Percorrer por autor "Oliveira, Daniela Rego de"
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- Effects of probiotics and prebiotics on sarcopenia in older adults: a narrative reviewPublication . Oliveira, Daniela Rego de; Sousa, Ana Sofia; Simões, Catarina D.Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive skeletal muscle disorder characterized by the loss of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance, representing a major public health challenge among older adults. Aging is associated with several physiological changes, including alterations in gut microbiota (GM) composition and diversity, which may contribute to the development and progression of sarcopenia through mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, impaired intestinal barrier function, reduced production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and dysregulation of muscle protein metabolism. In recent years, scientific evidence has highlighted the importance of the gut-muscle axis as a key pathway linking GM health to skeletal muscle function. The aim of this narrative literature review was to summarize and critically discuss the current evidence regarding the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on sarcopenia in older adults, with a particular focus on GM modulation, inflammation, SCFA production, muscle metabolism, and functional outcomes. A bibliographic search was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, including studies published between 2015 and 2026. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 45 scientific articles were selected for analysis. The reviewed evidence suggests that probiotics and prebiotics may positively influence several mechanisms involved in sarcopenia. Published human clinical trials demonstrated improvements in muscle strength, physical performance, quality of life, and body composition following supplementation with specific probiotic strains and prebiotic compounds. These benefits were frequently accompanied by reductions in inflammatory markers, improvements in intestinal barrier integrity, and favorable modulation of GM composition. Animal studies further supported these findings, showing enhanced muscle mass, mitochondrial function, muscle regeneration, and exercise performance, as well as beneficial effects on anabolic and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. The proposed mechanisms underlying these effects include increased SCFA production, attenuation of chronic low-grade inflammation, improved intestinal permeability, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, and regulation of muscle protein synthesis and degradation. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that modulation of the GM may represent a promising strategy for the prevention and management of sarcopenia. Despite encouraging results, current evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and methodological heterogeneity among studies. Therefore, further large-scale and long-term clinical trials are required to establish definitive recommendations regarding the use of probiotics and prebiotics in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia in older adults.