scholarly journals Isovitexin modulates autophagy in Alzheimer’s disease via miR-107 signalling

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 391-401
Author(s):  
Jiang Cheng ◽  
Guowei Wang ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Lina Shi ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an ultimately fatal, degenerative brain disease in the elderly people. In the current work, we assessed the defensive capability of isovitexin (IVX) through an intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD mouse model.Methods:Mice were separated into four cohorts: sham-operated control mice; STZ-intoxicated Alzheimer’s mice; IVX cohort, IVX + STZ; and Ant-107 cohort, antagomiR-107 + IVX/STZ as in the IVX cohort.Results:The outcomes indicated that IVX administration ameliorated spatial memory loss and blunted a cascade of neuro-noxious episodes – including increased amyloid-beta (Aβ) and degraded myelin basic protein burden, neuroinflammation (represented by elevated caspase-1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels) and autophagic dysfunction (represented by altered LC3-II, Atg7 and beclin-1 expressions) – via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling axis. We considered the question of whether the epigenetic role of microRNA-107 (miR-107) has any impact on these events, by using antagomiR-107.Conclusion:This probing underscored that miR-107 could be a pivotal regulatory button in the activation of molecular signals linked with the beneficial autophagic process and anti-inflammatory activities in relation to IVX treatment. Hence, this report exemplifies that IVX could guard against Aβ toxicity and serve as an effectual treatment for patients afflicted with AD.

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Niures P.S. Matioli ◽  
Arnaldo Etzel ◽  
João A.G.G. Prats ◽  
Wares F. de O. Medeiros ◽  
Taiguara R. Monteiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Efforts to determine risk factors for the development of AD are important for risk stratification and early diagnosis. Furthermore, there are no standardized practices for memory screening. Lack of knowledge on AD, perception of memory loss as part of normal aging, and poor socioeconomic conditions may also be implicated in the current situation of dementia. Objective: To evaluate knowledge of AD in a literate population of elders and correlate these findings with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A descriptive survey design study enrolled 994 volunteers from September 2007 to May 2008 in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, to answer a brief questionnaire consisting of 8 simple questions about knowledge of AD and worries about memory loss. Results: Greater knowledge about AD was associated with eight or more years of education, female gender and age between 60 and 70 years. Also, 52.8% of responders (95% CI - 49.5-56.0%) answered that memory loss is part of normal aging and 77.5% (95% CI - 74.7-80.1%) had never sought a doctor to evaluate their memories. Conclusion: Our study results reinforced that the first line of preventing late diagnosis of dementia is to act in health promotion, especially by targeting subjects older than 70 years of male gender and with lower educational level. It also provided evidence that strategies to promote physician initiative in treating memory problems are also paramount.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cátia R. Lopes ◽  
Rodrigo A. Cunha ◽  
Paula Agostinho

Astrocytes, through their numerous processes, establish a bidirectional communication with neurons that is crucial to regulate synaptic plasticity, the purported neurophysiological basis of memory. This evidence contributed to change the classic “neurocentric” view of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), being astrocytes increasingly considered a key player in this neurodegenerative disease. AD, the most common form of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by a deterioration of memory and of other cognitive functions. Although, early cognitive deficits have been associated with synaptic loss and dysfunction caused by amyloid-β peptides (Aβ), accumulating evidences support a role of astrocytes in AD. Astrocyte atrophy and reactivity occurring at early and later stages of AD, respectively, involve morphological alterations that translate into functional changes. However, the main signals responsible for astrocytic alterations in AD and their impact on synaptic function remain to be defined. One possible candidate is adenosine, which can be formed upon extracellular catabolism of ATP released by astrocytes. Adenosine can act as a homeostatic modulator and also as a neuromodulator at the synaptic level, through the activation of adenosine receptors, mainly of A1R and A2AR subtypes. These receptors are also present in astrocytes, being particularly relevant in pathological conditions, to control the morphofunctional responses of astrocytes. Here, we will focus on the role of A2AR, since they are particularly associated with neurodegeneration and also with memory processes. Furthermore, A2AR levels are increased in the AD brain, namely in astrocytes where they can control key astrocytic functions. Thus, unveiling the role of A2AR in astrocytes function might shed light on novel therapeutic strategies for AD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Siddhartha Mondragón-Rodríguez ◽  
Humberto Salgado-Burgos ◽  
Fernando Peña-Ortega

For more than five decades, the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has focused on two main hypotheses positing amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau phosphorylation (pTau) as key pathogenic mediators. In line with these canonical hypotheses, several groups around the world have shown that the synaptotoxicity in AD depends mainly on the increase in pTau levels. Confronting this leading hypothesis, a few years ago, we reported that the increase in phosphorylation levels of dendritic Tau, at its microtubule domain (MD), acts as a neuroprotective mechanism that prevents N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) overexcitation, which allowed us to propose that Tau protein phosphorylated near MD sites is involved in neuroprotection, rather than in neurodegeneration. Further supporting this alternative role of pTau, we have recently shown that early increases in pTau close to MD sites prevent hippocampal circuit overexcitation in a transgenic AD mouse model. Here, we will synthesize this new evidence that confronts the leading Tau-based AD hypothesis and discuss the role of pTau modulating neural circuits and network connectivity. Additionally, we will briefly address the role of brain circuit alterations as a potential biomarker for detecting the prodromal AD stage.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Brian Giunta ◽  
Amanda Ruscin ◽  
Jon Salemi ◽  
Alan Wolfson ◽  
Francisco Fernandez ◽  
...  

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative brain disease as well as the most common dementia among the elderly. In the future as the average lifespan continues to extend, the number of AD patients will continue to grow. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, in both soluble oligomeric, and insoluble forms, are key in the neuropathogenesis of AD and have thus been a therapeutic target for vaccines. Multiple Aβ vaccination strategies in animal models of AD have demonstrated a marked reduction in both amyloid burden and neurocognitive deficits. Due to the success of these studies, initial human clinical trials of an active Aβ vaccine were conducted. These were discontinued due to the development of meningoencephalitis in approximately 6% of the vaccinated AD patients. Studies examining the brains of Aβ-vaccinated patients developing meningoencephalitis implicate Aβ-reactive T-cell subsets as major components of this deleterious response to active Aβ vaccination. To subvert possible meningoencephalitis resulting from Aβ vaccination second generation of vaccines has been more recently developed. These however have met with little success in humans. To build on these findings, an understanding of the role of T-cells in vaccination against Aβ is presented in this review. Various methods of Aβ immunotherapy are reviewed including studies in both animal models and humans. Recent works suggest that Aβ-derived peptides delivered intranasally or transcutaneously results in effective clearance of Aβ plaques and improvement of cognitive function in animal models of AD. Moreover, undesired T-cell reactivity appeared to be considerably reduced compared with other active immunization strategies. In spite of the past clinical studies, these findings imply that Aβ vaccination may be both efficacious and safe depending route of delivery, adjuvant choice, and Aβ epitope administered.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 631
Author(s):  
Doaa M. Hanafy ◽  
Geoffrey E. Burrows ◽  
Paul D. Prenzler ◽  
Rodney A. Hill

With an increase in the longevity and thus the proportion of the elderly, especially in developed nations, there is a rise in pathological conditions that accompany ageing, such as neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive and memory decline. The pathophysiology of the disease is poorly understood, with several factors contributing to its development, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, cholinergic neuronal apoptotic death, and the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. Current medications are only palliative and cannot stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Recent clinical trials of synthetic compounds for the treatment of AD have failed because of their adverse effects or lack of efficacy. Thus, there is impetus behind the search for drugs from natural origins, in addition to the discovery of novel, conventional therapeutics. Mints have been used traditionally for conditions relevant to the central nervous system. Recent studies showed that mint extracts and/or their phenolic constituents have a neuroprotective potential and can target multiple events of AD. In this review, we provide evidence of the potential role of mint extracts and their derivatives as possible sources of treatments in managing AD. Some of the molecular pathways implicated in the development of AD are reviewed, with focus on apoptosis and some redox pathways, pointing to mechanisms that may be modulated for the treatment of AD, and the need for future research invoking knowledge of these pathways is highlighted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
Yanfang Zhao ◽  
Murugavel Ponnusamy ◽  
Ying Liu

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia in the elderly population. AD is associated with the buildup of β-amyloid and tau, which aggregate into extracellular plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Although the exact mechanism of pathological process of AD is unclear, the dysfunction of protein degradation mechanisms has been proposed to play an important role in AD. The cellular degradation of abnormal or misfolded proteins consists of three different mechanisms: the ubiquitin proteasomal system (UPS), autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP), and interaction of molecular chaperones with UPS or ALP. Any disturbance to these systems causes proteins to accumulate, resulting in pathological process of AD. In this review, we summarize the knowledge of protein degradation pathways in the pathogenesis of AD in light of the current literature. In the future, the regulation UPS or ALP machineries could be the cornerstones of the treatment of AD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle Balez ◽  
Lezanne Ooi

