Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis Y46 Extended the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans by Enhancing Stress Resistance

Probiotics are thought to slow aging and extend lifespan, yet their exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the anti-aging effects of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis Y46 (BI_Y46) using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We assessed the effect of BI_Y46 on lifespan, developmental cycle, reproductive capacity, body length, locomotion, stress resistance, lipofuscin accumulation, ROS level and gene expression of C. elegans. Findings indicated that BI_Y46 significantly extended C. elegans lifespan by 12.40% (P<0.05). Moreover, BI_Y46 significantly improved C. elegans motility while reducing lipofuscin accumulation and reactive oxygen species levels, without affecting growth, development, or reproductive capacity. Additionally, BI_Y46 enhances the nematode's resistance to oxidative and heat stress. RNA-seq analysis revealed that BI_Y46 bolstered C. elegans' antioxidant capacity by regulating cuticle integrity and drug metabolism. RT-qPCR confirmed that BI_Y46 promoted expression of the antioxidant gene gst-2. This study demonstrates that BI_Y46 extends the lifespan of nematodes by improving stress resistance, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the health benefits of probiotics and establishing a foundation for probiotic-targeted anti-aging strategies.