Kang Xu

Dr. Kang Xu

Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 February 2018 in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JGJing Gao
Jing Gao
KXKang Xu
Kang Xu
HLHongnan Liu
Hongnan Liu
GLGang Liu
Gang Liu
MBMiaomiao Bai
Miaomiao Bai
YYYulong Yin
Yulong Yin
The gut microbiota influences the health of the host, especially with regard to gut immune homeostasis and the intestinal immune response. In addition to serving as a nutrient enhancer, L-tryptophan (Trp) plays crucial roles in the balance between intestinal immune tolerance and gut microbiota maintenance. Recent discoveries have underscored that changes in the microbiota modulate the host immune system by modulating Trp metabolism. Moreover, Trp, endogenous Trp metabolites (kynurenines, serotonin, and melatonin), and bacterial Trp metabolites (indole, indolic acid, skatole, and tryptamine) have profound effects on gut microbial composition, microbial metabolism, the host's immune system, the host-microbiome interface, and host immune system–intestinal microbiota interactions. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates the regulation of intestinal immunity by Trp metabolites (as ligands of AhR), which is beneficial for immune homeostasis. Among Trp metabolites, AhR ligands consist of endogenous metabolites, including kynurenine, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, and cinnabarinic acid, and bacterial metabolites, including indole, indole propionic acid, indole acetic acid, skatole, and tryptamine. Additional factors, such as aging, stress, probiotics, and diseases (spondyloarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer), which are associated with variability in Trp metabolism, can influence Trp–microbiome–immune system interactions in the gut and also play roles in regulating gut immunity. This review clarifies how the gut microbiota regulates Trp metabolism and identifies the underlying molecular mechanisms of these interactions. Increased mechanistic insight into how the microbiota modulates the intestinal immune system through Trp metabolism may allow for the identification of innovative microbiota-based diagnostics, as well as appropriate nutritional supplementation of Trp to prevent or alleviate intestinal inflammation. Moreover, this review provides new insight regarding the influence of the gut microbiota on Trp metabolism. Additional comprehensive analyses of targeted Trp metabolites (including endogenous and bacterial metabolites) are essential for experimental preciseness, as the influence of the gut microbiota cannot be neglected, and may explain contradictory results in the literature.

13 November 2018 in Frontiers in Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YDYehui Duan
Yehui Duan
LZLiming Zeng
Liming Zeng
CZChangbing Zheng
Changbing Zheng
BSBo Song
Bo Song
FLFengna Li
Fengna Li
KXKang Xu
Kang Xu
In recent years, chronic overnutrition, such as consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD), has been increasingly viewed as a significant modifiable risk factor for diseases such as diabetes and certain types of cancer. However, the mechanisms by which HFDs exert adverse effects on human health remains poorly understood. Here, this paper will review the recent scientific literature about HFD-induced inflammation and subsequent development of diseases and cancer, with an emphasis on mechanisms involved. Given the expanding global epidemic of excessive HFD intake, understanding the impacts of a HFD on these medical conditions, gaining great insights into possible underlying mechanisms, and developing effective therapeutic strategies are of great importance.

4 January 2021 in Mediators of Inflammation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
yawei fuyawei fu
yawei fu
YWYadong Wang
Yadong Wang
HGHu Gao
Hu Gao
DLDongHua Li
DongHua Li
RJRuiRui Jiang
RuiRui Jiang
KXKang Xu
Kang Xu
Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega‐3 PUFAs), which are essential fatty acids that humans should obtain from diet, have potential benefits for human health. In addition to altering the structure and function of cell membranes, omega‐3 PUFAs (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)) exert different effects on intestinal immune tolerance and gut microbiota maintenance. Firstly, we review the effect of omega‐3 PUFAs on gut microbiota. And the effects of omega‐3 PUFAs on intestinal immunity and inflammation were described. Furthermore, the important roles of omega‐3 PUFAs in maintaining the balance between gut immunity and the gut microbiota were discussed. Additional factors, such as obesity and diseases (NAFLD, gastrointestinal malignancies or cancer, bacterial and viral infections), which are associated with variability in omega‐3 PUFA metabolism, can influence omega‐3 PUFAs–microbiome–immune system interactions in the intestinal tract and also play roles in regulating gut immunity. This review identifies several pathways by which the microbiota modulates the gut immune system through omega‐3 PUFAs. Omega‐3 supplementation can be targeted to specific pathways to prevent and alleviate intestinal diseases, which may help researchers identify innovative diagnostic methods.

31 August 2022 in Progress in Lipid Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YLYunxia Li
Yunxia Li
XHXingguo Huang
Xingguo Huang
GYGuan Yang
Guan Yang
KXKang Xu
Kang Xu
YYYulong Yin
Yulong Yin
Jie YinJie Yin
Jie Yin

1 June 2020 in Food and Chemical Toxicology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Peng LiaoPeng Liao
Peng Liao
YLYunhu Li
Yunhu Li
MLMeijun Li
Meijun Li
XCXingfa Chen
Xingfa Chen
DYDaixiu Yuan
Daixiu Yuan
KXKang Xu
Kang Xu

28 December 2019 in BioMed Research International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JGjing gao
jing gao
Jie YinJie Yin
Jie Yin
KXKang Xu
Kang Xu
TLTiejun Li
Tiejun Li
YYYulong Yin
Yulong Yin
Piglets experience severe growth challenges and diarrhea after weaning due to nutritional, social, psychological, environmental, and physiological changes. Among these changes, the nutritional factor plays a key role in postweaning health. Dietary protein, fibre, starch, and electrolyte levels are highly associated with postweaning nutrition diarrhea (PWND). In this review, we mainly discuss the high protein, fibre, resistant starch, and electrolyte imbalance in diets that induce PWND, with a focus on potential mechanisms in weaned piglets.