Distinct gut microbiome signatures associated with sedentary behavior improvement following rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with higher functional exercise capacity.

Sedentary time decreased significantly in the higher functional exercise capacity group but increased in the lower functional exercise capacity group following rehabilitation.

• 37 stable COPD patients were enrolled and classified into higher and lower functional exercise capacity groups based on 6-min walk distance (6MWD)
• Physical activity was monitored using a tri-axial accelerometer before and after the 12-week intervention
• Sedentary time decreased significantly in the higher functional exercise capacity group post-rehabilitation
• Sedentary time increased in the lower functional exercise capacity group after rehabilitation

Rehabilitation did not significantly improve 6MWD or muscle mass in either the higher or lower functional exercise capacity group.

• A 12-week, home-based rehabilitation program was used as the intervention
• 6MWD showed no significant improvement in either group after rehabilitation
• Muscle mass did not significantly change in either group following the intervention
• Both groups of stable COPD patients were assessed before and after the 12-week program

At baseline, the higher functional exercise capacity group had significantly greater lower limb muscle mass, phase angle, and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous activity than the lower functional exercise capacity group.

• Patients were classified into higher and lower functional exercise capacity groups based on 6MWD
• The higher group demonstrated significantly greater lower limb muscle mass at baseline
• Phase angle was significantly greater in the higher functional exercise capacity group at baseline
• Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was significantly greater in the higher functional exercise capacity group at baseline

Gut microbiome profiles differed between the higher and lower functional exercise capacity groups at baseline and showed distinct changes after rehabilitation.

• Gut microbiome composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing before and after the 12-week intervention
• Baseline gut microbiome profiles were distinct between the two functional exercise capacity groups
• Post-rehabilitation changes in gut microbiome composition differed between the two groups
• The family level for Enterococcaceae decreased post-intervention only in the higher functional exercise capacity group

Within the higher functional exercise capacity group, distinct gut microbiota changes were observed specifically among participants whose sedentary time decreased.

• Analysis was conducted within the higher functional exercise capacity subgroup to identify microbiome signatures associated with sedentary behavior improvement
• Participants in the higher functional exercise capacity group whose sedentary time decreased showed notably distinct gut microbiome changes compared to those whose sedentary time did not decrease
• Enterococcaceae at the family level decreased post-intervention only in the higher functional exercise capacity group
• 16S rRNA sequencing was the methodology used to characterize these microbiome changes