Role of dietary GABA on the regulation of brain function in aged rats

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K00850
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: Aichi University of Education
• Principal Investigator: HAYASE KAZUTOSHI 愛知教育大学, 教育学部, 教授 (10144180)
• Research Collaborator: TUJIOKA kazuyo ; YOKOGOSHI hidehiko
• Project Period (FY): 2016-10-21 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: GABA / 脳タンパク質合成 / 成長ホルモン / グレリン / 甲状腺ホルモン / ラット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of present study was to determine the mechanism by which the dietary GABA affect the brain protein synthesis in aged rats. The protein synthesis rates of brain regions increased significantly after treatment with GABA in both the PTU (thyroid inhibitor)-treated and control groups. The plasma consentration of growth hormone (GH) in rats not treated with GABA intravenously but fed GABA was significantly increased. In the group injected with [Lys3]-GHRP-6, an antagonist for ghrelin, the plasma concentration of GH was not changed by dietary GABA. The results suggest that treatment with GABA likely increases the rate of brain protein synthesis in control and PTU-treated rats, and that the GABA-induced increase in the GH concentration may stimulate mainly brain protein synthesis via ghrelin.

Free Research Field

栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究結果により，タンパク質を構成しないアミノ酸であるGABAによる脳タンパク質合成の調節機構において，GABA摂取が，甲状腺ホルモン経由ではなく，消化管グレリンを通じて成長ホルモン分泌，脳タンパク質合成を促進させることが証明された。脳タンパク質合成の調節における栄養の役割について理解を前進させ，高齢者のタンパク質・アミノ酸栄養への重要な問題提起となり，社会的貢献も高いと考えられる。