The THE ROLE OF PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN ELDERLY

Abstract

Elderly tends to be more susceptible to infections and chronic diseases. Malnutrition, immunosenescence, and changes in the gut microbiota affect susceptibility to the elderly. Several studies have shown that there is a change in the composition and variability of gut microbiota as we grow older. These changes are considered to increasing the risk of infection and play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases in elderly. Supplementation of probiotics is expected to overcome the microbiota changes in the elderly and therefore improve the health of the elderly.
 In this review we will discuss about normal gut microbiota, changes in gut microbiota in the elderly, and effects of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics supplementation in the elderly. We will also review recent studies on the health benefits of probiotics for the elderly immune system as a new strategy for healthy aging. Recent data suggests that supplementation of probiotics can increase the immunity of the elderly.
 Further research is needed so that probiotic supplementation can be applied in clinical setting as a supporting therapy to improve the health of the elderly.

Interventions on Gut Microbiota for Healthy Aging

“…They manifest their action throughout several physiological (and occasionally pathological) processes, such as tissue remodeling, cancer, injury and aging and function as a cellular defense mechanism to prevent cell damage. Additionally, gut barrier leaks that allow bacteria and/or microbial components to infiltrate may trigger inflammatory reactions [111].…”

Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in the Elderly: Insights Into Their Applications

“…During immunosenescence, a global reduction in the ability to cope with a wide range of stressors occurs, with a concomitant progressive increase toward a pro-inflammatory status, a process that seems to be mediated by the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF- κ B factor; Salminen et al, 2008 ). In addition, inflammatory responses may be caused by the leakage of the intestinal barrier, allowing microbial and/or microbial components to filtrate ( Shalim et al, 2019 ). On the other hand, modifications of the T-cell repertoire have been associated with an increase in morbidity caused by infectious diseases ( Vasto et al, 2006 ), and a low activity of natural killer (NK) cells has been reported as well ( Jing et al, 2007 ).…”