Effectiveness of human-origin Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02 in improving muscle mass, exercise performance and anti-fatigue

The Immunomodulatory Effects and Applications of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Vaccine Development

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously known as Lactobacillus plantarum) is a lactic acid bacterium that exists in various niches. L. plantarum is a food-grade microorganism that is commonly considered a safe and beneficial microorganism. It is widely used in food fermentation, agricultural enhancement, and environmental protection. L. plantarum is also part of the normal flora that can regulate the intestinal microflora and promote intestinal health. Some strains of L. plantarum are powerful probiotics that induce and modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Due to its outstanding immunoregulatory capacities, an increasing number of studies have examined the use of probiotic L. plantarum strains as natural immune adjuvants or alternative live vaccine carriers. The present review summarizes the main immunomodulatory characteristics of L. plantarum and discusses the preliminary immunological effects of L. plantarum as a vaccine adjuvant and delivery carrier. Different methods for improving the immune capacities of recombinant vector vaccines are also discussed.

Efficacy of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LY-66 and Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02 in Enhancing Explosive Strength and Endurance: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

Probiotics are posited to enhance exercise performance by influencing muscle protein synthesis, augmenting glycogen storage, and reducing inflammation. This double-blind study randomized 88 participants to receive a six-week intervention with either a placebo, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LY-66, Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02, or a combination of both strains, combined with a structured exercise training program. We assessed changes in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), exercise performance, and gut microbiota composition before and after the intervention. Further analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of probiotics on exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), muscle integrity, and inflammatory markers in the blood, 24 and 48 h post-intervention. The results demonstrated that all probiotic groups exhibited significant enhancements in exercise performance and attenuation of muscle strength decline post-exercise exhaustion (p < 0.05). Notably, PL-02 intake significantly increased muscle mass, whereas LY-66 and the combination therapy significantly reduced body fat percentage (p < 0.05). Analysis of intestinal microbiota revealed an increase in beneficial bacteria, especially a significant rise in Akkermansia muciniphila following supplementation with PL-02 and LY-66 (p < 0.05). Overall, the combination of exercise training and supplementation with PL-02, LY-66, and their combination improved muscle strength, explosiveness, and endurance performance, and had beneficial effects on body composition and gastrointestinal health, as evidenced by data obtained from non-athlete participants.

An Updated View of the Effect of Probiotic Supplement on Sports Performance: A Detailed Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Modulation of the host microbiota through probiotics has been shown to have beneficial effects on health in the growing body of research. Exercise increases the amount and diversity of beneficial microorganisms in the host microbiome. Although low- and moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to reduce physiological stress and improve immune function, high-intensity prolonged exercise can suppress immune function and reduce microbial diversity due to intestinal hypoperfusion. The effect of probiotic supplementation on sports performance is still being studied; however, questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action, strain used, and dose. In this review, the aim was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplements on exercise performance through modulation of gut microbiota and alleviation of GI symptoms, promotion of the immune system, bioavailability of nutrients, and aerobic metabolism.

RECENT FINDINGS

Probiotic supplementation may improve sports performance by reducing the adverse effects of prolonged high-intensity exercise. Although probiotics have been reported to have positive effects on sports performance, information about the microbiome and nutrition of athletes has not been considered in most current studies. This may have limited the evaluation of the effects of probiotic supplementation on sports performance.

The Improvement and Related Mechanism of Microecologics on the Sports Performance and Post-Exercise Recovery of Athletes: A Narrative Review

The diversity and functionality of gut microbiota may play a crucial role in the function of human motor-related systems. In addition to traditional nutritional supplements, there is growing interest in microecologics due to their potential to enhance sports performance and facilitate post-exercise recovery by modulating the gut microecological environment. However, there is a lack of relevant reviews on this topic. This review provides a comprehensive overview of studies investigating the effects of various types of microecologics, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, on enhancing sports performance and facilitating post-exercise recovery by regulating energy metabolism, mitigating oxidative-stress-induced damage, modulating immune responses, and attenuating bone loss. Although further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which microecologics exert their effects. In summary, this study aims to provide scientific evidence for the future development of microecologics in athletics.

