Maternal suppplementation with conjugated linoleic acid reduce anxiety and lipid peroxidation in the offspring brain

Neurolipidomic insights into anxiety disorders: Uncovering lipid dynamics for potential therapeutic advances

Anxiety disorders constitute a spectrum of psychological conditions affecting millions of individuals worldwide, imposing a significant health burden. Historically, the development of anxiolytic medications has been largely focused on neurotransmitter function and modulation. However, in recent years, neurolipids emerged as a prime target for understanding psychiatric pathogenesis and developing novel medications. Neurolipids influence various neural activities such as neurotransmission and cellular functioning, as well as maintaining cell membrane integrity. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the alterations in neurolipids associated with an anxious mental state and explore their potential as targets of novel anxiolytic medications. Existing evidence tentatively associates dysregulated neurolipid levels with the etiopathology of anxiety disorders. Notably, preclinical investigations suggest that several neurolipids, including endocannabinoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, may hold promise as potential pharmacological targets. Overall, the current literature tentatively suggests the involvement of lipids in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, hinting at potential prospects for future pharmacological interventions.

Indulging Curiosity: Preliminary Evidence of an Anxiolytic-like Effect of Castor Oil and Ricinoleic Acid

In the process of validating the elevated zero maze, a common test of anxiety-like behavior, in our laboratory, we demonstrated an anxiolytic-like effect of castor oil and its primary component, ricinoleic acid. We tested the effects of vehicle and chlordiazepoxide in male mice in the elevated zero maze following a 30-min pretreatment time. Chlordiazepoxide is a United States Food and Drug Administration-approved drug that was previously shown to exert anxiolytic-like effects in both the elevated zero maze and elevated plus maze. Chlordiazepoxide was administered at doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg. We used 5% polyoxyl 35 castor oil (Kolliphor® EL) and saline as treatment vehicles and found that the effect of chlordiazepoxide on open zone occupancy and open zone entries was blunted when 5% Kolliphor was used as the vehicle. These tests demonstrated that chlordiazepoxide increased open zone occupancy and entries in the elevated zero maze more effectively when saline was used as the treatment vehicle and that Kolliphor dampened the anxiolytic-like effect of chlordiazepoxide when it was used as the treatment vehicle. Notably, 5% Kolliphor alone slightly increased baseline open zone occupancy and entries. Given that Kolliphor is a derivative of castor oil, we next tested the effect of 5% castor oil and 5% ricinoleic acid, which is a major component of castor oil. We found that both castor oil and ricinoleic acid increased open zone occupancy but not entries compared with saline. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that Kolliphor, castor oil, and ricinoleic acid may exert anxiolytic-like effects in male mice in the elevated zero maze. This potential anxiolytic-like effect of castor oil is consistent with its well-established beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, and pain-relieving properties.

Consumption of cashew nut induced anxiolytic-like behavior in dyslipidemic rats consuming a high fat diet

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cashew nut consumption on anxiety-like behavior in dyslipidemic rats. The groups formed were: Control (CONT), Dyslipidemic (DL) and Dyslipidemic cashew nuts (DLCN). Tests to assess anxiety parameters were performed after the treatment period. Brain fatty acid profiles were analyzed. The animals in the DLCN group showed more rearing than DL, without differing from the CONT and less grooming than either the DL and CONT in the Open Field. In the Elevated Plus Maze, DLCN spent more time on the open arms and in the central area compared to the other groups. As for brain fatty acids, there was a reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids for the DLCN compared to the other groups. The cashew nut, rich in fatty acids, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, reduced the anxiogenic-like behavior caused by dyslipidemia in rats without altering brain fatty acids.

Maternal rat prenatal and neonatal treatment with pequi pulp reduces anxiety and lipid peroxidation in brain tissue of rat offspring at adolescence

