Moderate Highland Barley Intake Affects Anti-Fatigue Capacity in Mice via Metabolism, Anti-Oxidative Effects and Gut Microbiota

作者：Liangxing Zhao, Qingyu Zhao, Sameh Sharafeldin, Luman Sang, Chao Wang, Yong Xue, Qun Shen · 发表于：Nutrients · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/nu17040733 · 被引用次数：13 · 研究领域：Exercise and Physiological Responses、Muscle metabolism and nutrition、Gut microbiota and health

Objectives: this study aimed to explore the effects of different intake levels (20–80%) of highland barley on the anti-fatigue capacity of ICR mice, focusing on energy metabolism, metabolite accumulation, oxidative stress, and changes in the gut microbiota. Methods: male ICR mice were assigned to five groups: control (normal diet) and four experimental groups with highland barley supplementation at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of total dietary energy. Anti-fatigue performance was assessed by behavioral experiments (rotarod, running, and exhaustive swimming tests), biochemical markers, and gut microbiota analysis. Results: the results showed that moderate supplementation (20%) significantly enhanced exercise endurance and anti-fatigue capacity, as evidenced by increased liver glycogen (134.48%), muscle glycogen (87.75%), ATP content (92.07%), Na+-K+-ATPase activity (48.39%), and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (103.31%), catalase (87.75%), glutathione peroxidase (81.14%). Post-exercise accumulation of blood lactate, quadriceps muscle lactate, serum urea nitrogen, and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde was significantly reduced, with differences of 31.52%, 21.83%, 21.72%, and 33.76%, respectively. Additionally, 20% supplementation promoted the growth of beneficial gut microbiota associated with anti-fatigue effects, including unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae, g_norank_f_Peptococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136, Colidextribacter, and Turicibacter. However, wh...