Discovery of Potential Anti-Ischemic Stroke Agents Through Inhibiting Sulfonylurea Receptor 1 (SUR1): A Pharmacophore-based Screening, Docking, and Molecular Dynamic Simulation

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Inhibition of sulfonylurea 1 receptor (SUR1) using glibenclamide previously has been studied in CNS ischemic tissues and faster recovery from stroke injury in different animal models of stroke. Unfortunately, glibenclamide cannot enter the brain through an intact brain membrane (BBB) due to its ionization at physiological pH. Therefore, it was hypothesized that compounds with structural properties similar to glibenclamide but with the ability to penetrate through BBB would be superior to glibenclamide in ischemic stroke. Docking energy and interactions of glibenclamide with SUR1 active site were assessed using AutoDock Vina. NCI databases search engines with limitations for penetration to CNS were used to find the best compounds with desired properties. Then two selected compounds were assessed with dynamic molecular studies. Two compounds called CID-415537 and CID-419074 with docking energies of -10.3 kcal/mol and -11 kcal/mol were identified. CID-415537 was selected as the best compound due to its proper interactions with SUR1 amino acids and stability in molecular dynamic simulation. Based on this study, compound CID-415537 would be a good candidate for a SUR1 inhibitor in ischemic stroke. However, further in vivo investigations are required to confirm these findings.

Studies on Aggregated Nanoparticles Steering during Deep Brain Membrane Crossing

Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), affect the deep brain region, which hinders their effective treatment. The hippocampus, a deep brain area critical for learning and memory, is especially vulnerable to damage during early stages of AD. Magnetic drug targeting has shown high potential in delivering drugs to a targeted disease site effectively by applying a strong electromagnetic force. This study illustrates a nanotechnology-based scheme for delivering magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) to the deep brain region. First, we developed a mathematical model and a molecular dynamic simulation to analyze membrane crossing, and to study the effects of particle size, aggregation, and crossing velocities. Then, using in vitro experiments, we studied effective parameters in aggregation. We have also studied the process and environmental parameters. We have demonstrated that aggregation size can be controlled when particles are subjected to external electromagnetic fields. Our simulations and experimental studies can be used for capturing MNPs in brain, the transport of particles across the intact BBB and deep region targeting. These results are in line with previous in vivo studies and establish an effective strategy for deep brain region targeting with drug loaded MNPs through the application of an external electromagnetic field.

Molecular dynamics simulation of a model brain membrane with and without a 14-3-3 tau protein

An unbalanced composition of lipids and proteins in brain membranes is related to the appearance neurodegenrative diseases and recent investigations show that the 14-3-3 tau protein might relate to some of these diseases. This article reports results from a coarse-grained model brain membrane with and without a 14-3-3 τ/θ protein inside the membrane. We investigated the symmetrized partial density, thickness, diffusion coefficients, and deuterium order parameters of the membrane with and without protein. We observe a slight increase in heads and linkers in the symmetrized partial density of the membrane with the protein inserted and higher values of the deuterium order parameters for the brain model membrane with protein. We observe a reduction in the diffusion coefficient of the fluid membrane in the presence of the transmembrane tau protein. Our findings show that the protein can modify the structural and dynamical properties of the membrane. This work will serve as a guide for future investigations on the interactions of tau proteins with brain membrane models and their relation to neurodegenerative diseases.

Antidementia Effects of Althernanthera philoxeroides in Ovariectomized Mice Supported by NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis

The crude ethanol extract of the whole plant of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb was investigated for its potential as antidementia, induced by estrogen deprivation, based on in vitro antioxidant activity, β-amyloid aggregation inhibition and cholinesterase inhibitory activity, as well as in vivo Morris water maze task (MWMT), novel object recognition task (NORT), and Y-maze task. To better understand the effect of the extract, oxidative stress-induced brain membrane damage through lipid peroxidation in the whole brain was also investigated. Additionally, expressions of neuroinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and estrogen receptor-mediated facilitation genes such as PI3K and AKT mRNA in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were also evaluated. These effects were confirmed by the determination of its serum metabolites by NMR metabolomic analysis. Both the crude extract of A. philoxeroides and its flavone constituents were found to inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation.

Comparative biochemical and pharmacological investigations of various newly developed opioid receptor ligands

Bentley analogues: In vitro competition binding experiments all derivatives showed low subnanomolar affinity to MOR. For DOR the ligands showed comparable binding affinities than the selective DOR agonist Ile5,6-deltorphin II peptide ligand except 8 (Ki > 3000 nM). In the KOR binding assays the analogues still displayed nanomolar affinities. In G-protein activity measurements compound 1f, 2a, 2b had antagonistic; 1e, 2c, 8 had partial agonistic and 2d, 4, 5, 7 had full agonistic effects. Ligands were examined in G-protein activation tests in rat brain membranes, the selectivity could not be observed as the receptor selective antagonists such as Cyp, NTI, nor-BNI and the selective agonists such as DAMGO, Ile5,6-deltorphine II, U-69,593 are not able to inhibit the effects of the extremely potent Bentley analogues. In vivo tests in osteoarthritis inflammatory model the thevinol derivatives showed a significant antiallodynic effect, while orvinol derivatives, except for 2c, did not display this effect. Oligopeptides: In competition binding assays the KYNA‐containing peptide, KA1 bound selectively to the MOR with a low Ki value and a high selectivity ratio, the other oligopeptides also showed selectivity to MOR, except K3, which bound to MOR and DOR with similar affinity. In the G-protein activition tests the EM-2 containing compounds, K2 and K3 stimulated G-protein with low efficacy, compound KA1, K4, K5 behaved as full agonists, while K6 had efficacy and potency higher than those of the reference compound DAMGO. In functional binding assays all oligopetides were inhibited by Cyp (MOR) and NTI (DOR) in rat brain membrane. In guinea pig brain membrane K4 and K6 stimulated G-protein, the efficacy of K4 was inhibited by nor-BNI, while the effect of K6 was not. K6 exhibited a strong antinociceptive effect in formalin test.

Accumulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Glycerophospholipids and Sphingolipids in Cognitively Healthy Participants With Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Precedes Lipolysis in the Dementia Stage

Insight into lipids’ roles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology is limited because brain membrane lipids have not been characterized in cognitively healthy (CH) individuals. Since age is a significant risk factor of AD, we hypothesize that aging renders the amyloid precursor protein (APP) more susceptible to abnormal processing because of deteriorating membrane lipids. To reflect brain membranes, we studied their lipid components in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain-derived CSF nanoparticle membranes. Based on CSF Aβ42/Tau levels established biomarkers of AD, we define a subset of CH participants with normal Aβ42/Tau (CH-NAT) and another group with abnormal or pathological Aβ42/Tau (CH-PAT). We report that glycerophospholipids are differentially metabolized in the CSF supernatant fluid and nanoparticle membrane fractions from CH-NAT, CH-PAT, and AD participants. Phosphatidylcholine molecular species from the supernatant fraction of CH-PAT were higher than in the CH-NAT and AD participants. Sphingomyelin levels in the supernatant fraction were lower in the CH-PAT and AD than in the CH-NAT group. The decrease in sphingomyelin corresponded with an increase in ceramide and dihydroceramide and an increase in the ceramide to sphingomyelin ratio in AD. In contrast to the supernatant fraction, sphingomyelin is higher in the nanoparticle fraction from the CH-PAT group, accompanied by lower ceramide and dihydroceramide and a decrease in the ratio of ceramide to sphingomyelin in CH-PAT compared with CH-NAT. On investigating the mechanism for the lipid changes in AD, we observed that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity was higher in the AD group than the CH groups. Paradoxically, acid and neutral sphingomyelinase (SMase) activities were lower in AD compared to the CH groups. Considering external influences on lipids, the clinical groups did not differ in their fasting blood lipids or dietary lipids, consistent with the CSF lipid changes originating from brain pathophysiology. The lipid accumulation in a prodromal AD biomarker positive stage identifies perturbation of lipid metabolism and disturbances in APP/Amyloid beta (Aβ) as early events in AD pathophysiology. Our results identify increased lipid turnover in CH participants with AD biomarkers, switching to a predominantly lipolytic state in dementia. This knowledge may be useful for targeting and testing new AD treatments.

