Grape powder prevents cognitive, behavioral, and biochemical impairments in a rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Previously, using the single-prolonged stress (SPS) rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder, we reported that moderate treadmill exercise, via modulation of oxidative stress related mechanisms, rescued anxiety and depression-like behaviors and reversed SPS-induced memory impairment. In this study using the SPS model (2 h restrain, 20 min forced swimming, 15 min rest, and 1–2 min diethyl ether exposure), we hypothesized that antioxidant rich grape powder (GP) prevents SPS-induced behavioral and memory impairment in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into: Control (CON; provided tap water), SPS (provided tap water), GP-SPS (provided 15 g/L GP in tap water for 3 wk followed by SPS), or GP-CON (3 wk of GP followed by control exposure). Anxiety and depression-like behaviors were significantly greater in SPS rats when compared to CON or GP treated rats and GP reversed these behavioral deficits. SPS rats made significantly more errors in both short- and long-term memory tests compared to CON or GP treated rats, which were prevented in GP-SPS rats. GP prevented SPS-induced increase in plasma corticosterone level. Furthermore, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were significantly decreased in amygdala of SPS rats but not in GP-SPS rats compared to CON or GP-CON rats. Additionally, GP significantly increased acetylated Histone3, Histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC 5) in hippocampus and amygdala of SPS rats as compared to CON or GP-CON rats. In conclusion, we suggest protective role of GP in SPS-induced behavioral, cognitive and biochemical impairments in rats. Perhaps, epigenetic regulation of BDNF enables GP-mediated prevention of SPS-induced deficits in rats.

Grape powder treatment prevents anxiety-like behavior in a rat model of aging

“…Our laboratory in 3 separate studies has reported that CTGC freeze-dried GP prevented pharmacologically and psychologically induced anxiety and depression-like behaviors and also improved learning and memory function in rats [18,27,36]. In the present study, protective effect of grapes on age-related anxiety and memory deficits were examined using the F344 rat model of aging.…”

“…Grape powder solution was prepared fresh daily as published previously [18] by dissolving the powder in tap water at a concentration of 15 g/L. This GP dose produced most pronounced effects on rat behavior as reported previously [27]. Detailed composition and purity of this powder have been described in Allam et al [18].…”

“…In the present study using the F344 rodent model of aging, we examined the role of antioxidant-rich GP, provided by the CTGC in ageassociated anxiety-like behavior and memory impairment, and also examined the level of physiological stress and levels of oxidative stress systemically as well as in specific areas of the brain including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. These regions are implicated in regulation of anxiety [27] and cognition [28], amenable to nutritional intervention [18], and also regarded as oxidative stress-susceptible regions [29].…”

Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System

“…For example, hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellar granule cells have been reported as the most susceptible to oxidative stress in some studies (Wang and Michaelis, 2010), and consequently are purported to be the first to undergo functional decline. Our own preclinical work has suggested that behavioral and cognitive deficits are attributed to three brain regions: hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) (Masood et al, 2008;Salim et al, 2010aSalim et al, ,b, 2011aPatki et al, 2013a;2013b;Solanki et al, 2015). Hippocampus seems to be at the hot seat, and it appears that this brain region undergoes major biochemical changes that ultimately determine neuronal connections and function.…”

Antidepressant-like activity of red wine phenolic extracts in repeated corticosterone-induced depression mice via BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway

“…Recent studies have shown that plant polyphenols possess a number of beneficial properties, such as reducing the risks of cancer and heart diseases (Aravindan, Ramraj, Somasundaram, Herman, & Aravindan, 2015;Ko et al, 2015), green tea and grape powder have shown effects on alleviating cognitive impairments and leading to a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (Mulero et al, 2015;Patki, Ali, Pokkunuri, Asghar, & Salim, 2015;Solanki, Alkadhi, Atrooz, Patki, & Salim, 2015). It has been recognized that red wines are one of the richest sources in polyphenols and thus possess beneficial effects on human health when drunk in moderation (Edmands et al, 2015;Urquiaga et al, 2015).…”