LAUSR

Oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis are considered as the contributors in aging. Diets rich in plant foods may against aging-associated syndrome. The present study aimed to explore the effects of plant-based antioxidant-rich smoothies and sesame snacks (PBASS) on antioxidant capacity and gut microbiome profile in older adults. Healthy and sub-healthy older adults (79.7 ± 8.6 years old, F/M = 30/12) from 2 elderly care institutions were administered with PBASS for 4 months. Blood and fecal samples were collected before and after 2 and 4 months of PBASS consumption. PBASS consumption significantly increased plasma glutathione and total antioxidant capacity and erythrocyte protein-bound sulfhydryl groups (PBSH) and decreased hematocrit, serum albumin and erythrocyte glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in a time-dependent manner (generalized estimating equations with repeated measure analysis, P < 0.05). In females, 4 months of PBASS resulted in significant decreases in red blood cells and serum blood urea nitrogen and increases in plasma PBSH and erythrocyte total sulfhydryl groups. In the fecal microbiome profile of older adults, observed species and richness of gut microbiome were decreased after 2 months of PBASS, whereas beta-diversity and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes were not significantly altered by PBASS consumption. PBASS consumption significantly increased Bacteroidetes and decreased Actinobacteria and Patescibacteria in the feces. The results of this study suggest that older adults consumed with plant-based antioxidant-rich snacks may have elevated antioxidant capacity and altered fecal microbiome profile; however, their protein nutritional status need to be monitored, especially in old females. MOST 106-2321-B-030-001,107-2321-B-030-001 and 108-2321-B-030-001.