A team of University of Tokyo scientists summarised various studies which showed probiotics helped increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the microbiome, particularly Bifidobacterium spp., Akkermansia munichipilla and Faecalis praunitzii.
At the same time, they searched for evidence proving prebiotics supplied key substrates for healthy colonic microbial fermentation – a key process to maintaining daily bodily functions and, by association, reducing inflammation.
“Ageing is typically accompanied by biological and physiological changes that alter cellular functions. Two of the most predominant phenomena in aging include chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) and changes in the gut microbiota composition (dysbiosis).
“Although a direct causal relationship has not been established, many studies have reported significant reductions in inflammation during aging through well-maintained gut health and microbial balance,” said the researchers.
Their review titled The Potential Roles of Probiotics, Resistant Starch, and Resistant Proteins in Ameliorating Inflammation during Aging (Inflammaging) was published in the journal Nutrients.
They performed a search through PubMed and Google Scholar databases until December 2021.
One of the key challenges they identified was to maintain the level of beneficial bacteria as people age.
This is because as they decline, they are replaced with the bacteria that instead promote chronic inflammation, the researchers wrote.
“The likely decrease or even disappearance of bifidobacteria with age has been well documented. A study by Bragi et al. supported this by confirming the populations ofbifidobacteria, some members ofFirmicutes, includingClostridiumclusters IV (Ruminococcus obeumet rel.,Roseburia intestinaliset rel.,Eubacterium ventriosumet rel.,E. rectaleet rel., andE. halliiet rel.), and some members ofClostridiumcluster XIVa, includingPapillibacter cinnamovoranset rel. andF. prausnitziiet rel., decreased in aged individuals and centenarians,” added the researchers.
Whether gut dysbiosis during ageing is the cause or consequence of inflammaging remains unclear.
However, the researchers pinpointed some opportunities to maintain good gut health, namely via short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing probiotics, or probiotics with potential anti-inflammatory activities, resistant starch, and resistant proteins.
SCFA has long been understood to be a beneficial metabolite produced by gut bacteria via colonic fermentation of indigestible fibres.
In terms of probiotics, they said research indicated that Lactobacillusspp, bifidobacteria, and Akkermansia muciniphil helped produce the inflammation-reducing SCFA butyrate.
For prebiotics, they noted that the correlation between consumption and gut health, inflammatory markers, insulin response, and lipid metabolism has been well-documented. However, studies with elderly subjects are limited.
Finally, they indicated that more research would be beneficial to assess the relevance of resistant proteins in relation to SCFA production.
These are usually found in plant-based foods, but the researchers found that studies are limited to buckwheat protein, sericin and the recently revealed eggshell membrane (ESM).
In terms of the latter, they added: "Recently, our research group identified eggshell membrane (ESM) as a resistant protein because of its low digestibility (approximately 46%) based on a study in rats. ESM is a by-product of egg with interesting bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory activity, skin- and joint-health-promoting functions, and wound-healing properties. We showed that ESM, as a resistant protein, could stimulate cecal fermentation and alter intestinal bacterial composition".
They concluded that multiple studies have demonstrated that probiotics possessing anti-inflammatory activities and resistant starch can abate ageing-related chronic low-grade inflammation.
However, they also said there are considerable opportunities to enhance understanding:“All findings elaborated in this review are expected to trigger further exploration of resistant proteins, probiotics, and resistant starch in maintaining gut health, targeting inflammaging, and promoting healthy ageing".
Source: Nutrients
DOI: 10.3390/nu14040747
“The Potential Roles of Probiotics, Resistant Starch, and Resistant Proteins in Ameliorating Inflammation during Aging (Inflammaging)”
Authors: Dwina Juliana Warman, et al
As a specialist in gut microbiota, probiotics, and nutrition with a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between these elements in human health, I'd like to delve into the concepts discussed in the article you've provided regarding the potential roles of probiotics, prebiotics, and resistant proteins in mitigating inflammation during aging (inflammaging).
The research conducted by the University of Tokyo scientists, as summarized in the article, highlights critical insights into the relationship between gut health, inflammation, and aging. Let's break down the key concepts:
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Probiotics and Microbiome: The article discusses how probiotics contribute to increasing beneficial bacteria in the microbiome, specifically highlighting Bifidobacterium spp., Akkermansia muciniphila, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These bacteria play crucial roles in maintaining gut health and potentially reducing inflammation associated with aging.
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Prebiotics and Microbial Fermentation: The study emphasizes the significance of prebiotics in supplying substrates that facilitate healthy colonic microbial fermentation. This process is essential for sustaining daily bodily functions and reducing inflammation. The mentioned prebiotics, such as resistant starch and resistant proteins, act as fuel for beneficial bacteria in the gut.
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Inflammaging and Gut Microbiota Changes: Aging is often accompanied by inflammaging, characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. Changes in the gut microbiota composition, termed dysbiosis, are also prevalent. Though a direct causal relationship between these two phenomena remains unestablished, maintaining gut health and microbial balance through probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions is linked to reduced inflammation in aging individuals.
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SCFAs and Gut Health: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut bacteria via fermentation of indigestible fibers play a crucial role in maintaining gut health. Probiotics like Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Akkermansia muciniphila are noted for their ability to produce the anti-inflammatory SCFA, butyrate.
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Resistant Proteins and Gut Health: The article emphasizes the potential role of resistant proteins, particularly found in plant-based foods like buckwheat protein, sericin, and eggshell membrane (ESM), in promoting gut health. These proteins, due to their low digestibility, can stimulate colonic fermentation, alter intestinal bacterial composition, and exhibit various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory properties.
The study underscores the need for further research to explore the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and resistant proteins in maintaining gut health, reducing inflammaging, and promoting healthy aging. The identified areas for future exploration include understanding the relevance of resistant proteins, conducting studies on elderly subjects regarding prebiotic consumption, and delving deeper into the relationship between gut microbiota and inflammaging.
This comprehensive overview emphasizes the intricate relationship between gut health, inflammation, and aging while highlighting the potential of interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, and resistant proteins in mitigating age-related inflammation and promoting healthy aging.
