Reduction in the Choking Phenomenon in Elite Diving Athletes Through Changes in Gut Microbiota Induced by Yogurt Containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12: A Quasi Experimental Study

The Brain-Gut-Bone Axis in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Neurodegenerative diseases are global health challenges characterized by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells, leading to cognitive and motor impairments. The brain-gut-bone axis, a complex network that modulates multiple physiological systems, has gained increasing attention owing to its profound effects on the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases. No comprehensive review has been conducted to clarify the triangular relationship involving the brain-gut-bone axis and its potential for innovative therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. In light of this, a new perspective is aimed to propose on the interplay between the brain, gut, and bone systems, highlighting the potential of their dynamic communication in neurodegenerative diseases, as they modulate multiple physiological systems, including the nervous, immune, endocrine, and metabolic systems. Therapeutic strategies for maintaining the balance of the axis, including brain health regulation, intestinal microbiota regulation, and improving skeletal health, are also explored. The intricate physiological interactions within the brain-gut-bone axis pose a challenge in the development of effective treatments that can comprehensively target this system. Furthermore, the safety of these treatments requires further evaluation. This review offers a novel insights and strategies for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, which have important implications for clinical practice and patient well-being.

Dietary Strategies to Improve Exercise Performance by Modulating the Gut Microbiota

Numerous research studies have shown that moderate physical exercise exerts positive effects on gastrointestinal tract health and increases the variety and relative number of beneficial microorganisms in the intestinal microbiota. Increasingly, studies have shown that the gut microbiota is critical for energy metabolism, immunological response, oxidative stress, skeletal muscle metabolism, and the regulation of the neuroendocrine system, which are significant for the physiological function of exercise. Dietary modulation targeting the gut microbiota is an effective prescription for improving exercise performance and alleviating exercise fatigue. This article discusses the connection between exercise and the makeup of the gut microbiota, as well as the detrimental effects of excessive exercise on gut health. Herein, we elaborate on the possible mechanism of the gut microbiota in improving exercise performance, which involves enhancing skeletal muscle function, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating the neuroendocrine system. The effects of dietary nutrition strategies and probiotic supplementation on exercise from the perspective of the gut microbiota are also discussed in this paper. A deeper understanding of the potential mechanism by which the gut microbiota exerts positive effects on exercise and dietary nutrition recommendations targeting the gut microbiota is significant for improving exercise performance. However, further investigation is required to fully comprehend the intricate mechanisms at work.

Effect of Probiotic Yogurt Supplementation(Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12) on Gut Microbiota of Female Taekwondo Athletes and Its Relationship with Exercise-Related Psychological Fatigue

OBJECTIVE

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating human health and athletic performance. Probiotic supplementation has been shown to modulate gut microbiota composition and improve exercise performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotic yogurt supplementation on gut microbiota and its relationship with exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes.

METHODS

Twenty female taekwondo athletes were randomly assigned to either a dietary intervention group (DK) or a control group (CK). The athletes' exercise-related psychological fatigue was measured using the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) before and after an 8-week intervention. High-throughput sequencing was used to profile the gut microbiota, and functional prediction of the microbial community was performed. The effect of the dietary intervention on the athletes' exercise-related psychological fatigue clearance rate and its relationship with the gut microbiota were explored.

RESULTS

(1) The probiotic supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 for 8 weeks significantly increased the ABQ scores of the DK group compared to the CK group (p < 0.05). (2) The abundances of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, family _Lactobacillaceae, and genus _Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the DK group than in the CK group after probiotic supplementation, while Escherichia coli was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. (3) The ABQa scores were positively correlated with Proteus; ABQb scores were positively correlated with Streptococcus and Enterococcus; and ABQc scores were positively correlated with Klebsiella, Bacteroides, and Streptomyces. (4) The DK group had significantly higher levels of L-arginine biosynthesis I (via L-ornithine), fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation, and L-isoleucine biosynthesis III pathways compared to the CK group. Tyrosine degradation I (via 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate) was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group.

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotic yogurt supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis can promote the clearance of exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes by upregulating beneficial gut microbiota, inhibiting harmful gut microbiota, and regulating relevant metabolic pathways.

Targeting the Gut Microbiota to Improve Dietary Protein Efficacy to Mitigate Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is characterised by the presence of diminished skeletal muscle mass and strength. It is relatively common in older adults as ageing is associated with anabolic resistance (a blunted muscle protein synthesis response to dietary protein consumption and resistance exercise). Therefore, interventions to counteract anabolic resistance may benefit sarcopenia prevention and are of utmost importance in the present ageing population. There is growing speculation that the gut microbiota may contribute to sarcopenia, as ageing is also associated with [1) dysbiosis, whereby the gut microbiota becomes less diverse, lacking in healthy butyrate-producing microorganisms and higher in pathogenic bacteria, and [2) loss of epithelial tight junction integrity in the lining of the gut, leading to increased gut permeability and higher metabolic endotoxemia. Animal data suggest that both elements may impact muscle physiology, but human data corroborating the causality of the association between gut microbiota and muscle mass and strength are lacking. Mechanisms wherein the gut microbiota may alter anabolic resistance include an attenuation of gut-derived low-grade inflammation and/or the increased digestibility of protein-containing foods and consequent higher aminoacidemia, both in favour of muscle protein synthesis. This review focuses on the putative links between the gut microbiota and skeletal muscle in the context of sarcopenia. We also address the issue of plant protein digestibility because plant proteins are increasingly important from an environmental sustainability perspective, yet they are less efficient at stimulating muscle protein synthesis than animal proteins.