scholarly journals The Carbamate, Physostigmine does not Impair Axonal Transport in Rat Cortical Neurons

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 263310552110202
Author(s):  
Sean X Naughton ◽  
Wayne D Beck ◽  
Zhe Wei ◽  
Guangyu Wu ◽  
Peter W Baas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Axonal Transport ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Rat Cortical Neurons ◽  
Toxicological Mechanism

Among the various chemicals that are commonly used as pesticides, organophosphates (OPs), and to a lesser extent, carbamates, are most frequently associated with adverse long-term neurological consequences. OPs and the carbamate, pyridostigmine, used as a prophylactic drug against potential nerve agent attacks, have also been implicated in Gulf War Illness (GWI), which is often characterized by chronic neurological symptoms. While most OP- and carbamate-based pesticides, and pyridostigmine are relatively potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), this toxicological mechanism is inadequate to explain their long-term health effects, especially when no signs of acute cholinergic toxicity are exhibited. Our previous work suggests that a potential mechanism of the long-term neurological deficits associated with OPs is impairment of axonal transport (AXT); however, we had not previously evaluated carbamates for this effect. Here we thus evaluated the carbamate, physostigmine (PHY), a highly potent AChEI, on AXT using an in vitro neuronal live imaging assay that we have previously found to be very sensitive to OP-related deficits in AXT. We first evaluated the OP, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) (concentration range 0.001-10.0 µM) as a reference compound that we found previously to impair AXT and subsequently evaluated PHY (concentration range 0.01-100 nM). As expected, DFP impaired AXT in a concentration-dependent manner, replicating our previously published results. In contrast, none of the concentrations of PHY (including concentrations well above the threshold for impairing AChE) impaired AXT. These data suggest that the long-term neurological deficits associated with some carbamates are not likely due to acute impairments of AXT.

scholarly journals Effect of Conantokin G on NMDA Receptor–Mediated Spontaneous EPSCs in Cultured Cortical Neurons

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 1084-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anitha B. Alex ◽  
Anthony J. Baucum ◽  
Karen S. Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Cultured Cortical Neurons

Conantokin G (Con G), derived from the venom of Conus geographus, is the most characterized natural peptide antagonist targeted to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Although Con G is known to bind to the glutamate binding site on the NR2 subunit of the receptor, it is unclear whether it can allosterically modulate the function of the receptor through the glycine binding site on the NR1 subunit. This study was designed to evaluate the action of Con G on NMDA receptor–mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and its modulation by glycine in cultured cortical neurons (13–19 days in vitro) using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Con G inhibited NMDA receptor–mediated sEPSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, the potency of Con G decreased as a function of time in culture. The inhibition of EPSCs observed after application of Con G in the presence of high (10 μM) and nominal (no added) concentrations of glycine was not different at 13 days in vitro (DIV). Furthermore, similar results were obtained with experiments on Con G–induced inhibition of NMDA-evoked whole cell currents. These results indicate that glycine concentrations do not have a direct effect on Con G–induced inhibition of NMDA currents. In addition, age dependency in the action of Con G on cortical neurons in vitro suggests that this model system would be useful in examining the effects of different agonists/antagonists on native synaptic NMDA receptors.

scholarly journals Long-Term Metformin Effect on Endometrial Cancer Development Depending on Glucose Environment in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Machado Weber ◽  
Carsten Lange ◽  
Julia Jauckus ◽  
Thomas Strowitzki ◽  
Ariane Germeyer
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Type I ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Metabolic Disturbances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Estrogen Exposure ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
And Migration

Abstract Background: The incidence of endometrial cancer has increased worldwide over the past years. Common risk factors include obesity and metabolic disturbances, like hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, as well as prolonged and elevated estrogen exposure. Metformin, an anti-hyperglycemic and insulin-sensitizing biguanide, displayed anti-proliferative effects in recent studies. Therefore, metformin may act as a therapeutic and prophylactic anti-cancer agent in several tissues, including endometrium. Methods: Two different endometrial cancer cell lines, reflecting type I (Ishikawa) and type II endometrial cancer (HEC-1A) were cultured under normoglycemic (5.5mM) or hyperglycemic (17.0mM) conditions and treated with different concentrations of metformin (0.01–5.0mM). Results: Effects of metformin on proliferation, cell viability, clonogenicity and migration were investigated after treatment for 7d. Long-term treatment with metformin showed effects on cellular viability, proliferation and migration of endometrial cancer cells in a concentration- dependent manner in vitro. Additionally, glucose levels affected the outcome of the experiments. Conclusion: Our in vitro findings support the hypothesis that metformin has a direct effect on endometrial tissues and reflects the importance of the local glucose environment, suggesting that metformin may be considered as a potential adjuvant agent in endometrial cancer therapy due to its direct and indirect effects on endometrial development.

