Microbiome transplants may not improve health and longevity in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiome, which is composed of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and is involved in multiple essential physiological processes, changes measurably as a person ages, and can be associated with negative health outcomes. Microbiome transplants have been proposed as a method to improve gut function and reduce or reverse multiple disorders, including age-related diseases. Here, we take advantage of the laboratory model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to test the effects of transplanting the microbiome of a young fly into middle-aged flies, across multiple genetic backgrounds and both sexes, to test whether age-related lifespan could be increased, and late-life physical health declines mitigated. Our results suggest that, overall, microbiome transplants do not improve longevity and may

SUBMITTER: Levine BH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11789278 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature