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Domínguez-López I, López-Yerena A, Vallverdú-Queralt A, Pallàs M, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Pérez M. From the gut to the brain: the long journey of phenolic compounds with neurocognitive effects. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae034. [PMID: 38687609 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiota is a complex community of micro-organisms that play a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Recent research has shown that gut microbes also have a profound impact on brain function and cognition, leading to the concept of the gut-brain axis. One way in which the gut microbiota can influence the brain is through the bioconversion of polyphenols to other bioactive molecules. Phenolic compounds are a group of natural plant metabolites widely available in the human diet, which have anti-inflammatory and other positive effects on health. Recent studies have also suggested that some gut microbiota-derived phenolic metabolites may have neurocognitive effects, such as improving memory and cognitive function. The specific mechanisms involved are still being studied, but it is believed that phenolic metabolites may modulate neurotransmitter signaling, reduce inflammation, and enhance neural plasticity. Therefore, to exert a protective effect on neurocognition, dietary polyphenols or their metabolites must reach the brain, or act indirectly by producing an increase in bioactive molecules such as neurotransmitters. Once ingested, phenolic compounds are subjected to various processes (eg, metabolization by gut microbiota, absorption, distribution) before they cross the blood-brain barrier, perhaps the most challenging stage of their trajectory. Understanding the role of phenolic compounds in the gut-brain axis has important implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders. By targeting the gut microbiota and its production of phenolic metabolites, it may be possible to improve brain function and prevent cognitive decline. In this article, the current state of knowledge on the endogenous generation of phenolic metabolites by the gut microbiota and how these compounds can reach the brain and exert neurocognitive effects was reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Domínguez-López
- Polyphenol Research Group, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, XIA, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anallely López-Yerena
- Polyphenol Research Group, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, XIA, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Vallverdú-Queralt
- Polyphenol Research Group, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, XIA, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Section and Institute of Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa M Lamuela-Raventós
- Polyphenol Research Group, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, XIA, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Pérez
- Polyphenol Research Group, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, XIA, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Morin A, Poitras M, Plamondon H. Global Cerebral Ischemia in Male Long Evans Rats Impairs Dopaminergic/ΔFosB Signalling in the Mesocorticolimbic Pathway Without Altering Delay Discounting Rates. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:770374. [PMID: 35058756 PMCID: PMC8763703 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.770374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Global cerebral ischemia (GCI) in rats has been shown to promote exploration of anxiogenic zones of the Elevated-Plus Maze (EPM) and Open Field Test (OFT). This study investigated changes in impulsive choice and/or defensive responses as possible contributors of heightened anxiogenic exploration observed after ischemia. Impulsivity was assessed using delay discounting (DD) paradigms, while the Predator Odour Test (PO) served to assess changes in defensive responses towards a naturally aversive stimulus. Male Long Evans rats underwent 9 days of autoshaping training and 24 days of DD training prior to GCI or sham surgery (n = 9/group). Post-surgery, rats completed the OFT, EPM, and PO, followed by 6 days of DD sessions. Blood droplets served to evaluate corticosterone secretion associated with PO exposure. With impulsivity being regulated through mesocorticolimbic monoaminergic pathways, we also characterised post-ischemic changes in the expression of dopamine D2 receptors (DRD2), dopamine transporters (DAT), and 1FosB in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) and shell (NAcS), and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) using immunohistofluorescence. Our findings revealed no impact of GCI on delay discounting rates, while PO approach behaviours were minimally affected. Nonetheless, GCI significantly reduced DRD2 and ΔFosB-ir in the NAcS and NAcC, respectively, while DAT-ir was diminished in both NAc subregions. Collectively, our findings refine the understanding of cognitive-behavioural and biochemical responses following stroke or cardiac arrest. They support significant alterations to the dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic pathway after ischemia, which are not associated with altered impulsive choice in a DD task but may influence locomotor exploration of the OFT and EPM.
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