scholarly journals Differential regulation of neuregulin 1 expression by progesterone in astrocytes and neurons

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Lacroix-Fralish ◽  
Vivianne L. Tawfik ◽  
Nancy Nutile-Mcmenemy ◽  
Brent T. Harris ◽  
Joyce A. Deleo
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Neuregulin 1 ◽  
Ru 486 ◽  
Neuronal Interactions ◽  
Cultured Astrocytes ◽  
Rat Cortical Neurons ◽  
17Β Estradiol

AbstractGlial−neuronal interactions are crucial processes in neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity. The neuregulin 1 family of growth and differentiation factors have been implicated as bidirectional signaling molecules that are involved in mediating some of these interactions. We have shown previously that neuregulin 1 expression is regulated by the gonadal hormones progesterone and 17β-estradiol in the CNS, which might represent a novel, indirect mechanism of the neuromodulatory actions of these gonadal hormones. In the present study, we sought to determine the effects of progesterone and 17β-estradiol on neuregulin 1 expression in rat cortical astrocytes and neurons in vitro. We observed that progesterone increased the expression of neuregulin 1 mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner in cultured astrocytes, which was blocked by the progesterone receptor antagonist RU-486. In contrast, 17β-estradiol did not increase either neuregulin 1 mRNA or protein in astrocytes. We observed no effect of either progesterone or 17β-estradiol on neuregulin 1 mRNA and protein in rat cortical neurons in vitro. Finally, we observed that treatment of cortical neurons with recombinant NRG1-β1 caused PSD-95 to localize in puncta similar to that observed following treatment with astrocyte-conditioned medium. These results demonstrate that progesterone regulates neuregulin 1 expression, principally in astrocytes. This might represent a novel mechanism of progesterone-mediated modulation of neurotransmission through the regulation of astrocyte-derived neuregulin 1.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Lectin Exhibit Inhibition of ACE-I, α-amylase and α-glucosidase Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Chickpea Lectin

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.

Improved Method for Obtaining of Arctigenin from Arctium Lappa L. and its Antiproliferative Effect on Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-362
Author(s):  
Renan S. Teixeira ◽  
Paulo H.D. Carvalho ◽  
Jair A.K. Aguiar ◽  
Valquíria P. Medeiros ◽  
Ademar A. Da Silva Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Crude Extract ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Liver Carcinoma ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Arctium Lappa ◽  
Nih 3T3

Background: Arctigenin is a lignan found in Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) that displays anti-inflammatory activities. Previous studies showed that the crude extract of A. Lappa has antitumor activity in human liver carcinoma, lung and stomach cancer cells. The aim of this study was to obtain arctigenin from A. lappa L., as well as to evaluate its antiproliferative effects in cells of liver carcinoma (HepG2) and fibroblasts (NIH/3T3). Methods: Arctigenin was obtained from the hydrolysis of arctiin, which was isolated from the crude extract of A. lappa. The effects of arctigenin and arctiin on HepG2 cell viability and cell adhesion were analyzed by MTT method. Adhesion assay was also carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity. Results: Our results showed that the analytical process to obtain arctigenin was fast and easy. In vitro experiments showed that arctigenin (107-269 μM) decreased HepG2 cells viability and did not cause cytotoxicity on NIH/3T3 cells. Arctigenin (27-269 μM) demonstrated anti-adhesion in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, when compared with control. Conclusion: These results suggest a promising pharmacological activity for arctigenin as an antiproliferative compound.

scholarly journals TRAF3 mediates neuronal apoptosis in early brain injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage via targeting TAK1-dependent MAPKs and NF-κB pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Tao Tao ◽  
Guangjie Liu ◽  
Xuan Gao ◽  
Yongyue Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Apoptosis ◽  
Early Brain Injury ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Human Brain Tissue

