scholarly journals Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanism of β-Asarone against Aβ1–42-Induced Injury in Astrocytes

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanxiao Yang ◽  
Ling Xuan ◽  
Hongshu Chen ◽  
Shijie Dai ◽  
Liting Ji ◽  
...  

Emerging evidence suggests that activated astrocytes play important roles in AD, and β-asarone, a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, was shown to be a potential therapeutic candidate for AD. While our previous study found that β-asarone could improve the cognitive function of rats hippocampally injected with Aβ, the effects of β-asarone on astrocytes remain unclear, and this study aimed to investigate these effects. A rat model of Aβ1–42 (10 μg) was established, and the rats were intragastrically treated with β-asarone at doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg or donepezil at a dose of 0.75 mg/kg. The sham and model groups were intragastrically injected with an equal volume of saline. Animals were sacrificed on the 28th day after administration of the drugs. In addition, a cellular model of Aβ1–42 (1.1 μM, 6 h) was established, and cells were treated with β-asarone at doses of 0, 2.06, 6.17, 18.5, 55.6, and 166.7 μg/mL. β-Asarone improved cognitive impairment, alleviated Aβ deposition and hippocampal damage, and inhibited GFAP, AQP4, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression. These results suggested that β-asarone could alleviate the symptoms of AD by protecting astrocytes, possibly by inhibiting TNF-α and IL-1β secretion and then downregulating AQP4 expression.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 3472-3480
Author(s):  
Yuerong Lin ◽  
Xianzhong Lin ◽  
Xiaohong Zheng ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
Chen Ye ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Zhao Jin ◽  
Zongze Zhang ◽  
Jianjuan Ke ◽  
Yanlin Wang ◽  
Huisheng Wu

Irisin, which can be released in the hippocampus after physical exercise, is demonstrated to have beneficial effects on neurovascular diseases. This study investigated the impact of exercise linked-irisin on mortality and cognition in a mice model of cerebral ischemia and further explored its underlying mechanism. The cerebrospinal concentrations of irisin and klotho from ischemic stroke patients were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cognitive function of mice was evaluated by a series of behavioural experiments. The expressions of klotho, MnSOD, and FOXO3a in the hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blot. Superoxide production in the brain tissue of mice was evaluated with the dihydroethidium (DHE) dying. The results demonstrated that stroke patients showed a positive correlation between their CSF irisin concentration and klotho concentration. In addition, when mice subjected to cerebral ischemia, their cognitive function was impaired, the protein expressions of klotho, MnSOD, and FOXO3a downregulated, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased compared with the sham group. After pretreatment with exogenous irisin, improved cognitive impairment, upregulated protein expressions of klotho, MnSOD, and FOXO3a, and reduced ROS generation were observed in mice with MCAO. However, the neuroprotective effects of irisin compromised with the evidence of severe cognitive impairment, decreased protein expressions of MnSOD and FOXO3a, and increased ROS production in klotho knockout mice. Thus, our results indicated that exercise-linked irisin could prevent mortality and improve cognitive impairment after cerebral ischemia by regulating klotho expression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Liu ◽  
John Man Tak Chu ◽  
Tim Yan ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Both human and animal studies have shown beneficial effects of physical exercise on brain health but most tend to be based on aerobic rather than resistance type regimes. Resistance exercise has the advantage of improving both muscular and cardiovascular function, both of which can benefit the frail and the elderly. However, the neuroprotective effects of resistance training in cognitive impairment are not well characterized. Methods We evaluated whether short-term resistant training could improve cognitive function and pathological changes in mice with pre-existing cognitive impairment. Nine-month-old 3xTg mouse underwent a resistance training protocol of climbing up a 1-m ladder with a progressively heavier weight loading. Results Compared with sedentary counterparts, resistance training improved cognitive performance and reduced neuropathological and neuroinflammatory changes in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of mice. In line with these results, inhibition of pro-inflammatory intracellular pathways was also demonstrated. Conclusions Short-term resistance training improved cognitive function in 3xTg mice, and conferred beneficial effects on neuroinflammation, amyloid and tau pathology, as well as synaptic plasticity. Resistance training may represent an alternative exercise strategy for delaying disease progression in Alzheimer’s disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara A. Guzmán-Ruiz ◽  
Amor Herrera-González ◽  
Adriana Jiménez ◽  
Alan Candelas-Juárez ◽  
Crystal Quiroga-Lozano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive impairment that eventually develops into dementia. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation is a widely described hallmark in AD, and has been reported to cause olfactory dysfunction, a condition considered an early marker of the disease associated with injuries in the olfactory bulb (OB), the hippocampus (HIPP) and other odor-related cortexes. Adiponectin (APN) is an adipokine with neuroprotective effects. Studies have demonstrated that APN administration decreases Aβ neurotoxicity and Tau hyperphosphorylation in the HIPP, reducing cognitive impairment. However, there are no studies regarding the neuroprotective effects of APN in the olfactory dysfunction observed in the Aβ rat model. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) administration of APN prevents the early olfactory dysfunction in an i.c.v Amyloid-beta1–42 (Aβ1–42) rat model. Hence, we evaluated olfactory function by using a battery of olfactory tests aimed to assess olfactory memory, discrimination and detection in the Aβ rat model treated with APN. In addition, we determined the number of cells expressing the neuronal nuclei (NeuN), as well as the number of microglial cells by using the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) marker in the OB and, CA1, CA3, hilus and dentate gyrus (DG) in the HIPP. Finally, we determined Arginase-1 expression in both nuclei through Western blot. Results We observed that the i.c.v injection of Aβ decreased olfactory function, which was prevented by the i.c.v administration of APN. In accordance with the olfactory impairment observed in i.c.v Aβ-treated rats, we observed a decrease in NeuN expressing cells in the glomerular layer of the OB, which was also prevented with the i.c.v APN. Furthermore, we observed an increase of Iba-1 cells in CA1, and DG in the HIPP of the Aβ rats, which was prevented by the APN treatment. Conclusion The present study describes the olfactory impairment of Aβ treated rats and evidences the protective role that APN plays in the brain, by preventing the olfactory impairment induced by Aβ1–42. These results may lead to APN-based pharmacological therapies aimed to ameliorate AD neurotoxic effects.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  

