title: Influence of galacto-oligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) on gut microbiota, immune parameters and metabonomics in elderly persons.
abstract: It is recognised that ageing induces various changes to the human colonic microbiota. Most relevant is a reduction in bifidobacteria, which is a health-positive genus. Prebiotics, such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), are dietary ingredients that selectively fortify beneficial gut microbial groups. Therefore, they have the potential to reverse the age-related decline in bifidobacteria and modulate associated health parameters. We assessed the effect of GOS mixture (Bimuno (B-GOS)) on gut microbiota, markers of immune function and metabolites in forty elderly (age 65-80 years) volunteers in a randomised, double-blind, placebo (maltodextrin)-controlled, cross-over study. The intervention periods consisted of 10 weeks with daily doses of 5·5 g/d with a 4-week washout period in between. Blood and faecal samples were collected for the analyses of faecal bacterial populations and immune and metabolic biomarkers. B-GOS consumption led to significant increases in bacteroides and bifidobacteria, the latter correlating with increased lactic acid in faecal waters. Higher IL-10, IL-8, natural killer cell activity and C-reactive protein and lower IL-1β were also observed. Administration of B-GOS to elderly volunteers may be useful in positively affecting the microbiota and some markers of immune function associated with ageing.
authors.affiliation: Clasado Research Services, Science and Technology Centre,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vulevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences,The University of Reading,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juric
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences,The University of Reading,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: Gemma E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences,The University of Reading,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: Sandrine P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.affiliation: Clasado Research Services, Science and Technology Centre,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzortzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences,The University of Reading,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Toward
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences,The University of Reading,Reading,UK.
authors.forename: Glenn R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000254:growth & development; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000494:pharmacology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D055432:Metabolomics; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056692:Prebiotics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007378:Interleukins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics; D019344:Lactic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005690:Galactose
keywords: Elderly; Galacto-oligosaccharides; Immunity; Microbiota; Prebiotics