Brain cell signaling abnormalities are detected in blood in a murine model of Fragile X syndrome and corrected by Sigma-1 receptor agonist Blarcamesine

Effects of Soy Protein Isolate on Fragile X Phenotypes in Mice

Obesity is a pediatric epidemic that is more prevalent in children with developmental disabilities. We hypothesize that soy protein-based diets increase weight gain and alter neurobehavioral outcomes. Our objective herein was to test matched casein- and soy protein-based purified ingredient diets in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, Fmr1KO mice. The experimental methods included assessment of growth; 24-7 activity levels; motor coordination; learning and memory; blood-based amino acid, phytoestrogen and glucose levels; and organ weights. The primary outcome measure was body weight. We find increased body weight in male Fmr1KO from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P224, male wild type (WT) from P32-P39, female Fmr1KO from P6-P18 and P168-P224, and female Fmr1HET from P9-P18 as a function of soy. Activity at the beginning of the light and dark cycles increased in female Fmr1HET and Fmr1KO mice fed soy. We did not find significant differences in rotarod or passive avoidance behavior as a function of genotype or diet. Several blood-based amino acids and phytoestrogens were significantly altered in response to soy. Liver weight was increased in WT and adipose tissue in Fmr1KO mice fed soy. Activity levels at the beginning of the light cycle and testes weight were greater in Fmr1KO versus WT males irrespective of diet. DEXA analysis at 8-months-old indicated increased fat mass and total body area in Fmr1KO females and lean mass and bone mineral density in Fmr1KO males fed soy. Overall, dietary consumption of soy protein isolate by C57BL/6J mice caused increased growth, which could be attributed to increased lean mass in males and fat mass in females. There were sex-specific differences with more pronounced effects in Fmr1KO versus WT and in males versus females.

Targeted to neuronal organelles for CNS drug development

Significant evidences indicate that sub-cellular organelle dynamics is critical for both physiological and pathological events and therefore may be attractive drug targets displaying great therapeutic potential. Although the basic biological mechanism underlying the dynamics of intracellular organelles has been extensively studied, relative drug development is still limited. In the present review, we show that due to the development of technical advanced imaging tools, especially live cell imaging methods, intracellular organelle dynamics (including mitochondrial dynamics and membrane contact sites) can be dissected at the molecular level. Based on these identified molecular targets, we review and discuss the potential of drug development to target organelle dynamics, especially mitochondria dynamics and ER-organelle membrane contact dynamics, in the central nervous system for treating human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.