Nutrients

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22 pages, 3407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ganoderma Lucidum Triterpenoids Improve Maternal Separation-Induced Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors in Mice by Mitigating Inflammation in the Periphery and Brain

by Xue Mi, Gui-Rong Zeng, Jie-Qing Liu, Zhou-Song Luo, Ling Zhang, Xiao-Man Dai, Wen-Ting Fang, Jing Zhang and Xiao-Chun Chen

Nutrients 2022, 14(11), 2268; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112268 - 28 May 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5328

Abstract

Although early life stress (ELS) can increase susceptibility to adulthood psychiatric disorders and produce a greater inflammatory response in a stressful event, targeted preventive and therapeutic drugs still remain scarce. Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) can exert anti-inflammatory effects in the periphery and central [...] Read more.

Although early life stress (ELS) can increase susceptibility to adulthood psychiatric disorders and produce a greater inflammatory response in a stressful event, targeted preventive and therapeutic drugs still remain scarce. Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) can exert anti-inflammatory effects in the periphery and central nervous systems. This study employed a combined model of “childhood maternal separation + adulthood sub-stress” to explore whether GLTs may alleviate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in male and female mice by mitigating inflammation. Male and female pups were separated from their mothers for four hours per day from postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to PND 21; starting from PND 56, GLTs were administered intraperitoneally once daily for three weeks and followed by three days of sub-stress. Results showed that maternal separation increased the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in both male and female mice, which disappeared after the preemptive GLTs treatment (40 mg/kg) before adulthood sub-stress. Maternal separation up-regulated the pro-inflammatory markers in the periphery and brain, and activated microglia in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. All the abnormalities were reversed by GLTs administration, with no adverse effects on immune organ indices, liver, and renal function. Our findings suggest that GLTs can be a promising candidate in treating ELS-induced psychiatric disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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17 pages, 650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neurocognitive Effects of Cocoa and Red-Berries Consumption in Healthy Adults

by Joaquín García-Cordero, Alicia Pino, Constanza Cuevas, Verónica Puertas-Martín, Ricardo San Román and Sonia de Pascual-Teresa

Nutrients 2022, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14010001 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7765

Abstract

In recent decades, the elderly population has increased at higher rates than any other population group, resulting in an increase in age-related diseases such as neurodegenerative and cognitive impairment. To address this global health problem, it is necessary to search for new dietary [...] Read more.

In recent decades, the elderly population has increased at higher rates than any other population group, resulting in an increase in age-related diseases such as neurodegenerative and cognitive impairment. To address this global health problem, it is necessary to search for new dietary strategies that can prevent the main neurocognitive problems associated with the ageing process. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of cocoa flavanols and red berry anthocyanins on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R) and to stablish the possible improvement in cognitive performance by using a battery of neurocognitive tests that included the Verbal Learning Test Spain-Complutense, the Spatial Recall Test 10/36 BRB-N, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III and IV, the STROOP Task and the Tower of London Test. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study was performed in 60 healthy volunteers between 50 and 75 years old who consumed a cocoa powder, a red berries mixture or a combination of both for 12 weeks. After the intervention, we observed a reduction in the time needed to start (p = 0.031) and finish (p = 0.018) the neurocognitive test known as the Tower of London in all groups, but the decrease in time to finish the task was more pronounced in the intervention with the combination of cocoa-red berries group. We failed to show any significant difference in BDNF and NGF-R sera levels. However we found a negative correlation between BDNF and the number of movements required to finish the TOL in women (p = 0.044). In conclusion, our study showed an improvement in executive function, without any change in neurotrofin levels, for all intervention arms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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17 pages, 2966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Saffron Extract-Induced Improvement of Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice Is Associated with Modulation of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission

by Camille Monchaux De Oliveira, Line Pourtau, Sylvie Vancassel, Camille Pouchieu, Lucile Capuron, David Gaudout and Nathalie Castanon

Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030904 - 11 Mar 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7832

Abstract

Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern and display a continuously rising prevalence. Importantly, a large proportion of patients develops aversive side effects and/or does not respond properly to conventional antidepressants. These issues highlight the need to identify further therapeutic strategies, including [...] Read more.

Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern and display a continuously rising prevalence. Importantly, a large proportion of patients develops aversive side effects and/or does not respond properly to conventional antidepressants. These issues highlight the need to identify further therapeutic strategies, including nutritional approaches using natural plant extracts with known beneficial impacts on health. In that context, growing evidence suggests that saffron could be a particularly promising candidate. This preclinical study aimed therefore to test its antidepressant-like properties in mice and to decipher the underlying mechanisms by focusing on monoaminergic neurotransmission, due to its strong implication in mood disorders. For this purpose, the behavioral and neurobiochemical impact of a saffron extract, Safr’Inside™ (6.5 mg/kg per os) was measured in naïve mice. Saffron extract reduced depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test. This behavioral improvement was associated with neurobiological modifications, particularly changes in serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, suggesting that Safr’Inside™ may share common targets with conventional pharmacological antidepressants. This study provides useful information on the therapeutic relevance of nutritional interventions with saffron extracts to improve management of mood disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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12 pages, 447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Exogenous Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Salt Supplementation on Metrics of Safety and Health in Adolescents

by Matthew Stefan, Matthew Sharp, Raad Gheith, Ryan Lowery and Jacob Wilson

Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 854; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030854 - 5 Mar 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6356

Abstract

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet that will induce a state of ketosis, but because of its restrictive nature, it may be difficult to adhere to, especially in adolescents. Supplementing with exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate salts may induce a state of [...] Read more.

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet that will induce a state of ketosis, but because of its restrictive nature, it may be difficult to adhere to, especially in adolescents. Supplementing with exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate salts may induce a state of temporary ketosis without any undesirable side effects, thereby promoting the benefits of ketosis and minimizing adherence requirements to a ketogenic diet. To date, beta-hydroxybutyrate supplementation in healthy adolescents has not been explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the safety of exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate salt supplementation in a healthy adolescent population. In the present study, 22 healthy male and female adolescents consumed 3.75 g of beta-hydroxybutyrate salts or maltodextrin placebo twice daily for 90 days. Comprehensive blood safety analysis, bone densitometry, happiness and emotional intelligence surveys, and blood pressure were assessed at Pre, Day 45, and Day 90. There were no significant differences detected in subjects supplementing with beta-hydroxybutyrate salts, indicating that exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate salts had no detrimental impact on fasting blood safety metrics, bone density, happiness, emotional intelligence, or blood pressure. We conclude that supplementing with exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate salts is safe and well-tolerated by healthy adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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24 pages, 2911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fish Hydrolysate Supplementation Containing n-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Peptides Prevents LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation

by Mathilde Chataigner, Marie Martin, Céline Lucas, Veronique Pallet, Sophie Layé, Alexis Mehaignerie, Elodie Bouvret, Anne-Laure Dinel and Corinne Joffre

Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030824 - 2 Mar 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3881

Abstract

Neuroinflammation constitutes a normal part of the brain immune response orchestrated by microglial cells. However, a sustained and uncontrolled production of proinflammatory factors together with microglial activation contribute to the onset of a chronic low-grade inflammation, leading to neuronal damage and cognitive as [...] Read more.

Neuroinflammation constitutes a normal part of the brain immune response orchestrated by microglial cells. However, a sustained and uncontrolled production of proinflammatory factors together with microglial activation contribute to the onset of a chronic low-grade inflammation, leading to neuronal damage and cognitive as well as behavioral impairments. Hence, limiting brain inflammatory response and improving the resolution of inflammation could be particularly of interest to prevent these alterations. Dietary n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and low molecular weight peptides are good candidates because of their immunomodulatory and proresolutive properties. These compounds are present in a fish hydrolysate derived from marine-derived byproducts. In this study, we compared the effect of an 18-day supplementation with this fish hydrolysate to a supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in mice. In response to peripherally injected LPS, the fish hydrolysate supplementation decreased the hippocampal mRNA expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (p < 0.001), IL-1β (p = 0.0008) and TNF-α (p < 0.0001), whereas the DHA supplementation reduced only the expression of IL-6 (p = 0.004). This decline in proinflammatory cytokine expressions was associated with an increase in the protein expression of IκB (p = 0.014 and p = 0.0054 as compared to the DHA supplementation and control groups, respectively) and to a modulation of microglial activation markers in the hippocampus. The beneficial effects of the fish hydrolysate could be due in part to the switch of the hippocampal oxylipin profile towards a more anti-inflammatory profile as compared to the DHA supplementation. Thus, the valorization of fish byproducts seems very attractive to prevent and counteract neuroinflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 596 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health

by Scott C. Forbes, Dean M. Cordingley, Stephen M. Cornish, Bruno Gualano, Hamilton Roschel, Sergej M. Ostojic, Eric S. Rawson, Brian D. Roy, Konstantinos Prokopidis, Panagiotis Giannos and Darren G. Candow

Nutrients 2022, 14(5), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050921 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 93496

Abstract

While the vast majority of research involving creatine supplementation has focused on skeletal muscle, there is a small body of accumulating research that has focused on creatine and the brain. Preliminary studies indicate that creatine supplementation (and guanidinoacetic acid; GAA) has the ability [...] Read more.

While the vast majority of research involving creatine supplementation has focused on skeletal muscle, there is a small body of accumulating research that has focused on creatine and the brain. Preliminary studies indicate that creatine supplementation (and guanidinoacetic acid; GAA) has the ability to increase brain creatine content in humans. Furthermore, creatine has shown some promise for attenuating symptoms of concussion, mild traumatic brain injury and depression but its effect on neurodegenerative diseases appears to be lacking. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the current body of research pertaining to creatine supplementation on total creatine and phophorylcreatine (PCr) content, explore GAA as an alternative or adjunct to creatine supplementation on brain creatine uptake, assess the impact of creatine on cognition with a focus on sleep deprivation, discuss the effects of creatine supplementation on a variety of neurological and mental health conditions, and outline recent advances on creatine supplementation as a neuroprotective supplement following traumatic brain injury or concussion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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41 pages, 2053 KiB

Open AccessReview

Perinatal Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Brain Development, Role in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

by Maud Martinat, Moïra Rossitto, Mathieu Di Miceli and Sophie Layé

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041185 - 2 Apr 2021

Cited by 81 | Viewed by 10881

Abstract

n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids that are provided by dietary intake. Growing evidence suggests that n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are paramount for brain functions. They constitute crucial elements of cellular membranes, especially in the brain. They are [...] Read more.

n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids that are provided by dietary intake. Growing evidence suggests that n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are paramount for brain functions. They constitute crucial elements of cellular membranes, especially in the brain. They are the precursors of several metabolites with different effects on inflammation and neuron outgrowth. Overall, long-chain PUFAs accumulate in the offspring brain during the embryonic and post-natal periods. In this review, we discuss how they accumulate in the developing brain, considering the maternal dietary supply, the polymorphisms of genes involved in their metabolism, and the differences linked to gender. We also report the mechanisms linking their bioavailability in the developing brain, their transfer from the mother to the embryo through the placenta, and their role in brain development. In addition, data on the potential role of altered bioavailability of long-chain n-3 PUFAs in the etiologies of neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia, are reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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17 pages, 5460 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Maike Wolters, Annkathrin von der Haar, Ann-Kristin Baalmann, Maike Wellbrock, Thomas L. Heise and Stefan Rach

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041070 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5648

Abstract

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been suggested to affect depressive disorders. This review aims to determine the effect of n-3 PUFAs on depressive symptoms in people with or without diagnosed depression. Medline, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized controlled [...] Read more.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been suggested to affect depressive disorders. This review aims to determine the effect of n-3 PUFAs on depressive symptoms in people with or without diagnosed depression. Medline, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the association between n-3 PUFAs and depressive symptoms or disorders as outcomes. A random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was performed. Twenty-five studies (7682 participants) were included. Our meta-analysis (20 studies) indicated that n-3 PUFA supplementation lowered depressive symptomology as compared with placebo: SMD = −0.34, 95% CI: −0.55, −0.12, I² = 86%, n = 5836, but a possible publication bias cannot be ruled out. Subgroup analyses indicated no statistically significant difference by treatment duration of <12 vs. ≥12 weeks, presence of comorbidity, or severity of depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, beneficial effects were seen in the subgroups of studies with longer treatment duration and with no depression and mild to moderate depression. Subgroup analysis by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) dosage revealed differences in favor of the lower EPA dosage. Sensitivity analysis including studies with low risk of bias seems to confirm the overall result. Supplementation of n-3 PUFA appears to have a modest beneficial effect on depressive symptomology, although the quality of evidence is still insufficient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products, Micronutrient and Nutraceuticals to Improve Mood Disorders and Enhance Cognitive Function)

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