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Improvement of spatial memory dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice through a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet: potential role of LRP6/Wnt3a signaling in the hippocampus.

The Journal of nutritional biochemistry
April 25, 2025
Takeru Shima et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether a low-carbohydrate, high-protein (LC-HP) diet could alleviate spatial memory impairments associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in mice.

Results Summary

The LC-HP diet improved spatial memory performance in ob/ob mice and mitigated the downregulation of hippocampal mRNA levels for Lrp6, Igf1r, and Wnt3a. The study suggests potential biochemical mechanisms for memory improvement but is limited to a mouse model.

Population

Obese (ob/ob) and C57BL/6J mice as models for T2DM and control, respectively.

Effective Dosage

LC-HP diet (25.1% carbohydrate, 57.2% protein, 17.7% fat as percentages of calories).

Duration

4 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low-carbohydrate and high-protein (LC-HP) diet
increase
spatial memory performance
ob/ob mice
-
improved
#1
low-carbohydrate and high-protein (LC-HP) diet
increase
hippocampal mRNA levels for low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (Lrp6)
ob/ob mice
-
mitigated the downregulation
#2
low-carbohydrate and high-protein (LC-HP) diet
increase
hippocampal mRNA levels for IGF-1 receptor (Igf1r)
ob/ob mice
-
mitigated the downregulation
#3
low-carbohydrate and high-protein (LC-HP) diet
increase
hippocampal mRNA levels for Wnt3a
ob/ob mice
-
mitigated the downregulation
#4
Abstract

Hippocampal dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including deficits in spatial learning and memory, represent a significant challenge to overall health. Dietary interventions are considered effective therapeutic approaches for managing metabolic parameters in T2DM, with a low-carbohydrate and high-protein (LC-HP) diet being a representative example. However, the impact of an LC-HP diet on hippocampal dysfunction in T2DM remains unclear. In this study, we examined the potential role of an LC-HP diet to alleviate spatial memory impairments. C57BL/6J and ob/ob mice were assigned to either an LC-HP diet group (25.1% carbohydrate, 57.2% protein, and 17.7% fat as percentages of calories) or a control diet group (58.9% carbohydrate, 24.0% protein, and 17.1% fat as percentages of calories). After four weeks of dietary intervention, all mice underwent the Morris water maze test, followed by hippocampal mRNA expression analysis. The findings demonstrated that the LC-HP diet improved spatial memory performance in ob/ob mice. This dietary regimen mitigated the downregulation of hippocampal mRNA levels for low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (Lrp6), IGF-1 receptor (Igf1r), and Wnt3a observed in ob/ob mice. These results suggest that modulating biochemical molecules may play a role in ameliorating memory deficits associated with T2DM through LC-HP dietary interventions, highlighting potential targets for developing nutritional strategies to address hippocampal dysfunction caused by T2DM.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality80/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.30
Normalized Score0.64
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Improvement of spatial memory dysfunction in type 2 diabetic... | Panacea Index