Skip to main content

Advertisement

You are viewing the new article page. Let us know what you think. Return to old version

Research | Open | Published:

Type 2 diabetes impairs odour detection, olfactory memory and olfactory neuroplasticity; effects partly reversed by the DPP-4 inhibitor Linagliptin

Acta Neuropathologica Communicationsvolume 6, Article number: 14 (2018) | Download Citation

Abstract

Recent data suggest that olfactory deficits could represent an early marker and a pathogenic mechanism at the basis of cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, research is needed to further characterize olfactory deficits in diabetes, their relation to cognitive decline and underlying mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to determine whether T2D impairs odour detection, olfactory memory as well as neuroplasticity in two major brain areas responsible for olfaction and odour coding: the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and the piriform cortex (PC), respectively. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are clinically used T2D drugs exerting also beneficial effects in the brain. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether DPP-4i could reverse the potentially detrimental effects of T2D on the olfactory system.

Non-diabetic Wistar and T2D Goto-Kakizaki rats, untreated or treated for 16 weeks with the DPP-4i linagliptin, were employed. Odour detection and olfactory memory were assessed by using the block, the habituation-dishabituation and the buried pellet tests. We assessed neuroplasticity in the MOB by quantifying adult neurogenesis and GABAergic inhibitory interneurons positive for calbindin, parvalbumin and carletinin. In the PC, neuroplasticity was assessed by quantifying the same populations of interneurons and a newly identified form of olfactory neuroplasticity mediated by post-mitotic doublecortin (DCX) + immature neurons.

We show that T2D dramatically reduced odour detection and olfactory memory. Moreover, T2D decreased neurogenesis in the MOB, impaired the differentiation of DCX+ immature neurons in the PC and altered GABAergic interneurons protein expression in both olfactory areas. DPP-4i did not improve odour detection and olfactory memory. However, it normalized T2D-induced effects on neuroplasticity.

The results provide new knowledge on the detrimental effects of T2D on the olfactory system. This knowledge could constitute essentials for understanding the interplay between T2D and cognitive decline and for designing effective preventive therapies.

Introduction

Cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are often preceded by olfactory deficits [reviewed in [18, 20]]. Interestingly, some studies show that type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients present olfactory impairments such as elevated odour detection threshold [39], reduced odour-identification ability [26, 51, 68], and increased risk of anosmia [9]. Since there is also a strong association between T2D and different forms of cognitive decline and dementia, including AD [6, 14, 40, 42, 90], olfactory dysfunction in T2D could represent an early indicator and perhaps even one of the pathogenic mechanisms at the base of future cognitive impairment. A few recent studies support this hypothesis [82, 91]. However, other studies could not detect olfactory deficits in diabetes [2, 9, 71] and these discrepancies call for further investigation. Moreover, the potential impairment of cognitive functions related to olfaction (e.g olfactory memory) needs to be studied in T2D, since the disruption of these functions in non-diabetics has been associated with aging and cognitive decline [12, 13, 50, 75, 85, 92].

The mechanisms at the basis of impaired olfaction in T2D have been poorly investigated, although some interesting studies have been performed in animal models of obesity/pre-diabetes. Livingston et al. have shown that obese, insulin-resistant rats have a decreased level of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and piriform cortex (PC) [57] which are the two brain areas responsible for olfaction [67] and odour coding [5, 25], respectively. Furthermore, insulin binding in the MOB of these rats is decreased [4].

The brain’s ability to reorganize neural circuits in order to adapt to the environmental changes is called neuroplasticity. Olfaction requires neuroplasticity for both detecting and coding new odours and GABAergic inhibitory interneurons play an important role in this context [36]. Interestingly, the vulnerability of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons in the olfactory system has been associated with AD [79]. The potential effects of T2D on the interneuron-mediated neuroplasticity in the olfactory system have been investigated only in one study showing that calbindin (CB) + interneurons are affected by T2D [56].

Olfactory neuroplasticity is also regulated by adult neurogenesis in the MOB. This process occurs during the adult life and starts in the subventricular zone (SVZ) bordering the lateral ventricle. In the SVZ, neural stem cells (NSCs) produce undifferentiated and proliferative doublecortin (DCX) + neuroblasts that migrate towards the MOB where they differentiate mainly into interneurons playing an important role in the neuroplasticity of the MOB [31, 81]. While the detrimental effects of T2D on the NSCs in the SVZ have been recently shown [3, 49, 59, 60], it remains to be determined whether neurogenesis in the MOB is affected by T2D.

Another form of neuroplasticity in the olfactory system is represented by DCX+ immature neurons in the PC. In contrast to DCX+ cells in the MOB (see above), these cells are post-mitotic, non-proliferative immature neurons of embryonic origin. The pool of these cells decreases during aging due to continuous differentiation into mature neurons following new olfactory learning demands [41, 66]. Whether T2D affects these cells is unknown.

Recent studies suggest that olfactory deficits, in addition to their potential role as biomarkers, could also play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD [18, 21]. If so, the normalization of olfactory deficits in T2D could have a therapeutic preventive role against cognitive decline. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are a growing class of clinically used T2D drugs [19, 83] that have also shown beneficial effects in the CNS of animal models of AD [15, 22, 45,46,47, 77] and in T2D patients with AD [37], even independently from glycemic regulation [27, 70]. Whether some of these beneficial effects occur via the normalization of impaired olfaction is unknown.

In this study, we addressed some of these issues in a lean and spontaneous model of T2D: the Goto Kakizaki (GK) rat [69]. Specifically, we investigated whether T2D impairs odour detection and olfactory memory. To determine whether T2D impairs the neuroplasticity in the olfactory system, we investigated whether GABAergic inhibitory interneurons and adult neurogenesis in the MOB as well as GABAergic interneurons and the immature DCX+ neurons in the PC are affected by T2D. Finally, we determined whether a chronic treatment with DPP-4i could reverse the identified factors affected by T2D.

Materials and methods

Animals and the T2D model

Rats were housed in 12-h light/dark cycle with free access to food and water. All experiments were conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by U.S. National Institute of Health and approved by the regional ethics committee for animal experimentation (ethical permits granted by Stockholm’s Djurförsöksetiska Nämnd: S7–13 and N43/16).

As experimental model of T2D, the GK rat was used. This non-obese strain originates from selective breeding of Wistar rats and becomes spontaneously hyperglycemic during early adulthood [69]. The GK rats develop deficiency in insulin secretion and peripheral insulin/leptin resistance [73].

Experimental design

In total, sixty five 4–7-months-old male GK rats and age-matched, non-diabetic Wistar rats were used in 2 studies:

Study 1: To determine the effect of T2D on odour detection, olfactory memory and neuroplasticity-related markers, we used T2D GK rats (n = 9) and Wistar rats (n = 11) as non-diabetic controls. The experimental design is summarized in Fig. 1a.

Fig. 1
figure1

Experimental timeline of studies. Abbreviations: BT – block test, BPT – buried pellet test, DPP-4 – dipeptidyl peptidase 4, GK rat – Goto-Kakizaki rat, GLP-1 – glucagon-like peptide-1, HDT – habituation-dishabituation test. *Data presented in Additional file 1: Figure S1, **data presented in Additional file 1: Figure S3

Full size image

Study 2: To determine the potential effect of chronic DPP4i on the olfactory system, T2D GK rats (n = 23) were treated with linagliptin (mixed in the standard rodent chow at 83 mg/kg, estimated daily intake at ≈5–8 mg/kg/bw) for 16 weeks. Control GK rats (n = 22) received the chow of the same composition, but without the drug. Odour detection, olfactory memory and neuroplasticity-related markers were determined as in Study 1. The rationale for the dose of 5–8 mg/kg/bw and the duration of the treatment were to strongly and chronically inhibit DPP-4 activity. We employed middle-aged rats rather than old rats in the view to test the preventive potential of Linagliptin to decrease olfactory impairment. The experimental design is summarized in Fig. 1b.

Body weight and glycemic level

Blood glucose levels (after 6 h of fasting; LifeScan glucometer, US) and body weight were measured in all animals. As previously published by us and others [33, 56, 73], results showed lower body weight (363.4 ± 9.3 vs. 503.4 ± 13.1, p < 0.0001) as well as increased hyperglycemia (11.8 ± 0.6 vs. 4.7 ± 0.2, p < 0.0001) in GK rats compared to Wistar controls (Additional file 1: Figure S1 A and B, respectively).

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) activity and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels

In order to verify the bioactivity of linagliptin, plasma DPP-4 activity and total active GLP-1 levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and by the GLP-1 assay kit (Meso Scale discovery, Gaithersburg, MD, USA).

Olfactory assays

To assess the odour detection ability and the olfactory memory, the block test, the habituation-dishabituation test, and the buried pellet test were used [52]. The detailed description of the olfactory testing procedures and analyzed parameters are provided in the Additional file 1.

Immunohistochemistry

For immunohistochemistry (IHC): the rats were deeply anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and transcardially perfused with saline followed by 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA). Brains were post-fixed overnight in 4% PFA and placed in 20% sucrose solution until they sank. Brains were cut into 40 μm-thick coronal sections (apart from the olfactory bulb, which was cut in sagittal plane) using Leica SM2010 R sliding microtome (Leica, Germany).

The following primary antibodies were used: rabbit polyclonal against parvalbumin (PV) (1:1500, Abcam, UK), rabbit polyclonal against calbindin (CB) (1:400, Abcam, UK), rabbit monoclonal against calretinin (CR) (1:300, Vector Laboratories, US), goat polyclonal against doublecortin (DCX) (1:300, SantaCruz Biotechnology, US), mouse monoclonal against neuronal nuclei marker (NeuN) (1:300, Merck Millipore, US). Antigen retrieval was performed in 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0 (for PV, CB and CR) in 70 °C for 35 min. After cooling, free-floating sections were incubated with primary antibodies overnight at 4°C in PBS containing 5% of natural horse serum (NHS) and 0.25% Triton-X100. Then, primary antibodies were detected by either fluorescent dye-conjugated [Alexa Fluor488 (DCX), Alexa Fluor594 (NeuN) (both 1:200, Life Technologies, US)] or biotin-conjugated secondary antibodies (1:200, Vector Laboratories, Sweden). The sections were incubated with the secondary antibodies for 2 h at RT in PBS containing 5% NHS and 0.25% Triton-X100. For chromogenic visualization, avidin-biotin complex (ABC kit, Vector Laboratories, Sweden) and diaminobenzidine (DAB; Sigma-Aldrich, US) were used.

To evaluate the density of projecting neurons in the mitral cell layer of the MOB, Nissl staining was performed.

Quantitative analyses of IHC

The PV-, CB-, CR-, DCX/NeuN- positive cells were quantified using a computerized stereology toolbox equipped with Visiopharm v. 4.2.1.0 software for digital image analysis (NewCast, Denmark), connected to Olympus BX51 epifluorescent/light microscope (Olympus, Japan). Positive cells were counted on three coronal sections per animal located in 0.24, − 1.80 and − 3.36 mm distance to Bregma (PC) and two representative sagittal sections per animal (MOB). Accessory olfactory bulb was excluded from all assessments. The cell density per 1 mm2 was determined. Due to low number of DCX+ cells per section in PC and their characteristic localization (mostly in II layer), total number of DCX+ and DCX/NeuN+ cells in PC was estimated on sections located between − 1.20 and − 3.48 mm in relation to Bregma. Measurements of the mean cell volume (in μm3) of CB+ cells were made, using nucleator technique [28], by Visiopharm software. To assess the extent of interneuronal connectivity of CB+ cells, neuronal arborization (number of neurites/branching) was quantified [38]. Neuronal arborization was evaluated as showed in Additional file 1: Figure S2. Due to lack of visible neurites in CB+ cells in the MOB and negative preliminary results regarding differences in the mean volume of these interneurons, we present only the results of the arborisation/volume measurements for CB+ cells in the PC.

Western blot

The PC and the MOB were dissected and snap frozen for further analyses. The tissue was homogenized in RIPA lysis buffer containing protease inhibitory cocktail (Sigma-Aldrich) on ice for 30 min. Total protein concentration was determined by Lowry assay (Bio-Rad Laboratories, US). Samples containing 4 μg/μl total protein were mixed with LDS sample buffer (Novex, Life Technologies, US) and incubated in 95 °C for 5 min. After electrophoresis on Bolt 4–12% Bis-TrisPlus gel (ThermoFisher Scientific, US), proteins were transferred on nitrocellulose membrane (iBlot 2 Dry Blotting System, 25 V for 6 min, ThermoFisher, US). Immuno-detection was performed with antibodies against: 1) PV (1:500, polyclonal, rabbit, Abcam, US), 2) CB (1:100 polyclonal, rabbit antibody, Abcam), 3) CR (1:1000, monoclonal, rabbit, Abcam, US), and 4) β-actin (1:450, monoclonal, mouse, SantaCruz Biotechnology). Secondary antibodies used: bovine anti-rabbit (1:10,000; SantaCruz Biotechnology) and goat anti-mouse (1:5000; SantaCruz Biotechnology, US) were conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Immuno-reactive bands were developed using ECL substrate for HRP (GE Healthcare, Sweden) and documented with a GelDoc chemiluminescent system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, US). Normalization against β-actin was performed.

Statistics

To analyze the data from behavioral experiments, nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test) were employed to account for heterogeneity of variance. Additionally, for analyses of the behavioral data one-way and two-way ANOVA followed by appropriate post-hoc tests were applied (see Figure legends for detailed information). Cell density and relative protein content were compared using unpaired two-tailed t test. Multiple t-tests were applied to compare neuronal arborization. The statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 7 (USA). All data are presented as means ±S.E.M. and differences between the groups were considered significant when p-values were less than 0.05 (*,Δp < 0.05; **,ΔΔp < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001).

Results

Odour detection and olfactory memory in T2D rats

T2D rats have deficits in odour detection ability and olfactory memory

To assess the potential impairment of odour detection in T2D rats with confirmed hyperglycemia (see Materials and methods), we measured the mean sniffing time for various odours and the time to find a fragrant object. The results show that GK rats, compared to non-diabetic controls, spent less time sniffing new odours in the block test (8.5 ± 2.2 vs. 19.66 ± 5.1 s., p = 0.04, Fig. 2a) and the habituation-dishabituation test (odour 1 = vanilla: 1.9 ± 0.7 vs. 17.6 ± 2.5 s., p < 0.0001; odour 2 = lemon: 8.6 ± 1.6 vs. 16.8 ± 2.9 s., p = 0.01, Fig. 2b). GK rats also needed much more time to find the fragrant object in the buried pellet test (181.2 ± 26.1 vs. 20.3 ± 2.3 s., p = 0.0003, Fig. 2c).

Fig. 2
figure2

Diabetic rats show deficits in odour detection and olfactory memory. a Mean sniffing time of wooden blocks covered with a scent of the tested rat (blocks A-C) and unknown rat (block E) in the block test. *comparison of time spent sniffing block E between non-diabetic Wistar and T2D GK rats done by the Mann-Whitney U-test; ∆comparison of time spent sniffing block E with other blocks done by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. b Mean sniffing time of the scented cartridge covered with vanilla (odour 1) and lemon (odour 2) in the habituation-dishabituation test. Two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. c Mean time to find pellet in the buried pellet test. Mann-Whitney U-test. d Mean sniffing time of the scented cartridge (vanilla/lemon) during 7 trials of the habituation-dishabituation test. Habituation was determined as significant difference in sniffing time between the first and last presentation of the same odour. ∆comparision of sniffing time of odour 1 between T1 and T6. Dishabituation was determined as significant difference between the last presentation of an odour and the first presentation of an alternative odour. φcomparision of sniffing time between T6 (odour 1) and T7 (odour 2). Repeated measures One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s test. e Mean time to find pellet in buried pellet test performed during 5 consecutive days. Repeated measures One-way ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser correction followed by Bonferoni’s multiple comparisons test. The data are means ±S.E.M., *, ∆p < 0.05, **, ∆∆, φφp < 0.01, ***, Δ∆Δ, φφφp < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001

Full size image

To assess olfactory memory, we repeatedly measured the mean sniffing time for the same odour (the habituation-dishabituation test) and the time to find the fragrant object (the buried pellet test). The results show that during consecutive trials, GK rats did not improve neither sniffing time (ie. they did not habituate) nor time to find the fragrant object (Fig. 2d and e, respectively) in comparison to Wistar rats. However, both strains discriminate between odour 1 and 2. (Fig. 2d). No differences in time to approach the scented object (Additional file 1: Figure S3A and B) or in movement activity (Additional file 1: Figure S3 C and D) were detected between GK and Wistar rats in both olfactory tests.

