Modulation of gut microbiota and delayed immunosenescence as a result of syringaresinol consumption in middle-aged mice

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 15:6:39026. doi: 10.1038/srep39026.

Abstract

Age-associated immunological dysfunction (immunosenescence) is closely linked to perturbation of the gut microbiota. Here, we investigated whether syringaresinol (SYR), a polyphenolic lignan, modulates immune aging and the gut microbiota associated with this effect in middle-aged mice. Compared with age-matched control mice, SYR treatment delayed immunosenescence by enhancing the numbers of total CD3+ T cells and naïve T cells. SYR treatment induced the expression of Bim as well as activation of FOXO3 in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Furthermore, SYR treatment significantly enhanced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared with that in age-matched controls by increasing beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while reducing the opportunistic pathogenic genus, Akkermansia. In addition, SYR treatment reduced the serum level of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, an inflammatory marker, and enhanced humoral immunity against influenza vaccination to the level of young control mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that SYR may rejuvenate the immune system through modulation of gut integrity and microbiota diversity as well as composition in middle-aged mice, which may delay the immunosenescence associated with aging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Area Under Curve
  • Bifidobacterium / drug effects
  • Bifidobacterium / immunology
  • Bifidobacterium / physiology
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / metabolism
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3 / immunology
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3 / metabolism
  • Furans / pharmacokinetics
  • Furans / pharmacology*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology
  • Immunosenescence / drug effects*
  • Immunosenescence / immunology
  • Lactobacillus / drug effects
  • Lactobacillus / immunology
  • Lactobacillus / physiology
  • Lignans / pharmacokinetics
  • Lignans / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Verrucomicrobia / drug effects
  • Verrucomicrobia / immunology
  • Verrucomicrobia / physiology

Substances

  • CD3 Complex
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3
  • Furans
  • Lignans
  • syringaresinol