Impact of Vitamin A Deficiency on Cortical and Hippocampal Biochemical Pathways and the Restorative Potential of Attalea phalerata Pulp Oil

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency may affect brain function by altering metabolic and neurotransmission-related pathways. This study evaluated the effects of vitamin A deficiency on biochemical markers in the cortex and hippocampus of rats and examined whether treatment with Attalea phalerata pulp oil, a source of provitamin A carotenoids, could support recovery. Male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet or a vitamin A-deficient diet for 45 days. Afterwards, vitamin A-deficient animals underwent a 30-day recovery phase with A. phalerata pulp oil or synthetic β-carotene. Behavioural assessments were performed on day 72, and cortical and hippocampal tissues were collected for analysis of acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, ATP-citrate lyase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and lactate levels. After 45 days, vitamin A deficiency increased hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity and altered cortical metabolism, as indicated by reduced monoamine oxidase activity and increased ATP-citrate lyase activity. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and lactate levels were not significantly altered at this stage. During recovery, A. phalerata oil was associated with increased cortical citrate synthase activity, while hippocampal monoamine oxidase activity remained reduced compared with controls. Synthetic β-carotene produced biochemical values closer to control levels for some parameters but was associated with reduced rearing in the open-field test. These findings indicate that vitamin A deficiency affects specific brain biochemical pathways and that recovery with A. phalerata pulp oil or β-carotene may partially modulate these alterations.