Brain proteomic modifications associated to protective effect of grape extract in a murine model of obesity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• The global obesity epidemic necessitates novel therapeutic strategies beyond surgery and limited pharmacotherapy.
• Brain dysfunction associated with high-fat diets (HFD) and potential mitigation by grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) require further proteomic investigation.
• Understanding the proteomic modifications in brain lipotoxicity is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the proteomic alterations in the brain induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats.
• To evaluate the protective effects of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) against HFD-induced brain changes.
• To identify specific pathways affected by HFD and potentially modulated by GSSE.

Main Methods:

• Rats were treated for 8 weeks with HFD, GSSE (500mg/kg BW), or a combination of HFD and GSSE.
• Differential proteomics using mass spectrometry was employed to analyze brain protein modifications.
• Proteomic data was analyzed to identify proteins involved in key cellular processes.

Main Results:

• HFD significantly altered brain proteins involved in oxidative stress, glycolysis, and calcium signaling.
• Proteins associated with the cytoskeleton were also affected by HFD exposure.
• GSSE administration reversed most of the HFD-induced protein abundance changes, indicating a protective effect.

Conclusions:

• GSSE demonstrates a significant capacity to counteract HFD-induced proteomic disturbances in the brain.
• These findings highlight the potential of GSSE as a therapeutic agent for managing metabolic disorders and associated neurotoxicity.
• Further research into GSSE's mechanisms is warranted for its application in combating diet-induced brain dysfunction.