Gut microbiome dysbiosis, sarcopenia and immunesenescence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Microbiome Dysbiosis , Sarcopenia and Immunesenescence (MDSI) study
IRAS ID
301974
Contact name
Niharika Arora Duggal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
People are living longer and now have to work to a later age. Yet, our understanding of the "ageing" process itself, is far from complete. In humans, intestinal bacteria (the microbiome) play a pivotal role in maintaining health by protection against harmful bacteria in the gut but also by stimulating the immune system. Advancing age is accompanied by a reduction in microbial diversity and also by an impaired ability to mount a robust immune response to pathogens, termed immune senescence. Older adults also have increased inflammation in the blood and the more inflammation they have the higher their risk of diseases such as heart disease, dementia and even cancer Ageing is also accompanied by diminished muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) , contributing towards a state of by a diminished physical strength and physiological function ; resulting in increased vulnerability for dependency and death .Importantly, it is now clear that skeletal muscle is an endocrine organ producing hormones, myokines, that influence the immune system .The potential links between age-associated changes in the microbiome (dysbiosis), sarcopenia and immune senescence in individuals following a healthy and unhealthy ageing trajectory remains largely unexplored, but will be investigated in this project.
To achieve this we will compare 4 groups of volunteers: healthy young adults , critically ill young, healthy old and critically ill older adults with high degree of immunesenescence. We will measure how diverse the bacteria are and examine microbial metabolite composition in the faeces of the volunteers , assess muscle strength/function (optional muscle biopsy) and how much peripheral immune senescence occurs in blood. The key aim being identification of the types of bacteria and metabolites that associate with a healthy muscle and immune system , that could later be tested in a clinical trial as a novel therapy to reverse immune ageing and improve muscle health.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0187
Date of REC Opinion
5 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion