The effect of abscisic acid chronic treatment on neuroinflammatory markers and memory in a rat model of high-fat diet induced neuroinflammation

Abstract

BackgroundWestern diet and lifestyle are associated with overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, which, in turn, are correlated with neuroinflammation processes. Exercise and a healthy diet are important in the prevention of these disorders. However, molecules inhibiting neuroinflammation might also be efficacious in the prevention and/or treatment of neurological disorders of inflammatory etiology. The abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone involved in hydric-stress responses. This compound is not only found in plants but also in other organisms, including mammals. In rodents, ABA can play a beneficial role in the regulation of peripheral immune response and insulin action. Thus, we hypothesized that chronic ABA administration might exert a protective effect in a model of neuroinflammation induced by high-fat diet (HFD).MethodsMale Wistar rats were fed with standard diet or HFD with or without ABA in the drinking water for 12 weeks. Glucose tolerance test and behavioral paradigms were performed to evaluate the peripheral and central effects of treatments. One-Way ANOVA was performed analyzed statistical differences between groups.ResultsThe HFD induced insulin resistance peripherally and increased the levels of proinflammatory markers in in the brain. We observed that ABA restored glucose tolerance in HFD-fed rats, as expected. In addition, chronic ABA treatment rescued cognitive performance in these animals, while not affecting control diet fed animals. Moreover, it counteracted the changes induced by HFD in the hypothalamus; microglia activations and TNFα mRNA levels.ConclusionThese results suggest that ABA might become a new therapeutic molecule improving the neuroinflammatory status and insulin resistance.

High Fat Diet Suppresses Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors and Reduces Dopaminergic Neurons in the Substantia Nigra

“…The activation of glial cells leads to the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, initiation of phagocytosis, and upregulation of anti-proliferative and pro-inflammatory mediators. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are reported to increase after starting HFD; among these, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α [41][42][43] are the most frequently reported. Increased chemokine expression (chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3)) [39] and toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB -α (IκB-α) and nuclear factor κB) [44] have also been mentioned.…”

The Effect of Maple Syrup Ingestion on Fat Oxidation During Incremental Exercise in Endurance Athletes

“…Average fat oxidation in the MAP group was higher than in the SUC group, while CHO oxidation in the MAP group was lower. It has been reported that ABA including MAP has some influence on energy metabolism [12]. ABA administration reversed abnormal energy metabolism in obese humans and animals [12].…”

“…It has been reported that ABA including MAP has some influence on energy metabolism [12]. ABA administration reversed abnormal energy metabolism in obese humans and animals [12]. Likewise, thiazolidinedione (structurally similar to ABA) up-regulated the β-oxidation and free fatty acid transport-related genes in adipose cells [13].…”

Is There A Role for Abscisic Acid, A Proven Anti-Inflammatory Agent, in the Treatment of Ischemic Retinopathies?

“…Furthermore, at a central level, ABA administration in a mice model has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory protective effect, lowering microglia activation, decreasing TNFα levels, and restoring high-fat diet induced cognitive dysfunctions [49]. Recent studies also support an ABA role in modulating hippocampal neurogenesis [50].…”