ABSTRACT
Deregulations like the loss of sensitivity to insulin (insulin resistance) and chronic inflammation are alterations very commonly found in sporadic forms of neurodegenerative pathologies. Thus, finding strategies to protect against them, may lead to a reduction in the incidence and/or affectation of these pathologies. The grape seed-derived proanthocyanidins extract (GSPE) is a mixture of compounds highly enriched in polyphenols and flavonoids that have shown to have a wide range of therapeutic benefits due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Objectives
This study aimed to assess the protective effects of a short pre-treatment of GSPE in the hippocampus against a prolonged feeding with cafeteria diet.
Methods
GSPE was administered for 10 days followed by 12 weeks of cafeteria diet. We analyzed transcriptional activity of genes and protein expression of key mediators of neurodegeneration in brain samples.
Results
Results indicated that GSPE was able to protect against cellular damage through the activation of AKT, as well as promote the maintenance of mitochondrial function by conserving the OXPHOS complexes and upregulating the antioxidant SOD.
Discussion
We observed that GSPE decreased inflammatory activation as observed through the downregulation of JNK, IL6 and TNFα, just like the reduction in reactive profile of astrocytes. Overall, the data presented here offers an interesting and hopeful initial step for future long-term studies on the beneficial effects of a supplementation of common diets with polyphenol and flavonoid substances for the amelioration of typical early hallmarks of neurodegeneration.
Acknowledgements
MP is a Serra Húnter fellow. We would like to express our thanks to Niurka Llópis for her technical support.
Author contributions
Conceptualization, M.P.; E.R.-G.; O.B.; J.F.; A.C.; Methodology and Investigation, O.B.; J.F.; E.V.; Data Curation, O.B.; Resources, M.E.; Formal analysis, O.B.; T.E.-J.; M.C.; Writing – Original Draft Preparation, O.B.; M.P.; J.F.; Writing – Review & Editing, O.B.; E.R.-G.; M.P.; Visualization, Supervision, T.C.; J.T.; Project Administration, O.B.; M.E.; M.B.; Funding Acquisition, M.P.; T.C.; C.A.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).