Pyruvate will provide energy to the aging brain
The human brain is distinguished by a huge need for energy, 20-30% of the total energy expenditure of the body is spent on its needs. During normal aging, people with neurodegenerative or mental illnesses, as well as under conditions of physiological stress, may experience a decrease in the intake of carbohydrates to the brain. This leads to a decrease in the energy reserves of the brain, which, in turn, can cause cognitive decline or memory loss.
However, the results of a new study on mice conducted by scientists at the University of Eastern Finland led by Professor Heikki Tanila indicate that the energy reserves of the brain can be increased by daily intake of pyruvate (a salt of pyruvic acid, in this case sodium) – an energy–rich small molecule that is a link for most pathways energy conversion inside the cell.
Moreover, the introduction of a pyruvate-containing supplement into the diet of mice not only increased the energy reserves of the brain, but also had a positive effect on animal behavior. The mice became more energetic and began to explore the surrounding space more actively. The authors note that, apparently, these behavioral changes are directly related to the effect of pyruvate on the brain, since they failed to register an increase in muscle strength and endurance in animals.
For example, chronic pyruvate intake increased the effectiveness of spatial learning in middle–aged mice (6-12 months), increased their interest in the smell of unfamiliar animals, and also stimulated them to perform the so-called "stand" - research behavior in which mice stand on their hind legs and study the space around them.
The dose of pyruvate required to achieve these effects was approximately 800 mg per day, when taken as part of regular food for 2.5-6 months. In human equivalent, this dosage corresponds to about 10 g per day.
A single intravenous injection of a large dose of pyruvate had no detectable effect.
If you want to make a bold experiment on yourself, keep in mind that pyruvate and dietary supplements containing it are sold only in online stores where you can get counterfeit up to a placebo.
And the bottle depicted here with one (!) gram of calcium pyruvate costs at least 700 rubles.
An interesting fact is that the introduction of pyruvate into the diet had a positive effect on transgenic mice of the APPswe/PS1dE9 line, often used as an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. These animals develop many symptoms characteristic of this disease, such as the accumulation of protein aggregates in the brain tissue, neurodegeneration and the extinction of cognitive functions.
The results obtained still need to be reproduced in clinical studies, however, the authors believe that they can form the basis of supportive therapy for the elderly, as well as help in the fight against age-related decline in cognitive functions and in alleviating the symptoms of neurodegenerative and mental diseases. The authors also note that pyruvate preparations are well tolerated and suitable for clinical trials.
Article by Hennariikka Koivisto et al. Chronic Pyruvate Supplementation Increases Exploratory Activity and Brain Energy Reserves in Young and Middle-Aged Mice published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Eastern Finland: Re-energizing the aging brain
17.03.2016