Nutritional Neuroscience最新文献

Objectives: Postnatal epilepsy often arises after periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in preterm infants and resists to treatment. Its underlying mechanisms and potential preventive strategies remain unclear. Probiotics, known to alleviate microbial dysbiosis and reduce inflammation, may offer therapeutic benefits.Methods: PVL injure was conducted using a combination of hypoxia-ischemia and lipopolysaccharide treatment. The rats were evaluated for seizure susceptibility, neuroinflammation, GABAergic neurons, and gut microbiota composition before and after probiotic administration. The probiotic formulation included Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve in galacto-oligosaccharide and Fructooligosaccharides.Results: PVL rats exhibited microgliosis, reduced density of premyelinating oligodendrocytes, and decreased myelin expression (all P < 0.05). At postnatal days 85-90, these rats showed a significantly higher frequency of electrographic seizures and longer total seizure duration (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in cortical GABAergic neurons, particularly somatostatin-positive interneurons, was also observed in PVL rats compared to controls (P < 0.01). Treatment with probiotics restored GABAergic neurons and significantly reduced seizure frequency and duration (P < 0.05). Additionally, probiotics modulated gut microbiota composition and increased levels of butyric acid in both fecal samples and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (P < 0.05). Probiotic treatment also reduced cortical microglial activation and lowered CSF levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α.Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation may reduce seizure activity following PVL brain injury by mitigating neuroinflammation and restoring GABAergic neurons via the gut-brain axis. These findings suggest that probiotics could serve as a promising adjuvant therapy for preventing epilepsy after PVL.

Depression affects millions globally, prompting the search for novel treatments. Natural compounds like spice oleoresins show promise due to their bioactive constituents. This study explores the use of Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) for nano-encapsulation to enhance the efficacy of pepper, turmeric, and chilli oleoresins in alleviating depression in a mice model. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was induced for 28 days, followed by administering nano-encapsulated oleoresins (25 mg/kg). Behavioural analyses revealed improved activity, while neurochemical studies showed increased serotonin and dopamine levels with reduced monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. Western blot highlighted changes in BDNF, supported by histopathological evidence of neuroprotection. Biochemical assays indicated reduced oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase activity, and enhanced catalase and superoxide dismutase levels. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed improved gut microbiota, with increased beneficial bacteria. Notably, nano-encapsulated chilli oleoresin exhibited the highest efficacy. These findings support the multi-targeted potential of nano-encapsulated spice oleoresins as complementary treatments for depression, addressing neurobiological and gut-related factors.

Background: Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential amino acids that include leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Recent studies indicate that BCAAs might influence cognitive health. This systematic review aims to examine the impact of BCAAs on cognitive function.

Method: The PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and a literature search of electronic databases was conducted to gather studies meeting the inclusion criteria up to April 2024. Studies that administered BCAA and evaluated cognitive function in patients or healthy participants were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

Results: Out of 41 screened studies, 8 met the inclusion criteria, including 353 participants. Risk of bias assessment rated 6 studies as high quality and 2 as medium quality. Analysis showed that 5 studies found no significant changes in cognitive function after BCAA administration, while 3 reported improvements.

Conclusion: BCAA supplementation for cognitive health is influenced by dosage, duration, and underlying health conditions. Some studies suggest potential detrimental effects, while others find no significant impact. Larger, rigorously designed clinical trials are needed to establish clearer causal relationships and optimize therapeutic strategies.

Highlights: BCAAs exert their effects on neuronal signalling, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmitter regulation, amongst their pharmacological profile in modulating cognitive health.Studying the effects of BCAA administration on cognitive function enables the optimization of therapeutic interventions for cognitive disorders.Investigating the effects of BCAA administration on cognitive function facilitates the identification of biomarkers for monitoring treatment response and disease progression.

Objective: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a pivotal role in regulating energy balance. While ECS activation stimulates appetite and increases preference for palatable food, it also enhances energy expenditure by motivating physical activity. This study investigated the impact of two key energy balance modulators - consumption of a palatable diet and the practice of aerobic physical activity - on the expression of CB1 receptor and NAPE-PLD enzyme in the rat brain.

Methods: Male Wistar rats, weaned at 3 weeks, were divided into 4 groups: standard-diet untrained, standard-diet trained, palatable-diet untrained, and palatable-diet trained. Trained groups underwent treadmill exercise while the palatable diet groups were fed accordingly. After 8 weeks, rats were euthanized for blood and brain collection. Western blotting assessed CB1 and NAPE-PLD proteins expression in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and preoptic area. Physical performance, body weight, adiposity index, and plasma levels of leptin, insulin, and glucose were measured.

Results: Aerobic training enhanced physical performance, while a palatable diet increased the adiposity index and plasma leptin levels. In the hypothalamus, both interventions reduced CB1 and NAPE-PLD proteins, while increasing them in the frontal cortex. Physical training and the palatable diet decreased NAPE-PLD in the preoptic area.

Discussion: These findings indicate that exposure to a palatable diet and aerobic training during early life exerts distinct effects on ECS signaling within the central nervous system. This study provides novel evidence that dietary and physical activity patterns can differentially shape brain ECS components, offering insights into their potential roles in energy homeostasis and obesity development.

Carica papaya is a popular fruit valued for its nutritive and diverse medicinal activities. Traditionally, it is used for its varied effects, including those on the central nervous system. The present study investigated the effect of hydroethanolic extract and diet enriched with papaya fruit on depression-like behavior in mice. The extract was standardized with respect to total phenolics, total carbohydrate and total protein contents. The antidepressant effects of the extract and enriched diet (standard diet augmented with 5% w/w papaya pulp powder) were evaluated using the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. The effect of diet on physiological parameters of the mice was also studied to determine any adverse effects. The extract was found to contain appreciable levels of phenols, carbohydrates and proteins. The extract showed dose-dependent antidepressant activity, as evident by a decrease in the immobility time in the FST and TST. Pre-treatment with the test diet for one month also produced significant antidepressant-like and a reduction in body weight in animals. The results revealed significant antidepressant activity of Carica papaya fruit extract and diet in mice. Since diet is a keystone for well-being, the incorporation of papaya in the diet, after detailed investigation, may prove beneficial in the prevention of depression.

Objective: To investigate the impact of drinking different caloric sweeteners from immaturity to young adulthood on hypothalamic controlled physiological functions and hypothalamic global gene expression using a rat model.

Methods: Young female Sprague-Dawley rats (age 28 days) were randomly assigned (n = 7 rats/group) to drink water sweetened with 13% (w/w) sugar as either high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), sucrose, fructose, or water (control) for 8 weeks. Hypothalamic controlled physiological function measurements included: energy intake, stress, and estrous cycles. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to investigate global differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus.

Results: Rats drinking HFCS and sucrose solution increased liquid intake, but reduced food intake. Rats drinking HFCS had the highest (p < 0.05) absolute adrenal weight, which is indicative of chronic stress, and had lengthened estrous cycles. The DEGs with the highest fold changes in the hypothalamus of rats drinking HFCS compared to sucrose and fructose were involved in circadian sleep cycles, neuronal processes, and Engrailed-2 (En2) identified in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Conclusion: Among the different caloric-sweetened solutions, young female rats drinking HFCS solution showed food selectivity, elevated basal stress, and reproductive irregularity, which are characteristics associated with ASD. RNA-Seq revealed DEGs in rats drinking HFCS solution, included disrupted circadian sleep cycles, neurotoxicity, and ASD. The results of this preclinical study suggest that HFCS intake should be limited due to its potential for increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Objectives: Chronic microglial activation drives neuroinflammation, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. Walnuts and blueberries (BB) have been demonstrated to reduce neuroinflammation, but it is unknown whether they act synergistically to enhance the effects seen with individual treatment. This study examined the individual and synergistic effects of walnut oil (WO) and BB on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in rat microglial cells. The effects of pretreatment duration and concentration were also explored.

Methods: Rat microglial cells were pretreated for 48 hours, one, two, or four weeks with 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL BB extract, WO or WOBB, followed by exposure to LPS (100 ng/mL). Cell viability was assessed and standard immunochemical techniques were used to measure levels of the inflammatory biomarkers: nitrite, inducible nitrous oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

Results: BB, WO, and WOBB reduced LPS-induced nitrite, COX-2 and iNOS relative to control, with higher concentrations and longer treatment durations typically being most beneficial. All treatments showed similar ability to reduce iNOS expression, while BB had a stronger effect on reducing nitrite production than WO and WOBB. There were no significant differences between treatment effects on COX-2 expression.

Conclusion: BB and WO each reduced LPS-induced inflammation in microglia, but their combination was not more effective, suggesting no synergistic effect. This result suggests that they may work through similar mechanisms to attenuate inflammation in microglia. Overall, the reduction in neuroinflammation shows that the addition of BBs or walnuts to the diet may attenuate neuroinflammation linked to neurodegeneration.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Multiple sclerosis (MS) are progressive neurodegenerative conditions. AD is characterized by neuroinflammation, plaques, tangles, and synaptic loss, while MS involves inflammatory demyelination. Although AD and MS have different pathogenesis, they may share some neurodegenerative mechanisms, so similar therapeutic strategies could potentially be effective for both. Research suggests that natural substances such as carotenoids may be beneficial for neurological disorders. Notably, Astaxanthin (AXT) has demonstrated promising effects as an adjunct therapy.

Methods: In this review, we aimed to shed light on the effects of AXT on MS and AD by searching published articles from inception to 1 August 2024, in the Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and PubMed/Medline databases.

Results: The therapeutic effects of AXT in neurodegenerative disorders are associated with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroplasticity improvement properties. Literature have confirmed that AXT can positively impact AD by modulating anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines, mitochondrial function, amyloid beta production, and microglial activation, which collectively leads to memory and learning enhancement. Additionally, AXT has demonstrated advantages in MS by reducing demyelination and preserving nerve functions through its effects on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as promoting the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursors into mature oligodendrocytes.

Conclusion: AXT, as a promising versatile adjunctive neuroprotective therapy, can influence multiple recovery pathways rather than focusing on a single target or mechanism. According to the results of preclinical studies, we can recommend assessing AXT effects in clinical trials of AD and MS.

Objective: Comparison of the effect of acute daytime fasting on mood, satiety, and neurotrophic factors in females with (OB) and without obesity (N-OB).

Methods: Non-randomized single-arm feasibility trial. Data were collected at an outpatient clinic and from real-world settings. Participants were evaluated after 10 h of nocturnal fasting (T1) and following a 10-hour diurnal fasting period (T2) after consuming a standardized breakfast. Mood, subjective feelings of satiety, food cravings, and neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were assessed.

Results: Fifty-four participants were enrolled in the study [mean age 31 (SD 9)]. One participant from the OB group dropped out before T2, leaving 53 participants (N-OB: n = 29, OB: n = 24). Both groups experienced increased hunger and decreased satiety and fullness after T2. Females with obesity had a greater increase in hunger (p = 0.02). Depression and anger symptoms increased in the OB group, whereas fatigue increased in the N-OB group after T2. NGF increased slightly in the N-OB group after T2, while BDNF and GDNF remained unchanged.

Conclusion: Daytime fasting during daily activities affects mood and eating behavior, especially in females with obesity. Fasting interventions should be tailored to individual needs, considering these differential effects.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03532672.

Objective: To identify dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) in people with MS (PwMS) and evaluate its interrelation with nutritional status and disease progression.

Methods: Cross-sectional, quantitative study with 127 patients with MS recruited from the Interdisciplinary Center for Assistance, Research and Teaching in Neuroimmunology (CIAPEN) (Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil). The clinical parameters were clinical phenotype, the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), the medical research council (MRC) muscle scale, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation. Weight and height measurements were obtained to calculate the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and estimate body fat percentage (BF%). The DTAC was estimated using food intake data from the 24DR and the intake of antioxidant supplements.

Results: As for the nutritional status, it was found that 48 (37.80%) and 64 (50.39%) had excess adiposity according to the BMI and BF%, respectively, and 67 (53.60%) had elevated WC. Higher DTAC was associated with higher WC (r = 0.192, p = 0.032) and BF% (r = 0.246, p = 0.005); and higher intake of energy (r = 0.418, p < 0.001). There was no association between the clinical phenotype of the disease, the EDSS, the presence of visible lesions and the DTAC tertiles. However, in the unadjusted model, it was observed that the second tertile of DTAC reduced by 64% (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.14-0.96) the individual's chance of having lower muscle strength, assessed by the MRC muscle scale.

Conclusion: Healthy nutrition, especially sufficient intake of dietary antioxidants, should be encouraged in PwMS.