Supplementation with Animal- and Plant-Derived Proteins Modulates the Structure and Predicted Metabolic Potential of the Gut Microbiota in Elite Football Players.

Microbial alpha-diversity indices remained stable across all protein supplementation groups throughout the 8-week intervention.

• Three alpha-diversity indices were measured: Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson.
• Stability was observed across all four groups: WPC, PPI, RPI, and MIX.
• The trial involved 45 elite football players over 8 weeks.
• Daily protein supplementation dose was 30 g per day for all groups.

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) supplementation was associated with an increase in Bacteroidetes abundance and greater balance within the microbial community structure.

• WPC group consumed 30 g daily of whey protein concentrate for 8 weeks.
• The shift toward Bacteroidetes was identified as a source-specific taxonomic change.
• Greater microbial community balance was observed in the WPC group compared to other groups.
• The V3-V8 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) to acquire metataxonomic data.

Pea protein isolate (PPI) and the plant-protein blend (MIX) supplementation correlated with reduced fermentative bacteria and elevated taxa potentially involved in cadaverine biosynthesis.

• Both PPI and MIX groups showed reduced fermentative bacteria relative to baseline or comparator groups.
• Elevation of taxa potentially involved in cadaverine biosynthesis was identified as a functional metabolic marker.
• Cadaverine biosynthesis elevation was observed in both PPI and MIX groups, suggesting a shared plant-protein effect.
• Functional potential was inferred through the MACADAM database and STAMP software.

Rice protein isolate (RPI) supplementation was associated with a higher predicted representation of taxa involved in succinate-to-butyrate fermentation pathways.

• RPI group consumed 30 g daily of rice protein isolate for 8 weeks.
• The succinate-to-butyrate fermentation pathway enrichment was identified as a source-specific functional metabolic marker.
• This finding was distinct from the functional shifts observed in WPC, PPI, and MIX groups.
• Functional predictions were derived using the MACADAM database.

The study design employed strict dietary monitoring and gravimetric adherence checks to isolate the intervention effect of protein source on gut microbiota.

• The trial was an 8-week randomized, controlled, parallel design with 45 elite football players.
• Four groups were studied: WPC, PPI, RPI, and MIX (plant-protein blend).
• All participants combined resistance training with daily protein supplementation.
• Prokaryotic metataxonomic data were acquired by sequencing the V3-V8 region of the 16S rRNA gene using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT).

The data indicate complex interactions between supplement type, exposure duration, and microbiome response in elite football players.

• Differential responses of selected bacterial groups to particular protein types were observed.
• The authors concluded that these findings underscore 'the necessity for individualized dietary recommendations and supplementation strategies to optimize gut health and training adaptation in professional football players.'
• Both taxonomic structure and predicted metabolic activity shifted in source-specific patterns despite stable alpha-diversity.
• The 8-week duration captured longitudinal shifts in gut microbiota structure.