Metagenomics Study Reveals Changes in Gut Microbiota in Centenarians: A Cohort Study of Hainan Centenarians

Abstract

Several studies based on 16SrDNA analysis have revealed certain unique characteristics of gut microbiome in centenarians. We established a prospective cohort of fecal microbiota and conducted the first metagenomics-based study among centenarians. The objective was to explore the dynamic changes of gut microbiota in healthy centenarians and centenarians approaching end of life and to unravel the characteristics of aging-associated microbiome. Seventy-five healthy centenarians residing in three regions of Hainan participated in follow-up surveys and collection of fecal samples at intervals of 3 months. Data pertaining to dietary status, health status scores, cause of disease and death, and fecal specimens were collected for 15 months. Twenty participants died within 20 months during the follow-up period. The median survival time was 8-9 months (range, 1-17) and the mortality rate was 14.7% per year. The health status scores before death were significantly lower than those at 3 months before the end of the follow-up period [median score: 3 (range, 1-5), P < 0.05]. At this time, the participants mainly exhibited symptoms of anorexia and reduced dietary intake and physical activity. Metagenomics sequencing and analysis were carried out to characterize the gut microbiota changes in the centenarians during their transition from healthy status to death. Anosim analysis showed a significant change in gut microbiota from 7 months prior to death (R = 0.10, P = 0.02). All participants were grouped with 7 months before death as cutoff ; no significant difference in α diversity was found between the two groups (P = 0.45). Semi-supervised monitoring and log rank sum analysis revealed significant changes in the abundance of ten bacterial species before death; of these, eight species were significantly reduced (Akkermansia muciniphila, Alistipes finegoldii, Alistipes shahii, Bacteroides faecis, Bacteroides intestinalis, Butyrivibrio crossotus, Bacteroides stercoris, and Prevotella stercorea) while two were significantly increased before death (Bifidobacterium longum and Ruminococcus bromii). Compared to centenarians in northern Italy, Hainan

The Gut-Muscle Axis in Older Subjects with Low Muscle Mass and Performance: A Proof of Concept Study Exploring Fecal Microbiota Composition and Function with Shotgun Metagenomics Sequencing

“…A. shahii has instead a less defined metabolic role in the gut microbiota, although depletion of bacteria belonging to the Alistipes genus is generally considered an important marker of gut microbiota dysbiosis [ 43 ], as observed by our research group in elderly hospitalized patients developing Clostridium difficile enterocolitis [ 44 ]. Interestingly, depletion of A. shahii in the fecal microbiota has been recently associated with adverse outcomes and death in a group of Chinese centenarians [ 45 ].…”

Effects of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) Modulation on Potentially Diarrhea Causing Pathogens in Yaks Through Metagenomics Sequencing

“…These SCFAs are also known for acting as ligands for G-protein coupled receptors by activating anti-in ammatory signaling [16]. Metagenomics sequencing is commonly utilized in microbial organisms, as it provides accurate classi cation of microbiota species and annotation to the bacteria at functional level rather than functional prediction [17][18][19].…”

Regional Diets Targeting Gut Microbial Dynamics to Support Prolonged Healthspan

“…However, not all longevity regions exhibit adherence to the MedDiet structure. For instance, centenarians from Hainan, a region recognised by the International Expert Committee of Population Aging and Longevity as a World Longevity Island for its highest percentage of centenarians (18.75/100,000) in China, scored only 7.7 (±1.9) out of 18 on the MEDI-LITE adherence score, significantly lower than their Italian counterparts ( Luan et al, 2020 ). This suggests that although the MedDiet pattern seems beneficial across genetic groups and cultures, some regions may benefit from developing dietary guidelines better suited to their geographical and cultural climates.…”

“…For example, in an Italian cohort, the centenarian microbiome was found to be dominated by the same two microbial families as in the other age groups (<75 years old) of the population, namely Veillonellaceae and Ruminococcaceae ( Firmicutes phylum), but was specifically enriched in the genera Akkermansia , Bifidobacterium , and Christensenella ( Biagi et al, 2016 ). In contrast, the Chinese Hainan Centenarian Cohort was dominated by Bacteroides ( Bacteroidetes phylum) and Escherichia ( Proteobacteria phylum) ( Luan et al, 2020 ). Long-term elderly care residents in the Irish ELDERMET Cohort also had a gut microbiome dominated by Bacteroidetes ( Claesson et al, 2012 ).…”

“… Centenarians harbour distinct gut microbial species and community structures unique to the region, suggesting that microbial functional and biochemical properties are pivotal to healthy ageing, rather than the phylogenetic composition. Data adapted from Claesson et al (2012) , Fang et al (2015) , Biagi et al (2016) , Kong et al (2016) , Bian et al (2017) ; Bong-Soo et al (2019) , Naito et al (2019) , Salazar et al (2019) , Tuikhar et al (2019) , Wu et al (2019) , and Luan et al (2020) . …”