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Quercetin ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia-induced memory impairment through mitochondrial and neuron function adaptation via the PGC-1α pathway

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Liu, Peng | Zou, Dan | Yi, Long | Chen, Mingliang | Gao, Yanxiang | Zhou, Rui | Zhang, Qianyong | Zhou, Yong | Zhu, Jundong | Chen, Ka | Mi, Mantian

Affiliations: Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing, PR China

Note: [] Peng Liu and Dan Zou contribute evenly in this paper.

Note: [] Corresponding author: Mantian Mi and Ka Chen, Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing 400038, PR China. Tel.: +86 01 3508 305561; Fax: +86 23 6875 2305; E-mail: [email protected]; and Tel.: +86 015111985982; Fax: +86 23 6875 2305; E-mail: [email protected] (Ka Chen).

Note: [] Corresponding author: Mantian Mi and Ka Chen, Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Chongqing 400038, PR China. Tel.: +86 01 3508 305561; Fax: +86 23 6875 2305; E-mail: [email protected]; and Tel.: +86 015111985982; Fax: +86 23 6875 2305; E-mail: [email protected] (Ka Chen).

Keywords: Hypobaric hypoxia, memory impairment, mitochondria, neuroprotection, PGC-1α, quercetin

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-140446

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 143-157, 2015

Published: 2015
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Abstract

Purpose: Acute hypobaric hypoxia (HH) causes persistent cognitive impairment, affecting memory function specifically. Mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic morphological change were the prominent pathological features of HH exposure on brain. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains, is reported to prevent ischemia induced by neuronal injury. This study investigated the efficacy of quercetin to ameliorate HH-induced memory deficit. Methods: Rats were exposed to HH equivalent to 5000 m for 7 days in a decompression chamber and received quercetin daily (50, 75 or 100 mg/kg·bw) via gavage during the period of exposure. Cognitive performance was assessed by the Morris water maze test. In vitro, the effect of quercetin was tested in hippocampus tissue. Results: Quercetin, especially at 100 mg/kg·bw, significantly reduced HH-induced memory decline. Meanwhile, HH-induced hippocampus mitochondrial and synaptic lesions were ameliorated by quercetin. Furthermore, quercetin regulated the expression of sirtuin 1(Sirt1), PGC-1α, and the proteins related with mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics. Moreover, quercetin increased expression of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), showing the PGC-1α/FNDC5/BNDF pathways might be involved in neuronal adaptation. Conclusions: The results suggest quercetin has prophylactic potential for amelioration of HH-induced memory impairment, which is associated with the mitochondrial and neuronal adaptation in hippocampus.

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