Mapping the gut microbial structural variations in healthy aging within the Chinese population.
Abstract
Mapping gut microbial structural variants (SVs) during human aging may provide fundamental knowledge and mechanistic understanding of the gut microbiome's relationship with healthy aging. We characterize gut microbial SVs from 3,230 Chinese participants, identifying key SVs associated with aging, healthy aging, and age-related chronic diseases. Our findings reveal a pattern of copy number loss in aging-related SVs, with 35 core SVs consistently detected. Additionally, eight SVs distinguish healthy from unhealthy aging, regardless of age. Notably, a 3-kbp deletion SV of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, encoding plant polysaccharide degradation, is regulated by plant-based diet and contributes to healthy aging through bile acid metabolism. Our analysis also connects SVs to age-related diseases, such as chronic kidney disease, via genes in the methionine-homocysteine pathway. This study deepens our understanding of the gut microbiome's role in aging and could inform future efforts to enhance lifespan and healthspan.
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Research summary
The paper investigates the structural variations in gut microbiota associated with healthy aging, which is directly relevant to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying aging and longevity. It identifies specific microbial variants that correlate with healthy aging and age-related diseases, suggesting potential pathways for enhancing healthspan. However, while the findings are solid and contribute to the field, they do not present groundbreaking insights that would significantly alter current understanding or practices in longevity research.
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