Effects of high-fat diet on expression of brain hepcidin gene in mice

Objective To investigate the effects of high fatdiet on iron homeostasis of brain in mice.Methods Forty adult male ICR mice were randomly divided intofour groups:high fat diet group,high fat diet+D-galactose brain aging model group,D-galactose brain aging model group and normal control group.Learning and memory ability of the mice were detected by Morr is water mazetest.The hepcidin(Hep)m RNA level was detected by reverse transcr iption po lym era se cha in reaction.Results The Hep gene expression of high fat diet group(0.71±0.06),high fat diet+D-galactose brainaging model group(0.73±0.08)and D-galactose brain aging model group(0.75±0.03)dec reased significantly compared with that of the nomal control group(0.94±0.06,P<0.05).But there was no significant difference among high fat diet goup,high fat diet+D-galactose brain aging model group,and D-galactose brain ag ing model(P>0.05).Conclusion High fat diet can down regulate the Hep gene expression in mice brain.High fat diet may induceim balance of iron homeostasis leading to neurodeg enerative diseases.