Resveratrol Protects the Brain of Obese Mice from Oxidative Damage

Shraddha D Rege,Thangiah Geetha,Tom L Broderick,Leslie Tamura,Jeganathan Ramesh Babu,David N Wilson,Kevin W Huggins,Sruthi Kumar,Suresh T Mathews

doi:10.1155/2013/419092

Shraddha D Rege, Thangiah Geetha + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/419092

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Abstract

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin that exerts cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antioxidant effects. Recently it has been shown that obesity is associated with an increase in cerebral oxidative stress levels, which may enhance neurodegeneration. The present study evaluates the neuroprotective action of resveratrol in brain of obese (ob/ob) mice. Resveratrol was administered orally at the dose of 25 mg kg−1 body weight daily for three weeks to lean and obese mice. Resveratrol had no effect on body weight or blood glucose levels in obese mice. Lipid peroxides were significantly increased in brain of obese mice. The enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and nonenzymatic antioxidants tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and glutathione were decreased in obese mice brain. Administration of resveratrol decreased lipid peroxide levels and upregulated the antioxidant activities in obese mice brain. Our findings indicate a neuroprotective effect of resveratrol by preventing oxidative damage in brain tissue of obese mice.

Highlights

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes
Resveratrol Had No Effect on Body Weight of Obese Mice
Body weight was not altered with resveratrol treatment of obese mice

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. Roughly 30 percent of obese people are diabetic, and 85 percent of diabetics are obese. Obesity has been shown to increase the level of cerebrocortical reactive oxygen species and impair brain function [1], suggesting that obesity may increase the risk for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease [2, 3]. The release of peroxides and free radicals is toxic to the cell, which may lead to cell death The antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and peroxidases, and nonenzymatic free radical scavengers (ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and GSH) convert the reactive oxygen species to water and oxygen, the stable molecules. These antioxidants are known to protect the cells and tissues against oxidative injury caused by reactive oxygen species [6]

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