scholarly journals The Interconnected Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Epilepsy

Antioxidants ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Anna L. M. Parsons ◽  
Eboni M. V. Bucknor ◽  
Enrico Castroflorio ◽  
Tânia R. Soares ◽  
Peter L. Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
Initiation And Propagation ◽  
Cellular Dysfunction ◽  
The Impact

One of the most important characteristics of the brain compared to other organs is its elevated metabolic demand. Consequently, neurons consume high quantities of oxygen, generating significant amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a by-product. These potentially toxic molecules cause oxidative stress (OS) and are associated with many disorders of the nervous system, where pathological processes such as aberrant protein oxidation can ultimately lead to cellular dysfunction and death. Epilepsy, characterized by a long-term predisposition to epileptic seizures, is one of the most common of the neurological disorders associated with OS. Evidence shows that increased neuronal excitability—the hallmark of epilepsy—is accompanied by neuroinflammation and an excessive production of ROS; together, these factors are likely key features of seizure initiation and propagation. This review discusses the role of OS in epilepsy, its connection to neuroinflammation and the impact on synaptic function. Considering that the pharmacological treatment options for epilepsy are limited by the heterogeneity of these disorders, we also introduce the latest advances in anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and how they interact with OS. We conclude that OS is intertwined with numerous physiological and molecular mechanisms in epilepsy, although a causal relationship is yet to be established.

scholarly journals Aerobic Exercise Induces Alternative Splicing of Neurexins in Frontal Cortex

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Elisa Innocenzi ◽  
Ida Cariati ◽  
Emanuela De Domenico ◽  
Erika Tiberi ◽  
Giovanna D’Arcangelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Frontal Cortex ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Molecular Changes ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Impact

Aerobic exercise (AE) is known to produce beneficial effects on brain health by improving plasticity, connectivity, and cognitive functions, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still limited. Neurexins (Nrxns) are a family of presynaptic cell adhesion molecules that are important in synapsis formation and maturation. In vertebrates, three-neurexin genes (NRXN1, NRXN2, and NRXN3) have been identified, each encoding for α and β neurexins, from two independent promoters. Moreover, each Nrxns gene (1–3) has several alternative exons and produces many splice variants that bind to a large variety of postsynaptic ligands, playing a role in trans-synaptic specification, strength, and plasticity. In this study, we investigated the impact of a continuous progressive (CP) AE program on alternative splicing (AS) of Nrxns on two brain regions: frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus. We showed that exercise promoted Nrxns1–3 AS at splice site 4 (SS4) both in α and β isoforms, inducing a switch from exon-excluded isoforms (SS4−) to exon-included isoforms (SS4+) in FC but not in hippocampus. Additionally, we showed that the same AE program enhanced the expression level of other genes correlated with synaptic function and plasticity only in FC. Altogether, our findings demonstrated the positive effect of CP AE on FC in inducing molecular changes underlying synaptic plasticity and suggested that FC is possibly a more sensitive structure than hippocampus to show molecular changes.

scholarly journals The Impact of Medium Chain and Polyunsaturated ω-3-Fatty Acids on Amyloid-β Deposition, Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Dysfunction Associated with Alzheimer´s Disease

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1991
Author(s):  
Janine Mett
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Medium Chain ◽  
The Impact

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population, is closely linked to a dysregulated cerebral lipid homeostasis and particular changes in brain fatty acid (FA) composition. The abnormal extracellular accumulation and deposition of the peptide amyloid-β (Aβ) is considered as an early toxic event in AD pathogenesis, which initiates a series of events leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. These include the induction of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, the disruption of calcium homeostasis and membrane integrity, an impairment of cerebral energy metabolism, as well as synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dietary medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and polyunsaturated ω-3-fatty acids (ω-3-PUFAs) seem to be valuable for disease modification. Both classes of FAs have neuronal health-promoting and cognition-enhancing properties and might be of benefit for patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms by which MCFAs and ω-3-PUFAs reduce the cerebral Aβ deposition, improve brain energy metabolism, and lessen oxidative stress levels.

scholarly journals Vascular Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3055
Author(s):  
Megan A. Opichka ◽  
Matthew W. Rappelt ◽  
David D. Gutterman ◽  
Justin L. Grobe ◽  
Jennifer J. McIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorder ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Spiral Artery ◽  
Mitochondrial Stress ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Life Threatening

