Spore Powder of Paecilomyces hepiali Shapes Gut Microbiota to Relieve Exercise-Induced Fatigue in Mice

Abstract

Paecilomyces hepiali, a fungal strain isolated from natural Ophiocordyceps sinensis, contains similar pharmacologically active components, has been used widely as a substitute of O. sinensis in functional food and medicine. However, the components and anti-fatigue effects of P.hepiali spores and their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Here, we compared the chemical composition in P.hepiali spore (HPS) and mycelium (HPM) by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. We found 85 metabolites with significant differences, and HPS contains more L-Malic acid, Oxalacetic acid, Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and L-Arginine than HPM. Then we evaluated their anti-fatigue effects and regulatory effects on the gut microbiota in mice. The forced swimming time (SW) was only significantly increased in HPS groups: the high and low dose of the HPS group was 101% and 72% longer than the control group, respectively. Both HPS and HPM treatment decreased lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen, creatine kinase while increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the blood. Moreover, mice treated with HPS and HPM showed less skeletal muscle fiber spacing and breakage. The relative abundance of Alistips, Eubacterium, Bacterium, Parasutterella, and Olsenella in the gut microbiota of the HPS group was higher than that in the HPM group through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. These changes may be related to the regulation of nucleotide, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and fatigue-related indicators suggested that Alistips, Clostridium, Akkermansia, Olsenella, and Lactobacillus were positively correlated with the SW and LDH content. Our findings demonstrated that HPS has beneficial anti-fatigue effects by regulating gut microbiota.

Camellia oil exhibits anti‐fatigue property by modulating antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber, and gut microbial composition in mice

“…Guan et al. (2022) reported that Paecilomyces hepiali spore supplementation could increase the proportion of fecal Alistipes and alleviate fatigue in KM mice. However, another study has shown that the proportion of intestinal Alistipes is upregulated in individuals with CFS (Fremont et al., 2013).…”

“…Under varying pathological conditions, the Bacteroidetes genus Alistipes exhibits a range of effects, which can often be diverse and even contradictory. Guan et al (2022) reported that Paecilomyces hepiali spore supplementation could increase the proportion of fecal Alistipes and alleviate fatigue in KM mice. However, another study has shown that the proportion of intestinal Alistipes is upregulated in individuals with CFS (Fremont et al, 2013).…”

“…However, other studies argued that improper planned exercise may cause ischemia within the intestinal mucosa, subsequently resulting in heightened permeability of the intestinal barrier, disturbing gut microbiota balance, contributing to the inflammatory response, and consequently leading to CFS (Hsu et al., 2018; Ticinesi et al., 2019). Recent research has demonstrated that the anti‐fatigue activities of some functional foods or bioactive components are highly related to the modulation of intestinal microbiota and their metabolites (Guan et al., 2022; Wei et al., 2023). Interestingly, the capability of CO in regulating gut microbiota has been confirmed by several studies (Gao et al., 2022; Lee et al., 2018).…”

Dietary Polysaccharides Exert Anti-Fatigue Functions via the Gut-Muscle Axis: Advances and Prospectives

“…The impairment of intestinal integrity is another extremely important effect of fatigue development [ 109 ]. Long-term exhaustive swimming exercise resulted in an increased abundance of Acetatifactor , Allobaculum , Oscillibacter , Paraprevotella , and Roseburia and a decreased abundance of Alistips , Clostridium , Akkermansia , Olsenella , and Lactobacillus in mice [ 122 ]. The analysis results showed that the beneficial bacteria ( Lactobacillus , Akkermansia , etc.)…”

“…The gut microorganism plays a fundamental role in modulating muscle adaptation to extensive training [ 105 ]. Increased probiotics in the gut can restore imbalances in the intestinal ecosystem, normalize serum biomarkers, and reduce intestinal inflammation, thereby relieving fatigue and enhancing exercise function [ 122 ]. Exercise training is beneficial to intestinal health, suggesting that exercise can regulate the composition of the microbial community and increase its biodiversity [ 24 , 131 ].…”