Abstract
We investigated the anti-aging effects of velvet antler polypeptide on D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice. D-gal-induced aging mice were established and randomly divided into five groups, the control, model, vitamin E (VE), velvet antler polypeptide low-dose and velvet antler polypeptide high-dose groups. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of aging mice. Hippocampal neurons were observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. Biochemical methods were used to detect the activities of superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde and other enzymes and evaluate the influence of velvet antler polypeptide on the antioxidant capacity of aging mice. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and meristem technology, we assessed the effect of velvet antler polypeptide on aging mice's intestinal flora and fatty acid metabolism. The experimental results showed that velvet antler polypeptide could significantly improve aging mice's learning and cognitive abilities, increase the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the serum decrease the malonaldehyde content. Intestinal microecological analysis showed that velvet antler polypeptide could significantly increase the beneficial bacterial genus Lactobacillus abundance. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that velvet antler polypeptide could promote fatty acid metabolism by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and upregulating the expression of the downstream enzymes carnitine-palmitoyl transferase-1 A and acyl-CoA oxidase 1 while downregulating that of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), thereby reducing fatty acid accumulation and increasing adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) production. Therefore, velvet antler polypeptide improves the intestinal microecology and activates the PPARα/APOE4 pathway to regulate fatty acid metabolism.
Highlights
Velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) accounts for 50–60% of the wet weight of velvet antler and is one of its primary active ingredients [1]
We evaluated the changes in the intestinal microecology in aging mouse models treated with VAP using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technology
3.1 Improvement of cognition, learning, and memory in aging mice treated with VAP
Summary
Velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) accounts for 50–60% of the wet weight of velvet antler and is one of its primary active ingredients [1]. Brain aging is a natural physiological process characterized by oxidative stress (OS), the accumulation of oxidative damage molecules, and changes in the structure and function of neurons, leading to cognitive decline and memory loss [6]. Among these factors, OS is considered the primary cause of aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases [7]. Excessive free radicals are cytotoxic, causing direct damage to the central nervous system [8, 9]. The central nervous system (CNS) accounts for 20% of the total oxygen supply of the human body. The content of neuronal free radicals in the CNS is considerable, presenting a high risk of OS [10]
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