Effects of Anthocyanins on CAG Repeat Instability and Behaviour in Huntington ’s Disease R6/1 Mice

Conclusion In conclusion, the instability index was reduced in the ear and the cortex of anthocyanin-treated compared to untreated R6/1 mice. The time spent in the centre square zone during the first five minutes of the open field test was neither significantly different between anthocyanin-treated and untreated R6/1 HD mice, nor between R6/1 HD and R6/1 WT mice. These results indicate no effects on anxiety-like behaviour. During the open field time course of 45 minutes R6/1 HD mice appeared to have cognitive deficits. Anthocyanin treatment may improve this deficit in R6/1 HD mice, although further studies are required to confirm this. Mouse weight affected the latency to fall in the rotarod test. Longitudinally behavioural studies could clarify whether anthocyanins have an effect on the behaviour of R6/1 HD mice earlier in the disease course. More studies of HD mice are warranted to investigate if anthocyanins can delay the onset and progression of HD symptoms. Methods Ethics statement All experimental procedures were approved by the section for comparative medicine at Oslo University Hospital and the Norwegian animal research authority, and complied with national laws, institutional regulations and EU Directive 86/609/EEC governing the use of animals in research. Anthocyanin content in Medox® capsules The anthocyanins were obtained from opened Medox® capsules (MedPalett Pharmaceuticals AS, No) and consisted of purified anthocyanins isolated...
Source: PLOS Currents Huntington Disease - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research