Oxidative reactivity across kingdoms in the gut: Host immunity, stressed microbiota and oxidized foods

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are integral to programmed cell death and disease.
• ROS production is common in humans, bacteria, fungi, and plants.
• The cumulative impact of oxidative stress in the gut remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore similarities in oxidative stress across different kingdoms (host, microbes, plants, diet).
• To assess the potential of fecal oxidative stress monitoring for understanding gut health.
• To propose a holistic approach for preventing intestinal diseases.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of oxidative stress origins in the gut.
• Review of existing literature on dietary studies and oxidative stress markers.
• Identification of pro-inflammatory factors through fecal analysis.

Main Results:

• Fundamental similarities exist in oxidative stress generation from host immune cells, microbes, plants, and diets.
• Dietary components can exacerbate free radical accumulation, especially after storage and cooking.
• Current dietary research often overlooks fecal oxidative stress markers, limiting knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Oxidative stress in the gut is a multi-kingdom phenomenon.
• Monitoring fecal oxidative stress offers a viable strategy for identifying pro-inflammatory factors and understanding disease.
• A comprehensive approach integrating diet and microbiota is crucial for preventing intestinal diseases.