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Sternberg Z, Podolsky R, Nir A, Yu J, Nir R, Halvorsen SW, Quinn JF, Kaye J, Kolb C. Elevated spermidine serum levels in mild cognitive impairment, a potential biomarker of progression to Alzheimer dementia, a pilot study. J Clin Neurosci 2022; 100:169-174. [PMID: 35487023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS There is a close link between iron and polyamine biosynthesis and metabolism. In a recent study, we reported alterations in the serum levels of hepcidin and other iron-related proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (Sternberg et al., 2017). Based on these findings, this pilot study compared serum levels of one of the polyamines, Spermidine, between AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and control subjects, correlating the levels with the existing clinical and neuroimaging data. METHODS This cross-sectional study measured Spermidine levels in frozen serum samples of 43 AD patients, 12 MCI patients, and 21 age-matched controls, provided by the Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Center Bio-repository, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS MCI patients showed significantly higher mean Spermidine serum levels compared to controls (P = 0.01), with a non-significant trend for higher Spermidine serum levels in pure AD (P = 0.08) participants compared to controls. Spermidine serum levels correlated with the values of cognitive assessment tests including MMSE (r = -0.705, P = 0.003), CDR (r = 0.751, P = 0.002), and CDR-SOB (r = 0.704, P = 0.007), in "pure" AD subgroup, suggesting that higher Spermidine serum levels in MCI can be a potential biomarker of conversion to dementia in subjects with AD underlying pathology. Furthermore, Spermidine serum levels correlated with serum levels of the chief iron regulatory protein, hepcidin in AD participants with a more advanced disease stage, indicated by MMSE (strata of 8-19, P = 0.02), and CDR-SOB (strata of 6-12, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION Studies with larger cohort are warranted for defining the role of Spermidine in AD pathophysiology, and the utility of polyamines as biomarkers of progression of MCI to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohara Sternberg
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, Buffalo Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Rebecca Podolsky
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, Buffalo Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Jihnhee Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Stanley W Halvorsen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Joseph F Quinn
- Layton Aging & Alzheimer's Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jeffrey Kaye
- Layton Aging & Alzheimer's Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Channa Kolb
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, Buffalo Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Soda K. Overview of Polyamines as Nutrients for Human Healthy Long Life and Effect of Increased Polyamine Intake on DNA Methylation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010164. [PMID: 35011727 PMCID: PMC8750749 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are synthesized in every living cell and are therefore contained in foods, especially in those that are thought to contribute to health and longevity. They have many physiological activities similar to those of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances such as polyphenols. These include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cell and gene protection, and autophagy activation. We have first reported that increased polyamine intake (spermidine much more so than spermine) over a long period increased blood spermine levels and inhibited aging-associated pathologies and pro-inflammatory status in humans and mice and extended life span of mice. However, it is unlikely that the life-extending effect of polyamines is exerted by the same bioactivity as polyphenols because most studies using polyphenols and antioxidants have failed to demonstrate their life-extending effects. Recent investigations revealed that aging-associated pathologies and lifespan are closely associated with DNA methylation, a regulatory mechanism of gene expression. There is a close relationship between polyamine metabolism and DNA methylation. We have shown that the changes in polyamine metabolism affect the concentrations of substances and enzyme activities involved in DNA methylation. I consider that the increased capability of regulation of DNA methylation by spermine is a key of healthy long life of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuniyasu Soda
- Department Cardiovascular Institute for Medical Research, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, 1-847, Amanuma, Saitama-City 330-0834, Saitama, Japan
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Szabó Z, Péter M, Héja L, Kardos J. Dual Role for Astroglial Copper-Assisted Polyamine Metabolism during Intense Network Activity. Biomolecules 2021; 11:604. [PMID: 33921742 PMCID: PMC8073386 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes serve essential roles in human brain function and diseases. Growing evidence indicates that astrocytes are central players of the feedback modulation of excitatory Glu signalling during epileptiform activity via Glu-GABA exchange. The underlying mechanism results in the increase of tonic inhibition by reverse operation of the astroglial GABA transporter, induced by Glu-Na+ symport. GABA, released from astrocytes, is synthesized from the polyamine (PA) putrescine and this process involves copper amino oxidase. Through this pathway, putrescine can be considered as an important source of inhibitory signaling that counterbalances epileptic discharges. Putrescine, however, is also a precursor for spermine that is known to enhance