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Shibu M. Poulose - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dietary supplementation with the polyphenol rich acai pulps Euterpe oleracea mart and Euterpe precatoria mart improves cognition in aged rats and attenuates inflammatory signaling in bv 2 microglial cells
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2017Co-Authors: Amanda N. Carey, Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Derek R Fisher, Marshall G Miller, Casey K Gilman, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Objectives: The present study was carried out to determine if lyophilized acai fruit pulp (genus, Euterpe), rich in polyphenols and other bioactive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, is efficacious in reversing age-related cognitive deficits in aged rats.Methods: The diets of 19-month-old Fischer 344 rats were supplemented for 8 weeks with 2% Euterpe oleracea (EO), Euterpe precatoria (EP), or a control diet. Rats were tested in the Morris water maze and then blood serum from the rats was used to assess inflammatory responses of BV-2 microglial cells.Results: After 8 weeks of dietary supplementation with 2% EO or EP, rats demonstrated improved working memory in the Morris water maze, relative to controls; however, only the EO diet improved reference memory. BV-2 microglial cells treated with blood serum collected from EO-fed rats produced less nitric oxide (NO) than control-fed rats. Serum from both EO- and EP-fed rats reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). There is a relationship betw...
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Modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and expression of Nrf2 in hippocampus and frontal cortex of rats fed with açaí-enriched diets.
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2016Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Amanda N. Carey, Alexander G. Schauss, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Objective: Acai (Euterpe spp.), an exotic palm fruit, has recently emerged as a promising source of natural antioxidants with wide pharmacological and nutritional value. In this study, two different species of acai pulp extracts, naturally grown in two distinct regions of the Amazon, namely, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (habitat: Brazilian floodplains of the Amazon) and Euterpe precatoria Mart. (habitat: Bolivian Amazon), were studied for their effects on brain health and cognition.Methods: Neurochemical analyses were performed in critical brain regions associated with memory and cognition of 19-month-old acai-fed rats, in whom the cognitive benefits of acai had been established.Results: Results indicated significant reductions (P< 0.05) in prooxidant NADPH-oxidoreductase-2 (NOX2) and proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in acai-fed rats. Measurement of Nrf2 expression, a transcription factor for antioxidant enzymes, and a possible link between oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and autophagy mechanisms,...
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restoration of stressor induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol rich acai Euterpe spp fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro
Nutrition, 2014Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Abstract Objectives Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria acai fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Methods Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two acai species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca 2+ dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of acai fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. Results It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of acai, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea , when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant ( P 2+ influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with acai extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Acai extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Conclusion Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea , the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of acai fruit species on brain cells.
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Restoration of stressor-induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol-rich açaí (Euterpe spp.) fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro.
Nutrition (Burbank Los Angeles County Calif.), 2013Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria açaí fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two açaí species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of açaí fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca(2+)) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of açaí, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea, when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant (P < 0.05) recovery of depolarized brain cells from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with açaí extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Açaí extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea, the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of açaí fruit species on brain cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Barbara Shukitthale - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dietary supplementation with the polyphenol rich acai pulps Euterpe oleracea mart and Euterpe precatoria mart improves cognition in aged rats and attenuates inflammatory signaling in bv 2 microglial cells
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2017Co-Authors: Amanda N. Carey, Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Derek R Fisher, Marshall G Miller, Casey K Gilman, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Objectives: The present study was carried out to determine if lyophilized acai fruit pulp (genus, Euterpe), rich in polyphenols and other bioactive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, is efficacious in reversing age-related cognitive deficits in aged rats.Methods: The diets of 19-month-old Fischer 344 rats were supplemented for 8 weeks with 2% Euterpe oleracea (EO), Euterpe precatoria (EP), or a control diet. Rats were tested in the Morris water maze and then blood serum from the rats was used to assess inflammatory responses of BV-2 microglial cells.Results: After 8 weeks of dietary supplementation with 2% EO or EP, rats demonstrated improved working memory in the Morris water maze, relative to controls; however, only the EO diet improved reference memory. BV-2 microglial cells treated with blood serum collected from EO-fed rats produced less nitric oxide (NO) than control-fed rats. Serum from both EO- and EP-fed rats reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). There is a relationship betw...
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restoration of stressor induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol rich acai Euterpe spp fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro
Nutrition, 2014Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Abstract Objectives Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria acai fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Methods Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two acai species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca 2+ dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of acai fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. Results It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of acai, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea , when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant ( P 2+ influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with acai extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Acai extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Conclusion Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea , the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of acai fruit species on brain cells.
