Beta-carotene as a novel therapy for the treatment of "Autistic like behavior" in animal models of Autism.


Journal

Behavioural brain research
ISSN: 1872-7549
Titre abrégé: Behav Brain Res
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 8004872

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
17 05 2019
Historique:
received: 04 07 2017
revised: 14 09 2017
accepted: 25 09 2017
pubmed: 1 10 2017
medline: 14 2 2020
entrez: 1 10 2017
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Autism-affected individuals are characterized by lower plasma oxytocin and its ectoenzyme regulator CD38. Oxytocin, a hypothalamic hormone secreted upon the release of CD38, plays a role in social behavior and bonding. All-trans retinoic acid is a potent inducer of CD38 and can be used as a novel therapeutic strategy in autism. We investigated the role of beta-carotene in rescuing autistic-like behavior in BALB/c and BTBR mice. Beta-carotene derivatives are preferred as they are neither toxic nor teratogenic. Beta-carotene at 0.1-5.0 mg/kg was administered orally to BALB/c and BTBR newborn mice on days 1-7. They were tested at age 2-3 months for five behavioral tests for "autism"; in addition, brain CD38, oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and retinoic acid receptor gene expression, serum oxytocin levels, and neurological score were evaluated. Beta-carotene administered at birth significantly increased T-maze alternations and led to longer time spent with an unfamiliar mouse in the "three-chamber test" and less time spent in the empty chamber. Furthermore, enhanced activity in the open field test; increased time spent in the reciprocal social interaction test; decreased grooming and bedding behaviors; and enhanced brain CD38, oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, BDNF, retinoic acid gene expression, and serum oxytocin levels. No changes in neurological score were observed. Beta-carotene oral supplementation to BALB/c and BTBR mice at birth significantly reduced restricted and stereotyped behaviors and interests, increased social interactions and communication, CD38, and oxytocin, probably by enhancing brain neuroplasticity without toxicity. Thus, beta-carotene administered after birth to newborns of families predisposed to "autism" has the potential to prevent/ameliorate" autistic like behavior". These results support further clinical studies.

Identifiants

pubmed: 28963040
pii: S0166-4328(17)31103-8
doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.041
pii:
doi:

Substances chimiques

Bdnf protein, mouse 0
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor 0
Membrane Glycoproteins 0
Receptors, Retinoic Acid 0
beta Carotene 01YAE03M7J
Oxytocin 50-56-6
Cd38 protein, mouse EC 3.2.2.5
ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 EC 3.2.2.6

Types de publication

Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

469-479

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Auteurs

Yosefa Avraham (Y)

Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel. Electronic address: yosefa@md.huji.ac.il.

Elliot M Berry (EM)

Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.

Marina Donskoy (M)

Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.

Wiessam Abu Ahmad (WA)

Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.

Lia Vorobiev (L)

Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.

Amnon Albeck (A)

Department of Chemistry, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel.

David Mankuta (D)

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.

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Classifications MeSH