title: Cerebral accumulation of dietary derivable plant sterols does not interfere with memory and anxiety related behavior in Abcg5-/- mice.
abstract: Plant sterols such as sitosterol and campesterol are frequently applied as functional food in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Recently, it became clear that plasma derived plant sterols accumulate in murine brains. We questioned whether plant sterols in the brain are associated with alterations in brain cholesterol homeostasis and subsequently with brain functions. ATP binding cassette (Abc)g5-/- mice, a phytosterolemia model, were compared to Abcg5+/+ mice for serum and brain plant sterol accumulation and behavioral and cognitive performance. Serum and brain plant sterol concentrations were respectively 35-70-fold and 5-12-fold increased in Abcg5-/- mice (P<0.001). Plant sterol accumulation resulted in decreased levels of desmosterol (P<0.01) and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (P<0.01) in the hippocampus, the brain region important for learning and memory functions, and increased lanosterol levels (P<0.01) in the cortex. However, Abcg5-/- and Abcg5+/+ displayed no differences in memory functions or in anxiety and mood related behavior. The swimming speed of the Abcg5-/- mice was slightly higher compared to Abcg5+/+ mice (P<0.001). In conclusion, plant sterols in the brains of Abcg5-/- mice did have consequences for brain cholesterol metabolism, but did not lead to an overt phenotype of memory or anxiety related behavior. Thus, our data provide no contra-indication for nutritional intake of plant sterol enriched nutrition.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229, ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Vanmierlo
authors: Kris
authors: K
authors: Rutten
authors: Leonie C
authors: LC
authors: van Vark-van der Zee
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Friedrichs
authors: Vincent W
authors: VW
authors: Bloks
authors: Arjan
authors: A
authors: Blokland
authors: Frans C
authors: FC
authors: Ramaekers
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Sijbrands
authors: Harry
authors: H
authors: Steinbusch
authors: Jos
authors: J
authors: Prickaerts
authors: Folkert
authors: F
authors: Kuipers
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Lütjohann
authors: Monique
authors: M
authors: Mulder
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D003897:Desmosterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006888:Hydroxycholesterols / Q000378:metabolism; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000378:metabolism; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D007810:Lanosterol / Q000378:metabolism; D008052:Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013265:Stigmasterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D006888:Hydroxycholesterols; D010840:Phytosterols; D012855:Sitosterols; D007810:Lanosterol; D003897:Desmosterol; C044563:24-hydroxycholesterol; C021273:campesterol; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D002784:Cholesterol; D013265:Stigmasterol