Aging process has been recognized to be associated with an increased risk of constipation. Some studies reported a longer mean colonic transit time in the healthy elderly.1 Age-related changes in both the neurons and the receptors of the enteric nervous system had been also reported in other studies.2,3 However, the evidence to support age itself as an independent risk factor for constipation have been conflicting. The opposite opinions are as follows: (1) the slow transit in the elderly is commonly the result of increased and prolonged intake of the relating drugs, reduced intake of dietary fiber, and relatively low levels of physical exercise, (2) some studies showed no significant change of colonic transit time with advancing age,4,5 and (3) the prevalence of constipation in the elderly living in the community is indeed only 50%, although it is even higher in nursing home residents, with 74%, using daily laxatives.6 Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that colonic slow transit in the elderly is just a physiological consequence.7
This elegant article seems to have the premise that the slow colon transit is a natural change in the elderly.8 Also, they showed that the increased transit time could change the gut microbiota composition and the metabolism which also could be seen in aged gut, using an explorative and creative system. It was an innovative work. Until now, most studies did not show directly that the increased transit could affect the gut microbiota composition as well as their metabolites. However, more precisely, it would be rather reasonable to consider that colonic slow transit could modify the microbiota composition to the one shown in old age. Slow transit might be the most contributing factor to the gut environment in the elderly among multiple factors associated with old age, although it may not be the whole cause.
The 3-stage Environmental Control System for Intestinal Microbiota (3S-ECSIM) used in this article could show some mechanisms from the association between flora and gut environment. However, the unavoidable limitation as an in vitro system should be considered. The various factors of in vivo such as daily diet, co-morbidity, markers of inflammation, and medications were excluded.9 The variously set retention times in each reactor were not realistic. In addition, the in vitro system could not simulate the peristalsis of colon.
Nevertheless, it is a very valuable study to show that the increased colon transit would change the gut microbiota composition with the environmental characteristics observed in the aged gut. In addition, it should be questioned whether the microbiota composition could be changed to the initial composition if the transit time would be shortened in turn.
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: None.
Financial support: None.
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