Exercise prevents weight gain and alters the gut microbiota in a mouse model of high fat diet-induced obesity

Gut microbiome related to metabolic diseases after moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise

Background objectives

The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in gut microbiota related to metabolic diseases after moderate and high-intensity exercise. A total of 24 participants were divided into three groups: Non-Exercise Group (NEG, n = 8, 28.6 ± 5.3 years, 176.0 ± 7.8 cm, 81.3 ± 14.6 kg), Moderate Intensity Exercise Group (MIEG, n = 8, 26.5 ± 3.3 years, 176.9 ± 5.0 cm, 75.4 ± 9.5 kg), and Vigorous Intensity Exercise Group (VIEG, n = 8, 30.6 ± 5.9 years, 174.2 ± 3.5 cm, 77.8 ± 12.2 kg).

Methods

The participants were selected by assessing physical activity, gut health status, presence of diseases, recent disease diagnoses, and dietary disorders. Those who reported any presence disease or recent disease diagnosis were excluded from the current study. Stool samples were collected after a 10-h fast for gut microbiome analysis. MIEG participants trained at 40-59 % heart rate reserve (HRR) for at least 150 min per week, while VIEG participants trained at ≥ 60 % HRR for at least 90 min per week. After 4 weeks, all participants provided stool samples for gut microbiome analysis.Data analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon test, with statistical significance set at ≤ 0.05.

Results

The results indicated an increase in Prevotella in MIEG, while Veillonella, Dorea_formicigenerans, and Dorea_longicatena exhibited a decrease (p < 0.05). In VIEG, there was an increase in Bacteroides, Butyricimonas, Odoribacter, and Alistipes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These modified microbial groups were associated with factors related to metabolic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, colorectal cancer, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic liver diseases, and ischemic heart diseases. Additional research is essential to delve into the relationship between exercise and these alterations in the microbiome.

Gut microbiome: A revolution in type II diabetes mellitus

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has experienced a dramatic increase globally across countries of various income levels over the past three decades. The persistent prevalence of T2DM is attributed to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. While numerous pharmaceutical therapies have been developed, there remains an urgent need for innovative treatment approaches that offer effectiveness without significant adverse effects. In this context, the exploration of the gut microbiome presents a promising avenue. Research has increasingly shown that the gut microbiome of individuals with T2DM exhibits distinct differences compared to healthy individuals, suggesting its potential role in the disease's pathogenesis and progression. This emerging field offers diverse applications, particularly in modifying the gut environment through the administration of prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiome transfer. These inter-ventions aim to restore a healthy microbiome balance, which could potentially alleviate or even reverse the metabolic dysfunctions associated with T2DM. Although current results from clinical trials have not yet shown dramatic effects on diabetes management, the groundwork has been laid for deeper investigation. Ongoing and future clinical trials are critical to advancing our understanding of the microbiome's impact on diabetes. By further elucidating the mechanisms through which microbiome alterations influence insulin resistance and glucose metabolism, researchers can develop more targeted interventions. The potential to harness the gut microbiome in developing new therapeutic strategies offers a compelling prospect to transform the treatment landscape of T2DM, potentially reducing the disease's burden significantly with approaches that are less reliant on traditional pharmaceuticals and more focused on holistic, systemic health improvements.

Moderate-intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training modulate the composition of the oral microbiota of elderly adults: Randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

We investigates the effects of 16-week high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on the composition of the oral microbiota. To the best of our knowledge, at the time of writing this paper no other scholars had described the oral metagenomic changes associated with prescribed exercise in older adults.

METHODS

Forty-three participants aged 60-74 years were randomized 1:1:1 to a control group, high-intensity interval training or moderate-intensity continuous training twice weekly for 16 weeks. Saliva samples were sequenced at baseline, week 8 and week 16 of intervention.

RESULTS

High-intensity interval training produced significant differences over time in Richness and a clear trend to decreased Simpson and Shannon diversity indices. In contrast, Simpson and Shannon indices showed an upward trend over time with moderate-intensity continuous training, which also decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidetes levels. Significant differences in the abundance of pathogenic species were also observed after the participants completed the exercise interventions of either type.

CONCLUSIONS

Both types of exercise promoted subtle changes in the oral microbiota, confirming the modulatory effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on the oral microbiome. Clinical trial registration NCT05220670.

Exploring the Relationship Between Diet, Lifestyle and Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer Development: A Recent Update

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment modalities, its prevalence continues to rise, notably among younger populations. Unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary routines, and obesity have been identified as one of the key contributors to the development of colorectal cancer, apart from genetic and epigenetic modifications. Recognizing the profound impact of diet and lifestyle on the intricate gut microbiota ecosystem offers a promising avenue for understanding CRC development and its treatment. Gut dysbiosis, characterized by imbalances favoring harmful microbes over beneficial ones, has emerged as a defining feature of CRC. Changes in diet and lifestyle can profoundly alter the composition of gut microbes and the metabolites they produce, potentially contributing to CRC onset. Focusing on recent evidence, this review discussed various dietary factors, such as high consumption of red and processed meats and low fiber intake, and lifestyle factors, including obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, that influence the gut microbiome composition and elevate CRC risk.

Microbial-Derived Exerkines Prevent Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Regular exercise yields a multitude of systemic benefits, many of which may be mediated through the gut microbiome. Here, we report that cecal microbial transplants (CMTs) from exercise-trained vs. sedentary mice have modest benefits in reducing skeletal muscle atrophy using a mouse model of unilaterally hindlimb-immobilization. Direct administration of top microbial-derived exerkines from an exercise-trained gut microbiome preserved muscle function and prevented skeletal muscle atrophy.

Effects of astaxanthin on gut microbiota of polo ponies during deconditioning and reconditioning periods

To determine the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation on the equine gut microbiota during a deconditioning-reconditioning cycle, 12 polo ponies were assigned to a control (CON; n = 6) or supplemented (ASTX; 75 mg ASTX daily orally; n = 6) group. All horses underwent a 16-week deconditioning period, with no forced exercise, followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where physical activity gradually increased. Fecal samples were obtained at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after deconditioning (PostDecon), after reconditioning (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after the cessation of ASTX supplementation (Washout). Following DNA extraction from fecal samples, v4 of 16S was amplified and sequenced to determine operational taxonomic unit tables and α-diversity and β-diversity indices. The total number of observed species was greater at Baseline than PostDecon, PostRecon, and Washout (p ≤ 0.02). A main effect of ASTX (p = 0.01) and timepoint (p = 0.01) was observed on β-diversity, yet the variability of timepoint was greater (13%) than ASTX (6%), indicating a greater effect of timepoint than ASTX. Deconditioning and reconditioning periods affected the abundance of the Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres phyla. Physical activity and ASTX supplementation affect the equine gut microbiome, yet conditioning status may have a greater impact.

Revitalizing the Gut Microbiome in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comprehensive Exploration of the Therapeutic Potential of Physical Activity

Both physical inactivity and disruptions in the gut microbiome appear to be prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Engaging in physical activity could present a novel nonpharmacological strategy for enhancing the gut microbiome and mitigating the adverse effects associated with microbial dysbiosis in individuals with CKD. This narrative review explores the underlying mechanisms through which physical activity may favorably modulate microbial health, either through direct impact on the gut or through interorgan crosstalk. Also, the development of microbial dysbiosis and its interplay with physical inactivity in patients with CKD are discussed. Mechanisms and interventions through which physical activity may restore gut homeostasis in individuals with CKD are explored.

Exercise-induced microbial changes in preventing type 2 diabetes

The metabolic benefits associated with long-term physical activity are well appreciated and growing evidence suggests that it involves the gut microbiota. Here we re-evaluated the link between exercise-induced microbial changes and those associated with prediabetes and diabetes. We found that the relative abundances of substantial amounts of diabetes-associated metagenomic species associated negatively with physical fitness in a Chinese athlete students cohort. We additionally showed that those microbial changes correlated more with handgrip strength, a simple but valuable biomarker suggestive of the diabetes states, than maximum oxygen intake, one of the key surrogates for endurance training. Moreover, the causal relationships among exercise, risks for diabetes, and gut microbiota were explored based on mediation analysis. We propose that the protective roles of exercise against type 2 diabetes are mediated, at least partly, by the gut microbiota.

Microbiota-gut-brain axis: the mediator of exercise and brain health

The brain controls the nerve system, allowing complex emotional and cognitive activities. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a bidirectional neural, hormonal, and immune signaling pathway that could link the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Over the past few decades, gut microbiota has been demonstrated to be an essential component of the gastrointestinal tract that plays a crucial role in regulating most functions of various body organs. The effects of the microbiota on the brain occur through the production of neurotransmitters, hormones, and metabolites, regulation of host-produced metabolites, or through the synthesis of metabolites by the microbiota themselves. This affects the host's behavior, mood, attention state, and the brain's food reward system. Meanwhile, there is an intimate association between the gut microbiota and exercise. Exercise can change gut microbiota numerically and qualitatively, which may be partially responsible for the widespread benefits of regular physical activity on human health. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive method to show areas of brain activity enabling the delineation of specific brain regions involved in neurocognitive disorders. Through combining exercise tasks and fMRI techniques, researchers can observe the effects of exercise on higher brain functions. However, exercise's effects on brain health via gut microbiota have been little studied. This article reviews and highlights the connections between these three interactions, which will help us to further understand the positive effects of exercise on brain health and provide new strategies and approaches for the prevention and treatment of brain diseases.

Sports-Related Gastrointestinal Disorders: From the Microbiota to the Possible Role of Nutraceuticals, a Narrative Analysis

Intense physical exercise can be related to a significant incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, with a prevalence documented in the literature above 80%, especially for more intense forms such as running. This is in an initial phase due to the distancing of the flow of blood from the digestive system to the skeletal muscle and thermoregulatory systems, and secondarily to sympathetic nervous activation and hormonal response with alteration of intestinal motility, transit, and nutrient absorption capacity. The sum of these effects results in a localized inflammatory process with disruption of the intestinal microbiota and, in the long term, systemic inflammation. The most frequent early symptoms include abdominal cramps, flatulence, the urge to defecate, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, chest pain, heartburn, and belching. Promoting the stability of the microbiota can contribute to the maintenance of correct intestinal permeability and functionality, with better control of these symptoms. The literature documents various acute and chronic alterations of the microbiota following the practice of different types of activities. Several nutraceuticals can have functional effects on the control of inflammatory dynamics and the stability of the microbiota, exerting both nutraceutical and prebiotic effects. In particular, curcumin, green tea catechins, boswellia, berberine, and cranberry PACs can show functional characteristics in the management of these situations. This narrative review will describe its application potential.

Gut microbiota in MAFLD: therapeutic and diagnostic implications

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is becoming a significant contributor to chronic liver disease globally, surpassing other etiologies, such as viral hepatitis. Prevention and early treatment strategies to curb its growing prevalence are urgently required. Recent evidence suggests that targeting the gut microbiota may help treat and alleviate disease progression in patients with MAFLD. This review aims to explore the complex relationship between MAFLD and the gut microbiota in relation to disease pathogenesis. Additionally, it delves into the therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota, such as diet, exercise, antibiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and fecal microbiota transplantation, and discusses novel biomarkers, such as microbiota-derived testing and liquid biopsy, for their diagnostic and staging potential. Overall, the review emphasizes the urgent need for preventive and therapeutic strategies to address the devastating consequences of MAFLD at both individual and societal levels and recognizes that further exploration of the gut microbiota may open avenues for managing MAFLD effectively in the future.

Maternal Phlorizin Intake Protects Offspring from Maternal Obesity-Induced Metabolic Disorders in Mice via Targeting Gut Microbiota to Activate the SCFA-GPR43 Pathway

Maternal obesity increases the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders (MDs) in offspring, which can be mediated by the gut microbiota. Phlorizin (PHZ) can improve gut dysbiosis and positively affect host health; however, its transgenerational metabolic benefits remain largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential of maternal PHZ intake in attenuating the adverse impacts of a maternal high-fat diet on obesity-related MDs in dams and offspring. The results showed that maternal PHZ reduced HFD-induced body weight gain and fat accumulation and improved glucose intolerance and abnormal lipid profiles in both dams and offspring. PHZ improved gut dysbiosis by promoting expansion of SCFA-producing bacteria, Akkermansia and Blautia, while inhibiting LPS-producing and pro-inflammatory bacteria, resulting in significantly increased fecal SCFAs, especially butyric acid, and reduced serum lipopolysaccharide levels and intestinal inflammation. PHZ also promoted intestinal GLP-1/2 secretion and intestinal development and enhanced gut barrier function by activating G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) in the offspring. Antibiotic-treated mice receiving FMT from PHZ-regulated offspring could attenuate MDs induced by receiving FMT from HFD offspring through the gut microbiota to activate the GPR43 pathway. It can be regarded as a promising functional food ingredient for preventing intergenerational transmission of MDs and breaking the obesity cycle.

A comprehensive overview of microbiome data in the light of machine learning applications: categorization, accessibility, and future directions

Metagenomics, Metabolomics, and Metaproteomics have significantly advanced our knowledge of microbial communities by providing culture-independent insights into their composition and functional potential. However, a critical challenge in this field is the lack of standard and comprehensive metadata associated with raw data, hindering the ability to perform robust data stratifications and consider confounding factors. In this comprehensive review, we categorize publicly available microbiome data into five types: shotgun sequencing, amplicon sequencing, metatranscriptomic, metabolomic, and metaproteomic data. We explore the importance of metadata for data reuse and address the challenges in collecting standardized metadata. We also, assess the limitations in metadata collection of existing public repositories collecting metagenomic data. This review emphasizes the vital role of metadata in interpreting and comparing datasets and highlights the need for standardized metadata protocols to fully leverage metagenomic data's potential. Furthermore, we explore future directions of implementation of Machine Learning (ML) in metadata retrieval, offering promising avenues for a deeper understanding of microbial communities and their ecological roles. Leveraging these tools will enhance our insights into microbial functional capabilities and ecological dynamics in diverse ecosystems. Finally, we emphasize the crucial metadata role in ML models development.