Impact of a Whole-Food, High-Soluble Fiber Diet on the Gut-Muscle Axis in Aged Mice

Previous studies have identified a role for the gut microbiome and its metabolic products, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in the maintenance of muscle mass and physical function (i.e., the gut-muscle axis), but interventions aimed at positively impacting the gut-muscle axis during aging are sparse. Gut bacteria ferment soluble fiber into SCFAs, and accordingly, to evaluate the impact of a high-soluble-fiber diet (HSFD) on the gut-muscle axis, we fed a whole-food, 3×-higher-soluble fiber-containing diet (relative to standard chow) to aged (98 weeks) C57BL/6J mice for 10 weeks. The HSFD significantly altered gut bacterial community structure and composition, but plasma SCFAs were not different, and a positive impact on muscle-related measures (when normalized to body weight) was not identified. However, when evaluating sex differences between dietary groups, female (but not male) HSFD-fed mice had significant increases for SCFAs, the quadriceps/body weight (BW) ratio, and treadmill work performance (distance run × BW), which suggests that an HSFD can positively impact the gut-muscle axis. In contrast, consistent effects in both male and female HSFD-fed mice included weight and fat loss, which suggests a positive role for an HSFD on the gut-adipose axis in aged mice.

Supplementation with Lactiplantibacillus brevis GKEX Combined with Resistance Exercise Training Improves Muscle Mass, Strength Performance, and Body Fat Condition in Healthy Humans

In addition to maintaining good exercise and dietary habits, recent studies have shown that probiotics may have potential benefits for muscle mass and strength. It is worth noting that the effects may vary depending on the specific strains used. To date, no studies have analyzed the effects of Lactiplantibacillus brevis in this context. Here, we combine the L. brevis strain GKEX with resistance training to further understand its effects on muscle mass, thickness, performance, and fat loss. In a six-week intervention for a double-blind randomized trial, 52 healthy subjects were divided into two groups (10 male and 16 female participants in each group): a placebo group (two capsules/day, containing 0 CFU of GKEX per capsule) and a GKEX group (two capsules/day, containing 1 × 1010 CFU of GKEX per capsule). Before the intervention, no differences were observed between the two groups in any of the tests (body composition, muscle thickness, exercise performance, and blood parameters). However, supplementation with GKEX significantly improved muscle mass and thickness, as well as grip strength, muscle strength, and explosive performance, when compared to the associated parameters before the intervention. Additionally, GKEX supplementation promoted a reduction in the body fat percentage (p < 0.05). Through analysis of the change amount, we observed that GKEX supplementation yielded significantly improved benefits when compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). In summary, our findings support the notion that a six-week resistance exercise training program combined with L. brevis GKEX supplementation has superior additive effects that enhance muscle mass and strength performance, while also reducing body fat percentage. This intervention can promote muscle gain and fat loss.

Effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 on exercise performance, fatigue, and muscle growth in healthy male adults

Consumption of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 (TWK10) has beneficial probiotic effects, improves exercise endurance performance, regulates body composition, and mitigates aging-related problems in mice and humans. Here, we investigated the effects of heat-killed TWK10 on exercise endurance performance, muscle weight and strength, fatigue, and body composition in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Thirty healthy males aged 20-40 years were assigned to the Control group or heat-killed TWK10 group (TWK10-HK) in a balanced order according to each individual's initial maximal oxygen uptake. After 6-week administration, the exercise endurance time in the TWK10-HK was significantly increased (p = 0.0028) compared with that in the Control group. The grip strength on the right and left hands of the subjects was significantly increased (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0140, respectively) in the TWK10-HK compared with that in the Control group. Administration of heat-killed TWK10 resulted in a significant increase (p = 0.0275) in muscle weight. After 6-week administration, serum lactate, and ammonia levels were significantly lower in the TWK10-HK group than in the Control group during the exercise and recovery periods. These findings demonstrate that heat-killed TWK10 has significant potential to be used as a postbiotic for humans.

Dietary Polysaccharides Exert Anti-Fatigue Functions via the Gut-Muscle Axis: Advances and Prospectives

Due to today's fast-paced lifestyle, most people are in a state of sub-health and face "unexplained fatigue", which can seriously affect their health, work efficiency, and quality of life. Fatigue is also a common symptom of several serious diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer, etc. However, the contributing mechanisms are not clear, and there are currently no official recommendations for the treatment of fatigue. Some dietary polysaccharides are often used as health care supplements; these have been reported to have specific anti-fatigue effects, with minor side effects and rich pharmacological activities. Dietary polysaccharides can be activated during food processing or during gastrointestinal transit, exerting unique effects. This review aims to comprehensively summarize and evaluate the latest advances in the biological processes of exercise-induced fatigue, to understand dietary polysaccharides and their possible molecular mechanisms in alleviating exercise-induced fatigue, and to systematically elaborate the roles of gut microbiota and the gut-muscle axis in this process. From the perspective of the gut-muscle axis, investigating the relationship between polysaccharides and fatigue will enhance our understanding of fatigue and may lead to a significant breakthrough regarding the molecular mechanism of fatigue. This paper will provide new perspectives for further research into the use of polysaccharides in food science and food nutrition, which could help develop potential anti-fatigue agents and open up novel therapies for sub-health conditions.

