Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides (ALP) ameliorate exercise capacity and modulate gut microbiota composition in mice with acute sleep deprivation via the gut-muscle axis

This study investigated the effects of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides (ALP) on exercise performance and gut microbiota composition in mice subjected to acute sleep deprivation (SD) with a focus on the gut-muscle axis. The results revealed that ALP significantly enhanced the forelimb grip strength and muscle endurance in SD mice, thereby improving their overall exercise capacity. Additionally, ALP regulated the energy metabolism by increasing blood glucose, liver glycogen, and muscle glycogen levels, while simultaneously reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Histological analysis revealed that ALP strengthened intestinal barrier function by promoting the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin. In terms of gut microbiota, ALP increased the Alpha diversity of the gut microbiota and optimized its structure. Notably, ALP significantly elevated the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia and Muribaculaceae, while inhibiting the proliferation of harmful bacteria like Colidextribacter and Lachnoclostridium. These findings suggest that ALP improves the exercise capacity and overall health of SD mice by modulating the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function, providing new insights into the use of dietary interventions to alleviate health issues caused by sleep deprivation.