Dietary Hyperglycemia and Its Effects on Microbial Dysbiosis and Aging in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

This study examines the effects of dietary hyperglycemia on gut microbiota dysbiosis and aging in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were maintained on control and high-sugar diets and analyzed across different age stages. Results revealed a significant reduction in microbial diversity under high-sugar conditions, with depletion of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and increased abundance of opportunistic taxa including Enterobacter and Serratia. Elevated bacterial load and pronounced dysbiosis were observed, particularly in older flies. Physiological analysis showed reduced body size, impaired metabolic efficiency, and accelerated somatic decline. Reproductive parameters, including fecundity and offspring viability, were significantly decreased in hyperglycemic groups. Statistical analyses confirmed that both diet and age, along with their interaction, strongly influence microbial composition and host fitness. Overall, the findings highlight that high-sugar diets disrupt gut microbial balance and accelerate aging-related physiological decline, emphasizing the importance of diet in regulating host–microbiota interactions.