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> Background > > Aging is a natural process that an organism gradually loses its physical fitness and functionality. Great efforts have been made to understand and intervene in this deteriorating process. The gut microbiota affects host physiology, and dysbiosis of the microbial community often underlies the pathogenesis of host disorders. The commensal microbiota also changes with aging; however, the interplay between the microbiota and host aging remains largely unexplored. Here, we systematically examined the ameliorating effects of the gut microbiota derived from the young on the physiology and phenotypes of the aged. > > Results > > As the fecal microbiota was transplanted from young mice at 5 weeks after birth into 12-month-old ones, the thickness of the muscle fiber and grip strength were increased, and the water retention ability of the skin was enhanced with thickened stratum corneum. Muscle thickness was also marginally increased in 25-month-old mice after transferring the gut microbiota from the young. Bacteria enriched in 12-month-old mice that received the young-derived microbiota significantly correlated with the improved host fitness and altered gene expression. In the dermis of these mice, transcription of Dbn1 was most upregulated and DBN1-expressing cells increased twice. Dbn1-heterozygous mice exhibited impaired skin barrier function and hydration. > > Conclusions > > We revealed that the young-derived gut microbiota rejuvenates the physical fitness of the aged by altering the microbial composition of the gut and gene expression in muscle and skin. Dbn1, for the first time, was found to be induced by the young microbiota and to modulate skin hydration. Our results provide solid evidence that the gut microbiota from the young improves the vitality of the aged.

There was a recent paper that said gut microbiota transplants only had a transitory benefit in the overweight and that after a few months the gut reverted to its old microbiota composition. Does this suggest a different conclusion, or is it maybe species dependent?

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Most of that is not true. There's a wiki stickied in my profile that has a page on Aging, which debunks much of those claims. The "Intro" and "FMT" pages also have many studies showing long-term benefits.

There is a bi-directional pathway where environment can affect the microbiome and vice versa. But most studies show that the symptoms stem from the changing of the gut microbiome, and restoring it via FMT can reverse symptoms. Changing environment is much more limited, which is why FMT is being heavily researched as a treatment for numerous conditions.

There are many factors that need to be figured out, such as identifying ideal donors, and methods to completely replace the existing microbiome.

Our gut microbiomes have evolved alongside us for a millenia, and get passed down generationally. We're doing significant, permanent damage via antibiotics, lack of breastfeeding, junk diets, and more https://old.reddit.com/r/collapse/comments/bat7ml/while_antibiotic_resistance_gets_all_the. And these extinctions may only be reversible with FMT from the few people who are not yet damaged.

There is a lot to still figure out with FMT. Most studies have severe deficiencies in donor quality and treatment length. Completely replacing an existing and very complex ecosystem isn't simple.

One thing I'm super curious about: my dad doesn't have an appendix- he was born without one. If the appendix does act as a sort of reservoir for gut microbiota, I wonder if he would have more success with FMT than others who do have an appendix.

Welp, now someone rich is going to start shoving baby poop up their chute.

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Plenty of non-rich people are already doing that :)

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Baby poop, though? Where do you find it?

So rich people gotta stop drinking the blood of virgins, and switch to *checks notes* cannot complete that sentence.

Yet, did I not just recently read a study which showed that fecal transplants from thin people do not help obese recipients?

Depends of course on how the transplant is done, but taking a pill every few months sounds like an absolutely easy treatment.

Yep. There is a lot to still figure out with FMT. Most studies have severe deficiencies in donor quality and treatment length. Completely replacing an existing and very complex ecosystem isn't simple.

It’s this an advertisement for poop transplants?

Nah, we gotta start eating baby entrails.

Everywhere, if you have kids.

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Kids are going to be so confused

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So it's not as simple as using stools and getting better. But if it is high quality donor and you do the correct treatment length, still nothing is guaranteed? Does that mean that there is a low chance of it working, do to the fact we are in the early stages of research?