Precision probiotics supplement strategy in aging population based on gut microbiome composition

• Published in: Briefings in bioinformatics Vol. 25; no. 4
• Main Authors: Chuang, Yi-Fang, Fan, Kang-Chen, Su, Yin-Yuan, Wu, Ming-Fong, Chiu, Yen-Ling, Liu, Yi-Chien, Lin, Chen-Ching
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 23.05.2024; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adults; Age related diseases; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Bifidobacterium; Case Study; Cognitive ability; Composition; Dietary Supplements; Digestive system; Female; Functionals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal tract; Humans; Intestinal microflora; Lactobacillus - genetics; Male; Medical imaging; Metagenomics; Metagenomics - methods; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Middle Aged; Neuroimaging; Older people; Population characteristics; Population studies; Probiotics; Probiotics - administration & dosage; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Sequences; older adults; precision probiotics; gut microbiome; consensus clustering; non-negative matrix factorization; metagenomics
• ISSN: 1467-5463; 1477-4054; 1477-4054
• DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae351

Abstract With the increasing prevalence of age-related chronic diseases burdening healthcare systems, there is a pressing need for innovative management strategies. Our study focuses on the gut microbiota, essential for metabolic, nutritional, and immune functions, which undergoes significant changes with aging. These changes can impair intestinal function, leading to altered microbial diversity and composition that potentially influence health outcomes and disease progression. Using advanced metagenomic sequencing, we explore the potential of personalized probiotic supplements in 297 older adults by analyzing their gut microbiota. We identified distinctive Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium signatures in the gut microbiota of older adults, revealing probiotic patterns associated with various population characteristics, microbial compositions, cognitive functions, and neuroimaging results. These insights suggest that tailored probiotic supplements, designed to match individual probiotic profile, could offer an innovative method for addressing age-related diseases and functional declines. Our findings enhance the existing evidence base for probiotic use among older adults, highlighting the opportunity to create more targeted and effective probiotic strategies. However, additional research is required to validate our results and further assess the impact of precision probiotics on aging populations. Future studies should employ longitudinal designs and larger cohorts to conclusively demonstrate the benefits of tailored probiotic treatments.