Probiotics maintain the gut microbiome homeostasis during Indian Antarctic expedition by ship

Abstract

Ship voyage to Antarctica is a stressful journey for expedition members. The response of human gut microbiota to ship voyage and a feasible approach to maintain gut health, is still unexplored. The present findings describe a 24-day long longitudinal study involving 19 members from 38th Indian Antarctic Expedition, to investigate the impact of ship voyage and effect of probiotic intervention on gut microbiota. Fecal samples collected on day 0 as baseline and at the end of ship voyage (day 24), were analyzed using whole genome shotgun sequencing. Probiotic intervention reduced the sea sickness by 10% compared to 44% in placebo group. The gut microbiome in placebo group members on day 0 and day 24, indicated significant alteration compared to a marginal change in the microbial composition in probiotic group. Functional analysis revealed significant alterations in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Carbohydrate-active enzymes analysis represented functional genes involved in glycoside hydrolases, glycosyltransferases and carbohydrate binding modules, for maintaining gut microbiome homeostasis. Suggesting thereby the possible mechanism of probiotic in stabilizing and restoring gut microflora during stressful ship journey. The present study is first of its kind, providing a feasible approach for protecting gut health during Antarctic expedition involving ship voyage.

Alterations in the Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics of Seafarers after a Six-Month Sea Voyage

“…During a long-term voyage, seafarers are confronted with various physical and psychological stressors. Consistent with previous reports ( 17 , 18 ), the current study revealed that the gut microbial composition of seafarers was significantly altered after a long-term voyage. Predicted microbial functions, including folate biosynthesis and biotin metabolism, were significantly decreased after the voyage.…”

“…Limited studies have explored the impacts of long-term voyages on the intestinal microbiota, and the available studies have used mainly gene sequencing approaches. Zhang et al ( 17 ) and Srivastava et al ( 18 ) found that the intestinal microbiome of seafarers was altered and that multiprobiotics could maintain microbiome homeostasis during long sea voyages. Zheng et al ( 19 ) found that a long-term voyage significantly changed the oral mucosa, skin microbiome composition, and microbial functions of seafarers.…”

Effects of isolation and confinement on gastrointestinal microbiota–a systematic review

“…Surprisingly, the effect of convergence was stronger in placebo groups compared to groups supplemented with probiotics ( 63 ). This finding is in line with more recent outcomes regarding maintaining GI microbiota eubiosis by probiotics ( 70 ). Furthermore, it is speculated that an enhanced spaceflight diet containing increased quantity and variety of fruits, vegetables, fish and other foods rich in flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids, preserves community structure in the comparative analysis between pre- and in-mission time points ( 68 ).…”

“…Previous studies have even highlighted the important effect of diet through the results of their experiments ( 59 ). Besides, the administration of probiotic supplements could be considered as another approach to maintain the gut microbiome homeostasis during the stay in isolated environments ( 70 ).…”