Longevity Conferences 2023
January 19, 2023
Curated list of Longevity Conferences, where you can explore the latest research and developments in the field of aging and longevity.
All Articles
Exploring microbiome diversity as a contributor to frailty
To evaluate the effect of microbiota diversity on health, Rashidah et al. reviewed microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, and inflammatory biomarkers in older adults.
Frailty is a consequence of the aging process in which the body loses its ability to maintain a stable internal environment. Research indicates that changes in the gut microbiota composition could influence muscle protein synthesis, which, when downregulated, leads to impaired muscle function, muscle mass, and weakened bones. For example, a reduction in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (the main producers of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the gut) population could decrease energy production, muscle fibers’ metabolic efficiency, and lean muscle mass.
Previous research showed that gut dysbiosis in patients with sarcopenia (muscle weakening due to aging) resulted in reduced muscle mass and strength, leading to physical frailty. However, there is insufficient evidence exploring the impact of medications, dietary habits, and body mass index on gut microbiota composition or intestinal epithelial barrier markers. In their systematic review, Rashidah et al. aimed at comparing gut microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, and inflammatory biomarkers between frail older adults and healthy controls. Their review included 11 studies spanning ten case-control studies and one cohort trial.
Highlights of study are:
- Frail individuals displayed significantly higher counts of Ruminococcus, Proteobacteria, Synergistes, and Verrucomicrobia and decreased Firmicutes compared to healthy controls.
- Healthy subjects displayed higher Eubacterium counts compared to frail older adults.
- Frail older adults had higher inflammatory biomarkers and gut permeability (leaky gut) than healthy older adults, evidenced by higher serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, HMGB-1, IL-6, IL1-ra, MIP-1β), amino acids (aspartic acid and phosphoethanolamine), and zonulin (a biomarker of gut barrier).
- The strains Eubacterium and Roseburia were significantly and positively correlated to muscle mass (it means that reduced abundance could contribute to sarcopenia). Moreover, results mentioned that microbiota diversity is inversely related to biological aging.
The authors concluded that frail individuals had lower gut microbiota diversity, decreased Firmicutes abundance, and lower SCFA producers, contributing to gut dysbiosis. Research results suggest that increased zonulin levels could lead to a leaky gut, increasing levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. The outcome is chronic low-grade inflammation associated with frailty seen in older adults. Future studies should better understand the relationship between gut microbiota and inflammation in older adults.
Read this article now
Sign up to get immediate access to this article and professional education in longevity medicine.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
OUR partnering associations
Frailty is a consequence of the aging process in which the body loses its ability to maintain a stable internal environment. Research indicates that changes in the gut microbiota composition could influence muscle protein synthesis, which, when downregulated, leads to impaired muscle function, muscle mass, and weakened bones. For example, a reduction in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (the main producers of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the gut) population could decrease energy production, muscle fibers’ metabolic efficiency, and lean muscle mass.
Previous research showed that gut dysbiosis in patients with sarcopenia (muscle weakening due to aging) resulted in reduced muscle mass and strength, leading to physical frailty. However, there is insufficient evidence exploring the impact of medications, dietary habits, and body mass index on gut microbiota composition or intestinal epithelial barrier markers. In their systematic review, Rashidah et al. aimed at comparing gut microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, and inflammatory biomarkers between frail older adults and healthy controls. Their review included 11 studies spanning ten case-control studies and one cohort trial.
Highlights of study are:
- Frail individuals displayed significantly higher counts of Ruminococcus, Proteobacteria, Synergistes, and Verrucomicrobia and decreased Firmicutes compared to healthy controls.
- Healthy subjects displayed higher Eubacterium counts compared to frail older adults.
- Frail older adults had higher inflammatory biomarkers and gut permeability (leaky gut) than healthy older adults, evidenced by higher serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, HMGB-1, IL-6, IL1-ra, MIP-1β), amino acids (aspartic acid and phosphoethanolamine), and zonulin (a biomarker of gut barrier).
- The strains Eubacterium and Roseburia were significantly and positively correlated to muscle mass (it means that reduced abundance could contribute to sarcopenia). Moreover, results mentioned that microbiota diversity is inversely related to biological aging.
The authors concluded that frail individuals had lower gut microbiota diversity, decreased Firmicutes abundance, and lower SCFA producers, contributing to gut dysbiosis. Research results suggest that increased zonulin levels could lead to a leaky gut, increasing levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. The outcome is chronic low-grade inflammation associated with frailty seen in older adults. Future studies should better understand the relationship between gut microbiota and inflammation in older adults.
Article reviewed by
Close
Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.
Scientific & Medical Advisor
Quality Garant
Ana has over 20 years of consultancy experience in longevity, regenerative and precision medicine. She has a multifaceted understanding of genomics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, nutrition, aging markers, hormones and physical training. This background allows her to bridge the gap between longevity basic sciences and evidence-based real interventions, putting them into the clinic, to enhance the healthy aging of people. She is co-founder of Origen.life, and Longevityzone. Board member at Breath of Health, BioOx and American Board of Clinical Nutrition. She is Director of International Medical Education of the American College of Integrative Medicine, Professor in IL3 Master of Longevity at Barcelona University and Professor of Nutrigenomics in Nutrition Grade in UNIR University.
DISCOVER
HealthyLongevity.guide
Professional science-based education
250+ Articles, video lectures, webinars
Community of 1000+ verified professionals
.jpg)
