Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Indicates Healthspan and Lifespan in Nonhuman Primates

Objective

To assess the relationship between fecal Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and health resiliency.

Design

Cohorts of nonhuman primates were evaluated prior to disease development for fecal abundances of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

Setting

Radiation-induced and spontaneously arising age-induced morbidity and mortality, including high rates of Type 2 diabetes.

Participants

Old world male and female nonhuman primates.

Measurements

Age, weight, glycemic indices, fecal total microbial loads and specific detection Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels as measured by whole genome sequencing or polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Higher levels of fecal Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was observed in nonhuman primates that survived whole body irradiation, had longer lifespans, and were protected from future Type 2 diabetes diagnoses. Type 2 diabetes development further lowered Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels. The mean effect size for differences in fecal abundance was 1.76 (95% confidence interval 0.03–3.50).

Conclusion

The abundance of the intestinal microbial species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii appears to be a strong candidate biomarker species for a preferred microbiome that predicts superior health resiliency and associated lifespan.