Abstract
Background
Aging-related energy homeostasis significantly affects normal heart function and disease development. The relationship between the gut microbiota and host energy metabolism has been well established. However, the influence of an aged microbiota on energy metabolism in the heart remains unclear.
Objective
To explore the effects of age-related microbiota composition on energy metabolism in the heart
Methods
In this study, we used the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) method. The fecal microbiota from young (2–3 months) and aged (18–22 months) donor mice were transplanted into separate groups of young (2–3 months) recipient mice. The analysis utilized whole 16S rRNA sequencing and plasma metabolomics to assess changes in the gut microbiota composition and metabolic potential. Energy changes were monitored by performing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), biochemical testing, body composition analysis, and metabolic cage measurements. Metabolic markers and markers of DNA damage were assessed in heart samples.
Results
FMT of an aged microbiota changed the composition of the recipient’s gut microbiota, leading to an elevated Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. It also affected overall energy metabolism, resulting in elevated plasma glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, and epididymal fat accumulation. Notably, FMT of an aged microbiota increased the heart weight and promoted cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, there were significant associations between heart weight and cardiac hypertrophy indicators, epididymal fat weight, and fasting glucose levels. Mechanistically, FMT of an aged microbiota modulated the glucose metabolic pathway and induced myocardial oxidative damage.
Conclusions
Our findings suggested that an aged microbiota can modulate metabolism and induce cardiac injury. This highlights the possible role of the gut microbiota in age-related metabolic disorders and cardiac dysfunction.