The Pequi fruit (Caryocar Brasiliense cambess), typical of the Brazilian cerrado or savannah, is a source of essential fatty acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of consuming this fruit on anxiety behavior and lipid peroxidation in the brains of rats whose mothers were treated (by gavage) during pregnancy and lactation with Pequi fruit (pulp or nuts) at 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Anxiety parameters were assessed using the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), and light/dark box (LDB) tests. The brain was removed to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Data were analyzed using One-way Anova (p < 0.05). In the OF, the animals in the pulp group presented more time spent in the central area (20.37 ± 0.73 vs Control: 12.51 ± 0.39; Nuts: 8.28 ± 0.40) and increased locomotion (159.7 ± 6.10) compared to the other groups (Control: 127.3 ± 5.54; Nuts: 139.08 ± 6.57). In the EPM, the pulp group entered into the open arms (8.57 ± 0.36) and stayed more time in the central area (19.44 ± 1.17) compared to the Nuts group (7.14 ± 0.34; 13.00 ± 1.57). In the LDB the pulp group entered more (8.00 ± 0.42 vs Control: 7.16 ± 0.16 and Nuts: 7.42 ± 0.75) and stayed longer in the clear light side (92.18 ± 6.42) than all the other groups (Control: 71.44 ± 3.53; Nuts: 80.57 ± 6.50), respectively. Pulp group presented lower MDA in the brain (55.34 ± 3.04) compared to Control (72.06 ± 4.66) and Nuts (66.57 ± 2.45). We conclude that Pequi pulp consumption during pregnancy and lactation reduces lipid peroxidation in brain tissue and induces anxiolytic-like behavior in rat offspring. These effects were not observed in the Pequi nuts group.

The gut-derived metabolites as mediators of the effect of healthy nutrition on the brain

Nutrition is now well recognized to be an environmental factor which positively or negatively influences the risk to develop neurological and psychiatric disorders. The gut microbiota has recently been shown to be an important actor mediating the relationship between environmental factors, including nutrition, and brain function. While its composition has been widely studied and associated with the risk of brain diseases, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the gut and brain diseases remain to be explored. The wide range of bioactive molecules produced by the gut microbiota, called gut-derived metabolites (GDM), represent new players in the gut to brain interactions and become interesting target to promote brain health. The aim of this narrative review is to highlight some GDMs of interest that are produced in response to healthy food consumption and to summarize what is known about their potential effects on brain function. Overall, GDMs represent future useful biomarkers for the development of personalized nutrition. Indeed, their quantification after nutritional interventions is a useful tool to determine individuals' ability to produce microbiota-derived bioactive compounds upon consumption of specific food or nutrients. Moreover, GDMs represent also a new therapeutic approach to counteract the lack of response to conventional nutritional interventions.

Maternal separation leads to dynamic changes of visceral hypersensitivity and fecal metabolomics from childhood to adulthood

We assessed dynamic changes in visceral hypersensitivity and fecal metabolomics through a mouse model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from childhood to adulthood. A mouse model of IBS was constructed with maternal separation (MS) in early life. Male mice aged 25, 40, and 70 days were used. Visceral sensitivity was assessed by recording the reaction between the abdominal withdrawal reflex and colorectal distension. Metabolomics was identified and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The visceral sensitivity of the MS group was significantly higher than that of the non-separation (NS) group in the three age groups. The top four fecal differential metabolites in the different age groups were lipids, lipid molecules, organic heterocyclic compounds, organic acids and derivatives, and benzenoids. Five identical differential metabolites were detected in the feces and ileal contents of the MS and NS groups at different ages, namely, benzamide, taurine, acetyl-L-carnitine, indole, and ethylbenzene. Taurine and hypotaurine metabolism were the most relevant pathways at P25, whereas histidine metabolism was the most relevant pathway at P40 and P70. Visceral hypersensitivity in the MS group lasted from childhood to adulthood. The different metabolites and metabolic pathways detected in MS groups of different ages provide a theoretical basis for IBS pathogenesis.

REPEATED DONKEY MILK CONSUMPTION REDUCES ANXIETY-LIKE BEHAVIORS AND BRAIN OXIDATIVE DAMAGE TO LIPIDS IN MICE

Donkey milk (DM) is a source of bioactive compounds that can benefit neural functioning. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DM consumption on anxiolytic-related, despair-like, locomotion and coordination behaviors, as well as the provision of protection from oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in brain tissues and melatonin plasma levels. To achieve this, male mice orally received DM (4g.kg^-1) or vehicle for 18 days. Their behavior was assessed in the following tests: elevated plus maze (EPM), open field and rotarod tests (OF, RR) and forced swimming test (FST). Acute treatments with diazepam (DZP, 1.5mg.kg^-1, v.o.), fluoxetine (FLX, 20mg.kg^-1, i.p.) and nortriptyline (NTP, 20mg.kg^-1, i.p.) were used as positive controls. On the eighteenth day, the animals were euthanized and brain tissue and blood were collected to measure oxidative damage, and melatonin plasma levels. Similar to DZP, repeated DM consumption reduced exploration to open areas in the EPM test. Under our experimental conditions, conventional antidepressants reduced immobility time in the FST, and the benzodiazepine treatment impaired motor coordination in mice. No significant differences in locomotion, motor coordination and despair-related behaviors were observed in the mice treated with DM when assessed in the EPM, OF, RR and FST, respectively. Biochemical assays showed that repeated DM exposition protected against oxidative damage to lipids and increased plasma levels of melatonin. These findings suggest consumption of DM may be a promising food for the treatment of anxiety-related disorders, without depressant effects on the central nervous system.

Maternal safflower oil consumption improve reflex maturation, memory and reduces hippocampal oxidative stress in the offspring rats treated during pregnancy and lactation

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the influence of maternal consumption of safflower oil on reflex maturation, memory and offspring hippocampal oxidative stress.

METHODOLOGY

Two groups were formed: control group (C), whose mothers received a standard diet, and Safflower group (SF), whose mothers received a normolipidic diet with safflower oil as lipid source. Treatment was given from the 14th day of gestation and throughout lactation. To evaluate newborn development, the reflex ontogeny indicators between the 1st and the 21st days of life were evaluated; to assess memory, from the 42nd day of life on these animals were examined on open field habituation and novel object recognition test. Following behavioral analysis, the animals were anesthetized and decapitated. Hippocampus was rapidly dissected. In the hippocampal tissues, we evaluated the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH).

RESULTS

SF offspring showed delayed maturation of reflexes and improvement of novel object recognition in short-term and long-term (p < 0.05). Safflower oil decreases lipid peroxidation evaluated by MDA levels (p < 0.001) and increases antioxidant defenses as shown by SOD, CAT, GST and GSH levels (p < 0.05). In our study, the composition of flavonoids present in the oil was not evaluated. Furthermore, in a future study, the effect of maternal consumption on female offspring should be verified.

CONCLUSION

Maternal intake of safflower oil could: (1) change neonate reflex parameters, (2) promote improvement of cognitive development in adolescence (3) improve antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic defenses in the hippocampus.

Under or Absent Reporting of Light Stimuli in Testing of Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents: The Need for Standardization

Behavioral neuroscience tests such as the Light/Dark Test, the Open Field Test, the Elevated Plus Maze Test, and the Three Chamber Social Interaction Test have become both essential and widely used behavioral tests for transgenic and pre-clinical models for drug screening and testing. However, as fast as the field has evolved and the contemporaneous involvement of technology, little assessment of the literature has been done to ensure that these behavioral neuroscience tests that are crucial to pre-clinical testing have well-controlled ethological motivation by the use of lighting (i.e., Lux). In the present review paper, N = 420 manuscripts were examined from 2015 to 2019 as a sample set (i.e., n = ~20–22 publications per year) and it was found that only a meager n = 50 publications (i.e., 11.9% of the publications sampled) met the criteria for proper anxiogenic and anxiolytic Lux reported. These findings illustrate a serious concern that behavioral neuroscience papers are not being vetted properly at the journal review level and are being released into the literature and public domain making it difficult to assess the quality of the science being reported. This creates a real need for standardizing the use of Lux in all publications on behavioral neuroscience techniques within the field to ensure that contributions are meaningful, avoid unnecessary duplication, and ultimately would serve to create a more efficient process within the pre-clinical screening/testing for drugs that serve as anxiolytic compounds that would prove more useful than what prior decades of work have produced. It is suggested that improving the standardization of the use and reporting of Lux in behavioral neuroscience tests and the standardization of peer-review processes overseeing the proper documentation of these methodological approaches in manuscripts could serve to advance pre-clinical testing for effective anxiolytic drugs. This report serves to highlight this concern and proposes strategies to proactively remedy them as the field moves forward for decades to come.

