Dissertação
Beta-cariofileno atenua dano cognitivo induzido pela exposição ao aspartame em ratos pela modulação da atividade da acetilcolinesterase e da Via BDNF/TrKB
Fecha
2021-08-26Autor
Rosa, Érica Vanessa Furlan
Institución
Resumen
Aspartame (ASP) is a widely used as a tabletop sweetener and sucrose substitute in many
food matrices. However, several studies have reported that exposure to ASP can damage
biological tissues, such as the central nervous system and causing behavioral changes,
such as learning and memory deficits. In this sense, β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a natural
pharmacologically active molecule that can be found in several foods such as bread,
coffee, alcoholic beverages and spices. Of particular importance, both ASP and BCP are
commonly consumed and may even be present at the same meal. Thus, the aim of this
study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of BCP against cognitive damage
induced by repeated exposure to ASP in rats as well as the putative involvement of the
BDNF / TrkB signaling pathway and the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In
addition, some plasma markers of liver and kidney function and lipid profile were also
evaluated. The Ethical Research Committee of Federal University of Santa Maria
approved all experimental procedures carried out in the present study. Male Wistar rats
received ASP (75 mg/kg; i.g.) and/or BCP (100 mg/kg; i.p.) once daily for 14 days. At
the end of the treatment protocol, the animals performed the behavioral tasks of open field
and object recognition, and then samples of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and blood were
collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. The results showed that ASP exposure
impaired short- and long-term memory compared to the control group. Treatment with
BCP was effective in protecting against cognitive damage. In addition, ASP exposure
increased AChE activity, which was prevented by BCP administration. Molecular
markers indicated increased levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus of rats treated
with BCP, suggesting greater activation of this pathway. Regarding plasma parameters,
ASP induced changes in ALT activity and HDL levels, while BCP was effective in
reducing values to those of the control group. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that
BCP protected against memory impairment induced by exposure to ASP, which may be
associated with a modulation of AChE activity and the BDNF / TrkB signaling pathway.