Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gianluca Antonio Franco, Livia Interdonato, Marika Cordaro, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Rosanna Di Paola
Summary: Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal depletion, and there is currently no cure for these diseases. The Mediterranean diet, rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, may have a protective effect on neurodegeneration. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of natural products and the associations between the Mediterranean-style diet, neurodegenerative diseases, and markers and mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Haijie Wu, Xiaoguang Chen, Sen Zhang, Jiaxin Li
Summary: The gut microbiota, as the largest immune organ in humans, plays multiple physiological functions and is symbiotic with the human host. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been associated with almost all human diseases, and several star bacteria have emerged as potential tools for disease treatment.
Review
Cell Biology
Zixin Zhou, Yumei Fan, Ruikai Zong, Ke Tan
Summary: Mitochondria are involved in various cellular functions and are regulated by the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in response to environmental stresses. The regulatory mechanisms and factors involved in UPRmt differ between Caenorhabditis elegans and mammals. Exploring UPRmt can provide new directions and strategies for the treatment of human diseases.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Ahmed Soliman, Lidia Bakota, Roland Brandt
Summary: The microtubule system plays a crucial role in nerve cells and its dysfunction is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Modulating microtubule dynamics and stability can be a potential neuroprotective strategy. However, current approaches have limitations and improving specificity is a challenge.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marina Canadas-Ortega, Clara Gomez-Cruz, Juan Jose Vaquero, Arrate Munoz-Barrutia
Summary: The high mortality associated with tuberculosis has led to the urgent need for new therapies and strategies. Microfluidic devices have the potential to improve treatment prescription and advance our understanding of the disease. Additionally, they offer advantages in terms of time and costs, which is especially important for countries with limited resources. This article highlights the applications of microdevices in drug testing, drug susceptibility, basic research, and novel approaches to anti-TB vaccines and organ-on-chip studies.
NANOTECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matilde Contardo, Roberta De Gioia, Delia Gagliardi, Giacomo Pietro Comi, Linda Ottoboni, Monica Nizzardo, Stefania Corti
Summary: In vivo cell reprogramming offers a promising approach to generate new neurons in the adult mammalian nervous system, with the successful conversion of glial cells into neurons through the repression of a single gene Ptbp1. However, concerns about the reliability of this strategy, particularly regarding the nature of converted neurons in vivo, necessitate further investigation with stringent lineage tracing methods.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nicolas Mathas, Gabrielle Poncet, Catherine Laurent, Lucie Larigot, Beatrice Le-Grand, Elodie Gonis, Serge Birman, Erwan Galardon, Marie-Agnes Sari, Mounira Tiouaini, Pierre Nioche, Robert Barouki, Xavier Coumoul, Daniel Mansuy, Julien Dairou
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a severe neurodegenerative disease, and several environmental contaminants such as pesticides have been suspected to contribute to its development. The protein DJ-1 (or Park7) plays a protective role against Parkinson's disease. In this study, we identified fifteen pesticides as strong inhibitors of DJ-1, with IC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 30 mu M. The thiocarbamate pesticides, especially thiram, showed potent inhibitory effects on DJ-1. These inhibitory effects on DJ-1 could explain the involvement of these pesticides in the development of Parkinson's disease.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiawei Dang, Emily K. Walton, Barbara Zablocka, Robert H. Baloh, Michael E. Shy, Gerald W. Dorn
Summary: Mitochondrial fusion is crucial for mitochondrial and cellular health. Imbalance in mitochondrial fusion and fission, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation, is observed in patients with genetic neurodegenerative diseases. By redirecting the metabolic pathway of patient fibroblasts, characteristic mitochondrial abnormalities and a specific gene expression profile can be induced. Pharmacological activation partially reverses these abnormalities, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for mitochondrial dysdynamism in various diseases.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Feng Chen, Huiyi Chen, Yanting Chen, Wenyan Wei, Yuanhong Sun, Lu Zhang, Lili Cui, Yan Wang
Summary: Communication between neurons relies on synaptic vesicle exocytosis, a process facilitated by the SNARE complex. Dysfunction of the SNARE complex in synapses may contribute to abnormal neurotransmission and lead to synaptic dysfunction. Research suggests that the SNARE complex could be a significant molecular target in neurological diseases.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina La Cognata, Giovanna Morello, Sebastiano Cavallaro
Summary: Molecular and clinical heterogeneity pose challenges in the development of early diagnosis and effective treatment approaches for neurodegenerative diseases. Omics technologies offer a comprehensive view of molecular pathways, aiding in the differentiation of patient subtypes and advancing personalized medicine in neurology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Kathy Y. Liu, Thomas Elliott, Melanie Knowles, Robert Howard
Summary: The review found that higher heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with neurodegenerative diseases was associated with better cognitive and behavioral scores. This relationship was not influenced by age or cognitive status, suggesting that HRV may be a marker of self-regulatory processes in these conditions. Further research is needed to explore this association with neuropsychiatric symptoms and neuroimaging methods.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Debora Lanznaster, Giulia Dingeo, Rayhanatou Altine Samey, Patrick Emond, Helene Blasco
Summary: This review focuses on metabolite alterations and potential pathological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. N-acetyl-aspartate, myo-inositol, and glutamate show common alterations across different types of neurodegenerative diseases. Combining treatments for both common and differential alterations is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes.
Article
Biology
Juan Carlos Rengifo-Gonzalez, Krystel El Hage, Marie-Jeanne Clement, Emilie Steiner, Vandana Joshi, Pierrick Craveur, Dominique Durand, David Pastre, Ahmed Bouhss
Summary: The study reveals that the tandem RNA recognition motifs of TDP-43 cooperatively bind to long GU-repeats, maintaining its solubility. The cooperative binding of TDP-43 to mRNA is crucial for preserving its solubility in the nucleus and miscibility in cytoplasmic stress granules.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cosima Damiana Calvano, Ilario Losito, Tommaso Cataldi
Summary: This special issue focuses on the contribution of dysregulation of lipid signaling and metabolism to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, summarizing three reviews and one research article.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Anna Kulawik, Judyta Cielecka-Piontek, Przemyslaw Zalewski
Summary: This article discusses the importance of lycopene in antioxidant and disease prevention, including cardiovascular diseases, diseases within the nervous system, diabetes, liver diseases, and ulcerative colitis. Research suggests that lycopene supplementation has significant promise for the treatment of illnesses marked by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, but more human studies are needed to establish its effectiveness.
