Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects

Abstract

The human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is inhabited by a wide cluster of microorganisms that play protective, structural, and metabolic functions for the intestinal mucosa. Gut microbiota is involved in the barrier functions and in the maintenance of its homeostasis. It provides nutrients, participates in the signaling network, regulates the epithelial development, and affects the immune system. Considering the microbiota ability to respond to homeostatic and physiological changes, some researchers proposed that it can be seen as an endocrine organ. Evidence suggests that different factors can determine changes in the gut microbiota. These changes can be both quantitative and qualitative resulting in variations of the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota which, in turn, can affect health and different disease processes. Recent studies suggest that exercise can enhance the number of beneficial microbial species, enrich the microflora diversity, and improve the development of commensal bacteria. All these effects are beneficial for the host, improving its health status. In this paper, we intend to shed some light over the recent knowledge of the role played by exercise as an environmental factor in determining changes in microbial composition and how these effects could provide benefits to health and disease prevention.

Influence of excessive exercise on immunity, metabolism, and gut microbial diversity in an overtraining mice model

“…These results together with the digestive enzyme results as well as the injury of spleen in the ES mice reflected that excessive exercise has negative effect on digestive system. Recently, several researchers have demonstrated that moderate exercise could adjust the gut microbiota in a manner that benefits health, while our studies indicate that the excessive exercised mice had less diverse microbiota compared to the non‐exercised mice. Due to the limited sample numbers, the difference in relative abundance of bacterial communities showed no statistical significance after FDR correction.…”

Causal roles of mitochondrial dynamics in longevity and healthy aging

“…This suppression of methionine content is key to metformin‐induced longevity in C. elegans . On similar lines, several studies have shown that DR and exercise in different species significantly alter the host microbiome . It might be possible then that in addition to metformin, several other pro‐longevity interventions might exert their effect through microbial modulation of host mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism.…”

Exercising the hepatobiliary‐gut axis. The impact of physical activity performance

“…158 The relationship is mostly beneficial, but also relies on dietary patterns. 160 The influence of physical activity on microbiota selection and richness/diversity might also be mediated by changes in expression of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a cytokines, as shown in athletes compared with control group. 160 The influence of physical activity on microbiota selection and richness/diversity might also be mediated by changes in expression of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a cytokines, as shown in athletes compared with control group.…”