Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the most common endocrine pathologies during pregnancy, is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first discovery in the perinatal period. Physiological changes that occur in pregnant women can lead to inflammation, which promotes insulin resistance. In the general context of worldwide increasing obesity in young females of reproductive age, GDM follows the same ascending trend. Changes in the intestinal microbiome play a decisive role in obesity and the development of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). To date, various studies have also associated intestinal dysbiosis with metabolic changes in women with GDM. Although host metabolism in women with GDM has not been fully elucidated, it is of particular importance to analyze the available data and to discuss the actual knowledge regarding microbiome changes with potential impact on the health of pregnant women and newborns. We analyzed peer-reviewed journal articles available in online databases in order to summarize the most recent findings regarding how variations in diet and metabolic status of GDM patients can contribute to alteration of the gut microbiome, in the same way that changes of the gut microbiota can lead to GDM. The most frequently observed alteration in the microbiome of patients with GDM was either an increase of the Firmicutes phylum, respectively, or a decrease of the Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria phyla. Gut dysbiosis was still present postpartum and can impact the development of the newborn, as shown in several studies. In the evolution of GDM, probiotic supplementation and regular physical activity have the strongest evidence of proper blood glucose control, favoring fetal development and a healthy outcome for the postpartum period. The current review aims to summarize and discuss the most recent findings regarding the correlation between GDM and dysbiosis, and current and future methods for prevention and treatment (lifestyle changes, pre- and probiotics administration). To conclude, by highlighting the role of the gut microbiota, one can change perspectives about the development and progression of GDM and open up new avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic targets in this disease.

Predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in solid tumors such as melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), endometrial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), or urothelial carcinoma (UC) include programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), defective deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mismatch repair (dMMR), microsatellite instability (MSI), and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Over the past decade, several types of ICIs, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibodies, anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies, and anti-lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) antibodies have been studied and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with ongoing research on others. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the gut microbiome in influencing a positive therapeutic response to ICIs, emphasizing the importance of modeling factors that can maintain a healthy microbiome. However, resistance mechanisms can emerge, such as increased expression of alternative immune checkpoints, T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig), mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), LAG-3, impaired antigen presentation, and alterations in the TME. This review aims to synthesize the data regarding the interactions between microbiota and immunotherapy (IT). Understanding these mechanisms is essential for optimizing ICI therapy and developing effective combination strategies.

Obesity, a global public health problem, is constantly increasing, so the concerns in preventing and combating it are increasingly focused on the intestinal microbiota. It was found that the microbiota is different in lean people compared to obese individuals, but the exact mechanisms by which energy homeostasis is influenced are still incompletely known. Numerous studies show the involvement of certain bacterial species in promoting obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc. Our aim is to summarize the main findings regarding the influence of several factors such as lifestyle changes, including diet and bariatric surgery, on the diversity of the gut microbiota in obese individuals. The second purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential effect of various microbiota modulation techniques on ameliorating obesity and its comorbidities. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database, identifying articles published between 2019 and 2024. Most studies identified suggest that obesity is generally associated with alterations of the gut microbiome such as decreased microbial diversity, an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, and increased SCFAs levels. Our findings also indicate that gut microbiota modulation techniques could represent a novel strategy in treating obesity and related metabolic diseases. Although some mechanisms (e.g., inflammation or hormonal regulation) are already considered a powerful connection between gut microbiota and obesity development, further research is needed to enhance the knowledge on this particular topic.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in early-life development, influencing various aspects of health and disease. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota, has been linked to multiple health conditions, including allergies, asthma, and obesity. In early life, the gut microbiota plays a key role in the development and maturation of the immune system. Probiotics, live microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts, have emerged as a potential treatment approach for dysbiosis in early life. Dysbiosis can alter the resistance to pathogens, promoting atopic diseases, food sensitization, and infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Probiotics have been shown to modulate the composition and function of the gut microbiota in the perinatal and infant periods. They can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and reduce the levels of potentially harmful bacteria. Not all probiotics are created equal. The effects of probiotics can vary depending on the specific strain used. Probiotics have also been investigated for their potential benefits in other areas of infant health, such as reducing the risk of respiratory infections and improving growth and development. This review aims to analyze the current data in the literature and to evaluate the health benefits of probiotic administration in early life. Several studies have investigated the use of probiotics in preventing or treating allergic diseases, such as eczema and food allergies. While some studies have shown promising results, more research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of probiotics in early life. In conclusion, using probiotics to prevent dysbiosis-related conditions may be considered a method of ‘programming’ the individual for optimal health maintenance.

The gut mycobiome, the fungal component of the gut microbiota, plays a crucial role in health and disease. Although fungi represent a small fraction of the gut ecosystem, they influence immune responses, gut homeostasis, and disease progression. The mycobiome’s composition varies with age, diet, and host factors, and its imbalance has been linked to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and metabolic disorders. Advances in sequencing have expanded our understanding of gut fungi, but challenges remain due to methodological limitations and high variability between individuals. Emerging therapeutic strategies, including antifungals, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary interventions, show promise but require further study. This review highlights recent discoveries on the gut mycobiome, its interactions with bacteria, its role in disease, and potential clinical applications. A deeper understanding of fungal contributions to gut health will help develop targeted microbiome-based therapies.

The gut microbiome is represented by the genome of all microorganisms (symbiotic, potential pathogens, or pathogens) residing in the intestine. These ecological communities are involved in almost all metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases are not excluded. Atherosclerosis, with a continuously increasing incidence in recent years, is the leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke by plaque rupture and intraplaque hemorrhage. Vascular calcification, a process very much alike with osteogenesis, is considered to be a marker of advanced atherosclerosis. New evidence, suggesting the role of dietary intake influence on the diversity of the gut microbiome in the development of vascular calcifications, is highly debated. Gut microbiota can metabolize choline, phosphatidylcholine, and L-carnitine and produce vasculotoxic metabolites, such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a proatherogenic metabolite. This review article aims to discuss the latest research about how probiotics and the correction of diet is impacting the gut microbiota and its metabolites in the atherosclerotic process and vascular calcification. Further studies could create the premises for interventions in the microbiome as future primary tools in the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque and vascular calcifications.