4. Probiotics to preserve muscle mass in seniors

Researchers from Micalis (UMR INRAE-AgroParisTechUniversité Paris-Saclay) have observed that people suffering from short bowel syndrome (after intestinal ablation) exhibit specific metabolic adaptations partly explained by a microbiota very rich in lactobacilli. Researchers from the Human Nutrition Unit (UNH) therefore hypothesized that these same bacteria could induce an optimization of nutrient utilization in frail elderly people who often have a small appetite and at the same time develop sarcopenia. A strain of Lacticaseibacillus casei was thus selected on the survival and muscle integrity of the Caenorhabditis elegans worm (UMR Fromages – IUT Aurillac) then tested in the frail elderly rodent model (Human Nutrition Unit). The study showed that this bacterium promotes insulin sensitivity and limits muscle wasting in the rodent model. It could therefore be effective in limiting sarcopenia in frail elderly people in association with other nutritional strategies and physical exercise.

DOI : 10.3389/fnut.2022.928798

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