Dietary Xylitol Supplement Ameliorated AD-related Neuronal Injury by Regulating Glucose Metabolism Relevant Amino Acids in Mice

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common irreversible degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Recent studies have found that patients with AD generally experience abnormal glucose metabolism. Xylitol is a functional sugar alcohol, which has been reported to regulate glucose metabolism.

Objective: The present study was designed to determine whether xylitol can alleviate cognitive impairment in AD mice.

Methods: In the current research, 5% xylitol was supplemented in the diet to treat APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice for 2 months. Cognitive ability was measured by the Morris water maze, and anxiety-like behaviors were examined by open-field experiment. Hippocampal cellular apoptosis and mitochondria pathway related apoptotic proteins were tested by TUNEL staining and immunoblotting, respectively. By LC-MS, plasma levels of glucose metabolism intermediates and related amino acids were evaluated.

Results: Results showed that xylitol could significantly ameliorate anxiety-like activity in AD mice by partially regulating expression levels of mitochondrial pathway-related apoptotic proteins. Xylitolregulated glucose metabolism may play an important role in the process.

Conclusion: The current study suggests that xylitol may be a potential candidate for improving neuropsychiatric behavior in AD by regulating the levels of TCA cycle intermediates and related amino acids in glucose metabolism.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Xylitol; anxiety-like symptoms; glucose metabolism; mitochondrial dysfunction; neuronal injury.