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Waigi EW, Pernomian L, Crockett AM, Costa TJ, Townsend P, Webb RC, McQuail JA, McCarthy CG, Hollis F, Wenceslau CF. Vascular dysfunction occurs prior to the onset of amyloid pathology and Aβ plaque deposits colocalize with endothelial cells in the hippocampus of female APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01213-0. [PMID: 38862757 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's diseases (AD). It is unknown whether systemic vascular dysfunction occurs prior to the development of AD, if this occurs in a sex-dependent manner, and whether endothelial cells play a role in the deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides. We hypothesized that vascular dysfunction occurs prior to the onset of amyloid pathology, thus escalating its progression. Furthermore, endothelial cells from female mice will present with an exacerbated formation of Aβ peptides due to an exacerbated pressure pulsatility. To test this hypothesis, we used a double transgenic mouse model of early-onset AD (APPswe/PSEN1dE9). We evaluated hippocampus-dependent recognition memory and the cardiovascular function by echocardiography and direct measurements of blood pressure through carotid artery catheterization. Vascular function was evaluated in resistance arteries, morphometric parameters in the aortas, and immunofluorescence in the hippocampus and aortas. We observed that endothelial dysfunction occurred prior to the onset of amyloid pathology irrespective of sex. However, during the onset of amyloid pathology, only female APP/PS1 mice had vascular stiffness in the aorta. There was elevated Aβ deposition which colocalized with endothelial cells in the hippocampus from female APP/PS1 mice. Overall, these data showed that vascular abnormalities may be an early marker, and potential mediator of AD, but exacerbated aortic stiffness and pressure pulsatility after the onset of amyloid pathology may be associated with a greater burden of Aβ formation in hippocampal endothelial cells from female but not male APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily W Waigi
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Laena Pernomian
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Alexia M Crockett
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Tiago J Costa
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Paul Townsend
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - R Clinton Webb
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Joseph A McQuail
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Cameron G McCarthy
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Fiona Hollis
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Camilla F Wenceslau
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
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Fekete M, Lehoczki A, Major D, Fazekas-Pongor V, Csípő T, Tarantini S, Csizmadia Z, Varga JT. Exploring the Influence of Gut-Brain Axis Modulation on Cognitive Health: A Comprehensive Review of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Symbiotics. Nutrients 2024; 16:789. [PMID: 38542700 PMCID: PMC10975805 DOI: 10.3390/nu16060789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research exploring the relationship between the gut and the brain suggests that the condition of the gut microbiota can influence cognitive health. A well-balanced gut microbiota may help reduce inflammation, which is linked to neurodegenerative conditions. Prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics are nutritional supplements and functional food components associated with gastrointestinal well-being. The bidirectional communication of the gut-brain axis is essential for maintaining homeostasis, with pre-, pro-, and symbiotics potentially affecting various cognitive functions such as attention, perception, and memory. Numerous studies have consistently shown that incorporating pre-, pro-, and symbiotics into a healthy diet can lead to improvements in cognitive functions and mood. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiota can support optimal cognitive function, which is crucial for disease prevention in our fast-paced, Westernized society. Our results indicate cognitive benefits in healthy older individuals with probiotic supplementation but not in healthy older individuals who have good and adequate levels of physical activity. Additionally, it appears that there are cognitive benefits in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, while mixed results seem to arise in younger and healthier individuals. However, it is important to acknowledge that individual responses may vary, and the use of these dietary supplements should be tailored to each individual's unique health circumstances and needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Fekete
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Andrea Lehoczki
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
- National Institute for Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, South Pest Central Hospital, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Major
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Vince Fazekas-Pongor
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Tamás Csípő
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zoltán Csizmadia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - János Tamás Varga
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
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Ransom KV, Traylor MK, Batman GB, Mulekar MS, Hill BD, Nelson AR, Keller JL. Arterial stiffness mediates the association between age and processing speed at low levels of microvascular function in humans across the adult lifespan. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H346-H356. [PMID: 38038715 PMCID: PMC11219056 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00662.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The function of micro- and macrovessels within the peripheral vasculature has been identified as a target for the investigation of potential cardiovascular-based promoters of cognitive decline. However, little remains known regarding the interaction of the micro- and macrovasculature as it relates to cognitive function, especially in cognitively healthy individuals. Therefore, our purpose was to unravel peripheral factors that contribute to the association between age and processing speed. Ninety-nine individuals (51 men, 48 women) across the adult life span (19-81 yr) were used for analysis. Arterial stiffness was quantified as carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV) and near-infrared spectroscopy assessed maximal tissue oxygenation (Sto2max) following a period of ischemia. Processing speed was evaluated with Trail Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B. Measures of central (cPP) and peripheral pulse pressure (pPP) were also collected. Moderated mediation analyses were conducted to determine contributions to the age and processing speed relation, and first-order partial correlations were used to assess associations while controlling for the linear effects of age. A P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. At low levels of Sto2max, there was a significant positive (b = 1.92; P = 0.005) effect of cfPWV on time to completion on TMT part A. In addition, cPP (P = 0.028) and pPP (P = 0.027) remained significantly related to part A when controlling for age. These results suggested that the peripheral microvasculature may be a valuable target for delaying cognitive decline, especially in currently cognitively healthy individuals. Furthermore, we reinforced current evidence that pulse pressure is a key endpoint for trials aimed at preventing or delaying the onset of cognitive decline.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Arterial stiffness partially mediates the association between age and processing speed in the presence of low microvascular function, as demarcated by maximum tissue oxygenation following ischemia. Central and peripheral pulse pressure remained associated with processing speed even after controlling for age. Our findings were derived from a sample that was determined to be cognitively healthy, which highlights the potential for these outcomes to be considered during trials aimed at the prevention of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyndall V Ransom
- Integrative Laboratory of Exercise and Applied Physiology, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- Chemistry Department, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Miranda K Traylor
- Integrative Laboratory of Exercise and Applied Physiology, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Genevieve B Batman
- Integrative Laboratory of Exercise and Applied Physiology, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Madhuri S Mulekar
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Benjamin D Hill
- Psychology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Amy R Nelson
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- Gulf Coast Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Alabama, United States
| | - Joshua L Keller
- Integrative Laboratory of Exercise and Applied Physiology, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- Gulf Coast Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Alabama, United States
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Khan F, Qiu H. Amyloid-β: A potential mediator of aging-related vascular pathologies. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 152:107213. [PMID: 37625763 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Aging is one of the most promising risk factors for vascular diseases, however, the precise mechanisms mediating aging-related pathologies are not fully understood. Amyloid beta (Aβ), a peptide produced by the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), is known as a key mediator of brain damage involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, it was found that the accumulation of Aβ in the vascular wall is linked to a range of aging-related vascular pathologies, indicating a potential role of Aβ in the pathogenesis of aging-associated vascular diseases. In the present review, we have updated the molecular regulation of Aβ in vascular cells and tissues, summarized the relevance of the Aβ deposition with vascular aging and diseases, and the role of Aβ dysregulation in aging-associated vascular pathologies, including the impaired vascular response, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This review will provide advanced information in understanding aging-related vascular pathologies and a new avenue to explore therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazlullah Khan
- Translational Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine-Phoenix, The University of Arizona, Phoenix 85004, AZ, USA
| | - Hongyu Qiu
- Translational Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine-Phoenix, The University of Arizona, Phoenix 85004, AZ, USA.
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