The Artificial Sweetener Splenda Promotes Gut Proteobacteria, Dysbiosis, and Myeloperoxidase Reactivity in Crohn’s Disease–Like Ileitis

Abstract

Splenda promoted gut Proteobacteria, dysbiosis, and biochemical MPO reactivity in a spontaneous model of (Bacteroidetes-rich) ileal CD. Our results indicate that although Splenda may promote parallel microbiome alterations in CD-prone and healthy hosts, this did not result in elevated MPO levels in healthy mice, only CD-prone mice. The consumption of sucralose/maltodextrin-containing foods might exacerbate MPO intestinal reactivity only in individuals with a pro-inflammatory predisposition, such as CD.

Nonmedical Masks in Public for Respiratory Pandemics: Droplet Retention by Two-Layer Textile Barrier Fully Protects Germ-free Mice from Bacteria in Droplets

“…f ) Visualization of rich community composition for the bacteria present in the microdroplet solution used to spray germ-free mice. Parallel lanes plating method 13 . g ) Visualization of bacteria-contained on macro/micro-droplets on a quarter of a Petri dish.…”

“…All respiratory viruses need liquid suspensions/droplets to remain infective for long periods of time (vs. dry), and to contaminate susceptible individuals 12 . Therein, using a bacterial-suspension spray simulation model of droplet ejection (mimicking a sneeze) 11 , and a Parallel Lanes Plating method 13 , herein we quantified the extent by which widely available clothing fabrics could protect germ-free animals on the other side of the textile-barrier (simulating a properly worn mask) from contamination by the microbes contained in micro-droplets. In short, the reported experiment was conducted with eighteen 9-week-old germ-free (Swiss Webster) mice (males:females, 1:1), which were individually allocated to 18 germ-free cages, for repeated exposure to a cloud of micro-droplets.…”

Oral and Systemic Effects of Xylitol Consumption

“…Gut dysbiosis has been widely believed to cause the metabolic syndrome and other obesity-related comorbidities, but studies that put forth this hypothesis have failed to apply all the causality establishment criteria [Janket et al, 2018]. In a murine model, mice fed Splenda (sucralose and maltodextrin) increased proteobacteria, dysbiosis, and myeloperoxidase reactivity [Rodriguez-Palacios et al, 2018]. However, the increase in proteobacteria could be filling the voids generated by decreased Firmicutes (i.e., streptococci).…”

Understanding artificial mouse-microbiome heterogeneity and six actionable themes to increase study power

“…deserve emphasis.As reflected by the literature reviewed and the misconceptions documented in our survey, little is known 302 about the effect of time of year/season on mouse research heterogeneity 3,63,70. Since it is almost impossible to control 303 for seasonal variation within long-term, or multiple short-term experiments spanning over several seasons, it is 304 important to take measures to improve measures taken to improve study variation/reproducibility over time (e.g., food 305 batch, inter-experiment IsPreFeH).…”

“…Of concern, the 'time of year/season' was the least important aspect believed to influence 178 the microbiome (ranked 15 th ); however, we have shown that cross-sectional metagenome experiments conducted in 179 separate seasons produce contrasting results when assessing the role of Helicobacter spp. in spontaneous Crohn's 180 disease-like ileitis in mice, 3 implying that repeating experiments across seasons may yield unreproducible results 181 over time.…”