Bifidobacterium as a Potential Biomarker of Sarcopenia in Elderly Women

Gut microbial dysbiosis influences the development of sarcopenia. This case-control study explored the gut microbiota composition in elderly Chinese women with sarcopenia. The information from 50 cases and 50 controls was collected. Grip strength, body weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, energy intake, and total and high-quality protein intake were lower in cases than in controls (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota metagenomic sequencing showed that phylum Bacteroides was significantly reduced in the case group, whereas genus Prevotella was more abundant (p < 0.05). Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size showed that 9 and 13 distinct microbial taxa were enriched in the case and control groups, respectively (LDA > 2, p < 0.05), among which Prevotella copri and Bifidobacterium longum were significantly different (LDA > 4, p < 0.05). The AUC of Bifidobacterium longum was 0.674 (95% CI: 0.539-0.756). Elderly women with sarcopenia exhibited significantly different gut microbiota compositions than healthy controls.

Automated summary

Gut microbial dysbiosis affects sarcopenia development. This case-control study examined gut microbiota composition in elderly Chinese women with sarcopenia. Information from 50 cases and 50 controls was collected. Grip strength, body weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, energy intake, and protein intake were lower in cases than in controls. Gut microbiota metagenomic sequencing revealed significant differences in the abundance of Bacteroides and Prevotella. Linear discriminant analysis identified distinct microbial taxa enriched in the case and control groups, including Prevotella copri and Bifidobacterium longum. Elderly women with sarcopenia showed significantly different gut microbiota compositions compared to healthy controls.