Fluorescent probes are widely used in cellular imaging and disease diagnosis. Acting as substitute carriers, fluorescent probes can also be used to help transport drugs within cells. In this study, commonly used fluorophores, TAMRA (5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine), PBA (1-pyrenebutyric acid), NBD (nitrobenzoxadiazole), OG (Oregon Green), and CF (5-carboxyfluorescein) were conjugated with the dipeptide β-Ala-Lys, the peptide moiety of the well-established peptide transporter substrate β-Ala-Lys(AMCA) (AMCA: 7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin-3-acetic acid) by modifying it with respect to side-chain length and functional end groups. The analogs were tested for transport through or inhibition of YdgR, a prototypical peptide transporter from E. coli and apparently homologous to the human PEPT1. Strikingly, none of the dipeptide-fluorophore conjugates nor minor modifications in the reporter substrate were tolerated by YdgR, indicating discrepancies to PEPT1. These findings underscore intricate substrate recognition mechanisms governing substrate recognition by YdgR.
AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D) pathophysiology involves insulin resistance (IR) and inadequate insulin secretion. Current T2D management includes dietary adjustments and/or oral medications such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Carrots have shown to contain bioactive acetylenic oxylipins that are partial agonists of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (Pparg) that mimic the antidiabetic effect of TZDs without any adverse effects. TZDs exert hypoglycemic effects through activation of Pparg and through the regulation of the gut microbiota (GM) producing short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which impact glucose and energy homeostasis, promote intestinal gluconeogenesis, and influence insulin signaling pathways. This study investigated the metabolic effects of carrot intake in a T2D mouse model, elucidating underlying mechanisms. Mice were fed a low‐fat diet (LFD), high‐fat diet (HFD), or adjusted HFD supplemented with 10% carrot powder for 16 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance tests were conducted at weeks 0 and 16. Fecal, cecum, and colon samples, as well as tissue samples, were collected at week 16 during the autopsy. Results showed improved oral glucose tolerance in the HFD carrot group compared to HFD alone after 16 weeks. GM analysis demonstrated increased diversity and compositional changes in the cecum of mice fed HFD with carrot relative to HFD. These findings suggest the potential effect of carrots in T2D management, possibly through modulation of GM. Gene expression analysis revealed no significant alterations in adipose or muscle tissue between diet groups. Further research into carrot‐derived bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action is warranted for developing effective dietary strategies against T2D.
Proton-dependent oligopeptide transporters (POTs) are recognized for their substrate promiscuity due to their ability to transport a wide range of substrates. POTs are conserved in all forms of life ranging from bacteria to humans. A dipeptide-fluorophore conjugate, H-(β-Ala)-Lys(AMCA)-OH, is a well-known substrate of the transporter YdgR that is commonly used as a fluorescent reporter. In order to understand the substrate space of YdgR, we used this dipeptide as a bait reference, when screening an ensemble of compounds (previously tested in PEPT/PTR/NPF space) via a cheminformatic analysis based on the Tanimoto similarity index. Eight compounds (sinalbin, abscisic acid, carnosine, jasmonic acid, N-acetyl-aspartate, N-acetyl-lysine, aspartame, and N-acetyl-aspartylglutamate), covering a wide range on the Tanimoto scale, were tested for YdgR-mediated transport. Carnosine was the only compound observed to be a YdgR substrate based on cell-based transport assays and molecular docking. The other compounds tested were neither inhibitors nor substrates. Thus, we found that neither the Tanimoto similarity index nor ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties appear useful for the identification of substrates (e.g., dipeptides) in YdgR-mediated drug transport.
Postmenopausal women are at risk of developing an overactive bladder (OAB). Conventional vaginal estrogen has shown promise for symptom relief. Isoflavones have proven effective as an alternative to estrogen treatment against menopause-related symptoms. However, its effect on OAB symptoms has not been studied. This study investigates if fermented red clover isoflavones reduce OAB symptoms in postmenopausal women. In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, women were administered red clover extract (RCE) or a placebo twice daily for three months. Women filled out the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) and Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), together with a fluid intake and voiding diary. A total of 33 women (16 in the RCE group and 17 in the placebo group) were included in the analysis. Baseline demographics and OAB characteristics were comparable across groups. Intake of RCE did not lead to significant relief in most urinary bladder symptom measures, although a significant reduction in the bother of urinary urgency (p = 0.033) and a tendency towards a decreased ICIQ-OAB score were observed (p = 0.056). In contrast, the placebo exhibited a significant decrease in the ICIQ-OAB score (p = 0.021) and in some diary outcomes. We found that an intake of isoflavones did not relieve OAB symptoms in postmenopausal women.
In vitro and animal studies have shown that carrot juice containing bioactive natural products, such as falcarinol (FaOH) and falcarindiol (FaDOH), can affect inflammation. The present study was designed to test whether oral intake of carrot juice containing the bioactive acetylenic oxylipins FaOH and FaDOH affects mediators of acute inflammation or the innate immune response in human blood. Carrot juice (500 mL) was administered orally to healthy volunteers, and blood samples were drawn before and 1 h after juice intake. Next, the blood samples were split in two, and one sample was stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The concentrations of 44 inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were examined using multiplex electrochemiluminescence analysis. In blood samples not stimulated with LPS, a significant increase in IL-15 was measured 1 h after carrot juice intake. Cytokines like IFN-ɣ, IL-12/IL-23(p40), IL-23, IL-17A, IL-17B, IL-17D, and IL-22 were significantly increased in LPS-stimulated blood samples after carrot juice intake. The upregulation of the immunostimulating cytokines belonging to the IL-23/IL-17 Th17 axis suggests that carrot juice intake could benefit diseases where inflammation plays a role, like in the early stages of diabetes or cancers.
Membrane transport proteins are essential for the transport of a wide variety of molecules across the cell membrane to maintain cellular homeostasis. Generally, these transport proteins can be overexpressed in a suitable host (bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells), and it is well documented that overexpression of membrane proteins alters the global metabolomic and proteomic profiles of the host cells. In the present study, we investigated the physiological consequences of overexpression of a membrane transport protein YdgR that belongs to the POT/PTR family from E. coli by using the lab strain BL21 (DE3)pLysS in its functional and attenuated mutant YdgR-E33Q. We found significant differences between the omics (metabolomics and proteomics) profiles of the cells expressing functional YdgR as compared to cells expressing attenuated YdgR, e.g., upregulation of several uncharacterized y-proteins and enzymes involved in the metabolism of peptides and amino acids. Furthermore, molecular network analysis suggested a relatively higher presence of proline-containing tripeptides in cells expressing functional YdgR. We envisage that an in-depth investigation of physiological alterations due to protein over-expression may be used for the deorphanization of the y-gene transportome.
The ever-increasing availability of genome sequencing data has revealed a substantial number of uncharacterized genes without known functions across various organisms. The first comprehensive genome sequencing of E. coli K12 revealed that more than 50% of its open reading frames corresponded to transcripts with no known functions. The group of protein-coding genes without a functional description and/or a recognized pathway, beginning with the letter "Y", is classified as the "y-ome". Several efforts have been made to elucidate the functions of these genes and to recognize their role in biological processes. This review provides a brief update on various strategies employed when studying the y-ome, such as high-throughput experimental approaches, comparative omics, metabolic engineering, gene expression analysis, and data integration techniques. Additionally, we highlight recent advancements in functional annotation methods, including the use of machine learning, network analysis, and functional genomics approaches. Novel approaches are required to produce more precise functional annotations across the genome to reduce the number of genes with unknown functions.