Temporal variations in the gut microbial diversity in response to high-fat diet and exercise

High-fat diet-induced obesity is a pandemic caused by an inactive lifestyle and increased consumption of Western diets and is a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, exercise can positively influence gut microbial diversity and is linked to a decreased inflammatory state. To understand the gut microbial variations associated with exercise and high-fat diet over time, we conducted a longitudinal study to examine the effect of covariates on gut microbial diversity and composition. Young mice were divided into four groups: Chow-diet (CHD), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet + exercise (HFX), and exercise only (EXE) and underwent experimental intervention for 12 weeks. Fecal samples at week 0 and 12 were collected for DNA extraction, followed by 16S library preparation and sequencing. Data were analyzed using QIIME 2, R and MicrobiomeAnalyst. The Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio decreased fivefold in the HFD and HFX groups compared to that in the CHD and EXE groups and increased in the EXE group over time. Alpha diversity was significantly increased in the EXE group longitudinally (p < 0.02), whereas diversity (Shannon, Faith's PD, and Fisher) and richness (ACE) was significantly reduced in the HFD (p < 0.005) and HFX (p < 0.03) groups over time. Beta diversity, based on the Jaccard, Bray-Curtis, and unweighted UniFrac distance metrics, was significant among the groups. Prevotella, Paraprevotella, Candidatus arthromitus, Lactobacillus salivarius, L. reuteri, Roseburia, Bacteroides uniformis, Sutterella, and Corynebacterium were differentially abundant in the chow-diet groups (CHD and EXE). Exercise significantly reduced the proportion of taxa characteristic of a high-fat diet, including Butyricimonas, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Mucispirillum schaedleri. Diet, age, and exercise significantly contributed to explaining the bacterial community structure and diversity in the gut microbiota. Modulating the gut microbiota and maintaining its stability can lead to targeted microbiome therapies to manage chronic and recurrent diseases and infections.

The microbiome and gynecologic cancer: cellular mechanisms and clinical applications

The microbiome plays a vital function in maintaining human health and homeostasis. Each microbiota has unique characteristics, including those of the gastrointestinal and female reproductive tract. Dysbiosis, or alterations to the composition of the microbial communities, impacts the microbiota-host relationship and is linked to diseases, including cancer. In addition, studies have demonstrated that the microbiota can contribute to a pro-carcinogenic state through altered host immunologic response, modulation of cell proliferation, signaling, gene expression, and dysregulated metabolism of nutrients and hormones.In recent years, the microbiota of the gut and female reproductive tracts have been linked to many diseases, including gynecologic cancers. Numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that specific bacteria or microbial communities may contribute to the development of gynecologic cancers. Further, the microbiota may also impact the toxicity and efficacy of cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy in women with gynecologic malignancies. The microbiota is highly dynamic and may be altered through various mechanisms, including diet, exercise, medications, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This review provides an overview of the current literature detailing the relationship between gynecologic cancers and the microbiota of the female reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, focusing on mechanisms of carcinogenesis and strategies for modulating the microbiota for cancer prevention and treatment. Advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between the microbiota and gynecologic cancer will provide a novel approach for prevention and therapeutic modulation in the future.

Role of the intestinal microbiome and its therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular disorder

The gut microbiome is a heterogeneous population of microbes comprising viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Such a microbiome is essential for sustaining host equilibrium, and its impact on human health can be altered by a variety of factors such as external variables, social behavior, age, nutrition, and genetics. Gut microbes' imbalances are related to a variety of chronic diseases including cancer, obesity, and digestive disorders. Globally, recent findings show that intestinal microbes have a significant role in the formation of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is still the primary cause of fatalities. Atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and some inherited variables are all cardiovascular risk variables. However, studies found correlations between metabolism, intestinal flora, and dietary intake. Variations in the diversity of gut microbes and changes in their activity are thought to influence CVD etiology. Furthermore, the gut microbiota acts as an endocrine organ, producing bioactive metabolites such as TMA (trimethylamine)/TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), SCFA (short-chain fatty acids), and bile acids, which have a substantial impact on host wellness and disease by multiple mechanisms. The purpose of this overview is to compile current evidence highlighting the intricate links between gut microbiota, metabolites, and the development of CVD. It focuses on how intestinal dysbiosis promotes CVD risk factors such as heart failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. This review explores the normal physiology of intestinal microbes and potential techniques for targeting gut bacteria for CVD treatment using various microbial metabolites. It also examines the significance of gut bacteria in disease treatment, including supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotic therapies, and fecal transplantation, which is an innovative approach to the management of CVD. As a result, gut bacteria and metabolic pathways become increasingly attractive as potential targets for CVD intervention.

Impact of a one-year supervised physical activity program on long-term cancer-related fatigue and mediating effects of the gut microbiota in metastatic testicular cancer patients: protocol of the prospective multicentre, randomized controlled phase-III STARTER trial

BACKGROUND

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common malignancy in men aged 15-40 years, with increasing incidence worldwide. About 33 ~ 50% of the patients present with metastatic disease at diagnosis. TGCT survivors experience short- and long-term sequelae, including cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Physical activity (PA) has established effects on reducing CRF and other sequelae and improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, its impact on TGCT survivors has so far received little attention. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including cognition and metabolism, and may mediate the effects of PA on CRF and other sequelae, but this has not been investigated in randomized controlled trials.

METHODS

This national, multicentre, phase-III trial will evaluate the impact of a one-year supervised PA program on CRF and other short- and long-term sequelae in metastatic TGCT patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy combined with etoposide+/-bleomycin. It will also investigate potential mediating effects of the gut microbiota and its metabolites involved in the gut-brain axis on the relationship between PA and CRF and other sequelae. A total of 236 men ≥ 18 years of age with metastatic TGCT (seminoma and non-seminoma) will be enrolled before starting first-line chemotherapy in several French hospitals. The primary (CRF) and secondary (cognitive/psychological/metabolic sequelae, HRQoL, etc.) outcomes and gut microbiota and relevant metabolites will be assessed at inclusion, during and at the end of the one-year intervention, and annually until 10 years since inclusion to assess long-term sequelae, more specifically CRF, cardiovascular toxicities, and second primary cancer occurrence in this population.

DISCUSSION

This trial will provide comprehensive and novel insights into the effects of a long-term supervised PA program on CRF and other sequelae in metastatic TGCT patients receiving first-line chemotherapy. It will also contribute to understanding the potential role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in mediating the effects of PA on these outcomes. The findings of this study will help the development of effective PA interventions to improve the health of TGCT survivors and may have implications for other cancer populations as well.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05588700) on 20 Oct. 2022.

Alkaline Phosphatase Relieves Colitis in Obese Mice Subjected to Forced Exercise via Its Anti-Inflammatory and Intestinal Microbiota-Shaping Properties

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is an enzyme that plays a protective role in the gut. This study investigated the effect of IAP treatment on experimental colitis in mice subjected to forced exercise on a high-fat diet. C57BL/6 mice with TNBS colitis were fed a high-fat diet and subjected to forced treadmill exercise with or without IAP treatment. Disease activity, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota were assessed. Forced exercise exacerbated colitis in obese mice, as evidenced by increased disease activity index (DAI), oxidative stress markers, and proinflammatory adipokines and cytokines. IAP treatment significantly reduced these effects and promoted the expression of barrier proteins in the colonic mucosa. Additionally, IAP treatment altered the gut microbiota composition, favoring beneficial Verrucomicrobiota and reducing pathogenic Clostridia and Odoribacter. IAP treatment ameliorates the worsening effect of forced exercise on murine colitis by attenuating oxidative stress, downregulating proinflammatory biomarkers, and modulating the gut microbiota. IAP warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis.

Breaking the barriers: the role of gut homeostasis in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and the gut microbiome intricately interplay in Metabolic-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), previously known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a growing health concern. The complex progression of MASLD extends beyond the liver, driven by "gut-liver axis," where diet, genetics, and gut-liver interactions influence disease development. The pathophysiology of MASLD involves excessive liver fat accumulation, hepatocyte dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis, with subsequent risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The gut, a tripartite barrier, with mechanical, immune, and microbial components, engages in a constant communication with the liver. Recent evidence links dysbiosis and disrupted barriers to systemic inflammation and disease progression. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate immunological crosstalk between the gut and liver, recognizing microbial structures and triggering immune responses. The "multiple hit model" of MASLD development involves factors like fat accumulation, insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, and genetics/environmental elements disrupting the gut-liver axis, leading to impaired intestinal barrier function and increased gut permeability. Clinical management strategies encompass dietary interventions, physical exercise, pharmacotherapy targeting bile acid (BA) metabolism, and microbiome modulation approaches through prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). This review underscores the complex interactions between diet, metabolism, microbiome, and their impact on MASLD pathophysiology and therapeutic prospects.

Physical exercise plays a role in rebalancing the bile acids of enterohepatic axis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered as one of the most common diseases of lipid metabolism disorders, which is closely related to bile acids disorders and gut microbiota disorders. Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, and processed by gut microbiota in intestinal tract, and participate in metabolic regulation through the enterohepatic circulation. Bile acids not only promote the consumption and absorption of intestinal fat but also play an important role in biological metabolic signaling network, affecting fat metabolism and glucose metabolism. Studies have demonstrated that exercise plays an important role in regulating the composition and function of bile acid pool in enterohepatic axis, which maintains the homeostasis of the enterohepatic circulation and the health of the host gut microbiota. Exercise has been recommended by several health guidelines as the first-line intervention for patients with NAFLD. Can exercise alter bile acids through the microbiota in the enterohepatic axis? If so, regulating bile acids through exercise may be a promising treatment strategy for NAFLD. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this potential connection are largely unknown. Therefore, in this review, we tried to review the relationship among NAFLD, physical exercise, bile acids, and gut microbiota through the existing data and literature, highlighting the role of physical exercise in rebalancing bile acid and microbial dysbiosis.

Optimizing the Gut Microbiota for Individualized Performance Development in Elite Athletes

The human gut microbiota can be compared to a fingerprint due to its uniqueness, hosting trillions of living organisms. Taking a sport-centric perspective, the gut microbiota might represent a physiological system that relates to health aspects as well as individualized performance in athletes. The athletes' physiology has adapted to their exceptional lifestyle over the years, including the diversity and taxonomy of the microbiota. The gut microbiota is influenced by several physiological parameters and requires a highly individual and complex approach to unravel the linkage between performance and the microbial community. This approach has been taken in this review, highlighting the functions that the microbial community performs in sports, naming gut-centered targets, and aiming for both a healthy and sustainable athlete and performance development. With this article, we try to consider whether initiating a microbiota analysis is practicable and could add value in elite sport, and what possibilities it holds when influenced through a variety of interventions. The aim is to support enabling a well-rounded and sustainable athlete and establish a new methodology in elite sport.

Gut-muscle-brain axis: Molecular mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders and potential therapeutic efficacy of probiotic supplementation coupled with exercise

Increased longevity is often associated with age-related conditions. The most common neurodegenerative disorders in the older population are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), associated with progressive neuronal loss leading to functional and cognitive impairments. Although symptomatic treatments are available, there is currently no cure for these conditions. Gut dysbiosis has been involved in the pathogenesis of AD and PD, thus interventions targeting the "gut-brain axis" could potentially prevent or delay these pathologies. Recent evidence suggests that the skeletal muscle and the gut microbiota can affect each other via the "gut-muscle axis". Importantly, cognitive functions in AD and PD patients significantly benefit from physical activity. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the crosstalk between the brain, the skeletal muscle and the gut microbiota, introducing the concept of "gut-muscle-brain axis". Moreover, we discuss human and animal studies exploring the modulatory role of exercise and probiotics on cognition in AD and PD. Collectively, the findings presented here support the potential benefits of physical activity and probiotic supplementation in AD and PD. Further studies will be needed to develop targeted and multimodal strategies, including lifestyle changes, to prevent or delay the course of these pathologies.

The effects of race and probiotic supplementation on the intestinal microbiota of 10-km open-water swimmers

This study collected the stools of 10-km open-water swimmers after race and probiotic supplementation, and 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis were performed to clarify their intestinal microbiota characteristics. The findings revealed a relatively high proportion of Firmicutes in all the athletes. Firmicutes in female athletes were significantly higher after probiotic supplementation. The intestinal microbiota of athletes was closely associated with the pathways of exercise against cancer, exercise against aging, exercise for improving cognition, sphingolipid metabolism and endocrine resistance. Future research should focus on the relationship between Firmicutes and Proteobacteria with super class metabolites in athletes. This report initially explored the changes in intestinal microbiota involved in metabolic pathways in athletes after race and after probiotic supplementation and provided a theoretical basis for the further improvement of the monitoring of their physical function after race and selection of nutritional strategies during exercise training.

Major Depressive Disorder and Gut Microbiota: Role of Physical Exercise

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has a high prevalence and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. This psychiatric disorder results from a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in brain health has received particular attention, and compelling evidence has shown that patients suffering from depression have gut dysbiosis. Several studies have reported that gut dysbiosis-induced inflammation may cause and/or contribute to the development of depression through dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Indeed, as a consequence of gut dysbiosis, neuroinflammatory alterations caused by microglial activation together with impairments in neuroplasticity may contribute to the development of depressive symptoms. The modulation of the gut microbiota has been recognized as a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of MMD. In this regard, physical exercise has been shown to positively change microbiota composition and diversity, and this can underlie, at least in part, its antidepressant effects. Given this, the present review will explore the relationship between physical exercise, gut microbiota and depression, with an emphasis on the potential of physical exercise as a non-invasive strategy for modulating the gut microbiota and, through this, regulating the gut-brain axis and alleviating MDD-related symptoms.

Interaction between high-intensity interval training and high-protein diet on gut microbiota composition and body weight in obese male rats

Diet and exercise are two critical factors that regulate gut microbiota, affecting weight management. The present study investigated the effect of 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and a high-protein diet (HPD) on gut microbiota composition and body weight changes in obese male Wistar rats. Forty obese rats were randomly divided into five groups, including HPD, HIIT + HPD, HIIT + high-fat diet (HFD) (continuing HFD during intervention), obese control 1 (continuing HFD during intervention), obese control 2 (cutting off HFD at the beginning of the intervention and continuing standard diet), and eight non-obese Wistar rats as a non-obese control (NOC) group (standard diet). Microbial community composition and diversity analysis by sequencing 16S rRNA genes derived from the fecal samples, body weight, and Lee index were assessed. The body weight and Lee index in the NOC, HIIT + HFD, HPD, and HIIT + HPD groups were significantly lower than that in the OC1 and OC2 groups along with the lower body weight and Lee index in the HPD and HIIT + HPD groups compared with the HIIT + HFD group. Also, HFD consumption and switching from HFD to a standard diet or HPD increased gut microbiota dysbiosis. Furthermore, HIIT along with HFD increased the adverse effects of HFD on gut microbiota, while the HIIT + HPD increased microbial richness, improved gut microbiota dysbiosis, and changed rats' phenotype to lean. It appears that HFD discontinuation without doing HIIT does not improve gut microbiota dysbiosis. Also, the HIIT + HFD, HPD, and HIIT + HPD slow down HFD-induced weight gain, but HIIT + HPD is a more reliable strategy for weight management due to its beneficial effects on gut microbiota composition.

Exercise and microbiome: From big data to therapy

Exercise is a vital component in maintaining optimal health and serves as a prospective therapeutic intervention for various diseases. The human microbiome, comprised of trillions of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in overall health. Given the advancements in microbiome research, substantial databases have been created to decipher the functionality and mechanisms of the microbiome in health and disease contexts. This review presents an initial overview of microbiomics development and related databases, followed by an in-depth description of the multi-omics technologies for microbiome. It subsequently synthesizes the research pertaining to exercise-induced modifications of the microbiome and diseases that impact the microbiome. Finally, it highlights the potential therapeutic implications of an exercise-modulated microbiome in intestinal disease, obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and immune/inflammation-related diseases.

Physical Exercise as Disease-Modifying Alternative against Alzheimer's Disease: A Gut-Muscle-Brain Partnership

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common cause of dementia characterized by neurodegenerative dysregulations, cognitive impairments, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Physical exercise (PE) has emerged as a powerful tool for reducing chronic inflammation, improving overall health, and preventing cognitive decline. The connection between the immune system, gut microbiota (GM), and neuroinflammation highlights the role of the gut-brain axis in maintaining brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Neglected so far, PE has beneficial effects on microbial composition and diversity, thus providing the potential to alleviate neurological symptoms. There is bidirectional communication between the gut and muscle, with GM diversity modulation and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production affecting muscle metabolism and preservation, and muscle activity/exercise in turn inducing significant changes in GM composition, functionality, diversity, and SCFA production. This gut-muscle and muscle-gut interplay can then modulate cognition. For instance, irisin, an exercise-induced myokine, promotes neuroplasticity and cognitive function through BDNF signaling. Irisin and muscle-generated BDNF may mediate the positive effects of physical activity against some aspects of AD pathophysiology through the interaction of exercise with the gut microbial ecosystem, neural plasticity, anti-inflammatory signaling pathways, and neurogenesis. Understanding gut-muscle-brain interconnections hold promise for developing strategies to promote brain health, fight age-associated cognitive decline, and improve muscle health and longevity.

Impact of active lifestyle on the primary school children saliva microbiota composition

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Active or Sedentary lifestyle on saliva microbiota composition in Italian schoolchildren.

Methods

Male (114) and female children (8-10 years) belonging to five primary schools in the neighborhoods of Turin were classified as active (A) or sedentary (S) based on PAQ-C-It questionnaire. PCR amplification of salivary DNA targeted the hypervariable V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA bacterial genes. DADA2 workflow was used to infer the Amplicon Sequence Variants and the taxonomic assignments; the beta-diversity was obtained by PCoA with the UniFrac method; LEfSe algorithm, threshold at 5%, and Log LDA cutoff at ±0.5 were used to identify differently abundant species in A compared to S saliva sample. Daily food intake was assessed by 3-Days food record. The metabolic potential of microbial communities was assessed by PICRUSt.

Results

No significant differences were found in individual's gender distribution (p = 0.411), anthropometry, BMI (p > 0.05), and all diet composition between A and S groups (p > 0.05). Eight species were differently abundant: Prevotella nigrescens (LDA score = -3.76; FDR = 1.5×10-03), Collinsella aerofaciens (LDA score = -3.17; FDR = 7.45×10-03), Simonsiella muelleri (LDA score = -2.96; FDR = 2.76×10-05), Parabacteroides merdae (LDA score = -2.43; FDR = 1.3×10-02) are enriched in the A group; Gemella parahaemolysans, Prevotella aurantiaca (LDA score = -3.9; FDR = 5.27×10-04), Prevotella pallens (LDA score = 4.23; FDR = 1.93×10-02), Neisseria mucosa (LDA score = 4.43; FDR = 1.31×10-02; LDA score = 2.94; FDR = 7.45×10-03) are enriched in the S group. A prevalence of superpathway of fatty acid biosynthesis initiation (E. coli) and catechol degradation II (meta-cleavage pathway) was found in saliva from A compared to S children.

Conclusion

Our results showed that active children had an enrichment of species and genera mainly associated with a healthier profile. By contrast, the genera and the species enriched in the sedentary group could be linked to human diseases.

Overview of the Gut Microbiome

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microorganisms-collectively referred to as the gut microbiome-that maintain a symbiotic relationship with their host. This diverse community of microbes grows and changes as we do, with developmental, lifestyle, and environmental factors all shaping microbiome community structure. Increasing evidence suggests this relationship is bidirectional, with the microbiome also influencing host physiological processes. For example, changes in the gut microbiome have been shown to alter neurodevelopment and have lifelong effects on the brain and behavior. Age-related changes in gut microbiome composition have also been linked to inflammatory changes in the brain, perhaps increasing susceptibility to neurological disease. Indeed, associations between gut dysbiosis and many age-related neurological diseases-including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-have been reported. Further, microbiome manipulation in animal models of disease highlights a potential role for the gut microbiome in disease development and progression. Although much remains unknown, these associations open up an exciting new world of therapeutic targets, potentially allowing for improved quality of life for a wide range of patient populations.

Microbiota Mediate Enhanced Exercise Capacity Induced by Exercise Training

PURPOSE

We investigated the effects of gut microbes, and the mechanisms mediating the enhanced exercise performance induced by exercise training, i.e., skeletal muscle blood flow, and mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative function in male mice.

METHODS

All mice received a graded exercise test before (PRE) and after exercise training via forced treadmill running at 60% to 70% of maximal running capacity 5 d·wk -1 for 5 wk (POST). To examine the role of the gut microbes, the graded exercise was repeated after 7 d of access to antibiotic (ABX)-treated water, used to eliminate gut microbes. Peripheral blood flow, mitochondrial oxidative capacity, and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis were collected at each time point.

RESULTS

Exercise training led to increases of 60% ± 13% in maximal running distance and 63% ± 11% work to exhaustion ( P < 0.001). These increases were abolished after ABX ( P < 0.001). Exercise training increased hindlimb blood flow and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative function, including AMP-activated protein kinase, sirtuin-1, PGC-1α citrate synthase, complex IV, and nitric oxide, all of which were also abolished by ABX treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the concept that gut microbiota mediate enhanced exercise capacity after exercise training and the mechanisms responsible, i.e., hindlimb blood flow, mitochondrial biogenesis, and metabolic profile. Finally, results of this study emphasize the need to fully examine the impact of prescribing ABX to athletes during their training regimens and how this may affect their performance.

Fecal Fungal Microbiota (Mycobiome) Study as a Potential Tool for Precision Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

There is growing evidence of the role of fungal microbiota in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fungi can exert direct pro-inflammatory effects or modify the bacterial composition via interkingdom interactions. Although several studies have demonstrated alterations in the fecal fungal microbiota composition in IBD, there is a wide variation in the mycobiome in different populations, with no definite pattern that can define the mycobiome in IBD having yet been identified. Recent work has suggested that characterizing the fecal fungal composition may influence therapeutic decisions and help to predict outcomes in a subset of IBD patients. In this study, we review the current literature on the emerging role of the fecal mycobiome as a potential tool for precision medicine in IBD.

Sex-specific effects of voluntary wheel running on behavior and the gut microbiota-immune-brain axis in mice

Physical exercise has been positioned as a promising strategy to prevent and/or alleviate anxiety and depression, but the biological processes associated with its effects on mental health have yet to be entirely determined. Although the prevalence of depression and anxiety in women is about twice that of men, very few studies have examined whether physical exercise could affect mental health differently according to sex. This study examined, in singly-housed mice, the sex-specific effects of voluntary exercise on depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors as well as on different markers along the gut microbiota-immune-brain axis. Male and female C57BL/6N mice had voluntary access to running wheels in their home-cages for 24 days or were left undisturbed in identical home-cages without running wheels. Behaviors were then examined in the open field, splash, elevated plus maze, and tail suspension tests. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, microglia activation-related genes, and tight junction proteins was determined in the jejunum and the hippocampus, while microbiota composition and predicted function were verified in cecum contents. Voluntary exercise reduced anxiety-like behaviors and altered grooming patterns in males exclusively. Although the exercise intervention resulted in changes to brain inflammatory activity and to cecal microbiota composition and inferred function in both sexes, reductions in the jejunal expression of pro-inflammatory markers were observed in females only. These findings support the view that voluntary exercise, even when performed during a short period, is beneficial for mental and intestinal health and that its sex-specific effects on behavior could be, at least in part, related to some components of the gut microbiota-immune-brain axis.

Physical Activity as an Adjunct Treatment for People Living with HIV?

This review evaluates physical activity as a candidate for an adjunct treatment, in conjunction with antiretroviral therapy (ART), for people living with HIV (PLWH). Evidence is summarized that chronic, non-resolving inflammation (a principal feature of immune system dysfunction) and a dysfunctional state of the gut environment are key factors in HIV infection that persist despite treatment with ART. In addition, evidence is summarized that regular physical activity may restore normal function of both the immune system and the gut environment and may thereby ameliorate symptoms and non-resolving inflammation-associated comorbidities that burden PLWH. Physicians who care for PLWH could thus consider incorporating physical activity into treatment plans to complement ART. It is also discussed that different types of physical activity can have different effects on the gut environment and immune function, and that future research should establish more specific criteria for the design of exercise regimens tailored to PLWH.

Prenatal physical activity and the gut microbiota of pregnant women: results from a preliminary investigation

PURPOSE

To determine whether physical activity (PA), specifically meeting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity PA per week, is associated with gut microbiota composition in pregnant women.

METHODS

In an ongoing birth cohort study, questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which provides data on PA variables, were used to determine whether pregnant women met or exceeded the PA recommendations. To profile the composition of gut bacterial microbiota, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on stool samples obtained from pregnant women. Differences in alpha diversity metrics (richness, Pielou's evenness, and Shannon's diversity) according to PA were determined using linear regression, whereas beta diversity relationships (Canberra and Bray-Curtis) were assessed using Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). Differences in relative taxon abundance were determined using DESeq2.

RESULTS

The complete analytical sample included 23 women that were evaluated for both PA and 16S rRNA sequencing data (median age [Q1; Q3] = 30.5 [26.6; 34.0] years; 17.4% Black), and 11 (47.8%) met or exceeded the PA recommendations. Meeting or exceeding the PA recommendations during pregnancy was not associated with gut microbiota richness, evenness, or diversity, but it was related to distinct bacterial composition using both Canberra (p = 0.005) and Bray-Curtis (p = 0.022) distances. Significantly lower abundances of Bacteroidales, Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Streptococcaceae were observed in women who met or exceeded the PA recommendations (all false discovery rates adjusted, p < 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women who met or exceeded the PA recommendations showed altered gut microbiota composition. This study forms the basis for future studies on the impact of PA on gut microbiota during pregnancy.

The gut microbiome modifies the associations of short- and long-term physical activity with body weight changes

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiome regulates host energy balance and adiposity-related metabolic consequences, but it remains unknown how the gut microbiome modulates body weight response to physical activity (PA).

METHODS

Nested in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, a subcohort of 307 healthy men (mean[SD] age, 70[4] years) provided stool and blood samples in 2012-2013. Data from cohort long-term follow-ups and from the accelerometer, doubly labeled water, and plasma biomarker measurements during the time of stool collection were used to assess long-term and short-term associations of PA with adiposity. The gut microbiome was profiled by shotgun metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. A subcohort of 209 healthy women from the Nurses' Health Study II was used for validation.

RESULTS

The microbial species Alistipes putredinis was found to modify the association between PA and body weight. Specifically, in individuals with higher abundance of A. putredinis, each 15-MET-hour/week increment in long-term PA was associated with 2.26 kg (95% CI, 1.53-2.98 kg) less weight gain from age 21 to the time of stool collection, whereas those with lower abundance of A. putredinis only had 1.01 kg (95% CI, 0.41-1.61 kg) less weight gain (pinteraction = 0.019). Consistent modification associated with A. putredinis was observed for short-term PA in relation to BMI, fat mass%, plasma HbA1c, and 6-month weight change. This modification effect might be partly attributable to four metabolic pathways encoded by A. putredinis, including folate transformation, fatty acid β-oxidation, gluconeogenesis, and stearate biosynthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

A greater abundance of A. putredinis may strengthen the beneficial association of PA with body weight change, suggesting the potential of gut microbial intervention to improve the efficacy of PA in body weight management. Video Abstract.

Intermittent Fasting and Physical Exercise for Preventing Metabolic Disorders through Interaction with Gut Microbiota: A Review

Metabolic disorders entail both health risks and economic burdens to our society. A considerable part of the cause of metabolic disorders is mediated by the gut microbiota. The gut microbial structure and function are susceptible to dietary patterns and host physiological activities. A sedentary lifestyle accompanied by unhealthy eating habits propels the release of harmful metabolites, which impair the intestinal barrier, thereby triggering a constant change in the immune system and biochemical signals. Noteworthy, healthy dietary interventions, such as intermittent fasting, coupled with regular physical exercise can improve several metabolic and inflammatory parameters, resulting in stronger beneficial actions for metabolic health. In this review, the current progress on how gut microbiota may link to the mechanistic basis of common metabolic disorders was discussed. We also highlight the independent and synergistic effects of fasting and exercise interventions on metabolic health and provide perspectives for preventing metabolic disorders.

A Bibliometric Analysis on the Research Trend of Exercise and the Gut Microbiome

This article aims to provide an overview of research hotspots and trends in exercise and the gut microbiome, a field which has recently gained increasing attention. The relevant publications on exercise and the gut microbiome were identified from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The publication types were limited to articles and reviews. VOSviewer 1.6.18 (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands) and the R package "bibliometrix" (R Foundation: Vienna, Austria) were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis. A total of 327 eligible publications were eventually identified, including 245 original articles and 82 reviews. A time trend analysis showed that the number of publications rapidly increased after 2014. The leading countries/regions in this field were the USA, China, and Europe. Most of the active institutions were from Europe and the USA. Keyword analysis showed that the relationship between disease, the gut microbiome, and exercise occurs throughout the development of this field of research. The interactions between the gut microbiota, exercise, status of the host's internal environment, and probiotics, are important facets as well. The research topic evolution presents a trend of multidisciplinary and multi-perspective comprehensive analysis. Exercise might become an effective intervention for disease treatment by regulating the gut microbiome. The innovation of exercise-centered lifestyle intervention therapy may become a significant trend in the future.

Estradiol-mediated protection against high-fat diet induced anxiety and obesity is associated with changes in the gut microbiota in female mice

Decreased estrogens during menopause are associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Similarly, depleting estrogens in rodents by ovariectomy, combined with a high-fat diet (HFD), increases anxiety and adiposity. How estrogens and diet interact to affect anxiety and metabolism is poorly understood. Mounting evidence indicates that gut microbiota influence anxiety and metabolism. Here, we investigated the effects of estradiol (E) and HFD on anxiety, metabolism, and their correlation with changes in gut microbiota in female mice. Adult C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized, implanted with E or vehicle-containing capsules and fed a standard diet or HFD. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed and neuronal activation was measured by c-fos immunoreactivity throughout the brain using iDISCO. HFD increased anxiety-like behavior, while E reduced this HFD-dependent anxiogenic effect. Interestingly, E decreased neuronal activation in brain regions involved in anxiety and metabolism. E treatment also altered gut microbes, a subset of which were associated with anxiety-like behavior. These findings provide insight into gut microbiota-based therapies for anxiety and metabolic disorders associated with declining estrogens in menopausal women.

Physical Exercise and Diet: Regulation of Gut Microbiota to Prevent and Treat Metabolic Disorders to Maintain Health

Each person's body is host to a large number and variety of gut microbiota, which has been described as the second genome and plays an important role in the body's metabolic process and is closely related to health. It is common knowledge that proper physical activity and the right diet structure can keep us healthy, and in recent years, researchers have found that this boost to health may be related to the gut microbiota. Past studies have reported that physical activity and diet can modulate the compositional structure of the gut microbiota and further influence the production of key metabolites of the gut microbiota, which can be an effective way to improve body metabolism and prevent and treat related metabolic diseases. In this review, we outline the role of physical activity and diet in regulating gut microbiota and the key role that gut microbiota plays in improving metabolic disorders. In addition, we highlight the regulation of gut microbiota through appropriate physical exercise and diet to improve body metabolism and prevent metabolic diseases, aiming to promote public health and provide a new approach to treating such diseases.

Exercise-acclimated microbiota improves skeletal muscle metabolism via circulating bile acid deconjugation

Habitual exercise alters the intestinal microbiota composition, which may mediate its systemic benefits. We examined whether transplanting fecal microbiota from trained mice improved skeletal muscle metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Fecal samples from sedentary and exercise-trained mice were gavage-fed to germ-free mice. After receiving fecal samples from trained donor mice for 1 week, recipient mice had elevated levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and insulin growth factor-1 in skeletal muscle. In plasma, bile acid (BA) deconjugation was found to be promoted in recipients transplanted with feces from trained donor mice; free-form BAs also induced more AMPK signaling and glucose uptake than tauro-conjugated BAs. The transplantation of exercise-acclimated fecal microbiota improved glucose tolerance after 8 weeks of HFD administration. Intestinal microbiota may mediate exercise-induced metabolic improvements in mice by modifying circulating BAs. Our findings provide insights into the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Prebiotic properties of the polysaccharide from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit and its protective effects in high-fat diet-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction: A fecal microbiota transplantation study

Polysaccharide from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit (RTFP) ameliorates high-fat diet (HFD)-induced colitis in mice. However, it is still unknown whether the gut microbiota can mediate the anti-colitis effects of RTFP in mice. This research aims to investigate the role of gut microbes in modulating RTFP in colitis mice through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The findings demonstrated that RTFP exhibited prebiotic effects on HFD-induced colitis mice. After FMT treatment (transplatation of the microbiota from the fecal sample to each recipient daily), the fecal microbiota of RTFP-treated donor mice remarkably alleviated colitis-related symptoms (e.g., colonic inflammation, loss of body weight, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and loss of barrier integrity) and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins compared to the HFD-treated donor mice. Overall, RTFP can reduce the severity of HFD-induced colitis by regulating gut microbiota.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Sports Performance and Performance-Related Features in Athletes: A Systematic Review

This review aims to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on performance and performance-related conditions in athletes by evaluating randomized controlled studies from the MEDLINE (Pubmed), Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO) databases. From a total of 2304 relevant articles, 13 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seven studies concern endurance athletes, one to rugby players, three refer to non-specified athletes, one to badminton players, and one involves baseball players. The evidence suggests that the integration of athletes' diets with some bacterial strains and also the consumption of multi-strain compounds may lead to an improvement in performance and can positively affect performance-related aspects such as fatigue, muscle pain, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the type of supplementation and sport is very variable among the studies examined. Therefore, to obtain more solid evidence, further controlled and comparable studies are needed to expand the research regarding the possible repercussions of probiotics use on athletes' performance.

Bacteroides uniformis and its preferred substrate, α-cyclodextrin, enhance endurance exercise performance in mice and human males

Although gut microbiota has been linked to exercise, whether alterations in the abundance of specific bacteria improve exercise performance remains ambiguous. In a cross-sectional study involving 25 male long-distance runners, we found a correlation between Bacteroides uniformis abundance in feces and the 3000-m race time. In addition, we administered flaxseed lignan or α-cyclodextrin as a test tablet to healthy, active males who regularly exercised in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to increase B. uniformis in the gut (UMIN000033748). The results indicated that α-cyclodextrin supplementation improved human endurance exercise performance. Moreover, B. uniformis administration in mice increased swimming time to exhaustion, cecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and the gene expression of enzymes associated with gluconeogenesis in the liver while decreasing hepatic glycogen content. These findings indicate that B. uniformis enhances endurance exercise performance, which may be mediated by facilitating hepatic endogenous glucose production.

Urbanisation and its Associated Factors Affecting Human Gut Microbiota: Where are we Heading to?

ContextThe continuous rise in urbanisation and its associated factors have been reflected in the structure of the human gut ecosystem.ObjectiveThe main focus of the review is to discuss and summarise the major risk factors associated with urbanisation that affects human gut microbiota thus affecting human health.MethodsMultiple medical literature databases, namely PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were used to find relevant materials for urbanization and its major factors affecting human gut microbiota/microbiome. Both layman and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were used in the search. Due to the scarcity of the data, no limitation was set on the publication date. Relevant material in the English language which includes case reports, chapters of books, journal articles, online news reports and medical records was included in this review.ResultsBased on the data discussed in the review, it is quite clear that urbanisation and its associated factors have long-standing effects on the human gut microbiota that result in alterations of gut microbial diversity and composition. This is a matter of serious concern as chronic inflammatory diseases are on the rise in urbanised societies.ConclusionA better understanding of the factors associated with urbanisation will help us to identify and implement new biological and social approaches to prevent and treat diseases and improve health globally by deepening our understanding of these relationships and increasing studies across urbanisation gradients.HIGHLIGHTSHuman gut microbiota has been linked to almost every important function, including metabolism, intestinal homeostasis, immune system, biosynthesis of vitamins, brain processes, and its behaviour.However, dysbiosis i.e., alteration in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of many chronic conditions.In the 21st century, urbanisation represents a major demographic shift in developed and developing countries.During this period of urbanisation, humans have been exposed to many environmental exposures, all of which have led to the dysbiosis of human gut microbiota.The main focus of the review is to discuss and summarize the major risk factors associated with urbanisation and how it affects the diversity and composition of gut microbiota which ultimately affects human health.

Growing old together: What we know about the influence of diet and exercise on the aging host's gut microbiome

The immune system is critical in defending against infection from pathogenic microorganisms. Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, are more susceptible to infections and developing autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The gut microbiome contains a plethora of bacteria and other microorganisms, which collectively plays a significant role in immune function and homeostasis. Gut microbiota are considered to be highly influential on host health and immune function. Therefore, dysbiosis of the microbiota could be a major contributor to the elevated incidence of multiple age-related pathologies. While there seems to be a general consensus that the composition of gut microbiota changes with age, very little is known about how diet and exercise might influence the aging microbiome. Here, we examine the current state of the literature regarding alterations to the gut microbiome as hosts age, drawing particular attention to the knowledge gaps in addressing how diet and exercise influence the aging microbiome. Further, we will demonstrate the need for more controlled studies to investigate the roles that diet and exercise play driving the composition, diversity, and function of the microbiome in an aging population.

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition via dapagliflozin improves diabetic kidney disease (DKD) over time associatied with increasing effect on the gut microbiota in db/db mice

BACKGROUND

The intestinal microbiota disorder gradually aggravates during the progression of diabetes. Dapagliflozin (DAPA) can improve diabetes and diabetic kidney disease(DKD). However, whether the gut microbiota plays a role in the protection of DAPA for DKD remains unclear.

METHODS

To investigate the effects of DAPA on DKD and gut microbiota composition during disease progression, in our study, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing on fecal samples from db/m mice (control group), db/db mice (DKD model group), and those treated with DAPA (treat group) at three timepoints of 14weeks\18weeks\22weeks.

RESULTS

We found that DAPA remarkably prevented weight loss and lowered fasting blood glucose in db/db mice during disease progression, eventually delaying the progression of DKD. Intriguingly, the study strongly suggested that there is gradually aggravated dysbacteriosis and increased bile acid during the development of DKD. More importantly, comparisons of relative abundance at the phylum level and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) plots roughly reflected that the effect of DAPA on modulating the flora of db/db mice increased with time. Specifically, the relative abundance of the dominant Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was not meaningfully changed among groups at 14 weeks as previous studies described. Interestingly, they were gradually altered in the treat group compared to the model group with a more protracted intervention of 18 weeks and 22 weeks. Furthermore, the decrease of Lactobacillus and the increase of norank_f:Muribaculaceae could account for the differences at the phylum level observed between the treat group and the model group at 18 weeks and 22 weeks.

CONCLUSION

We firstly found that the protective effect of DAPA on DKD may be related to the dynamic improvement of the gut microbiota over time, possibly associated with the impact of DAPA on the bile acid pool and its antioxidation effect.

Obesity and Its Multiple Clinical Implications between Inflammatory States and Gut Microbiotic Alterations

Obesity is a chronic multifactorial disease that has become a serious health problem and is currently widespread over the world. It is, in fact, strongly associated with many other conditions, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, the onset of different types of malignant tumors and alterations in reproductive function. According to the literature, obesity is characterized by a state of low-grade chronic inflammation, with a substantial increase in immune cells, specifically macrophage infiltrates in the adipose tissue which, in turn, secrete a succession of pro-inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, recent studies on microbiota have postulated new possible mechanisms of interaction between obesity and unbalanced nutrition with inflammation. This intestinal "superorganism" complex seems to influence not only the metabolic balance of the host but also the immune response, favoring a state of systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. This review summarizes the major evidence on the interactions between the gut microbiota, energetic metabolism and host immune system, all leading to a convergence of the fields of immunology, nutrients physiology and microbiota in the context of obesity and its possible clinical complications. Finally, possible therapeutic approaches aiming to rebalance the intestinal microbial ecosystem are evaluated to improve the alteration of inflammatory and metabolic states in obesity and related diseases.

Gut and genital tract microbiomes: Dysbiosis and link to gynecological disorders

Every year, millions of women are affected by genital tract disorders, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), endometrial cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids (UFs). These disorders pose a significant economic burden on healthcare systems and have serious implications for health and fertility outcomes. This review explores the relationships between gut, vaginal, and uterine dysbiosis and the pathogenesis of various diseases of the female genital tract. In recent years, reproductive health clinicians and scientists have focused on the microbiome to investigate its role in the pathogenesis and prevention of such diseases. Recent studies of the gut, vaginal, and uterine microbiomes have identified patterns in bacterial composition and changes across individuals' lives associated with specific healthy and diseased states, particularly regarding the effects of the estrogen-gut microbiome axis on estrogen-driven disorders (such as endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and UFs) and disorders associated with estrogen deficiency (such as PCOS). Furthermore, this review discusses the contribution of vitamin D deficiency to gut dysbiosis and altered estrogen metabolism as well as how these changes play key roles in the pathogenesis of UFs. More research on the microbiome influences on reproductive health and fertility is vital.

Structural Alteration of Gut Microbiota During the Amelioration of Chronic Psychological Stress-Aggravated Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline by a Traditional Chinese Herbal Formula, ZiBu PiYin Recipe

BACKGROUND

Chronic psychological stress (PS) hinders the treatment of diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD). However, the impact of chronic PS on the risk of developing DACD remains unclear. There is growing evidence that gut flora interventions are promising targets for treating stress-related diseases.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether chronic PS triggers or exacerbates the onset of DACD in rats and aimed to elucidate whether ZiBuPiYin recipe (ZBPYR) prevents and treats chronic PS-aggravated DACD by dynamically maintaining the components of the gut microbiota.

METHODS

We performed chronic PS (restraint, rotation, and congestion) on ZDF rats to establish a model. Cognitive function was evaluated by behavioral experiments, and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was detected by ELISA. Weekly feces from rats were collected for 16 S RNA sequencing.

RESULTS

We found that chronic PS promoted cognitive abnormalities and exacerbated DACD phenotypes. Additionally, chronic PS altered intestinal flora diversity, dynamically elevating the abundance of Alistipes and Coprococcus; enriching Module 1 (Dorea, Blautia, Ruminococcus) and Module 48 (Blautia); and inhibiting Module 20 (Lactobacillus, SMB53), and Module 42 (Akkermansia). ZBPYR significantly alleviated hyperglycemia and cognitive impairment in chronic PS-aggravated DACD rats and dynamically reduced the abundance of Alistipes and Coprococcus; significantly enriched Module 3 (Ruminococcus) and Module 45 (Lactobacillus, Coprococcus, SMB53); and suppressed Module 2 (Lactobacillus), Module 16 (Turicibacter, Trichococcus, Lactobacillus, 02d06, Clostridium), Module 23 (Bifidobacterium), and Module 43 (Clostridium).

CONCLUSION

ZBPYR might prevent and treat chronic PS-aggravated DACD by dynamically regulating Lactobacillus, Alistipes, and Coprococcus.