A Natural Dietary Supplement with a Combination of Nutrients Prevents Neurodegeneration Induced by a High Fat Diet in Mice

Nuzzo, Domenico; Amato, Antonella; Picone, Pasquale; Terzo, Simona; Galizzi, Giacoma; Bonina, Francesco; Mulè, Flavia; Carlo, Marta Di

doi:10.3390/nu10091130

Cited by 39 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…We found a neuroprotective action of pistachio consumption, which partly prevented HFD-induced neuronal apoptosis, as demonstrated by a reduced number of cells with fragmented DNA in the cortical areas. Indeed, as we previously reported, the brain dysfunctions in long term HFD fed mice are associated with peripheral and central insulin resistance [5] and dyslipidemia [7]. For this reason, we verified the hypothesis that regular pistachio intake could influence glucose or lipid metabolism.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

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Regular Intake of Pistachio Mitigates the Deleterious Effects of a High Fat-Diet in the Brain of Obese Mice

et al. 2020

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Obesity has been associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunctions. Recent data showed that pistachio consumption is able to prevent and ameliorate dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, systemic and adipose tissue inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of pistachio intake in HFD mice. Three groups of mice were fed a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachio (HFD-P) for 16 weeks. Metabolic parameters (oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction) were analyzed by using specific assays and biomarkers. The pistachio diet significantly reduced the serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the HFD model. No difference was observed in the index of insulin resistance between HFD and HFD-P. A higher number of fragmented nuclei were found in HFD cerebral cortex compared to STD and HFD-P. A decrease in reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and an increase of superoxide dismutase 2 and heme oxygenase expression were found in the brains of the HFD-P samples compared to HFD. Furthermore, the impaired mitochondrial function found in HFD brain was partially recovered in HFD-P mice. These results suggest that the regular intake of pistachio may be useful in preventing obesity-related neurodegeneration, being able to reduce both metabolic and cellular dysfunctions.The positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on health have been well documented [9,10]. The longevity of one Mediterranean population, over 90 years old without dementia, was attributed to the nutraceutical components of the Mediterranean diet [11]. Functional food has been reported to delay or inhibit neurodegeneration, suggesting their employment as an alternative therapeutic strategy for correlated diseases [12][13][14].Benefits of nut consumption (mainly pistachios, walnuts, and almonds) have been described in studies on both animals and humans [15,16]. Daily nut consumption can improve dysmetabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related cardiovascular diseases [17,18]. In particular, Pistacia atlantica oleoresin has been proposed as an agent that protects the body against conditions associated with oxidative stress [19], including memory impairment, in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats [20]. Nevertheless, the potential beneficial impact of nut intake on neurodegenerative disorders, as well as on other cognitive-behavioral deficits, has been poorly explored.Compared to other nuts, pistachios possess a healthier nutritional profile, with low-fat content, high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (13.3 g/100 g) and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (24.5 g/100 g), minerals (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium) and vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamins B). Phytochemicals of pistachio show high bioavailability, contributing to the beneficial relationship between pistachio consumption and health-related outcomes [21]. Furthermore, recent data have demonstra...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Natural remedies are currently drawing attention as protective agents in treating obesity-related dysfunctions [6,7]. Food with antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemia, and anti-inflammatory properties could help to reduce the risk of metabolic dysfunctions [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regular Intake of Pistachio Mitigates the Deleterious Effects of a High Fat-Diet in the Brain of Obese Mice

et al. 2020

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“…A plethora of polyphenols have been investigated in relation to brain health. This review summarizes the neuroprotective activities of curcuminoids, silymarin, and chlorogenic acids, for which we recently explored the beneficial properties in preventing obesity-related neurodegeneration [57]. We delve into the efficacy of these natural compounds to counteract neuronal dysfunctions underlying AD pathogenesis.…”

