Probiotic-Reduced Inflammaging in Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Aging populations face challenges with healthy aging due to chronic low-grade inflammation, termed 'inflammaging'.
• Understanding interventions to mitigate inflammaging is crucial for improving the quality of life in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 (LpHEAL9), alone and with berries, in elderly individuals with chronic low-grade inflammation.
• To assess the impact of LpHEAL9 on inflammatory markers and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 66 volunteers aged over 70.
• Participants were assigned to placebo, LpHEAL9, or LpHEAL9 + Berries groups for a 4-week dietary intervention.
• Key outcome measures included serum C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin, and cognitive function tests.

Main Results:

• LpHEAL9 intake showed a trend towards reducing serum CRP, but without statistical significance.
• Significantly decreased fecal calprotectin levels were observed in the LpHEAL9 group compared to placebo.
• The LpHEAL9 + Berries combination did not demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects. Both probiotic groups showed non-significant trends in improving cognitive function.

Conclusions:

• The probiotic strain L. plantarum HEAL9 demonstrates a modest impact on low-grade inflammation in healthy older adults.
• LpHEAL9 may be a potential adjunct for managing gut inflammation in the elderly.
• Further research is warranted to explore the synergistic effects and optimal dosage of LpHEAL9 for healthy aging.