Independent and Combined Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics as Supplements or Food-Rich Diets on a Propionic-Acid-Induced Rodent Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The link between nutrition and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a neurodevelopmental condition, which is clinically presented as significant delays or deviations in interaction and communication, has provided a fresh point of view and signals that nutrition may play a role in the etiology of ASD, as well as playing an effective role in treatment by improving symptoms. In this study, 36 male albino rat pups were used. They were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was fed only a standard diet and water for the 30 days of the experiment. The second group, which served as a propionic acid (PPA)-induced rodent model of ASD, received orally administered PPA (250 mg/kg body weight (BW)) for 3 days, followed by feeding with a standard diet until the end of the experiment. The three other groups were given PPA (250 mg/kg body weight (BW)) for 3 days and then fed a standard diet and orally administered yogurt (3 mL/kg BW/day), artichokes (400 mL/kg BW/day), and a combination of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG at 0.2 mL daily (1 × 109 CFU; as the probiotic of yogurt) and luteolin (50 mg/kg BW/day; as the major antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient of artichokes) for 27 days. Biochemical markers, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), were measured in brain homogenates in all groups. The data showed that while PPA demonstrated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the treated rats, yogurt, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG as a probiotic, and luteolin as a prebiotic ingredient in artichokes were effective in alleviating the biochemical features of ASD. In conclusion, nutritional supplementation seems to be a promising intervention strategy for ASD. A combined dietary approach using pro- and prebiotics resulted in significant amelioration of most of the measured variables, suggesting that multiple interventions might be more relevant for the improvement of biochemical autistic features, as well as psychological traits. Prospective controlled trials are needed before recommendations can be made regarding the ideal ASD diet.

Lotusine ameliorates propionic acid‐induced autism spectrum disorder‐like behavior in mice by activating D1 dopamine receptor in medial prefrontal cortex

“…While existing pharmaceuticals like risperidone and aripiprazole have been approved by FDA to relieve ASD symptoms, they do not address the core symptoms of the condition and may actually exacerbate them (King et al, 2009; McPheeters et al, 2011). Luteolin (50 mg/kg) supplementation was effective in mitigating PPA‐induced ASD features in rats (Alsubaiei et al, 2022) and improving social impairments in children with ASD at a dose of 100 mg/capsule (Taliou et al, 2013). In this context, our results showed that lotusine (10 mg/kg) effectively ameliorated social deficits in the PPA mouse, further highlighting its potential as a nutritional supplement to relieve ASD symptoms.…”

“…Nelumbinis Plumula is a medicine‐food homology plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its active compounds have demonstrated significant potential in alleviating ASD symptoms, such as improving eye contact, enhancing social interaction, and addressing sleep disorders (Alsubaiei et al, 2022; Theoharides et al, 2012; Zambrelli et al, 2021). Lotusine, as a main active ingredient of Nelumbinis Plumula , is a natural alkaloid known for its antioxidant (Harishkumar & Selvaraj, 2020), antihypertensive (Zhan et al, 2023), and cardiovascular properties (Harishkumar & Selvaraj, 2020).…”

Ameliorative Effect of Omega-3-Rich Fish Diet on the Neurotoxic Effects of Propionic Acid in a Rodent Model of Autism

“…The control group received only phosphate buffer and was fed a standard diet; the PPA group received a neurotoxic dose of PPA (250 mg/kg body weight) [37] for the first three consecutive days and was put on a standard diet. The PPA + S. Empero group was administered the same dose of PPA and put on a standard diet mixed with Lethrinus nebuloses fish for 36 days.…”