AbstractNeuronal apoptosis has an important role in early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). TRAF3 was reported as a promising therapeutic target for stroke management, which covered several neuronal apoptosis signaling cascades. Hence, the present study is aimed to determine whether downregulation of TRAF3 could be neuroprotective in SAH-induced EBI. An in vivo SAH model in mice was established by endovascular perforation. Meanwhile, primary cultured cortical neurons of mice treated with oxygen hemoglobin were applied to mimic SAH in vitro. Our results demonstrated that TRAF3 protein expression increased and expressed in neurons both in vivo and in vitro SAH models. TRAF3 siRNA reversed neuronal loss and improved neurological deficits in SAH mice, and reduced cell death in SAH primary neurons. Mechanistically, we found that TRAF3 directly binds to TAK1 and potentiates phosphorylation and activation of TAK1, which further enhances the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs pathways to induce neuronal apoptosis. Importantly, TRAF3 expression was elevated following SAH in human brain tissue and was mainly expressed in neurons. Taken together, our study demonstrates that TRAF3 is an upstream regulator of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in SAH-induced EBI via its interaction with and activation of TAK1. Furthermore, the TRAF3 may serve as a novel therapeutic target in SAH-induced EBI.

scholarly journals Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Valeria Sogos ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Clara Porcedda ◽  
Rafaela Mostallino ◽  
Franca Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

scholarly journals The Modulation of PCSK9 and LDLR by Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Mentha longifolia and Isolated Piperitone Oxide, an In Vitro Study

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3886
Author(s):  
Stefania Sut ◽  
Irene Ferrarese ◽  
Maria Giovanna Lupo ◽  
Nicola De Zordi ◽  
Elisa Tripicchio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Volatile Constituent ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

In the present study the ability of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) extracts of M. longifolia L. leaves to modulate low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression was evaluated in cultured human hepatoma cell lines Huh7 and HepG2. Two SCO2 extracts, one oil (ML-SCO2) and a semisolid (MW-SCO2), were subjected to detailed chemical characterization by mono- and bidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D, 2D-NMR), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Chemical analysis revealed significant amounts of fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenoids. ML-SCO2 was able to induce LDLR expression at a dose of 60 µg/mL in HuH7 and HepG2 cell lines. Furthermore, ML-SCO2 reduced PCSK9 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner in both cell lines. Piperitone oxide, the most abundant compound of the volatile constituent of ML-SCO2 (27% w/w), was isolated and tested for the same targets, showing a very effective reduction of PCSK9 expression. The overall results revealed the opportunity to obtain a new nutraceutical ingredient with a high amount of phytosterols and terpenoids using the SCO2 extraction of M. longifolia L., a very well-known botanical species used as food. Furthermore, for the first time we report the high activity of piperitone oxide in the reduction of PCSK9 expression.

scholarly journals Cannabidiol (CBD) Alters the Functionality of Neutrophils (PMN). Implications in the Refractory Epilepsy Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Claudia Taborda Gómez ◽  
Fabiana Lairion ◽  
Marisa Repetto ◽  
Miren Ettcheto ◽  
Amalia Merelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Nuclear Condensation ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Superoxide Anion Production ◽  
Excretory Function ◽  
Psychoactive Effects ◽  
Stress Damage

Cannabidiol (CBD), a lipophilic cannabinoid compound without psychoactive effects, has emerged as adjuvant of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the treatment of refractory epilepsy (RE), decreasing the severity and/or frequency of seizures. CBD is considered a multitarget drug that could act throughout the canonical endocannabinoid receptors (CB1-CB2) or multiple non-canonical pathways. Despite the fact that the CBD mechanism in RE is still unknown, experiments carried out in our laboratory showed that CBD has an inhibitory role on P-glycoprotein excretory function, highly related to RE. Since CB2 is expressed mainly in the immune cells, we hypothesized that CBD treatment could alter the activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in a similar way that it does with microglia/macrophages and others circulating leukocytes. In vitro, CBD induced PMN cytoplasmatic vacuolization and proapoptotic nuclear condensation, associated with a significantly decreased viability in a concentration-dependent manner, while low CBD concentration decreased PMN viability in a time-dependent manner. At a functional level, CBD reduced the chemotaxis and oxygen consumption of PMNs related with superoxide anion production, while the singlet oxygen level was increased suggesting oxidative stress damage. These results are in line with the well-known CBD anti-inflammatory effect and support a potential immunosuppressor role on PMNs that could promote an eventual defenseless state during chronic treatment with CBD in RE.

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