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Gut microbiome changes have been associated with human ageing and implicated ∈ age-related diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. However, studies to date have used stool samples, which do not represent the entire gut. Although more challenging to access, the small intestine plays critical roles ∈ host metabolism and immune function. In this paper, we demonstrate significant differences ∈ the small intestinal microbiome ∈ older subjects, using duodenal aspirates from 251 subjects aged 18-80 years. Differences included significantly decreased microbial diversity ∈ older subjects, driven by increased relative abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, particularly family Enterobacteriaceae and coliform genera Escherichia and Klebsiella. Moreover, while this decreased diversity was associated with the ‹ageing process› (comprising chronologic age, number of medications, and number of concomitant diseases), changes ∈ certain taxa were found to be associated with number of medications alone (Klebsiella), number of diseases alone (Clostridium, Bilophila), or chronologic age alone (Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus). Lastly, many taxa associated with increasing chronologic age were anaerobes. These changes may contribute to changes ∈ human health that occur during the ageing process.
Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35083314/. Accessed on: Feb. 26, 2023.
This paper abstract reports research findings that indicate that