Urinary microbiota and serum metabolite analysis in patients with diabetic kidney disease

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and potentially fatal consequence of diabetes. Chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease may result over time. Numerous studies have demonstrated the function of the microbiota in health and disease. The use of advanced urine culture techniques revealed the presence of resident microbiota in the urinary tract, undermining the idea of urine sterility. Studies have demonstrated that the urine microbiota is related with urological illnesses; nevertheless, the fundamental mechanisms by which the urinary microbiota influences the incidence and progression of DKD remain unclear. The purpose of this research was to describe key characteristics of the patients with DKD urinary microbiota in order to facilitate the development of diagnostic and therapeutic for DKD.

Methods

We evaluated the structure and composition of the microbiota extracted from urine samples taken from DKD patients (n = 19) and matched healthy controls (n = 15) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Meanwhile, serum metabolite profiles were compared using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Associations between clinical characteristics, urine microbiota, and serum metabolites were also examined. Finally, the interaction between urine microbiota and serum metabolites was clarified based on differential metabolite abundance analysis.

Results

The findings indicated that the DKD had a distinct urinary microbiota from the healthy controls (HC). Taxonomic investigations indicated that the DKD microbiome had less alpha diversity than a control group. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria phyla increased in the DKD, while Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Acidobacteria was the most prevalent microbiota in the DKD, as determined by the Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) plot. Changes in the urinary microbiota of DKD also had an effect on the makeup of metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) were shown to be specific. Then we discovered that arginine and proline metabolism was the primary mechanism involved in the regulation of diabetic kidney disease.

Conclusions

This study placed the urinary microbiota and serum metabolite of DKD patients into a functional framework and identified the most abundant microbiota in DKD (Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria). Arginine metabolites may have a major effect on DKD patients, which correlated with the progression of DKD.

Diarrhea accompanies intestinal inflammation and intestinal mucosal microbiota dysbiosis during fatigue combined with a high-fat diet

OBJECTIVE

It was reported fatigue or a high-fat diet triggers diarrhea, and intestinal microbiota may play central roles in diarrhea. Therefore, we investigated the association between the intestinal mucosal microbiota and the intestinal mucosal barrier from fatigue combined with a high-fat diet.

METHOD

This study divided the Specific pathogen-free (SPF) male mice into the normal group (MCN) and the standing united lard group (MSLD). The MSLD group stood on water environment platform box for 4 h/day for 14 days, and 0.4 mL lard was gavaged from day 8, twice daily for 7 days.

RESULT

After 14 days, Mice in the MSLD group showed diarrhea symptoms. The pathological analysis showed structural damage to the small intestine in the MSLD group, with an increasing trend of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-17, and inflammation accompanied by structural damage to the intestine. Fatigue combined with a high-fat diet considerably decreased Limosilactobacillus vaginalis and Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and among them, Limosilactobacillus reuteri positively associated with Muc2 and negatively with IL-6.

CONCLUSION

The interactions between Limosilactobacillus reuteri and intestinal inflammation might be involved in the process of intestinal mucosal barrier impairment in fatigue combined with high-fat diet-induced diarrhea.

A Bibliometric Analysis on the Research Trend of Exercise and the Gut Microbiome

This article aims to provide an overview of research hotspots and trends in exercise and the gut microbiome, a field which has recently gained increasing attention. The relevant publications on exercise and the gut microbiome were identified from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The publication types were limited to articles and reviews. VOSviewer 1.6.18 (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands) and the R package "bibliometrix" (R Foundation: Vienna, Austria) were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis. A total of 327 eligible publications were eventually identified, including 245 original articles and 82 reviews. A time trend analysis showed that the number of publications rapidly increased after 2014. The leading countries/regions in this field were the USA, China, and Europe. Most of the active institutions were from Europe and the USA. Keyword analysis showed that the relationship between disease, the gut microbiome, and exercise occurs throughout the development of this field of research. The interactions between the gut microbiota, exercise, status of the host's internal environment, and probiotics, are important facets as well. The research topic evolution presents a trend of multidisciplinary and multi-perspective comprehensive analysis. Exercise might become an effective intervention for disease treatment by regulating the gut microbiome. The innovation of exercise-centered lifestyle intervention therapy may become a significant trend in the future.

