Increased physical activity improves gut microbiota composition and reduces short-chain fatty acid concentrations in older adults with insomnia - PubMed (original) (raw)
Increased physical activity improves gut microbiota composition and reduces short-chain fatty acid concentrations in older adults with insomnia
Faiga Magzal et al. Sci Rep. 2022.
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) can improve functional abilities, well-being, and independence in older adults with insomnia. Studies have shown that PA may be linked to changes in the gut microbiota composition and its metabolites' concentrations. This association among older adults with insomnia, however, is yet to be determined. We explored the relationships between physical activity (PA) levels, gut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in this population. Forty-nine community-dwelling adults with insomnia symptoms, aged 65 and older, participated in this study. Their average daily step-count and sleep continuity measures over a two-week period were calculated based on Actigraphic recordings. Each participant provided fecal samples for the microbiome and SCFA analyses, anthropometric measures, and information via questionnaires on medical history and food consumption. The gut microbiota composition and SCFA concentrations were determined by next-generation sequencing and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Participants were divided into two groups (more and less active) according to their median step/day count. We compared the microbiota abundance and SCFA concentrations between groups and performed correlation analysis between gut microbiota abundances and study variables. Different microbiota taxa in each PA group and increased SCFAs in feces of less active individuals were found. Changes in step counts were positively or negatively associated with the relative abundance of 19 ASVs, 3 microorganisms at the family level, and 11 microorganisms at the genus level. Furthermore, significant associations were discovered among physical activity, gut microbiota, SCFAs, and sleep parameters. Our findings provide new insights on the relationship between PA, gut microbiota composition, and primary metabolites in older adults with insomnia.
© 2022. The Author(s).
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
Figures
Figure 1
(A,B) Taxonomic composition distribution in samples at the phylum (A) and genus (B) levels. The 49 samples are divided into two groups, less active and more active individuals. The bacteria relative abundances are displayed in the histogram in the corresponding proportion and color according to the legend. (C,D) Boxplots showing alpha diversity the feature level (C) (Shannon index) and beta diversity at the feature level (D) (Bray–Curtis index). Plots in blue represent the data from the more-active group, plots in red are from the less-active group.
Figure 2
Spearman correlations between measured variables (A). All variables are shown in the X and Y-axis. Values of significant correlations are shown in the correspondent squares. P-values of measured variables (B). All variables are shown in the X and Y-axis. Color-filled squares represent p-values ≤ 0.05.
References
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