​​Aging-US: Preventing age-related chronic inflammation and retinal cell loss

09-08-2021

Aging-US published a Special Collection on Eye Disease which included "Long-term intake of Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 prevents age-related chronic inflammation and retinal cell loss in physiologically aged mice" which reported that age-related chronic inflammation is a major risk factor for the incidence and prevalence of age-related diseases, including infectious and neurodegenerative diseases.

These authors previously reported that Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 activated macrophages and suppressed inflammation in mice and humans. In this study, they investigated whether long-term intake of heat-killed L. paracases altered the gut microbiota in physiologically aged mice.

Compared with age-matched control mice, fecal analyses of gut microbiota revealed that intake of L.paracases KW 3110 mitigated age-related changes of beneficial bacterial composition, including the Bifidobacteriaceae family.

Figure 5. Protective effect of Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 on age-induced histological changes and ganglion cell loss in the retina. (A) Hematoxylin and eosin staining of retinal sections in young mouse (3-months-old) fed a control (CTL) diet and aged mice (22-months-old) fed a diet either with or without L. paracasei KW3110 (KW3110 diet). Arrow heads indicate the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL), respectively. Scale bar represents 100 μm. (B) The survival rate of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in aged mice (22-months-old) fed a diet either with or without L. paracasei KW3110 (KW3110 diet) were analyzed compared to the survival of RGCs in young mice (3-months-old) fed a control diet. Values are presented as the means ± SEM. Significance was assumed if the p value was < 0.05. **p < 0.01. (C) ONL thickness was lower in aged mice (22-months-old) fed control diet than in aged mice fed a diet with L. paracasei KW3110. Values are presented as the means ± SEM. Significance was assumed if the p value was < 0.05. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01.

Dr. Mitsuo Maruyama and Dr. Yuji Morita said, "Aging involves a progressive decline of physiological functions in various organs, influenced by several factors, including genetic factors and environmental factors."

As the aged population grows, the therapeutic and preventive approaches to decelerate senescence are of great concern. The decline in immune function has been widely examined, because it results in chronic low grade inflammation. Age-related retinal neurodegenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, are major causes of blindness in the elderly. Disruption of gut microbiota composition has been also implicated in retinal diseases through a gut-retina axis.

Disruption of gut microbiota composition has been also implicated in retinal diseases through a gut-retina axis

The Maruyama/Morita Research Team concluded in their Aging-US Research Output, "the intake of L. paracasei KW3110 mitigated chronic inflammation in the intestine and retina, and reduced age-related retinal cell death. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects in age-related senescent changes of the retina."

Full Text - https://www.aging-us.com/article/101583/text

Correspondence to: Mitsuo Maruyama email: michan@ncgg.go.jp and Yuji Morita email: Yuji_Morita@kirin.co.jp

Keywords: KW3110 Lactobacillus paracasei, age-related inflammation, proinflammatory cytokine, retina

About Aging-US:

The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

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