1
|
Mehboob R, Oehme P, Anwar T, von Kries JP. Substance P - a regulatory peptide with defense and repair functions. Results and perspectives for the fight against COVID-19. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1370454. [PMID: 38872816 PMCID: PMC11169637 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1370454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is the cause of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which turned into a pandemic in late 2019 and early 2020. SARS CoV-2 causes endothelial cell destruction and swelling, microthrombosis, constriction of capillaries, and malfunction of pericytes, all of which are detrimental to capillary integrity, angiogenesis, and healing processes. Cytokine storming has been connected to COVID-19 disease. Hypoxemia and tissue hypoxia may arise from impaired oxygen diffusion exchange in the lungs due to capillary damage and congestion. This personal view will look at how inflammation and capillary damage affect blood and tissue oxygenation, cognitive function, and the duration and intensity of COVID-19 disease. The general effects of microvascular injury, hypoxia, and capillary damage caused by COVID-19 in key organs are also covered in this point of view. Once initiated, this vicious cycle leads to diminished capillary function, which exacerbates inflammation and tissue damage, and increased inflammation due to hypoxia. Brain damage may result from low oxygen levels and high cytokines in brain tissue. In this paper we give a summary in this direction with focus on the role of the neuropeptide Substance P. On the basis of this, we discuss selected approaches to the question: "How Substance P is involved in the etiology of the COVID-19 and how results of our research could improve the prevention or therapy of corona? Thereby pointing out the role of Substance P in the post-corona syndrome and providing novel concepts for therapy and prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Lahore Medical Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Andrzejewski K, Orłowska ME, Zaremba M, Joniec-Maciejak I, Kaczyńska K. Impact of Serotonergic 5HT 1A and 5HT 2A Receptor Activation on the Respiratory Response to Hypercapnia in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4403. [PMID: 38673988 PMCID: PMC11050428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease (PD), along with typical motor dysfunction, abnormal breathing is present; the cause of which is not well understood. The study aimed to analyze the effects of stimulation of the serotonergic system with 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A agonists in a model of PD induced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). To model PD, bilateral injection of 6-OHDA into both striata was performed in male Wistar rats. Respiratory disturbances in response to 7% hypercapnia (CO2 in O2) in the plethysmographic chamber before and after stimulation of the serotonergic system and the incidence of apnea were studied in awake rats 5 weeks after 6-OHDA or vehicle injection. Administration of 6-OHDA reduced the concentration of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NA) in the striatum and the level of 5-HT in the brainstem of treated rats, which have been associated with decreased basal ventilation, impaired respiratory response to 7% CO2 and increased incidence of apnea compared to Sham-operated rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the 5-HT1AR agonist 8-OH-DPAT and 5-HT2AR agonist NBOH-2C-CN increased breathing during normocapnia and hypercapnia in both groups of rats. However, it restored reactivity to hypercapnia in 6-OHDA group to the level present in Sham rats. Another 5-HT2AR agonist TCB-2 was only effective in increasing normocapnic ventilation in 6-OHDA rats. Both the serotonergic agonists 8-OH-DPAT and NBOH-2C-CN had stronger stimulatory effects on respiration in PD rats, compensating for deficits in basal ventilation and hypercapnic respiration. We conclude that serotonergic stimulation may have a positive effect on respiratory impairments that occur in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kryspin Andrzejewski
- Department of Respiration Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.A.); (M.E.O.)
| | - Magdalena E. Orłowska
- Department of Respiration Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.A.); (M.E.O.)
| | - Małgorzata Zaremba
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research (CePT), Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.), (I.J.-M.)
| | - Ilona Joniec-Maciejak
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research (CePT), Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.), (I.J.-M.)
| | - Katarzyna Kaczyńska
- Department of Respiration Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.A.); (M.E.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Janket SJ, Fraser DD, Baird AE, Tamimi F, Sohaei D, Conte HA, Prassas I, Diamandis EP. Tachykinins and the potential causal factors for post-COVID-19 condition. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e642-e650. [PMID: 37327802 PMCID: PMC10263974 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The most prevalent symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition are pulmonary dysfunction, fatigue and muscle weakness, anxiety, anosmia, dysgeusia, headaches, difficulty in concentrating, sexual dysfunction, and digestive disturbances. Hence, neurological dysfunction and autonomic impairments predominate in post-COVID-19 condition. Tachykinins including the most studied substance P are neuropeptides expressed throughout the nervous and immune systems, and contribute to many physiopathological processes in the nervous, immune, gastrointestinal, respiratory, urogenital, and dermal systems and participate in inflammation, nociception, and cell proliferation. Substance P is a key molecule in neuroimmune crosstalk; immune cells near the peripheral nerve endings can send signals to the brain with cytokines, which highlights the important role of tachykinins in neuroimmune communication. We reviewed the evidence that relates the symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition to the functions of tachykinins and propose a putative pathogenic mechanism. The antagonism of tachykinins receptors can be a potential treatment target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sok-Ja Janket
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Douglas D Fraser
- Paediatric Critical Care, Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alison E Baird
- Department of Neurology, SUNY Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Faleh Tamimi
- College of Dental Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dorsa Sohaei
- McGill University School of Medicine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Harry A Conte
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs, CT, USA
| | - Ioannis Prassas
- Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mehboob R, Oehme P, Pfaff G. The role of Substance P in the defense line of the respiratory tract and neurological manifestations post COVID-19 infection. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1052811. [PMID: 36949854 PMCID: PMC10025330 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1052811] [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: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance P (SP) has been a great interest for scientists due to its unique properties and involvement in various physiological and pathological phenomenon. It took almost a century for the current understanding of this peptide so far. Its role in brain and gut were initially discussed and later on it was widely studied and observed in cardiovascular system, asthma, traumatic brain injury, immune response, vasodilation, behavior, inflammation, arthritis, cancer, airway hyper responsiveness and respiratory disorders. Involvement of SP in sudden perinatal death and COVID-19 has also been discussed which shed light on its vital role in respiratory rhythm regulation and initiation of cytokine storming in COVID-19. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the researches done to understand the basic functions and involvement of SP in different processes of cell and its association with various diseases. This article describes the historical and scientific journey of SP from its discovery until today, including its future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Lahore Medical Research Center and LMRC Laboratories, LLP, Lahore, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Riffat Mehboob
| | | | - Gerhard Pfaff
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Gerhard Pfaff
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jia H, Qin Z, Wei B, Guo X, Xiao H, Zhang H, Li Z, Wu Q, Zheng R, Wu W. Substance P and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 7-36 Amide Mediate Anorexic Responses to Trichothecene Deoxynivalenol and Its Congeners. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120885. [PMID: 36548782 PMCID: PMC9785148 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Type B trichothecenes commonly contaminate cereal grains and include five structurally related congeners: deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), fusarenon X (FX), and nivalenol (NIV). These toxins are known to have negative effects on human and animal health, particularly affecting food intake. However, the pathophysiological basis for anorexic effect is not fully clarified. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential roles of the brain-gut peptides substance P (SP) and glucagon-like peptide-17-36 amide (GLP-1) in anorexic responses induced by type B trichothecenes following both intraperitoneal (IP) and oral administration. SP and GLP-1 were elevated at 1 or 2 h and returned to basal levels at 6 h following exposure to DON and both ADONs. FX induced the production of both brain gut peptides with initial time at 1 or 2 h and duration > 6 h. Similar to FX, exposing IP to NIV caused elevations of SP and GLP-1 at 1 h and lasted more than 6 h, whereas oral exposure to NIV only increased both brain gut peptides at 2 h. The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist Emend® dose-dependently attenuated both SP- and DON-induced anorexic responses. Pretreatment with the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) antagonist Exending9-39 induced a dose-dependent attenuation of both GLP-1- and DON-induced anorexic responses. To summarize, the results suggest that both SP and GLP-1 play important roles in anorexia induction by type B trichothecenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jia
- School of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, China
| | - Zihui Qin
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ben Wei
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xinyi Guo
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Huiping Xiao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Huayue Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zelin Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qinghua Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
| | - Ruibo Zheng
- School of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, China
| | - Wenda Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao H, Long L, Xiao B. Advances in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Acta Neurol Scand 2022; 146:716-722. [DOI: 10.1111/ane.13715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haiting Zhao
- Department of Neurology Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China
- Clinical Research Center for Epileptic Disease of Hunan Province Central South University Changsha China
| | - Lili Long
- Department of Neurology Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China
- Clinical Research Center for Epileptic Disease of Hunan Province Central South University Changsha China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China
- Clinical Research Center for Epileptic Disease of Hunan Province Central South University Changsha China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Eiden LE, Hernández VS, Jiang SZ, Zhang L. Neuropeptides and small-molecule amine transmitters: cooperative signaling in the nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:492. [PMID: 35997826 PMCID: PMC11072502 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04451-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are expressed in cell-specific patterns throughout mammalian brain. Neuropeptide gene expression has been useful for clustering neurons by phenotype, based on single-cell transcriptomics, and for defining specific functional circuits throughout the brain. How neuropeptides function as first messengers in inter-neuronal communication, in cooperation with classical small-molecule amine transmitters (SMATs) is a current topic of systems neurobiology. Questions include how neuropeptides and SMATs cooperate in neurotransmission at the molecular, cellular and circuit levels; whether neuropeptides and SMATs always co-exist in neurons; where neuropeptides and SMATs are stored in the neuron, released from the neuron and acting, and at which receptors, after release; and how neuropeptides affect 'classical' transmitter function, both directly upon co-release, and indirectly, via long-term regulation of gene transcription and neuronal plasticity. Here, we review an extensive body of data about the distribution of neuropeptides and their receptors, their actions after neuronal release, and their function based on pharmacological and genetic loss- and gain-of-function experiments, that addresses these questions, fundamental to understanding brain function, and development of neuropeptide-based, and potentially combinatorial peptide/SMAT-based, neurotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lee E Eiden
- Section On Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Room 5A38, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Vito S Hernández
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sunny Z Jiang
- Section On Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Room 5A38, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Limei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kaczyńska K, Orłowska ME, Andrzejewski K. Respiratory Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease: What Do We Know from Studies in Humans and Animal Models? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073499. [PMID: 35408858 PMCID: PMC8998219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by movement disorders due to the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the ventrolateral region of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Apart from the cardinal motor symptoms such as rigidity and bradykinesia, non-motor symptoms including those associated with respiratory dysfunction are of increasing interest. Not only can they impair the patients’ quality of life but they also can cause aspiration pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death among PD patients. This narrative review attempts to summarize the existing literature on respiratory impairments reported in human studies, as well as what is newly known from studies in animal models of the disease. Discussed are not only respiratory muscle dysfunction, apnea, and dyspnea, but also altered central respiratory control, responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia, and how they are affected by the pharmacological treatment of PD.
Collapse
|
9
|
Mehboob R, Kurdi M, Bamaga A, Aldardeir N, Nasief H, Moshref LH, Alsinani T, Rayes AO, Jabbad RH. Substance P/ Neurokinin-1 Receptor, Trigeminal Ganglion, Latency, and Coronavirus Infection-Is There Any Link? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:727593. [PMID: 34869423 PMCID: PMC8637107 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.727593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) is an acute respiratory and infectious disease. This perspective aims to provide a basic understanding of the inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its relation to the trigeminal ganglion (TG). The virus enters through the mucous membranes of the orofacial region and reaches the TG, where it resides and takes control of its peptides including Substance P (SP). SP is the main neuropeptide, neuromodulator, and neuro-hormone of TG, associated with nociception and inflammation under noxious stimulus. SP release is triggered and, consequently, affects the immune cells and blood vessels to release the mediators for inflammation. Hence, cytokine storm is initiated and causes respiratory distress, bronchoconstriction, and death in complicated cases. Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) is the receptor for SP and its antagonists, along with glucocorticoids, may be used to alleviate the symptoms and treat this infection by blocking this nociceptive pathway. SP seems to be the main culprit involved in the triggering of inflammatory pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infection. It may have a direct association with cardio-respiratory rhythm, sleep-wake cycle, nociception, and ventilatory responses and regulates many important physiological and pathological functions. Its over-secretion should be blocked by NK-1R antagonist. However, experimental work leading to clinical trials are mandatory for further confirmation. Here, it is further proposed that there is a possibility of latency in SARS-CoV-2 virus infection if it is acting through TG, which is the main site for other viruses that become latent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.,Lahore Medical Research Center, LLP, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Maher Kurdi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Bamaga
- Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Njoud Aldardeir
- Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hisham Nasief
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Leena H Moshref
- Department of Surgery, Doctor Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taghreed Alsinani
- Division of Neurosurgery, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Almotasimbellah O Rayes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem H Jabbad
