scholarly journals Ursodeoxycholic acid as a potential alternative therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders: effects on cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain

Author(s):  
Fei Huang
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heshan Peiris ◽  
Daphne Dubach ◽  
Claire F. Jessup ◽  
Petra Unterweger ◽  
Ravinarayan Raghupathi ◽  
...  

Mitochondria are the primary site of cellular energy generation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Elevated ROS levels are detrimental to normal cell function and have been linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Down's syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). RCAN1 is abundantly expressed in the brain and overexpressed in brain of DS and AD patients. Data from nonmammalian species indicates that increased RCAN1 expression results in altered mitochondrial function and that RCAN1 may itself regulate neuronal ROS production. In this study, we have utilized mice overexpressing RCAN1RCAN1oxand demonstrate an increased susceptibility of neurons from these mice to oxidative stress. Mitochondria from these mice are more numerous and smaller, indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction, and mitochondrial membrane potential is altered under conditions of oxidative stress. We also generated a PC12 cell line overexpressing RCAN1PC12RCAN1. Similar toRCAN1oxneurons,PC12RCAN1cells have an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and produce more mitochondrial ROS. This study demonstrates that increasing RCAN1 expression alters mitochondrial function and increases the susceptibility of neurons to oxidative stress in mammalian cells. These findings further contribute to our understanding of RCAN1 and its potential role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and DS.


Author(s):  
S. A. Tsiumpala ◽  
K. M. Starchevska ◽  
V. I. Lushchak

Introduction. Under normal conditions, oxidative stress and proinflammatory processes are tightly controlled. However, during neuroinflammation and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), homeostasis is disrup­ted, which may lead to development of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Inflammatory processes may result in neurodegenerative disorders. Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate compound which has potential for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Its therapeutic potential is based on the ability to activate transcription of genes, that regulate protective cellular mechanisms. The importance of stu­dying sulforaphane as a neuroprotector is based on the fact, that dementias are the seventh leading cause of death glo­bally and actively progress due to aging of human population. In this review, the anti-inflammatory effects of sulforaphane in the brain and its use as a potential neuroprotector in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are discussed. The aim of the study – to review available literature sources on the potential use of sulforaphane to prevent or mitigate neuroinflammation. Conclusions. Economic and technological development of mankind and the improvement of the general qua­lity of life leads to prolongation of human life. But, achievements of longevity give new challenges to humanity. In young age and early adulthood, the organisms can relatively easily maintain homeostasis, then in old age intensification of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes can lead to the development of dementias and mental disorders. What should we do now to save clear mind in old age? In this review, sulforaphane is considered to be a potential neuroprotector. Biologically active supplements and drugs containing sulforaphane can weaken up inflammatory processes in the brain and in the body in general, and therefore they can be used for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnson Olaleye Oladele ◽  
Adenike T. Oladiji ◽  
Oluwaseun Titilope Oladele ◽  
Oyedotun M. Oyeleke

Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating disorders which compromise motor or cognitive functions and are rapidly becoming a global communal disorder with over 46.8 million people suffering dementia worldwide. Aetiological studies have showed that people who are exposed to agricultural, occupational and environmental toxic chemicals that can interfere and degenerate dopaminergic neurons are prone to developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson Disease. The complex pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases remains largely unknown; however, mounting evidence suggests that oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein misfolding, and apoptosis are the hallmarks of the diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive molecules that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. ROS play a critical role as high levels of oxidative stress are commonly observed in the brain of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. This chapter focus on the sources of ROS in the brain, its involvement in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and possible ways to mitigate its damaging effects in the affected brain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. e2218
Author(s):  
Bahareh Eghbal ◽  
Ava Soltani Hekmat ◽  
Seyed Amin Kouhpayeh ◽  
Ali Ghanbariasad ◽  
Kazem Javanmardi ◽  
...  

Background: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) as a well-established and effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders is an excellent option to treat the major depressive disorder (MDD). The goal of this experimental study was to determine the possible sides effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), and evaluate the safety of this therapeutic approach on behavioral factors, cardiovascular function, and brain oxidative stress markers on mice. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into different groups receiving either ECS or different doses (10, 20, 40, 80, or 120 mg) of duloxetine alone or together. We evaluated the behavioral factors associated with administration of ECS with or without duloxetine. In addition, we monitored the ECGs (electrocardiogram) of animals prior to and after the experiment and also evaluated the oxidative stress markers including TAC, MDA, and GSH mice’s brains. Results: We did not detect any significant differences in terms of heart rate, RR interval, PR interval, QT, or corrected QT (QTc) between groups that received different doses of duloxetine in combination with ECS compare to the control group. Our findings suggest that while administration of ECS solely increased the oxidative stress markers and decreased the antioxidant capacity of the brain, a combination of duloxetine and ECS at certain doses alleviates the oxidative stress condition and increases the antioxidant capacity of the brain. Conclusion: Overall, this study suggests that the combination of ECS and duloxetine is safe and considerable for further studies on human subjects.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Batista-Nascimento ◽  
Catarina Pimentel ◽  
Regina Andrade Menezes ◽  
Claudina Rodrigues-Pousada

Accumulation of iron (Fe) is often detected in the brains of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. High Fe concentrations have been consistently observed in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases; however, it is not clear whether this Fe contributes to the progression of these diseases. Other conditions, such as Friedreich’s ataxia or neuroferritinopathy are associated with genetic factors that cause Fe misregulation. Consequently, excessive intracellular Fe increases oxidative stress, which leads to neuronal dysfunction and death. The characterization of the mechanisms involved in the misregulation of Fe in the brain is crucial to understand the pathology of the neurodegenerative disorders and develop new therapeutic strategies.Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as the best understood eukaryotic organism, has already begun to play a role in the neurological disorders; thus it could perhaps become a valuable tool also to study the metalloneurobiology.


2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuck T Chen ◽  
Marc-Olivier Trépanier ◽  
Kathryn E Hopperton ◽  
Anthony F Domenichiello ◽  
Mojgan Masoodi ◽  
...  

Schönfeld and Reiser recently hypothesized that fatty acid β-oxidation is a source of oxidative stress in the brain. To test this hypothesis, we inhibited brain mitochondrial β-oxidation with methyl palmoxirate (MEP) and measured oxidative polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolites in the rat brain. Upon MEP treatment, levels of several nonenzymatic auto-oxidative PUFA metabolites were reduced with few effects on enzymatically derived metabolites. Our finding confirms the hypothesis that reduced fatty acid β-oxidation decreases oxidative stress in the brain and β-oxidation inhibitors may be a novel therapeutic approach for brain disorders associated with oxidative stress.


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