title: Rice bran extract improves mitochondrial dysfunction in brains of aged NMRI mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aging represents a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Mitochondria are significantly involved in both the aging process and neurodegeneration. One strategy to protect the brain and to prevent neurodegeneration is a healthy lifestyle including a diet rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. Rice bran extract (RBE) contains various antioxidants including natural vitamin E forms (tocopherols and tocotrienols) and gamma-oryzanol. In this work, we examined the effects of a stabilized RBE on mitochondrial function in 18-month-old Naval Medical Research Institute mice (340 mg/kg body weight/day), which received the extract for 3 weeks via oral gavage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mitochondrial parameters were measured using high-resolution respirometry (Oroboros Oxygraph-2k), Western blot analysis, and photometric methods in dissociated brain cells, isolated mitochondria, and brain homogenate. Vitamin E concentrations in blood plasma and brain tissue were measured using HPLC with fluorescence detection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aging leads to decreased mitochondrial function (decreased mitochondrial respiration and ATP production) and decreased protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1alpha). RBE administration increased alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the brain and compensated for age-related mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing mitochondrial respiration, membrane potential, PGC1alpha protein expression, and citrate synthase activity. Furthermore, resistance of brain cells to sodium nitroprusside-induced nitrosative stress was improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to these results, RBE is a promising candidate nutraceutical for the prevention of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hagl
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berressem
authors.forename: Rehka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grewal
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sus
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Gunter P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Eckert
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000009:adverse effects; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D010666:Phenylpropionates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C485290:Ppargc1a protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014810:Vitamin E; D009599:Nitroprusside; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase; C013172:gamma-oryzanol
keywords: Aging; Biogenesis; Brain; Mitochondria; NMRI mice; Nutrition; Rice bran extract