not different among treatments (p > 0.05). Histology and scanning electron microscopy indicated that FJ maintained intact crypt architecture and epithelial surface continuity, while FS exhibited epithelial detachment and surface erosion. Metagenomic analysis revealed distinct community structures among groups, with FJ showing higher richness and enrichment of taxa associated with carbohydrate utilization and butyrate-producing guilds (e.g., Lachnospiraceae-related genera such as Anaerostipes, Blautia, and Coprococcus). Consistently, FJ suppressed colonic mucosal inflammation, as reflected by reduced IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a at both mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, FJ attenuated NF-?B activation and downstream MLCK signaling, shown by decreased p-p65/p65, p-I?B/I?B, MLCK abundance, and p-MLC/MLC ratio (p < 0.05), while upregulating tight-junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, and claudin-4; p < 0.05). In conclusion, fermentation-based processing of cotton stalks enhanced growth performance and was accompanied by a favorable hindgut fermentation and microbial–metabolic milieu, together with reinforced colonic barrier integrity and reduced NF-?B/MLCK-associated inflammatory signaling, supporting fermented cotton stalk as a practical strategy to valorize cotton residues for ruminant feeding while mitigating gossypol-related hindgut stress.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse-phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse-phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS14078 | MetaboLights | 2026-03-18

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights

ACCESS DATA

Dataset's files

Source:

			Action	DRS
	a_MTBLS14078_LC-MS_negative_reverse-phase_metabolite_profiling.txt	Txt
	a_MTBLS14078_LC-MS_positive_reverse-phase_metabolite_profiling.txt	Txt
	i_Investigation.txt	Txt
	m_MTBLS14078_LC-MS_negative_reverse-phase_metabolite_profiling_v2_maf.tsv	Tabular
	m_MTBLS14078_LC-MS_positive_reverse-phase_metabolite_profiling_v2_maf.tsv	Tabular

Items per page:

1 - 5 of 6

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background: Hu sheep, renowned for their prolificacy and economic value, have been introduced to Xinjiang for intensive farming operations. However, their suboptimal adaptation to local harsh environments limits growth efficiency and health management. In contrast, Duolang sheep, an indigenous Xinjiang breed, exhibit exceptional environmental resilience, largely attributed to their unique rumen microbiome enriched with fiber-degrading bacteria, which enhance roughage utilization and stress tolerance. To address Hu sheep’s adaptive challenges, this study applies Ligilactobacillus salivarius KS1018, a probiotic strain isolated from Duolang sheep, to Hu sheep, investigating its role in improving rumen microbial homeostasis, metabolic adaptation, and physiological resilience under Xinjiang’s environmental conditions.Results: Thirty-two male Hu lambs were allocated into four groups: Control (C) and three treatment groups receiving daily doses of 0.5×109 CFU/d (low-dose group, LLS, 1.0×109 CFU/d (medium-dose group, MLS), or 1.5×109 CFU/d (high-dose group, HLS) for 56 days. Although growth performance did not reveal significant enhancement, supplementation with the high dose of L. salivarius KS1018 (HLS group) significantly reduced ruminal NH3-N (p < 0.05) and increased total VFAs (p = 0.043), alongside elevated serum triglycerides (p = 0.021) and β-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced nitrogen utilization and ketogenesis. Rumen metabolomics revealed dose-dependent metabolic shifts: group HLS prioritized oxidative phosphorylation and pyrimidine metabolism (p < 0.001), while group MLS upregulated branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis (p < 0.01). Procrustes analysis confirmed strong microbiome-metabolome coordination (M2 = 0.56, p = 0.001), linking Lachnospira and Negativicutes enrichment to VFA production and redox homeostasis. Group HLS exhibited a decline in ruminal pH, suggesting a potential risk of subacute acidosis at higher doses.Conclusions: L. salivarius KS1018 optimizes rumen metabolism through microbial-host crosstalk, improving nitrogen efficiency and stress resilience in Hu sheep. The strain promoted ketogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, which alleviated oxidative stress and enhanced immune function under environmental challenges. Notably, the arid-adaptive genetic traits likely contribute to stabilizing rumen microbial networks, mimicking the superior roughage utilization capacity of its native Duolang sheep host. Our findings highlight the potential of L. salivarius KS1018 as a metabolic modulator in ruminant nutrition, redefining its role beyond traditional growth-centric applications.

