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Published on: March 16, 2016
Dietary supplementation with apple juice decreases endogenous amyloid-beta levels in murine brain
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Folate deficiency has been associated with age-related neurodegeneration. We demonstrate herein that dietary deficiency in folate and vitamin E, coupled pro-oxidant stress induced by dietary iron, increased amyloid-beta (Abeta) levels in normal adult mice. This increase was potentiated by apolipoprotein E (ApoE) deficiency as shown by treatment of transgenic mice homozygously lacking murine ApoE. Dietary supplementation with apple juice concentrate in drinking water alleviated the increase in Abeta for both mouse genotypes. These findings provide further evidence linking nutritional and genetic risk factors for age-related neurodegeneration, and underscore that dietary supplementation may be useful to augment therapeutic approaches.
Insights
Dietary deficiencies in folate and vitamin E, combined with iron-induced oxidative stress, increased amyloid-beta (Abeta) in mice. Apple juice concentrate mitigated these increases, suggesting nutritional support for neurodegeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Folate deficiency is linked to age-related neurodegeneration.
- Amyloid-beta (Abeta) accumulation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of combined nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress on Abeta levels.
- To examine the role of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in this process.
- To evaluate the potential neuroprotective effects of apple juice concentrate.
Main Methods:
- Adult mice with normal or apolipoprotein E (ApoE) deficient genotypes were fed diets deficient in folate and vitamin E, with added iron to induce oxidative stress.
- Amyloid-beta (Abeta) levels were measured.
- Mice received apple juice concentrate in their drinking water.
Main Results:
- Dietary deficiency in folate and vitamin E, coupled with iron-induced oxidative stress, significantly increased Abeta levels in normal adult mice.
- This increase in Abeta was potentiated in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) deficient mice.
- Supplementation with apple juice concentrate alleviated the rise in Abeta levels in both genotypes.
Conclusions:
- Combined nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress are critical factors in elevating Abeta.
- ApoE deficiency exacerbates the effects of these nutritional and oxidative insults on Abeta accumulation.
- Dietary interventions, such as apple juice concentrate, may offer a viable strategy to mitigate Abeta increases and support therapeutic approaches for neurodegeneration.
