Aging clinical and experimental research
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Functions of the intestinal mucosal barrier are often impaired in the elderly and are closely associated with many age-related diseases. However, mechanisms by which aging influences intestinal barrier function still remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes in small intestinal morphology, bacteria contents and expression of epithelial tight junction (TJ) proteins. ⋯ Our study indicated that age-related intestinal barrier dysfunction may be associated with mucosal atrophy, damages to TJ structure, increased small intestine bacteria counts, and decreased epithelial TJ protein.