Project description:Leber2015 - Mucosal immunity and gut microbiome interaction during C. difficile infection This model is described in the article: Systems Modeling of Interactions between Mucosal Immunity and the Gut Microbiome during Clostridium difficile Infection. Leber A, Viladomiu M, Hontecillas R, Abedi V, Philipson C, Hoops S, Howard B, Bassaganya-Riera J. PLoS ONE 2015; 10(7): e0134849 Abstract: Clostridium difficile infections are associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and result in an exuberant inflammatory response, leading to nosocomial diarrhea, colitis and even death. To better understand the dynamics of mucosal immunity during C. difficile infection from initiation through expansion to resolution, we built a computational model of the mucosal immune response to the bacterium. The model was calibrated using data from a mouse model of C. difficile infection. The model demonstrates a crucial role of T helper 17 (Th17) effector responses in the colonic lamina propria and luminal commensal bacteria populations in the clearance of C. difficile and colonic pathology, whereas regulatory T (Treg) cells responses are associated with the recovery phase. In addition, the production of anti-microbial peptides by inflamed epithelial cells and activated neutrophils in response to C. difficile infection inhibit the re-growth of beneficial commensal bacterial species. Computational simulations suggest that the removal of neutrophil and epithelial cell derived anti-microbial inhibitions, separately and together, on commensal bacterial regrowth promote recovery and minimize colonic inflammatory pathology. Simulation results predict a decrease in colonic inflammatory markers, such as neutrophilic influx and Th17 cells in the colonic lamina propria, and length of infection with accelerated commensal bacteria re-growth through altered anti-microbial inhibition. Computational modeling provides novel insights on the therapeutic value of repopulating the colonic microbiome and inducing regulatory mucosal immune responses during C. difficile infection. Thus, modeling mucosal immunity-gut microbiota interactions has the potential to guide the development of targeted fecal transplantation therapies in the context of precision medicine interventions. This model is hosted on BioModels Database and identified by: BIOMD0000000583. To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published quantitative kinetic models. To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain Dedication for more information.

Project description:Background and Aims: Many inflammatory diseases are associated with microbial dysbiosis, which may considerably alter the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are produced in the large bowel through bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber and play an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis. SCFAs, particularly acetate and butyrate, show beneficial immunomodulatory effects contributing to the prevention of inflammatory and allergic reactions. Thus, reduced production of SCFAs may impact on the mucosal immune responses critical to fighting pathogens. This study aims to determine the influence of SCFAs on a murine model of colonic bacterial infection. Methods: In the present study, we used acetate- (HAMSA) or butyrate- (HAMSB) yielding diets to deliver high concentrations of individual SCFAs to the large bowel of mice infected with C. rodentium. We assessed the effects of these SCFAs on clinical burden and gut pathogenicity in correlation with changes in bacteria growth, fecal microbiota composition, function and changes in the immunological profile. Results: Here we show in vitro that acetate and butyrate directly inhibited growth of the attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogen C. rodentium in a bacteriostatic manner. This correlated with reduced expression of Tir, a gene responsible for bacterial adherence and pathogenicity. Interestingly, HAMSA-fed mice presented reduced clinical scores during C. rodentium infection associated with high concentrations of fecal acetate. This was linked with compositional and functional changes in the microbiota when examining 16s sequencing and proteomics analysis. The HAMSA mediated is protection involved increased expression IL-22 and Muc-2 in the colon and increased numbers of CD8αα+ TCRγδ T cells in the colonic epithelium. These effects were dependent on GPR43, a metabolite-sensing GPCR that binds acetate. Conclusions: We established a promising new approach to moderate bacterial gut infections by manipulating the gut microbiota and mucosal immune tolerance through diets that yield the SCFA acetate.

Dataset Information

Fermented cotton stalks preserve colonic epithelial integrity in Hu sheep by modulating the microbiota–metabolite–NF-kB/MLCK axis

Dataset's files

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets