Vitamin D exerts neuroprotection via SIRT1/nrf-2/ NF-kB signaling pathways against D-galactose-induced memory impairment in adult mice

Neurochem Int. 2021 Jan:142:104893. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104893. Epub 2020 Nov 4.

Abstract

Vitamin D (Vt. D) is one of the vital hormone having multiple functions in various tissues, including brain. Several evidences reported that Vt. D plays a significant part in memory and cognition as its inadequate amount may accelerate cognitive impairment. This study shows for the first time the antioxidant potential of Vt. D against D-Galactose (D-gal) induced oxidative stress mediated Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology in male adult albino mice. The result reveals that the mice exposed to D-gal (120 mg/kg) for eight weeks have pre-and post-synaptic dysfunction and impaired memory investigated through Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. This is followed by the suppressed Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and elevated expressions of Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-kB), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) proteins in the brain homogenates evaluated through western blotting technique. On the other hand Vt. D (100 μg/kg) administration (three times a week for 4 weeks) activated Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and significantly improved both the neuronal synapse and memory, reduced oxidative stress by upregulating NRF-2 and HO-1 and downregulating NF-kB, TNF-α and IL-1β proteins expression. Most importantly, Vt. D significantly abrogate the amyloidogenic pathway of amyloid beta (Aβ) production against D-gal in the brains of adult male albino mice. These results reveal that Vt. D being an antioxidant agent plays a vital role in reducing the AD pathophysiology in D-gal induced animal model of aging, therefore act as a potential drug candidate in neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: D-galactose; Neuroinflammation; Oxidative stress; Vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Galactose / toxicity
  • Male
  • Maze Learning
  • Memory Disorders / chemically induced
  • Memory Disorders / metabolism*
  • Memory Disorders / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation / methods
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / chemistry
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / chemistry
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neuroprotection / drug effects*
  • Neuroprotection / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sirtuin 1 / chemistry
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D / pharmacology
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Nfe2l2 protein, mouse
  • Vitamin D
  • Sirt1 protein, mouse
  • Sirtuin 1
  • Galactose