INTRODUCTION: Aging is associated with a phenomenon termed ‘inflammaging’, which is characterised by chronic, low-grade pro-inflammatory conditions leading to long-term tissue damage. Reducing chronic low-grade inflammation may be a way to prevent or reduce the severity of age-related diseases. It has been proposed that the age-related changes in gut microbiota, associated with an increase in systemic inflammation may also contribute to the progression of disease and frailty in the elderly. Evidence exists that inflammation, oxidative stress and gut microbiota are influenced by diet or nutraceutical dietary supplements. AIMS&METHODS: To assess the impact of a personalized diet, with or without the addition of VSL#3 probiotic blend, on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and gut microbiota in elderly individuals. Open label, randomized multicentre study. Setting: Community. Primary endpoint: baseline change in hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). As a part of a larger study, 62 participants were randomized to follow a personalized diet created through a web-based platform (RISTOMED) and optimized to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, either with or without supplementation with VSL#3, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: There was no significant change in hsCRP amount in either study arm. However, a subgroup of 17 participants were classified as having high inflammation at baseline, and hsCRP fell significantly in this group (p=0.022). VSL#3 plus diet, but not diet alone, was associated with a significant reduction in homocysteine levels and increases in folate (p<0.01) and vitamin B12 (p=0.03). No significant changes from baseline in total antioxidant activity or gut microbiota composition were observed. CONCLUSION: The RISTOMED diet may reduce inflammation in elderly people with basal high inflammatory status. Addition of VSL#3 was associated with increased folate and vitamin B12 concentrations and significant reduction of homocysteine levels in all participants regardless of inflammatory status. Combined supplementation of VSL#3 with a proper diet may potentially reduce aging-related risks associated with high homocysteine and reduced folate and vitamin B12 levels.

Open label, randomized multicentre study of the impact of diet on "inflammageing", oxidative stress and gut microbiota in elderly people: potential benefits of dietary advice alone or in conjunction with VSL#3 bacterial blend

OSTAN, RITA;BRIGIDI, PATRIZIA;TURRONI, SILVIA;HRELIA, SILVANA;HRELIA, PATRIZIA;FRANCESCHI, CLAUDIO;
2013

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Aging is associated with a phenomenon termed ‘inflammaging’, which is characterised by chronic, low-grade pro-inflammatory conditions leading to long-term tissue damage. Reducing chronic low-grade inflammation may be a way to prevent or reduce the severity of age-related diseases. It has been proposed that the age-related changes in gut microbiota, associated with an increase in systemic inflammation may also contribute to the progression of disease and frailty in the elderly. Evidence exists that inflammation, oxidative stress and gut microbiota are influenced by diet or nutraceutical dietary supplements. AIMS&METHODS: To assess the impact of a personalized diet, with or without the addition of VSL#3 probiotic blend, on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and gut microbiota in elderly individuals. Open label, randomized multicentre study. Setting: Community. Primary endpoint: baseline change in hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). As a part of a larger study, 62 participants were randomized to follow a personalized diet created through a web-based platform (RISTOMED) and optimized to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, either with or without supplementation with VSL#3, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: There was no significant change in hsCRP amount in either study arm. However, a subgroup of 17 participants were classified as having high inflammation at baseline, and hsCRP fell significantly in this group (p=0.022). VSL#3 plus diet, but not diet alone, was associated with a significant reduction in homocysteine levels and increases in folate (p<0.01) and vitamin B12 (p=0.03). No significant changes from baseline in total antioxidant activity or gut microbiota composition were observed. CONCLUSION: The RISTOMED diet may reduce inflammation in elderly people with basal high inflammatory status. Addition of VSL#3 was associated with increased folate and vitamin B12 concentrations and significant reduction of homocysteine levels in all participants regardless of inflammatory status. Combined supplementation of VSL#3 with a proper diet may potentially reduce aging-related risks associated with high homocysteine and reduced folate and vitamin B12 levels.
2013
L. Valentini; A. Pinto; I. Bourdel-Marchasson; R. Ostan; P. Brigidi; S. Turroni; S. Hrelia; P. Hrelia; F. Buccolini; C. Franceschi; H. Lochs
File in questo prodotto:
Eventuali allegati, non sono esposti

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/218060
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact