title: Microbial targets for the development of functional foods accordingly with nutritional and immune parameters altered in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The development of functional foods for microbiota modulation in the elderly constitutes an interesting strategy. However, for such development, specific targets, not just in terms of microbiota but also considering immune and nutritional parameters, should be identified in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the intestinal microbiota and immune parameters in 38 institutionalized elderly (mean 84 years old) and a group of 38 elderly adults (mean 62 years old). Nutritional assessments were also carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The elderly people in this study presented reduced levels of Faecalibacterium genus and Bacteroides and Blautia coccoides groups and increased Lactobacillus group, as well as reduced levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) when compared to younger adults. Moreover, they showed higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-12 as well as the chemokine IL-8. Significant nutritional deficiencies were also observed in the elderly group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained in this study suggest potential targets for the development of functional foods for the elderly population.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products , Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC) , Villaviciosa , Asturias , SPAIN.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valdés
authors.forename: Abelardo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margolles
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: Angeles M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuervo
authors.forename: Clara G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: de los Reyes-Gavilán
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruas-Madiedo
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gueimonde
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D055951:Functional Food; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D064307:Microbiota; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines