Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 Attenuates Aging-Associated Muscle Weakness, Bone Loss, and Cognitive Impairment by Modulating the Gut Microbiome in Mice

Abstract

In humans, aging is characterized by the progressive decline in biological, physiological, and psychological functions, and is a major risk factor in the development of chronic diseases. Therefore, the development of strategies aimed at attenuating aging-related disorders and promoting healthy aging is critical. In a previous study, we have demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 (TWK10), a probiotic strain isolated from Taiwanese pickled cabbage, improved muscle strength, exercise endurance, and overall body composition in healthy humans. In this study, the effect of TWK10 on the progression of age-related impairments was investigated in mice. We found that TWK10 not only enhanced muscle strength in young mice, but also prevented the aging-related loss of muscle strength in aged mice, which was accompanied by elevated muscle glycogen levels. Furthermore, TWK10 attenuated the aging-associated decline in learning and memory abilities, as well as bone mass. Further analyses of gut microbiota using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the pattern of gut microbial composition was clearly altered following 8 weeks of TWK10 administration. TWK10-treated mice also experienced an increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and higher overall levels of gut SCFA. Furthermore, TWK10 administration to some extent reversed the aging-associated accumulation of pathogenic bacterial taxa. In conclusion, TWK10 could be viewed as a potential therapeutic agent that attenuates aging-related disorders and provides health benefits by modulating the imbalance of gut microbiota.

Yogurt Benefits Bone Mineralization in Ovariectomized Rats with Concomitant Modulation of the Gut Microbiome

“…Studies indicated that the beneficial effects of Lactobacillus supplementation on bone mass may be associated with increased generation of SCFAs in the gut. [ 23 , 24 ] However, the results here do not support this mechanism, indicating that other potential mechanisms related to Lactobacillus may play a crucial role in promoting bone mineralization in OVX rats. Li et al.…”

Lactobacillus gasseri NK109 and Its Supplement Alleviate Cognitive Impairment in Mice by Modulating NF-κB Activation, BDNF Expression, and Gut Microbiota Composition

“…Oral administration of B. longum NK46 or L. plantarum C29 increases cognitive decline in Ag and Tg mice by inducing NF-κB-mediated BDNF expression [ 15 , 17 ]. L. plantarum TWK10 also alleviates aging-related CI in mice by regulating gut microbiome [ 40 ]. Lactobacillus fermentum JDFM216 also alleviates cognitive behavior in aged mice [ 41 ].…”

Safety Assessment of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing, Phenotypic, and Oral Toxicity Analysis

“…We have previously demonstrated that the administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 (TWK10) exerted beneficial effects on improving exercise performance, increasing muscle mass and strength in both mice and humans, and attenuating ageassociated cognitive decline and loss of bone mass in mice. We further found that long-term TWK10 administration did not result in significant histological changes in the organs of mice or alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters in humans [19][20][21][22]. In this study, we comprehensively assessed the safety of TWK10 as a probiotic for human consumption using both in vitro and in vivo approaches.…”