Sugar Beet Pectin Supplementation Did Not Alter Profiles of Fecal Microbiota and Exhaled Breath in Healthy Young Adults and Healthy Elderly.

Frederik J. van Schooten,Ellen Wilms,Daisy M.A.E. Jonkers,Hauke Smidt,Erwin G. Zoetendal,Gerben D.A. Hermes,Ad A.M. Masclee,Henk A. Schols,Paul de Vos,Freddy J. Troost,Ran An,Agnieszka Smolinska

doi:10.3390/nu11092193

Abstract

Aging is accompanied with increased frailty and comorbidities, which is potentially associated with microbiome perturbations. Dietary fibers could contribute to healthy aging by beneficially impacting gut microbiota and metabolite profiles. We aimed to compare young adults with elderly and investigate the effect of pectin supplementation on fecal microbiota composition, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel design. Fifty-two young adults and 48 elderly consumed 15 g/day sugar beet pectin or maltodextrin for four weeks. Fecal and exhaled breath samples were collected before and after the intervention period. Fecal samples were used for microbiota profiling by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and for analysis of SCFAs by gas chromatography (GC). Breath was used for VOC analysis by GC-tof-MS. Young adults and elderly showed similar fecal SCFA and exhaled VOC profiles. Additionally, fecal microbiota profiles were similar, with five genera significantly different in relative abundance. Pectin supplementation did not significantly alter fecal microbiota, SCFA or exhaled VOC profiles in elderly or young adults. In conclusion, aside from some minor differences in microbial composition, healthy elderly and young adults showed comparable fecal microbiota composition and activity, which were not altered by pectin supplementation.

Highlights

In line with the rising life expectancy, the aging population is increasing globally, leading to an increase in direct and indirect healthcare costs [1,2]
Had a significantly higher age, body mass index (BMI), and medication use when compared with young adults
Baseline fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and BCFA concentrations revealed no significant differences between young adults and elderly (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

In line with the rising life expectancy, the aging population is increasing globally, leading to an increase in direct and indirect healthcare costs [1,2]. E.g., changes in microbial diversity, microbiota composition, as well as microbiota function [3]. A substantial group of elderly is capable of maintaining the functional ability that supports wellbeing, which is defined as “healthy aging” [4]. Various studies investigated the effect of age on microbiota composition by comparing the microbiota of healthy elderly and healthy young adults. The definition of “healthy” and of age cut offs used for elderly varies between studies. Mueller et al demonstrated a lower relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and a higher relative abundance of enterobacteria in the elderly in four European study populations (France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden) [5]. Increased levels of Bifidobacterium in the microbiota of higher-aged individuals (i.e., centenarians) has been reported, as compared to that of young adults [6]

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