Weight loss interventions with probiotics have favourable effects on gut microbiota composition and derived metabolites. However, little is known about whether the consumption of natural probiotics, such as Bryndza cheeses, brings similar benefits. The purpose of the study was to find the effect of short-term weight loss programs and Bryndza cheese consumption on the structure of the gut microbiota, microbiota-derived metabolites and body composition in middle-aged women. We conducted a randomised controlled intervention study. Twenty-two female participants with a body fat percentage ≥25% underwent a short weight loss program (4 weeks). Subjects were randomised to either the control or intervention group according to diet. The intervention group comprised 13 participants, whose diet contained 30 g of “Bryndza” cheese daily (WLPB). The control group comprised nine participants without the regular consumption of Bryndza cheese (WLP) in their diet. Both interventions lead to a significant and favourable change of BMI, body fat, waist circumference and muscle mass. Moreover, the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichales significantly increased in both groups. However, the relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillales, Streptococcaceae, Lactococcus and Streptococcus) significantly increased only in the WLPB group. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acid producers Phascolarctobacterium and Butyricimonas increased significantly in the WLPB group. A short-term weight loss program combined with Bryndza cheese consumption improves body composition and increases the abundance of lactic acid bacteria and short-chain fatty acid producers in middle-aged women.

Gut microbiome impairment is a serious side effect of cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) treatment on gut microbiota composition in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Fecal microbiotas were categorized using specific primers targeting the V1–V3 region of 16S rDNA in eligible pediatric ALL patients after HSCT (n = 16) and in healthy controls (Ctrl, n = 13). An intra-hospital exercise program was also organized for child patients during HSCT treatment. Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were observed between ALL HSCT and Ctrl with further negative effects. Plasma C-reactive protein correlated positively with the pathogenic bacteria Enterococcus spp. and negatively with beneficial bacteria Butyriccocus spp. or Akkermansia spp., respectively (rs = 0.511, p = 0.05; rs = −0.541, p = 0.04; rs = −0.738, p = 0.02). Bacterial alpha diversity correlated with the exercise training characteristics. Therefore, specific changes in the microbiota of children were associated with systemic inflammation or the ability to exercise physically during HSCT treatment.

Introduction: Treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) induces persistent gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, microbiota-targeted interventions remain limited. This study evaluated the independent effects of physical exercise and probiotic supplementation on gut microbiota composition in pediatric ALL patients in remission for <5 years. Methods: Thirty patients were randomized to an experimental group (8-week exercise followed by 8-week daily probiotic intake) or a non-intervention control group. Gut microbiota composition, stool metabolite profiles, anthropometric parameters, and physical strength outcomes were assessed. Results: Physical exercise improved handgrip strength and supported anthropometric stability, with only modest effects on gut microbiota composition. In contrast, probiotic supplementation induced a significant shift in gut microbial community structure permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA, R ² = 0.036, p = 0.041), accompanied by increases in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)–producing taxa. Discussion: Overall, probiotic supplementation had a greater impact on gut microbiota composition than physical activity, inducing targeted shifts toward a more favorable microbial profile in this clinically vulnerable population.

Background and Objectives: In recent years, the crucial role of gut microbiota in the development and regulation of obesity and related metabolic conditions has been increasingly explored. This prospective cross-sectional study aimed to examine the differences in gut microbiota composition and energy metabolites between non-diabetic individuals with extreme obesity (EO) and healthy lean controls (HLC). Methods: A total of 19 non-diabetic participants with EO (average age ± SD: 35.4 ± 7.0 years, average BMI ± SD: 48.8 ± 6.7 kg.m⁻²) and 23 HLC participants (average age ± SD: 31.7 ± 14.8 years, average BMI ± SD: 22.2 ± 1.7 kg.m⁻²) were investigated. Fecal microbiota was analyzed and classified using specific primers targeting the V1–V3 region of 16S rDNA. Serum metabolites were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariate statistical analysis and Random Forest models were employed to identify predictors with the highest variable importance. Results: A significantly reduced microbial α-diversity; lower relative abundance of beneficial bacterium Akkermansia and SCFA-producing bacteria Eubacterium hallii, Butyrivibrio, Marvinbryantia, and Coprococcus; and increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria Bilophila and Fusobacterium were found in individuals with EO. Interestingly, energy metabolites (citrate and acetate), IR HOMA, and insulin were pinpointed as the most important predictors with exceptional ability to differentiate between EO and HLC participants by the Random Forest machine learning analysis. Conclusion: The findings suggest that changes in gut microbiota and serum acetate and citrate levels in patients with extreme obesity may serve as potential biomarkers for early progression to Type 2 diabetes. Consequently, weight loss interventions and non-invasive manipulation of gut microbiota composition in these patients could offer a novel strategy for managing obesity and related disorders.

Starting point: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with physiological impairments and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Whether physical activity mitigates these microbial shifts and how gut microbiota relates to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in MS individuals remains unclear. Group: Sixteen women with MS and sixteen healthy women meeting the WHO physical activity recommendations were included. Methods: Gut microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3–V4 region, body composition by bioimpedance analysis, and cardiorespiratory fitness by an incremental bicycle ergometer test. Results: Despite being physically active, significantly lower CRF (e.g., VO₂max/kg, Loadmax/kg) and less favorable body composition (e.g., body fat percentage, waist circumference) were observed in MS women compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, reduced gut microbial diversity (Chao1) and lower relative abundance of several health-associated taxa (e.g., Faecalibacterium, Coprococcus, and Prevotellaceae) were identified in MS women. Notably, CRF emerged as the strongest discriminative factor between groups and was positively associated with microbial diversity and the abundance of health-associated bacterial taxa. Among the identified taxa, Veillonella demonstrated the strongest association with CRF, whereas Coprococcus was primarily associated with body composition. Conclusions: Physically active MS women still differed from healthy controls in both physiological and microbial characteristics. CRF represented the strongest discriminative factor between groups and was positively associated with gut microbial diversity and health-associated bacterial taxa. Together, these findings suggest that CRF may represent an important component of the relationship between host physiology and gut microbiota composition in MS.