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.

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Differences in gut microbiota composition between obese and lean children: a cross-sectional study

Gut Pathogens ◽

10.1186/1757-4749-5-10 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 171

Author(s):

Liene Bervoets ◽

Kim Van Hoorenbeeck ◽

Ineke Kortleven ◽

Caroline Van Noten ◽

Niel Hens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lean Children ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

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Age-related changes in gut microbiota composition from newborn to centenarian: a cross-sectional study

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-016-0708-5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 370

Author(s):

Toshitaka Odamaki ◽

Kumiko Kato ◽

Hirosuke Sugahara ◽

Nanami Hashikura ◽

Sachiko Takahashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition ◽

Age Related Changes

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Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity and Gut Microbiome Composition: A Cross-Sectional Study among Healthy Young Italian Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12072164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 2164

Author(s):

Francesca Gallè ◽

Federica Valeriani ◽

Maria Sofia Cattaruzza ◽

Gianluca Gianfranceschi ◽

Renato Liguori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Microbiome Composition ◽

Healthy Humans

Background. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the microbial composition of the gut and its possible association with the Mediterranean diet (MD) after adjusting for demographic and anthropometric characteristics in a sample of healthy young Italian adults. Methods. Gut microbiota, demographic information, and data on adherence to MD and physical activity (PA) habits were collected in a sample of 140 university students (48.6% males, mean age 22.5 ± 2.9) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.4 ± 2.8 kg/m2 (15.2–33.8) and a mean PA level of 3006.2 ± 2973.6 metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week (148–21,090). Results. A high prevalence of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was found in all the fecal samples. Significant dissimilarities in the microbiota composition were found on the basis of MD adherence and PA levels (p = 0.001). At the genus level, Streptococcus and Dorea were highly abundant in overweight/obese individuals, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira in participants with lower adherence to MD, and Lachnobacterium in subjects with low levels of PA (p = 0.001). A significantly higher abundance of Paraprevotella was shown by individuals with lower BMI, lower MD adherence, and lower PA levels (p = 0.001). Conclusions. This study contributes to the characterization of the gut microbiome of healthy humans. The findings suggest the role of diet and PA in determining gut microbiota variability.

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Smoking and gut microbiota: a cross sectional study involving students

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.471 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M S Cattaruzza ◽

F Valeriani ◽

A Sindoni ◽

M Castrechini ◽

M Antinozzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Oncological Diseases ◽

University Of Rome

Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is associated with oncological and non-oncological diseases. Tobacco smoking causes more than 7 million deaths per year worldwide. Cigarette smoking could impact not only on human tissues and organs, but also on the gut microbiota, i.e. the community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the composition of gut microbiota among smoker and non-smoker university students. Methods Students from Sapienza University of Rome were asked to fill a questionnaire about smoking attitude and to provide a fecal sample. Students undergoing therapy which could affect gut microbiota were excluded. Differences in microbial composition and variability between smokers and non-smokers were assessed. Results A total of 107 students (43.9% males, mean age 21.96±2.52 years, 30,0% smokers) were enrolled so far. As for microbial composition, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios (F/B ratio) differed between smokers and non-smokers (5.34±16.66 vs 2.47±2.28). As for variability measures, smokers had lower Shannon index (3.43±0.26 vs 3.46±0.29). At Genus level, Prevotella was significantly more abundant in smokers (10.97±15.87 vs 4.86±10.86; p = 0.027) in comparison to non-smokers. Conclusions Our preliminary results seem to suggest that smoking habit affects gut microbiota. Smokers had higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and Prevotella Genus, while lower Shannon index. These preliminary data suggest that smoking habit may cause changes in gut microbiota pattern, but further research is needed. Key messages Smoking may cause changes in gut microbiota pattern. Smoking seems increases F/B ratio and Prevotella, while reduces gut microbiota variability.

