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.