Yak whey powder enhanced antioxidant activity in aging mice by regulating gut microbiota

The aging process is closely related to the accumulation of oxidative stress and imbalance in the gut microbiota. Yak whey powder is rich in various bioactive components; however, whether it can improve the antioxidant status of aging organisms by regulating gut microbiota remains to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effects of yak whey powder on d-galactose-induced aging mice by evaluating its impact on antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota, and fecal odor profiles.

Intervention with yak whey powder significantly improved the content of superoxide dismutase, thymus index, and weight-gain rate in aged mice, while concurrently reducing malondialdehyde levels. The structure and relative abundance of gut microbiota were regulated, characterized by an increase in the levels of beneficial Lactobacillus and a decrease in the levels of potentially pathogenic Helicobacter. Furthermore, fecal odor varied among different interventions and was effectively discriminated with canonical discriminant analysis. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed among the antioxidant indices, relative abundance of intestinal microbiota, and fecal odor information.

This study demonstrated that yak whey powder ameliorated oxidative stress and modulated gut dysbiosis in aged mice. The strong correlations between the microbiota, odor profiles, and antioxidant markers suggested that the gut microbiota mediated the antioxidant effects of yak whey powder. These findings established a theoretical foundation for understanding the antioxidant properties of yak whey powder, and provided direction for its development and utilization. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.