Influence of galacto-oligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) on gut microbiota, immune parameters and metabonomics in elderly persons. Issue 4 (28th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vulevic, Jelena; Juric, Aleksandra; Walton, Gemma E.; Claus, Sandrine P.; Tzortzis, George; Toward, Ruth E.; Gibson, Glenn R.
• Is Part Of: British journal of nutrition. Volume 114:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 586
• Page End: 595
• Publication Date: 2015-07-28
• Subjects: Galacto-oligosaccharides, -- Prebiotics, -- Microbiota, -- Elderly, -- Immunity; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 572.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114515001889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1145

Abstract

Abstract : It is recognised that ageing induces various changes to the human colonic microbiota. Most relevant is a reduction in bifidobacteria, which is a health-positive genus. Prebiotics, such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), are dietary ingredients that selectively fortify beneficial gut microbial groups. Therefore, they have the potential to reverse the age-related decline in bifidobacteria and modulate associated health parameters. We assessed the effect of GOS mixture (Bimuno (B-GOS)) on gut microbiota, markers of immune function and metabolites in forty elderly (age 65–80 years) volunteers in a randomised, double-blind, placebo (maltodextrin)-controlled, cross-over study. The intervention periods consisted of 10 weeks with daily doses of 5·5 g/d with a 4-week washout period in between. Blood and faecal samples were collected for the analyses of faecal bacterial populations and immune and metabolic biomarkers. B-GOS consumption led to significant increases in bacteroides and bifidobacteria, the latter correlating with increased lactic acid in faecal waters. Higher IL-10, IL-8, natural killer cell activity and C-reactive protein and lower IL-1β were also observed. Administration of B-GOS to elderly volunteers may be useful in positively affecting the microbiota and some markers of immune function associated with ageing.