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European Journal of Applied Physiology
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 10/2020

01-10-2020 | Heat Stroke | Original Article

Influence of aerobic fitness on gastrointestinal barrier integrity and microbial translocation following a fixed-intensity military exertional heat stress test

Authors: Henry B. Ogden, Joanne L. Fallowfield, Robert B. Child, Glen Davison, Simon C. Fleming, Simon K. Delves, Alison Millyard, Caroline S. Westwood, Joseph D. Layden

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

Exertional-heat stress adversely disrupts gastrointestinal (GI) barrier integrity, whereby subsequent microbial translocation (MT) can result in potentially serious health consequences. To date, the influence of aerobic fitness on GI barrier integrity and MT following exertional-heat stress is poorly characterised.

Method

Ten untrained (UT; VO2max = 45 ± 3 ml·kg−1·min−1) and ten highly trained (HT; VO2max = 64 ± 4 ml·kg−1·min−1) males completed an ecologically valid (military) 80-min fixed-intensity exertional-heat stress test (EHST). Venous blood was drawn immediately pre- and post-EHST. GI barrier integrity was assessed using the serum dual-sugar absorption test (DSAT) and plasma Intestinal Fatty-Acid Binding Protein (I-FABP). MT was assessed using plasma Bacteroides/total 16S DNA.

Results

UT experienced greater thermoregulatory, cardiovascular and perceptual strain (p < 0.05) than HT during the EHST. Serum DSAT responses were similar between the two groups (p = 0.59), although Δ I-FABP was greater (p = 0.04) in the UT (1.14 ± 1.36 ng·ml−1) versus HT (0.20 ± 0.29 ng·ml−1) group. Bacteroides/Total 16S DNA ratio was unchanged (Δ; -0.04 ± 0.18) following the EHST in the HT group, but increased (Δ; 0.19 ± 0.25) in the UT group (p = 0.05). Weekly aerobic training hours had a weak, negative correlation with Δ I-FABP and Bacteroides/total 16S DNA responses.

Conclusion

When exercising at the same absolute workload, UT individuals are more susceptible to small intestinal epithelial injury and MT than HT individuals. These responses appear partially attributable to greater thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and perceptual strain.
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Metadata
Title
Influence of aerobic fitness on gastrointestinal barrier integrity and microbial translocation following a fixed-intensity military exertional heat stress test
Authors
Henry B. Ogden
Joanne L. Fallowfield
Robert B. Child
Glen Davison
Simon C. Fleming
Simon K. Delves
Alison Millyard
Caroline S. Westwood
Joseph D. Layden
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04455-w

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