In recent years, it has become clear that microbiome play a variety of essential roles in human metabolism, immunity, and overall health and that the composition of these microbiome is influenced by our environment, diet, weight, hormones, and other factors. Indeed, numerous physiological and pathological conditions, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, are associated with changes in our microbiome, referred to as dysbiosis. As a result, it is not surprising that such changes occur during pregnancy, which includes substantial weight gain and significant changes in metabolism and immune defenses. The present review relates physiological changes during pregnancy to alterations in the microbial composition at various sites, including the gut, oral cavity, and vagina. Pregnancy has been linked to such microbial changes, and we believe that, in contrast to certain disease states, these microbial changes are vital for a healthy pregnancy, probably through their influence on the mother’s immunological, endocrinological, and metabolic status.
Background: Oxidative stress (OS) is an imbalance between free radical production and the antioxidants defense in the body. Previous studies demonstrated the correlation of OS to the increased risk of developing metabolic disorders such as obesity. Sulforaphane (SFN), a bioactive compound, can protect against inflammation and OS, thus an effective anti-obesity supplement. Aim: This study explores the impact of SNF on OS in diet induced obese (DIO) mice via profiling of OS genes and pathways in skeletal muscles related to the anti-obesity effect. Methods: Wild-type CD1 male mice and the knockout of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) like 2 (NrF2) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks; to induce obesity. Subsequently, each group was subdivided into two subgroups and received either Vehicle (25μl) or SFN (5 mg/kg BW) for four weeks. Body weight was measured daily, and a glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed after 21 days of treatment. Afterward, mice were decapitated, blood and tissue samples were collected and snap-frozen immediately. Total RNA was extracted from Skeletal muscle and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), leptin expression was measured in (eWAT), and 84 OS genes in skeletal muscle were examined using RT-PCR. Results: Significant reduction in body weight in SFN treated WT mice, while no change in KO mice. Plasma glucose, leptin, and leptin gene expression (eWAT) were significantly reduced in the WT-DIO SFN treated group, while no changes were detected in KO mice. SFN decreases OS damage in skeletal muscles, such as lipid peroxidation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that SFN had lowered body weight in WT-DIO mice by decreasing OS damage in skeletal muscles through the NrF2 pathway and can be a potential anti-obesity drug.
Pregnancy is a dynamic physiological process associated with significant hormonal, immune and metabolic changes to support the growth and development of the fetus. Several studies have highlighted the role of gut microbiota during pregnancy1. The composition of gut microbiota changes dramatically during the course of pregnancy with an increase in Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, a decline in butyrate-producing bacteria and a reduction in bacterial richness at the end of pregnancy2. These modifications were anticipated to favour the increased metabolic demand during pregnancy, which will, in turn, support healthy fetal growth3. Gut microbiota has also been suggested to contribute to weight gain during pregnancy via increased absorption of glucose and fatty acids, induction of catabolic pathways, increased fasting-induced adipocyte factor secretion, and stimulation of the immune system2, 4. The oral cavity houses the second most diverse microbiota after the gut harbouring over 700 species of bacteria. Oral microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining oral homeostasis, protecting the oral cavity and preventing disease development5. Little is known about the role of the oral microbiome during pregnancy. One study examined changes in oral microbiota during pregnancy on Japanese women and found that the total viable microbial counts were higher during pregnancy, as were levels of the pathogenic bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Candida6. Several studies have also found correlations between oral infections and pregnancy complications, further suggesting mechanisms connecting the oral microbiome with the state of pregnancy7. The Qatari Birth Cohort (QbiC) was successfully developed in July 2018 by Qatar Biobank. It is an epidemiological study that aims to assess the synergetic role of environmental exposure and genetic factors in the development of chronic disease. It monitors the health of women throughout their pregnancy and after birth. The present study is designed to explore changes in the salivary microbiome, using high throughput sequencing during pregnancy and to explore key microbial clades involved in pregnancy.
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