Difference of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and pyramid cell count during mastication of food with varying hardness

Abstract

Previous studies suggested that mastication activity can affect learning and memory function. However, most were focused on mastication impaired models by providing long-term soft diet. The effects of chewing food with various hardness, especially during the growth period, remain unknown. Objective: To analyze the difference of hippocampus function and morphology, as characterized by pyramidal cell count and BDNF expression in different mastication activities. Materials and Methods: 28-day old, post-weaned, male-Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=7); the first (K0) was fed a standard diet using pellets as the control, the second (K1) was fed soft food and the third (K2) was fed hard food. After eight weeks, the rats were decapitated, their brains were removed and placed on histological plates made to count the pyramid cells and quantify BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Data collected were compared using one-way ANOVA. Results: Results confirmed the pyramid cell count (K0=169.14±27.25; K1=130.14±29.32; K2=128.14±39.02) and BDNF expression (K0=85.27±19.78; K1=49.57±20.90; K2=36.86±28.97) of the K0 group to be significantly higher than that of K1 and K2 groups (p<0.05); no significant difference in the pyramidal cell count and BNDF expression was found between K1 and K2 groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: A standard diet leads to the optimum effect on hippocampus morphology. Food consistency must be appropriately suited to each development stage, in this case, hippocampus development in post-weaned period.

The impact of oral health on physical fitness: A systematic review

“…This importance of sensory input from the periodontal ligament may also explain the reason why the natural dentition is better than prostheses. This hypothesis was supported by other evidence suggesting that occlusal function may affect the function of remote muscles through cortical activation [12,22,39,40].…”

“…Edentulism may affect the maxillomandibular position, which may also disrupt the symmetrical sternocleidomastoid muscle contraction pattern, and therefore, affect the stability of the head posture and the body balance [22]. Tooth loss, which means the reduction in periodontal ligament proprioceptive input, may also lessen the sensory input to the brain leading to the declining cognitive function [15,39]. The other possible mechanism is the nutritional pathway.…”

Tooth Loss-Associated Mechanisms That Negatively Affect Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of Animal Experiments Based on Occlusal Support Loss and Cognitive Impairment

“…Though several human studies have shown that ketogenic diet had a cognitive protective effect (Neth et al, 2020 ; Davis and Fournakis, 2021 ), the relationship between cerebral ketone body and cognitive disorders remains to be studied. From another point of view, enhanced mastication can inhibit the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (Azuma et al, 2017 ) and attenuate stress-induced increases in the plasma concentrations of glucocorticoid, catechol, and nitric oxide (NO) (Sunariani et al, 2019 ). They can cross the BBB and lead to depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders.…”

Association of Gamma-GT Serum and Nerve Conduction Velocity of Nervus Peroneus Motor Vehicles on Diabetic Polyneuropathy Patients

“…For interpretation of results, this study uses the degree of significance (α) of 5%, with a note if p <0.05 then Ho is rejected, if p> 0.05 then Ho accepted 11 . While to know the amount of risk factor, then used Odd ratio analysis (OR) with interpretation as follows; if OR = 1 means that the variable suspected as a risk factor has no effect on the occurrence of an effect, if OR> 1 and the range of confidence interval do not include number 1, then the exposure is a risk factor of effect, if OR <1 and the range of confidence interval do not include number 1, then the exposure under study can reduce the occurrence of effects (preventing factors) 12 .…”