Early intestinal microbiota changes in aged and adult mice with sepsis

Yangyang Yuan1,2, Shaohua Liu1,2, Xianfei Ding1,2

  • 1General Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Henan Engineering Research Center for Critical Care Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.

Abstract

Insights

Aged mice with sepsis exhibit significantly reduced intestinal microbiota diversity and increased inflammatory factors compared to adults. This indicates more severe gut dysbiosis and inflammation in elderly sepsis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gerontology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Sepsis mortality is higher in elderly individuals.
  • Intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in sepsis development.
  • Age-related changes in microbiota composition are significant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in intestinal microbiota between aged and adult mice with sepsis.
  • To understand the impact of aging on gut dysbiosis during sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty male C57BL mice were divided into adult (AD) and aged (Age) groups.
  • Sepsis was induced using caecal ligation and puncture.
  • Intestinal microbiota was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples.

Main Results:

  • Aged mice showed significantly reduced gut microbiota diversity and altered dominant structures.
  • The aged group had increased microbiota associated with inflammation and decreased SCFA-producing bacteria.
  • Metabolic pathways and inflammatory factor proportions were significantly altered in aged sepsis mice.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences in microbiota abundance and structure exist between aged and adult sepsis mice.
  • Aged sepsis mice experience more severe intestinal microbiota destruction and liver inflammation.
  • Age is a critical factor exacerbating sepsis-induced gut dysbiosis and inflammation.