Donna F. Bielinski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dietary supplementation with the polyphenol rich acai pulps Euterpe oleracea mart and Euterpe precatoria mart improves cognition in aged rats and attenuates inflammatory signaling in bv 2 microglial cells
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2017Co-Authors: Amanda N. Carey, Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Derek R Fisher, Marshall G Miller, Casey K Gilman, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Objectives: The present study was carried out to determine if lyophilized acai fruit pulp (genus, Euterpe), rich in polyphenols and other bioactive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, is efficacious in reversing age-related cognitive deficits in aged rats.Methods: The diets of 19-month-old Fischer 344 rats were supplemented for 8 weeks with 2% Euterpe oleracea (EO), Euterpe precatoria (EP), or a control diet. Rats were tested in the Morris water maze and then blood serum from the rats was used to assess inflammatory responses of BV-2 microglial cells.Results: After 8 weeks of dietary supplementation with 2% EO or EP, rats demonstrated improved working memory in the Morris water maze, relative to controls; however, only the EO diet improved reference memory. BV-2 microglial cells treated with blood serum collected from EO-fed rats produced less nitric oxide (NO) than control-fed rats. Serum from both EO- and EP-fed rats reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). There is a relationship betw...
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Modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and expression of Nrf2 in hippocampus and frontal cortex of rats fed with açaí-enriched diets.
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2016Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Amanda N. Carey, Alexander G. Schauss, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Objective: Acai (Euterpe spp.), an exotic palm fruit, has recently emerged as a promising source of natural antioxidants with wide pharmacological and nutritional value. In this study, two different species of acai pulp extracts, naturally grown in two distinct regions of the Amazon, namely, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (habitat: Brazilian floodplains of the Amazon) and Euterpe precatoria Mart. (habitat: Bolivian Amazon), were studied for their effects on brain health and cognition.Methods: Neurochemical analyses were performed in critical brain regions associated with memory and cognition of 19-month-old acai-fed rats, in whom the cognitive benefits of acai had been established.Results: Results indicated significant reductions (P< 0.05) in prooxidant NADPH-oxidoreductase-2 (NOX2) and proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in acai-fed rats. Measurement of Nrf2 expression, a transcription factor for antioxidant enzymes, and a possible link between oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and autophagy mechanisms,...
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restoration of stressor induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol rich acai Euterpe spp fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro
Nutrition, 2014Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Abstract Objectives Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria acai fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Methods Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two acai species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca 2+ dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of acai fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. Results It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of acai, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea , when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant ( P 2+ influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with acai extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Acai extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Conclusion Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea , the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of acai fruit species on brain cells.
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Restoration of stressor-induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol-rich açaí (Euterpe spp.) fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro.
Nutrition (Burbank Los Angeles County Calif.), 2013Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria açaí fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two açaí species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of açaí fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca(2+)) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of açaí, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea, when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant (P < 0.05) recovery of depolarized brain cells from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with açaí extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Açaí extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea, the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of açaí fruit species on brain cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Barbara Shukitt-hale - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and expression of Nrf2 in hippocampus and frontal cortex of rats fed with açaí-enriched diets.
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2016Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Amanda N. Carey, Alexander G. Schauss, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Objective: Acai (Euterpe spp.), an exotic palm fruit, has recently emerged as a promising source of natural antioxidants with wide pharmacological and nutritional value. In this study, two different species of acai pulp extracts, naturally grown in two distinct regions of the Amazon, namely, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (habitat: Brazilian floodplains of the Amazon) and Euterpe precatoria Mart. (habitat: Bolivian Amazon), were studied for their effects on brain health and cognition.Methods: Neurochemical analyses were performed in critical brain regions associated with memory and cognition of 19-month-old acai-fed rats, in whom the cognitive benefits of acai had been established.Results: Results indicated significant reductions (P< 0.05) in prooxidant NADPH-oxidoreductase-2 (NOX2) and proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in acai-fed rats. Measurement of Nrf2 expression, a transcription factor for antioxidant enzymes, and a possible link between oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and autophagy mechanisms,...
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Restoration of stressor-induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol-rich açaí (Euterpe spp.) fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro.
Nutrition (Burbank Los Angeles County Calif.), 2013Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria açaí fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two açaí species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of açaí fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca(2+)) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of açaí, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea, when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant (P < 0.05) recovery of depolarized brain cells from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with açaí extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Açaí extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea, the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of açaí fruit species on brain cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Alexander G. Schauss - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and expression of Nrf2 in hippocampus and frontal cortex of rats fed with açaí-enriched diets.
Nutritional Neuroscience, 2016Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Amanda N. Carey, Alexander G. Schauss, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Objective: Acai (Euterpe spp.), an exotic palm fruit, has recently emerged as a promising source of natural antioxidants with wide pharmacological and nutritional value. In this study, two different species of acai pulp extracts, naturally grown in two distinct regions of the Amazon, namely, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (habitat: Brazilian floodplains of the Amazon) and Euterpe precatoria Mart. (habitat: Bolivian Amazon), were studied for their effects on brain health and cognition.Methods: Neurochemical analyses were performed in critical brain regions associated with memory and cognition of 19-month-old acai-fed rats, in whom the cognitive benefits of acai had been established.Results: Results indicated significant reductions (P< 0.05) in prooxidant NADPH-oxidoreductase-2 (NOX2) and proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in acai-fed rats. Measurement of Nrf2 expression, a transcription factor for antioxidant enzymes, and a possible link between oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and autophagy mechanisms,...
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The Effect of Acai (Euterpe spp.) Fruit Pulp on Brain Health and Performance
Bioactive Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements in Neurological and Brain Disease, 2015Co-Authors: Alexander G. SchaussAbstract:Abstract The pulp of two small palm fruits found in the Amazon forests of South America—Euterpe oleracea Mart., and Euterpe Precatoria Mart., commonly known as ‘acai’—have been found to contain the most potent combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenolics and flavonoids of all fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Flavones in the pulp include a compound called velutin, the most potent anti-inflammatory flavonoid found in nature. Acai has been studied to determine if it has neuroprotective properties capable of preventing, mitigating, and/or treating a range of neurological diseases, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. The pulp’s ability to attenuate the development of atherosclerosis lesions in vivo has been of particular interest to neuroscientists given the impact this disease can have on brain function. Research on the benefit of acai in supporting brain health and performance is still in the early stages, but based on the pulp’s properties and the experimental outcomes reported to date, further research is warranted.
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restoration of stressor induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol rich acai Euterpe spp fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro
Nutrition, 2014Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara ShukitthaleAbstract:Abstract Objectives Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria acai fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Methods Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two acai species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca 2+ dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of acai fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. Results It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of acai, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea , when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant ( P 2+ influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with acai extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Acai extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Conclusion Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea , the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of acai fruit species on brain cells.
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Potent Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Flavonoids in the Nutrient-Rich Amazonian Palm Fruit, Açaí ( Euterpe spp.)
Polyphenols in Human Health and Disease, 2014Co-Authors: Antoinette Y. Odendaal, Alexander G. SchaussAbstract:Euterpe oleracea Martius (Arecaceae), commonly known as acai, is one of several Amazonian palm trees of the genus Euterpe that produce a small edible fruit. A viscous liquid prepared from the fruit’s pulp has a long history of use among endogenous people living in the Amazon floodplains. Acai contains various polyphenols including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, as part of its phytochemical composition. In 1996, it was determined that the fruit’s pulp had potent antioxidant properties. The free radical scavenging potential of this fruit was eventually shown to have potential health benefits beyond its nutritional value attributed to its nutritional composition and vast array of polyphenols, including a class of flavones that exhibit both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivity. Among these flavones is a compound determined to be the most potent anti-inflammatory flavonoid found in nature. Animal and human studies have demonstrated that the combination of polyphenols and fatty acids in acai may have the potential to attenuate the adverse effects associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Polysaccharides in the pulp and compounds in the seed have also shown promising health benefits warranting further investigation.
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Restoration of stressor-induced calcium dysregulation and autophagy inhibition by polyphenol-rich açaí (Euterpe spp.) fruit pulp extracts in rodent brain cells in vitro.
Nutrition (Burbank Los Angeles County Calif.), 2013Co-Authors: Shibu M. Poulose, Donna F. Bielinski, Alexander G. Schauss, Derek R Fisher, Stacey M Gomes, Agnes M Rimando, Barbara Shukitt-haleAbstract:Oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the brain often causes progressive neuronal degeneration and death that are the focal traits of chronic and acute pathologies, including those involving cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of both Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria açaí fruit pulp on restoring stressor-induced calcium dysregulation, stunted growth of basal dendrites, and autophagy inhibition using embryonic hippocampal and HT22 hippocampal neurons. Water-soluble whole fruit pulp extracts from two açaí species were applied to rat primary neurons and HT22 hippocampal neurons with varied time and concentrations. Recovery of neurons from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) dysregulation was measured by live cell imaging using fluorescent microscopy. The effect of açaí fruit pulp extracts on neurons following chemically-induced autophagy inhibition was measured using both immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques. It has been postulated that at least part of the loss of cognitive function in aging may depend on a dysregulation in calcium ion (Ca(2+)) homeostasis and a loss of autophagy function in the brain, which affects numerous signaling pathways and alters protein homeostasis. In the present study, polyphenol-rich fruit pulp extracts from two species of açaí, Euterpe precatoria and Euterpe oleracea, when applied to rat hippocampal primary neuronal cells (E18), caused a significant (P < 0.05) recovery of depolarized brain cells from dopamine-induced Ca(2+) influx. Autophagy, a protein homeostasis mechanism in brain, when blocked by known inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 or wortmannin, caused a significant reduction in the growth of primary basal dendrites in rodent primary hippocampal neurons and significant accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in mouse HT22 hippocampal neurons in culture. However, pretreatment with açaí extracts up to 1 mg/mL significantly increased the length of basal dendrites and attenuated the inhibitor-induced autophagy dysfunction. Açaí extracts activated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin, increased the turnover of autophagosomes and MAP1 B LC3-II, and decreased accumulation of LC3-ubiquitin binding P62/SQSTM1. Although the polyphenol profile of Euterpe precatoria showed substantially higher concentrations of major flavonoids han Euterpe oleracea, the relative effects were essentially similar for both species. The study adds to growing evidence that supports the putative health effects of açaí fruit species on brain cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.
