The Effects of Exercise on Indirect Markers of Gut Damage and Permeability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Sarah Chantler, Alex Griffiths, Jamie Matu, Glen Davison, Ben Jones, Kevin Deighton

Journal: Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 2021;51(1):113-124

PMID: 33201454

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Plain Language Summary

Gut permeability and intestinal cell damage are often observed in various gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions. Based on recent findings, exercise appears to cause damage to intestinal cells, leading to an increase in gut permeability. The aim of this review was to determine the effect of an acute bout of exercise on gut damage and permeability and explore the plausible mechanisms underlying these effects. This review analysed 34 studies that evaluated biomarkers of gut permeability and cell damage in response to exercise compared to resting controls. These findings revealed a significant impact of exercise on gut damage and permeability, and the markers were exacerbated when exercise was performed in hot conditions. The duration of exercise did not have any impact on cell damage or permeability. Based on these results, the authors conclude a single bout of exercise increases gut damage and permeability and they encourage further investigation into nutritional strategies to prevent adverse effects during the post-exercise period. Future research should consider the efficacy nutritional interventions to minimize these negative effects to optimise athletic health and performance.

Abstract

AIM

Exercise appears to cause damage to the endothelial lining of the human gastrointestinal tract and elicit a significant increase in gut permeability.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to determine the effect of an acute bout of exercise on gut damage and permeability outcomes in healthy populations using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, The Cochrane Library as well as MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and CINHAL, via EBSCOhost were searched through February 2019. Studies were selected that evaluated urinary (ratio of disaccharide/monosaccharide excretion) or plasma markers [intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (i-FABP)] of gut permeability and gut cell damage in response to a single bout of exercise.

RESULTS

A total of 34 studies were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and showed a large and moderate effect size for markers of gut damage (i-FABP) (ES 0.81; 95% CI 0.63-0.98; n = 26; p < 0.001) and gut permeability (Disaccharide Sugar/Monosaccharide Sugar) (ES 0.70; 95% CI 0.29-1.11; n = 17; p < 0.001), respectively. Exercise performed in hot conditions (> 23 °C) further increased markers of gut damage compared with thermoneutral conditions [ES 1.06 (95% CI 0.88-1.23) vs. 0.66 (95% CI 0.43-0.89); p < 0.001]. Exercise duration did not have any significant effect on gut damage or permeability outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that a single bout of exercise increases gut damage and gut permeability in healthy participants, with gut damage being exacerbated in hot environments. Further investigation into nutritional strategies to minimise gut damage and permeability after exercise is required. PROSPERO database number (CRD42018086339).

Address: Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Cavendish G08, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QT, UK. [email protected].; Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Union Club, Leeds, UK. [email protected].; Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Cavendish G08, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QT, UK.; School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.; Endurance Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.; School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.; Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Cape Town and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa.; Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, UK.; England Performance Unit, Rugby Football League, Leeds, UK.

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01348-y