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Immune mRNA Expression and Fecal Microbiome Composition Change Induced by Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.)
Brian Harvey Avanceña Villanueva1, Huai-Ying Huang1,2,3, Yu-Chang Tyan4,5,6,7
1International Degree Program in Animal Vaccine Technology, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan.
Abstract:
: The aging process has always been associated with a higher susceptibility to chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Several studies have demonstrated the gut microbiome's influence on the lungs through cross-talk or the gut-lungs axis maintaining nutrient-rich microenvironments. Taiwan djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that could modulate the gut microbiome. This could induce the gut-lung axis through microbial cross-talk, thus favoring the modulation of lung inflammation. : Here, we investigate the immune mRNA expression in the spleen, fecal microbiome composition, and hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium in aged 2-year-old BALB/c mice after 60 days of supplementation of djulis. : The pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β, T; cells CD4 and CD8; and TLRs TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 were reduced in their mRNA expression levels, while the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were highly expressed in the C. formosanum-treated group. Interestingly, the fecal microbiome composition analysis indicated higher diversity in the C. formosanum-treated group and the presence of butyrate-producing bacteria that are beneficial in the gut microbiome. The histopathology showed reduced hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium based on the degree of lesions. : Our findings suggest that Taiwan djulis can modulate the gut microbiome, leading to microbial cross-talk; reducing the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, T cells, and TLRs; and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines in the spleen, as cytokines migrate in the lungs, preventing lung inflammation damage in aged mice or the gut-lung axis. Thus, Taiwan djulis could be considered a beneficial dietary component for the older adult population. The major limitation includes a lack of protein validation of cytokines and TLRs and quantification of the T cell population in the spleen as a marker of the gut-lung axis.
Insights
Taiwan djulis supplementation in aged mice reduced pro-inflammatory markers and improved gut microbiome diversity, suggesting a beneficial effect on the gut-lung axis and lung inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Aging and immunology
- Microbiome research
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Aging increases susceptibility to chronic inflammatory lung diseases.
- The gut microbiome influences lung health via the gut-lung axis.
- Taiwan djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Taiwan djulis supplementation on immune mRNA expression, fecal microbiome, and bronchial epithelium in aged mice.
- To explore the potential of djulis in modulating the gut-lung axis and mitigating lung inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Supplementation of aged BALB/c mice with Taiwan djulis for 60 days.
- Analysis of spleen immune mRNA expression (cytokines, T cells, TLRs).
- Fecal microbiome composition analysis and histopathological examination of bronchial epithelium.
Main Results:
- Reduced mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β), T cells (CD4, CD8), and TLRs (TLR3-9) in the djulis-treated group.
- Increased mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10).
- Enhanced fecal microbiome diversity with increased butyrate-producing bacteria and reduced bronchial epithelial hyperplasia.
Conclusions:
- Taiwan djulis supplementation modulates the gut microbiome, influencing the gut-lung axis.
- Djulis reduces pro-inflammatory responses and enhances anti-inflammatory cytokines, potentially preventing lung inflammation in aged mice.
- Taiwan djulis shows promise as a dietary component for older adults to support gut-lung health.
