Abstract
Fatty acids are known to enhance mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) activity. We asked whether a highfat ketogenic diet (KD) increases UCP levels and activity in hippocampi of juvenile mice. Maximum mitochondrial respiration rates were significantly (p <0.001) higher in KD- versus standard diet (SD)-treated animals, indicating increased UCP-mediated proton conductance that can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Western blots showed significant (p <0.05) or borderline significant increases in UCP2, UCP4, and UCP5 protein levels, and increased immunoreactivity to these three UCP isoforms was most prominently seen in the dentate gyrus of KD-fed mice. Finally, we found that oligomycin-induced ROS production was significantly (p <0.05) lower in KD-fed mice than in SD controls. Collectively, our data suggest that a KD may exert neuroprotective effects by diminishing ROS production through activation of mitochondrial UCPs.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 576-580 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Annals of Neurology |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology