16S rRNA sequencing. Intestinal Dysbacteriosis promote Inflammageing in Atherosclerosis

Aims: To explore the underlying mechanism between ageing and atherosclerosis advancement.Methods: Young (five-week-old) and elderly (thirty-two-week-old) male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and C57BL/6J mice were used in this study. After 32 weeks diet intervention, the size of atherosclerotic lesion, the serum levels of lipid; inflammatory cytokines and LPS, ileal mucosal barrier function, SCFAs production of the intestinal bacteria as well as fecal microbiota profile were analyzed.Results: Ageing apolipoprotein E-deficient mice suffered from more severe atherosclerotic lesion and low-grade systemic inflammation. Besides, an increasing level of serum LPS, a decreasing level of SCFAs production, as well as a dysfunction of ileal mucosal barrier were detected in ageing mice. The fecal microbiota profile assessment revealed that there was a gut flora disturbance in ageing mice.Conclusions: Gut flora disorders-induced inflammaging is the underlying culprit that links ageing with atherosclerosis in mice. The roles for gut flora in ageing and AS are notable, which also imply a potential target for prevention and treatment of this disease.