Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41518158›Full record

ArticleAging cell2026

The Role of the Gut Microbiome in the Complex Network of Frailty Syndrome and Associated Comorbidities in Aging.

Ana Barberá, Rosario Ortolá, Mercedes Sotos-Prieto, Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo, Andrés Moya, Susana Ruiz-Ruiz

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Aging cell, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ana BarberáGenomics and Health Department, FISABIO, València, Spain.ORCID 0009-0002-3161-5887
Rosario OrtoláCIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-6952-9533
Mercedes Sotos-PrietoCIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
Fernando Rodríguez-ArtalejoCIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
Andrés MoyaGenomics and Health Department, FISABIO, València, Spain.
Susana Ruiz-RuizGenomics and Health Department, FISABIO, València, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-4372-5955

Funding

Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) PMPTA22/00037Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) PMPTA22/00107Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) PMPTA23/00001ERDF/ESFISCIII 22/1111Next Generation-EU INVEST/2022/309Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities PID2019-105969GB-I00The Secretary of R + D + I
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The gut microbiota changes throughout life, potentially influencing health and triggering physiological disorders. Frailty syndrome (FS) is an age-related condition that reduces quality of life and increases hospitalization and mortality risks, making early detection and prevention essential in older populations. This study analyzed 16S rRNA gene and metagenomics sequencing of fecal samples from 203 older adults (FS: n = 64, non-FS (NFS): n = 139) to assess the role of gut microbiota in FS and related comorbidities, such as sarcopenia and impaired lower extremity function (ILEF) or anthropometric variables. Consistent taxonomic patterns were observed: Eggerthella, Parabacteroides, and Erysipelatoclostridium were significantly abundant in FS, while Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003, and Hungatella were enriched in NFS. Christensenellaceae R-7 group was also associated with better mobility. Metagenomics analysis identified 680 KEGG functions differing between groups, categorized into 28 metabolic pathways. FS individuals had overrepresented biotin metabolism, antimicrobial resistance, and energy production, but underrepresented ribosomal and protein synthesis and sporulation pathways. Resistome analysis found the tetM/tetO (K18220) gene most abundant, alongside tetracycline, β-lactam, and macrolide resistance, primarily mediated by antibiotic efflux and transporters. These findings highlight distinct microbial and functional signatures associated with FS, underscoring the complex interplay between the gut microbiota and host physiology in aging. Adjusting for covariates, age and diabetes acted as confounding factors in FS for both 16S gene and metagenomics sequencing. This study offers new insights into fundamental questions in the biology of aging and opens avenues for microbiota-targeted strategies to improve the quality of life in older adults.

Indexed as

AgingFrailtyGastrointestinal MicrobiomeAgedAged, 80 and overComorbidityFemaleHumansMaleSyndromeagingFrailty syndrome (FS)microbiotaphysical performanceresistomesporulation

Identifiers

PMID41518158
PMCPMC12790095

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.