Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal uric acid (UA) metabolism, which is a complex physiological process involving multiple organs (liver, kidney, and intestine). Although UA metabolism in the liver and kidneys has been elucidated, only a few studies have focused on the process in the intestine. With our growing knowledge of the effects of gut microorganisms on health, the gut microbiota has been identified as a new target for HUA treatment. In this review, the relationship between HUA and the gut microbiota is elucidated, and anti-hyperuricemia mechanisms targeting the intestine are discussed, such as the promotion of purine and UA catabolism by the gut microbiota, increases in UA excretion by the gut microbiota and its metabolites, regulation of UA absorption or secretion in the intestinal tract by certain transporters, and the intestinal inflammatory response to the gut microbiota. Additionally, probiotics (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) and prebiotics (polyphenols, peptides, and phytochemicals) with UA-lowering effects targeting the intestinal tract are summarized, providing reference and guidance for further research.

Blueberry dietary interventions have demonstrated remarkable potential against obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the effects of fermented blueberry juice on metabolic syndrome, the gut microbiota, and insulin resistance have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the potential of fermented blueberry juice against obesity, hyperglycemia, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Our study findings revealed that supplementation with fresh blueberry juice (BBJ), and fermented blueberry juice with homemade probiotic starter (FBJ) or commercial starter (CFBJ) significantly decreased fat accumulation and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in HFD-fed mice. FBJ showed relatively more potency to reduce body weight than BBJ and CFBJ. The percentage increase in the body weight of the FBJ group was almost the same as that in the normal chow diet (NCD) group, and was approximately 10% lower than the BBJ and CFBJ groups. Overall, all blueberry juices significantly ameliorated hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, the dietary interventions with BBJ, FBJ, and CFBJ for 17 weeks significantly improved the community richness and diversity of the gut microflora along with an altered structure in the HFD-fed mice group. The FBJ treated mice group showed relatively low abundance of Firmicutes, obesity-related bacteria (Oscillibacter and Alistipes), and high abundance of lean bacteria (Akkermansia, Barnesiella, Olsenella, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus) compared to the HFD-fed mice group. Furthermore, BBJ and FBJ treatments regulated the liver mRNA and protein expression levels involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. This study inferred that fermented blueberry juice could be used as a functional food to prevent the modern pandemics i.e., obesity and insulin resistance.

Obesity and associated metabolic disorders are worldwide public health issues. The gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathophysiology of diet-induced obesity. Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a widely consumed food emulsifier with antibacterial properties. Here, we explore the anti-obesity effect of GML (1,600 mg/kg of body weight) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. HFD-fed mice were treated with 1,600 mg/kg GML. Integrated microbiome, metabolome, and transcriptome analyses were used to systematically investigate the metabolic effects of GML, and antibiotic treatment was used to assess the effects of GML on the gut microbiota.