Endurance exercise associated with a fructooligosaccharide diet modulates gut microbiota and increases colon absorptive area

Abstract

AbstractBackground and AimFructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation can stimulate beneficial intestinal bacteria growth, but little is known about its influence on training performance. Therefore, this study analyzed FOS and exercise effects on gut microbiota and intestinal morphology of C57Bl/6 mice.MethodsForty male mice were divided into four groups: standard diet‐sedentary (SDS), standard diet‐exercised (SDE), FOS supplemented (7.5% FOS)‐sedentary (FDS), and FOS supplemented‐exercised (FDE), n = 10 each group. Exercise training consisted of 60 min/day, 3 days/week, for 12 weeks.ResultsSDE and FDE groups had an increase in aerobic performance compared to the pretraining period and SDS and FDS groups (P < 0.01), respectively. Groups with FOS increased colonic crypts size (P < 0.05). The FDE group presented rich microbiota (α‐diversity) compared to other groups. The FDE group also acquired a greater microbial abundance (β‐diversity) than other groups. The FDE group had a decrease in the Ruminococcaceae (P < 0.002) and an increase in Roseburia (P < 0.003), Enterorhabdus (P < 0.004) and Anaerotruncus (P < 0.006).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that aerobic exercise associated with FOS supplementation modulates gut microbiota and can increase colonic crypt size without improving endurance exercise performance.