The Gut Chronicles: Secrets of Centenarian Microbiota for Longevity

We are following the endless life fantasy. We fast in order to keep healthy. And every year, we pay billions of kroner on treatment to ensure our survival. However, some people reach the age of 100 on their own. Why is this the case? The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research at the University of Copenhagen has set out to find out.

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Unique Gut Microbiota and Bacteriophages in Japanese Centenarians

The researchers discovered that the combination of gut bacteria and bacterial viruses in these persons is rather distinct after studying 176 healthy Japanese centenarians (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Centenarians have a diverse gut virome with the potential to modulate metabolism and promote healthy lifespan

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“We are always eager to find out why some people live extremely long lives. Previous research has shown that the intestinal bacteria of old Japanese citizens produce brand-new molecules that make them resistant to pathogenic – that is, disease-promoting – microorganisms. And if their intestines are better protected against infection, well, then that is probably one of the things that cause them to live longer than others,” says Postdoc Joachim Johansen, who is the first author of the new study.

The current study, among other things, demonstrates that certain viruses in the intestines might benefit the intestinal flora and consequently our health.

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Intricate Relationship Between Gut Bacteria, Bacteriophages, and Human Health

“Our intestines contain billions of viruses living off and inside bacteria, and they could not care less about human cells; instead, they infect the bacterial cells. And seeing as there are hundreds of different types of bacteria in our intestines, there are also lots of bacterial viruses,” says Associate Professor Simon Rasmussen, the last author of the new study.

Joachim Johansen adds that, in addition to the major, new, protective bacterial viruses discovered, the researchers discovered that the Japanese centenarians' intestinal flora is particularly interesting.

“We found great biological diversity in both bacteria and bacterial viruses in the centenarians. High microbial diversity is usually associated with a healthy gut microbiome. And we expect people with a healthy gut microbiome to be better protected against aging-related diseases,” says Joachim Johansen.

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Decoding the Intestinal Flora of Centenarians: Paving the Way to Enhance Longevity

Once we understand what the intestinal flora of centenarians looks like, we will be able to better understand how to enhance the life expectancy of others. They were able to map the centenarians' gut microorganisms and bacterial viruses using an algorithm developed by the researchers.

“We want to understand the dynamics of the intestinal flora. How do the different kinds of bacteria and viruses interact? How can we engineer a microbiome that can help us live healthy, long lives? Are some bacteria better than others? Using the algorithm, we are able to describe the balance between viruses and bacteria,” says Simon Rasmussen.

If the researchers can figure out how viruses and bacteria interact in Japanese centenarians, they may be able to predict what the perfect balance of viruses and bacteria looks like.

Improving Intestinal Bacteria for Longevity

More specifically, new information on intestinal bacteria may help us learn how to optimize the bacteria found in the human body to protect it from disease.

“We have learned that if a virus pays a bacterium a visit, it may actually strengthen the bacterium. The viruses we found in the healthy Japanese centenarians contained extra genes that could boost the bacteria. We learned that they were able to boost the transformation of specific molecules in the intestines, which might serve to stabilise the intestinal flora and counteract inflammation,” says Joachim Johansen, and Simon Rasmussen adds:

“If you discover bacteria and viruses that have a positive effect on the human intestinal flora, the obvious next step is to find out whether only some or all of us have them. If we are able to get these bacteria and their viruses to move in with the people who do not have them, more people could benefit from them.”

Even though additional research is needed, the new discovery is noteworthy since humans can change the intestinal flora.

“Intestinal bacteria are a natural part of the human body and of our natural environment. And the crazy thing is that we can actually change the composition of intestinal bacteria. We cannot change the genes – at least not for a long time to come. If we know why viruses and intestinal bacteria are a good match, it will be a lot easier for us to change something that actually affects our health,” says Simon Rasmussen.

The study, “Centenarians have a diverse gut virome with the potential to modulate metabolism and promote healthy lifespan”, has been published in Nature Microbiology.

Reference:

1. Centenarians have a diverse gut virome with the potential to modulate metabolism and promote healthy lifespan - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-023-01370-6)

Source-Medindia