Background: Previous research had suggested a potential link between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, but conclusive evidence was lacking. It remained unclear whether anthocyanins, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, could counteract the harmful effects of AGEs. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore whether high-AGEs could lead to AD-like pathology changes and whether bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (BE) could mitigate the impact of AGEs. Methods/study design: In this study, wild-type naturally aging Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed high-AGEs diet. Additionally, BE was used as an intervention to assess its potential in mitigating the impact of AGEs. The entire feeding process lasted 15 months, with feces, blood, and urine samples collected every three months. After 15 months of feeding, conducted the Morris Water Maze and open field tests, then anesthetized the rats and collect cerebrospinal fluid, colon, blood, and brain. Results: AGEs induced typical AD-like pathological changes including cognitive impairment, Aβ aggregation, Tau hyperphosphorylation, neuron loss and neuroinflammation. The high-AGEs diet also caused intestinal inflammation, disrupted the intestinal barrier, and led to gut microbiota dysbiosis, along with a reduction in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). BE intervention successfully alleviated these pathological changes, repaired intestinal damage, regulated gut microbiota, and increased SCFAs levels. Conclusion: BE showed promise in mitigating AGEs-related effects, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent against AGEs-related AD pathology.

Digestive health is important for overall well-being, but gut health problems are common in the Chinese population. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of oat β-glucan-based prebiotic blended formulas in humans on digestive health by assessing defecation frequency, defecation symptoms, stool quality, self-reported digestive feelings, defecation satisfaction, and gut bacteria. A parallel, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted in 168 eligible adults randomized to 3 groups for 14 days: Intervention groups A and B received 2 different doses of oat β-glucan-based prebiotic blended formulas and a Control group received oat β-glucan mixed with hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose. Participants completed a defecation diary and Bristol stool chart daily and digestive system questionnaires weekly. Fecal samples were collected on day 0 and day 14 to evaluate gut bacteria using 16S rDNA analysis. Both formulas improved defecation frequency, stool quality, defecation symptoms, defecation satisfaction, and on digestive health of human, compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Both formulas led to increased quantities of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia bacteria, compared to control, on day 14. This study therefore demonstrated the beneficial effects of oat β-glucan-based prebiotic blended formulas on gut health in generally healthy Chinese adults. These formulas are a feasible nutritional strategy for digestive health.