Background: Chokeberries (Aronia spp.) are known to exhibit both direct and indirect antioxidant properties and have been associated with beneficial effects on human health, including cardiovascular risk factors (inflammation, serum lipids, sugars, blood pressure), oxidative stress, and semen quality. This prospective, double-blinded, randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted to elucidate the effects of Aronia supplementation on these health targets in mildly hypercholesterolemic men. Methods: The standardized Aronia supplementation comprised three wild Aronia spp. (A. arbutifolia, A prunifolia and A. melanocarpa) and the Aronia hybrid × Sorbaronia mitschurinii (standardized to 150 mg anthocyanins daily). Participants (n = 109) were healthy men with respect to all outcome targets except for the total cholesterol level (5.0–7.0 mM). Participants were randomized to supplementation with either Aronia or placebo for 90 days, followed by a wash-out period and lastly the complementary supplementation. Effects on the health parameters were compared among both the whole group of men and in subgroups according to age, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle, dietary habits, and serum glutathione levels at baseline. The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov.: NCT03405753. Results: Glutathione levels were significantly improved after 90 days intake of Aronia supplementation compared to placebo in the subgroup of men with a low level of glutathione at baseline (p = 0.038) and a high coffee intake (p = 0.045). A significant decrease in levels of sperm DNA fragmentation and an increase in the percentage of motile sperm were observed in men aged >40 and in men with BMI > 25. Further, these parameters were significantly improved in the dietary subgroup defined by a high level of coffee intake. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased significantly in men <40 years after Aronia supplementation. No statistically significant effects were observed regarding blood pressure, markers of blood sugar regulation, hemoglobin A1c, superoxide dismutase, catalase, isoprostane levels, high sensitivity C reactive protein, or other semen parameters. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant increase in glutathione levels and improvement of cytoprotective targets following Aronia supplementation in specific subgroups of men >40 years of age and BMI > 25 but did not demonstrate a significant effect in the overall analysis. The observed concurrent increase in glutathione levels and improvement of cytoprotective targets following Aronia supplementation in subgroups of men, suggests that the endogenous phase II antioxidant glutathione is involved in the modulation of the observed cytoprotective effects. This study is a good foundation for further investigation of these cytoprotective effects in groups with oxidative stress in a dose–response study.
Background: The gut microbiota has emerged as a potential therapeutic target to improve the management of obesity and its comorbidities. Objective: We investigated the impact of a high fiber (similar to 38 g/d) plant-based diet, consumed ad libitum, with or without added inulin-type fructans (ITF), on the gut microbiota composition and cardiometabolic outcomes in subjects with obesity. We also tested if baseline Prevotella/Bacteroides (P/B) ratio predicts weight loss outcomes. Methods: This is a secondary exploratory analysis from the PREVENTOMICS study, in which 100 subjects (82 completers) aged 18-65 years with body mass index 27-40 kg/m(2) were randomized to 10weeks of double-blinded treatment with a personalized or a generic plant-based diet. Changes from baseline to endof-trial in gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing), body composition, cardiometabolic health and inflammatory markers were evaluated in the whole cohort (n =82), and also compared in the subgroup of subjects who were supplemented with an additional 20g/d ITF-prebiotics (n =21) or their controls (n=22). Results: In response to the plant-based diet, all subjects lost weight (-3.2 [95% CI -3.9, -2.5] kg) and experienced significant improvements in body composition and cardiometabolic health indices. Addition of ITF to the plant-based diet reduced microbial diversity (Shannon index) and selectively increased Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium (q <0.05). The change in the latter was significantly associated with higher values of insulin and HOMA-IR and lower HDL cholesterol. In addition, the LDL:HDL ratio and the concentrations of IL-10, MCP-1 and TNFa were significantly elevated in the ITF-subgroup. There was no relationship between baseline P/B ratio and changes in body weight (r=-0.07, p=0.53). Conclusion: A plant-based diet consumed ad libitum modestly decreases body weight and has multiple health benefits in individuals with obesity. Addition of ITF-prebiotics on top this naturally fiber-rich background selectively changes gut microbiota composition and attenuates some of the realized cardiometabolic benefits. Clinical trial registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04590989], identifier [NCT04590989].
