Study spots potential causative relationship between proinflammatory bacteria and age acceleration

Decoding the Gut's Role in Fitness and Aging: A New Frontier in Science"

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have embarked on an exploration of the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome, physical fitness, and the process of aging. The study involved 80 physically fit individuals ranging from 38 to 84 years of age. The goal was to uncover the complex interplay between these factors.

The research team, armed with a body composition monitor, measured various fitness parameters, including maximal oxygen uptake, maximum handgrip force, and vertical jump. They also calculated the body mass index (BMI) of the participants.

The study took a deep dive into the gut, with stool samples collected for microbiome analysis and DNA extraction. The team utilized Illumina sequencing to analyze microbial DNA and bioinformatics analysis to assess the quality of the reads and taxonomic characterization. To measure epigenetic aging, they applied DNA methylation aging clocks using Horvath’s online age calculator and the DunedinPACE package.

The findings revealed gender differences in the gut microbiome composition, with certain bacterial species linked to accelerated epigenetic aging.

Bifidobacterium adolescentis and another bacteria Escherichia coli were found in male samples in this study. Bacteroides uniformis and Bacteroides vulgatus were found in female samples.

The study also identified Collinsella aerofaciens, a bacteria associated with mental disorders and inflammation, as having a positive correlation with age acceleration in males. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory Anaerostipes hardus showed a negative correlation.

Interestingly, the researchers found that bacterial abundances related to epigenetic aging did not align with chronological age, suggesting a potential causative relationship between proinflammatory bacteria and age acceleration.

The study also discovered a link between age acceleration and fitness-related parameters. For example, cytidine diphosphate (CDP)-diacylglycerol and flavin biosynthesis pathways revealed negative correlations with age acceleration in males but positive correlations in females.

In males, microbial diversity correlated negatively with JumpMax, VO2max, and Redox Balance, and positively with triglyceride levels. In females, microbial diversity correlated negatively with BMI and cognitive test performance.

The study also identified specific bacterial species associated with exercise-related parameters. In females, age acceleration was linked to Dorea longicatena, which is associated with metabolic risks in obesity, and Bacteroidetes, specifically Bacteroides uniformis and Bacteroides vulgatus, which are linked to ulcerative colitis severity.

The study concludes by affirming that the gut microbiome is influenced by factors like nutrition, exercise, and health, and exhibits stability over time. It also confirms that gender differences in lifespan, hormones, and fitness levels contribute to variations in the microbiome.