Impact of beta-alanine supplementation on the central nervous system in sprague-dawley rats with metabolic syndrome

• Grant number: 24/08960-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Magalhães
• Grantee: Matheus José Pereira Gonçales
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) can increase an individual's chances of developing diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, studies showing possible therapies for MS are necessary. Among these, there is supplementation with beta-alanine (BA), a promising substance in reducing the amount of free radicals present in an organism with MS. Thus, the aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of beta-alanine supplementation on the central nervous system of Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400 g) subjected to metabolic syndrome. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats will be used, with 10 on a standard diet (CO), 10 on a standard diet with BA (CO+BA), 10 on a high-fat diet with MS (MS), and 10 on a high-fat diet with BA and MS (MS+BA). The protocol will be for 10 weeks, with food and water ad libitum. Starting from week 4, the CO+BA and MS+BA groups will receive a dose of 250 mg/kg/day of BA by gavage, while MS and CO will receive a placebo (water). Blood concentrations of triglycerides, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol and leptin will be evaluated, as well as a glucose tolerance test. The brain will be collected for proteomic analysis and morphometry, and adipose tissue will be collected to quantify the degree of obesity. For proteomic analysis, the t-test for difference in protein expression will be used, considering p<0.05 for downregulated proteins and 1-p>0.95 for upregulated proteins. For blood parameters and adipose tissue, two-way ANOVA will be applied, followed by Bonferroni (p<0.05).