Bacteria in the gut can change the aging process

An international team of researchers led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found that the microorganisms living in the gut can change the aging process.

All living organisms, including humans, coexist with a multitude of living microorganisms. Research conducted over the past 20 years has established the important role of bacteria in nutrition, physiology, metabolism and behavior.

Using mice, a team led by Professor Sven Pettersson from NTU School of Medicine Lee Kong Chian carried out intestinal bacteria culture from old mice (24 months old) into young mice that did not have pathogen (6 weeks of age). After 8 weeks, the young mice grew intestines and produced nerve cells specifically in the brain.

Future bacteria may be the key to aging.

The team has shown that the aforementioned neurogenesis is due to the abundance of intestinal bacteria that produce a specific type of short-chain fatty acid, called butyrate .

Butyrate is produced through the microbial fermentation of dietary fiber in the intestinal tract and stimulates the production of a long-lived hormone called FGF21 , which plays an important role in regulating energy and metabolism of the body. As we age, butyrate production will tend to decrease.

Professor Pettersson said: " We have discovered that bacteria from an old mouse are capable of supporting neurodevelopment in a smaller mouse. These results will lead us to discover butyrate. can assist in situations like stroke, spinal cord injury and impaired rapid aging and cognitive impairment. '

The team also investigated the impact of intestinal bacteria transplantation from old mice to young mice on the functions of the digestive system.

Associated with age, the viability of small intestine cells is reduced and this is linked to a decrease in mucus production which makes gut cells more vulnerable to cell death. Butyrate supplementation helps better regulate bowel function and reduce the risk of inflammation.

The team found that the mice that received bacteria from old mice increased the length and width of villi in the gut, the wall of the small intestine. In addition, both the small intestine and the large intestine in older mice were longer than those without pathogens.

The discovery shows that the intestinal bacteria can compensate and support the aging body through positive stimulation. This points to a new potential method to address the negative effects of aging by mimicking butyrate enrichment and activation.

Professor Pettersson said: "We can envision human studies in the future, where we will test the ability of food products with b utyrate to support slower aging and Neurological development in adults ".

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