Overall, these results indicate that T2D is associated with to a dramatic reduction in odour detection and olfactory memory.

The effect of T2D on neuroplasticity in the MOB and PC

T2D affects CB+ interneurons in the MOB

We did not observe major structural changes in the MOB of GK and Wistar rats (e.g. by quantifying the mitral cells; data not shown). However, when we quantified CB+ interneurons in the MOB, the results show a trend, albeit not statistically significant, towards a decrease in the density of CB+ interneurons in diabetic compared with control rats (p = 0.09; Fig. 3a-c). Moreover, results show 18% decrease in CB expression in the MOB of GK rats versus Wistars by Western blot analysis (p = 0.04; Fig. 3d-e). Difference in neither the cell density nor expression of other interneuronal markers (i.e. PV and CR) between GK and Wistar rats was found (data not shown).

Fig. 3
figure3

Diabetes affects calbindin+ interneurons and impairs adult neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb. a Density of CB+ interneurons. b-c representative microphotographs of CB+ staining in the MOB of non-diabetic Wistar versus T2D GK rats (n = 5–6). d Relative level of CB expression normalized against beta-actin and, e representative bands showing CB expression level in the MOB of non-diabetic vs. T2D rats (n = 4), (Western blot). f Density of immature DCX+ neurons and, g-h representative microphotographs of DCX+ staining in the MOB of Wistar vs. GK rats (n = 7) (black arrows indicate DCX+ cells). Two-tailed, unpaired t-test. The data are means ±S.E.M., * p < 0.05

Full size image

T2D reduces neurogenesis in the MOB

Adult neurogenesis in the MOB was assessed by counting DCX+ neuroblasts in this brain area. The results showed a dramatic reduction (over 50% decrease) in the density of DCX+ immature neurons in the MOB of GK compared with Wistar rats (261.7 ± 20.3 vs. 468.5 ± 65.9 cell/mm2, p = 0.02, Fig. 3f-h) indicating that MOB adult neurogenesis is severely impaired by T2D.

T2D impairs PV+ interneurons in the PC

In our previous study, we showed vulnerability of GABAergic CB+ interneurons in the PC of GK rats during aging [56]. In the present study, we investigated the potential effect of T2D on PV+ and CR+ interneurons in the PC. We did not observe any significant difference in the density of PV+ interneurons between T2D and control rats (Fig. 4a-c). Results showed, however, 17% decrease in the expression of PV in the PC of diabetic compared with non-diabetic rats (p = 0.046; Fig. 4d, e), by Western blot analysis. No difference in either density of CR+ cells, or expression of this protein between GK and Wistars was recorded (data not shown). In summary, these results indicate that T2D affects PV+ interneurons in the PC.

Fig. 4
figure4

Diabetes decreases parvalbumin expression and impairs neuroblast differentiation in the piriform cortex. a Density of PV+ interneurons and, b-c representative microphotographs of PV+ staining in the PC of non-diabetic Wistar versus T2D GK rats (n = 7). d Relative level of PV normalized against beta-actin and, e representative bands showing PV expression level in the PC of non-diabetic vs. T2D rats (n = 4) (Western blot). f Total number and, g-h representative microphotographs of post-mitotic immature DCX+ neurons of embryonic origin in the PC of middle-aged Wistar vs. GK rats. i Percent of "differentiating" DCX/NeuN+ neurons and, j-o representative microphotographs of double-stained DCX/NeuN+ neurons (white arrows) in the PC of Wistar vs. GK rats (n = 7–9). Two-tailed, unpaired t-test. The data are means ±S.E.M., * p < 0.05

Full size image

T2D impairs the neuronal differentiation of DCX+ immature neurons in the PC

To assess the neuroplasticity related to adaptation to new odours, we quantified post-mitotic DCX+ immature neurons in the PC of 6 months-old T2D GK and non-diabetic rats. The results show that the total number of DCX+ cells was significantly higher (168% increase) in GK versus Wistar rats (39.2 ± 8.8 vs. 14.6 ± 3.4 cells; Fig. 4f-h). To determine whether the increase of DCX+ cells in GK rats corresponded to a decrease in neuronal differentiation, we double-stained DCX+ cells with the mature neuronal marker NeuN which is acquired by these cells during the differentiation process. Interestingly, the results show 52% increase in DCX/NeuN+ cells in the PC of the middle-aged T2D GK rats versus non-diabetic control rats (38.5 ± 4.7 vs. 25.3 ± 3.6 cells, p = 0.049; Fig. 4i-o). Overall, the results indicate an impairment of the differentiation rate of DCX+ cells (and thus of this form of neuroplasticity) in the PC of T2D rats.

Odour detection and olfactory memory in GK rats treated with the DPP-4i linagliptin

Chronic linagliptin treatment led to a 55% reduction in peripheral DPP-4 activity (45.2 ± 2.3 vs. 100.0 ± 5.5% of control, p < 0.0001; Additional file 1: Figure S4A) and to increase active GLP-1 levels (0.66 ± 0.1 vs. 0.04 ± 0.002 pg/ml, p < 0.0001; Additional file 1: Figure S4B) versus the untreated controls. These results demonstrate the bioactivity of linagliptin. However, the chronic linagliptin treatment did not affect the glucagon and insulin concentrations, body weight, and glycemic levels (Additional file 1: Figure S4C-F). One possibility to explain these results is that linagliptin was less efficient in reducing DPP-4 activity (55% reduction in our study vs. more than 80% reduction in the previous studies [16, 17]).

Chronic DPP-4 inhibition does not improve odour detection and olfactory memory in T2D rats

Chronic treatment of GK rats with linagliptin for 16 weeks did not improve odour detection (Fig. 5a and b) and did not shorten the time to uncover the food (Fig. 5c). Similarly, the results showed no difference in the olfactory memory between linagliptin and control-treated GK rats (Fig. 5d and e). Interestingly, while untreated GK rats discriminated between the odours, linagliptin-treated rats did not. No significant difference in the approach time to the fragrant object as well as the movement activity between the linagliptin-treated and control GK rats was recorded (data not shown).

Fig. 5
figure5

Chronic DPP-4 inhibition does not affect odour detection and olfactory memory in diabetic rats. a Mean sniffing time of wooden blocks covered with a scent of the tested rat (block A-C) and unknown rat (block E) in the block test. b Mean sniffing time of the scented cartridge covered with vanilla and lemon odour in the habituation dishabituation test. c Mean time to find pellet in the buried pellet test. d Mean sniffing time of the scented cartridge (vanilla/lemon) during 7 trials of the habituation dishabituation test. e Mean time to find pellet in the buried pellet test performed during 5 consecutive days. For comparisons between linagliptin-treated and untreated GK rats in this Study 2, the same statistical tests were performed as in Study 1 (see Fig. 2). The data are expressed as means ±S.E.M., φp < 0.05

Full size image

The effect of chronic DPP-4 inhibition on neuroplasticity in the MOB and PC of T2D rat

Chronic DPP-4 inhibition normalizes CB+ interneurons in the MOB of T2D rats

In the MOB, no significant difference in the density of CB+ interneurons was observed in untreated versus linagliptin-treated GK rats (Fig. 6a-c). However, the results show 22% increase (p = 0.002; Fig. 6d and e) in CB expression in the MOB after chronic treatment with linagliptin compared to the control group. No significant differences in neither cell density nor expression of PV- and CR-positive interneurons were observed (data not shown). These results suggest that DPP-4i can normalize the T2D-induced down-regulation of CB in the MOB (see Fig. 3d).

