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Dietary Alpha-Lipoic Acid Alters Piglet Neurodevelopment
Austin T Mudd1, Rosaline V Waworuntu2, Brian M Berg3
1Piglet Nutrition and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA.
Frontiers in Pediatrics
|May 21, 2016
Summary
High-dose alpha-lipoic acid (a-LA) supplementation in piglets did not affect growth but altered white matter maturation in the internal capsule, suggesting potential neurodevelopmental delays. Low doses of a-LA showed no significant effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Alpha-lipoic acid (a-LA) is an antioxidant with known benefits for age-associated impairments.
- The role of antioxidants in developing brains remains under-explored.
- Human milk's high antioxidant capacity highlights the importance of these compounds in early development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dose-response effects of alpha-lipoic acid (a-LA) on piglet growth.
- To assess the impact of a-LA on neurodevelopment in young pigs.
- To determine if a-LA influences brain structure and function during early development.
Main Methods:
- 31 male piglets were divided into three dietary groups: control, low a-LA, and high a-LA.
- Pigs were fed experimental diets from 2 days of age.
- Behavioral assessments (spatial T-maze) and neuroimaging (diffusion tensor imaging) were conducted.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in body weight gain or intestinal measurements were observed across groups.
- Spatial T-maze performance showed no learning differences related to a-LA dosage.
- High-dose a-LA was associated with decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the internal capsule, indicating altered white matter microstructure.
Conclusions:
- Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation does not impact overall piglet growth, irrespective of concentration.
- Low-dose a-LA did not affect piglet behavior or neuroimaging measures, suggesting normal brain development.
- High-dose a-LA supplementation may alter white matter maturation in the internal capsule, potentially indicating delayed neurodevelopment.
