Gut microbiome in healthy aging versus those associated with frailty

Abstract

As the proportion of older people in the world’s population steadily increases, there is an urgent need to identify ways to support healthy aging. The gut microbiome has been proposed to be involved in aging-related diseases and has become an attractive target for improving health in older people. Herein, we cover the relationship between the gut microbiome and chronological age in adults, and then, we discuss the gut microbiome features associated with frailty, as a hallmark of unhealthy aging in older people. Furthermore, we describe the effects of microbiome-targeted interventions, such as dietary patterns and consumption of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, on modulating the gut microbiome composition and further promoting healthy aging. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of gut microbiome-induced aging complications and to develop personalized microbiome-based strategies for reducing the severity of frailty or preventing the onset of frailty in older adults.

The influence of the gut microbiome on ovarian aging

“…Furthermore, numerous studies have suggested that bacteriotherapy using three slightly different agents: probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are promising for the prevention and treatment of human general aging and age-related disorders, 5 , 103 , 157–161 in which Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are the most commonly used, though the effects varied across studies, which depending on dosage, duration, and their components. 162 Several clinical trials have demonstrated that the intake of a probiotic mixture decreasing inflammatory levels, increased the abundance of an anti-inflammatory commensal bacterium and improved cognitive function in older people. 80 , 131 Additionally, studies have shown that some probiotic strains have beneficial effects on male reproductive dysfunction.…”

Perspective: Promoting Healthy Aging through Nutrition: A Research Centers Collaborative Network Workshop Report

“…To help facilitate the discovery of novel microbiome-targeted interventions to delay the onset of cognitive decline and dementia, the Alzheimer’s Gut Microbiome Project [ 58 ] is investigating the influence of the MIND diet [ 59 ], a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet [ 60 ], and a healthy lifestyle intervention [ 61 ] on the gut microbiome, the metabolome, and cognitive function. These studies could pave the way for future research into microbiome-based interventions to help mitigate other geriatric syndromes [ 62 ]. In humans, changes in the intestinal microbiome can take months to years and a habitual or long-term diet is more likely to have a meaningful impact.…”

Comparative analysis of pectin and prebiotics on human microbiota modulation in early life stages and adults

“…Aging also affects the mucosal immune system, characterized by a decline in the production of goblet cells and a thinning of the mucus layer, weakening the adaptive immune response. 126,127 Dysbiosis associated with aging often reduces the abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a butyrate-producing bacteria, contributing to increased gut inflammation. 126 Furthermore, the decline in proper immune function with age, known as immunosenescence, results in reduced antigen recognition by dendritic cells, decreased memory of T cells, and chronic low-grade inflammation.…”

“…126 Furthermore, the decline in proper immune function with age, known as immunosenescence, results in reduced antigen recognition by dendritic cells, decreased memory of T cells, and chronic low-grade inflammation. 127 These immune alterations are reflected in modification in microbiota composition, characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes abundance (ex. Lactobacillus) and Actinobacteria (ex.…”

“…Bifidobacterium), and an increase in Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. 126,127 Notably, the elevated abundance of members of the Proteobacteria phylum (ex., Shigella, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Yersinia, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Proteus) has been associated with increased mortality for gastrointestinal cancers. 126 Finally, studies have identified specific modifications in microbiota during aging, including a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and an increase in Bacteroides, Eubacterium, Clostridium, Klebsiella, and Ruminococcus.…”