gap junction channel communication and, consequently, supports long-range Ca2+ signaling and contributes to spreading of excitatory activity through the astrocytic syncytium. Recently, we presented the possibility of neuron-glia redox coupling through copper (Cu+/Cu2+) signaling and oxidative putrescine catabolism. In the current work, we explore whether the Cu+/Cu2+ homeostasis is involved in astrocytic control on neuronal excitability by regulating PA catabolism. We provide supporting experimental data underlying this hypothesis. We show that the blockade of copper transporter (CTR1) by AgNO3 (3.6 µM) prevents GABA transporter-mediated tonic inhibitory currents, indicating causal relationship between copper (Cu+/Cu2+) uptake and the catabolism of putrescine to GABA in astrocytes. In addition, we show that MnCl2 (20 μM), an inhibitor of the divalent metal transporter DMT1, also prevents the astrocytic Glu-GABA exchange. Furthermore, we observed that facilitation of copper uptake by added CuCl2 (2 µM) boosts tonic inhibitory currents. These findings corroborate the hypothesis that modulation of neuron-glia coupling by copper uptake drives putrescine → GABA transformation, which leads to subsequent Glu-GABA exchange and tonic inhibition. Findings may in turn highlight the potential role of copper signaling in fine-tuning the activity of the tripartite synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Szabó
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (M.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Márton Péter
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (M.P.); (J.K.)
- Hevesy György Ph.D. School of Chemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Héja
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (M.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Julianna Kardos
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (M.P.); (J.K.)
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Altimiras F, Uszczynska-Ratajczak B, Camara F, Vlasova A, Palumbo E, Newhouse S, Deacon RMJ, Farias LAE, Hurley MJ, Loyola DE, Vásquez RA, Dobson R, Guigó R, Cogram P. Brain Transcriptome Sequencing of a Natural Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:64. [PMID: 28373841 PMCID: PMC5357652 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Altimiras
- Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Universidad Adolfo IbañezSantiago, Chile
- Telefonica Research and DevelopmentSantiago, Chile
| | - Barbara Uszczynska-Ratajczak
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Camara
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Vlasova
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Palumbo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelona, Spain
| | - Stephen Newhouse
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Robert M. J. Deacon
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation, Favaloro University, National Scientific and Technical Research CouncilBuenos Aires, Argentina
- GeN.DDI LtdLondon, UK
| | | | - Michael J. Hurley
- Division of Brain Sciences, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Imperial CollegeLondon, UK
| | - David E. Loyola
- National Center for Genomics and BioinformaticsSantiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A. Vásquez
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Richard Dobson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Roderic Guigó
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Cogram
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation, Favaloro University, National Scientific and Technical Research CouncilBuenos Aires, Argentina
- GeN.DDI LtdLondon, UK
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Salminen A, Jouhten P, Sarajärvi T, Haapasalo A, Hiltunen M. Hypoxia and GABA shunt activation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Neurochem Int 2015; 92:13-24. [PMID: 26617286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We have previously observed that the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to definitive Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with a significant increase in the serum level of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate (2,4-DHBA). The metabolic generation of 2,4-DHBA is linked to the activation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt, an alternative energy production pathway activated during cellular stress, when the function of Krebs cycle is compromised. The GABA shunt can be triggered by local hypoperfusion and subsequent hypoxia in AD brains caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) is a key enzyme in the GABA shunt, converting succinic semialdehyde (SSA) into succinate, a Krebs cycle intermediate. A deficiency of SSADH activity stimulates the conversion of SSA into γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), an alternative route from the GABA shunt. GHB can exert not only acute neuroprotective activities but unfortunately also chronic detrimental effects which may lead to cognitive impairment. Subsequently, GHB can be metabolized to 2,4-DHBA and secreted from the brain. Thus, the activation of the GABA shunt and the generation of GHB and 2,4-DHBA can have an important role in the early phase of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Paula Jouhten
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; EMBL European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Timo Sarajärvi
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Annakaisa Haapasalo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Neurobiology, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Neulaniementie 2, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, FI-70029 KYS, Finland
| | - Mikko Hiltunen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, FI-70029 KYS, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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6
