Lecithin Consumption Increases Acetylcholine Concentrations in Rat Brain and Adrenal Gland

Hirsch, Madelyn J.; Wurtman, Richard J.

doi:10.1126/science.694529

Cited by 99 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The PC administered is metabolized to phosphatidic acid and choline by phospholipase D, which is present in the synaptic membrane [28]. Therefore, increased choline will be taken up from the extracellular fluid into the cholinergic neurons and be used for synthesis of acetylcholine in the brain [14,17,29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies have concentrated on the effect of administration of PC on memory and acetylcholine levels [14][15][16][17][18][19]. These studies suggested that choline may be rapidly taken up into the cholinergic neurons, where it will enhance both the release and the biosynthesis of acetylcholine and that the increased acetylcholine may improve memory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dose-Response Effect of Egg-Phosphatidylcholine on Maze-Learning Ability and Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma and Brain in Aged Mice Fed an n–3 Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet

Lim¹,

Suzuki²

2002

Ann Nutr Metab

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Background/Aims: We investigated the dose-response effect of egg-phosphatidylcholine (PC) on the maze-learning ability and brain fatty acid composition in aged mice. Method: Male Crj:CD-1 mice aged 18 months were fed the following diets for 4 months: (i) 5 g palm oil/100 g diet (n–3-deficient control group); (ii) 1 g egg-PC/100 g diet plus 4 g palm oil/100 g diet (egg-PC 1% group); (iii) 2.5 g egg-PC/100 g diet plus 2.5 g palm oil/100 g diet (egg-PC 2.5% group), and (iv) 5 g egg-PC/100 g diet (egg-PC 5% group). Maze-learning ability was assessed 3 months after the start of the experiment. All animals were maintained on the n–3 fatty acid-deficient diets to examine the direct effect of egg-PC on maze behavior. The time required to reach the maze exit and the number of times that a mouse strayed into blind alleys in the maze were measured in 3 trials every 4 days. Results: Our results showed that the 2.5 and 5% egg-PC groups needed less (p < 0.05) time to find the exit and strayed into blind alleys fewer times (p < 0.05) than the control group. In order to determine the relationship between maze-behavior and brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) levels in aged mice fed various doses of egg-PC, the plasma and brain fatty acid composition was examined. Dose-response increases in the percentage of DHA were found in plasma lipids. However, based on our data on the brain fatty acid composition of mice fed various doses of egg-PC, no significant differences in the percentages of DHA and AA among the dietary groups were observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that the intake of egg-PC improves maze-learning ability in aged mice fed n–3 fatty acid-deficient diets but it does not influence the percentage of brain DHA and AA.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dose-Response Effect of Egg-Phosphatidylcholine on Maze-Learning Ability and Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma and Brain in Aged Mice Fed an n–3 Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet

Lim¹,

Suzuki²

2002

Ann Nutr Metab

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“…In another preliminary report fi ve patients with Alzheimer's disease re ceived either physostigmine (0.005-0.015 mglkg) or lecithin (12 g orally three times daily), or both treatments together (36). Lecithin is the major source of choline in the normal diet, and its ingestion increases ACh con centrations in rat brain (37). No consistent pattern of results emerged, though three patients given both drugs improved their performance on a memory test compared to their performance when on lecithin alone.…”

Section: Memory Disorders and Ch Olinergic Drugsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Pharmacology of Memory: A Neurobiological Perspective

Squire¹,

Davis²

1981

Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol.

317

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“…We have shown that the administration of choline (Ulus, Hirsch & Wurtman, 1977 a) or lecithin (Hirsch & Wurtman, 1978) increases adrenal acetylcholine levels and activates (or induces) adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase, probably by increasing the quantities of acetylcholine that are released when the preganglionic neurones fire (Ulus, Scally & Wurtman, 1977c). Moreover, choline administration enhances the response of adrenomedullary tyrosine hydroxylase to treatments thought to accelerate the firing of the splanchnic nerve (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selective response of rat peripheral sympathetic nervous system to various stimuli

Ulus

Wurtman

1979

The Journal of Physiology

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SUMMARY1. We utilized the induction of tyrosine hydroxylase, a catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, in sympathetic ganglia and adrenal medullae to explore the central and peripheral mechanisms through which choline, various environmental stresses, and drugs that alter blood pressure or central neurotransmission affect various portions of the sympathetic nervous system. Animals received each treatment chronically, and enzyme activity was measured in the superior cervical, stellate, and coeliac ganglia and in the adrenal medullae.2. Choline administration increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity in all four tissues, probably by increasing the release of acetylcholine from preganglionic sympathetic neurones that synapse on catecholamine-producing ganglion and chromaffin cells; carbachol and nicotine had similar effects.3. Insulin enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase activity primarily in the coeliac ganglion and the adrenal medullae, but not in the superior cervical ganglia.4. Reserpine and phenoxybenzamine increased the activity of the enzyme in all four tissues.5. Prolonged exposure to a cold environment increased enzyme activity in all four tissues, but especially in the stellate and coeliac ganglia; forced swimming affected tyrosine hydroxylase only in these two ganglia.6. Several drugs known to modify central neurotransmission were found to increase tyrosine hydroxylase activity in some portions of the sympathetic nervous system but not in others. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine, which destroys terminals of serotoninergic neurones, enhanced enzyme activity in all four tissues, but primarily in the coeliac ganglion and adrenal medullae. ET-495 (a dopaminergic agonist), D-amphetamine, and morphine induced tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the adrenal medullae and the coeliac ganglion, but not in the superior cervical ganglia. Oxotremorine, a centrally acting muscarinic agonist, increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity only in the adrenal medullae; its effect was not blocked by methylatropine, a peripheral muscarinic blocker.7. These data indicate that specific neurones in the central nervous system, which

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Lecithin Consumption Increases Acetylcholine Concentrations in Rat Brain and Adrenal Gland

Cited by 99 publications

References 15 publications

Dose-Response Effect of Egg-Phosphatidylcholine on Maze-Learning Ability and Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma and Brain in Aged Mice Fed an n–3 Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet

Dose-Response Effect of Egg-Phosphatidylcholine on Maze-Learning Ability and Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma and Brain in Aged Mice Fed an n–3 Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet

The Pharmacology of Memory: A Neurobiological Perspective

Selective response of rat peripheral sympathetic nervous system to various stimuli

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