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving the loss of neurons in the brain which leads to progressive memory loss and behavioral changes. To date, there are only limited medications for AD and no known cure. Nitric oxide (NO) has long been considered part of the neurotoxic insult caused by neuroinflammation in the Alzheimer’s brain. However, focusing on early developments, prior to the appearance of cognitive symptoms, is changing that perception. This has highlighted a compensatory, neuroprotective role for NO that protects synapses by increasing neuronal excitability. A potential mechanism for augmentation of excitability by NO is via modulation of voltage-gated potassium channel activity (Kv7 and Kv2). Identification of the ionic mechanisms and signaling pathways that mediate this protection is an important next step for the field. Harnessing the protective role of NO and related signaling pathways could provide a therapeutic avenue that prevents synapse loss early in disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 552-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hareram Birla ◽  
Tarun Minocha ◽  
Gaurav Kumar ◽  
Anamika Misra ◽  
Sandeep Kumar Singh

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the life-threatening neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly (>60 years) and incurable across the globe to date. AD is caused by the involvement of various genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that affect neuronal cells to degenerate over the period of time. The oxidative stress is engaged in the pathogenesis of various disorders and its key role is also linked to the etiology of AD. AD is attributed by neuronal loss, abnormal accumulation of Amyloid-β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) with severe memory impairments and other cognitive dysfunctions which lead to the loss of synapses and neuronal death and eventual demise of the individual. Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), loss of mitochondrial function, altered metal homeostasis, aberrant accumulation of senile plaque and mitigated antioxidant defense mechanism all are indulged in the progression of AD. In spite of recent advances in biomedical research, the underlying mechanism of disruption of redox balance and the actual source of oxidative stress is still obscure. This review highlights the generation of ROS through different mechanisms, the role of some important metals in the progression of AD and free radical scavenging by endogenous molecule and supplementation of nutrients in AD.


Author(s):  
Gábor Ternák ◽  
Márton Németh ◽  
Martin Rozanovic ◽  
Lajos Bogár

Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative illness, responsible for 60-70% of all dementias, affecting over 50 million people worldwide, and nearly 11 million in European countries. Several putative factors are identified in the literature as causative agents or risk factors for the development of AD. The amyloid cascade hypothesis has been the main hypothesis about the pathophysiology of AD for decades. Recent studies raised the possible role of dysbiosis in the development of AD which prevents memory loss. The amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition might be considered as an inflammatory reaction to certain molecular products arising from the altered microbiome. Based on the above observations, it has been suspected, that antibiotic consumption patterns of different antibiotic classes might be associated with the prevalence of AD in European countries. Methods: Antibiotic consumption (ECDC) for 1997-2007, 2008-2018, and as the whole 1997-2018 period, have been compared to the AD prevalence for 2018 expressed in percentage of the population and statistically analyzed by Pearson calculation. Results: A significant positive correlation has been found between the AD prevalence (2018) and the average quinolone consumption for the year 1997-2007 (p: 0.044). A similar association was not observed for the entire 22 years (1997-2018) of the average quinolone consumption, and the years 2008-18, indicating 10-20 years of time-lapse between the antibiotic exposure and the development of AD. The ratio of broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotics (B/N) estimated in the ECDC database for the years of 2008-2018 showed a strong positive association with AD prevalence (2018) (p: 0.026) and a positive correlation tendency for the entire 22 years 1997-2018 (p: 0.063), but none for the years 1997-2007 (p: 0.241). Broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase sensitive penicillin (J01CA) consumption showed a positive (non-significant) correlation with the prevalence of AD for the years 2008-2018 (p:0.080).Discussion: Our study indicated the possible sequential role of certain classes of antibiotics in the development of dysbiosis leading to amyloid deposits of AD, which strengthen the possible role of different mediator molecules (short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, etc.) produced by the altered microbiome in the development of AD.


Author(s):  
Zhigang Zhang ◽  
You-Qiang Song ◽  
Jie Tu

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. It is the most common cause of dementia in human. AD is characterized by accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates including amyloid plaques (composed of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides) and neurofibrillary tangles (formed by hyper-phosphorylated tau protein). Besides, synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, calcium signaling etc. are found to be dysfunctional as well in AD patients. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosome-dependent cellular event in eukaryotes. It is closely linked to the modulation of protein metabolism, through which damaged organelles and mis-folded proteins are degraded and then recycled to maintain protein homeostasis. Accumulating evidence has showed that impaired autophagy contributes to AD pathogenesis. In the present review, we highlight the role of autophagy, including bulk and selective autophagy, in regulating metabolic circuits in AD pathogenesis. We also discuss the potential and future perspectives of autophagy-inducing strategy in AD therapeutics.


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