Far infrared radiation induces changes in gut microbiota and activates GPCRs in mice

Far infrared radiation (FIR) has been widely used to treat chronic diseases and symptoms; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. As gut microbiota (GM) markedly impact the host's physiology, making GM a potential target for the therapeutic evaluation of FIR. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to five times of 2 min-FIR exposure on the abdomen, with a two-hour interval of each exposure within one day. Fecal samples were collected on day one and day 25 after the FIR/control treatment, and the extracted fecal DNAs were evaluated using ERIC-PCR and 16S amplicon sequencing. Host's G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) were analyzed using qRT-PCR. FIR induced immediate changes in the GM composition. A prompt and significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the abundance of phylum Deferribacteres (comprised of several pathogens) was observed in the FIR-irradiated mice compared to the control group. Contrarily, FIR exposure induced beneficial genera such as Alistipes, Barnesiella, and Prevotella. The gut of FIR-irradiated mice was predominated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producers. Also, FIR stimulated the expression of SCFAs-sensing receptors, GPCR 41, 43, and 109 in the gut epithelial barrier. These findings provide the first-hand evidence in which the beneficial effects of FIR radiation might be partially through the modulation of GM.