Identifying gut microbiota signatures associated with healthy aging
The gut microbiome is linked to health and aging, but what defines a healthy microbiome remains unclear. Here, we profiled the gut bacterial composition of 960 Dutch individuals aged 50–90 years from the Doetinchem Cohort Study and examined associations with health using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, self-reported health, and a composite health score. Health status correlated with the genera Christensenellaceae R-7, Coprococcus, and uncultured Lachnospiraceae and Clostridiaceae which were consistently linked to better health, whereas Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were linked to lower health scores. . Network-based analyses, identified strong associations of Christensellaceae R-7 with 3 other uncultured genera that were positively associated with health. The existence of this cluster was further validated in an independent study (PIENTER-3). Functional predictions, implicated menaquinone synthesis and amino acid degradation (valine, isoleucine) among others, with better health. These results highlight specific microbes, microbial clusters, and functions that may shape healthy aging.
The gut microbiome is linked to health and aging, but what defines a healthy microbiome remains unclear. Here, we profiled the gut bacterial composition of 960 Dutch individuals aged 50–90 years from the Doetinchem Cohort Study and examined associations with health using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, self-reported health, and a composite health score. Health status correlated with the genera Christensenellaceae R-7, Coprococcus, and uncultured Lachnospiraceae and Clostridiaceae which were consistently linked to better health, whereas Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were linked to lower health scores. . Network-based analyses, identified strong associations of Christensellaceae R-7 with 3 other uncultured genera that were positively associated with health. The existence of this cluster was further validated in an independent study (PIENTER-3). Functional predictions, implicated menaquinone synthesis and amino acid degradation (valine, isoleucine) among others, with better health. These results highlight specific microbes, microbial clusters, and functions that may shape healthy aging.