The diarrheal mechanism of mice with a high-fat diet in a fatigued state is associated with intestinal mucosa microbiota

Growing evidence has demonstrated that fatigue and a high-fat diet trigger diarrhea, and intestinal microbiota disorder interact with diarrhea. However, the association of intestinal mucosal microbiota with fatigue and high-fat diet trigger diarrhea remains unclear. The specific pathogen-free Kunming male mice were randomly divided into the normal group (MCN), standing group (MSD), lard group (MLD), and standing united lard group (MSLD). Mice in the MSD and MSLD groups stood on the multiple-platform apparatus for four h/d for fourteen consecutive days. From the eighth day, mice in the MLD and MSLD groups were intragastric lard, 0.4 mL/each, twice a day for seven days. Subsequently, we analyzed the characteristics and interaction relationship of intestinal mucosal microbiota, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). Results showed that mice in the MSLD group had an increased number of bowel movements. Compared with the MCN group, the contents of IL-17, and IL-6 were higher (p > 0.05), and the content of sIgA was lower in the MSLD group (p > 0.05). MDA and SOD increased in MLD and MSLD groups. Thermoactinomyces and Staphyloccus were the characteristic bacteria of the MSLD group. And Staphyloccus were positively correlated with IL-6, IL-17, and SOD. In conclusion, the interactions between Thermoactinomyces, Staphyloccus and intestinal inflammation, and immunity might be involved in fatigue and high-fat diet-induced diarrhea.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY01 on the exercise capacity of D-galactose-induced oxidative stress-aged mice

Objectives

Aging is a process that involves comprehensive physiological changes throughout the body, and improvements in the exercise capacity of individuals may delay aging and relieve fatigue. Probiotics are subject to ongoing research to investigate their antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY01 (L. plantarum KSFY01) on exercise tolerance in mice induced into a state of accelerated physiological aging by oxidative stress.

Methods

A mouse model of accelerated aging was established using D-galactose to induce oxidative stress. The bacteria L. plantarum KSFY01 was isolated from fermented yak yogurt. The effect of L. plantarum KSFY01 on the improvement of exercise capacity in aging-accelerated mice was evaluated by measuring their running time until exhaustion, histopathological sections, related biochemical indicators, and underlying gene expression.

Results

The oral administration of L. plantarum KSFY01 prolonged the running time of mice and reduced their creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferasem (AST) levels. From this study, we observed that L. plantarum KSFY01 significantly improved the exercise capacity of mice and alleviated liver damage. Treatment with L. plantarum KSFY01 reduced the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactic acid (LD) accumulation, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevations produced by the accelerated aging state, and also reversed the changes in muscle glycogen (MG). Overall, L. plantarum KSFY01 could effectively improve metabolite accumulation, thereby relieving fatigue in exercised mice. The results of the antioxidant indices in vivo showed that L. plantarum KSFY01 intervention increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and restored the balance between the oxidative and antioxidant systems in fatigued mice. By investigating the underlying molecular mechanism, our results showed that L. plantarum KSFY01 intervention significantly reversed the decline in the expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related factors and improved the body's antioxidant capacity. We determined that the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the antioxidant effect of L. plantarum KSFY01 mainly involves the activation of the Nrf2 pathway. The effect of L. plantarum KSFY01 was dose-dependent, and the expression level of Nrf2 increased with increasing dosage of the probiotic.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the probiotic L. plantarum KSFY01 exerts antioxidant effects and improved the athletic ability of mice. These findings are of significance to the development and utilization of probiotic resources.

Biofilm-based delivery approaches and specific enrichment strategies of probiotics in the human gut

The use of probiotics has been one of the effective strategies to restructure perturbed human gut microbiota following a disease or metabolic disorder. One of the biggest challenges associated with the use of probiotic-based gut modulation strategies is to keep the probiotic cells viable and stable during the gastrointestinal transit. Biofilm-based probiotics delivery approaches have emerged as fascinating modes of probiotic delivery in which probiotics show significantly greater tolerance and biotherapeutic potential, and interestingly probiotic biofilms can be developed on food-grade surfaces too, which is ideal for the growth and proliferation of bacterial cells for incorporation into food matrices. In addition, biofilms can be further encapsulated with food-grade materials or with bacterial self-produced biofilms. This review presents a newly emerging and unprecedently discussed techniques for the safe delivery of probiotics based on biofilms and further discusses newly emerging prebiotic materials which target specific gut microbiota groups for growth and proliferation.

Supplementation with Vitis vinifera Jingzaojing Leaf and Shoot Extract Improves Exercise Endurance in Mice

Switching myofibers from the fast-glycolytic type to the slow-oxidative type is associated with an alleviation of the symptoms associated with various cardiometabolic diseases. This study investigates the effect of Vitis vinifera Jingzaojing leaf and shoot extract (JLSE), which is rich in phenolic compounds, on the regulation of skeletal muscle fiber-type switching, as well as the associated underlying mechanism. Male C57BL/6N mice were supplemented orally with vehicle or JLSE (300 mg/kg) and subjected to treadmill exercise training. After four weeks, mice in the JLSE-supplemented group showed significantly improved exercise endurance and mitochondrial oxidative capacity. JLSE supplementation increased the expression of sirtuin 6 and decreased Sox6 expression, thereby elevating the number of mitochondria and encouraging fast-to-slow myofiber switching. The results of our experiments suggest that JLSE supplementation reprograms myofiber composition to favor the slow oxidative type, ultimately enhancing exercise endurance.

Anti-Fatigue Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide and Effervescent Tablets by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Energy Metabolism in Rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-fatigue effect of natural Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) during exercise, develop a functional anti-fatigue effervescent tablet by applying LBP to practical products, and help patients who have difficulty swallowing conventional tablets or capsules. LBP was extracted with water, and DEAE-52 cellulose was used for purification. The chemical structure and monosaccharide composition of LBP by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FI-IR) and ion chromatography (IC). Lycium barbarum polysaccharide effervescent tablets (LBPT) were prepared by mixing LBP and an excipient. Animal experiments showed that LBP and LBPT significantly increased the exhaustive swimming time in rats. LBP and LBPT improved biochemical markers in rat serum, such as lactic acid and creatine kinase, enhanced the antioxidant capacity of rat muscle, and reversed the decrease in serum glucose, ATP and glycogen content caused by exercise. Transmission electron microscopy showed that LBP and LBPT increased the density of mitochondria in rat liver. In addition, molecular experiments showed that LBP and LBPT could improve oxidative stress caused by exercise by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and regulating energy metabolism via the AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Identification of Valerate as Carrying Capacity Modulator by Analyzing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Colonization of Colonic Microbiota in vitro

Humans ingest many microorganisms, which may colonize and interact with the resident gut microbiota. However, extensive knowledge about host-independent microbe-microbe interactions is lacking. Here, we investigated such colonization process using a derivative of the model probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 into continuously cultivated gut microbiota in the intestinal PolyFermS fermentation model inoculated with five independently immobilized human adult fecal microbiota. L. plantarum successfully colonized and organized itself spatially in the planktonic, that is, the reactor effluent, and sessile, that is, reactor biofilm, fractions of distinct human adult microbiota. The microbiota carrying capacity for L. plantarum was independent of L. plantarum introduction dose and second supplementation. Adult microbiota (n = 3) dominated by Prevotella and Ruminoccocus exhibited a higher carrying capacity than microbiota (n = 2) dominated by Bacteroides with 10⁵ and 10³ CFU/ml of L. plantarum, respectively. Cultivation of human adult microbiota over 3 months resulted in decreased carrying capacity and correlated positively with richness and evenness, suggesting enhanced resistance toward colonizers. Our analyses ultimately allowed us to identify the fermentation metabolite valerate as a modulator to increase the carrying capacity in a microbiota-independent manner. In conclusion, by uncoupling microbe-microbe interactions from host factors, we showed that L. plantarum colonizes the in vitro colonic community in a microbiota-dependent manner. We were further able to demonstrate that L. plantarum colonization levels were not susceptible to the introduction parameters dose and repeated administration but to microbiota features. Such knowledge is relevant in gaining a deeper ecological understanding of colonizer-microbiota interactions and developing robust probiotic strategies.

