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.
Review
Immunology
Yan Wang, Limei Cui, He Zhao, Huhuifen He, Liang Chen, Xicheng Song, Dawei Liu, Jingjing Qiu, Yan Sun
Summary: Degenerative diseases have a significant impact on people's life and health, as well as on society. Microglia play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases, and inhibiting or activating their functions can effectively control and reduce the occurrence and progression of these diseases.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vichitra Chandrasekaran, Tousif Ahmed Hediyal, Nikhilesh Anand, Pavan Heggadadevanakote Kendaganna, Vasavi Rakesh Gorantla, Arehally M. Mahalakshmi, Ruchika Kaul Ghanekar, Jian Yang, Meena Kishore Sakharkar, Saravana Babu Chidambaram
Summary: Polyphenols, secondary metabolites from plants, possess therapeutic benefits and can regulate autophagy, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. They improve autophagy by clearing misfolded proteins, suppressing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, and protecting against neurodegeneration. However, the exact interaction between polyphenols and autophagy markers is not fully understood and requires further research.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Shakta Mani Satyam, Laxminarayana Kurady Bairy
Summary: Neuronutraceuticals play an important role in neuropathologies and have the potential to improve neuroinflammaging and cognitive performance. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and comprehensive impact of neuronutraceuticals, including randomized controlled trials and exploration of key issues.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ziqian Cheng, Chenglan Kang, Songtian Che, Jingyun Su, Qihan Sun, Tongtong Ge, Yi Guo, Jiayin Lv, Zhihui Sun, Wei Yang, Bingjin Li, Xin Li, Ranji Cui
Summary: Berberine, a natural alkaloid compound, has been studied for its effects on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. Current evidence shows that it can inhibit neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress, reducing neuron damage and apoptosis. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific mechanisms involved.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuanxin Zhao, Buhan Liu, Long Xu, Sihang Yu, Jiaying Fu, Jian Wang, Xiaoyu Yan, Jing Su
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases share the hallmark of neuroinflammation mediated by microglia and astrocytes. Excessive production of ROS leading to mtDNA release is proposed to be a key regulator of immune cells in neurological disorders. Understanding the relationship between mtDNA and pro-inflammatory microenvironment formation could advance therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melania Ruggiero, Rosa Calvello, Chiara Porro, Giovanni Messina, Antonia Cianciulli, Maria Antonietta Panaro
Summary: Coffee consumption with its bioactive compounds has shown to benefit human health and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development of these diseases. Controlled caffeine delivery systems can help maintain high plasma caffeine levels for extended periods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wolfgang Loescher, Pavel Klein
Summary: The prevailing standard in drug discovery has shifted from designing highly selective compounds to multi-target and combinatorial drug therapies. Although drug combination therapy is effective for symptomatic treatment, identifying clinically effective disease-modifying treatments for complex brain diseases remains challenging.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiao Xiao, Yingjie Wang, Yanqiu Yang, Jingyu Liu, Gang Chen, Bin Lin, Yue Hou, Ning Li
Summary: Stephania epigaea, a folk medicine in southern China, has been found to contain alkaloids that can inhibit neuroinflammation. These alkaloids may have potential therapeutic effects for neurodegenerative diseases.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan M. M. Suarez-Rivero, Juan Lopez-Perez, Ines Muela-Zarzuela, Carmen Pastor-Maldonado, Paula Cilleros-Holgado, David Gomez-Fernandez, Monica Alvarez-Cordoba, Manuel Munuera-Cabeza, Marta Talaveron-Rey, Suleva Povea-Cabello, Alejandra Suarez-Carrillo, Rocio Pinero-Perez, Diana Reche-Lopez, Jose M. Romero-Dominguez, Jose Antonio Sanchez-Alcazar
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases involve the progressive loss of neurons and other components of the nervous system, with limited treatment options available. Mitochondrial dysfunction is commonly observed in these diseases and is believed to play a role in their development. Recent research has identified certain groups of antibiotics with potential therapeutic effects beyond their antimicrobial activity, including anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial-enhancing properties. This review discusses the controversial use of antibiotics as potential therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Review
Immunology
Yujie Fu, Chan Gong, Chenchen Zhu, Weiquan Zhong, Jiabao Guo, Binglin Chen
Summary: In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to analyze neuropathic pain in neurodegenerative diseases. The findings showed that the United States had the highest number of publications, citations, and H-indexes in the field of neuropathic pain. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease were the most studied neurodegenerative diseases. The study also identified microglia-regulated neuroinflammation as a hot research topic and deep brain stimulation and gamma knife radiosurgery as popular treatment methods.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yanfang Liao, Xue Wang, Liting Huang, Hu Qian, Wei Liu
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by neuron degeneration and loss of function. Pyroptosis, a type of inflammatory process caused by Gasdermins (GSDMs) proteins, has been found to be enhanced in NDs, along with the aggregation of pathological proteins. This review aims to provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms driving pyroptosis, the links between pyroptosis and NDs, and emerging therapeutic strategies in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for inhibiting pyroptosis in the treatment of NDs.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luise Schlotterose, Mariya S. Pravdivtseva, Frowin Ellermann, Olav Jansen, Jan-Bernd Hoevener, Frank D. Soennichsen, Francois Cossais, Ralph Lucius, Kirsten Hattermann
Summary: The role of microglia cells in neurodegenerative diseases has been increasingly recognized. Activation of microglia cells is believed to be involved in the progression of diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of the natural antioxidant resveratrol on human microglia cells. They found that resveratrol reduced inflammation, increased the release of insulin-like growth factor 1, decreased glucose uptake, lowered mitochondrial activity, and attenuated cellular metabolism in microglia cells. The study focused on changes in metabolism without any external stressors and demonstrated the potential protective effects of resveratrol against neuroinflammation.
