Author(s): NECHALOVÁ, L., PENESOVÁ, A., HRIC, I., BABICOVÁ, M., HLAVÁCOVÁ, V., BIELIK, V., Institution: FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT, COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN BRATISLAVA, Country: SLOVAKIA, Abstract-ID: 1398

INTRODUCTION:
Despite the progressive decreases in the physical function and mobility of the lower extremities in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the evidence indicates the positive impact of physical activity on the development of this disease. Furthermore, emerging research has shown the crucial role of gut microbiota in maintaining overall health in MS patients, including its potential influence on the immune system, chronic inflammation, or neurological conditions. However, there is still limited data on the potential negative shifts in the gut bacteria due to reduced physical activity, as well as the convincing positive relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and the gut microbiota in MS individuals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare active MS women with active healthy women and investigate the associations between gut microbiota and cardiorespiratory fitness.
METHODS:
This prospective cross-sectional study involving 17 active MS women (MS) and 17 active healthy women (controls) was carried out. The gut microbiota was categorized using specific primers targeting the V3–V4 region of 16S rDNA; the body composition was measured by bioimpedance; and the cardiorespiratory fitness was quantified by an incremental test on a bicycle ergometer.
RESULTS:
We observed significant negative shifts in body composition (e.g., BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage) and significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness (e.g., VO2max/kg, Loadmax/kg, RER, and VE) in MS compared to controls. Furthermore, we detected significant negative shifts in gut microbiota, e.g., a decreased alfa diversity (Chao1), a decreased relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid producers (e.g., Blautia spp., Coprococcus spp., Eubacterium spp.), and a decreased relative abundance of physical fitness-associated bacteria (e.g., Veillonella spp.) in MS compared to controls. Notably, a significant positive association was found between health-related bacteria (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Lactobacillaceae, Veilonella magna, and Veilonella rogosea) and cardiorespiratory fitness (e.g., Vo2max/kg, Loadmax/kg).
CONCLUSION:
The main findings of our study were inferior body characteristics and cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as negative shifts in gut microbiota in MS compared to controls. Moreover, our study clearly showed a strong association between several gut microbes and cardiorespiratory fitness. We believe that increased physical activity can be effective in stimulating changes in bacteria linked to health in MS patients.
FUNDING: This study was supported by the Grant No. APVV-22-0047 of the Slovak Research.