3.5 Spearman correlation analysis of the bacterial genera with
highest abundance and their phenotypes
To assess potential association between gut microbiota changes and host
autophagy-related phenotypes, we conducted a Spearman correlation
analysis of the bacterial genera with the highest abundance and their
autophagy-related phenotypes in rats. p__Akkermansia from the
phylum Verrucomicrobia−g__Akkermansia showed significant
negative correlation with serum endotoxin, while exhibiting significant
positive correlation with LC3BII/LC3BI. On the other hand, there was a
highly significant positive correlation betweenp_Firmicutes−g_Lactobacillus and serum endotoxin.p_Firmicutes−g_Oscillospira,
p_ Firmicutes−g__Lactobacillus,
p_Actinobacteria−g_Corynebacterium,and
p_Actinobacteria−g_Adlercreutzia showed significant positive
correlation with TLR4 (Fig. 5). Taken together, these findings indicate
that GP treatment inhibited levels of Gram-negative bacteria,
inflammation in the intestinal system and enhanced autophagy via TLR4.