Therapeutic Approaches to Alzheimer’s Type of Dementia: A Focus on FGF21 Mediated Neuroprotection

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 2555-2568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Taliyan ◽  
Sarathlal K. Chandran ◽  
Violina Kakoty

Neurodegenerative disorders are the most devastating disorder of the nervous system. The pathological basis of neurodegeneration is linked with dysfunctional protein trafficking, mitochondrial stress, environmental factors and aging. With the identification of insulin and insulin receptors in some parts of the brain, it has become evident that certain metabolic conditions associated with insulin dysfunction like Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, obesity etc., are also known to contribute to neurodegeneration mainly Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Recently, a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) superfamily, FGF21 has proved tremendous efficacy in diseases like diabetes mellitus, obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Increased levels of FGF21 have been reported to exert multiple beneficial effects in metabolic syndrome. FGF21 receptors are present in certain areas of the brain involved in learning and memory. However, despite extensive research, its function as a neuroprotectant in AD remains elusive. FGF21 is a circulating endocrine hormone which is mainly secreted by the liver primarily in fasting conditions. FGF21 exerts its effects after binding to FGFR1 and co-receptor, β-klotho (KLB). It is involved in regulating energy via glucose and lipid metabolism. It is believed that aberrant FGF21 signalling might account for various anomalies like neurodegeneration, cancer, metabolic dysfunction etc. Hence, this review will majorly focus on FGF21 role as a neuroprotectant and potential metabolic regulator. Moreover, we will also review its potential as an emerging candidate for combating metabolic stress induced neurodegenerative abnormalities.

Author(s):  
Stefani A. Derrick ◽  
Aleksandra S. Kristo ◽  
Scott K. Reaves ◽  
Angelos K. Sikalidis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by glucose clearance abnormalities and insufficient insulin response. Left uncontrolled, T2DM can result in serious complications and death. With no cure available currently and the prevalence of major risk factors such as pre-diabetes and the metabolic syndrome continuously increasing, there is an urgent need for effective treatments with limited or no side effects. Red raspberries (RR) contain various phytonutrients with potential for modulating insulin function, glucose, and lipid metabolism. The objective of this literature review was to investigate the potential metabolic benefits of dietary RR in individuals with T2DM and pre-diabetes. A search of major scientific databases was employed to identify peer-reviewed, in vivo, or human studies that utilized whole RR or its functional constituents as treatment. The studies examined provide evidence that RR may offer clinically beneficial effects for the prevention and management of chronic diseases through improvements in glucose handling and insulin sensitivity, adiposity, lipid profiles, ectopic lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiac health. More human trials and in vivo studies are needed to confirm the benefits of dietary RR in T2DM and pre-diabetes and to explore the dose-dependent relationships, optimal duration, and treatment modality.


Author(s):  
Ashish Singha ◽  
Juan Pablo Palavicini ◽  
Meixia Pan ◽  
Darleen Sandoval ◽  
Xianlin Han ◽  
...  

AbstractLeptin is a potent endocrine hormone produced by adipose tissue and regulates a broad range of metabolism including glucose and lipid metabolism, with and without insulin. It is evident that central leptin signaling can lower hyperglycemia in insulin-deficient rodents via multiple mechanisms including restoration of dyslipidemia. However, the specific neurons that regulate these glucose-lowering and anti-dyslipidemia effects of leptin remain unidentified. Here we report that leptin receptors (LEPRs) in neurons expressing Cre recombinase driven by a short fragment of a promoter region of Ins2 gene (RIP-Cre25Mgn neurons) are required for central leptin signaling to reverse hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in insulin-deficient mice. Ablation of LEPRs in RIP-Cre25Mgn neurons completely blocks glucose-lowering effects of leptin in insulin-deficient mice. Further investigations reveal that insulin-deficient mice lacking LEPRs in RIP-Cre25Mgn neurons (RIP-CreΔLEPR mice) exhibit greater lipid levels in blood and liver compared to wild-type controls, and that leptin injection into the brain does not suppress dyslipidemia in insulin-deficient RIP-CreΔLEPR mice. Leptin administration into the brain combined with acipimox, which lowers blood lipids by suppressing triglyceride lipase activity, can restore normal glycemia in insulin-deficient RIP-CreΔLEPR mice, suggesting that excess circulating lipids are a driving-force of hyperglycemia in insulin-deficient RIP-CreΔLEPR mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that LEPRs in RIP-Cre25Mgn neurons significantly contribute to glucose-lowering effects of leptin in an insulin-independent manner by suppression of dyslipidemia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 2349-2380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer W. Hill ◽  
Carol F. Elias

A minimum amount of energy is required for basic physiological processes, such as protein biosynthesis, thermoregulation, locomotion, cardiovascular function, and digestion. However, for reproductive function and survival of the species, extra energy stores are necessary. Production of sex hormones and gametes, pubertal development, pregnancy, lactation, and parental care all require energy reserves. Thus the physiological systems that control energy homeostasis and reproductive function coevolved in mammals to support both individual health and species subsistence. In this review, we aim to gather scientific knowledge produced by laboratories around the world on the role of the brain in integrating metabolism and reproduction. We describe essential neuronal networks, highlighting key nodes and potential downstream targets. Novel animal models and genetic tools have produced substantial advances, but critical gaps remain. In times of soaring worldwide obesity and metabolic dysfunction, understanding the mechanisms by which metabolic stress alters reproductive physiology has become crucial for human health.


Author(s):  
Manal M.A. Smail ◽  
Frank C. Howarth ◽  
Jaipaul Singh ◽  
Sunil Rupee ◽  
Khemraj Rupee ◽  
...  

More than 450 million people worldwide have diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) that arises from insufficient insulin secretion or resistance to insulin’s action. More than 70% of individuals with chronic DM will develop cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases (CADs), hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (heart failure), stroke, and chronic kidney disease. A significant number of these individuals will also succumb to sudden cardiac death (SCD). SCD usually occurs in early morning from abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation. When the pumping action of the heart becomes erratic, a reduction in oxygenated blood to the brain leads to unconsciousness and brain damage. SCD is independent of age and sex and positively correlates with impairment in cardiac metabolism, muscle damage, fibrosis, apoptosis, hypertrophy, ischemia, and deranged cation signaling. This review centers on mechanisms by which intracellular cations (Na+, K+, and Ca2+) handling, inflammation, and oxidative and carbonyl stresses due to diabetes-induced hyperglycemia can lead to the deterioration of excitation/contraction coupling (ECC), impaired contractility, arrhythmias, and SCD in DM patients. It also discusses the beneficial effects of exercise training to attenuate the risk of SCD.


2018 ◽  
pp. 11-12
Author(s):  
John F Burd ◽  
Vivianne Noetzel

Diabetes mellitus is a leading and increasing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. The causes of type-2 diabetes are multi-factorial, and supplements can play an important role on its’ incidence, severity and management [2]. Hence studies have frequently focused on dietary components beneficial in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Recent studies have demonstrated that numerous herbal and nutraceutical products have beneficial effects in patients by improving glucose and lipid metabolism, antioxidant status, disease progression and capillary function [3].


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-325
Author(s):  
Mahdi Goudarzvand ◽  
Yaser Panahi ◽  
Reza Yazdani ◽  
Hosein Miladi ◽  
Saeed Tahmasebi ◽  
...  

Objective: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely used model for multiple sclerosis. The present study has been designed to compare the efficiencies of oral and intraperitoneal (IP) administration of D-aspartate (D-Asp) on the onset and severity of EAE, the production of neurosteroids, and the expression of neurosteroid receptors and inflammatory mediators in the brain of EAE mice. Methods: In this study, EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice treated with D-Asp orally (D-Asp-Oral) or by IP injection (D-Asp-IP). On the 20th day, brains (cerebrums) and cerebellums of mice were evaluated by histological analyses. The brains of mice were analyzed for: 1) Neurosteroid (Progesterone, Testosterone, 17β-estradiol) concentrations; 2) gene expressions of cytokines and neurosteroid receptors by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and 3) quantitative determination of D-Asp using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Further, some inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were identified in the mouse serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Our findings demonstrated that after D-Asp was administered, it was taken up and accumulated within the brain. Further, IP injection of D-Asp had more beneficial effects on EAE severity than oral gavage. The concentration of the testosterone and 17β-estradiol in D-Asp-IP group was significantly higher than that of the control group. There were no significant differences in the gene expression of cytokine and neurosteroid receptors between control, D-Asp-IP, and D-Asp-Oral groups. However, IP treatment with D-Asp significantly reduced C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and MMP-2 serum levels compared to control mice. Conclusion: IP injection of D-Asp had more beneficial effects on EAE severity, neurosteroid induction and reduction of inflammatory mediators than oral gavage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 355-363
Author(s):  
Mohaddese Mahboubi ◽  
Leila Mohammad Taghizadeh Kashani

Background: In Iranian Traditional Medicine, Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resins were used for the treatment of "Nisyan". "Nisyan" was equivalent to a reduction of memory or forgetfulness. Objective: This review evaluates the traditional believes of B. serrata and memory and its effectiveness on memory loss. Methods: We extracted all traditional and modern information on B. serrata oleo-gum resin preparations and memory from scientific accessible resources (Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Science direct, Wiley), non-accessible resources and traditional books. Results: In traditional manuscripts, "Nisyan" is equal to memory loss in modern medicine and was believed to happen as the result of pouring the waste materials into the brain. Traditional practitioners treated "Nisyan" by inhibition of waste production in the brain or cleaning the brain from waste materials. They recommended using the plants with warming effects on the brain. It was believed that B. serrata had beneficial effects on memory functions and its memory enhancing effects have been the subject of pharmacological and clinical trial studies. Conclusion: Despite some documents on the effectiveness of B. serrata oleo-gum-resin on memory functions, there is gap between these investigations, especially in pregnant and nursing mothers. More investigations with large clinical trials are required to complete flaw in order to improve the therapeutic applications of B. serrata on memory functions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1059
Author(s):  
Bodo C. Melnik

Epidemiological studies associate milk consumption with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). PD is an α-synucleinopathy associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, deficient lysosomal clearance of α-synuclein (α-syn) and aggregation of misfolded α-syn. In T2D, α-syn promotes co-aggregation with islet amyloid polypeptide in pancreatic β-cells. Prion-like vagal nerve-mediated propagation of exosomal α-syn from the gut to the brain and pancreatic islets apparently link both pathologies. Exosomes are critical transmitters of α-syn from cell to cell especially under conditions of compromised autophagy. This review provides translational evidence that milk exosomes (MEX) disturb α-syn homeostasis. MEX are taken up by intestinal epithelial cells and accumulate in the brain after oral administration to mice. The potential uptake of MEX miRNA-148a and miRNA-21 by enteroendocrine cells in the gut, dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and pancreatic β-cells may enhance miRNA-148a/DNMT1-dependent overexpression of α-syn and impair miRNA-148a/PPARGC1A- and miRNA-21/LAMP2A-dependent autophagy driving both diseases. MiRNA-148a- and galactose-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress activate c-Abl-mediated aggregation of α-syn which is exported by exosome release. Via the vagal nerve and/or systemic exosomes, toxic α-syn may spread to dopaminergic neurons and pancreatic β-cells linking the pathogenesis of PD and T2D.


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