Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis

Abstract The intricate causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) hinder effective, lasting treatment. Although the dietary modulation of the brain–gut axis was explored for AD therapy, the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study suggested that 140 days of the whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) intake...

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Main Authors: Yongjie Zhou, Hanxiu Meng, Ning Ding, Hui Hong, Yongkang Luo, Chao Wu, Yuqing Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-09-01
Series:Food Frontiers
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.448
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author Yongjie Zhou
Hanxiu Meng
Ning Ding
Hui Hong
Yongkang Luo
Chao Wu
Yuqing Tan
author_facet Yongjie Zhou
Hanxiu Meng
Ning Ding
Hui Hong
Yongkang Luo
Chao Wu
Yuqing Tan
author_sort Yongjie Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The intricate causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) hinder effective, lasting treatment. Although the dietary modulation of the brain–gut axis was explored for AD therapy, the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study suggested that 140 days of the whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) intake could attenuate the AD pathologic symptoms in APP/PS1 transgenic mice via a bidirectional action of the gut microbe–SCFA (short‐chain fatty acid)–brain axis. Behavioral tests demonstrated that high‐dose WPH (WPH‐H, 100 mg/kg body weight [bw]) improved passive and recognition memory in mice. Furthermore, WPH‐H significantly reduced amyloid beta 1–42 (Aβ1–42) levels in serum (p < .05) and brain (p < .001) while enhancing serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < .01). Brain acetylcholinesterase (p < .01) activity and pro‐inflammatory factors in serum were also reduced. Notably, WPH‐H remodeled gut microbiota composition by increasing Dubosiella and decreasing Bacteroides and norank_f__Ruminococcaceae while stimulating SCFA production. Proteomics indicated that WPH enhanced neurotoxic Aβ autophagy, synaptogenesis, neurotransmitter delivery, and antioxidative stress response via regulated protein expression. Correlation analysis revealed strong links between modified gut microbiota, elevated SCFA levels, and hippocampal protein up‐regulation (Atg4b, Nsfl1c, Tcf20, Nr2f1, and Trappc9) and down‐regulation (Krt1). Overall, the amelioration of memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice through WPH‐H consumption can be attributed to the interconnected interactions among gut microbes, SCFAs, and brain. Our study illuminated the intricate interplay between nutrition, gut health, and memory function, emphasizing WPH's potential in alleviating AD symptoms.
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spelling doaj-art-ed1216a7169c41b5bc6b059fdc9fe3902024-11-17T09:43:58ZengWileyFood Frontiers2643-84292024-09-01552171218710.1002/fft2.448Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axisYongjie Zhou0Hanxiu Meng1Ning Ding2Hui Hong3Yongkang Luo4Chao Wu5Yuqing Tan6Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaBeijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaBeijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaBeijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaBeijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaBeijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaBeijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering China Agricultural University Beijing ChinaAbstract The intricate causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) hinder effective, lasting treatment. Although the dietary modulation of the brain–gut axis was explored for AD therapy, the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study suggested that 140 days of the whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) intake could attenuate the AD pathologic symptoms in APP/PS1 transgenic mice via a bidirectional action of the gut microbe–SCFA (short‐chain fatty acid)–brain axis. Behavioral tests demonstrated that high‐dose WPH (WPH‐H, 100 mg/kg body weight [bw]) improved passive and recognition memory in mice. Furthermore, WPH‐H significantly reduced amyloid beta 1–42 (Aβ1–42) levels in serum (p < .05) and brain (p < .001) while enhancing serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < .01). Brain acetylcholinesterase (p < .01) activity and pro‐inflammatory factors in serum were also reduced. Notably, WPH‐H remodeled gut microbiota composition by increasing Dubosiella and decreasing Bacteroides and norank_f__Ruminococcaceae while stimulating SCFA production. Proteomics indicated that WPH enhanced neurotoxic Aβ autophagy, synaptogenesis, neurotransmitter delivery, and antioxidative stress response via regulated protein expression. Correlation analysis revealed strong links between modified gut microbiota, elevated SCFA levels, and hippocampal protein up‐regulation (Atg4b, Nsfl1c, Tcf20, Nr2f1, and Trappc9) and down‐regulation (Krt1). Overall, the amelioration of memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice through WPH‐H consumption can be attributed to the interconnected interactions among gut microbes, SCFAs, and brain. Our study illuminated the intricate interplay between nutrition, gut health, and memory function, emphasizing WPH's potential in alleviating AD symptoms.https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.448brain–gut axisgut microbesmemoryproteomic analysisshort‐chain fatty acidswhey protein hydrolysates
spellingShingle Yongjie Zhou
Hanxiu Meng
Ning Ding
Hui Hong
Yongkang Luo
Chao Wu
Yuqing Tan
Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis
Food Frontiers
brain–gut axis
gut microbes
memory
proteomic analysis
short‐chain fatty acids
whey protein hydrolysates
title Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis
title_full Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis
title_fullStr Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis
title_full_unstemmed Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis
title_short Whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice: Unveiling gut microbe–short‐chain fatty acid–brain axis
title_sort whey protein hydrolysate intervention ameliorates memory deficits in app ps1 mice unveiling gut microbe short chain fatty acid brain axis
topic brain–gut axis
gut microbes
memory
proteomic analysis
short‐chain fatty acids
whey protein hydrolysates
url https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.448
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