scholarly journals Presynaptic Release-Regulating Alpha2 Autoreceptors: Potential Molecular Target for Ellagic Acid Nutraceutical Properties

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1759
Author(s):  
Isabella Romeo ◽  
Giulia Vallarino ◽  
Federica Turrini ◽  
Alessandra Roggeri ◽  
Guendalina Olivero ◽  
...  

Polyphenol ellagic acid (EA) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic and cardio protection activities, making it an interesting multi-targeting profile. EA also controls the central nervous system (CNS), since it was proven to reduce the immobility time of mice in both the forced swimming and the tail-suspension tests, with an efficiency comparable to that of classic antidepressants. Interestingly, the anti-depressant-like effect was almost nulled by the concomitant administration of selective antagonists of the noradrenergic receptors, suggesting the involvement of these cellular targets in the central effects elicited by EA and its derivatives. By in silico and in vitro studies, we discuss how EA engages with human α2A-ARs and α2C-AR catalytic pockets, comparing EA behaviour with that of known agonists and antagonists. Structurally, the hydrophobic residues surrounding the α2A-AR pocket confer specificity on the intermolecular interactions and hence lead to favourable binding of EA in the α2A-AR, with respect to α2C-AR. Moreover, EA seems to better accommodate within α2A-ARs into the TM5 area, close to S200 and S204, which play a crucial role for activation of aminergic GPCRs such as the α2-AR, highlighting its promising role as a partial agonist. Consistently, EA mimics clonidine in inhibiting noradrenaline exocytosis from hippocampal nerve endings in a yohimbine-sensitive fashion that confirms the engagement of naïve α2-ARs in the EA-mediated effect.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella Boggia ◽  
Federica Turrini ◽  
Alessandra Roggeri ◽  
Guendalina Olivero ◽  
Francesca Cisani ◽  
...  

The immune system and the central nervous system message each other to preserving central homeostasis. Both systems undergo changes during aging that determine central age-related defects. Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural product which is beneficial in both peripheral and central diseases, including aging. We analyzed the impact of the oral administration of a new oral ellagic acid micro-dispersion (EAm), that largely increased the EA solubility, in young and old mice. Oral EAm did not modify animal weight and behavioral skills in young and old mice, but significantly recovered changes in “ex-vivo, in vitro” parameters in old animals. Cortical noradrenaline exocytosis decreased in aged mice. EAm administration did not modify noradrenaline overflow in young animals, but recovered it in old mice. Furthermore, GFAP staining was increased in the cortex of aged mice, while IBA-1 and CD45 immunopositivities were unchanged when compared to young ones. EAm treatment significantly reduced CD45 signal in both young and old cortical lysates; it diminished GFAP immunopositivity in young mice, but failed to affect IBA-1 expression in both young and old animals. Finally, EAm treatment significantly reduced IL1beta expression in old mice. These results suggest that EAm is beneficial to aging and represents a nutraceutical ingredient for elders.


1985 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidesuke Kaji ◽  
Kazuo Chihara ◽  
Naoto Minamitani ◽  
Hitoshi Kodama ◽  
Tetsuya Kita ◽  
...  

Abstract. The effect of [Asu]eel calcitonin (ECT), an equipotent analogue of eel CT, on prolactin (Prl) secretion was examined in 12 healthy male subjects and in 6 patients with prolactinoma. In healthy subjects, ECT (0.5 μg/kg body weight · h) or saline was infused for 2 h and TRH was injected iv as a bolus of 500 μg at 1 h of ECT or saline administration. ECT did not affect basal Prl levels during 1 h of infusion. TRH caused a significant increase of plasma Prl with peak values of 75.2 ± 11.6 ng/ml in ECT-infused subjects, which did not differ from those infused with saline (68.5 ± 8.3 ng/ml). Next, an iv bolus injection of regular insulin (0.1 U/kg body weight) was followed by an infusion of ECT or saline alone. Plasma Prl peaks after hypoglycaemic stress were significantly lower in ECT-infused subjects than those in saline-injected controls (ECT, 16.5 ± 3.1 vs 33.5 ± 9.6 ng/ml, P < 0.05). In patients with prolactinoma, basal levels of plasma Prl ranging from 42.0–4130 ng/ml failed to change during iv infusion of ECT. Moreover, ECT (10−9–10−6m) did not affect Prl release from prolactinoma tissues perifused in vitro. These findings suggest that ECT may not act directly on the pituitary to modify Prl release. Rather, peripherally administered ECT appears to suppress Prl release via the central nervous system.


Author(s):  
Prithiv K R Kumar

Stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into any type of cell or organ. Stems cell originate from any part of the body, including the brain. Brain cells or rather neural stem cells have the capacitive advantage of differentiating into the central nervous system leading to the formation of neurons and glial cells. Neural stem cells should have a source by editing DNA, or by mixings chemical enzymes of iPSCs. By this method, a limitless number of neuron stem cells can be obtained. Increase in supply of NSCs help in repairing glial cells which in-turn heal the central nervous system. Generally, brain injuries cause motor and sensory deficits leading to stroke. With all trials from novel therapeutic methods to enhanced rehabilitation time, the economy and quality of life is suppressed. Only PSCs have proven effective for grafting cells into NSCs. Neurons derived from stem cells is the only challenge that limits in-vitro usage in the near future.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Ficiarà ◽  
Shoeb Anwar Ansari ◽  
Monica Argenziano ◽  
Luigi Cangemi ◽  
Chiara Monge ◽  
...  

Magnetic Oxygen-Loaded Nanobubbles (MOLNBs), manufactured by adding Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) on the surface of polymeric nanobubbles, are investigated as theranostic carriers for delivering oxygen and chemotherapy to brain tumors. Physicochemical and cyto-toxicological properties and in vitro internalization by human brain microvascular endothelial cells as well as the motion of MOLNBs in a static magnetic field were investigated. MOLNBs are safe oxygen-loaded vectors able to overcome the brain membranes and drivable through the Central Nervous System (CNS) to deliver their cargoes to specific sites of interest. In addition, MOLNBs are monitorable either via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Ultrasound (US) sonography. MOLNBs can find application in targeting brain tumors since they can enhance conventional radiotherapy and deliver chemotherapy being driven by ad hoc tailored magnetic fields under MRI and/or US monitoring.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Jannatul Nasma Rupa Moni ◽  
Md. Adnan ◽  
Abu Montakim Tareq ◽  
Md. Imtiazul Kabir ◽  
A.S.M. Ali Reza ◽  
...  

Syzygium fruticosum (SF), a valuable Bangladeshi fruit, is considered an alternative therapeutic agent. Mainly, seeds are used as nutritional phytotherapy to ease physical and mental status by preventing chronic diseases. Here, we scrutinized the S. fruticosum seed’s fundamental importance in traditional medicine by following an integrated approach combining in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies. The SF was fractionated with different solvents, and the ethyl acetate fraction of SF (EaF-SF) was further studied. Mice treated with EaF-SF (200 and 400 mg/kg) manifested anxiolysis evidenced by higher exploration in elevated plus maze and hole board tests. Similarly, a dose-dependent drop of immobility time in a forced swimming test ensured significant anti-depressant activity. Moreover, higher dose treatment exposed reduced exploratory behaviour resembling decreased movement and prolonged sleeping latency with a quick onset of sleep during the open field and thiopental-induced sleeping tests, respectively. In parallel, EaF-SF significantly (p < 0.001) and dose-dependently suppressed acetic acid and formalin-induced pain in mice. Also, a noteworthy anti-inflammatory activity and a substantial (p < 0.01) clot lysis activity (thrombolytic) was observed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis resulted in 49 bioactive compounds. Among them, 12 bioactive compounds with Lipinski’s rule and safety confirmation showed strong binding affinity (molecular docking) against the receptors of each model used. To conclude, the S. fruticosum seed is a prospective source of health-promoting effects that can be an excellent candidate for preventing degenerative diseases.


Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Marcelo Ayllon ◽  
Gamid Abatchev ◽  
Andrew Bogard ◽  
Rosey Whiting ◽  
Sarah E. Hobdey ◽  
...  

