Gut microbes contribute to age-associated inflammation, mouse study shows
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 - 16:02
in Health & Medicine
Inflammation increases with age and is a strong risk factor for death in the elderly, but the underlying cause has not been clear. A new study reveals that gut microbes are one of the culprits behind age-associated inflammation and premature death in mice. Imbalances in the gut microbes in older mice cause the intestines to become leaky, allowing the release of bacterial products that trigger inflammation and impair immune function.