The blue biliprotein phycocyanin, produced by photo‐autotrophic cyanobacteria including spirulina (Arthrospira) and marketed as a natural food supplement or “nutraceutical,” is reported to have anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activity. These diverse biological activities have been specifically attributed to the phycocyanin chromophore, phycocyanobilin (PCB). However, the mechanism of action of PCB and the molecular targets responsible for the beneficial properties of PCB are not well understood. We have developed a procedure to rapidly cleave the PCB pigment from phycocyanin by ethanolysis and then characterized it as an electrophilic natural product that interacts covalently with thiol nucleophiles but lacks any appreciable cytotoxicity or antibacterial activity against common pathogens and gut microbes. We then designed alkyne‐bearing PCB probes for use in chemical proteomics target deconvolution studies. Target identification and validation revealed the cysteine protease legumain (also known as asparaginyl endopeptidase, AEP) to be a target of PCB. Inhibition of this target may account for PCB's diverse reported biological activities.
The aim of this review is to provide an overview of how person-specific interactions between diet and the gut microbiota could play a role in affecting diet-induced weight loss responses. The highly person-specific gut microbiota, which is shaped by our diet, secretes digestive enzymes and molecules that affect digestion in the colon. Therefore, weight loss responses could in part depend on personal colonic fermentation responses, which affect energy extraction of food and production of microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which exert various effects on host metabolism. Colonic fermentation is the net result of the complex interplay between availability of dietary substrates, the functional capacity of the gut microbiome and environmental (abiotic) factors in the gut such as pH and transit time. While animal studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota can causally affect obesity, causal and mechanistic evidence from human studies is still largely lacking. However, recent human studies have proposed that the baseline gut microbiota composition may predict diet-induced weight loss-responses. In particular, individuals characterised by high relative abundance of Prevotella have been found to lose more weight on diets rich in dietary fibre compared to individuals with low Prevotella abundance. Although harnessing of personal diet-microbiota interactions holds promise for more personalised nutrition and obesity management strategies to improve human health, there is currently insufficient evidence to unequivocally link the gut microbiota and weight loss in human subjects. To move the field forward, a greater understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of personal diet-microbiota interactions is needed.
BackgroundSalivary amylase (AMY1) gene copy number (CN) and Prevotella abundance in the gut are involved in carbohydrate digestion in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, respectively; and have been suggested as prognostic biomarkers for weight loss among overweight individuals consuming diets rich in fiber and wholegrains.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that Prevotella abundance would be linked to greater loss of body fat after wholegrain consumption among individuals with low AMY1 CN, but not in those with high AMY1 CN.MethodsWe reanalyzed data from two independent randomized ad libitum wholegrain interventions (fiber intake ∼33 g/d for 6–8 weeks), to investigate the relationship between baseline Prevotella abundance and body fat loss among healthy, overweight participants stratified into two groups by median AMY1 CN. Individuals with no detected Prevotella spp. were excluded from the main analysis.ResultsIn both studies, individuals with low AMY1 CN exhibited a positive correlation between baseline Prevotella abundance and fat loss after consuming the wholegrain diet (r > 0.5, P < 0.05), but no correlation among participants with high AMY1 CN (P ≥ 0.6). Following consumption of the refined wheat control diets, there were no associations between baseline Prevotella abundance and changes in body fat in any of the AMY1 groups.ConclusionThese results suggest that Prevotella abundance together with AMY1 CN can help predict fat loss in response to ad libitum wholegrain diets, highlighting the potential of these biomarkers in personalized obesity management.
