Redox status, inflammation, necroptosis and inflammasome as indispensable contributors to high fat diet (HFD)-induced neurodegeneration; Effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Glutamate - A multifaceted molecule: Endogenous neurotransmitter, controversial food additive, design compound for anti-cancer drugs. A critical appraisal.

Glutamate is a crucial neurotransmitter of the mammalian central nervous system, a molecular component of our diet, and a popular food-additive. However, for decades, concerns have been raised about the issue of glutamate's safety as a food additive; especially, with regards to its ability (or otherwise) to cross the blood-brain barrier, cause excitotoxicity, or lead to neuron death. Results of animal studies following glutamate administration via different routes suggest that an array of effects can be observed. While some of the changes appear deleterious, some are not fully-understood, and the impact of others might even be beneficial. These observations suggest that with regards to the mammalian brain, exogenous glutamate might exert a double-sided effect, and in essence be a two-faced molecule whose effects may be dependent on several factors. This review draws from the research experiences of the authors and other researchers regarding the effects of exogenous glutamate on the brain of rodents. We also highlight the possible implications of such effects on the brain, in health and disease. Finally, we deduce that beyond the culinary effects of exogenous glutamate, there is the possibility of a beneficial role in the understanding and management of brain disorders.

Dietary glutamate and the brain: In the footprints of a Jekyll and Hyde molecule.

Dietary zinc supplement militates against ketamine-induced behaviours by age-dependent modulation of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity in mice

Cucumeropsis mannii (CM) belongs to the melon family and is native to West Africa. There is a paucity of information on its medicinal or nutraceutical potential. Here, we examined the impact of CM in mice that were treated with a normal or a high fat diet (HFD). The CM extracts had a high levels of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and significant antioxidant activity. Treatment of mice with a HFD diet, led to the memory impairment. However, mice on HFD and received CM, despite increased food intake, showed a decrease in the body weight, locomotion, rearing, grooming, acetylcholinesterase activity and ?-amino butyric acid levels and anxiolysis. Also CM induced a reversal of HFD-induced changes in glucose levels, lipid peroxidation and super-oxide dismutase activity. These data show that CM leads to variable behavioural, biochemical and metabolic effects depending on the diet of animals.

A.S. Akintola

Papers

Dietary composition modulates impact of food-added monosodium glutamate on behaviour, metabolic status and cerebral cortical morphology in mice.