Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23 Effectively Modulates Gut Microbiota Composition and Improves Gastrointestinal Function in Aged SAMP8 Mice

Li-Han Chen,Cheng-Hsieh Huang,Hui-Yu Huang,Shih-Yi Huang,Yao-Tsung Yeh,Chun-Chao Chang,Ching-Hung Chan,Chun-Hsu Pan,Ming-Fu Wang

doi:10.3390/nu13041116

Abstract

Probiotics are reported to improve gastrointestinal (GI) function via regulating gut microbiota (GM). However, exactly how probiotics influence GM and GI function in elders is poorly characterized. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the effect of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23 (LPPS23) on the GM and GI function of aged mice. There were four groups of senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) mice (n = 4): a non-treated control group, a saline control group, a low dose LPPS23 group (1 × 108 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mouse/day), and a high dose LPPS23 group (1 × 109 CFU/mouse/day). Non-treated mice were euthanized at 16 weeks old, and others were euthanized at 28 weeks old. The next-generation sequencing results revealed that LPPS23 enriched Lactobacillus and Candidatus_Saccharimonas, while the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_UCG_001 decreased in aged mice given LPPS23. The abundance of Lactobacillus negatively correlated with the abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae. Moreover, LPPS23 improved the GI function of aged mice due to the longer intestine length, lower intestinal permeability, and higher phagocytosis in LPPS23-treated mice. The ELISA results showed that LPPS23 attenuated the alterations of pro-inflammatory factors and immunoglobulins. The abundance of LPPS23-enriched Lactobacillus was positively correlated with healthy GI function, while Lachnospiraceae_UCG_001, which was repressed by LPPS23, was negatively correlated with a healthy GI function in the aged mice according to Spearman’s correlation analysis. Taken together, LPPS23 can effectively modulate GM composition and improve GI function in aged SAMP8 mice.

Highlights

Aging is an important factor in several disorders that influence the quality of life of elderly individuals
We reported that Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23 (LPPS23) was beneficial in mitigating age-related diseases, including cognitive impairment and sarcopenia, in senescenceaccelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) mice [14,15]
The microbial communities of all groups were separated by the principal co-ordinates analysis (PCoA) (Figure 1D) and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLSDA) (p = 0.042) (Figure 1E), though there was no statistical difference in the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) analysis (p = 0.153)

Summary

Introduction

Aging is an important factor in several disorders that influence the quality of life of elderly individuals. The age-related alteration of gut microbiota (GM) composition is linked to age-related diseases, such as cognitive impairment, sarcopenia, and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction [1]. Good GM composition should prevent age-related disorders. Several studies have addressed the interaction among GM, GI function, and aging. Sovran et al linked GM alterations to age-associated impairments in GI mucus barrier function and age-related inflammation [2]. Previous studies have indicated that age-related GM alterations and GI dysfunctions exist, such as bacterial overgrowth, increased intestinal permeability, and decreased absorption [4,5,6]. Preventing age-related GI dysfunction should cooperate with GM to attenuate the diseases derived by age-related inflammation, such as sarcopenia, cognitive impairment, and metabolic diseases [10]

Methods

Results

Conclusion