A team of scientists has found a direct link between gut bacteria and cell aging, showing that the health of the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the body's ability to repair itself and slow age-related decline.
The study showed that intestinal stem cells, responsible for constantly regenerating the intestinal lining, become less active with age, leading to a weakened intestinal barrier and an increased risk of inflammation and chronic diseases, including colon cancer. Scientists indicated that this deterioration is linked to a disruption of the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, which breaks down communication between the microbes and the stem cells.
The experiments were conducted on mice, where a research team from Germany and the United States demonstrated that the gut microbiome differs significantly between young and old mice. To establish a causal relationship, they transplanted the microbiome of young mice into the intestines of older mice, and vice versa. The results showed that the young microbiome reactivated vital Wnt signaling pathways in stem cells, restoring the gut's ability to regenerate as if it were young. In contrast, the effect of the "old" microbiome on the young mice was limited, indicating the resistance of the young environment to deterioration. (The Wnt pathway plays a key role in regulating cell growth, tissue regeneration, organ development, and stem cell control.)
Scientists also focused on the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, which increases in the gut with age. Experiments showed that its increase inhibits the Wnt pathway and reduces the ability of stem cells to regenerate, highlighting the specific effect of certain types of bacteria on aging.
The study proved that the reduced ability of the gut to repair itself is not a permanent condition, as changing the microbiome by introducing young bacteria can restore the function of aging stem cells to normal levels, opening the door to health interventions aimed at slowing aging and physical deterioration.
With growing awareness of the importance of gut health, dietary supplements such as probiotics and prebiotics, along with fermented foods and a high-fiber diet, have become increasingly popular. While their effectiveness is still being researched, some studies have shown that certain strains of probiotics may reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, and even enhance some cognitive functions such as memory and concentration.
These results show that the gut microbiome plays a much larger role than digestion; it is a key regulator of tissue regeneration and overall health, and provides a promising target for interventions that may help maintain youth and health as we age.
The study was published in the journal Stem Cell Reports.