Fig. 6
figure6

Chronic DPP-4 inhibition increases calbindin expression in the olfactory bulb of diabetic rats. a Density of CB+ interneurons and, b-c representative microphotographs of CB+ staining in the MOB of control vs. linagliptin-treated GK rats (n = 6). d Relative level of CB normalized against beta-actin and, e representative bands showing CB expression level in the MOB of control vs. linagliptin-treated GK rats (n = 4), (Western blot). Two-tailed, unpaired t-test. The data are means ±S.E.M., ** p < 0.01

Full size image

Chronic DPP-4 inhibition has no effect on adult neurogenesis in the MOB of T2D rats

No difference in the density of DCX+ cells was observed in the MOB of linagliptin-treated versus control rats (data not shown) indicating no effect of this drug on adult neurogenesis in the MOB.

DPP-4 inhibition normalizes CB+ interneurons in the PC of T2D rats

In the PC, the results showed over 40% increase in the number of CB+ interneurons after chronic linagliptin treatment compared to the control group (1849 ± 124 versus 1278 ± 86 cells, p = 0.002) (Fig. 7a-c) suggesting a significant role of DPP-4i in the regulation of neuroplasticity driven by these cells in the PC. The results showed no difference between control and linagliptin-treated group in neither the density of both PV- and CR+ interneurons nor the expression of these interneuronal markers (data not shown).

Fig. 7
figure7

Chronic DPP-4 inhibition increases the number, the mean volume, and the arborization of calbindin+ interneurons and it promotes neuroblast differentiation in the piriform cortex of diabetic rats. a Density of CB+ interneurons and, b-c representative microphotographs of CB+ staining in the PC of control vs. linagliptin-treated GK rats (n = 9). d Mean volume and, e-f illustrating microphotographs of CB+ interneurons in the PC of control vs. linagliptin-treated GK rats. g Neuronal arborization and, h-i illustrating microphotographs of CB+ interneurons in the PC of the compared groups (n = 9). j Total number of DCX+ immature neurons and, k percent of double-stained DCX/NeuN+ "differentiating" neurons (n = 8). Two-tailed, unpaired t-test. The data are means ±S.E.M., * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01

Full size image

DPP-4 inhibition exerts neurotrophic effects on CB+ interneurons in the PC of T2D rats

Interestingly, the average soma volume of CB+ interneurons in the PC of the linagliptin-treated GK rats was 14% larger compared to the untreated rats (1567 ± 56 versus 1373 ± 49 μm3, p = 0.02; Fig. 7d-f). Moreover, the results show differences in the neuronal arborization of the CB+ interneurons in the PC after chronic treatment with linagliptin. Specifically, the number of neuronal branches per cell (see Material and Methods for the quantification procedures) was significantly increased in the PC of the linagliptin-treated animals compared to control group (level 3: 1.67 ± 0.17 vs. 1.05 ± 0.2, p = 0.03; level 4: 0.45 ± 0.06 vs. 0.16 ± 0.05, p = 0.002; level 5: 0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.04 ± 0.02, p = 0.02; Fig. 7g-i). Overall, these morphometric changes indicate a neurotrophic effect mediated by linagliptin on CB+ interneurons suggesting that DPP-4i regulate the neuroplasticity driven by CB+ interneurons in the PC.

DPP-4 inhibition promotes neuronal differentiation in the PC of T2D rats

Sixteen weeks of DPP-4 inhibition resulted in no significant difference in the number of DCX+ neurons in the PC of GK rats compared with control rats (Fig. 7j). However, when looking at the rate of their differentiation into mature neurons, linagliptin induced a strong 36%-decrease in DCX/NeuN double-stained neurons versus the control (24.5 ± 2.6 vs. 38.5 ± 4.7, p = 0.03; Fig. 7k). These results indicate that DPP-4 inhibition promotes the neuronal differentiation of these cells.

Discussion

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of T2D on odour detection and olfactory memory. Secondly, we determined whether important neuronal populations regulating the neuroplasticity in the two major brain areas involved in smelling and odour coding (the MOB and the PC) were affected by T2D. We show that T2D dramatically decreases odour detection and olfactory memory. These functional effects correlated with the decrease in CB expression and adult neurogenesis in the MOB. Moreover, T2D decreased PV expression and impaired the differentiation of DCX+ immature neurons in the PC. The third aim of the study was to determine whether a therapy mediated by DPP-4i could counteract the identified T2D effects on the olfactory system. While a chronic treatment with DPP-4i could not improve odour detection and olfactory memory, PV regulation in the PC and adult neurogenesis in the MOB, this pharmacological treatment could normalize CB+ interneurons in the MOB and PC. In addition, DPP-4i could exert neurotrophic effects on CB+ interneurons and promoted neuronal differentiation of immature DCX+ neurons in the PC.

The effects of T2D on odour detection, olfactory memory and olfactory neuroplasticity

The relation between diabetes and olfactory deficits was shown for the first time already in the 60’s [39]. Since then a few other clinical studies have reported that diabetes could negatively impact olfactory functions [26, 51, 68]. However, a great limitation of these studies was the low number of patients. Moreover, discrepancies in the results of these studies, also in relation to differences between T1D and T2D [2, 9, 71], need to be clarified in order to undoubtedly prove the deleterious effects of T2D on the olfactory system. Importantly, the association between olfactory dysfunction in T2D with cognitive decline and dementia (including AD) has been suggested by a few clinical studies [82, 91]. However, the findings need to be further confirmed by employing additional and more reliable olfactory tests, since the ones used so far vary greatly in terms of sensitivity and reliability, as well as in the power to separate sensory and cognitive components of the olfactory functions. This is an important factor as suggested by a recent study by Markopoulou and colleagues who showed that individuals with olfactory dysfunction had poor inter-test consistency among the sets of odours identified incorrectly in successive replicate tests, even before severe olfactory dysfunction appeared [61]. Another important aspect, to prove the potential association of olfactory deficits in T2D with cognitive decline, is that olfactory parameters directly related to cognition, such as olfactory memory [12, 13, 24, 50, 75, 92] have, to the best of our knowledge, not been previously investigated.

In the attempt to address experimentally some of these questions, we employed a lean and spontaneous animal model of T2D, the GK rat. We used this model to rule out obesity-related factors. Furthermore, GK rats have recently been shown to present CNS complications and impaired mechanisms at the basis of cognition and memory [10, 33, 54,55,56, 62,63,64,65, 73]. Using three different functional tests, we show that T2D impairs odour detection. We also provide, for the first time, experimental evidence that olfactory memory is strongly impaired in T2D. Interestingly, recent works showed that hyperlipidemic and fructose-based diets disrupt odour-related learning [48, 74, 87]. These findings could be relevant for the understanding of the interplay between T2D and cognitive decline/dementia and they call for new clinical studies aimed at determining whether olfactory memory is impaired in T2D patients and, if so, whether this impairment correlates with the incidence of cognitive decline and dementia.

In the attempt to identify some of the pathophysiological mechanisms at the basis of impaired odour detection and olfactory memory in T2D, we investigated specific populations of neuronal cells involved in the regulation of the neuroplasticity of the MOB and the PC. We found decreased expression of CB (and a strong trend toward a decrease in the density of CB+ interneurons) in the MOB of GK rats. Interestingly, the vulnerability of CB+ interneurons in the AD brain has been known since the late 80’s [32, 34]. More recently, it has been suggested to represent a pathogenic mechanism at the basis of AD development [1, 43]. Importantly, decreased CB+ interneurons in the MOB of an AD mouse model has been recently shown [80]. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that CB is decreased by T2D in the MOB. Although speculative, this data suggest that this decrease could represent an early step in the development of cognitive decline in T2D.

Adult neurogenesis in the MOB is an important cellular process at the basis of olfactory functions and olfaction-related neuroplasticity [31, 81]. NSC proliferation and survival in the SVZ (where NSCs are generated) are impaired by T2D [3, 49, 59, 60]. However, NSC proliferation and survival are only the initial steps of adult neurogenesis and thus cannot not fully depict the effect of T2D on this process. Immature neuroblasts derived from NSCs migrate from the SVZ to the MOB and it is here where they differentiate into neurons, i.e. the ultimate result of adult neurogenesis. Therefore, investigation of the potential effects of T2D on neurogenesis requires assessment of the neurogenesis process specifically within the MOB. Impairment of the MOB’s neurogenesis has been shown in one elegant study by Wakabayashi and colleagues with STZ-induced T1D [89]. However, MOB neurogenesis in T2D has not been previously investigated. Our results are in line with the results by Wakabayashi in T1D and they show a dramatic decrease in the number of DCX+ neuroblasts in the MOB of GK rats. Interestingly, deficits in adult neurogenesis in the MOB may mediate premature cognitive decline in AD [29]. This suggests that the impairment of this process in T2D could also represent an early pathogenic mechanism at the basis of cognitive decline in diabetics.

The next step in our study was to investigate potential changes induced by T2D in the PC, which is critical for odour coding [5]. The PC receives direct synaptic input from the MOB via the lateral olfactory tract and it is connected to higher brain centers such as the entorhinal cortex. Interestingly, the disruption of this region mediates early olfactory deficits in AD [53]. In the PC, the role of interneurons is fundamental for the synaptic inhibition after olfactory stimulation by a range of different odours [72, 93]. When investigating the potential effects of T2D on interneurons in the PC, we found that the expression of PV was decreased in GK rats. Importantly, PV+ interneurons play a crucial role in the regulation of cognition [11] and their dysfunction has been suggested to be a key mechanism in AD’s development [88]. Furthermore, PV+ interneurons are particularly vulnerable to AD in humans [8] and PV expression is lower in AD patients versus healthy controls [35]. Finally, a recent study by Saiz-Sanchez et al. showed that PV+ interneurons in the PC are up-regulated in the AD human brain [78]. Although electrophysiology experiments are needed to well characterize the functional role of PV+ interneurons in the PC, our data support the hypothesis that PV dysregulation in T2D could be linked to impaired odour detection and olfactory memory. This could represent an early pathogenic process at the basis of cognitive decline in T2D. These findings in the PC are supported by our recent work showing that impairment of PV+ interneurons in the hippocampus of T2D rats correlates with decreased gamma oscillations [55] which is an important mechanism at the basis of cognition.

The number of DCX+ immature neurons in the PC decreases along the course of life due to continuous differentiation into mature neurons. This pool of post-mitotic cells is generated prenatally [76] and, therefore, they are not derived from adult neurogenesis [66]. The knowledge at the basis of this process is largely unknown. However, it is believed that DCX+ cells represent a newly identified form of olfactory neuroplasticity in relation to olfactory learning and adaptation to new olfactory stimuli [7, 41, 84, 86]. Our results show that T2D dramatically reduces this process suggesting, for the first time, a potential negative effect of T2D on the adaptation to new odours. Whether the impairment of this form of neuroplasticity can be related to cognitive decline in T2D remains to be investigated.

The effects of DPP-4i on odour detection, olfactory memory and olfactory neuroplasticity in T2D

In addition to be used clinically for the regulation of glycemia in T2D, DPP-4i mediate neurotrophic, neurogenic and neuroprotective effects in the brain, also independently of glycemia regulation [27, 70]. We investigated the potential efficacy of a chronic treatment with the DPP-4i linagliptin to counteract the identified functional and structural deficits induced by T2D on the olfactory system. We used linagliptin because the drug showed positive effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases [44] and cerebral stroke [16, 17].

Furthermore, glucose normalization was not obtained in GK rats (see Results), which allowed us to focus on potential glucose independent effects of the drug.

We show that linagliptin normalize some of the T2D-dysregulated neuroplasticity parameters (i.e. CB+ interneurons in the MOB and PC and immature DCX+ neurons in the PC). However, this treatment improved neither odour detection nor olfactory memory in T2D GK rats. Furthermore, linaglipin-treated rats showed impaired odour discrimination. One possibility to explain the lack of behavioral efficacy is that the employed olfactory tests in this study are not sensitive enough to detect pharmacologically-mediated improvements. New studies employing highly sensitive olfactometers could be useful in this respect as Thiebaud et al. have recently shown by studying the effects of a hyperlipidemic diet on olfaction in the mouse [87]. Another potential explanation is that the T2D-induced impairment in odour detection and olfactory memory is mainly driven by hyperglycemia (which is well known to have detrimental effects on the brain [58]), while neuroplasticity changes are glycemia-independent. In support of this hypothesis is the fact that Linagliptin was ineffective in the regulation of glycemia in the GK rat, as also recently shown [30]. If this is the case, the GK rat might not be the best model to study the effects of DPP-4i on odour detection nor olfactory memory and this is a weakness of our study. However, this aspect could also be a strength of this study allowing for the identification of glycemic-independent effects (on neuroplasticity) of T2D on the olfactory system. Additional studies investigating odour detection and olfactory memory in other T2D models, where DPP-4i efficiently regulate glycemia, will answer this question. Finally, another potential reason to explain the lack of effect of linagliptin on odour detection and olfactory memory is that low DPP-4 activity has been associated with inflammation of the nasal mucosa [23]. Although speculative, this effect could have masked a potential beneficial action of linagliptin on odour detection and/or olfactory memory and this is, in our sense, the most likely interpretation.

Despite the need to answer these questions by new studies, our results indicate that a chronic therapy mediated by DPP-4i can normalize the effect of T2D on CB+ interneurons in both the MOB and the PC by also inducing morphological and neurotrophic changes. This effect is potentially very interesting in relation to the established importance of these interneurons in AD progression [1, 32, 34, 43, 80]. Therefore, our results may suggest the preventive potential of DPP-4i to counteract these detrimental processes in the CNS. We also provided evidence that DPP-4i strongly (50%) decreases the number of DCX/NeuN double positive cells in the PC of GK rats. This indicates enhanced differentiation of immature DCX+ neurons into mature neurons and likely an improved capacity for adaptation to new smells. These results provide the first experimental evidence for the effect of DPP-4i on this newly identified form of neuroplasticity in the PC. Whether the improvement of this form of neuroplasticity can be associated with improved cognition in T2D remains to be investigated.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the results of our study prove the detrimental effects of diabetes on odour detection in a lean model of T2D. Importantly, this study gains new knowledge about the detrimental impact of T2D on olfactory memory providing a strong rationale for testing this parameter in future clinical studies, e.g. as an early predictor for cognitive decline in T2D. We also show, for the first time, how T2D affects neuroplasticity in both the MOB and the PC by identifying the impairment of specific cellular mechanisms. These mechanisms could turn out to be key for understanding not only how T2D impairs olfaction but also the interplay between impaired olfaction in T2D and cognitive decline and dementia. While we could not demonstrate the efficacy of DPP-4i to improve odour detection and olfactory memory, our results show that linagliptin could improve cellular parameters related to the neuroplasticity in the olfactory system that were impaired by T2D. This provides new knowledge on the mechanisms at the basis of the beneficial effects of DPP-4 inhibitors in the T2D brain that could be exploited to design preventive therapies to treat cognitive decline in diabetes.

References

  1. 1.

    Ahmadian SS, Rezvanian A, Peterson M, Weintraub S, Bigio EH, Mesulam MM, Geula C (2015) Loss of calbindin-D28K is associated with the full range of tangle pathology within basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 36:3163–3170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.09.001

  2. 2.

    Altundag A, Ay SA, Hira S, Salihoglu M, Baskoy K, Deniz F, Tekeli H, Kurt O, Yonem A, Hummel T (2017) Olfactory and gustatory functions in patients with non-complicated type 1 diabetes mellitus. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 274:2621–2627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-017-4497-8

  3. 3.

    Bachor TP, Karbanova J, Buttner E, Bermudez V, Marquioni-Ramella M, Carmeliet P, Corbeil D, Suburo AM (2017) Early ciliary and prominin-1 dysfunctions precede neurogenesis impairment in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Neurobiol Dis 108:13–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2017.07.010

  4. 4.

    Baskin DG, Stein LJ, Ikeda H, Woods SC, Figlewicz DP, Porte D, Jr., Greenwood MR, Dorsa DM (1985) Genetically obese Zucker rats have abnormally low brain insulin content. Life Sci 36: 627–633

  5. 5.

    Bekkers JM, Suzuki N (2013) Neurons and circuits for odor processing in the piriform cortex. Trends Neurosci 36:429–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.04.005

  6. 6.

    Biessels GJ, Reagan LP (2015) Hippocampal insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunction. Nat Rev Neurosci 16:660–671. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn4019

  7. 7.

    Bonfanti L, Olive S, Poulain DA, Theodosis DT (1992) Mapping of the distribution of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule throughout the central nervous system of the adult rat: an immunohistochemical study. Neuroscience 49:419–436

  8. 8.

    Brady DR, Mufson EJ (1997) Parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampal formation of Alzheimer's diseased brain. Neuroscience 80:1113–1125

  9. 9.

    Bramerson A, Johansson L, Ek L, Nordin S, Bende M (2004) Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction: the skovde population-based study. Laryngoscope 114:733–737. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005537-200404000-00026

  10. 10.

    Candeias E, Sebastiao I, Cardoso S, Carvalho C, Santos MS, Oliveira CR, Moreira PI, Duarte AI (2017) Brain GLP-1/IGF-1 signaling and autophagy mediate Exendin-4 protection against apoptosis in type 2 diabetic rats. Mol Neurobiol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-017-0622-3

  11. 11.

    Cardin JA, Carlen M, Meletis K, Knoblich U, Zhang F, Deisseroth K, Tsai LH, Moore CI (2009) Driving fast-spiking cells induces gamma rhythm and controls sensory responses. Nature 459:663–667. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08002

  12. 12.

    Cassano T, Romano A, Macheda T, Colangeli R, Cimmino CS, Petrella A, LaFerla FM, Cuomo V, Gaetani S (2011) Olfactory memory is impaired in a triple transgenic model of Alzheimer disease. Behav Brain Res 224:408–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2011.06.029

  13. 13.

    Coronas-Samano G, Baker KL, Tan WJ, Ivanova AV, Verhagen JV (2016) Fus1 KO mouse as a model of oxidative stress-mediated sporadic Alzheimer's disease: circadian disruption and long-term spatial and olfactory memory impairments. Front Aging Neurosci 8:268. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00268

  14. 14.

    Cukierman T, Gerstein HC, Williamson JD (2005) Cognitive decline and dementia in diabetes--systematic overview of prospective observational studies. Diabetologia 48:2460–2469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-005-0023-4

  15. 15.

    D'Amico M, Di Filippo C, Marfella R, Abbatecola AM, Ferraraccio F, Rossi F, Paolisso G (2010) Long-term inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 in Alzheimer's prone mice. Exp Gerontol 45:202–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2009.12.004

  16. 16.

    Darsalia V, Larsson M, Lietzau G, Nathanson D, Nystrom T, Klein T, Patrone C (2016) Gliptins-mediated neuroprotection against stroke requires chronic pre-treatment and is glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor independent. Diabetes Obes Metab. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.12641

  17. 17.

    Darsalia V, Ortsater H, Olverling A, Darlof E, Wolbert P, Nystrom T, Klein T, Sjoholm A, Patrone C (2013) The DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin counteracts stroke in the normal and diabetic mouse brain: a comparison with glimepiride. Diabetes 62:1289–1296. https://doi.org/10.2337/db12-0988

  18. 18.

    Daulatzai MA (2015) Olfactory dysfunction: its early temporal relationship and neural correlates in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 122:1475–1497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-015-1404-6

  19. 19.

    Deacon CF, Holst JJ (2013) Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: comparison, efficacy and safety. Expert Opin Pharmacother 14:2047–2058. https://doi.org/10.1517/14656566.2013.824966

  20. 20.

    Doty RL (2017) Olfactory dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases: is there a common pathological substrate? Lancet Neurol 16:478–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30123-0

  21. 21.

    Franks KH, Chuah MI, King AE, Vickers JC (2015) Connectivity of pathology: the olfactory system as a model for network-driven mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Front Aging Neurosci 7:234. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2015.00234

  22. 22.

    Gault VA, Lennox R, Flatt PR (2015) Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, improves recognition memory, oxidative stress and hippocampal neurogenesis and upregulates key genes involved in cognitive decline. Diabetes Obes Metab. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.12432

  23. 23.

    Giger R, Nicoucar K, Kurt AM, Grouzman E, Lacroix JS (2000) Study of the enzyme peptidyl peptidase IV in nasal mucosa. Schweiz Med Wochenschr Suppl 125:99S–101S

  24. 24.

    Gilbert PE, Murphy C (2004) The effect of the ApoE epsilon4 allele on recognition memory for olfactory and visual stimuli in patients with pathologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease, probable Alzheimer's disease, and healthy elderly controls. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 26:779–794. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803390490509439

  25. 25.

    Gottfried JA (2010) Central mechanisms of odour object perception. Nat Rev Neurosci 11:628–641. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2883

  26. 26.

    Gouveri E, Katotomichelakis M, Gouveris H, Danielides V, Maltezos E, Papanas N (2014) Olfactory dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an additional manifestation of microvascular disease? Angiology 65:869–876. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003319714520956

  27. 27.

    Groeneveld ON, Kappelle LJ, Biessels GJ (2016) Potentials of incretin-based therapies in dementia and stroke in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes Invest 7:5–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.12420

  28. 28.

    Gundersen HJ, Bagger P, Bendtsen TF, Evans SM, Korbo L, Marcussen N, Moller A, Nielsen K, Nyengaard JR, Pakkenberg B et al (1988) The new stereological tools: disector, fractionator, nucleator and point sampled intercepts and their use in pathological research and diagnosis. APMIS 96:857–881

  29. 29.

    Hamilton LK, Aumont A, Julien C, Vadnais A, Calon F, Fernandes KJ (2010) Widespread deficits in adult neurogenesis precede plaque and tangle formation in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 32:905–920. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07379.x

  30. 30.

    Hardigan T, Yasir A, Abdelsaid M, Coucha M, El-Shaffey S, Li W, Johnson MH, Ergul A (2016) Linagliptin treatment improves cerebrovascular function and remodeling and restores reduced cerebral perfusion in type 2 diabetes. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 311:R466–R477. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00057.2016

  31. 31.

    Hardy D, Saghatelyan A (2017) Different forms of structural plasticity in the adult olfactory bulb. Neurogenesis (Austin) 4:e1301850. https://doi.org/10.1080/23262133.2017.1301850

  32. 32.

    Hof PR, Morrison JH (1991) Neocortical neuronal subpopulations labeled by a monoclonal antibody to calbindin exhibit differential vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease. Exp Neurol 111:293–301

  33. 33.

    Hussain S, Mansouri S, Sjoholm A, Patrone C, Darsalia V (2014) Evidence for cortical neuronal loss in male type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. JAD. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-131958

  34. 34.

    Ichimiya Y, Emson PC, Mountjoy CQ, Lawson DE, Heizmann CW (1988) Loss of calbindin-28K immunoreactive neurones from the cortex in Alzheimer-type dementia. Brain Res 475:156–159

  35. 35.

    Inaguma Y, Shinohara H, Inagaki T, Kato K (1992) Immunoreactive parvalbumin concentrations in parahippocampal gyrus decrease in patients with Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol Sci 110:57–61

  36. 36.

    Isaacson JS (2010) Odor representations in mammalian cortical circuits. Curr Opin Neurobiol 20:328–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2010.02.004

  37. 37.

    Isik AT, Soysal P, Yay A, Usarel C (2017) The effects of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, on cognitive functions in elderly diabetic patients with or without Alzheimer's disease. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 123:192–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2016.12.010

  38. 38.

    Jan YN, Jan LY (2010) Branching out: mechanisms of dendritic arborization. Nat Rev Neurosci 11:316–328. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2836

  39. 39.

    Jorgensen MB, Buch NH (1961) Studies on the sense of smell and taste in diabetics. Acta Otolaryngol 53:539–545

  40. 40.

    Kalaria RN (2009) Neurodegenerative disease: diabetes, microvascular pathology and Alzheimer disease. Nature reviews. Neurology 5:305–306. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2009.72

  41. 41.

    Klempin F, Kronenberg G, Cheung G, Kettenmann H, Kempermann G (2011) Properties of doublecortin-(DCX)-expressing cells in the piriform cortex compared to the neurogenic dentate gyrus of adult mice. PLoS One 6:e25760. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0025760

  42. 42.

    Kodl CT, Seaquist ER (2008) Cognitive dysfunction and diabetes mellitus. Endocr Rev 29:494–511. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2007-0034

  43. 43.

    Kook SY, Jeong H, Kang MJ, Park R, Shin HJ, Han SH, Son SM, Song H, Baik SH, Moon M et al (2014) Crucial role of calbindin-D28k in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Cell Death Differ 21:1575–1587. https://doi.org/10.1038/cdd.2014.67

  44. 44.

    Kornelius E, Lin CL, Chang HH, Li HH, Huang WN, Yang YS, Lu YL, Peng CH, Huang CN (2015) DPP-4 inhibitor Linagliptin attenuates Abeta-induced cytotoxicity through activation of AMPK in neuronal cells. CNS Neurosci Ther 21:549–557. https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.12404

  45. 45.

    Kosaraju J, Gali CC, Khatwal RB, Dubala A, Chinni S, Holsinger RM, Madhunapantula VS, Muthureddy Nataraj SK, Basavan D (2013) Saxagliptin: a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor ameliorates streptozotocin induced Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 72:291–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.04.008

  46. 46.

    Kosaraju J, Holsinger RM, Guo L, Tam KY (2016) Linagliptin, a dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitor, mitigates cognitive deficits and pathology in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurobio. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-016-0125-7

  47. 47.

    Kosaraju J, Madhunapantula SV, Chinni S, Khatwal RB, Dubala A, Muthureddy Nataraj SK, Basavan D (2014) Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition by Pterocarpus Marsupium and Eugenia Jambolana ameliorates streptozotocin induced Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 267:55–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2014.03.026

  48. 48.

    Lacroix MC, Caillol M, Durieux D, Monnerie R, Grebert D, Pellerin L, Repond C, Tolle V, Zizzari P, Baly C (2015) Long-lasting metabolic imbalance related to obesity alters olfactory tissue homeostasis and impairs olfactory-driven behaviors. Chem Senses 40:537–556. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjv039

  49. 49.

    Lang BT, Yan Y, Dempsey RJ, Vemuganti R (2009) Impaired neurogenesis in adult type-2 diabetic rats. Brain Res 1258:25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2008.12.026

  50. 50.

    Larsson M, Hedner M, Papenberg G, Seubert J, Backman L, Laukka EJ (2016) Olfactory memory in the old and very old: relations to episodic and semantic memory and APOE genotype. Neurobiol Aging 38:118–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.11.012

  51. 51.

    Le Floch JP, Le Lievre G, Labroue M, Paul M, Peynegre R, Perlemuter L (1993) Smell dysfunction and related factors in diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 16:934–937

  52. 52.

    Lehmkuhl AM, Dirr ER, Fleming SM (2014) Olfactory assays for mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. JOVE:e51804. https://doi.org/10.3791/51804

  53. 53.

    Li W, Howard JD, Gottfried JA (2010) Disruption of odour quality coding in piriform cortex mediates olfactory deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Brain J Neurol 133:2714–2726. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awq209

  54. 54.

    Li XH, Xin X, Wang Y, Wu JZ, Jin ZD, Ma LN, Nie CJ, Xiao X, Hu Y, Jin MW (2013) Pentamethylquercetin protects against diabetes-related cognitive deficits in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. JAD 34:755–767. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-122017

  55. 55.

    Lietzau G, Darsalia V, Pintana H, Ostenson CG, Nystrom T, Fisahn A, Patrone C (2017) Type 2 diabetes alters hippocampal gamma oscillations: a potential mechanism behind impaired cognition. Psychoneuroendocrinology 82:46–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.04.012

  56. 56.

    Lietzau G, Nystrom T, Ostenson CG, Darsalia V, Patrone C (2016) Type 2 diabetes-induced neuronal pathology in the piriform cortex of the rat is reversed by the GLP-1 receptor agonist Exendin-4. Oncotarget. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.6823

  57. 57.

    Livingston JN, Unger JW, Moxley RT, Moss A (1993) Phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in the CNS of obese Zucker rats are decreased in the absence of changes in the insulin receptor. Neuroendocrinology 57:481–488

  58. 58.

    Luitse MJ, Biessels GJ, Rutten GE, Kappelle LJ (2012) Diabetes, hyperglycaemia, and acute ischaemic stroke. Lancet Neurol 11:261–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70005-4

  59. 59.

    Mansouri S, Barde S, Ortsater H, Eweida M, Darsalia V, Langel U, Sjoholm A, Hokfelt T, Patrone C (2013) GalR3 activation promotes adult neural stem cell survival in response to a diabetic milieu. J Neurochem 127:209–220. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.12396

  60. 60.

    Mansouri S, Ortsater H, Pintor Gallego O, Darsalia V, Sjoholm A, Patrone C (2011) Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide counteracts the impaired adult neural stem cell viability induced by palmitate. J Neurosci Res. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.22803

  61. 61.

    Markopoulou K, Chase BA, Robowski P, Strongosky A, Narozanska E, Sitek EJ, Berdynski M, Barcikowska M, Baker MC, Rademakers Ret al (2016) Assessment of olfactory function in MAPT-associated neurodegenerative disease reveals odor-identification irreproducibility as a non-disease-specific, general characteristic of olfactory dysfunction. PLoS One 11: e0165112 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0165112

  62. 62.

    Matsunaga Y, Negishi T, Hatakeyama A, Kawagoe Y, Sawano E, Tashiro T (2016) Impairment of synaptic development in the hippocampus of diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 53:58–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2016.07.004

  63. 63.

    Moreira PI, Santos MS, Moreno AM, Seica R, Oliveira CR (2003) Increased vulnerability of brain mitochondria in diabetic (Goto-Kakizaki) rats with aging and amyloid-beta exposure. Diabetes 52:1449–1456

  64. 64.

    Moreira T, Malec E, Ostenson CG, Efendic S, Liljequist S (2007) Diabetic type II Goto-Kakizaki rats show progressively decreasing exploratory activity and learning impairments in fixed and progressive ratios of a lever-press task. Behav Brain Res 180:28–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2007.02.034

  65. 65.

    Murakawa Y, Zhang W, Pierson CR, Brismar T, Ostenson CG, Efendic S, Sima AA (2002) Impaired glucose tolerance and insulinopenia in the GK-rat causes peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 18:473–483. https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.326

  66. 66.

    Nacher J, Bonfanti L (2015) New neurons from old beliefs in the adult piriform cortex? A commentary on: occurrence of new neurons in the piriform cortex. Front Neuroanat 9:62. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2015.00062

  67. 67.

    Nagayama S, Homma R, Imamura F (2014) Neuronal organization of olfactory bulb circuits. Front Neural Circuits 8:98. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2014.00098

  68. 68.

    Naka A, Riedl M, Luger A, Hummel T, Mueller CA (2010) Clinical significance of smell and taste disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 267:547–550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1123-4

  69. 69.

    Ostenson CG, Efendic S (2007) Islet gene expression and function in type 2 diabetes; studies in the Goto-Kakizaki rat and humans. Diabetes Obes Metab 9(Suppl 2):180–186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1326.2007.00787.x

  70. 70.

    Patrone C, Eriksson O, Lindholm D (2014) Diabetes drugs and neurological disorders: new views and therapeutic possibilities. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2:256–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(13)70125-6

  71. 71.

    Patterson DS, Turner P, Smart JV (1966) Smell threshold in diabetes mellitus. Nature 209:625

  72. 72.

    Poo C, Isaacson JS (2009) Odor representations in olfactory cortex: "sparse" coding, global inhibition, and oscillations. Neuron 62:850–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2009.05.022

  73. 73.

    Portha B, Giroix MH, Tourrel-Cuzin C, Le-Stunff H, Movassat J (2012) The GK rat: a prototype for the study of non-overweight type 2 diabetes. Methods Mol Biol 933:125–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-068-7_9

  74. 74.

    Riviere S, Soubeyre V, Jarriault D, Molinas A, Leger-Charnay E, Desmoulins L, Grebert D, Meunier N, Grosmaitre X (2016) High fructose diet inducing diabetes rapidly impacts olfactory epithelium and behavior in mice. Sci Rep 6:34011. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep34011

  75. 75.

    Roman FS, Alescio-Lautier B, Soumireu-Mourat B (1996) Age-related learning and memory deficits in odor-reward association in rats. Neurobiol Aging 17:31–40

  76. 76.

