Microbiota Mediate Enhanced Exercise Capacity Induced by Exercise Training

ABSTRACT The gut microbiota is critical to host metabolism and is influenced by many factors, including host genotype, diet, and exercise training. Purpose We investigated the effects of gut microbes, and the mechanisms mediating the enhanced exercise performance induced by exercise training, i.e., skeletal muscle blood flow, and mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative function in male mice. Methods All mice received a graded exercise test before (PRE) and after exercise training via forced treadmill running at 60% to 70% of maximal running capacity 5 d·wk −1 for 5 wk (POST). To examine the role of the gut microbes, the graded exercise was repeated after 7 d of access to antibiotic (ABX)-treated water, used to eliminate gut microbes. Peripheral blood flow, mitochondrial oxidative capacity, and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis were collected at each time point. Results Exercise training led to increases of 60% ± 13% in maximal running distance and 63% ± 11% work to exhaustion ( P < 0.001). These increases were abolished after ABX ( P < 0.001). Exercise training increased hindlimb blood flow and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative function, including AMP-activated protein kinase, sirtuin-1, PGC-1α citrate synthase, complex IV, and nitric oxide, all of which were also abolished by ABX treatment. Conclusions Our results support the concept that gut microbiota mediate enhanced exercise capacity after exercise training and the mechanisms responsible, i.e., hindlimb blood flow, mitochondrial biogenesis, and metabolic profile. Finally, results of this study emphasize the need to fully examine the impact of prescribing ABX to athletes during their training regimens and how this may affect their performance.