Ageing research reviews
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Ageing research reviews · Sep 2020
ReviewACE2 imbalance as a key player for the poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients with age-related comorbidities - Role of gut microbiota dysbiosis.
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a pandemic condition caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The typical symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, evolving to a clinical picture of pneumonia and, ultimately, death. Nausea and diarrhea are equally frequent, suggesting viral infection or transmission via the gastrointestinal-enteric system. ⋯ Notably, productive infection of SARS-CoV-2 in ACE2+ mature human enterocytes and patients' GM dysbiosis was recently demonstrated. This review outlines the evidence linking abnormal ACE2 functions with the poor outcomes (higher disease severity and mortality rate) in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing age-related comorbidities and addresses a possible role for GM dysbiosis. The article culminates with the therapeutics opportunities based on these pathways.
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Ageing research reviews · Sep 2020
Meta AnalysisLiving alone and risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
To systematically review longitudinal studies on living alone and incident dementia, to pool the results in a meta-analysis and calculate the population risk. ⋯ Social isolation is a more important risk factor for dementia than previously identified, with living alone associated with greater population risk than physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
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Ageing research reviews · Mar 2019
Meta AnalysisTransitions between frailty states among community-dwelling older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frailty is a well-established risk factor for adverse health outcomes. However, comparatively little is known about the dynamic nature of frailty and the extent to which it can improve. The purposes of this study were to systematically search for studies examining frailty transitions over time among community-dwelling older people, and to synthesise pooled frailty transitions rates. ⋯ Stratified and meta-regression analyses showed age, gender and follow-up period were associated with frailty transition patterns. Older people make dynamic changes in their frailty status. Given that while one quarter of prefrail older people improved to robust only 3% of frail older people did, early interventions should be considered.
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Ageing research reviews · Aug 2018
ReviewDysbiosis of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in Parkinson's Disease.
Gut microbial dysbiosis and alteration of microbial metabolites in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been increasingly reported. Dysbiosis in the composition and abundance of gut microbiota can affect both the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system (CNS), indicating the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis and thereby causing CNS diseases. ⋯ Microbiota-targeted interventions, such as antibiotics, probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, have been shown to favorably affect host health. In this review, recent findings regarding alterations and the role of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in PD are summarized, and potential molecular mechanisms and microbiota-targeted interventions in PD are discussed.
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Ageing research reviews · Oct 2017
ReviewImpact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes.
Humans in modern societies typically consume food at least three times daily, while laboratory animals are fed ad libitum. Overconsumption of food with such eating patterns often leads to metabolic morbidities (insulin resistance, excessive accumulation of visceral fat, etc.), particularly when associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Because animals, including humans, evolved in environments where food was relatively scarce, they developed numerous adaptations that enabled them to function at a high level, both physically and cognitively, when in a food-deprived/fasted state. ⋯ The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which IF improves health and counteracts disease processes involve activation of adaptive cellular stress response signaling pathways that enhance mitochondrial health, DNA repair and autophagy. PF also promotes stem cell-based regeneration as well as long-lasting metabolic effects. Randomized controlled clinical trials of IF versus PF and isoenergetic continuous energy restriction in human subjects will be required to establish the efficacy of IF in improving general health, and preventing and managing major diseases of aging.