Gut Microbial Changes, Interactions, and Their Implications on Human Lifecycle: An Ageing Perspective. (26th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vemuri, Ravichandra; Gundamaraju, Rohit; Shastri, Madhur D.; Shukla, Shakti Dhar; Kalpurath, Krishnakumar; Ball, Madeleine; Tristram, Stephen; Shankar, Esaki M.; Ahuja, Kiran; Eri, Rajaraman
• Other Names: Li Wen-Jun Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: BioMed research international. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-26
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/4178607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-6133

Abstract

Abstract : Gut microbiota is established during birth and evolves with age, mostly maintaining the commensal relationship with the host. A growing body of clinical evidence suggests an intricate relationship between the gut microbiota and the immune system. With ageing, the gut microbiota develops significant imbalances in the major phyla such as the anaerobic Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as well as a diverse range of facultative organisms, resulting in impaired immune responses. Antimicrobial therapy is commonly used for the treatment of infections; however, this may also result in the loss of normal gut flora. Advanced age, antibiotic use, underlying diseases, infections, hormonal differences, circadian rhythm, and malnutrition, either alone or in combination, contribute to the problem. This nonbeneficial gastrointestinal modulation may be reversed by judicious and controlled use of antibiotics and the appropriate use of prebiotics and probiotics. In certain persistent, recurrent settings, the option of faecal microbiota transplantation can be explored. The aim of the current review is to focus on the establishment and alteration of gut microbiota, with ageing. The review also discusses the potential role of gut microbiota in regulating the immune system, together with its function in healthy and diseased state.