Conjugated linoleic acid protects brain mitochondrial function in acrolein induced male rats

Acrolein (AC) is a toxic substance that can have a neurotoxic effect. It can cause oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a dietary supplement, has many biological functions. Limited information is available about the effect of CLA on AC-induced brain toxicity. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of CLA on mitochondrial oxidative stress, respiratory enzymes, krebs cycle enzymes and ATP levels in AC treated rat brain. Sprague Dawley male rats were given AC (5 mg/kg i.p.), CLA (200 mg/kg orally) and CLA with AC for six days per week for 30 days. Some oxidative stress parameters and mitochondrial enzymes such as manganese super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH), malate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LP), protein carbonyl (PC), oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes, and ATP levels were determined. AC significantly decreased the activities of GSH, antioxidant enzymes, OXPHOS enzymes (complex I and IV), TCA enzymes (ICDH and α-KGDH) and ATP levels. Significant increases were also observed in mitochondrial LP and PC levels in AC group. Co-treatment with AC + CLA improved oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by AC. As a result of our findings, it was observed that CLA was effective in improving oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial functions in brain tissue by the effect of AC. Considering the association between neurodegenerative diseases and mitochondrial dysfunction, CLA can play a role in the prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.

Maternal consumption of conjugated linoleic acid improves tolerance to glucose and hdl-cholesterol in the rat progeny

Our study evaluates the impacts of maternal consumption of different levels of CLA during pregnancy and lactation on physical and metabolic changes in the rat progeny. Three groups were formed: control (CG) - diet without CLA; CLA1 - diet containing 1% CLA; and CLA3 - diet containing 3% CLA. Murinometry, body fat collection, biochemical analysis, glycemic curves, liver fat amount, and fatty acid profiles of the liver were studied. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by the Tukey test (p < 0.05). The CLA3 group presented highest body weight, feed intake and BMI (p < 0.05). The retroperitoneal fat, epididymal fat, and body fat index were higher in the CLA1 and CLA3 groups (p < 0.05) but no difference was observed for mesenteric fat. Yet in contrast, the experimental groups presented lower abdominal circumference and glycemic curves when compared to the CG (p < 0.05). CLA1 and CLA3 groups presented higher values of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05), yet no difference was found in serum triglycerides or LDL. The CLA3 group presented less n-3, n-6, total PUFA, and arachidonic acid in liver fat (p < 0.05). The CLA1 and CLA3 groups were higher in total MUFA in the liver fat. In conclusion, CLA when consumed during gestation and lactation increased: tolerance to glucose, HDL, and the body fat index in the offspring. Only the CLA3 group presented reduced total PUFA, n-3, n-6 and arachidonic acid in the offspring's liver.

Evidence from comparative genomic analyses indicating that Lactobacillus-mediated irritable bowel syndrome alleviation is mediated by conjugated linoleic acid synthesis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic intestinal disorder accompanied by low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Several studies have indicated that Lactobacillus supplementation can help to alleviate IBS symptoms and that these effects are strain-specific. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the key physiological characteristics and functional genes contributing to the IBS-alleviating effects of Lactobacillus. An IBS model was established by subjecting C57BL/6 mice to Citrobacter rodentium ingestion and water avoidance stress. Lactobacillus strains with different physiological characteristics were administered to mice intragastrically for 4 weeks (5 × 109 CFU/0.2 mL per mouse per day). Indicators of colonic inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and gut microbiota were also evaluated. Finally, differences in functional genes between Lactobacillus strains were analyzed by a comparative genomic analysis, and the relationships between the physiological characteristics, functional genes, and IBS-alleviating effects of the strains were quantified using correlation analysis. Among the eight tested Lactobacillus strains, only Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8610 significantly inhibited the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, PAR-2, and mast cell tryptase. L. plantarum CCFM8610 also significantly increased the intestinal barrier function, inhibited visceral hypersensitivity symptoms, and modulated the gut microbiota diversity and composition. The correlation analysis of factors associated with the IBS-alleviating effects of Lactobacillus revealed the ability to synthesize conjugated linoleic acid as the most strongly associated physiological characteristic and COG1028-related genes as the most strongly associated functional genes. In conclusion, these findings can facilitate the rapid screening of Lactobacillus strains with IBS-alleviating effects and lay a foundation for studies of the related mechanisms.

Importance of Bioactive Substances in Sheep's Milk in Human Health

Sheep's milk is an important source of bioactive substances that have health-promoting functions for the body. The valuable composition of sheep's milk is due to the high content of fatty acids, immunoglobulins, proteins, hormones, vitamins and minerals. Many biopeptides found in milk have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactive substances of sheep's milk also show anticancer properties. Sheep's milk, thanks to its content of CLA and orotic acid, prevents the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Sheep's milk, as a product rich in bioactive substances, can be used as a medical aid to support the body in the fight against neurological and cancer diseases.

