Brain polar phenol content, behavioural and neurochemical effects of Corinthian currant in a rotenone rat model of Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT

Objective

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons, leading to reduced motor control. A contributing factor for the nigrostriatal degeneration is known to be oxidative stress, while antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties of natural polyphenols have been suggested to show beneficial effects. The present study questioned the potential neuroprotective effects of supplementary diet with Corinthian currant, using a rat rotenone PD model.

Methods

The alterations in motor activity, brain Corinthian currant polar phenols’ accumulation, expression patterns of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system were determined in rotenone-treated, currant-diet rats and matching controls.

Results

Rotenone treatment resulted in motor deficits and TH expression decreases in the nigrostriatal pathway, exhibiting PD-like behavioural motor and neurochemical phenotypes. Interestingly, 38 days Corinthian currant consumption resulted in differential accumulation of polar phenols in mesencephalon and striatum and had a significant effect on attenuating motor deficits and dopaminergic cell loss in substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, it induced up-regulation of BDNF expression in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system.

Discussion

Taken all together, evidence is provided for the potential neuroprotective influences of Corinthian currant consumption, involving the neurotrophic factor BDNF, in rescuing aspects of PD-like phenotype.

KEYWORDS:

• Parkinson’s disease
• dopaminergic
• substantia nigra
• motor activity
• tyrosine hydroxylase
• BDNF
• regional brain polar phenols
• Corinthian currant

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Additional datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics statement

All animal-related procedures were approved by the Veterinary Administration of the Prefecture of Achaia, Greece and were conducted in accordance with the EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal experiments and approved by the Ethics committee of University of Patras. All efforts were made to minimize animal suffering and to reduce the number of animals used.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been co-financed by the European Union and Greek National Funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code: T1EDK-04290, Complementary Use of Raisins, Ecological Antioxidant for Neurοprotective Treatment).

Notes on contributors

Eleni Fanarioti

Eleni Fanarioti is a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.

Martha Tsarouchi

Martha Tsarouchi is a PhD student at the Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.

Paraskevi B. Vasilakopoulou

Paraskevi B. Vasilakopoulou is a PhD student at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.

Antonia Chiou

Antonia Chiou is an Associate Professor of Chemical Analysis and Synthesis at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.

Michael Karvelas

Michael Karvelas is a Research Manager at Currants (Corinthian Raisins) Cooperative SKOS SA.

Vaios T. Karathanos

Vaios T. Karathanos is a Professor of Food Engineering at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.

Catherine R. Dermon

Catherine R. Dermon is a Professor of Physiology-Neurobiology at the Department of Biology of University of Patras, Patras, Greece.