@article{Okamoto2026, 
author = {Shiki Okamoto and Ikumi Nomura and Ayano Kinjo and Yuko Murayama and Chie Horiguchi and Chisayo Kozuka and Taiki Teruya and Tsugumi Uema and Tomoko Nagai and Michio Shimabukuro and Chitoshi Takayama and Masayuki Matsushita and Keiko Abe and Hiroaki Masuzaki},
title = {γ-Oryzanol, a unique ingredient specific to brown rice, effectively restores mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in obese aged mice by ameliorating microglial inflammation and promoting neurogenesis in hippocampus: Novel therapeutic insight into obesity-associated MCI},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Food Bioactives},
volume = {34},
pages = {38-47},
keywords = {γ-Oryzanol, Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Hippocampus, Neurogenesis, Obesity},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/JFB.2026.95034446},
doi = {10.26599/JFB.2026.95034446},
abstract = {Obesity-diabetes syndrome poses a considerable risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our study was designed to explore therapeutic potential of γ-oryzanol (Orz), a brown rice-specific oil composed of ferulic acid ester with several phytosterols, on MCI in high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese aged mice. After being housed on an HFD for 4 months, regular Orz or the nanoparticulated form of Orz (Nano-Orz), which markedly enhances its intestinal absorption, was administered to aged mice. Mice treated with regular Orz for 4 months exhibited significant improvement in spatial cognitive function. Impressively, mice treated with Nano-Orz demonstrated cognitive improvement as early as 1 month, with substantial recovery by 3 months. In the hippocampus, treatment with both regular Orz and Nano-Orz upregulated genes associated with neurogenesis and stem cell function accompanied by a significant increase in gene expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our data highlight a therapeutic potential of Orz for obesity-associated MCI.}
}