Strategies to improve cognitive aging are highly needed. Among those, promotion of exercise and physical activity appears as one of the most attractive and beneficial intervention. Indeed, results from basic and clinical studies suggest that exercise and physical activity have positive effects on cognition in older persons without cognitive impairment, as well as in those with dementia. Despite inconsistent results, aerobic exercise appears to have the strongest potential to enhance cognition. However, even limited periods of walking (45 minutes, three times a week, over a 6-month period) have also been shown to enhance cognition, particularly executive functions. Changing long-term lifestyle habits in these older persons remains a critical challenge and attractive programs susceptible to gain adherence are needed to succeed in achieving improved cognitive aging.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 556-565
Author(s):  
Yujie Guo ◽  
Pengfei Li ◽  
Xiaojun Ma ◽  
Xiaochen Huang ◽  
Zhuoheng Liu ◽  
...  

Background: The present study was designed to examine the association of circulating cholesterol with cognitive function in non-demented community aging adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 1754 Chinese adults aged 55-80 years. The association between serum cholesterol levels and cognitive function was examined. Participants were categorized into four groups according to the quartile of circulating TC (total cholesterol), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-c), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and HDLc/ LDL-c ratio. The difference in cognitive performance among the groups was compared. Logistic regression model was used to determine the association of circulating cholesterol level with the risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Results: Mild increase of serum LDL-c level correlated with better visual and executive, language, memory and delayed recall abilities. Higher circulating TC and HDL-c levels were found to be associated with poorer cognitive function, especially in aging female subjects. Higher circulating TC, HDL-c and HDL/LDL ratio indicated an increased risk of MCI, especially in female subjects. Conclusion: Slight increase in circulating LDL-c level might benefit cognitive function in aging adults. However, higher circulating TC and HDL-c levels might indicate a decline of cognitive function, especially in aging female subjects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-155
Author(s):  
Chuntida Kamalashiran ◽  
Kusuma Sriyakul ◽  
Junya Pattaraarchachai ◽  
Sombat Muengtaweepongsa

