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Gut Microbiota Contribute to Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle Size, Composition, and Function: Biological Basis for a Gut-Muscle Axis

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Abstract

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue that plays a central role in human health and disease. Aging is associated with a decrease in muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) that is associated with a loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Gut microbiota, the bacteria, archaea, viruses, and eukaryotic microbes residing in the gastrointestinal tract are emerging as a potential contributor to age-associated muscle decline. Specifically, advancing age is characterized by a dysbiosis of gut microbiota that is associated with increased intestinal permeability, facilitating the passage of endotoxin and other microbial products (e.g., indoxyl sulfate) into the circulation. Upon entering the circulation, LPS and other microbial factors promote inflammatory signaling and skeletal muscle changes that are hallmarks of the aging muscle phenotype. This review will summarize existing literature suggesting cross-talk between gut microbiota and skeletal muscle health, with emphasis on the significance of this axis for mediating changes in aging skeletal muscle size, composition, and function.

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Funding

These ideas are based on work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under agreement No. 58-1950-4-003. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA. M.S.L. is supported by NIA K01 award #5K01AG050700-02.

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  1. Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

    Gregory J. Grosicki, Roger A. Fielding & Michael S. Lustgarten

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  1. Gregory J. Grosicki
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  2. Roger A. Fielding
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  3. Michael S. Lustgarten
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RAF proposed writing the manuscript. MSL and GJG conducted the literature search. GJG drafted the manuscript. All authors edited, revised, and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Michael S. Lustgarten.

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Dr. Fielding reports grants, personal fees, and other from Axcella Health; personal fees from Cytokinetics; grants and personal fees from Biophytis; personal fees from Amazentis; grants and personal fees from Nestlé; grants and personal fees from Astellas; personal fees from Glaxo Smithkline, outside the submitted work.

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Grosicki, G.J., Fielding, R.A. & Lustgarten, M.S. Gut Microbiota Contribute to Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle Size, Composition, and Function: Biological Basis for a Gut-Muscle Axis. Calcif Tissue Int 102, 433–442 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-017-0345-5

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