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Can Physical Activity Influence Human Gut Microbiota Composition Independently of Diet? A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13061890 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1890

Author(s):

Barbara Dorelli ◽

Francesca Gallè ◽

Corrado De Vito ◽

Guglielmo Duranti ◽

Matteo Iachini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Amplicon Sequencing ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

16S Rrna Amplicon Sequencing ◽

New Perspective ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) influences the human gut microbiota composition, but its role is unclear because of dietary interference. The aim of this review is to clarify this issue from this new perspective in healthy individuals. Articles analyzing intestinal microbiota from fecal samples by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were selected by searching the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 2020. For each study, methodological quality was assessed, and results about microbiota biodiversity indices, phylum and genus composition, and information on PA and diet were considered. From 997 potentially relevant articles, 10 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Five studies involved athletes, three were performed on active people classified on the basis of habitual PA level, and two among sedentary subjects undergoing exercise interventions. The majority of the studies reported higher variability and prevalence of the phylum Firmicutes (genera Ruminococcaceae or Fecalibacteria) in active compared to inactive individuals, especially in athletes. The assessment of diet as a possible confounder of PA/exercise effects was completed only in four studies. They reported a similar abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Paraprevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Veillonellaceae, which are involved in metabolic, protective, structural, and histological functions. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

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The effects of physical activity on human gut microbiota composition: a systematic review

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.437 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

B Dorelli ◽

M Iachini ◽

M Zaccarin ◽

J Preziosi Standoli ◽

F Galle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Cross Sectional Studies ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Abstract Background Gut microbiota development and composition can be influenced by an existing dynamic balance between host physiology and lifestyle. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of physical activity on human gut microbiota. Methods PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched until May 2019. Full-text in English were recruited if focused on gut microbiota in healthy athletes or active people, without age or gender restrictions, collected on faecal samples and analysed with genome sequencing of rRNA 16S. All types of study design were included as long as they performed a comparison with a sedentary control group. No specific time frame for the publication date was applied. Quality assessment was performed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies (2017) and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials. Results The analysis yielded 7/985 articles: five cross-sectional studies and two clinical trials, published from 2014 to 2019. The overall methodological assessment was of fair quality. Types of exercise included in the studies were: rugby, running, aerobic exercise, bodybuilding. More in detail, regarding the exercise load, some studies were conducted on elite professional athletes, such as rugby players, marathon runners or bodybuilders, with rigorous training, while other studies included a few weeks of aerobic and resistance training at a moderate intensity. Shannon diversity index increased in three studies. Concerning phyla, Firmicutes were increased in five studies and three studies described a significant decrease in Bacteroides. Conclusions This systematic review confirms the direct correlation between microbiota composition and physical activity, but further studies are needed to establish the possible presence of a causal link between the two factors. Key messages Exercise can play an important role as an environmental factor in determining gut microbiota composition. Further studies are needed to gain robust evidence of physical activity influence on gut microbiota variability.

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Plasma Metabolites Related to Peripheral and Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity Are Not Directly Linked to Gut Microbiota Composition

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12082308 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2308

Author(s):

Annefleur M. Koopen ◽

Nicolien C. de Clercq ◽

Moritz V. Warmbrunn ◽

Hilde Herrema ◽

Mark Davids ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Amplicon Sequencing ◽

Plasma Metabolites ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Plasma metabolites affect a range of metabolic functions in humans, including insulin sensitivity (IS). A subset of these plasma metabolites is modified by the gut microbiota. To identify potential microbial–metabolite pathways involved in IS, we investigated the link between plasma metabolites, gut microbiota composition, and IS, using the gold-standard for peripheral and hepatic IS measurement in a group of participants with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). In a cross-sectional study with 115 MetSyn participants, fasting plasma samples were collected for untargeted metabolomics analysis and fecal samples for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. A two-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed to assess peripheral and hepatic IS. Collected data were integrated and potential interdependence between metabolites, gut microbiota, and IS was analyzed using machine learning prediction models. Plasma metabolites explained 13.2% and 16.7% of variance in peripheral and hepatic IS, respectively. Fecal microbiota composition explained 4.2% of variance in peripheral IS and was not related to hepatic IS. Although metabolites could partially explain the variances in IS, the top metabolites related to peripheral and hepatic IS did not significantly correlate with gut microbiota composition (both on taxonomical level and alpha-diversity). However, all plasma metabolites could explain 18.5% of the variance in microbial alpha-diversity (Shannon); the top 20 metabolites could even explain 44.5% of gut microbial alpha-diversity. In conclusion, plasma metabolites could partially explain the variance in peripheral and hepatic IS; however, these metabolites were not directly linked to the gut microbiota composition, underscoring the intricate relation between plasma metabolites, the gut microbiota, and IS in MetSyn

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