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Gueli MC, Taibi G. Alzheimer's disease: amino acid levels and brain metabolic status. Neurol Sci 2013; 34:1575-9. [PMID: 23354600 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-013-1289-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
To study brain free amino acids and their relation with dementia we measured, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the concentration of eight free amino acids, amines and related compounds. We used temporal cortex (TC) samples obtained from 13 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and an equal number of age-matched controls (AC). The patterns of free amino acids, amines and related compounds showed significant quantitative changes in AD conditions with respect to healthy ones. In Alzheimer patients, lower levels of GABA were found in the TC (-57 %). Amino acids glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (Asp) concentrations, also appeared significantly reduced in the TC of AD patients (Glu: -30 %; Asp: -40 %) when compared with controls. The significant gap between methionine (Met: -30 %) and cystathionine (Cysta: +60 %) levels in TC of AD people to controls, might suggest an under/over activity of the transmethylation and transsulphuration pathways, respectively. Glutamine (Gln) and Urea were an exception to this trend because their content was higher in AD patients than in controls. Albeit these compounds may have particular physiological roles, including the possible mediation of synaptic transmission, changes in amino acid levels and related compounds (detected in steady state) suggest a modified metabolic status in brains of AD patients that reveals a reduced function of synaptic transmission. Because several evidences show that patients might display quite different concentrations of neurotransmitters in brain areas, assessing metabolites in different and well-characterized AD stages should be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Concetta Gueli
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche (BIONEC), Università di Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Policlinico, PA, Italy,
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7
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Fiori LM, Turecki G. Genetic and epigenetic influences on expression of spermine synthase and spermine oxidase in suicide completers. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2010; 13:725-36. [PMID: 20059804 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145709991167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the levels of spermine synthase (SMS) and spermine oxidase (SMOX), two enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism, have previously been observed in brains of suicide completers. To characterize the roles played by genetic and epigenetic factors in determining expression levels of these genes, as well as to identify potential mechanisms by which to explain our findings in suicide completers, we (1) assessed the role of promoter polymorphisms in determining expression in the brain and in vitro, and (2) examined CpG methylation and levels of methylated histone H3 lysine-27 in the promoter regions of these genes in the prefrontal cortex of suicide completers and healthy controls. We identified several promoter haplotypes in SMS and SMOX, but found no consistent effects of haplotype on expression levels in either the brain or in reporter gene assays performed in three different cell lines. We also found no overall effects of epigenetic factors in determining expression, with the exception of a relationship between CpG methylation at one site in the promoter of SMOX and its expression in Brodmann area 8/9. In conclusion, the genetic and epigenetic factors examined in this study show little influence on the expression levels of SMS and SMOX, and do not appear to be responsible for the dysregulated expression of these genes in suicide completers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Fiori
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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8
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Vasudevaraju P, Bharathi, Garruto R, Sambamurti K, Rao K. Role of DNA dynamics in Alzheimer's disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 58:136-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2007] [Revised: 01/14/2008] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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9
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Virgili M, Crochemore C, Peña-Altamira E, Contestabile A. Regional and temporal alterations of ODC/polyamine system during ALS-like neurodegenerative motor syndrome in G93A transgenic mice. Neurochem Int 2005; 48:201-7. [PMID: 16290266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2005.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2005] [Accepted: 10/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) are ubiquitous molecules known to regulate a number of physiological processes and suspected to play a role also in various pathological conditions. Changes in polyamine levels and in their biosynthetic enzymes have been described for some neurodegenerative diseases but the available data are incomplete and somewhat contradictory. We report here alterations of the key enzyme of the polyamine pathway, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) catalytic activity and polyamine levels in different CNS areas from SOD1 G39A transgenic mice, an animal model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ODC catalytic activity, was found significantly increased both in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord and, to a lesser extent in the brain stem of transgenic mice at a symptomatic stage of the disease (125-day-old mice), while no differences were present at a pre-symptomatic stage (55-day-old mice). In parallel with the increase of ODC activity putrescine levels were several times increased in both cervical and lumbar spinal cord and in the brain stem of 125-day-old SOD1 G39A mice. Higher order polyamines were not increased except for a significant increase of spermidine in the cervical spinal cord. The present data demonstrate considerable alterations of the ODC/polyamine system in a reliable animal model of ASL, consistent with their role in neurodegeneration and in particular in motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Virgili
- Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
The use of human brain tissue obtained at autopsy for neurochemical, pharmacological and physiological analyses is reviewed. RNA and protein samples have been found suitable for expression profiling by techniques that include RT-PCR, cDNA microarrays, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and proteomics. The rapid development of molecular biological techniques has increased the impetus for this work to be applied to studies of brain disease. It has been shown that most nucleic acids and proteins are reasonably stable post-mortem. However, their abundance and integrity can exhibit marked intra- and intercase variability, making comparisons between case-groups difficult. Variability can reveal important functional and biochemical information. The correct interpretation of neurochemical data must take into account such factors as age, gender, ethnicity, medicative history, immediate ante-mortem status, agonal state and post-mortem and post-autopsy intervals. Here we consider issues associated with the sampling of DNA, RNA and proteins using human autopsy brain tissue in relation to various ante- and post-mortem factors. We conclude that valid and practical measures of a variety of parameters may be made in human brain tissue, provided that specific factors are controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Hynd
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Harper C, Garrick T, Matsumoto I, Pfefferbaum A, Adalsteinsson E, Sullivan E, Dodd P, Lewohl J, Butterworth R. How important are brain banks for alcohol research? Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2003; 27:310-23. [PMID: 12605081 DOI: 10.1097/01.alc.0000052585.81056.ca] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This article contains the proceedings of a symposium at the 2002 RSA/ISBRA Meeting in San Francisco, organized and chaired by Clive Harper and co-chaired by Izuru Matsumoto. The presentations were (1) Introduction, by Clive Harper; (2) The quality of tissue-a critical issue, by Therese Garrick; (3) The first systematic brain tissue donor program in Japan, by Izuru Matsumoto; (4) Brain scans after death-really! by Adolf Pfefferbaum, Elfar Adalsteinsson, and Edith Sullivan; (5) Capture that (genial) expression, by Joanne Lewohl and Peter Dodd; and (6) Neurochemical/pharmacological studies: experimental design and limitations, by Roger Butterworth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive Harper
- University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
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Bernstein HG, Müller M. The cellular localization of the L-ornithine decarboxylase/polyamine system in normal and diseased central nervous systems. Prog Neurobiol 1999; 57:485-505. [PMID: 10215098 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-0082(98)00065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural polyamines, spermidine and spermine, and their precursor putrescine, are of considerable importance for the developing and mature nervous system. They exhibit a number of neurophysiological and metabolic effects in the nervous system, including control of nucleic acid and protein synthesis, modulation of ionic channels and calcium-dependent transmitter release. The polyamine system is also known to be involved in various brain pathologic events (seizures, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and others). While cerebral polyamine concentrations and the activities of polyamine-metabolizing enzymes have been studied in great detail, much less is known about the cells that are responsible for cerebral polyamine synthesis and interconversion. With the present review the attempt is made to show how exact knowledge about the regional distribution and cellular localization of polyamines and the polyamine-synthesizing enzymatic machinery (and especially of L-ornithine decarboxylase) may help to better understand the functional interplay between polyamines and other endogenous agents (transmitters, receptors, growth factors neuroactive drugs etc.). Polyamines have been localized both in neurones and glial cells. However, the main cellular locus of the ODC is the neuron--both in the immature and adult central nervous system. Each period of normal brain development and ageing seems to have its own, characteristic temporo-spatial pattern of neuronal ODC expression. During strong functional activation (kindling, epileptic seizures, neural transplantation) astrocytes and other non-neuronal cells do also express ODC and other polyamine-metabolizing enzymes. Astroglial expression of ODC is accompanied by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein in these cells. This shift in the cellular mechanisms of polyamine metabolism is currently far from being understood. In human brain diseases (Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia) certain neurones show an increased expression of ODC, the first and rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine metabolism. Since polyamines are structurally related to psychoactive drugs (neuroleptics, antidepressants) the polyamine system might be of importance as a putative target for drug intervention in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Bernstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Germany.
