Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the effects of high fat diet and caloric restriction on brain aging as well as the activity of Acetylcholinesterase(AChE) and afford scientific evidence to rational diet and prevent brain aging.MethodsSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: the D-galactose-induced brain aging, brain aging plus high fat diet, brain aging plus caloric restriction, high fat diet only, caloric restriction only and normal control groups. Mice were given 100 mg/kg·d subcutaneous injection of D-galactose to prepare brain aging model for 9 weeks. Morris water maze (MWM) test was employed to determine their spatial learning and memory ability. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in brain was determined by hydroxylaminecolorimetric assay.ResultsIn Morris water maze test, brain aging mice showed a significant longer escape latency than the normal control mice (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in escape latency between brain aging mice plus high fat diet and brain aging mice groups (P>0.05), and between the control and high fat diet groups (P>0.05). Brain aging mice plus caloric restriction exhibited a significant shorter escape latency than brain aging mice (P<0.05), but no difference was found when compared with normal control mice (P>0.05). There were no statistical difference in escape latency between the controls and caloric restriction group (P>0.05). The AChE activity in brain aging, brain aging plus high fat diet and brain aging plus caloric restriction group were higher than those in control and caloric restriction group (P<0.05). There were no statistical difference in AChE activity between the controls and caloric restriction group (P>0.05). Brain aging plus high fat diet were higher than brain aging and other non model control groups.ConclusionHigh fat diet can raise the activity of AChE effectively, but can not influence the capacity of learning and memory in mice. Caloric restriction can improve the capacity of learning and memory in mice, but has no significant influence on the activity of AChE in brain.

Key words: high fat diet, caloric restriction, brain aging, acetylcholinesterase