Ameliorative Effects of Aerobic Exercise Combined With <i>Lycium barbarum</i> Polysaccharide‐Mediated Gut Microbiota Remodeling on Glycolipid Abnormalities in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Exercise plays an important role in improving type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by regulating systemic metabolism and enhancing glycemic control. <i>Lycium barbarum</i> polysaccharide (LBP), a natural bioactive component, also exhibits potential for lowering blood glucose and alleviating diabetes-related symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms by which exercise, LBP, or their combination alleviate T2DM remain largely unclear from the perspective of gut microbiota. In this study, we used 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze gut microbiota, aiming to investigate the roles of aerobic exercise and LBP in T2DM and explore their molecular mechanisms. We found that both aerobic exercise and LBP could modulate gut microbiota-promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, reducing harmful bacteria, and optimizing intestinal microecology-while regulating gut microbial composition and metabolism to inhibit inflammatory responses. Additionally, they improved gut microbiota homeostasis to enhance cellular insulin sensitivity, optimize glucose catabolism and metabolism, regulate lipid metabolism, and reduce abnormal blood lipid accumulation. Notably, aerobic exercise combined with LBP exerted a more significant effect on gut microbiota modulation, thereby yielding better therapeutic outcomes for T2DM. Mechanistically, the regulation of gut microbiota by aerobic exercise and LBP in T2DM rats both involved the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway, suggesting this may be a key link between gut microbiota and T2DM. Furthermore, isobutyric acid and its associated gut microbiota may play a critical role in the T2DM-improving effects of aerobic exercise and LBP, warranting focused investigation in future studies.