Isolated Soy Protein Supplementation Combined With Resistance Training Improves Muscle Strength, Mass, and Physical Performance of Aging Female Mice

Background/Purpose: In recent years, the aging population has gradually increased, and the aging process is accompanied by health-associated problems, such as loss of muscle mass and weakness. Therefore, it is important to explore alternative strategies for improving the health status and physical fitness of the aged population. In this study, we investigated the effect of soy protein supplementation combined with resistance training on changes in the muscle mass, muscle strength, and functional activity performance of aging mice.

Methods: Female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): sedentary control (SC), isolated soy protein (ISP) supplementation, resistance training (RT), and a combination of ISP and RT (ISP + RT). The mice in designated groups received oral ISP supplementation (0.123 g/kg/day), RT (5 days/week for a period of 4 weeks), or a combination of both ISP plus RT for 4 weeks. Afterward, we assessed muscle strength, endurance, and anaerobic endurance performance and analyzed blood biochemical and pathological tissue sections to investigate whether there were adverse effects or not in mice.

Results: ISP supplementation effectively improved the muscle mass, muscle endurance, and endurance performance of aging female mice. The RT group not only showed similar results with ISP but also increased muscle strength and glycogen content. Nevertheless, the combination of ISP supplementation and RT had greater beneficial effects on muscle strength, physical performance, and glycogen levels (p < 0.05). In addition, the combination of ISP supplementation and RT had significantly increased type II muscle percentage and cross-sectional area (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Although ISP or RT alone improved muscle mass and performance, the combination of ISP with RT showed greater beneficial effects in aging mice. Our findings suggest that regular exercise along with protein supplementation could be an effective strategy to improve overall health and physical fitness among the elderly.

Sea Bass Essence from Lates calcarifer Improves Exercise Performance and Anti-Fatigue in Mice

Sea bass (Lates calcarifer) is rich in protein, amino acids, and long-chain omega 3 (omega-3), which have many health benefits. In East Asian food culture, soup is often eaten as a nutritional supplement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of Hi-Q sea bass essence (SBE) supplementation for improved exercise performance and anti-fatigue. Fifty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided to five groups (10 mice/group) and administered different doses of SBE (EC): (1) vehicle (water); (2) isocaloric (0.94 g casein/kg/mice/day); (3) SBE-1X (1.04 g/kg/mice/day); (4) SBE-2X (2.08 g/kg/mice/day); and (5) SBE-4X (4.16 g/kg/mice/day). We found that SBE supplementation significantly improved more than 1.96-fold endurance exercise performance (p < 0.05) and more than 1.13-fold glycogen storage in the liver and muscles (p < 0.05), and had dose-dependent by SBE dose (p < 0.05). In addition, supplementation with SBE at different doses had significant effects on the fatigue-related biochemical markers, i.e., lactate, ammonia, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were reduced significantly (p < 0.05), and were also dose-dependent. In conclusion, supplementation with SBE for 4 weeks was able to effectively improve exercise performance and had an anti-fatigue effect. In addition, it did not cause any physiological or histopathological damage.

Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02 Supplementation Combined With Resistance Training Improved Muscle Mass, Force, and Exercise Performance in Mice

Increasing numbers of researchers are investigating the benefits of probiotics in enhancing exercise performance and verifying the role of the gut–muscle axis. In our previous study, Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02 improved exercise performance and muscle mass. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with PL-02 combined with resistance training has a synergistic effect on exercise performance and muscle mass. All the animals were assigned into four groups (n = 8/group): a sedentary control with normal distilled water group (vehicle, n = 8); PL-02 supplementation group (PL-02, 2.05 × 10⁹ CFU, n = 8); resistance training group (RT, n = 8); PL-02 supplementation combined with resistance training group (PL-02 + RT, 2.05 × 10⁹ CFU, n = 8). Supplementation with PL-02 for four consecutive weeks combined with resistance exercise training significantly improved the grip strength and the maximum number of crawls; increased the time of exhaustive exercise; significantly reduced the time required for a single climb; and reduced the lactate, blood ammonia, creatine kinase, and blood urea nitrogen produced after exercise (p < 0.05). In addition, it produced substantial benefits for increasing muscle mass without causing any physical damage. In summary, our findings confirmed that PL-02 or RT supplementation alone is effective in improving muscle mass and exercise performance and in reducing exercise fatigue, but the combination of the two can achieve increased benefits.

Probiotic Strains Isolated from an Olympic Woman’s Weightlifting Gold Medalist Increase Weight Loss and Exercise Performance in a Mouse Model

Obesity is a worldwide health problem. Calorie-restricted diets constitute a common intervention for treating obesity. However, an improper calorie-restricted diet can lead to malnutrition, fatigue, poor concretion, muscle loss, and reduced exercise performance. Probiotics have been introduced as an alternative treatment for obesity. In the present study, we tested the weight loss and exercise performance enhancement effectiveness of probiotic strains of different origins, including four isolated from an Olympic weightlifting gold medalist (Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01, Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02, Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius SA-03, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LY-66). A high-fat diet (HFD) was used to induce obesity in 16 groups of mice (n = 8/group). The mice were administered probiotic supplements at a dosage of 4.1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg/day for 10 weeks. All probiotic supplementation groups showed a significant reduction in body weight and fat mass compared with the HFD group. TYCA06, CS-773, BLI-02, PL-02, bv-77, and OLP-01 were the most effective in facilitating weight loss and fat reduction, which may be due to fatty-acid absorbing activity. PL-02, LY-66, TYCA06, CS-773, and OLP-01 elevated the animals’ grip strength and exhaustive running duration. PL-02, LY-66, and OLP-01 increased tissue glycogen (liver and muscle) levels and muscle capillary density and reduced blood lactate production levels after exercise. In conclusion, OLP-01, PL-02, LY-66, TYCA06, and CS-773 were highly effective in enhancing weight loss and exercise performance. This study should be repeated on humans in the future to further confirm the findings.

Effects of Perch Essence Supplementation on Improving Exercise Performance and Anti-Fatigue in Mice

Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) has many nutrition and health benefits, being a rich source of macro and micronutrients, phospholipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a variety of essential minerals while having a high protein content. In addition to direct consumption, it is often made into a soup as an important nutritional supplement for strengthening the body and delaying fatigue. By extracting the essence, its quality can be controlled, and it is convenient to supplement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Santé premium silver perch essence (SPSPE) on improving exercise performance and anti-fatigue. Fifty male institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were divided into five groups (n = 10/group): (1) vehicle (vehicle control or water only), (2) isocaloric (0.93 g casein/kg/mice/day), (3) SPSPE-1X (0.99 g/kg/mice/day), (4) SPSPE-2X (1.98 g/kg/mice/day), and (5) SPSPE-5X (4.95 g/kg/mice/day). A sample or an equal volume of liquid was fed orally for four consecutive weeks. Grip strength and swimming exhaustion tests were used as exercise performance assessments. After 10 and 90 min of unloaded swimming, biochemical parameters of fatigue were evaluated. We found that supplementation with SPSPE for four consecutive weeks could significantly improve mice’s grip strength, exercise endurance performance, and glycogen content (p < 0.05), and significantly reduced post-exercise fatigue biochemical parameters, such as lactate, blood ammonia (NH₃), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, and muscle damage index creatine kinase (CK) activity (p < 0.05). In summary, supplementation with SPSPE for 4 weeks could effectively improve exercise performance, reduce sports fatigue, and accelerate fatigue recovery. In addition, it did not cause any physiological or histopathological damage.

Microbiome First Approaches to Rescue Public Health and Reduce Human Suffering

The is a sequential article to an initial review suggesting that Microbiome First medical approaches to human health and wellness could both aid the fight against noncommunicable diseases and conditions (NCDs) and help to usher in sustainable healthcare. This current review article specifically focuses on public health programs and initiatives and what has been termed by medical journals as a catastrophic record of recent failures. Included in the review is a discussion of the four priority behavioral modifications (food choices, cessation of two drugs of abuse, and exercise) advocated by the World Health Organization as the way to stop the ongoing NCD epidemic. The lack of public health focus on the majority of cells and genes in the human superorganism, the microbiome, is highlighted as is the "regulatory gap" failure to protect humans, particularly the young, from a series of mass population toxic exposures (e.g., asbestos, trichloroethylene, dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, triclosan, bisphenol A and other plasticizers, polyfluorinated compounds, herbicides, food emulsifiers, high fructose corn syrup, certain nanoparticles, endocrine disruptors, and obesogens). The combination of early life toxicity for the microbiome and connected human physiological systems (e.g., immune, neurological), plus a lack of attention to the importance of microbial rebiosis has facilitated rather than suppressed, the NCD epidemic. This review article concludes with a call to place the microbiome first and foremost in public health initiatives as a way to both rescue public health effectiveness and reduce the human suffering connected to comorbid NCDs.