Role of the Gut Microbiome on Lean Mass and Physical Function in Older Adults

Role of the Gut Microbiome and Serum Metabolome on Lean Mass and Physical Function in Older Adults

The investigators recently published significant associations between circulating gut bacteria-related metabolites with lean and skeletal muscle mass and with measures of physical function in older adults, evidence that suggests a role for gut bacteria on the maintenance of these outcomes. To date, studies aimed at identification of associations between gut bacteria with lean mass or with specific measures of physical function have yet to be reported. Accordingly, the over-arching hypothesis is that gut bacteria are associated with, and are causatively involved in mechanisms that underlie the maintenance of lean mass and physical function in older adults. Results obtained from the proposed study are intended as the basis for future studies aimed at targeted modulation of the gut microflora, which may be a novel and innovative means for improving lean mass and physical function, and for addressing the public health priority of healthy aging in older adults.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sarcopenia

Detailed Description

In older adults (70+ years), reduced lean body mass and physical function are associated with increased disability, hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. Because older adults are the fastest growing global subpopulation, identification of mechanisms that underlie the maintenance of lean mass and physical function will be important for addressing the public health priority of healthy aging.

Gut bacteria may be involved in mechanisms that underlie the maintenance of lean mass and physical function. In support of this hypothesis, in multiple publications the investigators recently reported significant associations between circulating gut bacteria-related metabolites with these outcomes in older adults. Accordingly, the overarching study hypothesis is that is gut bacteria are associated with, and are causatively involved in mechanisms that underlie the maintenance of lean mass and physical function in older adults. To test this hypothesis, the investigators propose to: characterize the association between fecal bacteria with lean mass and physical function (AIM 1), test the causative role of gut bacteria on the maintenance of lean mass and physical function by colonizing germ-free mice with fecal bacteria from older adults (AIM 2), and examine potential mechanisms that link gut bacteria with these outcomes by identifying associations between gut bacteria and serum metabolites with lean mass and physical function (AIM 3).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 29

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118-3129
      • Tufts University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 70 years to 85 years (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Older adults (70-85y), BMI < 35 kg/m2

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

i) Willing and able to sign the IRB approved informed consent form ii) Male and Female iii) 70-85 years of age iv) BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 v) Willing to come to the HNRCA laboratory for baseline and 1-month follow-up study visits vi) SPPB ≥ 11 ("High-Functioning", HF; 20 subjects: 10 males, 10 females) vii) 4 ≤ SPPB ≤ 7 ("Low-Functioning", LF; 20 subjects: 10 males, 10 females)

Exclusion Criteria:

i) Non-English speaker ii) Acute or terminal illness iii) Surgery in the past 6 months iv) Lower extremity fracture within the past 6 months v) Myocardial infarction in the past 6 months vi) Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, previous stroke, or history of transient ischemic attacks vii) Cognitive impairment (MMSE score < 23) viii) Uncontrolled hypertension (> 160/100 mmHg) ix) Neuromuscular disease or drugs affecting neuromuscular function x) Androgen therapy in males xi) Estrogen therapy in females xii) Significant immune disorder xiii) Kidney Failure xiv) Pancreatic disease xv) Diabetes xvi) Gastrointestinal or malabsorption diseases xvii) History of cholecystectomy xviii) Use of probiotics, prebiotics or antibiotics in the past 3 months xix) The subject has any other condition, which in the opinion of the Investigator, precludes the subject's participation in the trial.

xx) With the goal of matching the HF and LF groups for age, sex,and BMI, subjects may be excluded because their age, sex or BMI puts them outside the range needed for this study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
High Functioning; Defined by a short physical performance battery score (SPPB) greater than or equal to 11.
Low Functioning; Defined by a short physical performance battery score (SPPB) less than or equal to 7.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Percentage of Whole Body Lean Mass (%WBLM)	%WBLM measured with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A higher %WBLM is indicative of a higher amount of whole-body lean mass, when compared with lower values.	1 month
Physical Function Measurement	Short physical performance battery (SPPB) score. The SPPB is a combined measure of physical function that includes balance, a chair stand test (the time required to complete 5 chair stands), and the time needed to walk 4 meters. Each of these 3 tests are scored from 0 to 4. The scores for each individual test are summed, and accordingly, the lowest possible SPPB score would be 0, and the highest would be 12. A score of 12 would indicate good physical function, whereas a score of 0 is indicative of poor physical function.	1-month
400-meter Gait Speed	Measurement of 400-meter gait speed at the 1-month study visit compared against baseline. A slower time to walk 400 meters is indicative of worse physical function, when compared with a faster time.	1-month
Leg Press 1 Repetition Maximum	Measurement of the leg press 1 repetition maximum at the 1-month study visit compared with baseline. The leg press 1 repetition maximum test involves the maximum amount of weight that the participant can push with their legs. A higher value is indicative of higher muscle strength, when compared with lower values.	1-month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Tufts University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael S lustgarten, PhD, Tufts University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 21, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 22, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): June 23, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 6, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2020
• Last Verified: July 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: microbiome, metabolome, aging, lean mass, physical function
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Sarcopenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: GRANT11960287

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO