Abstract
Ship voyage to Antarctica is a stressful journey for expedition members. The response of human gut microbiota to ship voyage and a feasible approach to maintain gut health, is still unexplored. The present findings describe a 24-day long longitudinal study involving 19 members from 38th Indian Antarctic Expedition, to investigate the impact of ship voyage and effect of probiotic intervention on gut microbiota. Fecal samples collected on day 0 as baseline and at the end of ship voyage (day 24), were analyzed using whole genome shotgun sequencing. Probiotic intervention reduced the sea sickness by 10% compared to 44% in placebo group. The gut microbiome in placebo group members on day 0 and day 24, indicated significant alteration compared to a marginal change in the microbial composition in probiotic group. Functional analysis revealed significant alterations in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Carbohydrate-active enzymes analysis represented functional genes involved in glycoside hydrolases, glycosyltransferases and carbohydrate binding modules, for maintaining gut microbiome homeostasis. Suggesting thereby the possible mechanism of probiotic in stabilizing and restoring gut microflora during stressful ship journey. The present study is first of its kind, providing a feasible approach for protecting gut health during Antarctic expedition involving ship voyage.
Highlights
Ship voyage to Antarctica is a stressful journey for expedition members
In terms of organism composition, the intestinal microbiota of subjects in the PCB group at day 0 and day 24 was distinct, which indicated the impact of stressful ship voyage on the gut microbiota of expedition members
The results of this study will add to our knowledge and provide a feasible solution for maintaining gut health during ship voyage to Antarctica and provide new insights into the use of probiotics as a nutritional intervention
Summary
Ship voyage to Antarctica is a stressful journey for expedition members. The response of human gut microbiota to ship voyage and a feasible approach to maintain gut health, is still unexplored. The present findings describe a 24-day long longitudinal study involving 19 members from 38th Indian Antarctic Expedition, to investigate the impact of ship voyage and effect of probiotic intervention on gut microbiota. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment includes low temperature, blizzards, intense UV radiations, high humidity and salinity, isolation, sleep deprivation, altered circadian rhythms, sea sickness and unavailability of fresh fruits and vegetables which leads to psychological and physiological stress[1,2]. Expedition members under these conditions are exposed to health complications as compared to mainland workers[3]. The primary goal was to investigate—if probiotics could modulate intestinal microbes towards a more favorable balance and strengthen immunity during ship voyage to Antarctica under extreme environmental conditions
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