The role of the three major intestinal barriers in ulcerative colitis in the elderly

With the unprecedented pace of global population aging, there has been a parallel epidemiological shift marked by increasing incidence rates of ulcerative colitis (UC) in geriatric populations, imposing a substantial disease burden on healthcare systems globally. The etiopathogenesis of UC in the elderly remains poorly delineated, while current therapeutic strategies require further optimization to accommodate the unique pathophysiological characteristics of elderly patients. This review systematically elucidates the three barrier dysfunction-encompassing the gut microbiota ecosystem, mucosal epithelial integrity, and immunoregulatory network-that collectively drives UC pathogenesis during biological senescence. We emphasize the therapeutic potential of barrier-targeted interventions, particularly highlighting emerging modalities including fecal microbiota transplantation, intestinal organoid regeneration techniques, mesenchymal stem cell-mediated immunomodulation, and precision-engineered Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapies. Through this multidimensional analysis, we propose a paradigm-shifting approach to UC management in the elderly, advocating for the development of tailored and evidence-based therapeutic interventions that address the complex interplay between age-related biological changes and intestinal barrier homeostasis in elderly patients.