Share:
Science Is human aging determined by the intestinal flora?
The intestinal flora has far-reaching influence on our body and health. Clearly, for example, the protective effect of a healthy intestinal flora against infections has already been demonstrated. Now, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging in Cologne have also discovered a connection between the intestinal flora and aging.
The research team around Dr. Dario Valenzano from the Max Planck Institute in Cologne has used fish to investigate the effects of the intestinal flora on aging. They found that old animals remained active longer and lived longer when they received the intestinal bacteria of young conspecifics. This suggests that microorganisms in the gut affect the aging of an organism, the researchers report.
The composition of the intestinal flora has, according to a recent study according to far-reaching impact on life expectancy. (Image: Alex / fotolia.com) Killifishes age rapidly
The researchers used for their study Turquoise killifische (Nothobranchius furzeri). These are well suited as a model organism, since with them already at the age of a few months the physical decay sets in. "The African-derived fish goes through all stages of development from hatching to dying at a rapid pace, making it the ideal model organism for aging research," explain the scientists. In its short life, the fish is comparable to the roundworm C.elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila, where researchers also study aging. However, killifish have the advantage that they are more akin to humans than insects and worms. Valenzano and colleagues
Intake of intestinal bacteria of young fish
With the onset of physical decline, the killifish loses its pigments, breaks down motor and mental and develops more cancer, according to the scientists of the Max Planck Institute. In order to determine possible connections between the signs of aging and the intestinal flora, the researchers eliminated the intestinal bacteria from killfish that were just over nine weeks old with the aid of an antibiotic. Subsequently, these middle-aged animals were exposed in a basin to the legacies of younger, 6-week-old conspecifics. Valenzano and colleagues. As the fish "cost" the floating particles, they inevitably also absorb the gut bacteria from the debris, scientists continue.
40 percent higher life span by intestinal bacteria rejuvenation
According to the researchers, with the uptake of the waste, bacteria from the young fish are successfully "transplanted" into the intestine of the older fish and can settle there. This has a very positive effect on the older fish. After receiving the young intestinal flora, they lived on the one hand about 40 percent longer than fish that were exposed only to their own intestinal flora or the same age animals. On the other hand, they were still as agile as young fish in the age of 16 weeks for the Killifische, the researchers report ... Conversely, the microbes from the intestines of older fish apparently have no influence on the younger fish.
Changes in the intestinal flora in the course of aging
According to the scientists of the Max Planck Institute, the intestinal flora of the turquoise killifish is similar in its biodiversity and composition to that of humans. Among other things, the uptake of food in the intestine, metabolism and immune defense are influenced by the microorganisms. With age the killifish alters the composition of the bacterial community similar to humans. "While many different types of bacteria provide a healthy gut in young people, this diversity does not only diminish in old age, there is also a greater proportion of pathogens among existing bacteria," explain the experts.
How do intestinal bacteria affect the lifespan??
Although the scientists were able to determine a clear effect of the intestinal flora on the aging of the fish, but how exactly the microbes affect the life remains unclear. Perhaps an aging immune system can protect the microorganisms in the intestine worse, so that over time pathogens prevail, explains Dr. med. Valenzano. "The intestinal flora of a young organism could prevent this by supporting the immune system and blocking inflammation. This would lead to longer life expectancy and better health, "continues the study director. The study of the research team around Dr. med. Valenzano can be found here. (Fp)