Neuroprotective Roles of Lauric Acid and Resveratrol: Shared Benefits in Neuroinflammation and Anxiety, Distinct Effects on Memory Enhancement

Abstract

Neuroinflammation can be triggered by a high-fat/high-fructose diet (HFFD), and CD36 may be an underlying mechanism. Lauric acid (LA), the major fatty acid in coconut oil, and resveratrol, the plant-based polyphenolic compound, may exert anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this study investigated the possible effects of LA and resveratrol on diet-induced neuroinflammation and CD36. Healthy male C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks of age, n = 31) were fed a control diet (10%kcal fat) or diets containing high fat (60%kcal fat) and fructose (5% w/v fructose drinking water) for 6 weeks, ad libitum. Supplemented to the HFFD, mice daily received resveratrol (7.5 mg/kg) (HFFD-RSV) or LA (750 mg/kg) (HFFD-LA). At the end of the study, HFFD resulted in anxiety-like behavior, reduced locomotor activity, neuroinflammation (increased brain GFAP, IL-6, MCP-1, IFN-γ, TNF-α), and systemic inflammation (increased plasma GFAP, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12p70, reduced plasma IL-10). HFFD-RSV and HFFD-LA alleviated HFFD-induced anxiety-like behavior, neuroinflammation, and systemic inflammation. HFFD-LA improved memory. Brain and plasma CD36 levels were increased by HFFD and reduced by HFFD-RSV or HFFD-LA. Dietary resveratrol and LA intake may alleviate HFFD-induced neuroinflammation, systemic inflammation, and anxiety-like behavior and improve memory, as CD36 may be an underlying mechanism.