Intensive, prolonged exercise is known to induce gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, with gut dysbiosis suggested as being one of the causatives. In the present study, we wanted to investigate the relationship between intensive exercise and the gut microbiota status. To that end, the microbiota, the moisture content and the bacterial metabolites (e.g., organic acids) of female endurance runners (n = 15) and those of non athletic but healthy, age matching female controls (n = 14) were compared. The analysis of the gut microbiota analysis showed that, unlike control subjects, female endurance runners had distinct micro biotas, with some bacteria found in higher abundances likely being involved in gut inflammation. The concentration of succi nate, a gut bacterial metabolite regarded as undesirable when accumulated in the lumen, was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the female endurance runners. Faecalibacterium, that was signifi cantly (p<0.05) abundant in female endurance runners, can pro duce succinate in certain environments and hence may contribute to succinate accumulation, at least partly. The present work suggested that the gut microbiotas of female endurance runners are seemingly dysbiotic when compared with those of control subjects. Further investigation of the mechanism by which inten sive, prolonged exercise affects the gut microbiota is recommended.

Gut eubiosis is essential for the host’s health. In athletes, the gut microbiota can be altered by several factors, including diets. While eubiotic gut microbiota in elite rugby players has been reported, our survey found that university rugby players suffered from loose stools and frequent urgency to defecate. To establish the causes of the condition, the microbiota and the concentrations of organic acids in fecal samples of university male rugby players (URP) were analyzed and compared with those of age-matching, non-rugby playing males (control). Body mass indices were significantly (p < 0.05) different between groups. Chao1 index was significant (p < 0.05) lower in URP than in control. The relative abundances of phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher and lower, respectively, in URP than in control. Potential pathobiont genera Collinsella, Enterobacter, and Haemophilus were significantly (p < 0.05) abundant, whereas beneficial Akkermansia was lower (p < 0.05) in URP than in control. Succinate, a potential causative of gut inflammation, was five-fold higher in URP than in controls. Our findings all but confirmed that the dysbiotic status of gut in URP.

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The number of patients with chronic constipation is increasing in Japan. We investigated the gut mucosa associated microbiome in Japanese patients with functional constipation. Diagnosis was made according to the Rome IV criteria. Mucosal samples were obtained by gentle brushing of mucosa surfaces. The gut micro biome was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. There were no significant differences in bacteria α diversity such as richness and evenness. The PCoA indicated significant structural differences between the constipation group and healthy controls (p = 0.017 for unweighted and p = 0.027 for weighted). The abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes was significantly higher in the constipation group. The abundance of the genera Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Comamonas, and Alistipes was significantly higher in the constipation group. The abundance of the genera Acinetobacter, Oscillospilla, Mucispirillum, Propinibacterium, and Anaerotruncus was significantly lower in the constipation group. In the constipa tion group, the proportion of genes responsible for sulfur metabo lism, selenocompound metabolism, sulfur relay system was significantly higher and the proportion of D arginine and D ornithine metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis was significantly lower. In conclusion, we identified differences of the mucosa associated microbiome between Japanese patients with func tional constipation and healthy controls. The mucosa associated microbiome of functional constipation was characterized by higher levels of Bacteroidetes (Alistipes).