Socioeconomic position links circulatory microbiota differences with biological age

Abstract

Imbalanced nutrition is associated with accelerated ageing, possibly mediated by microbiota. An analysis of the circulatory microbiota obtained from the leukocytes of participants in the MRC Twenty-07 general population cohort was performed. We now report that in this cohort, the most biologically aged exhibit a significantly higher abundance of circulatory pathogenic bacteria, including Neisseria, Rothia and Porphyromonas, while those less biologically aged possess more circulatory salutogenic (defined as being supportive of human health and wellbeing) bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae UCG-004 and Kocuria. The presence of these salutogenic bactreria is consistent with a capacity to metabolise and produce Nrf2 agonists. We also demonstrate that associated one carbon metabolism, notably betaine levels, did not vary with chronological age, but displayed a difference with socioeconomic position (SEP). Those at lower SEP possessed significantly lower betaine levels indicative of a poorer diet and poorer health span and consistent with reduced global DNA methylation levels in this group. Our data suggest a clear route to improving age related health and resilience based on dietary modulation of the microbiota.

Manipulating the exposome to enable better ageing

“…The presence of salutogenic bacteria is consistent with a capacity to metabolise and produce Nrf2 agonists [ 50 ]. These differences are also reflected in betaine levels, which similarly display a difference with SEP, consistent with reduced global DNA methylation levels in those at lower SEP.…”

Cinnamon: an aromatic condiment applicable to chronic kidney disease

“…Based on these data, cinnamon usage is encouraged not only to manage diseases influenced by microbiota, such as CKD but also for general health. The role of the microbiota in the health of the general population has recently been exemplified by a report linking poor renal function with accelerated aging and an imbalanced diet [ 160 ]. These data are pertinent to the treatment and management of CKD, as well as other diseases of aging.…”

By what molecular mechanisms do social determinants impact cardiometabolic risk?

“…We also determined that neighborhood deprivation was positively associated with TMAO [ 147 ], a biomarker associated with the microbiome, CV risk factors, and CVD mortality [ 148 , 149 ]. Interestingly, our data show that the NDI-to-TMAO relationship was significantly mediated by the TNFα and IL-1β [ 147 ], indicating the overall significant role of systemic low-grade inflammation in potentially accelerating CVD through multiple mechanisms, including effects related to the microbiome [ 150 ].…”