Project description:This work investigates the effects of a prebiotic mix containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and saffron, recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties, on ophthalmological and microbial parameters in neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients.
Project description:ObjectiveContrary to the long-standing prerequisite of inducing selective (i.e. bifidogenic) effects, recent findings suggest that prebiotic interventions lead to ecosystem-wide microbiota shifts. Yet, a comprehensive characterization of this process is still lacking. Here, we apply 16S rDNA microbiota profiling and matching (GC-MS) metabolomics to assess the consequences of inulin fermentation both on the composition of the colon bacterial ecosystem and fecal metabolites profiles.DesignFecal samples collected during a double blind, randomized, cross-over intervention study (NCT02548247) set up to assess the effect of inulin consumption on stool frequency in healthy adults with mild constipation were analyzed. Fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles were linked to the study’s clinical outcome as well as to quality-of-life measurements recorded.ResultsWhile fecal metabolite profiles were not significantly altered by inulin consumption, our analyses did detect a modest effect on global microbiota composition. At the same time, specific inulin-induced changes in relative abundances of Anaerostipes, Bilophila, and Bifidobacterium were identified. The observed decrease in Bilophila abundances following inulin consumption was associated with both softer stools and a favorable change in constipation-specific quality of life measures.ConclusionsEcosystem-wide analysis of the effect of a dietary intervention with prebiotic inulin-type fructans on the colon microbiota revealed that this effect is specifically associated to three genera, one of which (Bilophila) representing a promising novel target for mechanistic research.
Project description:Background: Parkinson’s disease is associated with a dysbiotic, proinflammatory gut microbiome, disruptions to intestinal barrier functions, and immunological imbalance. Microbiota-produced short-chain fatty acids, such as propionic and butyric acid promote gut barrier integrity and immune regulation, but their impact on Parkinson’s disease pathology remains mostly unknown .Methods: In a randomized double-blind prospective study, 72 people with Parkinson’s disease received propionic and butyric acid and/or the prebiotic fiber 2′-fucosyllactose supplementation over 6 months in combination with existing Parkinson’s disease-specific therapy. Patients underwent complete neurological assessment and provided blood and stool samples before as well as 3 and 6 months after supplementation. Results: We observed improvement in motor and nonmotor symptoms, in addition to modulation of peripheral immunity and improved mitochondrial respiration in immunocytes. Postintervention microbiota remodeled inflammatory and barrier-related gene sets in gut organ cultures and improved in vitro barrier functions. Treatment response was associated with microbiome composition, distinct patterns of colonic transcription and permeability ex vivo. Multiobjective analysis revealed immune parameters associated with an optimal response to supplementation. Conclusion: Short-chain fatty acids ameliorate clinical symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients and modulate intestinal and peripheral immunity.
Project description:Background: Parkinson’s disease is associated with a dysbiotic, proinflammatory gut microbiome, disruptions to intestinal barrier functions, and immunological imbalance. Microbiota-produced short-chain fatty acids, such as propionic and butyric acid promote gut barrier integrity and immune regulation, but their impact on Parkinson’s disease pathology remains mostly unknown .Methods: In a randomized double-blind prospective study, 72 people with Parkinson’s disease received propionic and butyric acid and/or the prebiotic fiber 2′-fucosyllactose supplementation over 6 months in combination with existing Parkinson’s disease-specific therapy. Patients underwent complete neurological assessment and provided blood and stool samples before as well as 3 and 6 months after supplementation. Results: We observed improvement in motor and nonmotor symptoms, in addition to modulation of peripheral immunity and improved mitochondrial respiration in immunocytes. Postintervention microbiota remodeled inflammatory and barrier-related gene sets in gut organ cultures and improved in vitro barrier functions. Treatment response was associated with microbiome composition, distinct patterns of colonic transcription and permeability ex vivo. Multiobjective analysis revealed immune parameters associated with an optimal response to supplementation. Conclusion: Short-chain fatty acids ameliorate clinical symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients and modulate intestinal and peripheral immunity.
Project description:in the present study, we evaluated whether microbiota modulation is able to restore hepatic steatosis induced by n-3 PUFA depletion in mice. For this purpose, mice were fed during three months with a n-3 PUFA-depleted diet (presenting a high n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio), and then supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (FOS, 0.25g/day/mice), a prebiotic, during the last ten days of the experiment (DEF/FOS). In the same time, some n-3 PUFA-depleted mice were returned on a control diet during the last 10 days of treatment (DEF/CT) to compare the effect of FOS supplementation to a restored intake in n-3 PUFA. Microarray analyses were performed to identify the molecular targets modified by FOS supplementation in the liver of n-3 PUFA depleted mice. These mice were compared to control mice (fed a control diet during the 112 days of experiment) and to n-3 PUFA-depleted mice (fed a n-3 PUFA-depleted diet during the 112 days of experiment) for which the results have been previously published (Pachikian B.D. et al. PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e23365, accession number GSE26986)