Changes in Gut Microbiota During Lifespan

• Main Author: Fernanda de Pace
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: MAMC Journal of Medical Sciences
• Subjects: Central nervous system; gut microbiota; immune system; lifespan; probiotics
• Online Access: http://www.mamcjms.in/article.asp?issn=2394-7438;year=2017;volume=3;issue=3;spage=133;epage=139;aulast=de

Being able to communicate and modulate host metabolism, the tens of trillions of bacteria that inhabit our gut have been shown to affect traits, which vary from host’s gene expression to behavior, being responsible for maintaining health and exerting influence on the development of a number of diseases. This review shows the changes that occur in the gut microbiota composition along the lifespan, and how the communication with the immune system and central nervous system can be modified as years go by. These changes, most of the times, favor the appearance of inflammatory signals (in older adults), and may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, there is a consideration of manipulating the gut microbiota with probiotic therapy as an important option to prevent and treat diseases related to gut microbiota modifications.