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Could poo be the secret to “eternal youth?” This may not be as ridiculous (or rude) as it sounds.
As reported in the journal Nature Aging, a new study has shown how transplantation of gut microbiota from young to older mice helps reverse certain brain changes associated with aging.
APC Microbiome Ireland (APC) scientists at University College Cork performed the fecal transplants, transferring bacteria from the gut, between a young mouse (3-4 months old) or an old mouse (19 at 20 months) to an old Mouse.
Aging mice that received gut bacteria from young mice were found to express biomarkers, including metabolites and gene regulatory patterns, that one would expect to see in younger mice. On top of that, fecal transplants from younger mice improved the behavior of older mice, allowing older mice to perform better in several cognitive tests that measure learning ability, memory, and anxiety. However, grafts from aged mice to also aged mice had no significant effect.
The gut microbiome is the vibrant ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi that live in the digestive tract of humans and other animals. Recent research suggests that “foreign” microbes and human cells are present in comparable numbers in the human body. In terms of genetic material, the human body houses more genes from bacteria than human genes.
For each of us, this complex system of microorganisms is deeply intertwined with brain and body, playing a fundamental role in our metabolism, our immune system, our brain functions and perhaps even our personalities. The gut microbiome remains relatively stable in adulthood, but it will change and become less diverse in old age. It also appears that changes in our gut microbiome could predict how old we are.
According to the authors, the results suggest that manipulating the trillions of microorganisms that live in the gut could potentially be a way to prevent and even reverse the cognitive decline associated with aging. So far, this has only been shown in mice, but the team is hoping the promising results could pave the way for further research in humans.
“Previous research published by the APC and other groups internationally has shown that the gut microbiome plays a key role in aging and the aging process. This new research is a potential shift because we have established that the microbiome can be harnessed to reverse age-related brain deterioration. We are also seeing evidence of improved learning ability and cognitive function, ”said Professor John F Cryan, study author and APC principal investigator, in a statement, although he cautioned, “It is still early days and much more work is needed to see how these findings might be translated in humans.”
Not that people will necessarily want to have fecal transplants to keep the brain young and healthy. These findings could pave the way for a future emphasis on the gut from a dietary perspective to keep the brain and body healthy.
This week in IFLScience
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