Effect of blueberry extract on energetic metabolism, levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and Ca2+-ATPase activity in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats submitted to ketamine-induced mania-like behavior

• Published in: Metabolic brain disease Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 835 - 847
• Main Authors: Spohr, Luiza, Soares, Mayara Sandrielly Pereira, Bona, Natália Pontes, Pedra, Nathalia Stark, Barschak, Alethéa Gatto, Alvariz, Rafaela Martins, Vizzotto, Marcia, Lencina, Claiton Leoneti, Stefanello, Francieli Moro, Spanevello, Roselia Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-03-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adenosine triphosphatase; Affective disorders; Animal models; Bioactive compounds; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bipolar disorder; Brain; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Ca2+-transporting ATPase; Calcium ions; Calcium metabolism; Carcinogens; Cerebral cortex; Citrate synthase; Field tests; Fruits; Hippocampus; Ketamine; Lithium; Mental disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Metabolism; Neurology; Neurosciences; Oncology; Open-field behavior; Oral administration; Original Article; Manic-like; Bipolar disorder; Anthocyanins; Mitochondria; Behavior
• ISSN: 0885-7490; 1573-7365
• DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-00904-x

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric disease characterized by mood episodes. Blueberry is rich in bioactive compounds and shows excellent therapeutic potential against chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of blueberry extract on behavior, energetic metabolism, Ca
2+
-ATPase activity, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats submitted to an animal model of mania induced by ketamine. Vehicle, lithium (45 mg/kg, twice a day), or blueberry extract (200 mg/kg), was orally administered to
Wistar
rats for 14 days. Ketamine (25 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally, once a day, between the 8th and 14th day. On the 15th day, animals received ketamine or vehicle and were subjected to the open field test. Our results demonstrated that the administration of lithium and blueberry extract prevented ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion (
P
 < 0.01). Blueberry extract attenuated the ketamine-induced reduction in the activity of complex I in the cerebral cortex (
P
 < 0.05). Additionally, the administration of ketamine reduced the activities of complexes I and IV (
P
 < 0.05) and citrate synthase in the hippocampus (
P
 < 0.01). However, blueberry extract attenuated the inhibition in the activity of complex IV (
P
 < 0.01). Furthermore, ketamine reduced the Ca
2+
-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (
P
 < 0.05); however, blueberry extract prevented the change in the cerebral cortex (
P
 < 0.05). There were no significant alterations in the levels of BDNF (
P
 > 0.05). In conclusion, this suggested that the blueberry extract can serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for studies searching for novel therapeutic alternatives for BD patients.
Graphical abstract