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy-associated cardiovascular disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria at 20 weeks of gestation. Though its exact underlying cause is not precisely defined and likely heterogenous, a plethora of research indicates that in some women with preeclampsia, both maternal and placental vascular dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis and can persist into the postpartum period. Potential abnormalities include impaired placentation, incomplete spiral artery remodeling, and endothelial damage, which are further propagated by immune factors, mitochondrial stress, and an imbalance of pro- and antiangiogenic substances. While the field has progressed, current gaps in knowledge include detailed initial molecular mechanisms and effective treatment options. Newfound evidence indicates that vasopressin is an early mediator and biomarker of the disorder, and promising future therapeutic avenues include mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, excess oxidative stress, and the resulting inflammatory state. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of vascular defects present during preeclampsia and connect well-established notions to newer discoveries at the molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels.

scholarly journals Cellular Senescence and Iron Dyshomeostasis in Alzheimer’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashank Masaldan ◽  
Abdel Ali Belaidi ◽  
Scott Ayton ◽  
Ashley I. Bush
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Hydroxyl Radicals ◽  
Iron Accumulation ◽  
Brain Iron ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Cellular Dysfunction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Iron dyshomeostasis is a feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The impact of iron on AD is attributed to its interactions with the central proteins of AD pathology (amyloid precursor protein and tau) and/or through the iron-mediated generation of prooxidant molecules (e.g., hydroxyl radicals). However, the source of iron accumulation in pathologically relevant regions of the brain and its contribution to AD remains unclear. One likely contributor to iron accumulation is the age-associated increase in tissue-resident senescent cells that drive inflammation and contribute to various pathologies associated with advanced age. Iron accumulation predisposes ageing tissue to oxidative stress that can lead to cellular dysfunction and to iron-dependent cell death modalities (e.g., ferroptosis). Further, elevated brain iron is associated with the progression of AD and cognitive decline. Elevated brain iron presents a feature of AD that may be modified pharmacologically to mitigate the effects of age/senescence-associated iron dyshomeostasis and improve disease outcome.

scholarly journals Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Polyphenols Contained in Mediterranean Diet in Obesity: Molecular Mechanisms

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhafid Nani ◽  
Babar Murtaza ◽  
Amira Sayed Khan ◽  
Naim Akhtar Khan ◽  
Aziz Hichami
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽  
Metabolic Inflammation ◽  
Dietary Polyphenols ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
The Impact

Nutrition transition can be defined as shifts in food habits, and it is characterized by high-fat (chiefly saturated animal fat), hypercaloric and salty food consumption at the expense of dietary fibers, minerals and vitamins. Western dietary patterns serve as a model for studying the impact of nutrition transition on civilization diseases, such as obesity, which is commonly associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In fact, reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction can be associated with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation in obesity. NF-κB regulates gene expression of several oxidant-responsive adipokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Moreover, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a pivotal role in energy homeostasis and in modulation of metabolic inflammation, can be downregulated by IκB kinase (IKK)-dependent TNF-α activation. On the other hand, adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is highly encouraged because of its healthy dietary pattern, which includes antioxidant nutraceuticals such as polyphenols. Indeed, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, quercetin, resveratrol, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, which are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exert anti-obesity proprieties. In this review, we highlight the impact of the most common polyphenols from Mediterranean foods on molecular mechanisms that mediate obesity-related oxidative stress and inflammation. Hence, we discuss the effects of these polyphenols on a number of signaling pathways. We note that Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) dietary polyphenols can de-regulate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) and NF-κB-mediated oxidative stress, and metabolic inflammation. MedDiet polyphenols are also effective in upregulating downstream effectors of several proteins, chiefly AMPK.

scholarly journals Polyphenol Stilbenes: Molecular Mechanisms of Defence against Oxidative Stress and Aging-Related Diseases

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Reinisalo ◽  
Anna Kårlund ◽  
Ali Koskela ◽  
Kai Kaarniranta ◽  
Reijo O. Karjalainen
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cellular Defence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stilbene Compounds

Numerous studies have highlighted the key roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in aging-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In aging cells, the natural antioxidant capacity decreases and the overall efficiency of reparative systems against cell damage becomes impaired. There is convincing data that stilbene compounds, a diverse group of natural defence phenolics, abundant in grapes, berries, and conifer bark waste, may confer a protective effect against aging-related diseases. This review highlights recent data helping to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the stilbene-mediated protection against oxidative stress. The impact of stilbenes on the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) mediated cellular defence against oxidative stress as well as the potential roles of SQSTM1/p62 protein in Nrf2/Keap1 signaling and autophagy will be summarized. The therapeutic potential of stilbene compounds against the most common aging-related diseases is discussed.

