Positive correlation between proteasome activity and polyphenols in the telencephalon of adult female mice

Proteasome regulates proteostasis, and can be compromised in neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, our aim was to correlate the activity of proteasome to the level of polyphenols in telencephalon during murine adulthood.

Proteasome activity, polyphenols and other variables (glucose and hydroperoxides) were analysed in Balb/c female telencephala (n = 20, age = 4-12 months), using multivariate methods.

The following values were found: proteasome activity = 3.1 ± 0.6 FI/µg of tissue proteins, glucose = 0.1 ± 0.0 µg/µg, hydroperoxides = 363.4 ± 96.6 OD/µg, and polyphenols = 0.1 ± 0.0 ng/µg. Polyphenols reduced during aging showed a direct correlation with proteasome (Pearson's coefficient = 0.43, p = 0.0590, and a multivariate linear regressive coefficient = 17.85, p = 0.0216), with glucose and hydroperoxides being not involved (p>0.1). This correlation was confirmed by partial least square regression (beta = 0.67).

Proteasome activity can be affected during ageing, and promoted by telencephalic polyphenol levels. Thus, these diet compounds might exert benefits in adult brain.