Review
Cell Biology
Chiara F. Valori, Agostino Possenti, Liliana Brambilla, Daniela Rossi
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that are expected to see a significant increase in incidence in the next 30 years due to the aging population. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of glial cells, particularly astrocytes, in maintaining central nervous system homeostasis and their potential as therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disorders. Various strategies are being explored to modulate astrocyte functions and develop astrocyte-specific delivery systems for potential cell therapy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angelica P. Escobar, Christian Bonansco, Gonzalo Cruz, Alexies Dagnino-Subiabre, Marco Fuenzalida, Ignacio Negron, Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate, Jonathan Martinez-Pinto, Gonzalo Jorquera
Summary: Many diseases and degenerative processes activate inflammatory cascades in the nervous system and peripheral organs. Various risk factors, such as addiction, stress, and aging, can trigger inflammation. Evidence shows that the modern lifestyle and recent confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the increase in addictive disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cardiometabolic diseases. This article gathers evidence on how these risk factors activate central and peripheral inflammation, leading to neuropathologies and behaviors associated with poor health. It discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in inflammation generation, as well as how pathology-associated and addictive behaviors worsen these mechanisms, promoting disease progression. Additionally, it lists drugs targeting inflammation-related pathways that may have beneficial effects on addictive, mental, and cardiometabolic illnesses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Edward Beamer, James Morgan, Mariana Alves, Aida Menendez Mendez, Gareth Morris, Bela Zimmer, Giorgia Conte, Laura de Diego-Garcia, Cristina Alarcon-Vila, Nico Ka Yiu Ng, Stephen Madden, Francesco Calzaferri, Cristobal de los Rios, Antonio G. Garcia, Michael Hamacher, Klaus Dinkel, Pablo Pelegrin, David C. Henshall, Annette Nicke, Tobias Engel
Summary: The overexpression of ATP-gated P2X7 receptors contributed to drug-refractory status epilepticus, which was associated with neuroinflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs and P2X7 receptor antagonists could be potential therapeutic options for drug-refractory status epilepticus.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ricardo de Pascual, Francesco Calzaferri, Paula C. Gonzalo, Ruben Serrano-Nieto, Cristobal de Los Rios, Antonio G. Garcia, Luis Gandia
Summary: A newly synthesized derivative, ITH15004, was found to facilitate the release of catecholamines from bovine CCs under high K+ depolarization condition. This effect is likely due to regulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ circulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Pinilla, Victoria Maneu, Laura Campello, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Natalia Martinez-Gil, Oksana Kutsyr, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Pedro Lax, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of the retina and loss of visual function. Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the pathophysiology of IRDs. Gene therapy has shown some success in treating IRDs, but other therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress and inflammation are also being investigated.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Pinilla, Victoria Maneu
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Natalia Martinez-Gil, Victoria Maneu, Oksana Kutsyr, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Laura Campello, Pedro Lax, Isabel Pinilla, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are characterized by common physiopathology features, including cell death accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vulnerability of retinal cells to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance compromises their function. As the disease progresses, retinal cells undergo morphological and functional changes, leading to tissue remodeling.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Martinez-Gil, Oksana Kutsyr, Agustina Noailles, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Lorena Vidal, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Pedro Lax, Nicolas Cuenca, Antonio G. Garcia, Victoria Maneu
Summary: P2X7R and P2X4R play important roles in retinal diseases and their expression increases during disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Paula Mut-Arbona, Lumei Huang, Maria Baranyi, Pal Tod, Andras Iring, Francesco Calzaferri, Cristobal de los Rios, Beata Sperlagh
