Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is identified to be an efficacious bioactive polyphenol in propolis for ameliorating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and inflammation. In this study, an alcohol-induced zebrafish inflammation model was established. CAPE treatments at different concentrations (0.04, 0.2, and 1.0 μg/mL) were administered to alcohol-exposed zebrafish to investigate the underlying mechanisms of alleviating alcohol-induced liver inflammation using transcriptomic analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing methods. The results indicated that CAPE decreased the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β and significantly increased the expression of IL-10 (p < 0.0001). Based on the KEGG enrichment analysis of transcriptomic sequencing, CAPE effectively alleviated the inflammation in zebrafish mainly through pancreatic secretion, complement and coagulation cascades, and protein digestion and absorption. Molecular docking supported the potential of CAPE in targeting cholecystokinin (CCK) A Receptor (CCKAR) and mediating the regulation of pancreatic secretion and related inflammation pathways. Moreover, intestinal microbiota analysis demonstrated that CAPE could improve the alcohol-induced microbiota disorder. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between the key genes related to lipid and sterol metabolism among the KEGG-enriched pathways and the specific intestinal microbial communities in zebrafish. Flavobacterium from Bacteroidota was significantly positively correlated with CEL1, CEL2, and LPIN (p < 0.01), which suggested that the anti-inflammatory function of CAPE was closely associated with the intestinal microbiota improvement. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that CAPE could ameliorate liver inflammation in alcohol-induced zebrafish, which was mainly associated with the regulation of pancreatic secretion and intestinal microbiota disorder. This study emphasized the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CAPE based on targeting the pancreatic secretion pathway, which will broaden the application of natural antioxidants in improving metabolic and inflammatory problems.

This study investigated microbial community dynamics and their links to fermentation traits in solid-state fermentation of walnut -based soy sauce (WSS) using walnut meal-soybean meal mixtures. Via 16S rRNA sequencing and molecular docking, it analyzed the effects of three distinct starter culture treatments—Aspergillus oryzae (AO), Aspergillus niger (AN), and mixed starter culture (A. oryzae + A. niger, ON)—as well as fermentation duration on microbial diversity and physicochemical properties, aiming to clarify microbial-driven quality mechanisms. Physicochemical analysis demonstrated superior fermentation performance in the AO group, showing significantly higher amino nitrogen (NH₃-N) accumulation (0.23 g/100 mL) and protease activity (30.5 U/mL) compared to the AN group, with the mixed inoculation group (ON) exhibiting intermediate results, indicating A. oryzae’s dominant role in mixed fermentation. Via PCA and Shannon index, microbial diversity analyses revealed starter cultures shaped microbial community structure: Enterococcus and Staphylococcaceae were enriched by AO starter, and Klebsiella dominated in AN group. Additionally, temporal succession of the microbiota occurred during post-fermentation of WSS, with Lactobacillales, Staphylococcus, and special flavor-producing functional flora dominating early, middle, and later stages, respectively. Staphylococcus positively correlated with protease activity and amino nitrogen, critical for quality. Molecular docking showed major walnut polyphenols significantly affected protease activity, aiding process optimization. This research provides theoretical foundations for improving WSS production and enriches understanding of solid-state fermentation microbial ecology.

This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of dietary glycerol monolaurate (GML) supplementation on the growth performance, bile acid metabolism, and intestinal health of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus). A total of 225 healthy eels with an initial body weight of 25.0 ± 2.0 g were randomly divided into three groups and fed a basal diet (control), 0.5 g/kg GML, or 1.0 g/kg GML for 60 days, respectively. The results showed that dietary GML supplementation increased the weight gain rate by 8.75% and decreased the feed conversion ratio by 8.16% in the GML1 group compared with the control. Dietary GML significantly reduced the contents of TP and ALB (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the MDA content in the GML0.5 and GML1 groups decreased significantly by 24.80% and 38.15%, respectively. The contents of total bile acids and secondary bile acids were significantly elevated in the GML1 group (p < 0.05). In addition, GML supplementation optimized the intestinal microbial community and significantly reduced the relative abundance of potentially harmful bacteria such as Nocardia and Stenotrophomonas (p < 0.05). In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, dietary GML could effectively the improve growth performance, bile acid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of M. albus. Among the tested concentrations, 1.0 g/kg GML showed the optimal beneficial effects.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) has previously been demonstrated to improve insulin resistance in mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD), yet whether GML can enhance glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice remains uncertain. In the current study, BKS mice and BKS‐db/db mice were fed a normal chow diet and administered GML solution by gavage for 9 weeks. Weekly postprandial blood glucose, water intake, and weight were recorded at regular intervals. Serum metabolic indicators, liver gene expression, and intestinal microbiota were also assessed. The results revealed that GML significantly decreased the postprandial blood glucose in the later stage of the feeding period, markedly reduced water intake in db/db mice, maintained body weight, and significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance. Moreover, GML significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance index. GML also significantly inhibited the proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) signaling pathway, thereby suppressing the gluconeogenic pathway, but activated the gene expression of glucokinase in the glycolysis pathway. GML also significantly altered the gut microbiota, decreasing the abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus , and Lachnospiraceae, while increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Helicobacter , Parabacteroides , and S24‐7. Our findings suggest that GML modulates gut microbiota and inhibits the PGC‐1α signaling pathway, which may be associated with the improved glucose homeostasis observed.