Postnatal high-protein diet improves learning and memory in premature rats via activation of mTOR signaling

作者：Su, Zhi-Wen; Liao, Jia-yi; Zhang, Hui; Zhang, Tao; Wu, Fan; Tian, Xiao-Hua; Zhang, Fei-Tong; Sun, Wei-Wen; Cui, Qi-liang^*

来源：Brain Research, 2015, 1611: 1-7.

DOI：10.1016/j.brainres.2015.01.052

• High-protein diet
• Mammalian target of rapamycin
• Learning and memory
• Premature rats
• Morris water maze

Purpose: The present study investigated whether a high-protein diet affects spatial learning and memory in premature rats via modulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling.
Methods: Pre- and full-term Sprague-Dawley pups were fed a normal (18% protein) or high-protein (30% protein) diet (HPD) for 6 or 8 weeks after weaning. Spatial learning and memory were tested in the Morris water maze at week 6 and 8. The activation of mTOR signaling pathway components was evaluated by western blotting.
Results: Spatial memory performance of premature rats consuming a normal and HPD was lower than that of full-term rats on the same diet at 6 weeks, and was associated with lower levels of ribosomal protein S6 ldnase p70 subtype (p70S6K) and initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Spatial memory was improved in 8-week-old premature rats on an HPD as compared to those on a normal diet. Premature rats on an HPD had p7056K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation levels in the hippocampus that were comparable to those of full-term rats on an HPD.
Conclusion: Long-term consumption of a protein-rich diet can restore the impairment in learning and memory in pre-term rats via upregulation of mTOR/p70S6K signaling.

• 出版日期2015-6-22
• 单位暨南大学; 广州医科大学