Selenium- and zinc-biofortified bean sprouts improve cognitive dysfunction in aging mice by reducing oxidative stress

Currently, age-related diseases are a serious global health problem. In this study, selenium- and zinc-biofortified bean sprouts (ZSB) were cultivated, and the intervention effect on cognitive dysfunction was explored in aging mice model established by combining AlCl₃ and d-galactose treatment. The results showed that compared with the model group, ZSB could decrease the accumulation of Al and increase the accumulation of Zn and Se in mice. The levels of serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase in liver and glutathione and acetylcholine in brain were significantly increased (p < 0.05) after the treatments of biofortified bean sprouts. Additionally, biofortified bean sprouts treatment reduced the level of lipid peroxidation and inhibited the deposition of Aβ1-40 in brain and the activity of acetylcholinesterase. It could also increase the abundance of lactic acid bacteria in cecum and inhibit the proliferation of Escherichia coli, and then the content of short-chain fatty acids was increased. More importantly, hippocampal neuron damage was reversed, and the correct rate of spontaneous behavior alternations was increased by 35% after the intervention of biofortified bean sprouts. Overall, ZSB can effectively slow down aging process through a variety of ways, which provide countermeasures for delaying aging.