† These authors contributed equally.
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