- Department of Medicine, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Patodia S, Somani A, Thom M. Review: Neuropathology findings in autonomic brain regions in SUDEP and future research directions. Auton Neurosci 2021; 235:102862. [PMID: 34411885 PMCID: PMC8455454 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autonomic dysfunction is implicated from clinical, neuroimaging and experimental studies in sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Neuropathological analysis in SUDEP series enable exploration of acquired, seizure-related cellular adaptations in autonomic and brainstem autonomic centres of relevance to dysfunction in the peri-ictal period. Alterations in SUDEP compared to control groups have been identified in the ventrolateral medulla, amygdala, hippocampus and central autonomic regions. These involve neuropeptidergic, serotonergic and adenosine systems, as well as specific regional astroglial and microglial populations, as potential neuronal modulators, orchestrating autonomic dysfunction. Future research studies need to extend to clinically and genetically characterized epilepsies, to explore if common or distinct pathways of autonomic dysfunction mediate SUDEP. The ultimate objective of SUDEP research is the identification of disease biomarkers for at risk patients, to improve post-mortem recognition and disease categorisation, but ultimately, for exposing potential treatment targets of pharmacologically modifiable and reversible cellular alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Smriti Patodia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Alyma Somani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Maria Thom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mehboob R. Neurokinin-1 Receptor as a potential drug target for COVID-19 treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112159. [PMID: 34536760 PMCID: PMC8435369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has become a pandemic in these days. It is an acute respiratory and infectious disease with no known etiology and treatment. It is continuously causing losses of precious lives and economy at a global scale on daily basis. It is the need of the hour to find more treatment strategies by either developing a drug or to boost the immune system. This opinion article aims to provide Substance P (SP) as a possible cause of the initiation of cytokine storm developed in COVID-19 infection and to suggest Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, Aprepitant, as a drug to be used for its treatment. This perspective will provide directions to the Biomedical scientists to explore SP and NK-1R and prepare a drug to alleviate the symptoms and cure the disease. It is very important to work on this perspective at earliest to reach to some conclusion regarding the therapeutic intervention. Clinical studies may also be conducted if proven successful. SP is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, released from the trigeminal nerve of brainstem as a result of nociception. It is directly related to the respiratory illness as in COVID-19 infection. It is responsible for the increased inflammation and the signature symptoms associated with this disease. It is the main switch that needs to be switched off by administering Aprepitant along with glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan; Lahore Medical Research Center, LLP, Lahore, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Deficiency of Biogenic Amines Modulates the Activity of Hypoglossal Nerve in the Reserpine Model of Parkinson's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030531. [PMID: 33801475 PMCID: PMC8001069 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The underlying cause of respiratory impairments appearing in Parkinson's disease (PD) is still far from being elucidated. To better understand the pathogenesis of respiratory disorders appearing in PD, we studied hypoglossal (HG) and phrenic (PHR) motoneuron dysfunction in a rat model evoked with reserpine administration. After reserpine, a decrease in the baseline amplitude and minute HG activity was noted, and no depressive phase of the hypoxic ventilatory response was observed. The pre-inspiratory time of HG activity along with the ratio of pre-inspiratory time to total respiratory cycle time and the ratio of pre-inspiratory to inspiratory amplitude were significantly reduced during normoxia, hypoxia, and recovery compared to sham rats. We suggest that the massive depletion of not only dopamine, but above all noradrenaline and serotonin in the brainstem observed in our study, has an impact on the pre-inspiratory activity of the HG. The shortening of the pre-inspiratory activity of the HG in the reserpine model may indicate a serious problem with maintaining the correct diameter of the upper airways in the preparation phase for inspiratory effort and explain the development of obstructive sleep apnea in some PD patients. Therapies involving the supplementation of amine depletion other than dopamine should be considered.
Collapse
|
13
|
Mehboob R, Lavezzi AM. Neuropathological explanation of minimal COVID-19 infection rate in newborns, infants and children - a mystery so far. New insight into the role of Substance P. J Neurol Sci 2020; 420:117276. [PMID: 33360484 PMCID: PMC7834711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sars-Cov-2 or Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has become a global challenge, affecting elderly population at large, causing a burden on hospitals. It has been affecting the world from a health and economic perspective after its emergence since October 2019 at Wuhan province of China. Later on it became a pandemic, with aged people most affected. Surprisingly, the infants and children were not severely infected and mortality among them was reported infrequently. If they died it was due to some comorbidity or congenital heart problems. Why the rate of infection varies in different age groups around the world and what is the protective mechanism in children remains a mystery. Based on our neuropathological experience at the “Lino Rossi Research Center for the study and prevention of the unexpected perinatal death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)” of the University of Milan, Italy, we hypothesize that the decreased severity of the disease in infants compared to the elderly may be due to alteration at neurotransmitter levels especially of the Substance P (SP) and of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the brainstem that is responsible for its secretion. This neurotransmitter may be directly related to the respiratory illness as is in COVID-19 infection. It is responsible for the increased inflammation and the characteristic symptoms associated with this disease. It is the main switch that must be urgently turned off using the NK-1R antagonist which is the receptor of SP and responsible for its functionality, especially in the elderly. COVID-19 is the biggest public health crisis of recent times. Children are not significantly affected in the same way as adults by COVID-19. The infant's immune system might protect from the ‘cytokine storm’ of adults. Increased expression of substance P in brains is here proposed as a possible cause. Aprepitant could be a promising therapeutic approach to COVID-19 infection in adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan; Lino Rossi Research Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|