Human gut microbiota adaptation to high-altitude exposure: longitudinal analysis over acute and prolonged periods

This study is the first to investigate the impact of high-altitude exposure on gut microbiota adaptation in a large-scale longitudinal cohort. It seeks to enhance understanding of how high-altitude environments reshape gut microbiota. Acute exposure to high altitude significantly affected both α-diversity and β-diversity of gut microbiota, with acute exposure causing more pronounced changes than prolonged adaptation, indicating temporary disruptions in microbial communities. Notable shifts in microbial abundance were observed, including increased levels of genera linked to hypoxic stress (e.g., <i>Gemmiger</i>, <i>Ruminococcus</i>, and <i>Parabacteroides</i>) and decreased levels of beneficial bacteria (e.g., <i>Faecalibacterium</i>, <i>Roseburia</i>, and <i>Bifidobacterium</i>), suggesting possible adverse health effects. Functional analysis indicated changes in metabolism-related pathways post-exposure, supporting the idea that high-altitude adaptations involve metabolic adjustments for energy management. These findings enhance understanding of high-altitude physiology, illustrating the role of gut microbiota in hypoxic health.