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Loan A, Syal C, Lui M, He L, Wang J. Promising use of metformin in treating neurological disorders: biomarker-guided therapies. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1045-1055. [PMID: 37862207 PMCID: PMC10749596 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385286] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders are a diverse group of conditions that affect the nervous system and include neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease), cerebrovascular conditions (stroke), and neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder). Although they affect millions of individuals around the world, only a limited number of effective treatment options are available today. Since most neurological disorders express mitochondria-related metabolic perturbations, metformin, a biguanide type II antidiabetic drug, has attracted a lot of attention to be repurposed to treat neurological disorders by correcting their perturbed energy metabolism. However, controversial research emerges regarding the beneficial/detrimental effects of metformin on these neurological disorders. Given that most neurological disorders have complex etiology in their pathophysiology and are influenced by various risk factors such as aging, lifestyle, genetics, and environment, it is important to identify perturbed molecular functions that can be targeted by metformin in these neurological disorders. These molecules can then be used as biomarkers to stratify subpopulations of patients who show distinct molecular/pathological properties and can respond to metformin treatment, ultimately developing targeted therapy. In this review, we will discuss mitochondria-related metabolic perturbations and impaired molecular pathways in these neurological disorders and how these can be used as biomarkers to guide metformin-responsive treatment for the targeted therapy to treat neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Loan
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Charvi Syal
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Margarita Lui
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Pedreañez A, Carrero Y, Vargas R, Hernandez-Fonseca JP, Mosquera-Sulbaran J. Possible role of metformin as an antidepressant in diabetes. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:349-355. [PMID: 38286229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Metformin (MET) is a drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes due to its insulin receptor sensitizing properties and anti-hepatic gluconeogenesis effect. One of the comorbidities in diabetes is the depression. This review aimed at summarizing the results of the available MET, depression and diabetes studies to clarify the possible role of MET in the depression during diabetes. METHODS A bibliographic search on PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Central for studies referring to MET, depression and diabetes. RESULTS Several studies have associated depression to the chronic inflammation that characterizes diabetes. Additionally MET is an anti-inflammatory molecule that generally acts by activating AMPK and inhibiting the NF-kB factor. In the context of diabetes, MET can act directly as an anti-inflammatory drug as well as inhibiting other pro-inflammatory molecules. In this regard, MET may inhibit the pro-inflammatory effects of angiotensin II. By facilitating the action of insulin and reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis, MET reduces circulating glucose levels, decreasing the formation of advanced glycation end products and therefore inflammation. During diabetes, the gut microbiota and the permeability of the intestinal barrier are altered, causing high levels of circulating lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which induce inflammation. MET can normalize the microbiota and the intestinal barrier permeability reducing the levels of LPS and inflammation. Clinical and experimental studies show the anti-depressant effect of MET mediated by different mechanisms both at the peripheral level and in the central nervous system. CONCLUSION Therefore, MET as an anti-inflammatory drug can decrease symptoms of depression and represents a therapeutic approach to improve the psychological state of patients with diabetes. Additionally, insulin also has an anti-inflammatory effect that could act together with MET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Pedreañez
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Escuela de Bioanálisis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Yenddy Carrero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas "Dr. Américo Negrette", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Renata Vargas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas "Dr. Américo Negrette", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Juan P Hernandez-Fonseca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas "Dr. Américo Negrette", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela; Servicio de Microscopia Electrónica del Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC) Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Mosquera-Sulbaran
- Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas "Dr. Américo Negrette", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
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Zhu XQ, Gao D. Naringenin alleviates cognitive dysfunction in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through up-regulating hippocampal BDNF-TrkB signaling: involving suppression in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Neuroreport 2024; 35:216-224. [PMID: 38141009 PMCID: PMC10852040 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the common complications of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) injury after ischemic stroke. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are the core pathological mechanism of CI/R injury. The activation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling antagonize cognitive dysfunction in a series of neuropathy. Naringenin (NAR) improves cognitive function in many diseases, but the role of NAR in CI/R injury-induced cognitive dysfunction remains unexplored. The study aimed to explore the potential protective effects of NAR in CI/R injury-induced cognitive dysfunction and underlying mechanism. The rats were exposed to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and then treated with distilled water or NAR (50 or 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 30 days. The Y-maze test, Novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test were performed to assess cognitive function. The levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The expressions of BDNF/TrkB signaling were detected by Western blot. NAR prevented cognitive impairment in MCAO-induced CI/R injury rats. Moreover, NAR inhibited oxidative stress (reduced levels of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, increased activities of superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase) and inflammatory cytokines (reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-6), up-regulated the expressions of BDNF and p-TrkB in hippocampus of MCAO-induced CI/R rats. NAR ameliorated cognitive dysfunction of CI/R rats via inhibiting oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory response, and up-regulating BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qin Zhu
- Health School of Nuclear Industry, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China
| | - Dong Gao
- The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Medical administration division, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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Mohamed EK, Hafez DM. Gallic acid and metformin co-administration reduce oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation via Fas/caspase-3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in thioacetamide-induced acute hepatic encephalopathy in rats. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:265. [PMID: 37491245 PMCID: PMC10367384 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04067-9] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a consequence of chronic or acute liver diseases. This study evaluates the combined effect of gallic acid (GA), and metformin (Met) on the liver and brain damage associated with HE. METHODS Acute HE was induced by a single dose of thioacetamide (TAA) (300 mg/kg) as an I.P. injection. Treated groups received GA group (100 mg/kg/day, p.o), Met (200 mg/kg/day, p.o), or their combination for 25 consecutive days before TAA injection. RESULTS The administration of TAA induced various biochemical and histopathological alterations. In contrast, treatment with GA either alone or combined with Met resulted in improved liver functions by the significant reduction in serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities, and ammonia levels. Inflammatory mediators; TNF-α, IL-6, and NFkβ levels were decreased by these treatments as well as apoptotic cascade via down-regulation of FAS and caspase-3 (CASP-3) expression in hepatic tissues. Furthermore, GA and Met either alone or combined protected the liver and brain tissues from damage by increased glutathione concentration while decreasing malondialdehyde. In addition, it was accompanied by the improvement of the brain neurotransmitter profile via the restoration of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin levels. Based on our data, this is the first study to report a novel combined hepatoprotective and cognitive enhancing effect of GA and Met against TAA-induced acute liver and brain injury. CONCLUSION GA and Met combination resulted in a prominent improvement in HE complications, relative to monotherapy. Both agents potentiated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Khedre Mohamed
- Biochemistry department, Egyptian DRUG AUTHORITY (EDA), formerly National Organization of Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt.
| | - Dawlat Mohamed Hafez
- Histology department, Egyptian DRUG AUTHORITY (EDA), formerly National Organization of Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt
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Shen D, Ye X, Li J, Hao X, Jin L, Jin Y, Tong L, Gao F. Metformin Preserves VE–Cadherin in Choroid Plexus and Attenuates Hydrocephalus via VEGF/VEGFR2/p-Src in an Intraventricular Hemorrhage Rat Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158552. [PMID: 35955686 PMCID: PMC9369137 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrocephalus induced by intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is associated with unfavorable prognosis. The increased permeability of choroid plexus and breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was reported as a prominent mechanism of IVH-induced hydrocephalus, and vascular endothelial–cadherin (VE–cadherin) was demonstrated to be relevant. Metformin was reported to protect endothelial junction and preserve permeability widely; however, its role in hydrocephalus remains unclear. In this study, the decreased expression of VE–cadherin in the choroid plexus, accompanied with ventricle dilation, was investigated in an IVH rat model induced by intraventricular injection of autologous blood. Metformin treatment ameliorated hydrocephalus and upregulated VE–cadherin expression in choroid plexus meanwhile. We then observed that the internalization of VE–cadherin caused by the activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling after IVH was related to the occurrence of hydrocephalus, whereas it can be reversed by metformin treatment. Restraining VEGF signaling by antagonizing VEGFR2 or inhibiting Src phosphorylation increased the expression of VE–cadherin and decreased the severity of hydrocephalus after IVH. Our study demonstrated that the internalization of VE–cadherin via the activation of VEGF signaling may contribute to IVH-induced hydrocephalus, and metformin may be a potential protector via suppressing this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
| | - Xianghua Ye
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
| | - Jiawen Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
| | - Xiaodi Hao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
- Department of Neurology, Henan Province People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Luhang Jin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yujia Jin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
| | - Lusha Tong
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
- Correspondence: (L.T.); (F.G.)
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; (D.S.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (X.H.); (L.J.); (Y.J.)
- Correspondence: (L.T.); (F.G.)
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Hakimizadeh E, Zamanian MY, Borisov VV, Giménez-Llort L, Ehsani V, Kaeidi A, Hassanshahi J, Khajehasani F, Movahedinia S, Fatemi I. Gemfibrozil, a lipid-lowering drug, reduces anxiety, enhances memory, and improves brain oxidative stress in d-galactose-induced aging mice. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2022; 36:501-508. [PMID: 34989025 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gemfibrozil (GFZ) is a lipid-lowering drug with several other effects, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In the current study, chronic d-galactose treatment (d-gal, 150 mg/kg/day; i.p., 6 weeks) induced a model of accelerated aging in male mice and was used to study the behavioral, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects of GFZ (100 mg/kg/day; p.o.). Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the elevated plus-maze while working memory was measured by spontaneous alternation in a Y-maze. Brain oxidative stress was determined by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Neuropathological evaluation of the brain with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining was also performed. The results demonstrated that the anxious-like phenotype and the cognitive impairments observed in d-gal-treated mice could be prevented in those animals coadministered with GFZ. Besides, the decrease in SOD and GPx antioxidant enzymatic activities and increase of MDA levels were also prevented in the brains of d-gal plus GFZ treated mice. Preliminary hematoxylin-eosin staining also suggested neuroprotective effects of GFZ. The results of Masson's trichrome staining showed no evidence of fibrosis in brain sections of different experimental groups. The current data provide novel insights into GFZ in the d-galactose-induced aging mouse model that open promising future research lines to determine inflammatory mediators and cell signaling underlying these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Hakimizadeh
- Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yassin Zamanian
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,School of Nahavand Paramedical, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Vitaliy Viktorovich Borisov
- Department of Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases, Institute of Dentistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lydia Giménez-Llort
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vahid Ehsani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Ayat Kaeidi
- Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Jalal Hassanshahi
- Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khajehasani
- Department of Radiology, Afzalipour Medicine School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sajjadeh Movahedinia
- Department of Pathology, Afzalipour Medicine School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iman Fatemi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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El-Safty H, Ismail A, Abdelsalam RM, El-Sahar AE, Saad MA. Dapagliflozin diminishes memory and cognition impairment in Streptozotocin induced diabetes through its effect on Wnt/β-Catenin and CREB pathway. Brain Res Bull 2022; 181:109-120. [PMID: 35093471 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy is a chronic condition that affects a significant number of individuals with diabetes. Streptozotocin injection intraperitoneally to rodents produces pancreatic islet β-cell destruction causing hyperglycemia, which affect the brain leading to memory and cognition impairment. Dapagliflozin may be able to reverse beta-cell injury and alleviate this impairment. This effect may be via neuroprotective effect or possible involvement of the antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. Forty rats were divided into four groups as follows: The normal control group, STZ-induced diabetes group, STZ-induced diabetic rats followed by treatment with oral dapagliflozin group and normal rats treated with oral dapagliflozin. Behavioral tests (Object location memory task and Morris water maze) were performed. Serum biomarkers (blood glucose and insulin) were measured and then the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. In the hippocampus the followings were determined; calmodulin, ca-calmodulin kinase Ⅳ (CaMKIV), protein kinase A (PKA) and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein to determine the transcription factor CREB and its signaling pathway also Wnt signaling pathway and related parameters (WnT, B-catenin, lymphoid enhancer binding factor LEF, glycogen synthase kinase 3β). Moreover, nuclear receptor-related protein-1, acetylcholine and its hydrolyzing enzyme acetylcholine esterase, oxidative stress parameter malondialdehyde (MDA) and apoptotic parameter caspase-3 were determined. STZ was able to cause destruction to pancreatic β-cells which was reflected on glucose levels causing diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy was clear in the rats performing the behavioral tests. Memory and cognition parameters in the hippocampus were negatively affected. Oxidative stress and apoptotic parameter were elevated while the electrical activity was declined. Dapagliflozin was able to reverse the previously mentioned parameters and behavior. Thus, to say dapagliflozin significantly showed neuroprotective action along with antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala El-Safty
- National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Ashraf Ismail
- Research and Training Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rania M Abdelsalam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ayman E El-Sahar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Muhammed A Saad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University, Cairo, Egypt
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