Improved oxygen saturation and acclimatization with bacteriotherapy at high altitude

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Altitude Medicine

Background:

• High altitude presents physiological challenges due to reduced oxygen availability.
• Effective strategies for improving acclimatization to high altitude are limited.
• Probiotics, beneficial microorganisms, are being explored for various health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic in enhancing acclimatization to high altitude.
• To assess the impact of probiotics on key physiological markers of altitude exposure.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study involving 17 participants at 3,800 m.
• Primary outcome: oxygen saturation (SpO2) during day and night.
• Secondary outcomes: acute mountain sickness (AMS) scores, sleep, ventilation, heart rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and glucose levels.

Main Results:

• The probiotic group demonstrated significantly higher daytime and nighttime SpO2 compared to the placebo group.
• Participants receiving probiotics reported lower AMS scores, indicating reduced sickness severity.
• Enhanced acclimatization was observed in the probiotic group, evidenced by improved SpO2 and reduced AMS.

Conclusions:

• Multi-strain probiotics may serve as a novel, non-invasive intervention to improve high-altitude acclimatization.
• Bacteriotherapy offers a potential new avenue for mitigating the physiological stress of high altitude.
• Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms and long-term effects of probiotics in altitude adaptation.