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Review
. 2024 Aug;15(8):100263.
doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100263. Epub 2024 Jun 17.

Galacto-Oligosaccharides and the Elderly Gut: Implications for Immune Restoration and Health

Yunan Hu  1 , Mashael R Aljumaah  2 , Maria Andrea Azcarate-Peril  3
Affiliations
Review

Galacto-Oligosaccharides and the Elderly Gut: Implications for Immune Restoration and Health

Yunan Hu et al. Adv Nutr. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in the aging population has been correlated with a decline in innate and adaptive immune responses; hence, it is imperative to identify approaches to improve immune function, prevent related disorders, and reduce or treat age-associated health complications. Prebiotic supplementation is a promising approach to modulate the gut microbiome and immune system, offering a potential strategy to maintain the integrity of immune function in older individuals. This review summarizes the current research on prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) immunomodulatory mechanisms mediated by bacterial-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids, to maintain immune homeostasis. The potential applications of GOS as immunotherapy for age-related disease prevention in older individuals are also highlighted. This aligns with the global shift toward proactive healthcare and emphasizes the significance of early intervention in directing an individual's health trajectory.

Keywords: galacto-oligosaccharides; immunosenescence; short-chain fatty acid.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Comparison of the gut microbiota profile and immune function between children, young adults, and older individuals.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Immunomodulatory functions of GOS. AA, acetic acid; BA, butyric acid; GOS, galacto-oligosaccharide; GPR, G-protein-coupled receptor; HDAC, histone deacetylase; IL, interleukin; PA, propionic acid; TLR, Toll-like receptor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; Treg, regulatory T cell.
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