Gut Microbiota Composition in Male Rat Models under Different Nutritional Status and Physical Activity and Its Association with Serum Leptin and Ghrelin Levels

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral evidences indicate that gut microbiota is involved in the control of host energy metabolism.ObjectiveTo evaluate the differences in the composition of gut microbiota in rat models under different nutritional status and physical activity and to identify their associations with serum leptin and ghrelin levels.MethodsIn a case control study, forty male rats were randomly assigned to one of these four experimental groups: ABA group with food restriction and free access to exercise; control ABA group with food restriction and no access to exercise; exercise group with free access to exercise and feed ad libitum and ad libitum group without access to exercise and feed ad libitum. The fecal bacteria composition was investigated by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and real-time qPCR.ResultsIn restricted eaters, we have found a significant increase in the number of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Enterococcus, Prevotella and M. smithii and a significant decrease in the quantities of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, B. coccoides-E. rectale group, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium with respect to unrestricted eaters. Moreover, a significant increase in the number of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and B. coccoides–E. rectale group was observed in exercise group with respect to the rest of groups. We also found a significant positive correlation between the quantity of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and serum leptin levels, and a significant and negative correlation among the number of Clostridium, Bacteroides and Prevotella and serum leptin levels in all experimental groups. Furthermore, serum ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with the quantity of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and B. coccoides–Eubacterium rectale group and positively correlated with the number of Bacteroides and Prevotella.ConclusionsNutritional status and physical activity alter gut microbiota composition affecting the diversity and similarity. This study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and appetite-regulating hormones that may be important in terms of satiety and host metabolism.

Neural Mechanisms of Exercise: Effects on Gut Miccrobiota and Depression

“…Recent studies found that gut microbiota dynamics are also regulated by metabolism changes, such as through physical exercise or diet change [25][26][27][28]. Interestingly, physical exercise modulates different population of gut bacteria in compared to food restriction or rich diet [29], and alleviates gut syndromes to toxin intake [30]. It is also noted that regardless of genetic background, exercise could induce gut microbiota composition changes in different lines of animals (e.g.…”

Neuropeptides and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

“…Given that nutritional status, dietary factors, physical activity and age have an important influence on the composition of the gut microbial community [54,55] it is not surprising that appetite-regulating hormones other than PYY, GLP-1 and GLP-2 will also interact with the gut microbiota in shaping appetite and metabolic status. Emerging evidence indicates that this applies to ghrelin [55,56], cholecystokinin [56] as well as leptin [56].…”

“…Emerging evidence indicates that this applies to ghrelin [55,56], cholecystokinin [56] as well as leptin [56]. In addition, germfree mice have a smaller number of enteroendocrine cells than conventionally colonized animals [56].…”

Exercise, Nutrition and Gut Microbiota: Possible Links and Consequences

“…Evans, et al [25] proposed that physical exercise Short term (6 days) voluntary exercise showed that nutritional status and physical activity alter gut microbiota diversity in different manners. When exercise is combinated with food restriction protocol (restricting access for 23 hours per day and confined to running wheels except during a 60 min meal), a negative impact on bacterial richness is reported with respect to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera [30]. The caloric restriction was also able to modify the phyla, even in the presence of exercise [30] (Table 1).…”

“…When exercise is combinated with food restriction protocol (restricting access for 23 hours per day and confined to running wheels except during a 60 min meal), a negative impact on bacterial richness is reported with respect to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera [30]. The caloric restriction was also able to modify the phyla, even in the presence of exercise [30] (Table 1). It seems that exmodifies the bacterial balance in the gut, with alteration of the major phyla levels, and increase of the relative proportion of butyrate-producing bacteria (Clostridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae).…”