Voluntary Running Exercise Alters Microbiota Composition and Increases n-Butyrate Concentration in the Rat Cecum

• DOI: 10.1271/bbb.70474
• Publication Date: 2008-02-25T05:51:48Z
• Authors: Megumi MATSUMOTO; Ryo INOUE; Takamitsu TSUKAHARA; Kazunari USHIDA; Hideyuki CHIJI; Noritaka MATSUBARA; Hiroshi HARA
• Keywords: Male; Butyrates; 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Cecum; Rats

The effects of voluntary wheel-running exercise on cecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production were investigated in rats. The microbiota composition was notably different between the exercised and sedentary rats. Furthermore, the exercised rats showed a significantly higher n-butyrate concentration than the sedentary rats. This alteration of the cecal microbial environment may contribute to the beneficial effect of exercise on gastrointestinal disorders.