Summary: Extracellular ATP acts as a danger molecule through purinergic receptors, particularly the ionotropic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), in pathological conditions. The specific role of P2X7R in regulating neuronal outgrowth during early embryonic stages was investigated. The study showed that genetic deficiency or pharmacological blockade of P2X7R leads to deficits in dendritic branching under physiological conditions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristobal de los Rios, Lucia Viejo, Victoria Jimenez Carretero, Natalia Hernandez Juarez, Natalia Cruz-Martins, Jesus M. Hernandez-Guijo
Summary: The complex etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative brain injury has led to numerous studies. Current therapies only alleviate symptoms or slow down disease progression, thus effective methods that directly target studied targets and contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies are being sought. This review focuses on the evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction caused by Ca2+ miscommunication in neurons and the possibility of using phosphorylation events to modulate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity for treating neuronal damage. Ca2+ is implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic deficiency observed in brain injury. Additionally, PP2A-activating drugs (PADs) show potential in suppressing inflammatory responses and may be beneficial in managing neuronal damage. Clinical studies and the safety evaluation of PADs are needed to further explore their potential in neurological diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Raquel L. Arribas, Lucia Viejo, Isaac Bravo, Minerva Martinez, Eva Ramos, Alejandro Romero, Eva M. Garcia-Frutos, Veerle Janssens, Carmen Montiel, Cristobal de los Rios
Summary: Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a crucial role in cellular processes and its deficiency is associated with severe pathologies. In Alzheimer's disease, the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein is linked to the depression of PP2A activity. Researchers have designed new ligands to prevent PP2A inhibition, with compound 10 showing the most promising outcomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isaac Bravo, Lucia Viejo, Cristobal de los Rios, Eva M. Garcia-Frutos, Margarita Darder
Summary: Bionanocomposite materials based on clays were developed for controlled release of a neuroprotective drug for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The drug was successfully intercalated into the clay and showed no toxicity in cell cultures. Encapsulation of the hybrid material in micro/nanocellulose matrix and pectin coating allowed for controlled release under acidic conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andres M. Baraibar, Ricardo de Pascual, Victoria Jimenez Carretero, Ninfa Liccardi, Natalia Hernandez Juarez, Jesus M. Hernandez-Guijo
Summary: This study investigates the effects of aluminum on cellular excitability and neurotransmitter release in bovine chromaffin cells. The results show that aluminum reduces intracellular calcium concentrations and decreases catecholamine secretion by blocking calcium and sodium currents. These findings demonstrate that aluminum has neurotoxic properties by altering neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Victoria Maneu, Ricardo Borges, Luis Gandia, Antonio G. Garcia
Summary: This article reviews the evolution of knowledge on the biology of the adrenal medulla gland and its chromaffin cells over the past two centuries. It is divided into two periods: before 1982 and from 1982 to 2022. The article assesses the important breakthroughs and advancements made in the field of adrenal medulla gland and chromaffin cells.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Ramos, Emilio Gil-Martin, Cristobal de los Rios, Javier Egea, Francisco Lopez-Munoz, Rene Pita, Antonio Juberias, Juan J. J. Torrado, Dolores R. R. Serrano, Russel J. J. Reiter, Alejandro Romero
Summary: In this review, melatonin is proposed as a therapeutic option to counteract the toxicological mechanisms and pathways activated after exposure to sulfur and nitrogen mustards. Additionally, the metabolites of melatonin are predicted to have a scavenger action and neutralize the damage induced by these blister agents. The anti-inflammatory action and NLRP3 inflammasome modulation of melatonin can also provide protection against sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced injury.
Article
Cell Biology
Maria Jose Ruiz-Pastor, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Oksana Kutsyr, Henar Albertos-Arranz, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Isabel Ortuno-Lizaran, Natalia Martinez-Gil, Lorena Vidal-Gil, Lucia Mendez, Manuel Sanchez-Martin, Victoria Maneu, Pedro Lax, Nicolas Cuenca
Summary: This study successfully generated and characterized a mouse model carrying the p.Arg195Leu mutation, which simulates the retinal degeneration characteristic of central areolar choroidal dystrophy. The generated mouse models can be used to study the mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of the disease, as well as to test the efficacy of new therapeutic strategies.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)