Women's football is an intermittent sport characterized by frequent intense actions throughout the match. The high number of matches with limited recovery time played across a long competitive season underlines the importance of nutritional strategies to meet these large physical demands. In order to maximize sport performance and maintain good health, energy intake must be optimal. However, a considerable proportion of female elite football players does not have sufficient energy intake to match the energy expenditure, resulting in low energy availability that might have detrimental physiologic consequences and impair performance. Carbohydrates appear to be the primary fuel covering the total energy supply during match-play, and female elite football players should aim to consume sufficient carbohydrates to meet the requirements of their training program and to optimize the replenishment of muscle glycogen stores between training bouts and matches. However, several macro- and micronutrients are important for ensuring sufficient energy and nutrients for performance optimization and for overall health status in female elite football players. The inadequacy of macro-and micronutrients in the diet of these athletes may impair performance and training adaptations, and increase the risk of health disorders, compromising the player's professional career. In this topical review, we present knowledge and relevant nutritional recommendations for elite female football players for the benefit of sports nutritionists, dietitians, sports scientists, healthcare specialists, and applied researchers. We focus on dietary intake and cover the most pertinent topics in sports nutrition for the relevant physical demands in female elite football players as follows: energy intake, macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and optimal composition of the everyday diet, nutritional and hydration strategies to optimize performance and recovery, potential ergogenic effects of authorized relevant supplements, and future research considerations.
A critical review of separation methods and technologies for lignocellulosic biomass conversion through thermochemical processes to liquid fuels is presented. The multistep processing of biomass includes thermochemical conversion, product upgrading and final fuels separation. Chemicals and biofuels are produced from intermediate streams in each processing section. In the thermochemical conversion, product streams from gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis require separation technologies for conditioning of main products and removal of impurities. In the upgrading, the separation technologies play an important role in the definition of different process configurations for conversion of unstable hydrocarbon fractions into specific biofuel types and chemicals via upgrading reactions. In the final fuels’ separation section, separation technologies must be implemented to separate desired biofuels from gases, chemicals, wastewater and solid products. Hence, for total biomass to liquid (BtL) processes, separation technologies are important to improve the interface between the sections and to determine the substructures and subsequent processing methods and techniques. It is observed that separation is more demanding in such biorefinery processes for BtL productions. On the other hand, the widely used separation methods in refineries are also mostly employed in BtL processes including phase separation, scrubbing, filtration, extraction, absorption, distillation, fractionation.
Contact DermatitisEarly View CONTACT POINT Occupational contact dermatitis from Senecio barbertonicus “Himalaya” Evy Paulsen, Corresponding Author Evy Paulsen evy.paulsen@rsyd.dk orcid.org/0000-0001-9738-6613 Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Correspondence Evy Paulsen, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 4, Entrance 1, 7th floor, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark Email: evy.paulsen@rsyd.dkSearch for more papers by this authorKlaus E. Andersen, Klaus E. Andersen Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorLars P. Christensen, Lars P. Christensen Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this author Evy Paulsen, Corresponding Author Evy Paulsen evy.paulsen@rsyd.dk orcid.org/0000-0001-9738-6613 Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Correspondence Evy Paulsen, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 4, Entrance 1, 7th floor, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark Email: evy.paulsen@rsyd.dkSearch for more papers by this authorKlaus E. Andersen, Klaus E. Andersen Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorLars P. Christensen, Lars P. Christensen Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 April 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14122Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation
ScopeDietary‐based strategies are regularly explored in controlled clinical trials to provide cost‐effective therapies to tackle obesity and its comorbidities. The article presents a complementary analysis based on a multivariate multi‐omics approach of a caloric restriction intervention (CRD) with fiber supplementation to unveil synergic effects on body weight control, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota.Methods and resultsThe study explores fecal bile acids (BAs) and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), plasma BAs, and fecal shotgun metagenomics on 80 overweight participants of a 12‐week caloric restriction clinical trial (−500 kcal day−1) randomly allocated into fiber (10 g day−1 inulin + 10 g day−1 resistant maltodextrin) or placebo (maltodextrin) supplementation groups. The multi‐omic data integration analysis uncovered the benefits of the fiber supplementation and/or the CRD (e.g., increase of Parabacteroides distasonis and fecal propionate), showing sex‐specific effects on either adiposity and fasting insulin; effects thought to be linked to changes of specific gut microbiota species, functional genes, and bacterially produced metabolites like SCFAs and secondary BAs.ConclusionsThis study identifies diet‐microbe‐host interactions helping to design personalised interventions. It also suggests that sex perspective should be considered routinely in future studies on dietary interventions efficacy. All in all, the study uncovers that the dietary intervention is more beneficial for women than men.
As individuals seek increasingly individualised nutrition and lifestyle guidance, numerous apps and nutrition programmes have emerged. However, complex individual variations in dietary behaviours, genotypes, gene expression and composition of the microbiome are increasingly recognised. Advances in digital tools and artificial intelligence can help individuals more easily track nutrient intakes and identify nutritional gaps. However, the influence of these nutrients on health outcomes can vary widely among individuals depending upon life stage, genetics and microbial composition. For example, folate may elicit favourable epigenetic effects on brain development during a critical developmental time window of pregnancy. Genes affecting vitamin B12 metabolism may lead to cardiometabolic traits that play an essential role in the context of obesity. Finally, an individual's gut microbial composition can determine their response to dietary fibre interventions during weight loss. These recent advances in understanding can lead to a more complete and integrated approach to promoting optimal health through personalised nutrition, in clinical practice settings and for individuals in their daily lives. The purpose of this review is to summarise presentations made during the DSM Science and Technology Award Symposium at the 13th European Nutrition Conference, which focused on personalised nutrition and novel technologies for health in the modern world.
Bioactive C17 and C18 acetylenic oxylipins have shown to contribute to the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and potential anticancer properties of terrestrial plants. These acetylenic oxylipins are widely distributed in plants belonging to the families Apiaceae, Araliaceae, and Asteraceae, and have shown to induce cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and to exert a chemopreventive effect on cancer development in vivo. The triple bond functionality of these oxylipins transform them into highly alkylating compounds being reactive to proteins and other biomolecules. This enables them to induce the formation of anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes via activation of the Keap1–Nrf2 signaling pathway, inhibition of proinflammatory peptides and proteins, and/or induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which, to some extent, may explain their chemopreventive effects. In addition, these acetylenic oxylipins have shown to act as ligands for the nuclear receptor PPARγ, which play a central role in growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Bioactive C17 and C18 acetylenic oxylipins appear, therefore, to constitute a group of promising lead compounds for the development of anticancer drugs. In this review, the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of C17 and C18 acetylenic oxylipins from terrestrial plants are presented and their possible mechanisms of action and structural requirements for optimal cytotoxicity are discussed.
Recent studies indicate that microbial enterotypes may influence the beneficial effects of wholegrain enriched diets including bodyweight regulation. In a 4-week intervention trial, overweight subjects were randomized to consume either arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS) (10.4 g/d) from wheat bran or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (3.6 g/d). In the present study, we have stratified the subjects participating in the intervention (n = 29) according to the baseline Prevotella-to-Bacteroides (P/B) ratios through a post-hoc analysis and applied a linear mixed model analysis to identify the influence of this P/B ratio on the differences in weight changes in the intervention arms. Following AXOS consumption (n = 15), the high P/B group showed no bodyweight changes [−0.14 kg (95% CI: −0.67; 0.38, p = .59)], while the low P/B group gained 0.65 kg (95% CI: 0.16; 1.14, p = .009). Consequently, a difference of −0.79 kg was found between P/B groups (95% CI: −1.51; −0.08, p = .030). No differences were found between P/B groups following PUFA consumption (0.61 kg, 95% CI: −0.13; 1.35, p = .10). Among the Bacteroides species, B. cellulosilyticus relative abundance exhibited the highest positive rank correlation (Kendall’s tau = 0.51, FDR p = .070) with 4-week weight change on AXOS, and such association was further supported by using supervised classification methods (Random Forest). We outlined several carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZy) genes involved in xylan-binding and degradation to be enriched in B. cellulosilyticus genomes, as well as multiple accessory genes, suggesting a supreme AXOS-derived glycan scavenging role of such species. This post-hoc analysis, ensuring species and strain demarcation at the human gut microbiota, permitted to uncover the predictive role of Bacteroides species over P/B enterotype in weight gain during a fiber-based intervention. The results of this pilot trial pave the way for future assessments on fiber fermentation outputs from Bacteroides species affecting lipid metabolism in the host and with direct impact on adiposity, thus helping to design personalized interventions.