title: Postnatal high-protein diet improves learning and memory in premature rats via activation of mTOR signaling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated whether a high-protein diet affects spatial learning and memory in premature rats via modulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and full-term Sprague-Dawley pups were fed a normal (18% protein) or high-protein (30% protein) diet (HPD) for 6 or 8 weeks after weaning. Spatial learning and memory were tested in the Morris water maze at week 6 and 8. The activation of mTOR signaling pathway components was evaluated by western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spatial memory performance of premature rats consuming a normal and HPD was lower than that of full-term rats on the same diet at 6 weeks, and was associated with lower levels of ribosomal protein S6 kinase p70 subtype (p70S6K) and initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Spatial memory was improved in 8-week-old premature rats on an HPD as compared to those on a normal diet. Premature rats on an HPD had p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation levels in the hippocampus that were comparable to those of full-term rats on an HPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term consumption of a protein-rich diet can restore the impairment in learning and memory in pre-term rats via upregulation of mTOR/p70S6K signaling.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Zhi-Wen
authors: ZW
authors: Su
authors: Jinan University, Guangzhong, China; Guangzhou Yuexiu District Children׳s Hospital, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Jia-Yi
authors: JY
authors: Liao
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Guangzhou Yuexiu District Children׳s Hospital, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Fan
authors: F
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Xiao-Hua
authors: XH
authors: Tian
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Fei-Tong
authors: FT
authors: Zhang
authors: Institute of Neuroscience Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China.
authors: Wei-Wen
authors: WW
authors: Sun
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhong, China. Electronic address: chengnuo1126@163.com.
authors: Qi-Liang
authors: QL
authors: Cui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D065853:Spatial Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; C546845:mTOR protein, rat; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
keywords: High-protein diet; Learning and memory; Mammalian target of rapamycin; Morris water maze; Premature rats