The need for alternatives to antibiotics in the fight against infectious diseases has inspired scientists to focus on antivirulence factors instead of the microorganisms themselves. In this respect, prior work indicates that tiny, enclosed bilayer lipid membranes (liposomes) have the potential to compete with cellular targets for toxin binding, hence preventing their biological attack and aiding with their clearance. The effectiveness of liposomes as decoy targets depends on their availability in the host and how rapidly they are cleared from the circulation. Although liposome PEGylation may improve their circulation time, little is known about how such a modification influences their interactions with antivirulence factors. To fill this gap in knowledge, we investigated regular and long-circulating liposomes for their ability to prevent in vitro red blood cell hemolysis induced by two potent lytic toxins, lysenin and streptolysin O. Our explorations indicate that both regular and long-circulating liposomes are capable of similarly preventing lysis induced by streptolysin O. In contrast, PEGylation reduced the effectiveness against lysenin-induced hemolysis and altered binding dynamics. These results suggest that toxin removal by long-circulating liposomes is feasible, yet dependent on the particular virulence factor under scrutiny.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1725
Author(s):  
Diego Delgado ◽  
Ane Miren Bilbao ◽  
Maider Beitia ◽  
Ane Garate ◽  
Pello Sánchez ◽  
...  

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biologic therapy that promotes healing responses across multiple medical fields, including the central nervous system (CNS). The efficacy of this therapy depends on several factors such as the donor’s health status and age. This work aims to prove the effect of PRP on cellular models of the CNS, considering the differences between PRP from young and elderly donors. Two different PRP pools were prepared from donors 65–85 and 20–25 years old. The cellular and molecular composition of both PRPs were analyzed. Subsequently, the cellular response was evaluated in CNS in vitro models, studying proliferation, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and inflammation. While no differences in the cellular composition of PRPs were found, the molecular composition of the Young PRP showed lower levels of inflammatory molecules such as CCL-11, as well as the presence of other factors not found in Aged PRP (GDF-11). Although both PRPs had effects in terms of reducing neural progenitor cell apoptosis, stabilizing neuronal synapses, and decreasing inflammation in the microglia, the effect of the Young PRP was more pronounced. In conclusion, the molecular composition of the PRP, conditioned by the age of the donors, affects the magnitude of the biological response.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuye Li ◽  
W. Michael Babinchak ◽  
Witold K. Surewicz

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis and several other neurodegenerative diseases are associated with brain deposits of amyloid-like aggregates formed by the C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 that contain the low complexity domain of the protein. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of amyloid formed from the entire TDP-43 low complexity domain in vitro at pH 4. This structure reveals single protofilament fibrils containing a large (139-residue), tightly packed core. While the C-terminal part of this core region is largely planar and characterized by a small proportion of hydrophobic amino acids, the N-terminal region contains numerous hydrophobic residues and has a non-planar backbone conformation, resulting in rugged surfaces of fibril ends. The structural features found in these fibrils differ from those previously found for fibrils generated from short protein fragments. The present atomic model for TDP-43 LCD fibrils provides insight into potential structural perturbations caused by phosphorylation and disease-related mutations.


1976 ◽  
Vol 230 (4) ◽  
pp. 1101-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Spector

Total thiamine (free thiamine and thiamine phosphates) transport into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain, and choroid plexus and out of the CSF was measured in rabbits. In vivo, total thiamine transport into CSF, choroid plexus, and brain was saturable. At the normal plasma total thiamine concentration, less than 5% of total thiamine entry into CSF, choroid plexus, and brain was by simple diffusion. The relative turnovers of total thiamine in choroid plexus, whole brain, and CSF were 5, 2, and 14% per h, respectively, when measured by the penetration of 35S-labeled thiamine injected into blood. From the CSF, clearance of [35S]thiamine relative to mannitol was not saturable after the intraventricular injection of various concentrations of thiamine. However, a portion of the [35S]thiamine cleared from the CSF entered brain by a saturable mechanism. In vitro, choroid plexuses, isolated from rabbits and incubated in artificial CSF, accumulated [35S]thiamine against a concentration gradient by an active saturable process that did not depend on pyrophosphorylation of the [35S]thiamine. The [35S]thiamine accumulated within the choroid plexus in vitro was readily released. These results were interpreted as showing that the entry of total thiamine into the brain and CSF from blood is regulated by a saturable transport system, and that the locus of this system may be, in part, in the choroid plexus.


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