Reduced Neuroinflammation and Improved Functional Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury by Prophylactic Diet Supplementation in Mice

Abstract

Currently, there are no approved therapeutic drugs for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and new targets and approaches are needed to provide relief from the long-term effects of TBI. Recent studies suggest that nutrition plays a critical role in improving the outcome from TBI in both civilians and military personnel. We have previously shown that GrandFusion® (GF) diets improved recovery from cerebral ischemia and enhanced physical activity and endurance in rodent models. We, therefore, sought to determine the impact of a prophylactic diet enriched in fruits and vegetables on recovery from TBI in the controlled cortical impact rodent model. Results demonstrated that mice fed the diets had improved neuromotor function, reduced lesion volume, increased neuronal density in the hippocampus and reduced inflammation. As previously shown, TBI increases cathepsin B as part of the inflammasome complex resulting in elevated inflammatory markers like interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Consumption of the GF diets attenuated the increase in cathepsin B levels and prevented the increase in the proapoptotic factor Bax following TBI. These data suggest that prior consumption of diets enriched in fruits and vegetables either naturally or through powdered form can provide protection from the detrimental effects of TBI.

Effects of GrandFusion Diet on Cognitive Impairment in Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…As previous studies have shown, the APP/PS1 mice used in these experiments started to demonstrate increased levels of A peptides and presence of amyloid plaques in the brain at about 3–4 months of age. This increase of amyloid load or oligomerization was connected with both GFAP-positive astrocytes and CD-68-positive microglia in the cortex area and the hippocampal region [ 18 , 24 ]. Therefore, 3- to 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice display early phases of AD-like pathology and were designated for testing GF diet intervention.…”

“…Therefore, 3- to 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice display early phases of AD-like pathology and were designated for testing GF diet intervention. Furthermore, these mice show a significant escalation in amyloid load and memory impairment at 6 to 8 months of age [ 18 , 24 ].…”

“…APP/PS1 mice exhibit significant amyloid plaque deposition at 6 to 8 months of age. The mice also show signs of cognitive impairment [ 18 , 24 , 25 ]. Four months after the GF diets were initiated, the mice were tested for spatial learning and memory retention in the Morris water maze test [ 18 , 24 ].…”

“…The mice also show signs of cognitive impairment [ 18 , 24 , 25 ]. Four months after the GF diets were initiated, the mice were tested for spatial learning and memory retention in the Morris water maze test [ 18 , 24 ]. On the 4th day of training, the vehicle and GF diet-treated animals were examined for the spatial learning ability (escape latency and total distance traveled by mice to reach the platform in the presence of distal visual cues outside the swimming pool).…”

“…Moreover, GF diets have been shown to improve memory and learning in aged rats and increase physical activity as assessed by antioxidant enzymes and signaling pathways [ 15 ]. Our studies have demonstrated that GF diets have a multitude of activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and neurogenic properties [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”