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Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) Reverses Age-Related Structural and Cognitive Deterioration in Naturally Aging Rats
Hany A Elkattawy1,2, Fatma M Ghoneim3, Mohamed Ahmed Eladl4
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, P.O. Box 71666, Riyadh 11597, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Aging is a naturally occurring process inevitably affecting each living human. The brain is adversely affected by aging with increased risks of developing various neurological disorders. Thus, it is essential to investigate practical approaches that can counteract the impact of aging on the brain. Vitamin K2 (Vit. K2) is a naturally occurring vitamin with reported valuable therapeutic effects. The current study highlights the role of Vit. K2 administration in counteracting age-related changes in the brain using naturally aging rats. Three-month-old rats were assigned to two groups: an ageing control group receiving a drug vehicle and an ageing group orally gavaged with Vit. K2 (30 mg/kg, once daily 5 days per week). Treatment was continued for 17 months. Ten three-month-old rats were used as the adult control. Vit. K2 improved functional performance, reduced social anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and enhanced memory performance with concomitant preservation of hippocampal and cerebral cortex tyrosine hydroxylase expression. Biochemically, Vit. K2 administration restored oxidative-anti-oxidative homeostasis in the brain. Vit. K2 modulated inflammatory signaling, as evidenced by suppression in the brain of NLRP3, caspase-1, Il-1β, TNFα, IL-6, and CD68 expression. Concomitantly, histopathological examination revealed consistent hippocampal and cerebral cortex improvement. Thus, it can be inferred that Vit K2 can slow down age-related changes in the brain associated with modulation of NLRP3/caspase-1/Nrf-2 signaling.
Insights
Vitamin K2 (Vit. K2) supplementation in aging rats improved cognitive function and reduced anxiety-like behaviors. This neuroprotective effect was linked to restored brain oxidative balance and reduced neuroinflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Nutritional Neuroscience
Background:
- Aging is a natural process impacting brain health and increasing neurological disorder risk.
- Investigating interventions to counteract age-related brain changes is crucial.
- Vitamin K2 (Vit. K2) shows potential therapeutic benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Vitamin K2 (Vit. K2) in mitigating age-related brain alterations.
- To explore Vit. K2's impact on cognitive function, behavior, and neurochemical markers in aging rats.
Main Methods:
- Aging rats were treated with Vit. K2 (30 mg/kg) or vehicle for 17 months.
- Functional performance, social anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and memory were assessed.
- Brain tissue analysis included tyrosine hydroxylase expression, oxidative-anti-oxidative status, and inflammatory markers (NLRP3, caspase-1, Il-1β, TNFα, IL-6, CD68).
Main Results:
- Vit. K2 administration improved functional performance and memory, while reducing anxiety and depressive-like behaviors.
- Treatment preserved tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
- Vit. K2 restored brain oxidative-anti-oxidative homeostasis and suppressed key inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin K2 (Vit. K2) can effectively slow down age-related brain changes in rats.
- The neuroprotective effects are associated with the modulation of NLRP3/caspase-1/Nrf-2 signaling pathways.
- Vit. K2 demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for age-related cognitive decline and neurological disorders.
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