Skip to main content

Gerobiotics: Probiotics for Healthy Aging

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Gut Microbiota in Aging and Chronic Diseases

Part of the book series: Healthy Ageing and Longevity ((HAL,volume 17))

Abstract

Aging, despite its ubiquity, and its underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. A collection of biological processes known as hallmarks of aging offer to explain this unavoidable phenomenon, while the interdisciplinary field of geroscience strives to define its physiological mechanisms at both a molecular and cellular level. Geroscience hypothesizes that comprehensively targeting these hallmarks can prevent aging-related pathogenesis, therefore, improving the healthspan of most people. There is also growing awareness that probiotics can be used prophylactically to maintain health and improve life quality among the elderly. Rapidly advancing geroscience research includes a focus on anti-aging probiotics. If extensive preclinical and clinical research confirms a particular probiotic’s efficacy to truly attenuate the fundamental mechanisms of aging, reduce physiological aging processes, and thereby extend the healthspan of the host, then this strain along with its derived postbiotics and para-probiotics could be designated as “gerobiotics”. This chapter highlights the significance of the novel field of gerobiotics, epitomizing biomarkers of aging and recommending a path by which to discover gerobiotic strains and develop their ensuing products. Finally, we will provide several examples of potential gerobiotics. By exploiting these unique strains, we could formulate interventional strategies that slow or even reverse expressions of aging, improving healthspan and longevity for future generations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Almeida I, Magalhaes S, Nunes A (2021) Lipids: biomarkers of healthy aging. Biogerontology 22:273–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anis E, Xie A, Brundin L, Brundin P (2022) Digesting recent findings: gut alpha-synuclein, microbiome changes in Parkinson’s disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 33:147–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Auclair M, Guenantin AC, Fellahi S, Garcia M, Capeau J (2020) HIV antiretroviral drugs, dolutegravir, maraviroc and ritonavir-boosted atazanavir use different pathways to affect inflammation, senescence and insulin sensitivity in human coronary endothelial cells. PLoS ONE 15:E0226924

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bana B, Cabreiro F (2019) The microbiome and aging. Annu Rev Genet 53:239–261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bñrcena C, Vald¢S-Mas R, Mayoral P, Garabaya C, Durand S, Rodrýguez F, Fernñndez-Garcýa MT, Salazar N, Nogacka AM, Garatachea N, Bossut N, Aprahamian F, Lucia A, Kroemer G, Freije JMP. Quirnature Med 25:1234–1242

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso AL, Fernandes A, Aguilar-Pimentel JA, De Angelis MH, Guedes JR, Brito MA, Ortolano S, Pani G, Athanasopoulou S, Gonos ES, Schosserer M, Grillari J, Peterson P, Tuna BG, Dogan S, Meyer A, Van Os R, Trendelenburg AU (2018) Towards frailty biomarkers: candidates from genes and pathways regulated in aging and age-related diseases. Ageing Res Rev 47:214–277

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carini G, Mingardi J, Bolzetta F, Cester A, Bolner A, Nordera G, La Via L, Ieraci A, Russo I, Maggi S, Calza S, Popoli M, Veronese N, Musazzi L, Barbon A (2022) Mirnome profiling detects Mir-101-3p and Mir-142-5p as putative blood biomarkers of frailty syndrome. Genes 13

    Google Scholar 

  • Carini G, Musazzi L, Bolzetta F, Cester A, Fiorentini C, Ieraci A, Maggi S, Popoli M, Veronese N, Barbon A (2021) The potential role of mirnas in cognitive frailty. Front Aging Neurosci 13:763110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carter CS (2021) A “gut feeling” to create a 10th hallmark of aging. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 76:1891–1894

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen B, Sun Y, Zhang J, Zhu Q, Yang Y, Niu X, Deng Z, Li Q, Wang Y (2019a) Human embryonic stem cell-derived exosomes promote pressure ulcer healing in aged mice by rejuvenating senescent endothelial cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 10:142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen LH, Huang SY, Huang KC, Hsu CC, Yang KC, Li LA, Chan CH, Huang HY (2019b) Lactobacillus paracasei Ps23 decelerated age-related muscle loss by ensuring mitochondrial function in Samp8 mice. Aging (ALBANY Ny) 11:756–770

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Zhang S, Zeng B, Zhao J, Yang M, Zhang M, Li Y, Ni Q, Wu, Li Y (2020) Transplant of microbiota from long-living people to mice reduces aging-related indices and transfers beneficial bacteria. Aging (Albany Ny) 12:4778–4793

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen LH, Wang MF, Chang CC, Huang SY, Pan CH, Yeh YT, Huang CH, Chan CH, Huang HY (2021) Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Ps23 effectively modulates gut microbiota composition and improves gastrointestinal function in aged samp8 mice. Nutrients 13

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng L-H, Cheng S-H, Wu C-C, Huang C-L, Wen P-J, Chang M-Y, Tsai Y-C (2021) Lactobacillus paracasei Ps23 dietary supplementation alleviates muscle aging via ghrelin stimulation in D-galactose-induced aging mice. J Funct Foods 85:104651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng LH, Chou PY, Hou AT, Huang CL, Shiu WL, Wang S (2022) Lactobacillus paracasei Ps23 improves cognitive deficits via modulating hippocampal gene expression and gut microbiota in D-galactose-induced aging mice. Food Funct

    Google Scholar 

  • Chong HX, Yusoff NAA, Hor YY, Lew LC, Jaafar MH, Choi SB, Yusoff MSB, Wahid N, Abdullah M, Zakaria N, Ong KL, Park YH, Liong MT (2019) Lactobacillus plantarum Dr7 alleviates stress and anxiety in adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Benef Microbes 10:355–373

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chua CEL, Tang BL (2019) Mir-34a In neurophysiology and neuropathology. J Mol Neurosci 67:235–246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clancy R (2003) Immunobiotics and the probiotic evolution. Fems Immunol Med Microbiol 38:9–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper R, Kuh D, Hardy R (2010) Objectively measured physical capability levels and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 341:C4467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dinan TG, Stanton C, Cryan JF (2013) Psychobiotics: a novel class of psychotropic. Biol Psychiatry 74:720–726

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gems D, De Magalhaes JP (2021) The hoverfly and the wasp: a critique of the hallmarks of aging as a paradigm. Ageing Res Rev 70:101407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerville F, De Souto Barreto P, Ader I, Andrieu S, Casteilla L, Dray C, Fazilleau N, Guyonnet S, Langin D, Liblau R, Parini A, Valet P, Vergnolle N, Rolland Y, Vellas B (2020) Revisiting the hallmarks of aging to identify markers of biological age. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 7:56–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, Gibson GR, Merenstein DJ, Pot B, Morelli L, Canani RB, Flint HJ, Salminen S, Calder PC, Sanders ME (2014) The international scientific association for probiotics and prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:506–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hor Y-Y, Ooi C-H, Khoo B-Y, Choi S-B, Seeni A, Shamsuddin S, Oon C-E, Ong K-L, Jeong W-S, Liong M-T (2019) Lactobacillus strains alleviated aging symptoms and aging-induced metabolic disorders in aged rats. J Med Food 22:1–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hor YY, Ooi CH, Lew LC, Jaafar MH, Lau AS, Lee BK, Azlan A, Choi SB, Azzam G, Liong MT (2021) The molecular mechanisms of probiotic strains in improving ageing bone and muscle of d-galactose-induced ageing rats. J Appl Microbiol 130:1307–1322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang SY, Chen LH, Wang MF, Hsu CC, Chan CH, Li JX, Huang HY (2018) Lactobacillus paracasei Ps23 delays progression of age-related cognitive decline in senescence accelerated mouse prone 8 (Samp8) mice. Nutrients 10

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang YH, Park S, Paik JW, Chae SW, Kim DH, Jeong DG, Ha E, Kim M, Hong G, Park SH, Jung SJ, Lee SM, Na K. H., Kim, J. & Chung, Y. C. 2019. Efficacy and safety of lactobacillus plantarum C29-fermented soybean (Dw2009) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a 12-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutrients 11

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue T, Kobayashi Y, Mori N, Sakagawa M, Xiao JZ, Moritani T, Sakane N, Nagai N (2018) Effect of combined bifidobacteria supplementation and resistance training on cognitive function, body composition and bowel habits of healthy elderly subjects. Benef Microbes 9:843–853

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong JJ, Kim KA, Hwang YJ, Han MJ, Kim DH (2016) Anti-inflammaging effects of lactobacillus brevis Ow38 in aged mice. Benef Microbes 7:707–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong JJ, Woo JY, Kim KA, Han MJ, Kim DH (2015) Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29 ameliorates age-dependent memory impairment in fischer 344 rats. Lett Appl Microbiol 60:307–314

