Wei Xu

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion. Prolonged hyperglycemia is associated with disruption of gut microbiota (GM) homeostasis. Although bioactive compounds in Chaga mushroom, such as polysaccharides, have hypoglycemic effects, research on its polysaccharide preparation by-product, the supernatant of water extraction–ethanol precipitation of Chaga mushroom (SWEPC), remains limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of SWEPC on GM composition and its therapeutic potential in alleviating hyperglycemia in T2DM mice. After four weeks of SWEPC intervention (300 mg/kg/day), T2DM mice exhibited significant improvements: fasting blood glucose (FBG) decreased by 52.29% (p < 0.001); the area under the curve of oral glucose tolerance decreased by 37.68% (p < 0.001); glycated serum protein decreased by 65.36% (p < 0.001); the insulin resistance index decreased by 44.42% (p < 0.001); and the insulin sensitivity index increased by 90.24% (p < 0.001). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that Anaeroplasma, Anaerotruncus, and Ruminococcus were associated with serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.75), FBG (r = −0.81), and body weight (r = −0.65), respectively, suggesting their potential involvement in T2DM-related metabolic traits and warranting further investigation. Overall, SWEPC ameliorated hyperglycemic manifestations in T2DM mice, which was accompanied by changes in the GM community.

1. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for over 90% of diabetes cases and is driven by high-sugar/high-fat (HSHF) diets and sedentary lifestyles. Persistent hyperglycaemia in T2DM triggers a c...

Morphological control in submerged fermentation is a well-established method for enhancing bioactive metabolite production in filamentous fungi. However, the molecular mechanisms linking morphology to fermentation efficiency remain insufficiently understood. In this study, supplementing 1.5% Tween 80 (P80) at the seed culture stage of Cordyceps militaris consistently induced the formation of compact, uniform mycelial pellets. This morphological induction at the seed stage enhanced fermentation performance, increasing exopolysaccharide (EPS) titer by 71.1% and reducing the production cycle by 24 h. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that pelletized cultures exhibited transcriptional patterns associated with MAPK signaling related to cell wall integrity and upregulation of genes involved in cell wall remodeling. Additionally, pelletized cultures displayed a reduced oxidative burden and were associated with enhanced antioxidant capacity. These findings link morphology induction to cell wall remodeling and oxidative stress defense, offering a potentially scalable strategy for industrial polysaccharide production in medicinal fungi.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an endocrine–metabolic disorder characterized by pancreatic islet dysfunction-induced hyperglycemia, which triggers hepatic injury, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, and systemic complications. Fagopyrum tararicum seeds exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antihypertensive effects. However, there is limited research exploring how supernatants derived from the water extraction–ethanol precipitation of Fagopyrum tararicum seeds (SWEPFT) modulate the intestinal microbiota and their potential link to T2DM. This study evaluates SWEPFT’s effects on hyperglycemia and intestinal microbiota in T2DM mice. After a 4-week therapeutic period, SWEPFT markedly ameliorated hyperglycemia, as evidenced by reduced body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and glycated serum protein (GSP) and improved insulin sensitivity/resistance indicators (HOMA-IS/IR) and β-cell function (HOMA-β). Furthermore, the levels of both Akt1 and Slc2a2 transcription displayed notable enhancement. SWEPFT-H (high-dose SWEPFT) exhibited superior effects to SWEPFT-L (low-dose SWEPFT) in improving BW, FBG, and HOMA-IS. Moreover, SWEPFT modulated the intestinal microbiota by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, augmenting the proportion of Intestinimonas and Ruminiclostridium, and increasing the short-chain fatty acid content. A correlation analysis identified Candidatus_Arthromitus, Anaeroplasma, Candidatus_Stoquefichus, and Harryflintia as potential T2DM biomarkers linked to glycemic regulation. These findings elucidate SWEPFT’s critical role in microbiota modulation and hyperglycemia alleviation, providing a novel perspective for T2DM pathogenesis research and therapeutic development.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a widespread chronic metabolic disorder, presents a global challenge. Metformin hydrochloride, although widely prescribed, is associated with notable side effects. This study aims to explore safer, more effective alternatives by assessing the impact of Ruditapes philippinarum polysaccharides (RPPs) on glycemic control and modulation of microbiota in T2DM mice. A T2DM mouse model was established through a high‐sucrose/high‐fat diet and intraperitioneal streptozotocin injection. Glycometabolism indicators, histopathological features, and gut microbiota composition in caecum samples were assessed. Following 4 weeks of RPPs intervention, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated serum protein (GSP), area under the curve (AUC) of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c) levels were reduced in T2DM mice, while AKT‐1 and GLUT‐2 transcription levels were significant increased. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations notably increased in the RPP‐L group compared to the Model group, with improvements also observed in medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and secondary bile acids (SBAs). Regarding gut microbiota, the Firmicutes‐to‐Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in RPP‐L was substantially lower than in the Model group. At the genus level, beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia, Alloprevotella, Tidjanibacter, and Faecalibaculum demonstrated increased abundance. Correlation analysis identified Muribaculum, Paramuribaculum, Lacrimispora, and Turicibacter as microbial taxa associated with T2DM progression. RPPs significantly alleviated hyperglycemic symptoms in T2DM mice while enhancing the presence of beneficial gut bacteria, leading to a marked improvement in intestinal microbiota composition. This research offers foundational insights for the potential use of R. philippinarum in biomedical and nutraceutical applications.