Does physical inactivity induce significant changes in human gut microbiota? New answers using the dry immersion hypoactivity model

Maxence Jollet, Kevin Nay, Angèle Chopard, Marie Pierre Bareille, Arnaud Beck, Vincent Ollendorff, Barbara Vernus, Anne Bonnieu, Mahendra Mariadassou, Olivier Rué, Frédéric Derbré, Bénédicte Goustard, Christelle Koechlin-Ramonatxo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gut microbiota, a major contributor to human health, is influenced by physical activity and diet, and displays a functional cross-talk with skeletal muscle. Conversely, few data are available on the impact of hypoactivity, although sedentary lifestyles are widespread and associated with negative health and socio-economic impacts. The study aim was to determine the effect of Dry Immersion (DI), a severe hypoactivity model, on the human gut microbiota composition. Stool samples were collected from 14 healthy men before and after 5 days of DI to determine the gut microbiota taxonomic profiles by 16S metagenomic sequencing in strictly controlled dietary conditions. The α and β diversities indices were unchanged. However, the operational taxonomic units associated with the Clostridiales order and the Lachnospiraceae family, belonging to the Firmicutes phylum, were significantly increased after DI. Propionate, a short-chain fatty acid metabolized by skeletal muscle, was significantly reduced in post-DI stool samples. The finding that intestine bacteria are sensitive to hypoactivity raises questions about their impact and role in chronic sedentary lifestyles.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3865
Number of pages17
JournalNutrients
Volume13
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Commensal bacteria
  • Disuse
  • Flora
  • Hypoactivity
  • Micro-gravity
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Phyla
  • Weightlessness

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