Effects of diets containing black-eyed beans and serotonin precursors on neuromuscular coordination in experimental mice

Aduema Wadioni, DI Izunwanne, AK Amah

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology 2017 4(2):97-100

Background and Aim: Black-eyed beans contain the neurotransmitter serotonin and its precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) which is known to have neurobehavioral effects on neuromuscular coordination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find whether long-term consumption uncooked bean diet has effects on some neurobehavioral parameters notably; neuromuscular coordination using Swiss white mice as experimental animals. Methods: Thirty CD1 mice were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, control, uncooked beans diet (50% w/w), and serotonin precursor (5-HTP) diet (0.2 mg/50 g w/w) for 30 days. All the mice had access to clean drinking water ad libitum. Before the neurobehavioral parameters were assessed, the LD50of the beans and that of the serotonin precursor (5-HTP) was determined. Serotonin concentration was measured in beans using gas chromatography analysis. Neuromuscular coordination was investigated alongside food and water intake and body weight change. The involvement of serotonin pathway was investigated using the set of mice administered serotonin precursor for comparison with the beans diet-fed mice. Beam walking was used to assess neuromuscular coordination. Results: The results showed that beans and 5-HTP-fed mice showed better neuromuscular coordination when compared to control. This is because, decreased frequency of foot slips and longer latency of falls indicates a higher level of maneuverability in the beam, thus indicating better neuromuscular coordination. Conclusion: Long-term consumption of uncooked beans improves neuromuscular coordination.

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