Exploring the Relationship between the Gut Microbiota and Ageing: A Possible Age Modulator

Abstract

The gut microbiota (GM) has been the subject of intense research in recent years. Therefore, numerous factors affecting its composition have been thoroughly examined, and with them, their function and role in the individual's systems. The gut microbiota's taxonomical composition dramatically impacts older adults' health status. In this regard, it could either extend their life expectancy via the modulation of metabolic processes and the immune system or, in the case of dysbiosis, predispose them to age-related diseases, including bowel inflammatory and musculoskeletal diseases and metabolic and neurological disorders. In general, the microbiome of the elderly tends to present taxonomic and functional changes, which can function as a target to modulate the microbiota and improve the health of this population. The GM of centenarians is unique, with the faculty-promoting metabolic pathways capable of preventing and counteracting the different processes associated with age-related diseases. The molecular mechanisms by which the microbiota can exhibit anti-ageing properties are mainly based on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. This review focuses on analysing the current knowledge of gut microbiota characteristics and modifiers, its relationship with ageing, and the GM-modulating approaches to increase life expectancy.

Keywords: ageing; centenarian; gut microbiota; immune system; longevity.

Figure 1

Gut microbiota modifiers. The composition of the intestinal microbiota can be modified by various factors throughout life. The main modifiers include lifestyle, age, the perinatal period and some maternal components, as well as the sociocultural environment and psychological factors of the individual.

Figure 2

Implications for healthy ageing related to gut microbiota. GM is capable of influencing healthy aging as well as inducing age-related diseases. On the one hand (A) Prevotella species have the faculty to induce dendritic cell activity and the release of proinflammatory cytokines (IL23, IL-6 and IL-1). However, there are bacterial strains associated with longevity (B), including: A. muciniphila, which de-creases activation of CD80+ and CD273+ B cells in Peyer’s patches, accompanied by attenuation of immu-ne-associated processes. They modulate the decrease of the proinflammatory profile and oxidative stress through the positive regulation of antioxidant enzyme.