Abstract
Kurozu is a traditional Japanese rice vinegar. During fermentation and aging of the Kurozu liquid in an earthenware jar over 1 year, a solid residue called Kurozu Moromi is produced. In the present study, we evaluated whether concentrated Kurozu or Kurozu Moromi could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in the senescence-accelerated P8 mouse. Senescence-accelerated P8 mice were fed 0.25% (w/w) concentrated Kurozu or 0.5% (w/w) Kurozu Moromi for 4 or 25 weeks. Kurozu suppressed cognitive dysfunction and amyloid accumulation in the brain, while Kurozu Moromi showed a tendency to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction, but the effect was not significant. We hypothesize that concentrated Kurozu has an antioxidant effect; however, the level of lipid peroxidation in the brain did not differ in senescence-accelerated P8 mice. DNA microarray analysis indicated that concentrated Kurozu increased HSPA1A mRNA expression, a protein that prevents protein misfolding and aggregation. The increase in HSPA1A expression by Kurozu was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting methods. The suppression of amyloid accumulation by concentrated Kurozu may be associated with HSPA1A induction. However, concentrated Kurozu could not increase HSPA1A expression in mouse primary neurons, suggesting it may not directly affect neurons.
Highlights
Dementia is a common illness that affects the quality of life in the aging population
The Morris water maze test showed that the escape time of the R1 CE2 group gradually shortened compared with that of the P8 CE2 group during training days, but there were no significant differences (Fig 1, left panel)
Significant differences were observed at 12 to 15 days in the P8 concentrated form of Kurozu (CK) group compared with the P8 CE2 group, and 13 to 14 days in the P8 Kurozu Moromi (KM) group compared with the P8 CE2 group
Summary
Dementia is a common illness that affects the quality of life in the aging population. There are no effective treatments; an early diagnosis and preventative measures, such as exercise, a healthy diet and social activity, have proven beneficial. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0150796. Kurozu Ameliorates Dementia via HSPA1A compositions of concentrated Kurozu and Kurozu Moromi. Cerebrovascular disease frequently co-exist and are part of a syndrome that may result in dementia. Excess oxidative stress has been suggested to contribute to dementia progression [1, 2]. It has been reported that antioxidants from fruit, green tea or olive oil, which contain high concentrations of polyphenols, help to prevent cognitive dysfunction in animal studies [1, 2]. Further evaluation is needed on potential candidates that ameliorate cognitive dysfunction
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