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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Mendelian randomization analyses support causal relationships between gut microbiome and longevity

Authors: Shu Chen, Wei Chen, Xudong Wang, Sheng Liu

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Gut microbiome plays a significant role in longevity, and dysbiosis is indeed one of the hallmarks of aging. However, the causal relationship between gut microbiota and human longevity or aging remains elusive.

Methods

Our study assessed the causal relationships between gut microbiome and longevity using Mendelian Randomization (MR). Summary statistics for the gut microbiome were obtained from four genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of the MiBioGen consortium (N = 18,340), Dutch Microbiome Project (N = 7738), German individuals (N = 8956), and Finland individuals (N = 5959). Summary statistics for Longevity were obtained from Five GWAS meta-analysis, including Human healthspan (N = 300,447), Longevity (N = 36,745), Lifespans (N = 1,012,240), Parental longevity (N = 389,166), and Frailty (one of the primary aging-linked physiological hallmarks, N = 175,226).

Results

Our findings reveal several noteworthy associations, including a negative correlation between Bacteroides massiliensis and longevity, whereas the genus Subdoligranulum and Alistipes, as well as species Alistipes senegalensis and Alistipes shahii, exhibited positive associations with specific longevity traits. Moreover, the microbial pathway of coenzyme A biosynthesis I, pyruvate fermentation to acetate and lactate II, and pentose phosphate pathway exhibited positive associations with two or more traits linked to longevity. Conversely, the TCA cycle VIII (helicobacter) pathway consistently demonstrated a negative correlation with lifespan and parental longevity.

Conclusions

Our findings of this MR study indicated many significant associations between gut microbiome and longevity. These microbial taxa and pathways may potentially play a protective role in promoting longevity or have a suppressive effect on lifespan.

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Title: Mendelian randomization analyses support causal relationships between gut microbiome and longevity
Authors: Shu Chen
Wei Chen
Xudong Wang
Sheng Liu
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05823-2

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