Microbiota Mediate Enhanced Exercise Capacity Induced by Exercise Training

Abstract

The gut microbiota is critical to host metabolism and is influenced by many factors, including host genotype, diet, and exercise training.PurposeWe 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.MethodsAll 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.ResultsExercise 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.ConclusionsOur 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.

Association of enterolactone with blood pressure and hypertension risk in NHANES

“…In contrast, physical activity, higher education, higher income, and being married is associated with improved vascular outcomes and decreased risk for hypertension [ 3 , 32 – 35 ]. Physical activity and habitual exercise may have a favorable effect on the gut microbiome [ 36 , 37 ]. A study by Xia et al found spontaneous hypertensive rats had a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure following a 12-week moderate exercise intervention that correlated with a decreased abundance of several pathogenic microbial strains [ 38 , 39 ].…”

The interplay between gut microbiome and physical exercise in athletes

“…The study revealed that mice subjected to physical training exhibited significant improvements in performance, such as distance covered and time to exhaustion, alongside increases markers like adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin-1, citrate synthase activity, mitochondrial IV complex, and nitric oxide. However, these effects disappeared when the animals were treated with antibiotics [17 ]. Another experimental study found that the gut microbiota regulates glycogen stores, a factor that also impacts physical performance, reinforcing the role of the gut microbiota as a moderator of adaptations derived from physical exercise [18 & ].…”