Akkermansia muciniphila Alleviates Sarcopenia in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse-Prone 8 Mice

Abstract

Akkermansia muciniphila, an intestinal bacterium, has garnered attention for its association with metabolic health and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its potential role in mitigating sarcopenia, particularly in the senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) model, remains unexplored. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential effects of A. muciniphila supplementation on sarcopenia and its underlying mechanisms. Seven-month-old SAMP8 mice were administered A. muciniphila for 3 months. A. muciniphila supplementation enhanced grip strength and skeletal muscle mass, suppressed cellular senescence, improved the balance between protein degradation and synthesis, increased total ATP, and improved mitochondrial biogenesis. Analysis of the effects of A. muciniphila on gut microbiome using 16S rRNA sequencing showed that supplementation with A. muciniphila shifted the gut microbiota composition, alleviated gut dysbiosis, preserved gut barrier integrity, and reduced the protein expression of inflammatory cytokines in the intestine. Additionally, extracellular vesicles derived from A. muciniphila promoted myogenesis and suppressed dexamethasone-induced atrophy in C2C12 myoblasts. These findings suggest that supplementation with A. muciniphila mitigates sarcopenia by suppressing inflammation and improving the gut microenvironment, highlighting the potential of A. muciniphila as a new therapeutic candidate to treat sarcopenia.