Author(s): ISHIBASHI, A.1,2,3, KATAYAMA, Y.4, YASUMATSU, M.4, KOJIMA, C.5, ISHIKAWA, H.6, KOJIMA, K.6, TAKAGI, T.6, TERADA, S.1, Institution: TOYO UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1516

INTRODUCTION:
Accumulating evidence suggests that each person has an immensely diverse and stable gut microbiota whose composition influences the health of the host through their metabolites. Diet and nutritional status are key factors in determining gut microbiota composition and their metabolites. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are more quickly metabolized than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) in the body, are widely known to lose body mass and fat mass. Recent studies have reported that MCTs-enriched diets could affect gut microbiota composition and gut health in obese individuals［1］. However, it remains unclear whether the intake of MCTs exerts a beneficial effect on gut health in athletes as well. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of MCTs supplementation on gut microbiota composition and gut health in female university football players.
METHODS:
Seventeen female university footballers were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either MCTs (MCT group, n = 9) or Rapeseed oil (LCT group, n = 8). They consumed jelly sticks containing 18 g MCTs or LCTs every day for 6 weeks. We evaluated energy intake, energy expenditure, body composition, gut microbiota and its metabolite before and at the end of the intervention. In addition, self-reported bowel movement frequency was surveyed.
RESULTS:
Energy intake and energy expenditure before and during the 6-week intervention did not differ between both groups. In the MCT group, the percentage of total body fat after the intervention was significantly lower than before the intervention (p = 0.03), whereas no significant change was observed in the LCT group. A significant decrease in Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which is known to have an important role in maintaining normal intestinal homeostasis, was observed in the MCT group (p < 0.05), but not in the LCT group. In addition, the total fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration, which is reported to stimulate colonic motility and accelerate colonic transit, significantly increased in the MCT group (p < 0.05), while such effect was not observed in the LCT group. Self-reported bowel movement frequency was significantly increased after the intervention in the MCT group, but not in the LCT group (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION:
Six-week intake of MCTs supplementation may cause changes in the composition of gut microbiota and their metabolites, leading to improved bowel movements in female university football players.
REFERENCE:
1. Rial SA. et al. Gut microbiota and metabolic health: the potential beneficial effects of a medium chain triglyceride diet in obese individuals. Nutrients, 2016. 8(5): 281.