In MS, myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects nerve fibers, is destroyed. Myelin is made by cells in the brain called oligodendrocytes. This team proposes to investigate one way that oligodendrocytes may be rendered susceptible to MS early in life. They are focusing on the effects of a compound found in sugar beets called Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze). Sugar beets are used in meat and dairy products and their geographical use resembles that of MS incidence. Aze resembles an amino acid called proline. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and if Aze is mistakenly incorporated into proteins instead of proline, the resulting protein may be unstable. Previous studies have shown that when Aze is incorporated into proteins made by oligodendrocytes, the cells do not function normally. The team will investigate the possibility that when fed to rodents early in life, Aze is a dietary contributor to susceptibility to MS pathology. If Aze is shown to be harmful to oligodendrocytes, the results will establish a new, highly relevant rodent model of MS and suggest new research to explore this possible clue to an MS trigger.
Sugar beet agriculture, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, has become widespread during the past 150 years, and now accounts for nearly 30% of the world's supply of sucrose. Sugar beet byproducts are also used as a dietary supplement for livestock. Therefore, this study was undertaken as an initial survey to identify Aze-containing links in the food chain. Herein, we report the presence of Aze 1 in three sugar beet byproducts that are fed to farm animals: sugar beet molasses, shredded sugar beet pulp, and pelleted sugar beet pulp.
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