Benefits and Detriments of Gadolinium from Medical Advances to Health and Ecological Risks

Gadolinium (Gd)-containing chelates have been established as diagnostics tools. However, extensive use in magnetic resonance imaging has led to increased Gd levels in industrialized parts of the world, adding to natural occurrence and causing environmental and health concerns. A vast amount of data shows that metal may accumulate in the human body and its deposition has been detected in organs such as brain and liver. Moreover, the disease nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has been linked to increased Gd3+ levels. Investigation of Gd3+ effects at the cellular and molecular levels mostly revolves around calcium-dependent proteins, since Gd3+ competes with calcium due to their similar size; other reports focus on interaction of Gd3+ with nucleic acids and carbohydrates. However, little is known about Gd3+ effects on membranes; yet some results suggest that Gd3+ interacts strongly with biologically-relevant lipids (e.g., brain membrane constituents) and causes serious structural changes including enhanced membrane rigidity and propensity for lipid fusion and aggregation at much lower concentrations than other ions, both toxic and essential. This review surveys the impact of the anthropogenic use of Gd emphasizing health risks and discussing debilitating effects of Gd3+ on cell membrane organization that may lead to deleterious health consequences.

Mast Cells, Astrocytes, Arachidonic Acid: Do They Play a Role in Depression?

Evidence support that brain membrane fatty acids play a crucial role in psychopathologies such as depression and anxiety disorders. Although the pathogenesis of depression is not still defined, drugs commonly used to reduce arachidonic turnover in the brain can control mood disorders, such as depression. Both astrocytes and mast cells release arachidonic acid during silent inflammation. Here, we hypothesize that arachidonic acid freed from lipid droplets of mast cells, as well as the one released from activated astrocytes, could contribute to characterize a depressive condition, and the fatty acids profile of mast cells, astrocytes and microglia could also vary, reflecting the pathophysiological depressive state of the subject. Finally, there is evidence that gut microbiota is deeply implicated in mood and behavioral disorders. Human gut microbiota can control nervous system diseases through neuroimmune pathways.

Characterization of binding of Varicella zoster virus vaccine strains to preparations of mouse brain membrane receptors

Purpose: characterization of vFiraVax (the causative agent of chickenpox - VZV) and vZelVax (the causative agent of shingles - HZ) vaccine strains by their ability to bind to preparations of brain membrane receptors of SPF BALB/c mice.Materials and Methods. The study was performed on cold-adapted vFiraVax VZV and vZelVax HZ vaccine strains developed by the authors on the basis of the wild-type parental pFira VZV virus (chickenpox causative agent) and the latent parental lpZel HZ virus (shingles causative agent); vOka vaccine strains isolated from vaccines against VZV infection from two manufactures (United Kingdom and USA); the HEL-3 strain of diploid cells from human embryonic lung tissue, the MC 27 strain of diploid cells from human embryonic musculocutaneous tissue, primary and diploid cells from guinea pig fetal fibroblasts. The VZV infectivity was estimated by the limiting dilution method using MC 27 cell cultures or guinea pig fetal fibroblasts. The virus titer was measured by the hemadsorption test performed with suspensions of red blood cells from guinea pig or human type 0 positive blood. Negative staining and electron microscopy were used to study the virus preparation. The immunogenicity of vFiraVax VZV and vZelVax HZ virus strains was compared with the immunogenicity of vOka VZV virus strains from different manufacturers by using a cross-neutralization test with immune sera.Results. The Russian cold-adapted vFiraVax VZV and vZelVax HZ vaccine strains, the latent parental lpZel HZ virus and the vOka VZV vaccine strain (United Kingdom) did not bind to preparations of brain neuroreceptors of SPF BALB/c mice as distinct from the wild-type parental pFira VZV variant and vOka VZV vaccine strains (USA); the absent neurotropism of Russian vFiraVax VZV and vZelVax HZ vaccine strains is not connected with the decreased immunogenicity in relation to foreign counterparts; the electron microscope study of the vFiraVax VZV virus containing liquid concentrate detected VZV nucleocapsids.Conclusion. The differences in the VZV ability to bind to preparations of brain membrane receptors of SPF BALB/c mice can be explained by the differences in the technology of vaccine manufacturing, including attenuation techniques, obtaining of the vaccine strain, specific characteristics of the latent parental lpZel HZ virus. The absence of the binding with brain neuroreceptors of SPF mice has been proved for the Russian vFiraVax VZV and vZelVax HZ vaccine strains which was is not connected with a decrease in their immunogenicity. The method of assessment of the binding ability of VZV vaccine strains can be used as a preliminary characteristic of neurotropism for newly created vaccine strains and for vaccine products.