Section: Dietary Natural Compounds and Neuroprotectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, NDS was able to prevent neuronal apoptosis. In fact, a tunnel assay showed that in brain cortical sections of NDS-treated HFD mice, the number of neurons with fragmented DNA (index of an impairment of cell survival) was significantly reduced compared to HFD untreated animals [57]. The beneficial effects of NDS are probably due to the well-documented anti-oxidative actions of curcumin, although a synergistic action of all polyphenolic compounds contained in NDS has to also be considered.…”

Section: Curcuminoidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural Compounds as Beneficial Antioxidant Agents in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease

2019

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The positive role of nutrition in chronic neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) suggests that dietary interventions represent helpful tools for preventing NDs. In particular, diets enriched with natural compounds have become an increasingly attractive, non-invasive, and inexpensive option to support a healthy brain and to potentially treat NDs. Bioactive compounds found in vegetables or microalgae possess special properties able to counteract oxidative stress, which is involved as a triggering factor in neurodegeneration. Here, we briefly review the relevant experimental data on curcuminoids, silymarin, chlorogenic acid, and compounds derived from the microalga Aphanizomenon flos aquae (AFA) which have been demonstrated to possess encouraging beneficial effects on neurodegeneration, in particular on Alzheimer's disease models. and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) [4,5]. Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins in neurons located particularly in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex regions of the brain. The reduced expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), important for neuronal growth and memory functions, also plays a crucial role in AD pathogenesis via formation of senile plaque of Aβ and NFTs. At the molecular level, Aβ induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with apoptosis [6,7].Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and formation of Lewy bodies, abnormal intraneuronal aggregates of proteins that include α-synuclein, ubiquitin, and neurofilaments [8]. The pathogenic mechanisms of PD include oxidative stress, mitochondrial and protein dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis [9]. In particular, oxidative stress generates ROS which activates glial cells, and activated glial cells generate inflammation that results in mitochondrial dysfunction, and, consequently, dysfunctional mitochondria activate cell death machinery [10].Hence, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are common factors involved in the etiopathology of these neurodegenerative diseases [11-13]. Oxidative Stress and NeurodegenerationOxidative stress is characterized by an overproduction of ROS-oxygen-containing molecules known to be highly reactive.Reactive oxygen species are formed in mitochondria during oxidative phosphorylation as a byproduct of normal metabolism. Therefore, modest levels of ROS are normally expected and are considered essential for the regulation of normal cell functions, while excessive ROS production can damage various biological targets, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins, causing serious neurological injury. Because the brain consumes a large amount of molecular oxygen to function properly, the accumulation of damaged biomolecules caused by ROS is high, especially with aging [14]. To limit these cellular damages, brain neurons produce antioxidant defense enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catala...

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The impact of curcumin and its modified formulations on Alzheimer's disease

Farkhondeh

Samarghandian

Pourbagher‐Shahri

et al. 2019

Journal Cellular Physiology

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major health problem worldwide, with no effective treatment approach. Curcumin is the main ingredient of turmeric traditionally used in Asian medicine. Several experimental studies have indicated the protective effect of curcumin and its novel formulations in AD. Curcumin has antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and neurotrophic activities, proposing a strong potential to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. However, there are no sufficient clinical trials to confirm curcumin use in AD patients. Low bioavailability following oral administration of curcumin limits its usage in human. The present study was designed to gather the effects of curcumin and its modified formulations in human and experimental models of AD.

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A Natural Dietary Supplement with a Combination of Nutrients Prevents Neurodegeneration Induced by a High Fat Diet in Mice

Cited by 39 publications

References 60 publications

Regular Intake of Pistachio Mitigates the Deleterious Effects of a High Fat-Diet in the Brain of Obese Mice

Regular Intake of Pistachio Mitigates the Deleterious Effects of a High Fat-Diet in the Brain of Obese Mice

Natural Compounds as Beneficial Antioxidant Agents in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease

The impact of curcumin and its modified formulations on Alzheimer's disease

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