Review
Neurosciences
Jianjun Xu, Etsuko Minobe, Masaki Kameyama
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction, and its exact causes are still unknown. Risk factors for PD include aging, genetic mutations, environmental factors, and gender. Endoplasmic reticulum stress, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and impaired autophagy have been linked to neuronal death in the substantia nigra pars compacta in PD. Dysregulation of Ca2+ handling may mediate risk factor-related PD pathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kenan Yildizhan, Mustafa Naziroglu
Summary: TRPM2 channel is activated by excessive generation of mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS and influx of intracellular free Ca2+. The inhibitions of NMDA receptor and TRPM2 channel decrease ROS and apoptosis in neurons. The modulator role of memantine and NMDA via modulation of TRPM2 on oxidative neurodegeneration and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells was investigated. Inhibition of NMDA receptor via memantine treatment modulated HYP-mediated ROS, apoptosis, and TRPM2-induced excessive Ca2+ and may provide a strategy for protecting HYP-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Fani, Chiara Ester La Torre, Roberta Cascella, Cristina Cecchi, Michele Vendruscolo, Fabrizio Chiti
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (A beta) peptide in the brain, which leads to the formation of senile plaques. The aggregation process of A beta also generates smaller misfolded oligomers that contribute to disease progression. These oligomers interact with cell membranes, increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our study found that the increase in intracellular Ca2+ occurs faster than the increase in ROS levels after exposure to misfolded protein oligomers. Removing Ca2+ from the cell medium prevents the increase in intracellular Ca2+ and abolishes ROS production. Treating cells with antioxidant agents prevents ROS formation, but does not prevent the initial increase in Ca2+, allowing the cells to restore normal calcium levels. These findings suggest that Ca2+ influx triggers ROS production in cells challenged by aberrant protein oligomers.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Shan P. Yu, Michael Q. Jiang, Seong S. Shim, Soheila Pourkhodadad, Ling Wei
Summary: Stroke and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) are risk factors for each other. The similarities and differences between the two in terms of pathogenesis and pathophysiology have rarely been reviewed. Recent research has found that the activation of NMDA receptors and the resulting calcium influx play an important role in both stroke and AD. Blocking extrasynaptic NMDA receptors with drugs like memantine could serve as a potential treatment option for both diseases.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beatriz Ferrer, Harshini Suresh, Abel Santamaria, Joao Batista Rocha, Aaron B. Bowman, Michael Aschner
Summary: This study found that exposure to MeHg can induce STAT3 activation in mouse hypothalamic neuronal cells, exacerbating oxidative stress and antioxidant responses. It suggests that the STAT3 signaling pathway plays an important role in responding to MeHg-induced oxidative stress.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Cascella, Cristina Cecchi
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid beta-protein deposition and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to cognitive decline and dementia. Despite extensive research, the exact mechanisms underlying AD remain unknown and effective treatment is not available.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Chong Sun, Xin-Cheng Cao, Zhi-Yang Liu, Chao-Lin Ma, Bao-Ming Li
Summary: Excessive extracellular glutamate can lead to excitotoxicity and neuronal death through NMDARs overactivation. Polygalasaponin F (PGSF) can protect hippocampal neurons from glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by regulating NMDARs.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vahid Shafiei-Irannejad, Samin Abbaszadeh, Paul M. L. Janssen, Hamid Soraya
Summary: Memantine is a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist used for Alzheimer's disease and potentially other pathologies. Research suggests that glutamate signaling may play a role in cancer progression. Additionally, NMDA receptors are being studied in relation to cardiovascular disorders.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joao P. Novo, Beatriz Martins, Ramon S. Raposo, Frederico C. Pereira, Reinaldo B. Oria, Joao O. Malva, Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro
Summary: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a major environmental concern that accumulates in the food chain and affects the central nervous system. Studies have shown that MeHg exposure can lead to cellular and molecular changes, including oxidative stress and cell death.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ying Hao, Rui Xiong, Xue Gong
Summary: The study demonstrated that memantine (MEM) can alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by atherosclerosis by activating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in HUVECs.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jan Voldrich, Marika Matousova, Marketa Smidkova, Barbora Slavikova, Hana Chodounska, Eva Kudova, Helena Mertlikova-Kaiserova
Summary: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mixed cortical and hippocampal primary rat postnatal neuronal culture for identifying NMDAR antagonists. The authors found that this model is comparable to other commonly used primary rat neuronal models and is a convenient and robust tool for NMDAR antagonist screening.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Nicoletta Plotegher, Riccardo Filadi, Paola Pizzo, Michael R. Duchen
Summary: Excitotoxicity occurs in pathological scenarios where mitochondrial function is compromised, affecting neuronal responses to glutamate. Research needs to focus on glutamate toxicity in specific disease models and re-evaluate the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on excitotoxicity to identify new therapeutic targets.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Susmita Barman, Krishnapura Srinivasan
Summary: Zinc plays a crucial role in the synthesis, storage, and secretion of insulin. Studies have shown that supplementing with zinc can reduce hyperglycemia, improve metabolic abnormalities and antioxidant status, and alleviate complications associated with diabetes. Additionally, zinc can also alleviate renal lesions, cataract, cardiovascular disease risk, and restore gastrointestinal health in experimental diabetes.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephanie S. Sloley, Bevan S. Main, Charisse N. Winston, Alex C. Harvey, Alice Kaganovich, Holly T. Korthas, Adam P. Caccavano, David N. Zapple, Jian-young Wu, John G. Partridge, Mark R. Cookson, Stefano Vicini, Mark P. Burns
Summary: This study reveals that high frequency head impacts can cause chronic cognitive impairments in mice by altering brain function through synaptic adaptation, rather than traditional brain trauma pathology. Transcriptional profiling of both mouse and human chronic traumatic encephalopathy brain shows that synapses are significantly affected by head impacts, leading to cognitive dysfunction. Electrophysiological analysis demonstrates that high frequency head impacts chronically modify the AMPA/NMDA ratio in neurons, contributing to changes in cognition.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Napatsorn Imerb, Chanisa Thonusin, Wasana Pratchayasakul, Busarin Arunsak, Wichwara Nawara, Benjamin Ongnok, Ratchaneevan Aeimlapa, Narattaphol Charoenphandhu, Nipon Chattipakorn, Siriporn C. Chattipakorn
Summary: The study aimed to compare the time-course effect of D-galactose-induced aging, obesity, and their combined effects on bone homeostasis. The results showed that aging aggravated bone dyshomeostasis in the obese condition in a time-dependent manner.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)