Protective effects of taurine and betaine against neurotoxicity via inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation signaling in the brain of mice fed a Western diet

Abstract

Western diet (WD) has been shown to impair liver functions via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress. Although osmolytes prevent liver dysfunction, little is known about the mechanisms by which they exert neuroprotective effects against WD-induced damage. We investigated neuroprotective effects of osmolytes and determined the involvement of inflammasome-mediated inflammation in liver and brain. Mice were fed a control diet, WD, or WD with taurine or betaine. Osmolyte supplementation attenuated serum lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokine levels in WD-fed mice. Oxidative stress, inflammasome-mediated inflammation, ER stress, and insulin resistance were lower in liver and brain of mice fed osmolyte-supplemented diet than in those fed WD. Moreover, they activated brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling and decreased β-amyloid deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation in the brain. These data implicate that osmolytes might be promising neuroprotective dietary supplements for WD-induced brain damage, as well as for previously reported genetically and chemically induced brain damage.