Lv Xintao, Liu Heng, Zhou Yu, Hao Haidong, Yuan Yutang, Jia Hongtao, Jin Mingchu
Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
Front Nutr. 2025 Sep 3;12:1599971. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1599971. eCollection 2025.
The Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) is a novel dietary assessment tool reflecting the impact of diet on gut microbiota composition. Serum Klotho, an anti-aging protein, has been implicated in various metabolic and inflammatory processes. However, the relationship between the DI-GM Score and serum Klotho levels, as well as the potential mediating role of inflammatory markers, remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between DI-GM and serum Klotho and to explore the mediating effect of systemic inflammation.
This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants aged 40-79 years were included, and a total of 12,341 individuals remained after applying exclusion criteria. The DI-GM Score was calculated based on dietary intake data, while serum Klotho levels were measured using ELISA. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were derived from complete blood counts to assess inflammation. Multivariate linear regression models, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, subgroup analysis, and mediation analysis.
DI-GM Score was positively associated with serum Klotho levels after adjusting for confounders ( = 4.05, 95% CI: 1.31, 6.80, = 0.004). Compared to participants with the lowest DI-GM scores (0-3), those with DI-GM ≥ 6 had significantly higher serum Klotho levels ( = 21.65, 95% CI: 8.14, 35.17, = 0.002). RCS analysis confirmed a linear positive relationship. Subgroup analysis indicated a stronger association in non-drinkers ( for interaction < 0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that SII and SIRI partially mediated the relationship between DI-GM and serum Klotho, with mediation proportions of 7.15% and 5.68%, respectively.
A higher DI-GM Score is significantly associated with increased serum Klotho levels among middle-aged and older adults, with systemic inflammation serving as a partial mediator. These findings suggest that dietary patterns promoting gut microbiota health may enhance Klotho levels, potentially contributing to anti-inflammatory and anti-aging processes in this population.
肠道微生物群饮食指数（DI-GM）是一种反映饮食对肠道微生物群组成影响的新型饮食评估工具。血清α-klotho蛋白是一种抗衰老蛋白，与各种代谢和炎症过程有关。然而，DI-GM评分与血清α-klotho水平之间的关系，以及炎症标志物的潜在中介作用仍不清楚。本研究旨在探讨DI-GM与血清α-klotho之间的关联，并探讨全身炎症的中介作用。
这项横断面研究利用了2007-2016年美国国家健康和营养检查调查（NHANES）的数据。纳入年龄在40-79岁的参与者，应用排除标准后共有12341人。DI-GM评分根据饮食摄入数据计算，而血清α-klotho水平采用酶联免疫吸附测定法（ELISA）测量。全身免疫炎症指数（SII）和全身炎症反应指数（SIRI）由全血细胞计数得出，以评估炎症。采用多变量线性回归模型、受限立方样条（RCS）分析、亚组分析和中介分析。
调整混杂因素后，DI-GM评分与血清α-klotho水平呈正相关（β=4.05，95%CI：1.31，6.80，P=0.004）。与DI-GM评分最低（0-3）的参与者相比，DI-GM≥6的参与者血清α-klotho水平显著更高（β=21.65，95%CI：8.14，35.17，P=0.002）。RCS分析证实了线性正相关关系。亚组分析表明，在不饮酒者中这种关联更强（交互作用P<0.05）。中介分析显示，SII和SIRI部分介导了DI-GM与血清α-klotho之间的关系，中介比例分别为7.15%和5.68%。
在中老年人中，较高的DI-GM评分与血清α-klotho水平升高显著相关，全身炎症起部分中介作用。这些发现表明，促进肠道微生物群健康的饮食模式可能会提高α-klotho水平，可能有助于该人群的抗炎和抗衰老过程。
