Dexpanthenol Attenuates High Fructose Corn Syrup-Induced Brain Injury by Modulating Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, Apoptotic Signaling and Amyloidogenic Gene Expression


AŞCI S., AŞCI H., SELVER M. B., Kolay O., Karacolak C., DEMİRCİ S., ...Daha Fazla

Molecular Neurobiology, cilt.63, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 63 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12035-026-06176-1
  • Dergi Adı: Molecular Neurobiology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Amyloidogenic gene expression, Dexpanthenol, High fructose corn syrup, Neuroinflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome, Oxidative stress
  • Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption may lead to oxidative stress–related neurodegeneration. Dexpanthenol (DEX), with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, may exert neuroprotective effects; however, its efficacy against HFCS-induced neurotoxicity remains unclear. This study examined DEX’s effects against HFCS-induced neurotoxicity across multiple pathways. Rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n = 8, for each group): Control, HFCS (20%, for 8 weeks), HFCS + DEX (500 mg/kg), and DEX. Brain tissues were analyzed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry (tumor necrosis factor-α; TNF-α and caspase-3), biochemical assays, and RT-qPCR of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant defense, apoptosis, inflammation, neurotrophic signaling (brain-derived neurotrophic factor; BDNF), and amyloidogenic gene expression (amyloid precursor protein; APP, beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1; BACE1, presenilin-1,2; PSEN1,2). HFCS significantly increased total oxidant status (TOS) (p < 0.01) along with pronounced histopathological damage including gliosis, neuronal degeneration, and Purkinje cell loss. It also increased TNF-α and caspase-3 immunoreactivity (p < 0.001), upregulated APP, BACE1, PSEN1 and PSEN2 gene expression, and reduced BDNF expression. DEX significantly reduced TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) (p < 0.001), decreased TNF-α and caspase-3 immunoreactivity (p < 0.001), increased BDNF expression (p < 0.01), and significantly downregulated BACE1 and PSEN1 gene expression (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that DEX may attenuate HFCS-associated brain injury by modulating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptotic signaling, and amyloidogenic gene-expression changes.