Signatures of early frailty in the gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Frailty is arguably the biggest problem associated with population ageing, and associates with gut microbiome composition in elderly and care-dependent individuals. Here we characterize frailty associations with the gut microbiota in a younger community dwelling population, to identify targets for intervention to encourage healthy ageing.

Method

We analysed 16S rRNA gene sequence data derived from faecal samples obtained from 728 female twins. Frailty was quantified using a frailty index (FI). Mixed effects models were used to identify associations with diversity, operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and taxa. OTU associations were replicated in the Eldermet cohort. Phenotypes were correlated with modules of OTUs collapsed by co-occurrence.

Results

Frailty ne

SUBMITTER: Jackson MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4731918 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature