Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Effects of astaxanthin on gut microbiota of polo ponies during deconditioning and reconditioning periods.
Abstract: To determine the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation on the equine gut microbiota during a deconditioning-reconditioning cycle, 12 polo ponies were assigned to a control (CON; n = 6) or supplemented (ASTX; 75 mg ASTX daily orally; n = 6) group. All horses underwent a 16-week deconditioning period, with no forced exercise, followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where physical activity gradually increased. Fecal samples were obtained at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after deconditioning (PostDecon), after reconditioning (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after the cessation of ASTX supplementation (Washout). Following DNA extraction from fecal samples, v4 of 16S was amplified and sequenced to determine operational taxonomic unit tables and α-diversity and β-diversity indices. The total number of observed species was greater at Baseline than PostDecon, PostRecon, and Washout (p ≤ 0.02). A main effect of ASTX (p = 0.01) and timepoint (p = 0.01) was observed on β-diversity, yet the variability of timepoint was greater (13%) than ASTX (6%), indicating a greater effect of timepoint than ASTX. Deconditioning and reconditioning periods affected the abundance of the Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres phyla. Physical activity and ASTX supplementation affect the equine gut microbiome, yet conditioning status may have a greater impact.
© 2024 The Author(s). Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.
Publication Date: 2024-05-30 PubMed ID: 38811348PubMed Central: PMC11136553DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16051Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research study concerns the role of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation in affecting the gut microbiota of polo ponies during periods of deconditioning and reconditioning. It was found that physical activity and ASTX do affect the equine gut microbiota, but the conditioning status of the ponies had a larger influence.
Experimental Design
- The study involved 12 polo ponies, split into two groups: a control group (CON; n = 6) and a group that was given a supplement of 75 mg of ASTX daily (ASTX; n = 6).
- Both groups underwent a deconditioning period of 16-weeks during which they had no exercise, and this was followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where their physical activity was gradually increased.
- Fecal samples were collected from the ponies at various points: at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after the deconditioning period (PostDecon), after the reconditioning period (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after ASTX supplementation was stopped (Washout).
Methodology and Results
- To analyze the gut microbiota, DNA was extracted from the fecal samples, followed by amplification and sequencing to determine operational taxonomic unit tables. These allowed researchers to track changes in the diversity of microbial species in the gut over time.
- The team found that the total number of observed species was higher at the beginning of the study compared to PostDecon, PostRecon, and Washout stages, indicating a decline in gut flora diversity over time.
- Changes over timepoint had a greater effect (13%) on the β-diversity (a measure of variation in species diversity across habitats) compared to ASTX supplementation (6%), suggesting that the deconditioning and reconditioning periods significantly affected the gut microbiota diversity.
- The abundance of specific phyla Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres was also found to be affected by the deconditioning and reconditioning periods.
Conclusion
- The research suggests that, while ASTX supplementation and physical activity do have an effect on the gut microbiome of polo ponies, the conditioning status (i.e., whether the ponies are in a period of deconditioning or reconditioning) seems to have a more substantial impact.
Cite This Article
APA
Kawaida MY, Maas KR, Moore TE, Reiter AS, Tillquist NM, Reed SA.
(2024).
Effects of astaxanthin on gut microbiota of polo ponies during deconditioning and reconditioning periods.
Physiol Rep, 12(11), e16051.
https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.16051 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Microbial Analysis, Resources, and Services, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Statistical Consulting Services, Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / microbiology
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects
- Xanthophylls / pharmacology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Dietary Supplements
- Male
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
Grant Funding
- University of Connecticut Research Excellence Program
Conflict of Interest Statement
No conflicts of interests, financial or otherwise, are declared by the authors.
References
This article includes 59 references
- Akduman H, Tayman C, Korkmaz V, Akduman F, Fettah N D, Gürsoy B K, Turkmenoglu T T, Çağlayan M. Astaxanthin reduces the severity of intestinal damage in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing Enterocolitis. American Journal of Perinatology 2022;39:1820–1827.
- Allen J M, Berg Miller M E, Pence B D, Whitlock K, Nehra V, Gaskins H R, White B A, Fryer J D, Woods J A. Voluntary and forced exercise differentially alters the gut microbiome in C57BL/6J mice. Journal of Applied Physiology 2015;118:1059–1066.
- Allen J M, Mailing L J, Niemiro G M, Moore R, Cook M D, White B A, Holscher H D, Woods J A. Exercise alters gut microbiota composition and function in lean and obese humans. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2018;50:747–757.
- Apprill A, McNally S, Parsons R, Weber L. Minor revision to V4 region SSU rRNA 806R gene primer greatly increases detection of SAR11 bacterioplankton. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 2015;75:129–137.
- Baralic I, Djordjevic B, Dikic N, Kotur‐Stevuljevic J, Spasic S, Jelic‐Ivanovic Z, Radivojevic N, Andjelkovic M, Pejic S. Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on paraoxonase 1 activities and oxidative stress status in young soccer players. Phytotherapy Research 2013;27:1536–1542.
- Barton W, Penney N C, Cronin O, Garcia‐Perez I, Molloy M G, Holmes E, Shanahan F, Cotter P D, O'Sullivan O. The microbiome of professional athletes differs from that of more sedentary subjects in composition and particularly at the functional metabolic level. Gut 2018;67:625–633.
- Besten D G, Eunen V K, Groen A K, Venema K, Reijngoud D J, Bakker B M. The role of short‐chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. Journal of Lipid Research 2013;54:2325–2340.
- Bressa C, Bailén‐Andrino M, Pérez‐Santiago J, González‐Soltero R, Pérez M, Montalvo‐Lominchar M G, Maté‐Muñoz J L, Domínguez R, Moreno D, Larrosa M. Differences in gut microbiota profile between women with active lifestyle and sedentary women. PLoS One 2017;12:e0171352.
- Chen J, Li H, Hird S M, Chen M‐H, Xu W, Maas K, Cong X. Sex differences in gut microbial development of preterm infant twins in early life: A longitudinal analysis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 2021;11.
- Costa M C, Arroyo L G, Allen‐Vercoe E, Stämpfli H R, Kim P T, Sturgeon A, Weese J S. Comparison of the fecal microbiota of healthy horses and horses with colitis by high throughput sequencing of the V3–V5 region of the 16s rRNA gene. PLoS One 2012;7:e41484.
- Costa M C, Stämpfli H R, Allen‐Vercoe E, Weese J S. Development of the faecal microbiota in foals. Equine Veterinary Journal 2016;48:681–688.
- Costa M C, Weese J S. The equine intestinal microbiome. Animal Health Research Reviews 2012;13:121–128.
- de Almeida M L M, Feringer W H, Carvalho J R G, Rodrigues I M, Jordão L R, Fonseca M G, de Rezende A S C, de Queiroz N A, Weese J S, da Costa M C, de Macedo Lemos E G, Ferraz G D C. Intense exercise and aerobic conditioning associated with chromium or L‐carnitine supplementation modified the fecal microbiota of fillies. PLoS One 2016;11:e0167108.
- Dempsey E, Corr S C. Lactobacillus spp. for gastrointestinal health: Current and future perspectives. Frontiers in Immunology 2022;13.
- Dougal K, de la Fuente G, Harris P A, Girdwood S E, Pinloche E, Newbold C J. Identification of a core bacterial community within the large intestine of the horse. PLoS One 2013;8:e77660.
- Engevik M A, Luk B, Chang‐Graham A L, Hall A, Herrmann B, Ruan W, Endres B T, Shi Z, Garey K W, Hyser J M, Versalovic J. Bifidobacterium dentium fortifies the intestinal mucus layer via autophagy and calcium signaling pathways. MBio 2019;10.
- Evans C C, LePard K J, Kwak J W, Stancukas M C, Laskowski S, Dougherty J, Moulton L, Glawe A, Wang Y, Leone V, Antonopoulos D A, Smith D, Chang E B, Ciancio M J. Exercise prevents weight gain and alters the gut microbiota in a mouse model of high fat diet‐induced obesity. PLoS One 2014;9:e92193.
- Fatouros I G, Jamurtas A Z, Villiotou V, Pouliopoulou S, Fotinakis P, Taxildaris K, Deliconstantinos G. Oxidative stress responses in older men during endurance training and detraining. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2004;36:2065–2072.
- Fatouros I G, Kambas A, Katrabasas I, Nikolaidis K, Chatzinikolaou A, Leontsini D, Taxildaris K. Strength training and detraining effects on muscular strength, anaerobic power, and mobility of inactive older men are intensity dependent. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2005;39:776–780.
- Fernandes K A, Kittelmann S, Rogers C W, Gee E K, Bolwell C F, Bermingham E N, Thomas D G. Faecal microbiota of forage‐fed horses in New Zealand and the population dynamics of microbial communities following dietary change. PLoS One 2014;9:e112846.
- Garber A, Hastie P, Murray J A. Factors influencing equine gut microbiota:Current knowledge. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2020;88.
- Gram M, Vigelsø A, Yokota T, Helge J W, Dela F, Hey‐Mogensen M. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial H2O2 emission increases with immobilization and decreases after aerobic training in young and older men. Journal of Physiology 2015;593:4011–4027.
- Hadfield J D. MCMC Methods for multi‐response generalized linear mixed models: The MCMCglmm R package. Journal of Statistical Software 2010;33.
- He J, Zhang P, Shen L, Niu L, Tan Y, Chen L, Zhao Y, Bai L, Hao X, Li X, Zhang S, Zhu L. Short‐chain fatty acids and their association with signalling pathways in inflammation, glucose and lipid metabolism. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020;21:1–16.
- Janabi A H D, Biddle A S, Klein D, McKeever K H. Exercise training‐induced changes in the gut microbiota of Standardbred racehorses. Comparative Exercise Physiology 2016;12:119–130.
- Joo C H. The effects of short‐term detraining on exercise performance in soccer players. Journal of exercise rehabilitation 2016;12:54–59.
- Kauter A, Epping L, Semmler T, Antao E‐M, Kannapin D, Stoeckle S D, Gehlen H, Lübke‐Becker A, Günther S, Wieler L H, Walther B. The gut microbiome of horses: Current research on equine enteral microbiota and future perspectives. Animal Microbiome 2019;1:14.
- Kim J‐H, Choi S‐K, Choi S‐Y, Kim H‐K, Chang H‐I. Suppressive effect of Astaxanthin isolated from the Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous mutant on ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 2005;69:1300–1305.
- Koundourakis N E, Androulakis N E, Malliaraki N, Tsatsanis C, Venihaki M, Margioris A N. Discrepancy between exercise performance, body composition, and sex steroid response after a six‐week detraining period in professional soccer players. PLoS One 2014;9:e87803.
- Lara F, Castro R, Thomson P. Changes in the gut microbiome and colic in horses: Are they causes or consequences?. Open Veterinary Journal 2022;12:242–249.
- Lawler J, Song W, Demaree S. Hindlimb unloading increases oxidative stress and disrupts antioxidant capacity in skeletal muscle. Free Radical Biology & Medicine 2003;35:9–16.
- Lin X, Bo H, Gu J, Yi X, Zhang P, Liu R, Li H, Sun G, Lin C H. Astaxanthin, a carotenoid antioxidant, pretreatment alleviates cognitive deficits in aircraft noised mice by attenuating inflammatory and oxidative damage to the gut, heart and hippocampus. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy 2022;148:112777.
- Liu H, Liu M, Fu X, Zhang Z, Zhu L, Zheng X, Liu J. Astaxanthin prevents alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating mouse gut microbiota. Nutrients 2018;10.
- Liu Z, Liu H Y, Zhou H, Zhan Q, Lai W, Zeng Q, Ren H, Xu D. Moderate‐intensity exercise affects gut microbiome composition and influences cardiac function in myocardial infarction mice. Frontiers in Microbiology 2017;8.
- Madsen K, Pedersen P K, Djurhuus S, Klitgaard N A. Effects of detraining on endurance capacity and metabolic changes during prolonged exhaustive exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology (1985) 1993;75:1444–1451.
- Mailing L J, Allen J M, Buford T W, Fields C J, Woods J A. Exercise and the gut microbiome: A review of the evidence, potential mechanisms, and implications for human health. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 2019;47:75–85.
- Matsumoto M, Inoue R, Tsukahara T, Ushida K, Chiji H, Matsubara N, Hara H. Voluntary running exercise alters microbiota composition and increases n‐butyrate concentration in the rat cecum. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 2008;72:572–576.
- Meor Mohd Affandi M M R, Julianto T, Majeed A B A. Enhanced oral bioavailability of astaxanthin with droplet size reduction. Food Science and Technology Research 2012;18:549–554.
- Mika A, van Treuren W, González A, Herrera J J, Knight R, Fleshner M. Exercise is more effective at altering gut microbial composition and producing stable changes in lean mass in juvenile versus adult male F344 rats. PLoS One 2015;10:e0125889.
- Mols K L, Boe‐Hansen G B, Mikkelsen D, Bryden W L, Cawdell‐Smith A J. Prenatal establishment of the foal gut microbiota: A critique of the in utero colonisation hypothesis. Animal Production Science 2020;60:2080–2092.
- Morita H, Kano C, Ishii C, Kagata N, Ishikawa T, Hirayama A, Uchiyama Y, Hara S, Nakamura T, Fukuda S. Bacteroides uniformis and its preferred substrate, α‐cyclodextrin, enhance endurance exercise performance in mice and human males. Science Advances 2023;9:eadd2120.
- Motiani K K, Collado M C, Eskelinen J‐J, Virtanen K A, Löyttymoe O E, Salminen S, Nuutila P, Kalliokoski K K, Hannukainen J C. Exercise training modulates gut microbiota profile and improves endotoxemia. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2020;52:94–104.
- Mujika I, Padilla S. Detraining: Loss of training‐induced physiological and performance adaptations. Part I: short term insufficient training stimulus. Sports Medicine 2000;30:79–87.
- Nakagawa S, Schielzeth H. A general and simple method for obtaining R 2 from generalized linear mixed‐effects models. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 2013;4:133–142.
- Okamoto T, Morino K, Ugi S, Nakagawa F, Lemecha M, Ida S, Ohashi N, Sato D, Fujita Y, Maegawa H. Microbiome potentiates endurance exercise through intestinal acetate production. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism 2019;316:956–966.
- Ottman N, Smidt H, de Vos W M, Belzer C. The function of our microbiota: Who is out there and what do they do?. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 2012;2:104.
- Park J S, Chyun J H, Kim Y K, Line L L, Chew B P. Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans. Nutrition & Metabolism (London) 2010;7.
- Pratap K, Majzoub M E, Taki A C, Miranda Hernandez S, Magnusson M, Glasson C R K, de Nys R, Thomas T, Lopata A L, Kamath S D. The algal polysaccharide Ulvan and carotenoid Astaxanthin both positively modulate gut microbiota in mice. Food 2022;11.
- Quiroga R, Nistal E, Estébanez B, Porras D, Juárez‐Fernández M, Martínez‐Flórez S, García‐Mediavilla M V, de Paz J A, González‐Gallego J, Sánchez‐Campos S, Cuevas M J. Exercise training modulates the gut microbiota profile and impairs inflammatory signaling pathways in obese children. Experimental & Molecular Medicine 2020;52:1048–1061.
- Salem S E, Maddox T W, Berg A, Antczak P, Ketley J M, Williams N J, Archer D C. Variation in faecal microbiota in a group of horses managed at pasture over a 12‐month period. Scientific Reports 2018;8:8510.
- Sales K M, Reimer R A. Unlocking a novel determinant of athletic performance: The role of the gut microbiota, short‐chain fatty acids, and “biotics” in exercise. Journal of Sport and Health Science 2023;12:36–44.
- Schoster A, Mosing M, Jalali M, Staempfli H R, Weese J S. Effects of transport, fasting and anaesthesia on the faecal microbiota of healthy adult horses. Equine Veterinary Journal 2016;48:595–602.
- Sweeny A R, Lemon H, Ibrahim A, Watt K A, Wilson K, Childs D Z, Nussey D H, Free A, McNally L. A Mixed‐Model Approach for Estimating Drivers of Microbiota Community Composition and Differential Taxonomic Abundance. mSystems 2023;8.
- Tavenner M K, McDonnell S M, Biddle A S. Development of the equine hindgut microbiome in semi‐feral and domestic conventionally‐managed foals. Animal Microbiome 2020;2:43.
- Venable E B, Bland S D, McPherson J L, Francis J. Role of the gut microbiota in equine health and disease. Animal Frontiers 2016;6:43–49.
- Wang J, Liu S, Wang H, Xiao S, Li C, Li Y, Liu B. Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous‐derived astaxanthin regulates lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in obese mice induced by a high‐fat diet. Marine Drugs 2019;17:337.
- Yang W, Liu Y, Yang G, Meng B, Yi Z, Yang G, Chen M, Hou P, Wang H, Xu X. Moderate‐intensity physical exercise affects the exercise performance and gut microbiota of mice. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 2021;11.
- Żak‐Bochenek A, Bajzert J, Sambor D, Siwińska N, Szponar B, Łaczmański Ł, Żebrowska P, Czajkowska A, Karczewski M, Chełmońska‐Soyta A. Homeostasis of the intestinal mucosa in healthy horses—Correlation between the fecal microbiome, secretory immunoglobulin a and fecal egg count. Animals 2022;12.
- Zhang L, Cao W, Gao Y, Yang R, Zhang X, Xu J, Tang Q. Astaxanthin (ATX) enhances the intestinal mucosal functions in immunodeficient mice. Food & Function 2020;11:3371–3381.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
