Journal
BRAIN SCIENCES
Volume 11, Issue 9, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091127
Keywords
pomegranate juice; urolithin; ellagitannins; dopamine; olfactory impairment; alpha-synuclein; non-motor symptoms; motor symptoms; Parkinson's disease
Categories
Funding
- Narodowe Centrum Nauki [UMO-2017/26/D/NZ7/00748]
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences
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The study shows that pomegranate juice treatment can protect against ROT-induced dopamine depletion in the midbrain in rats, leading to improved olfactory function and vertical activity, which correlates well with the presence of urolithin A in the brain.
Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a rich source of ellagitannins (ETs), precursors of colonic metabolite urolithin A, which are believed to contribute to pomegranate's neuroprotective effect. While many experimental studies involving PJ's role in Alzheimer's disease and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury have been conducted, our knowledge of pomegranate's effects against Parkinson's disease (PD) is very limited. Previously, we have reported that PJ treatment improved postural stability, which correlated well with enhancement of neuronal survival, protection against oxidative damage, and alpha-synuclein aggregation. Since olfactory and motor deficits are typical symptoms of PD, in this study, we aimed to investigate the capability of PJ to protect against olfactory, motoric, and neurochemical alterations. To evaluate its efficiency, Wistar rats were given a combined treatment with ROT (1.3 mg/kg b.w./day, s.c.) and PJ (500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 35 days. After this, we assessed the olfactory discrimination index (DI) and vertical and horizontal activities as well as levels of dopamine and its main metabolite 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the dissected midbrain of animals. Our findings provide the first evidence that PJ treatment protects against ROT-induced DA depletion in the midbrain, which correlates well with improved olfactory function and vertical activity as well as with the presence of urolithin A in the brain.
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