Gum Arabic supplementation prevents loss of learning and memory through stimulation of mitochondrial function in the hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats

The aim was to determine whether gum Arabic (GA) supplementation prevents cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes, through stimulation of mitochondrial function in the hippocampus. Type 2 diabetic rats and controls were assigned to following groups for 16 weeks: Control + Water; Control + GA 10% w/v; Diabetes + Water; Diabetes + GA 10% w/v. Latency in water maze was shorter for Diabetes + GA compared to Diabetes + Water (P < 0.05). Diabetes + GA group had a higher expression density per cell of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) compared to Diabetes + Water (P < 0.05). A similar trend was observed for ATP synthase β-subunit expression (ATPB). Number of PGC-1α positive cells was higher in diabetes compared to control groups (p < 0.05). The GA prevented learning and memory loss in type 2 diabetes. This was associated with greater expression of PGC-1a and a trend for greater ATBP protein expression in the hippocampus.