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Terwel D, Prickaerts J, Meng F, Jolles J. Brain enzyme activities after intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin in rats receiving acetyl-L-carnitine. Eur J Pharmacol 1995; 287:65-71. [PMID: 8666027 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(95)00475-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of streptozotocin has been introduced as a means to inhibit glucose utilization in the rat brain, and to induce changes in neurotransmitter systems and behavior which resemble those seen in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, enzyme activities previously investigated in Alzheimer's disease (peptidases, dehydrogenases and acetyltransferases) were measured in the septum and hippocampus of control and streptozotocin-treated rats. Streptozotocin-treated rats receiving acetyl-L-carnitine were also included in the experiments, to assess possible neuroprotective effects of this substance. All enzyme activities in the septum were affected by streptozotocin, with the exception of choline acetyltransferase activity. By contrast, choline acetyltransferase activity was the only enzyme activity affected in the hippocampus. The weight of the septum was reduced in streptozotocin-treated animals. These findings indicate that i.c.v. injection of streptozotocin causes septal damage and enzymatic changes that do not closely resemble those seen in Alzheimer's disease, which are more specific. Acetyl-L-carnitine partly prevented this damage, as reflected by an attenuation of the streptozotocin-induced decrease in hippocampal choline acetyltransferase activity. This finding indicates that streptozotocin-treated rats may be valuable to test possible neuroprotective effects of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Terwel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, Netherlands
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14
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Abstract
Despite considerable evidence implicating polyamines in CNS function, little is known about the status of the polyamine system in normal or abnormal human brain. We measured the levels of the polyamines spermidine, spermine and their precursor putrescine, in cortical and subcortical areas of 12 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). As compared with the controls, mean levels of spermidine were markedly and significantly increased (70%) whereas putrescine levels were decreased (28%) in temporal cortex of the AD patients. No other statistically significant changes were observed with the exception of a mean 35% reduction in spermine concentration in occipital cortex. In view of the modulatory effects of polyamines on calcium flux and glutamate receptor function, our data suggest that abnormal polyamine system activity may be involved in the neurodegenerative processes occurring in brain of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Morrison
- Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bernstein HG, Müller M. Increased immunostaining for L-ornithine decarboxylase occurs in neocortical neurons of Alzheimer's disease patients. Neurosci Lett 1995; 186:123-6. [PMID: 7777179 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)11301-c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the distribution of L-ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), an enzyme known to be involved in several developmental and restorative processes, in neocortical brain areas of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and normal patients by means of immunohistochemistry. While ODC immunoreactive material was only scarcely distributed in neocortical neurons of control brains, neocortical specimens from AD brains stood out by intense immunostaining for ODC. Dendrites and, to a lesser extent, axons of neurons from AD brains showed a strong immunoreaction to the enzyme, whereas neurons from non-affected brains displayed only a weak circumnuclear reaction pattern. Our results support the idea that neurorestorative processes take place in AD brains and that the ODC/polyamine system might be actively involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Bernstein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany
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