Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) generally refers to impairment in cognition above that which accompanies the normal age-related cognitive decline and has attracted attention in recent years. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), which is isolated from cinnamon, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Treadmill exercise also has diverse positive effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combination effects of TCA and treadmill exercise on learning and memory in a cognitive impairment mouse induced by a combination of d-galactose (d-gal) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). We found that exercise and TCA attenuated cognitive impairment in mice with induced MCI. This effect was further increased by costimulation of exercise and TCA. To clarify the mechanisms of the positive effects of TCA and exercise, we analyzed the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and related signaling pathways. We found that TCA and exercise upregulated Nrf2, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO-1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1); this suggests that TCA and exercise attenuate cognitive dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress. We also found that Nrf2-related signaling pathways, i.e., the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Nrf2 and SIRT1/PGC-1a/Nrf2-ARE pathways, exerted antioxidant effects. Together, these results suggest that costimulation with TCA and exercise may be a therapeutic candidate for mild cognitive impairment.
Highlights
The brain is the chief main control center of the body, and it is very important to delay the aging of the brain for a healthy life [1]
Similar to the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) expression pattern, costimulation further upregulated NQO1 (F = 3.880), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (F = 3.727) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1) (F = 6.501) (Figures 3B,D and S1B,D). These results suggest that the memory improvement afforded by TCA and EX might be related to an antioxidant effect regulated by the Nrf2 signaling pathway
We found that TCA and exercise upregulated liver kinase B1 (LKB1), which is an upstream molecule of AMPK and a member of the Ser/Thr kinase family, which is closely related to AMPK [60]
Summary
The brain is the chief main control center of the body, and it is very important to delay the aging of the brain for a healthy life [1]. Cognitive function decreases during the aging process of the brain, causing various problems such as impairment in information processing, attention, working, and long-term memory [2,3,4]. With the aging of societies, cognitive impairment is becoming an increasingly common disease, accompanied by social and economic problems [2]. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) usually occurs before Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and it distinguished by the severity of cognitive decline that leads to functional impairment. It is important to explore effective therapeutics for memory dysfunction
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
