Effects of choline supplementation on liver biology, gut microbiota, and inflammation in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice
LIFE SCIENCES
Authors: Li, Shu; Wu, Daoyan; Cao, Mei; Yu, Zhihao; Wu, Mengmeng; Liu, Yi; Zhou, Jie; Yan, Shiying; Chen, Jieyun; Huang, Min; Zhao, Jian
Abstract
Aims: Diet is one of the factors affecting the pathogenicity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Choline is a dietary component that is crucial for normal cellular function. However, choline intake imbalance can lead to liver injury, inflammation, and changes of the gut microbiota composition. The study aimed to explore the effects of choline supplementation on liver biology, gut microbiota, and inflammation in H. pylori-infected mice. Main methods: Liver function was detected by biochemical and histopathological analysis. Serum inflammatory markers were measured using ELISA. Fecal microbial profiles were determined via 16S rRNA sequencing. Key findings: The results showed that choline supplementation decreased serum LDL level, while increased the activities of serum AST and ALT in normal BALB/c mice. Besides, choline also reduced hepatic SOD and GSH-Px activities, and elevated hepatic MDA level of H. pylori-infected mice. Moreover, choline markedly enhanced the concentrations of inflammatory factors including LPS, CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and CXCL1 in H. pylori-infected mice. Meanwhile, choline and H. pylori cotreatment altered the richness and diversity of the mice gut microbiota, and increased the relative abundance of Escherichia Shigella, which had a significant positive correlation with the levels of LPS, CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha and CXCL1. Significance: Our data suggest, for the first time, that choline can aggravate H. pylori-induced inflammation, which may be associated with the alterations of gut microbiota. This study may provide novel insights into the possible effects of food-derived choline on H. pylori infection-related diseases.
Elevated acute phase proteins reflect peripheral inflammation and disease severity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Authors: Beers, David R.; Zhao, Weihua; Neal, Daniel W.; Thonhoff, Jason R.; Thome, Aaron D.; Faridar, Alireza; Wen, Shixiang; Wang, Jinghong; Appel, Stanley H.
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial, multisystem pro-inflammatory neuromuscular disorder compromising muscle function resulting in death. Neuroinflammation is known to accelerate disease progression and accentuate disease severity, but peripheral inflammatory processes are not well documented. Acute phase proteins (APPs), plasma proteins synthesized in the liver, are increased in response to inflammation. The objective of this study was to provide evidence for peripheral inflammation by examining levels of APPs, and their contribution to disease burden and progression rates. Levels of APPs, including soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and C-reactive protein (CRP), were elevated in sera, and correlated positively with increased disease burden and faster progression. sCD14 was also elevated in patients' CSF and urine. After a 3 year follow-up, 72% of the patients with sCD14 levels above the receiver operating characteristics cutoff were deceased whereas only 28% below the cutoff were deceased. Furthermore, disease onset sites were associated with disease progression rates and APP levels. These APPs were not elevated in sera of patients with Alzheimer's Disease, frontotemporal dementia, or Parkinson's Disease. These collective APPs accurately reflect disease burden, progression rates, and survival times, reinforcing the concept of ALS as a disorder with extensive systemic pro-inflammatory responses.