Elderberry diet enhances motor performance and reduces neuroinflammation-induced cell death in cerebellar ataxia rat models.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether an elderberry diet could improve motor function and reduce neurodegeneration in a rat model of cerebellar ataxia induced by 3-acetylpyridine.
Results Summary
Elderberry diet improved motor coordination, locomotor activity, and neuromuscular function, prevented Purkinje neuron degeneration, reduced apoptosis, and modulated inflammatory and antioxidant gene expression in the cerebellum of ataxic rats.
Population
3-acetylpyridine-induced cerebellar ataxia rat model
Effective Dosage
2% elderberry diet
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | increase | motor coordination | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | improved | #1 |
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | increase | locomotor activity | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | improved | #2 |
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | increase | neuro-muscular function | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | improved | #3 |
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | decrease | Purkinje neurons degeneration | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | prevented | #4 |
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | increase | microglia and astrocyte complexity | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | increased | #5 |
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | decrease | cell soma size | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | reduced | #6 |
elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB | decrease | apoptosis in cerebellum | 3-AP ataxic model | - | decreased | #7 |
elderberry diet treatment | decrease | expression of inflammatory, apoptotic and necroptotic genes | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | decreased | #8 |
elderberry diet treatment | increase | expression of antioxidant-related genes | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | increased | #9 |
EB diet | decrease | 3-AP-induced neuroinflammation leading to cell death | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | attenuates | #10 |
EB diet | increase | motor performance | 3-AP ataxia model rat | - | improves | #11 |
Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a condition in which cerebellar dysfunction results in movement disorders such as dysmetria, synergy and dysdiadochokinesia. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of elderberry (EB) diet on the 3-acetylpyridine-induced (3-AP) CA rat model. First, CA rat models were generated by 3-AP administration followed by elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB for 8 consecutive weeks. Motor performance, electromyographic activity and gene expression were then evaluated. The number of Purkinje neurons were evaluated by stereological methods. Immunohistochemistry for the microgliosis, astrogliosis and apoptosis marker caspase-3 was also performed. In addition, the morphology of microglia and astrocytes was assessed using the Sholl analysis method. The results showed that EB diet administration in a 3-AP ataxia model improved motor coordination, locomotor activity and neuro-muscular function, prevented Purkinje neurons degeneration, increased microglia and astrocyte complexity and reduced cell soma size. Moreover, EB diet administration decreased apoptosis in cerebellum of 3-AP ataxic model. In addition, elderberry diet treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory, apoptotic and necroptotic genes and increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes. The results suggest that the EB diet attenuates 3-AP-induced neuroinflammation leading to cell death and improves motor performance. Thus, the EB diet could be used as a therapeutic procedure for CA due to its neuroprotective effects.