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Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: November 17, 2018
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.
Background:
The mortality rate associated with sepsis in elderly individuals is higher than that in younger individuals. The intestinal microbiota has been demonstrated to play an important role in the occurrence and development of sepsis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the intestinal microbiota between aged and adult mice with sepsis.
Methods:
Thirty male C57BL mice were randomly divided into two groups: 15 in the adult group (AD group) and 15 in the age group (Age group). All the mice underwent caecal ligation and puncture to induce sepsis. Mice faeces were collected, and analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The liver and colon tissues were collected.
Results:
There were significant differences in intestinal microbiota composition between the two groups. Compared with adult sepsis mice, the diversity of intestinal microbiota in the aged group was significantly reduced and the structure of dominant intestinal microbiota was changed. In the Age group, the microbiota associated with inflammatory factors increased, and the microbiota associated with the production of SCFAs (Ruminiclostridium, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Rikenella, Parabacteroides, Oscillibacter, Odoribacter, Muribaculum, Lachnoclostridium, Intestinimonas, Faecalibaculum, Anaerotruncus, Alloprevotella and Absiella) decreased. The metabolic pathways related to the microbiota also changed. Moreover, the proportion of inflammatory factors in Age group was higher than that in AD group.
Conclusion:
Our results showed that there were significant differences in the abundance and structure of microbiota between aged and adult sepsis mice, Aged sepsis mice have more severe intestinal microbiota destruction and liver tissue inflammation than adult sepsis mice.
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.

