Mesaconic acid as a key metabolite with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties produced by Lactobacillus plantarum 124 from centenarian gut microbiota
The gut microbiota of centenarians plays a vital role in promoting healthy longevity. We performed a cross-sectional study of 224 people from Jiaoling, China, which is globally recognised for the longevity of its residents. Compared with younger people, centenarians showed significantly increased alpha-diversity, enrichment of the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Christensenella, and increased redox capacity in the gut microbiota. Serum metabolomics of centenarians showed significant enrichment of antioxidant metabolites, including L-ascorbic acid 2-sulphate and lipoic acid. Finally, we isolated and screened a strain of Lactobacillus plantarum 124 (LP124) with a good antioxidant effect on the gut microbiota of centenarians. Animal experiments further verified that mesaconic acid from LP124 regulates the gut microbiota, is anti-inflammatory, relieves oxidative stress, maintains the intestinal barrier, and is the best-known anti-aging molecule. LP124 derived from the gut microbiota of centenarians and its metabolite mesaconic acid, have a significant positive effect on health and longevity.
Authors
- Lei Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0818-7338)
- Li‐Hao Wu
- Shuo Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7855-0991)
- Longyan Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9060-3806)
- Xing‐Xiang He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0007-8513)
- Juan Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4577-8428)
- Gaoming Du (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6730-3167)
- J. W. Zhang
- Wen-Rui Xie
- Qihui Gu
- Hui Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7331-376X)
- Xinqiang Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3943-7755)
- Shenghua Lu
- Jiangyan Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6951-1296)
- Guanghui Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0191-6005)
- Ning Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6742-0048)
- Hongxin He
- Haojie Zhong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6586-756X)
- Ying Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7108-6532)
- He Gao
- Tingting Liang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1370-3672)
- Tong Jiang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2662-7779)
- Qingping Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6503-359X)
Institutions
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Guangdong Academy of Sciences (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (CN)
- Institute of Microbiology (CN)
- Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
- Published
- 2025-08-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00812-9
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Gut microbiota and health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.84
Funders
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation