Exercise training modulates the gut microbiota profile and impairs inflammatory signaling pathways in obese children

Abstract

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels and is a serious health concern associated with metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and gut microbiota alterations. Physical exercise is known to counteract obesity progression and modulate the gut microbiota composition. This study aims to determine the effect of a 12-week strength and endurance combined training program on gut microbiota and inflammation in obese pediatric patients. Thirty-nine obese children were assigned randomly to the control or training group. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, muscular strength, and inflammatory signaling pathways in mononuclear cells were evaluated. Bacterial composition and functionality were determined by massive sequencing and metabolomic analysis. Exercise reduced plasma glucose levels and increased dynamic strength in the upper and lower extremities compared with the obese control group. Metagenomic analysis revealed a bacterial composition associated with obesity, showing changes at the phylum, class, and genus levels. Exercise counteracted this profile, significantly reducing the Proteobacteria phylum and Gammaproteobacteria class. Moreover, physical activity tended to increase some genera, such as Blautia, Dialister, and Roseburia, leading to a microbiota profile similar to that of healthy children. Metabolomic analysis revealed changes in short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids, and several sugars in response to exercise, in correlation with a specific microbiota profile. Finally, the training protocol significantly inhibited the activation of the obesity-associated NLRP3 signaling pathway. Our data suggest the existence of an obesity-related deleterious microbiota profile that is positively modified by physical activity intervention. Exercise training could be considered an efficient nonpharmacological therapy, reducing inflammatory signaling pathways induced by obesity in children via microbiota modulation.

The TOTUM-63 Supplement and High-Intensity Interval Training Combination Limits Weight Gain, Improves Glycemic Control, and Influences the Composition of Gut Mucosa-Associated Bacteria in Rats on a High Fat Diet

“…Surprisingly, T63 supplementation alone did not influence Oscillospira abundance. However, different studies showed a negative correlation between Oscillospira and glycemic parameters [ 74 , 75 ], like in the present work. Moreover, several studies found that Oscillospira abundance in microbiota is increased by physical activity [ 38 , 66 ].…”

A Multi-Omic Analysis for Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women Suggests a Relationship between Diet, Metabolites, and Microbiota

“…Our observations are in line with other previous findings demonstrating that a diet rich in carotenoids has a positive impact over the BMD [ 45 ] and that lycopene influences osteoblast differentiation [ 46 , 47 ]. Furthermore, Oscillospira abundance is associated with microbial diversity, leanness, and high levels of HDL [ 48 ]; meanwhile, Pantoea is a potentially pathogenic bacteria belonging to γ- Proteobacteria phylum and Enterobacteriaceae family associated with inflammatory responses [ 49 ]. The results suggest that lycopene dietary intake and supplementation benefit Mexican postmenopausal women, increasing BMD and lowering inflammatory responses.…”

Long-Term Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Gut Microbiota Composition and Faecal Metabolome Related to Obesity Remission

“…The role of SCFAs in health and disease is still controversial and is not completely understood. Therefore, high levels of these metabolites have been related to cardiometabolic and hepatic health [ 56 , 57 , 58 ], but also have been associated with gut dysbiosis, gut permeability and excess adiposity [ 10 , 59 ]. Moreover, elevated concentrations of the main SCFAs have been linked with obesity development and with a major energy extraction from the diet [ 9 , 10 , 59 ].…”