NPJ Aging. 2026 Feb 2. doi: 10.1038/s41514-026-00338-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Aging is accompanied by low-grade intestinal inflammation, shifts in gut microbiota, and impaired oxidative balance. Probiotic supplementation has been proposed to mitigate these processes, yet evidence in elderly populations remains limited. In this pilot trial, older adults received oral Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OL3246 or placebo, with assessments including fecal calprotectin and zonulin as markers of intestinal inflammation, systemic oxidative stress parameters, self-reported quality of life and mood, and gut microbiome composition analyzed by sequencing and functional profiling. L. plantarum OL3246 supplementation was well tolerated and associated with consistent improvements across clinical, biochemical, and microbial measures. Participants reported enhanced quality of life and mood, while fecal calprotectin levels declined, indicating reduced intestinal inflammation. Moreover, oxidative stress markers improved with lower AOPP, stabilization of SOD, and restoration of redox balance. Microbiome analyses showed greater diversity and enrichment of health-associated taxa. These findings indicate that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OL3246 may support healthy aging.
PMID:41629309 | DOI:10.1038/s41514-026-00338-0
