Faeces, the new anti-ageing product?

Researchers from the Quadram Institute in Norwich, UK found that a change of gut contents could reverse symptoms of ageing in mice. Changes in inflammation and eye health were among those that could be restored to levels seen in young mice.

Even though moving gut content from one subject to another might seem strange, this is currently being researched to a large extent. The reasoning behind this is that the microorganisms, mainly bacteria, living in our intestines influence our health. The collection of all these microorganisms in our guts is called the gut microbiome.

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is already used to treat certain infections of the intestine and is thought to be beneficial for a range of conditions, from Crohn’s disease to diabetes and mental disorders. Effects of the gut microbiome can be seen throughout the body in different ways.  For example, by the release of molecules from bacteria to the bloodstream, or via communication between the gut and the brain. The latter happens through complex interactions of the gut-microbiome-brain-axis.

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is already used to treat certain infections of the intestine and is thought to be beneficial for a range of conditions, from Crohn’s disease to diabetes and mental disorders.

A paper published in Microbiome Journal shows that FMT can even reverse several symptoms of ageing. In this research, faecal matter was transferred from young to aged mice and vice versa. Before this transfer, the gut microbiome was wiped clean with antibiotics. This antibiotic treatment increases the chances of newly introduced bacteria settling in the gut.

Aged mice that received the microbiome of young mice showed multiple health improvements.
Before the experiment, aged mice showed inflammation of the central nervous system and retina. Such inflammations are also seen in humans and are often age-related. Lasting inflammations can increase susceptibility to chronic illnesses.

Introducing the gut microbiome of young mice into these aged mice reduced inflammation in the nervous system, circulation, and retina to levels comparable to those in young mice. Along with reduced inflammation, less microglia activation was found in the mice. Microglia are immune cells of the nervous system and activation is seen in age-related neurodegeneration.

Introducing the gut microbiome of young mice into these aged mice reduced inflammation in the nervous system, circulation, and retina to levels comparable to those in young mice.

Other symptoms could also be reversed by FMT. A retinal protein that is related to vision loss, and intestinal permeability were restored to healthy levels. Intestinal permeability supports chronic inflammation and has been linked to many disorders.

On top of that, synthesis pathways of several lipids and vitamins were rejuvenated.

Apart from showing the plethora of benefits of FMT, this research also shows that the gut microbiome could be the cause of many disorders. Transplanting faecal matter from aged mice into young, caused almost all the symptoms mentioned.

Results in mice are very promising, but long-term effects of this treatment should be studied. So, there might still be a long way to go before we can all use FMT as the ultimate anti-ageing product.