A287 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS A MODULATOR OF INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA, IMMUNE RESPONSES, AND SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS PRODUCTION

• Published in: Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 2018-03, Vol.1 (suppl_1), p.497-498
• Main Authors: Estaki, M, Pither, J, Baumeister, P, Little, J P, Gill, S K, Ghosh, S, Marsden, K, Ahmadi-Vand, Z, Gibson, D L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2515-2084; 2515-2092
• DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwy008.288

Abstract Background The trillions of bacteria residing along the mammalian intestine, referred to as the gut’s microbiome, are integral in various physiological function of their host. Disruptions in these communities, or dysbiosis, are implicated in various illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Many factors such as diet, method of birth, and environmental exposures are known to influence the intestinal microbiota, however the role of physical activity (PA) remains unclear. Aims A) To explore the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and gut microbiota in humans and; B) confirm causation between PA and the microbiota using a mouse model of PA Methods A) Using high-throughput DNA sequencing, we compared fecal microbiota of 39 individuals with varying CRF level as determined by peak oxygen uptake test (VO2peak). Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were analysed using GC. B) Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly categorized into voluntary wheel running (VWR), or sedentary (SED) group (n=8). Intestinal bacterial community, morphology, and gene expression of various cytokines was analyzed after 7 weeks. Results A) VO2peak in humans was significantly correlated with increased microbial biodiversity and distinct metagenomic functions. The microbial profiles of fit individuals were associated with increased production of buryate, a SCFA known for its anti-inflammatory properties, through increased abundances of key butyrate-producing taxa: Clostridiales, Roseburia, Lachnospiraceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae. B) VWR mice gained weight at a significantly higher rate than SED group, absent changes in their food intake. Firmicutes phyla was significantly higher (29.0%, p