Ping-En Ko

Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with cognitive dysfunction, primarily attributed to impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and pyroptosis. Caffeic acid (CA), a dietary polyphenol, has demonstrated antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This study evaluated the protective role of CA under diabetic-like conditions using an in vitro glucolipotoxicity model in HT-22 hippocampal neurons exposed to high glucose and oleic acid (HG + OA). CA was administered at low (5 µM) and high (25 µM) concentrations prior to HG + OA treatment. CA significantly enhanced neuronal viability and restored the expression of neurogenesis markers (Nestin, DCX, NeuN) and synaptic proteins (PSD-95, Synaptophysin). Furthermore, CA elevated antioxidant enzyme levels (Nrf2, catalase, SOD-1), regulated apoptosis through increased Bcl-2 and decreased BAX expression, and attenuated inflammatory responses. Pyroptosis was also suppressed, as evidenced by reduced gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression. These findings suggest that CA confers multifactorial neuroprotection against glucolipotoxic injury, and may serve as a dietary modulator for mitigating diabetes-associated cognitive decline in vitro.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases global morbidity and mortality through cardiovascular complications, particularly atherosclerosis, characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction.