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The therapeutic potential of a polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched high-fat diet in Leigh syndrome: Insights from a preclinical model.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease
April 25, 2025
Luciano Willemse et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

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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