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Theaflavins in Black Tea Mitigate Aging-Associated Cognitive Dysfunction via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis
Maiquan Li1,2, Can Zhang1, Xing Xiao3
1College of Food Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Science and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|January 31, 2023
Summary
Theaflavins (TFs) improve cognitive decline in aging by supporting the gut-brain axis. This dietary intervention promotes gut health, alters metabolites, and boosts brain factors, offering a novel approach to combat age-related cognitive dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
Background:
- Aging is linked to cognitive decline, impacting elderly healthspan.
- Theaflavins (TFs) from black tea possess antiaging properties.
- The role of TFs in mitigating aging-induced cognitive dysfunction is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Theaflavins (TFs) on aging-associated cognitive dysfunction.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, particularly the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Main Methods:
- Administered TFs to assess behavioral improvements in aging models.
- Analyzed gut microbiota composition, metabolites (SCFAs and AAs), and brain neurotrophic factors.
- Utilized antibiotic treatment to deplete gut microbiota and assess its role.
Main Results:
- TFs improved behavioral impairments associated with aging.
- TFs restored gut homeostasis by enhancing antioxidant capacity, immune response, and tight junction protein expression.
- TFs restructured gut microbiota, altered microbial metabolites (SCFAs and AAs), and upregulated brain neurotrophic factors.
- Antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion partially abolished the neuroprotective effects of TFs.
- Specific gut bacteria (e.g., Bacteroidetes, Lachnospiraceae) and metabolite levels correlated positively with cognitive improvements.
Conclusions:
- Theaflavins (TFs) mitigate aging-driven cognitive dysfunction via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
- TFs promote gut health, influencing microbial composition and metabolites, which in turn benefits brain function.
- TF intake represents a potential dietary intervention for age-related cognitive decline.
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