scholarly journals Loss of the glial glutamate transporter eaat2a leads to a combined developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana L. Hotz ◽  
Ahmed Jamali ◽  
Nicolas N. Rieser ◽  
Stephanie Niklaus ◽  
Ecem Aydin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Excitatory Amino Acid ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Glutamate Transporter ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Synaptic Cleft ◽  
Epileptic Encephalopathy ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTAstroglial excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2, GLT-1, SLC1A2) regulates the duration and extent of neuronal excitation by removing glutamate from the synaptic cleft. Human patients with altered EAAT2 function exhibit epileptic seizures, suggesting an important role for astroglial glutamate transporters in balancing neuronal excitability. To study the impact of EAAT2 function at the neural network levels, we generated eaat2a mutant zebrafish. We observed that eaat2a-/- mutant zebrafish larvae display recurrent spontaneous and light-induced seizures in neurons and astroglia, which coincide with an abrupt increase in extracellular glutamate levels. In stark contrast to this hyperexcitability, basal brain activity was surprisingly reduced in eaat2a-/- mutant animals, which manifested in decreased locomotion, neuronal and astroglial calcium signals. Our results reveal an unexpected key role of the astroglial EAAT2a in balancing brain excitability, affecting both neuronal and astroglial network activity.

scholarly journals Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the development of neonatal hypoxic–ischaemic brain injury

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1067-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Thornton ◽  
Ana A. Baburamani ◽  
Anton Kichev ◽  
Henrik Hagberg
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Birth Asphyxia ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Term Neonates ◽  
Ischaemic Brain

Birth asphyxia in term neonates affects 1–2/1000 live births and results in the development of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy with devastating life-long consequences. The majority of neuronal cell death occurs with a delay, providing the potential of a treatment window within which to act. Currently, treatment options are limited to therapeutic hypothermia which is not universally successful. To identify new interventions, we need to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the injury. Here, we provide an overview of the contribution of both oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development of neonatal brain injury and identify current preclinical therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals The Role of Na/K-ATPase Signaling in Oxidative Stress Related to Aging: Implications in Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2139 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bartlett ◽  
Richard Miller ◽  
Scott Thiesfeldt ◽  
Hari Lakhani ◽  
Joseph Shapiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
General Decline ◽  
Pumping Function ◽  
Improve Patient

Aging has been associated with a series of pathophysiological processes causing general decline in the overall health of the afflicted population. The cumulative line of evidence suggests an important role of oxidative stress in the development and progression of the aging process and metabolic abnormalities, exacerbating adipocyte dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, and associated complications at the same time. In recent years, robust have established the implication of Na/K-ATPase signaling in causing oxidative stress and alterations in cellular mechanisms, in addition to its distinct pumping function. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms and exploring the possible sources of pro-oxidants may allow for developing therapeutic targets in these processes and formulate novel intervention strategies for patients susceptible to aging and associated complications, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. The attenuation of oxidative stress with targeted treatment options can improve patient outcomes and significantly reduce economic burden.

scholarly journals The Impact of Kinases in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at the Neuromuscular Synapse: Insights into BDNF/TrkB and PKC Signaling

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Lanuza ◽  
Laia Just-Borràs ◽  
Erica Hurtado ◽  
Víctor Cilleros-Mañé ◽  
Marta Tomàs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Neuromuscular Synapse ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Pkc Signaling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neuron survival in adulthood in the central nervous system. In the peripheral nervous system, BDNF is a contraction-inducible protein that, through its binding to tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB), contributes to the retrograde neuroprotective control done by muscles, which is necessary for motor neuron function. BDNF/TrkB triggers downstream presynaptic pathways, involving protein kinase C, essential for synaptic function and maintenance. Undeniably, this reciprocally regulated system exemplifies the tight communication between nerve terminals and myocytes to promote synaptic function and reveals a new view about the complementary and essential role of pre and postsynaptic interplay in keeping the synapse healthy and strong. This signaling at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) could establish new intervention targets across neuromuscular diseases characterized by deficits in presynaptic activity and muscle contractility and by the interruption of the connection between nervous and muscular tissues, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Indeed, exercise and other therapies that modulate kinases are effective at delaying ALS progression, preserving NMJs and maintaining motor function to increase the life quality of patients. Altogether, we review synaptic activity modulation of the BDNF/TrkB/PKC signaling to sustain NMJ function, its and other kinases’ disturbances in ALS and physical and molecular mechanisms to delay disease progression.

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