Untargeted Metabolomics of Korean Fermented Brown Rice Using UHPLC Q-TOF MS/MS Reveal an Abundance of Potential Dietary Antioxidative and Stress-Reducing Compounds

Free radical-induced oxidative stress is the root cause of many diseases, such as diabetes, stress and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this research was to screen GABA levels, antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds in brown rice. In this study, we first fermented brown rice with different lactic acid bacteria (LABs), and the best LAB was selected based on the levels of GABA in the fermentate. Lactobacillus reuterii generated the highest levels of GABA after fermentation. To ascertain whether germination can improve the GABA levels of brown rice, we compared the levels of GABA in raw brown rice (Raw), germinated brown rice (Germ), fermented brown rice (Ferm) and fermented-germinated brown rice (G+F) to identify the best approach. Then, antioxidant activities were investigated for Raw BR, Germ BR, Ferm BR and G+F BR. Antioxidant activity was calculated using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazile radical assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylene benzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. In Ferm BR, DPPH (114.40 ± 0.66), ABTS (130.52 ± 0.97) and FRAP (111.16 ± 1.83) mg Trolox equivalent 100 g, dry weight (DW), were observed as the highest among all samples. Total phenolic content (97.13 ± 0.59) and total flavonoids contents (79.62 ± 1.33) mg GAE/100 g and catechin equivalent/100 g, DW, were also found to be highest in fermented BR. Furthermore, an untargeted metabolomics approach using ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry revealed the abundance of bioactive compounds in fermented BR, such as GABA, tryptophan, coumaric acid, L-ascorbic acid, linoleic acid, β-carotenol, eugenol, 6-gingerol, etc., as well as bioactive peptides which could contribute to the health-promoting properties of L. reuterii fermented brown rice.

Metabolomics profiling reveals altered lipid metabolism and identifies a panel of lipid metabolites as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease related anxiety disorder

OBJECTIVES

Anxiety disorder is a common non-motor symptom in patient with Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to explore its pathogenesis and identify plasma biomarkers using untargeted metabolomics analysis.

METHODS

Consecutive PD patients and healthy controls were recruited. Clinical data were assessed and patients with Parkinson's disease related anxiety disorder (PDA) were recognized. Fast plasma samples were obtained and untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis was performed. Based on the differentially expressed metabolites from the above metabolomics analysis, correlation analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were further employed.

RESULTS

According to the clinical data, PDA patients had lower plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B. There were thirty-nine differentially expressed metabolites in PDA patients when compared with the other two groups from the metabolomics analysis, respectively. Fourteen lipid metabolites were simultaneously altered between these two groups, and all of them were significantly decreased. They can be further subcategorized into fatty acyls, glycerolipids, sterol lipids, sphingolipids, and prenol lipids. The plasma levels of thirteen metabolites were negatively correlated with HAMA scores except 10-oxo-nonadecanoic acid. Based on the ROC curves, the fourteen lipid metabolites can be diagnostic biomarkers for PDA patients separately and the areas under the curve of the fourteen lipid metabolites ranged from 0.681 to 0.798.

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly lower plasma lipoproteins can be found in PDA patients. A panel of fourteen lipid metabolites were also significantly decreased and can be clinical biomarkers for the diagnosis of PDA patients.

Metabolomic Biomarkers in Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders range among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and belong to the leading disorders in the study of the total global burden of disease. Anxiety disorders are complex conditions, with not fully understood etiological mechanisms. Numerous factors, including psychological, genetic, biological, and chemical factors, are thought to be involved in their etiology. Although the diagnosis of anxiety disorders is constantly evolving, diagnostic manuals rely on symptom lists, not on objective biomarkers and treatment effects are small to moderate. The underlying biological factors that drive anxiety disorders may be better suited to serve as biomarkers for guiding personalized medicine, as they are objective and can be measured externally. Therefore, the incorporation of novel biomarkers into current clinical methods might help to generate a classification system for anxiety disorders that can be linked to the underlying dysfunctional pathways. The study of metabolites (metabolomics) in a large-scale manner shows potential for disease diagnosis, for stratification of patients in a heterogeneous patient population, for monitoring therapeutic efficacy and disease progression, and for defining therapeutic targets. All of these are important properties for anxiety disorders, which is a multifactorial condition not involving a single-gene mutation. This review summarizes recent investigations on metabolomics studies in anxiety disorders.