Attenuation of Autism-like Behaviors by an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract from Portuguese Blueberries via Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Modulation in a Valproic Acid Mouse Model

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2022

Autores

Serra, D (Autor) Outra; Henriques, JF (Autor) Outra; Sousa, FJ (Autor) Outra; Laranjo, M (Autor) Outra; Resende, R (Autor) Outra; Ferreira Marques, M (Autor) Outra; Victor de Freitas (Autor) FCUP; Silva, G (Autor) Outra; Peca, J (Autor) Outra; Dinis, TCP (Autor) Outra; Almeida, LM (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: International Journal Of Molecular Sciences

Vol. 23

Página Final: 9259

ISSN: 1661-6596

Editora: MDPI

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citações

Scopus - 16 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00X-40R

DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169259

Abstract (EN): Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental pathologies whose current treatment is neither curative nor effective. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds abundant in blueberries and in other red fruits which have been shown to be successful in the treatment of several neurological diseases, at least in in vitro and in vivo disease models. The aim of the present work was to study the ability of an anthocyanin-rich extract (ARE) obtained from Portuguese blueberries to alleviate autism-like symptoms in a valproic acid (VPA) mouse model of ASD and to get insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of such benefits. Therefore, pregnant BALB/c females were treated subcutaneously with a single dose of VPA (500 mg/kg) or saline on gestational day 12.5. Male offspring mice were orally treated with the ARE from Portuguese blueberries (30 mg/kg/day) or the vehicle for three weeks, and further subjected to behavioral tests and biochemical analysis. Our data suggested that the ARE treatment alleviated autism-like behaviors in in utero VPA-exposed mice and, at the same time, decreased both neuroinflammation and gut inflammation, modulated the gut microbiota composition, increased serotonin levels in cerebral prefrontal cortex and gut, and reduced the synaptic dysfunction verified in autistic mice. Overall, our work suggests that anthocyanins extracted from Portuguese blueberries could constitute an effective strategy to ameliorate typical autistic behaviors through modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 20