Human beings have been recently reviewed as ‘metaorganisms’ as a result of a close symbiotic relationship with the intestinal microbiota. This assumption imposes a more holistic view of the ageing process where dynamics of the interaction between environment, intestinal microbiota and host must be taken into consideration. Age-related physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as modification in lifestyle, nutritional behaviour, and functionality of the host immune system, inevitably affect the gut microbial ecosystem. Here we review the current knowledge of the changes occurring in the gut microbiota of old people, especially in the light of the most recent applications of the modern molecular characterisation techniques. The hypothetical involvement of the age-related gut microbiota unbalances in the inflamm-aging, and immunosenescence processes will also be discussed. Increasing evidence of the importance of the gut microbiota homeostasis for the host health has led to the consideration of medical/nutritional applications of this knowledge through the development of probiotic and prebiotic preparations specific for the aged population. The results of the few intervention trials reporting the use of pro/prebiotics in clinical conditions typical of the elderly will be critically reviewed.
Ageing of the human metaorganism: the microbial counterpart
E. Biagi,M. Candela,S. Fairweather-Tait,C. Franceschi,P. Brigidi
Published 2011 in AGE
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2011
- Venue
AGE
- Publication date
2011-02-24
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- aged population
Older adults considered as the target group for age-specific microbiota applications.
- age-related host factors
Physiological, behavioral, and immune changes associated with ageing that can influence the intestinal ecosystem.
- gut microbiota
The community of microorganisms residing in the human intestine.
Aliases: intestinal microbiota, gut microbial ecosystem
- gut microbiota homeostasis
The balanced and stable state of the intestinal microbial community.
- immunosenescence
The age-related decline in immune system function.
- inflamm-aging
The chronic low-grade inflammatory state associated with ageing.
Aliases: inflammaging
- probiotic and prebiotic preparations
Formulations containing beneficial microbes or microbiota-supporting substrates considered for gut-health use.
- pro/prebiotic intervention trials
Clinical trials testing probiotic or prebiotic use in conditions relevant to older adults.