2023-05-19 15:00:00
“The distinct ecosystem of the gut microbiome may be involved in the prevention of age-related diseases as it influences systemic immune function and resistance to infection. However, the viral component of the microbiome at different life stages remains unexplored,” wrote Japanese and Danish researchers in a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
More diverse bacteria and viruses in centenarians
As part of this work, the scientists analyzed the viromes or viral genomes of 195 people from Japan and Sardinia. The authors found that centenarians had a greater diversity of bacteria and viruses in their guts compared to people under 18 and those over 60. In these adults living to at least 100 years of age, the team also noted more viruses in the lytic life cycle, during which viruses are active and kill the bacteria they infect, a phase that is more common. in infants than in adults.
Their microbiota increase the ability of gut bacteria to break down sulfate
According to the results, at least a quarter of the viruses found in centenarians encoded genes that increased the ability of healthy gut bacteria to break down sulfates. Scientists believe this may help maintain the integrity of the gut lining, a highly selective set of tightly-knit cells that allows the body to absorb nutrients in the gut while keeping bacteria and toxins at bay. . These biological pathways could help centenarians live long, healthy lives.
“It is extremely exciting to work on the microbiome, including viruses, because there is a great diversity and a lot of unknown species. There is always something to discover, whether it is new organisms or new organisms. ‘uncharacterized enzymes’, concluded Damian R. Plichta, author of the research, in a statement.
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