Summary
This laboratory study in Brandt's voles reveals a causal link between gut microbiota composition and density-dependent ageing processes under crowding stress. High-density housing elevated corticosterone, shortened telomeres, increased inflammatory markers, and reduced lifespan; these effects were transferable via fecal microbiota transplantation and partially reversible through butyric acid supplementation. The findings suggest gut microorganisms as potential intervention targets for stress-related ageing acceleration in densely populated environments.
UK applicability
The study's findings on microbial mediation of stress-induced ageing may be relevant to understanding how crowding stress affects animal and human health in densely populated UK settings, though direct translation requires validation in human cohorts and consideration of UK-specific dietary and environmental factors.
Key measures
Stress hormone (corticosterone) levels; telomere length in brain and liver cells; tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 levels; lifespan; gut microbiota composition (inferred); DNA damage markers
Outcomes reported
The study demonstrated that high-density housing accelerates ageing-related markers (telomere shortening, DNA damage, inflammation) and reduces lifespan in Brandt's voles, with these effects mediated by changes in gut microbiota composition. Fecal microbiota transplantation from high-density or low-density housed donors transferred similar ageing-related changes to recipient voles, and butyric acid administration delayed ageing markers.
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