Background: Dementia is a common medical disorder in the elderly. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the process of cognitive decline in dementia. Perilla seed oil demonstrates its neuroprotective effects via anti-oxidative mechanisms against dementia. We investigate neuroprotective effects of perilla seed oil as an additional treatment in patients with mild to moderate dementia. </P><P> Method: A double-blind, randomized-control trial (perilla seed oil versus placebo) in patients with mild to moderate dementia was conducted. Perilla seed oil or placebo was added on with standard treatment for six months. Cognitive function was compared at nine months after enrollment. </P><P> Result: 182 patients, with 94 in the experimental group and 88 in the placebo group, were able to complete the study. Cognitive function is not significantly different compared between groups. However, the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the experimental group. Perilla seed oil had no adverse effect to kidney, liver, blood components or glucose metabolism. Conclusion: Perilla seed oil as additional neuroprotective therapy in patients with mild to moderate dementia does not improve cognitive function. Perilla seed oil significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A clinical trial is needed to prove the benefit of cholesterol-lowering effects with perilla seed oil in human.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 1309-1315
Author(s):  
Peilin An ◽  
Xuan Zhou ◽  
Yue Du ◽  
Jiangang Zhao ◽  
Aili Song ◽  
...  

Background: Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in previous studies. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a reliable measure of systemic inflammation. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between NLR and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and further to explore the diagnostic potential of the inflammatory markers NLR for the diagnosis of MCI in elderly Chinese individuals. Methods: 186 MCI subjects and 153 subjects with normal cognitive function were evaluated consecutively in this study. Neutrophil (NEUT) count and Lymphocyte (LYM) count were measured in fasting blood samples. The NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute NEUT count by the absolute LYM count. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the potential association between NLR and MCI. NLR for predicting MCI was analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The NLR of MCI group was significantly higher than that of subjects with normal cognitive function (2.39 ± 0.55 vs. 1.94 ± 0.51, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher NLR was an independent risk factor for MCI (OR: 4.549, 95% CI: 2.623-7.889, P < 0.001). ROC analysis suggested that the optimum NLR cut-off point for MCI was 2.07 with 73.66% sensitivity, 69.28% specificity, 74.48% Positive Predictive Values (PPV) and 68.36% negative predictive values (NPV). Subjects with NLR ≥ 2.07 showed higher risk relative to NLR < 2.07 (OR: 5.933, 95% CI: 3.467-10.155, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The elevated NLR is significantly associated with increased risk of MCI. In particular, NLR level higher than the threshold of 2.07 was significantly associated with the probability of MCI.


The prevalence of cognitive impairment caused by neurodegenerative diseases and other neurologic disorders associated with aging is expected to rise dramatically between now and year 2050, when the population of Americans aged 65 or older will nearly double. Cognitive impairment also commonly occurs in other neurologic conditions, as well as in non-neurologic medical disorders (and their treatments), idiopathic psychiatric illnesses, and adult neurodevelopmental disorders. Cognitive impairment can thus infiltrate all aspects of healthcare, making it necessary for clinicians and clinical researchers to have an integrated knowledge of the spectrum of adult cognitive disorders. The Oxford Handbook of Adult Cognitive Disorders is meant to serve as an up-to-date, scholarly, and comprehensive volume covering most diseases, conditions, and injuries resulting in impairments in cognitive function in adults. Topics covered include normal cognitive and brain aging, the impact of medical disorders (e.g., cardiovascular, liver, pulmonary) and psychiatric illnesses (e.g., depression and bipolar disorder) on cognitive function, adult neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), as well as the various neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, concussion). A section of the Handbook is also dedicated to unique perspectives and special considerations for the clinicians and clinical researchers, covering topics such as cognitive reserve, genetics, diversity, and neuroethics. The target audience of this Handbook includes: (1) clinicians, particularly psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists (including behavioral and cognitive neurologists), geriatricians, and psychiatrists (including neuropsychiatrists), who provide clinical care and management for adults with a diverse range of cognitive disorders; (2) clinical researchers who investigate cognitive outcomes and functioning in adult populations; and (3) graduate level students and post-doctoral trainees studying psychology, clinical neuroscience, and various medical specialties.


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