Physical activity and gut microbiota: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The composition of gut microbiota, and in particular the intestinal abundance of the two main bacterial phyla of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are associated with human health and diseases and may be conditioned by host and environmental factors such as age, gender and diet. The role of Physical Activity (PA) in determining gut microbiota composition has not been yet completely clarified. A cross-sectional study involving undergraduates from two Italian cities is ongoing to explore this relationship. Methods Students were invited to provide a fecal sample and to complete the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in order to define their habitual PA level (inactive, minimally active, health enhancing physical activity -HEPA- active). Demographic and anthropometric information were also collected. DNA from fecal samples was analyzed through the 16S amplicon sequencing. Microbial composition and variability of the samples were evaluated on the light of participants' PA levels. Results A total of 153 students (47.7% males, mean age 22.4±2.9, mean BMI 22.3±2.7) participated to the study so far. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the main represented phyla. An increase in Firmicutes (58.3±16 to 61.4±13.3, p = 0.68) and a reduction in Bacteroidetes (32.6±14.8 to 30.3±11.4, p = 0.51) have been registered with the increase of PA level. A higher variability (expressed as Shannon α-index) has been detected in minimally active (3.39±0.03) and HEPA-active (3.41±0) individuals respect to inactive subjects (3.35±0.07) (p = 0.05). Conclusions Even if they are not significant, these preliminary results suggest a relationship between PA levels and gut microbiota composition. An active lifestyle seems to be associated with a greater microbial diversity in the gut. Further researches are needed to explain these findings. Key messages Physical activity seems to be associated with gut microbiota composition. A greater variability in gut microbiota was found in active people.

In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion and Microbial Hydrolysis of Hydroxytyrosol-SCFA and Tyrosol-SCFA Acyl Esters: Controlled-Release of SCFAs and Polyphenols

“…For example, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes would produce beneficial metabolites, mainly SCFAs and bile acids. Therefore, the composition of gut microbiota, particularly Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are associated with body health and diseases . Besides, Roseburia species from gut microbiota also exert beneficial effects on maintaining human health, partly by producing butyrate.…”

“…Therefore, the composition of gut microbiota, particularly Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are associated with body health and diseases. 41 Besides, Roseburia species from gut microbiota also exert beneficial effects on maintaining human health, partly by producing butyrate. Butyrate is the preferred energy for the colon epithelial cells and can improve lipid metabolism, reduce fat accumulation in liver which may decrease the hepatic apoptosis in aging rats to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.…”

Efficacy of high-intensity interval and continuous endurance trainings on cecal microbiota metabolites and inflammatory factors in diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet

“…These results are consistent with the changes recorded in our research on two bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens. Also, studies have shown that the voluntary running of rats leads to an increase in butyrate concentration and cecum diameter [56][57][58]. These studies stated that the amount of physical activity performed has an inverse relationship with the ratio of Bacteroides to Firmicutes.…”

The role of a Mediterranean diet and physical activity in decreasing age-related inflammation through modulation of the gut microbiota composition

“…A recent observational study by Gallè and colleagues collected the habitual dietary habits, physical activity (PA) levels and microbiota composition of 140 Italian university students. A higher adherence to a MedDiet was associated with higher relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB's) (65), which have been previously demonstrated to be beneficial to human health through their ability to enhance metabolism, protect against infections in the gastrointestinal tract, and the ability to modulate both allergy and inflammatory responses (66). This relationship was also demonstrated in a 3-month intervention study where participants followed a MedDiet supplemented with 40g of EVOO per day showed an increase in the relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB's).…”