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Published on: February 3, 2017
Influence of aerobic exercise training on mice gut microbiota in Parkinson's disease
Tianlun Fan1, Xiating Li2, Xiang Zhang2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Hainan, China.
Abstract:
Accumulating evidence shows that gut microbial dysbiosis may represent a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Exercise has a positive effect on microbiota in general. The effect of aerobic exercise training (AET) on the gut microbial environment in PD remains to be explored. Here, we performed the 16S rRNA gene sequencing on feces from sham operated-mice (sham), PD mice model, and mice receiving AET (AET). Results indicated that AET had no remarkable effect on species richness and bacterial diversity of PD mice. The relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes was reduced, while Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Lysinibacillus, Pelomonas, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 were increased in PD mice compared with those of sham operated-mice, whereas AET partly rescued their abundance. Additionally, the composition proportion of beneficial Lactobacillus_gasseri and uncultured_Erysipelotrichales_bacterium significantly increased in AET mice compared to PD mice. Moreover, discriminative bacteria, such as Bacilli, Lactobacillales, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus were identified as a specific taxon in AET mice. Here we provide evidence that AET can improve the gut microbiota of PD mice.
Insights
Aerobic exercise training (AET) partially improved gut microbiota in Parkinson's disease (PD) mice by altering bacterial abundance. AET did not significantly change species richness or diversity but modulated specific bacterial groups in PD mice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Gut microbial dysbiosis is a potential risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Exercise generally benefits gut microbiota composition.
- The impact of aerobic exercise training (AET) on gut microbiota in PD is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of AET on the gut microbial environment in a mouse model of PD.
- To identify specific bacterial taxa affected by AET in PD mice.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on fecal samples from sham-operated mice, PD mice, and PD mice undergoing AET.
- Comparative analysis of bacterial species richness, diversity, and relative abundance was conducted.
Main Results:
- AET did not significantly alter species richness or bacterial diversity in PD mice.
- PD mice showed altered abundance of several bacterial phyla and genera compared to sham mice.
- AET partly reversed these alterations and increased beneficial bacteria like *Lactobacillus gasseri* in PD mice.
Conclusions:
- AET can modulate gut microbiota composition in PD mice, partly rescuing dysbiotic changes.
- Specific bacterial taxa, including *Lactobacillales* and *Lactococcus*, were identified as discriminative in AET-treated mice.
- AET shows potential for improving the gut microbial environment in Parkinson's disease.
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