Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley

Extreme inflammation that continues even after infections can lead to a cytokine storm. In recent times, one of the most common causes of cytokine storm activation has been SARS-CoV-2 infection. A cytokine storm leads to dysregulation and excessive stimulation of the immune system, producing symptoms typical of post-COVID syndrome, including chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, trouble concentrating (known as “brain fog”), and even direct organ damage in the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. This work summarizes the current knowledge regarding inflammation and the cytokine storm related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, changes in lipid metabolism and microbiota composition under the influence of inflammation in COVID-19, along with the possible underlying mechanisms, are described. Finally, this text explores potential health implications related to changes in eating behaviors and nutritional status in COVID-19 patients. Although research on the cytokine storm is still ongoing, there is convincing evidence suggesting that severe immune and inflammatory responses during the acute phase of COVID-19 may lead to long-term health consequences. Understanding these links is key to developing treatment strategies and supporting patients after infection.

(1) Background: studies have shown that some patients experience mental deterioration after bariatric surgery. (2) Methods: We examined whether the use of probiotics and improved eating habits can improve the mental health of people who suffered from mood disorders after bariatric surgery. We also analyzed patients’ mental states, eating habits and microbiota. (3) Results: Depressive symptoms were observed in 45% of 200 bariatric patients. After 5 weeks, we noted an improvement in patients’ mental functioning (reduction in BDI and HRSD), but it was not related to the probiotic used. The consumption of vegetables and whole grain cereals increased (DQI-I adequacy), the consumption of simple sugars and SFA decreased (moderation DQI-I), and the consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids increased it. In the feces of patients after RYGB, there was a significantly higher abundance of two members of the Muribaculaceae family, namely Veillonella and Roseburia, while those after SG had more Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Subdoligranulum, Oscillibacter, and UCG-005. (4) Conclusions: the noted differences in the composition of the gut microbiota (RYGB vs. SG) may be one of the determinants of the proper functioning of the gut–brain microbiota axis, although there is currently a need for further research into this topic using a larger group of patients and different probiotic doses.

Keywords: bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-y gastric bypass, obesity, microbiota, gut-brain axis, beck scale, depression, diet, probiotics

(1) Background: Depressive symptoms often appear after surgical treatment. (2) Methods: We involved 41 adults who underwent bariatric surgery a minimum of 6 months before the study and had the Beck scale ≥12. We analysed patients’ mental state, gut barrier markers, faecal short chain fatty acids, and microbiota. (3) Results: Gut microbiota composition differed significantly among patients undergoing two different types of surgery (F = 1.64, p = 0.00002). Additionally, we discovered an association between short chain fatty acids and the Beck scale (F = 1.22, p = 0.058). The rearrangement of bacterial metabolites may be due to the patients’ use of increased dietary protein, with insufficient intake of products containing vegetable fiber (Diet Quality Index (DQI-I )adequacy 22.55 (±3.46) points). (4) Conclusions: Bariatric surgery affects the gut microbiota, which may play an important role in the development of depressive and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients after bariatric surgery. Low fiber consumption and increased levels of faecal isobutyric acid may lead to intestinal inflammation. There is a need for further research on this topic including a larger sample size.

Background: The FUT2 gene (Se gene) encoding the enzyme α-1,2-L-fucosyltransferase 2 seems to have a significant effect on the number and type of bacteria colonizing the intestines. Methods: In a group of 19 patients after bariatric surgery, the polymorphism (rs601338) of FUT2 gene was analyzed in combination with body mass reduction, intestinal microbiome (16S RNA sequencing), and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) measurements in stools. Results: Among the secretors (Se/Se polymorphism of the FUT2 gene rs601338, carriers of GG variant), correlations between waist-hip ratio (WHR) and propionate content and an increase in Prevotella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Bacteroides were observed. On the other hand—in non-secretors (carriers of GA and AA variants)—higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiales was recorded. Conclusions: The increased concentrations of propionate observed among the GG variants of FUT 2 may be used as an additional source of energy for the patient and may have a higher risk of increasing the WHR than carriers of the other variants (GA and AA).

Intestinal microbiota play a number of critical roles in the health of the organism. They assist in nutrient metabolism and play a key role in the host’s immune response. Current research is revealing that there may be a significant impact from intestinal bacteria on the gut-brain axis and that they play a downstream role in several neurological disorders.

Sponge diseases occur globally and the resulting reduction of sponge populations has negative effects on other organisms within the ecosystems due to loss of nutrient enrichment and loss of bioremediation. In Lake Baikal, the predominate sponge species Lubomirskia baicalensis is currently being infected with an unidentified pathogen resulting in a sharp decline in population. The current hypothesis is that the recent increase in methane concentration in the lake has caused dysbiosis within the bacterial community of L. baicalensis resulting in the disease outbreak. In this study we investigated the changes in the bacterial community between healthy and sick sponges using 16S bacterial profiling targeting veritable regions 3-5. Here we present data that the bacterial communities of the healthy sponge samples were significantly different from sick samples and several poorly classified organisms were identified by Indicator Species Analysis as significant. Organisms identified from the sick samples classified within taxonomic units that contain acidophilic bacteria which suggest pH may play a role. There was also an observed decrease in the number of identified methyltropic bacteria present in the sick sponge samples compared to the healthy.