Therapeutic effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidin in cuprizone‐induced demyelination

New Findings

What is the central question of this study? Oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC) has the capacity to alleviate abnormalities in neurological functioning. However, whether OPC can reduce the progression of demyelination or promote remyelination in demyelinating diseases remains unknown. What is the main finding and its importance? OPC can improved cuprizone (CPZ)‐induced demyelination by inhibiting immune cell infiltration, reversing over‐activated microglia, decreasing the inflammatory cytokines secreted by inflammatory cells and decreasing the production of MOG_35‐55 specific antibody in the brain.

Abstract

Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica, acute disseminated encephalomylitis, are characterized by recurrent primary demyelination/remyelination and progressive neurodegeneration. In the present study, we investigate the therapeutic effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC), the most effective component of grape seed extract, in cuprizone (CPZ)‐fed C57BL/6 mice, a classic demyelination/remyelination model. Our results show that OPC attenuated abnormal behavior, reduced demyelination, and increased expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and expression of O4⁺ oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum. OPC also reduced the numbers of B cells and T cells, activated microglia in the corpus callosum, and inhibited secretion of inflammatory factors. Further, concentrations of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein‐specific antibodies were significantly reduced in serum and brain homogenates after OPC treatment. Together, these results demonstrate a potent therapeutic effect for OPC in CPZ‐mediated demyelination and clearly highlight multiple effects of this natural product in attenuating myelin‐specific autoantibodies and the inflammatory microenvironment in the brain.

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