    Rubio A, Belles M, Belenguer G, Vidueira S, Farinas I, Nacher J (2016) Characterization and isolation of immature neurons of the adult mouse piriform cortex. Dev Neurobiol 76:748–763. https://doi.org/10.1002/dneu.22357

  77. 77.

    Sa-Nguanmoo P, Tanajak P, Kerdphoo S, Jaiwongkam T, Pratchayasakul W, Chattipakorn N, Chattipakorn SC (2017) SGLT2-inhibitor and DPP-4 inhibitor improve brain function via attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, inflammation, and apoptosis in HFD-induced obese rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 333:43–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2017.08.005

  78. 78.

    Saiz-Sanchez D, De la Rosa-Prieto C, Ubeda-Banon I, Martinez-Marcos A (2015) Interneurons, tau and amyloid-beta in the piriform cortex in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Struct Funct 220:2011–2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-014-0771-3

  79. 79.

    Saiz-Sanchez D, Flores-Cuadrado A, Ubeda-Banon I, de la Rosa-Prieto C, Martinez-Marcos A (2016) Interneurons in the human olfactory system in Alzheimer's disease. Exp Neurol 276:13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.11.009

  80. 80.

    Saiz-Sanchez D, Ubeda-Banon I, De la Rosa-Prieto C, Martinez-Marcos A (2012) Differential expression of interneuron populations and correlation with amyloid-beta deposition in the olfactory cortex of an AbetaPP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. JAD 31:113–129. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2012-111889

  81. 81.

    Sakamoto M, Kageyama R, Imayoshi I (2014) The functional significance of newly born neurons integrated into olfactory bulb circuits. Front Neurosci 8:121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2014.00121

  82. 82.

    Sanke H, Mita T, Yoshii H, Yokota A, Yamashiro K, Ingaki N, Onuma T, Someya Y, Komiya K, Tamura Y et al (2014) Relationship between olfactory dysfunction and cognitive impairment in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 106:465–473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2014.09.039

  83. 83.

    Scheen AJ (2015) A review of gliptins for 2014. Expert Opin Pharmacother 16:43–62. https://doi.org/10.1517/14656566.2015.978289

  84. 84.

    Seki T, Arai Y (1991) Expression of highly polysialylated NCAM in the neocortex and piriform cortex of the developing and the adult rat. Anat Embryol (Berl) 184:395–401

  85. 85.

    Seubert J, Laukka EJ, Rizzuto D, Hummel T, Fratiglioni L, Backman L, Larsson M (2017) Prevalence and correlates of olfactory dysfunction in old age: a population-based study. The journals of gerontology series a, biological sciences and medical. Sciences 72:1072–1079. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx054

  86. 86.

    Shapiro LA, Ng KL, Kinyamu R, Whitaker-Azmitia P, Geisert EE, Blurton-Jones M, Zhou QY, Ribak CE (2007) Origin, migration and fate of newly generated neurons in the adult rodent piriform cortex. Brain Struct Funct 212:133–148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-007-0151-3

  87. 87.

    Thiebaud N, Johnson MC, Butler JL, Bell GA, Ferguson KL, Fadool AR, Fadool JC, Gale AM, Gale DS, Fadool DA (2014) Hyperlipidemic diet causes loss of olfactory sensory neurons, reduces olfactory discrimination, and disrupts odor-reversal learning. J Neurosci 34:6970–6984. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3366-13.2014

  88. 88.

    Verret L, Mann EO, Hang GB, Barth AM, Cobos I, Ho K, Devidze N, Masliah E, Kreitzer AC, Mody Iet al (2012) Inhibitory interneuron deficit links altered network activity and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer model. Cell 149: 708–721 Doi https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2012.02.046

  89. 89.

    Wakabayashi T, Hidaka R, Fujimaki S, Asashima M, Kuwabara T (2016) Diabetes impairs Wnt3 protein-induced neurogenesis in olfactory bulbs via glutamate transporter 1 inhibition. J Biol Chem 291:15196–15211. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M115.672857

  90. 90.

    Xu W, Caracciolo B, Wang HX, Winblad B, Backman L, Qiu C, Fratiglioni L (2010) Accelerated progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia in people with diabetes. Diabetes 59:2928–2935. https://doi.org/10.2337/db10-0539

  91. 91.

    Xu ZP, Yang SL, Zhao S, Zheng CH, Li HH, Zhang Y, Huang RX, Li MZ, Gao Y, Zhang SJet al (2016) Biomarkers for early diagnostic of mild cognitive impairment in Type-2 diabetes patients: a multicentre, retrospective, nested case-control study. EBioMedicine 5: 105–113 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.02.014

  92. 92.

    Young JW, Sharkey J, Finlayson K (2009) Progressive impairment in olfactory working memory in a mouse model of mild cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Aging 30:1430–1443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.11.018

  93. 93.

    Zhan C, Luo M (2010) Diverse patterns of odor representation by neurons in the anterior piriform cortex of awake mice. J Neurosci 30:16662–16672. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4400-10.2010

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Fuad Bahram (Södersjukhuset) for technical assistance and Dr. Hans Pettersson for advice on statistical analyses. We also express our gratitude to KI medical students Ioni Appelberg and Timo Oosterveld for performing part of the IHC experiments and analyzing the data.

Work in our laboratories is supported by The Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, Diabetesfonden, Konung Gustaf V:s och Drotttning Victorias Frimurarestiftelse, the NovoNordisk foundation, EFSD, Åhlén Stiftelse, Stohnes Stiftelse, O. E. och Edla Johanssons Stiftelse, Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse, STROKE Riksförbundet, Tornspiran stiftelse, Gamla Tjänarinnor Stiftelse, Syskonen Svensson Stiftelse and by the regional agreement on medical training and clinical research (ALF) between Stockholm County Council and the Karolinska Institutet (KI).

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    • Grazyna Lietzau
    • , William Davidsson
    • , Fausto Chiazza
    • , David Nathanson
    • , Hiranya Pintana
    • , Thomas Nyström
    • , Vladimer Darsalia
    •  & Cesare Patrone

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    • Claes-Göran Östenson

  3. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland

    • Grazyna Lietzau

  4. Boehringer Ingelheim AB, Stockholm, Sweden

    • Josefin Skogsberg

  5. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany

    • Thomas Klein

Authors

  1. Search for Grazyna Lietzau in:

  2. Search for William Davidsson in:

  3. Search for Claes-Göran Östenson in:

  4. Search for Fausto Chiazza in:

  5. Search for David Nathanson in:

  6. Search for Hiranya Pintana in:

  7. Search for Josefin Skogsberg in:

  8. Search for Thomas Klein in:

  9. Search for Thomas Nyström in:

  10. Search for Vladimer Darsalia in:

  11. Search for Cesare Patrone in:

Contributions

GL conceived and designed the study, performed behavioral and great part of immunohistochemistry studies, supervised Western blot studies, acquired and processed images and figures, performed statistical analyses, contributed to discussion and wrote the manuscript. WD performed some of the Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies. CGÖ provided the GK rat, contributed to discussion and edited the manuscript. FC & HP performed some of the immunohistochemistry studies and helped with the immunohistochemistry experiments. DN provided some resources and contributed to discussion. JS & TK provided the resources to perform the study, supervised GLP-1 quantification and DPP-4 activity studies, contributed to discussion and edited the manuscript. TN provided expertise and resources, contributed to discussion and edited the manuscript. VD conceived and designed the study and performed the glycemic tests, contributed to discussion and edited the manuscript. CP conceived, designed, and coordinated the study, contributed to discussion and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Grazyna Lietzau or Vladimer Darsalia or Cesare Patrone.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

Competing interests

Work in our laboratory is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. Thomas Klein and Josefin Skogsberg are employees of Boehringer Ingelheim AB, Sweden and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co, respectiviely. Thomas Nyström has received unrestricted grants from AstraZenca and consultancy fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Merck and Sanofi-Aventis.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Additional file

Additional file 1:

Supplementary material. (DOCX 401 kb)

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Keywords

  • Diabetes
  • DPP-4 inhibitors
  • Goto-Kakizaki rats
  • Olfaction
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Piriform cortex

Acta Neuropathologica Communications

ISSN: 2051-5960

Contact us