The therapeutic potential of a polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched high-fat diet in Leigh syndrome: Insights from a preclinical model.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate whether a PUFA-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) could mitigate disease phenotypes, including systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome caused by Ndufs4 mutations.
Results Summary
The HFD significantly extended lifespan and improved clasping behavior in Ndufs4 KO mice, reduced serum pro-inflammatory markers (TNF and IL-6), and partially restored metabolic disruptions. However, it had no effect on locomotor activity or grip strength decline, and brain signaling pathways remained unaffected.
Population
Ndufs4 knockout (KO) mice, a model for Leigh syndrome, with dietary intervention starting at postnatal day 23.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (PUFA-enriched HFD composition details not provided).
Duration
Continued until natural death for phenotypic evaluation; biochemical analyses conducted after three weeks on the diet.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | lifespan | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | significantly extended | #1 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | clasping behaviour | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | improved | #2 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | no change | locomotor activity | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | had no effect on | #3 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | no change | grip strength decline | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | had no effect on | #4 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | no change | whole-brain mTOR (p70S6K1, 4E-BP1) signalling pathways | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | remained unaffected | #5 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | no change | whole-brain SIRT1 (PGC1-α, TNF-α) signalling pathways | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | remained unaffected | #6 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | decrease | serum pro-inflammatory markers TNF | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | significantly reduced | #7 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | decrease | serum pro-inflammatory markers IL-6 | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | significantly reduced | #8 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | TCA cycle metabolism | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | partially restored disruptions in | #9 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | ketone body metabolism | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | partially restored disruptions in | #10 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | branched-chain amino acid metabolism | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | partially restored disruptions in | #11 |
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) | increase | lipid metabolism | Ndufs4 KO mice | - | partially restored disruptions in | #12 |
INTRODUCTION: Leigh syndrome is often caused by Ndufs4 mutations. The Ndufs4 knockout (KO) mouse model recapitulates key disease features, including systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and motor deficits. While dietary interventions such as the ketogenic diet show promise in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, conflicting results highlight uncertainties regarding its efficacy. Here, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched high-fat diet (HFD) in Ndufs4 KO mice. METHODS: Dietary intervention began at postnatal day 23, with mice receiving either a normal diet (ND) or a HFD enriched with PUFAs. Phenotypic evaluation, including locomotor function, clasping behaviour, and survival, continued until natural death. In a second group of animals, biochemical analyses were conducted after three weeks on the diets, using Western blot to evaluate neurometabolic and inflammatory regulators, flow cytometry to quantify serum inflammation markers, and metabolic profiling to identify alterations in neurometabolism and the neurolipidome. RESULTS: The HFD significantly extended lifespan and improved clasping behaviour in Ndufs4 KO mice but had no effect on locomotor activity or grip strength decline. While whole-brain mTOR (p70S6K1, 4E-BP1) and SIRT1 (PGC1-α, TNF-α) signalling pathways remained unaffected, the diet significantly reduced serum pro-inflammatory markers TNF and IL-6. Furthermore, the PUFA-enriched HFD partially restored disruptions in TCA cycle, ketone body, branched-chain amino acid, and lipid metabolism, indicating potential metabolic reprogramming. CONCLUSION: Dietary interventions, such as a PUFA-enriched HFD, may alleviate systemic inflammation, partially correct metabolic imbalances, and mitigate specific disease phenotypes in Leigh syndrome, warranting further investigation into the underlying mechanisms and broader therapeutic applications.