Scientists from Voronezh State University (Voronezh) and AN Belozersky Moscow State University (Moscow) have shown in experiments on mice that a ketogenic diet can protect brain cells from the effects of paralysis. The results of the study, supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (RNF), have been published in the journal Molecular Neurobiology.
To study the effects of a ketogenic diet and hydroxycitric acid on stroke recovery, researchers artificially paralyzed 69 rodents. They were then divided into three groups: one received the standard diet, the second a high-fat and low-carb ketogenic diet, and the third added hydroxycitric acid to a standard meal. Mice were fed this way for two weeks.
The ketogenic diet protected mitochondrial DNA from damage in stroke. These microscopic structures are responsible for producing the energy needed for cells to function. Mitochondria suffer more than other cellular organelles in conditions of oxygen deficiency during stroke, so they are the main targets of drugs to treat the consequences of stroke.
With the ketogenic diet, fats become the main source of energy, and also special substances, ketones, are formed. At the same time, the level of glucose in the blood drops and the activity of genes, including brain cells, changes. It is believed that this stimulates the restoration of nerve cells. Long-term keto diet can cause kidney and digestive system diseases and has a number of contraindications. It has been hypothesized that the effects of diet can be mimicked by taking hydroxycitric acid, which is also taken for weight loss.
Hydroxycitric acid only exacerbated the effects of the disease. Half of the mice died within three days of their stroke. The survivors suffered 27.5% more damage than the paralyzed mice that did not receive hydroxycitrate.
“The lack of effect of hydroxycitrate was a surprise to us and required further study, because the dietary restriction that hydroxycitrate had to simulate has always shown a marked protective effect on the brain. Egor Plotnikov, head of the RSF-supported project, said hydroxycitrate has a number of identified side effects of particular concern. This is promising, especially since some evidence of such side effects is sometimes observed in patients using this substance as a dietary supplement for weight loss,” says the grant, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Head of the Laboratory of Mitochondria Structure and Functions of the Research Institute of Physical Chemistry, Moscow State University.