Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption retarded weight gain but not induced depression and anxiety-like behaviors in Mice

Abstract:

Aims: To assess the effects of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) consumption and exercise on behaviors.

Methods: Twenty-four male mice were divided into four groups: the water + sedentary (WS), the SSB + sedentary (CS), the water + exercise (WE), and the SSB + exercise (CE). After three-month of interventions, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT), and morris water maze (MWM) were conducted. Then, mRNA levels of MAO-A, COMT, and 5-HT1A and protein levels of synapsin, STAT3, A2AR, CRTC1, CREB, and BDNF were measured.

Results: Under a similar baseline body weight condition, SSB consumption reduced the weight gain from the 3rd week (p < 0.05, or p < 0.01). Exercise decreased the escape latency in the CE group when compared to the CS group on day5 (p < 0.01) and increased the time in the target quadrant in the WE group than the WS group on day4 (p < 0.05) and 5 (p < 0.01) during MWM. No significant differences were found during the FST and OFT. COMT mRNA level was increased after SSB consumption (p < 0.05), but no differences were found in the MAO-A and 5-HT1A mRNA levels and the concerned biomarkers, all of which were previously reported to be associated with depression and anxiety-like behaviors.

Conclusion: SSB consumption reduced weight gain but not result in depression and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Therefore, the behavioral effects of exercise were not significant. This is not consistent with the results of previous epidemiological surveys of humans.

Audience Take Away Notes:

• Our study is a first finding that SSB consumption leads to reduced body weight in mice, which is inconsistent with previous results, and the phenotype is reproducible. Therefore, our study may provide inspiration for other researchers regarding the effect of SSB consumption on metabolism
• Based on our results, researchers of SSB consumption could expand their studies from a biological or neuroscientific perspective, which may provide the general public with a new perspective, i.e., are there really only metabolic adverse effects of SSB consumption?
• The purpose of this study was to further confirm the association between carbonated beverage consumption and behavioral abnormalities in humans, and to construct a mouse model to determine the effects of SSB intake and exercise on depression and anxiety-like behaviors in mice

Biography:

Dr. Liu studied Sport psychology at the Shenyang Sport University, China and graduated as MS in 2005. She then joined the research group of Prof. Ji at the College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University. She received her PhD degree in 2009 at the same institution. After two years postdoctoral fellowship supervised by Pro. Ni at the Naval Medical University, China she obtained the position of an Professor at the College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University. She has published more than 50 research articles in SCI(E) and CSSCI journals