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jung IH, Jung MA, Kim EJ, Han MJ, Kim DH (2012) Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29 protects scopolamine-induced memory deficit in mice. J Appl Microbiol 113:1498–1506

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Justice JN, Ferrucci L, Newman AB, Aroda VR, Bahnson JL, Divers J, Espeland MA, Marcovina S, Pollak MN, Kritchevsky SB, Barzilai N, Kuchel GA (2018) A framework for selection of blood-based biomarkers for geroscience-guided clinical trials: report from the tame biomarkers workgroup. Geroscience 40:419–436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy BK, Berger SL, Brunet A, Campisi J, Cuervo AM, Epel ES, Franceschi C, Lithgow GJ, Morimoto RI, Pessin JE, Rando TA, Richardson A, Schadt EE, Wyss-Coray T, Sierra F (2014) Geroscience: linking aging to chronic disease. Cell 159:709–713

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim M, Benayoun BA (2020) The microbiome: an emerging key player in aging and longevity. Transl Med Aging 4:103–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim S, Jazwinski SM (2018) The Gut microbiota and healthy aging: a mini-review. Gerontology 64:513–520

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinser HE, Pincus Z (2020) Micrornas as modulators of longevity and the aging process. Hum Genet 139:291–308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo S, Xiao JZ, Satoh T, Odamaki T, Takahashi S, Sugahara H, Yaeshima T, Iwatsuki K, Kamei A, Abe K (2010) Antiobesity effects of bifidobacterium breve strain B-3 supplementation in a mouse model with high-fat diet-induced obesity. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 74:1656–1661

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Vijayan M, Bhatti JS, Reddy PH (2017) Micrornas as peripheral biomarkers in aging and age-related diseases. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci 146:47–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee HJ, Hwang YH, Kim DH (2018) Lactobacillus plantarum C29-fermented soybean (Dw2009) alleviates memory impairment in 5xfad transgenic mice by regulating microglia activation and gut microbiota composition. Mol Nutr Food Res 62:E1800359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lew L-C, Hor Y-Y, Jaafar M-H, Lau A-S-Y, Lee B-K, Chuah L-O, Yap K-P, Azlan A, Azzam G, Choi S-B, Liong M-T (2020) Lactobacillus strains alleviated hyperlipidemia and liver steatosis in aging rats via activation of Ampk. Int J Mol Sci 21:5872

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lew LC, Hor YY, Jaafar MH, Lau ASY, Ong JS, Chuah LO, Yap KP, Azzam G, Azlan A, Liong MT (2019) Lactobacilli modulated Ampk activity and prevented telomere shortening in ageing rats. Benef Microbes 10:883–892

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao JF, Hsu CC, Chou GT, Hsu JS, Liong MT, Tsai YC (2019) Lactobacillus paracasei Ps23 reduced early-life stress abnormalities in maternal separation mouse model. Benef Microbes 10:425–436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin SW, Tsai YS, Chen YL, Wang MF, Chen CC, Lin WH, Fang TJ (2021) Lactobacillus plantarum Gkm3 promotes longevity, memory retention, and reduces brain oxidation stress in Samp8 mice. Nutrients 13

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu H-C, Han D-S, Hsu C-C, Wang J-S (2021) Circulating Microrna-486 and Microrna-146a serve as potential biomarkers of sarcopenia in the older adults. BMC Geriatr 21:86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Otin C, Blasco MA, Partridge L, Serrano M, Kroemer G (2013) The hallmarks of aging. Cell 153:1194–1217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mackowiak PA (2013) Recycling Metchnikoff: probiotics, the intestinal microbiome and the quest for long life. Front Public Health 1:52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mensa E, Giuliani A, Matacchione G, Gurau F, Bonfigli AR, Romagnoli F, De Luca M, Sabbatinelli J, Olivieri F (2019) Circulating Mir-146a in healthy aging and type 2 diabetes: age- and gender-specific trajectories. Mech Ageing Dev 180:1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minami J, Iwabuchi N, Tanaka M, Yamauchi K, Xiao JZ, Abe F, Sakane N (2018) Effects of bifidobacterium breve B-3 on body fat reductions in pre-obese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Biosci Microbiota Food Health 37:67–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadi G, Dargahi L, Peymani A, Mirzanejad Y, Alizadeh SA, Naserpour T, Nassiri-Asl M (2019) The effects of probiotic formulation pretreatment (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) on a lipopolysaccharide rat model. J Am Coll Nutr 38:209–217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moskalev A, Chernyagina E, Kudryavtseva A, Shaposhnikov M (2017) Geroprotectors: a unified concept and screening approaches. Aging Dis 8:354–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Council On Aging. Healthy Aging Facts [Online]. National council on aging

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng X, Meng J, Chi T, Liu P, Man C, Liu S, Guo Y, Jiang Y (2014) Lactobacillus plantarum Ndc 75017 alleviates the learning and memory ability in aging rats by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Exp Ther Med 8:1841–1846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragonnaud E, Biragyn A (2021) Gut microbiota as the key controllers of “healthy” aging of elderly people. Immun Ageing 18:2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivero-Segura NA, Bello-Chavolla OY, Barrera-Vñzquez OS, Gutierrez-Robledo LM, Gomez-Verjan JC (2020) Promising biomarkers of human aging: in search of a multi-omics panel to understand the aging process from a multidimensional perspective. Ageing Res Rev 64:101164

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvestrini V, Sell C, Lorenzini A (2019) Obesity may accelerate the aging process. Front Endocrinol (lausanne) 10:266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seals DR, Justice JN, Larocca TJ (2016) Physiological geroscience: targeting function to increase healthspan and achieve optimal longevity. J Physiol 594:2001–2024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sierra F (2016) The emergence of geroscience as an interdisciplinary approach to the enhancement of health span and life span. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 6:A025163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P, Willemsen D, Popkes M, Metge F, Gandiwa E, Reichard M, Valenzano DR (2017) Regulation of life span by the gut microbiota in the short-lived African turquoise killifish. Elife 6

    Google Scholar 

  • Teodori L, Petrignani I, Giuliani A, Prattichizzo F, Gurau F, Matacchione G, Olivieri F, Coppari S, Albertini MC (2019) Inflamm-aging micrornas may integrate signals from food and gut microbiota by modulating common signalling pathways. Mech Ageing Dev 182:111127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toda K, Yamauchi Y, Tanaka A, Kuhara T, Odamaki T, Yoshimoto S, Xiao JZ (2020) Heat-killed bifidobacterium breve B-3 enhances muscle functions: possible involvement of increases in muscle mass and mitochondrial biogenesis. Nutrients 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsai YC, Cheng LH, Liu YW, Jeng OJ, Lee YK (2021) Gerobiotics: probiotics targeting fundamental aging processes. Biosci Microbiota Food Health 40:1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner KH, Cameron-Smith D, Wessner B, Franzke B (2016) Biomarkers of aging: from function to molecular biology. Nutrients 8

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei CL, Wang S, Yen JT, Cheng YF, Liao CL, Hsu CC, Wu CC, Tsai YC (2019) Antidepressant-like activities of live and heat-killed lactobacillus paracasei Ps23 in chronic corticosterone-treated mice and possible mechanisms. Brain Res 1711:202–213

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woo JY, Gu W, Kim KA, Jang SE, Han MJ, Kim DH (2014) Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29 ameliorates memory impairment and inflammaging in a D-galactose-induced accelerated aging mouse model. Anaerobe 27:22–26

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2019) World health statistics overview 2019: monitoring health for the sdgs, sustainable development goals. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Q, Fu Q, Li Z, Liu H, Wang Y, Lin X, He R, Zhang X, Ju Z, Campisi J, Kirkland JL, Sun Y (2021) The flavonoid procyanidin C1 has senotherapeutic activity and increases lifespan in mice. Nat Metab 3:1706–1726

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yabluchanskiy A, Ungvari Z, Csiszar A, Tarantini S (2018) Advances and challenges in geroscience research: an update. Physiol Int 105:298–308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zaydi AI, Lew LC, Hor YY, Jaafar MH, Chuah LO, Yap KP, Azlan A, Azzam G, Liong MT (2020) Lactobacillus plantarum Dr7 improved brain health in aging rats via the serotonin, inflammatory and apoptosis pathways. Benef Microbes 11:753–766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ying-Chieh Tsai .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Tsai, YC., Wang, S., Cheng, LH., Jeng, OJ., Marotta, F. (2023). Gerobiotics: Probiotics for Healthy Aging. In: Marotta, F. (eds) Gut Microbiota in Aging and Chronic Diseases. Healthy Ageing and Longevity, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14023-5_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics