Pediococcus pentosaceus YF01 Modulates Gut Microbiota and Enhances Athletic Performance

Pediococcus pentosaceus is a Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) commonly found in fermented foods and used as a probiotic. P. pentosaceus can modulate oxidative stress levels. Nevertheless, the impact of P. pentosaceus on physical performance has not been exhaustively examined. Therefore, this study employed treadmill training to simulate human exercise conditions and induce exercise-associated fatigue in mice, aiming to investigate the potential of Pediococcus pentosaceus YF01 in mitigating such fatigue through the regulation of oxidative stress, as well as its effects on exercise capacity and gut microbiota in mice. Exercise performance was assessed using an exhaustive running test, while histopathological examination of tissue sections, quantification of serum biochemical markers, and evaluation of relevant gene mRNA expression levels were conducted to elucidate underlying mechanisms. Administration of YF01 significantly extended the time to exhaustion in mice. It elevated serum levels of oxidative stress-related markers, including total antioxidant capacity (T‑AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), along with glucose (GLU) and lactic acid (LA). Concurrently, YF01 reduced serum levels of liver-related enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as exercise-induced metabolites lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CRE). At the molecular level, YF01 upregulated the mRNA expression of MyHc I, SIRT1, and PGC in muscle tissue, and increased the expression of SOD1, SOD2, and CAT in both liver and muscle tissues. In contrast, it downregulated the mRNA expression of MyHc IIa, MyHc IIb, and MyHc IIx in muscle. Furthermore, YF01 supplementation increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae in the gut microbiota of mice. In conclusion, P. pentosaceus YF01 appears to enhance exercise capacity in mice by modulating oxidative stress pathways. These findings provide novel insights for the development of strategies in sports science and the promotion of human health.