Continuous intracerebroventricular injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide induces systemic organ dysfunction in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Persistent brain exposure to high sodium induces stroke onset by upregulation of cerebral microbleeds and oxidative stress in hypertensive rats

High salt intake induces hypertension and enhances stroke onset. However, whether an increase in brain sodium exposure itself is harmful and has poor prognosis remains unknown. Therefore, we employed hypertensive rats that underwent intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of sodium for 28 days and evaluated stroke onset and related cytotoxic brain injuries. Forty-seven spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHRSP) and 39 normotensive rats (Wistar Kyoto rats [WKY]) underwent persistent ICV infusion of the following four solutions: artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 0.9%, 2.7%, and 9% saline for 28 days. We evaluated stroke onset and all-cause mortality between SHRSP and WKY at each ICV sodium concentration as the primary endpoints. Our secondary objective was to explore histological brain injuries associated with SHRSP induced by high sodium ICV. The results indicated that ICV infusion of 2.7% and 9% sodium showed a significant increase in stroke onset, decrease in body weight, and increase rate of brain water content in SHRSP compared to WKY. Increased blood pressure was not observed for ICV infusion of high sodium, while serum sodium concentration was significantly increased in SHRSP compared to WKY. Histological evaluations revealed that higher sodium infusion significantly increased the number of activated microglia, superoxide, neuronal cell loss, and microbleeds compared to WKY and SHRSP with 0.9% sodium. We conclude that persistent exposure to high sodium in the brain is one of the risk factors for stroke onset upregulating cerebral microbleeds and oxidative stress in hypertensive rats.

Profiling the oral microbiomes in patients with Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the characteristics of the oral microbiomes and expected to find biomarkers about Alzheimer's disease (AD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

AD patients (n = 26) and cognitive intact people (n = 26) were examined for cognition, depression, oral health and collected saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in the morning. Full-length 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequencing was performed using the PacBio platform.

RESULTS

The predominant bacterium of salivary microbiome and periodontal microbiome from AD patients was Streptococcus oralis and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. With respect to β diversity analysis, there was a significance difference in periodontal microbiome between AD patients and cognitively intact subjects. The relative abundance of Veillonella parvula significantly increased in oral microbiomes from AD patients. Interestingly, the dominant species were different between early-onset AD and late-onset AD patients. Moreover, the predominant species were changed as the clinical severity of AD. Furthermore, the correlation analysis revealed that V. parvula was associated with AD in both saliva and GCF and that P. gingivalis was associated with AD only in GCF.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the microbiome community of oral microbes was altered in AD patients and periodontal microbiome was sensitive to cognition changes. Moreover, V. parvula and P. gingivalis were associated with AD.

miR-671-5p Upregulation Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in the Ischemia Stroke Model Via the NF-кB/MMP-9 Signaling Pathway

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption can induce further hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke (IS). miR-671-5p, a micro-RNA, is abundant in the cortex of mammalian brains. Herein, we investigated the roles and potential mechanisms for the effects of miR-671-5p on BBB permeability in IS. Results showed that miR-671-5p levels were significantly downregulated in the cerebral cortex of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) C57/BL6 mice in vivo. miR-671-5p agomir administration via right intracerebroventricular injection significantly reduced infarct volume, improved neurological deficits, the axon of neurons and nerve fiber, attenuated cell injury and apoptosis, as well as reduced BBB permeability in MCAO/R mice. Treatment with miR-671-5p agomir alleviated tight junction proteins degradation, including claudin, occludin, and ZO-1 in MCAO/R mice, and these effects were reversed following NF-κB overexpression. Bend.3 brain endothelial cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment in vivo, and then miR-671-5p agomir was transfected into the cells. This resulted in reduction of cytotoxicity, improved cell viability, trans-endothelial electrical resistance, reduced fluorescein sodium permeability, and inhibited tight junction degradation in Bend.3 OGD/R cells. However, these effects were reversed following NF-κB overexpression. These results demonstrated that upregulation of miR-671-5p in IS models in vivo and in vitro alleviated BBB permeability by targeting NF-κB/MMP-9. In summary, miR-671-5p is a potential therapeutic target for protecting BBB permeability in IS to minimize cerebral hemorrhage transformation.

How Periodontitis or Periodontal Bacteria Can Influence Alzheimer's Disease Features? A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical Studies

BACKGROUND

The negative effects of periodontitis on systemic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been widely described.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to gather the current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms linking periodontitis to AD.

METHODS

An electronic systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases was performed using the following PECO question: How can periodontitis or periodontal bacteria influence Alzheimer's disease features?". Only preclinical studies exploring the biological links between periodontitis and AD pathology were included. This study was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), and the Syrcle and Camarades protocols were used to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

After a systematic screening of titles and abstracts (n = 3,307), thirty-six titles were selected for abstract reading, of which 13 were excluded (k = 1), resulting in the inclusion of 23 articles. Oral or systemic exposure to periodontopathogens or their byproducts is responsible for both in situ brain manifestations and systemic effects. Significant elevated rates of cytokines and amyloid peptides (Aβ) and derivate products were found in both serum and brain. Additionally, in infected animals, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, hippocampal microgliosis, and neuronal death were observed. Exposure to periodontal infection negatively impairs cognitive behavior, leading to memory decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic inflammation and brain metastatic infections induced by periodontal pathogens contribute to neuroinflammation, amyloidosis, and tau phosphorylation, leading to brain damage and subsequent cognitive impairment.

Is Periodontitis Associated with Age-Related Cognitive Impairment? The Systematic Review, Confounders Assessment and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies

It has been suggested that molecular pathological mechanisms responsible for periodontitis can be linked with biochemical alterations in neurodegenerative disorders. Hypothetically, chronic systemic inflammation as a response to periodontitis plays a role in the etiology of cognitive impairment. This study aimed to determine whether periodontitis (PDS) is a risk factor for age-related cognitive impairment (ACI) based on evidence of clinical studies. A comprehensive, structured systematic review of existing data adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was carried out. Five electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, were searched for key terms published in peer-reviewed journals until January 2021. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of studies and risk of bias. The primary and residual confounders were explored and evaluated. A meta-analysis synthesizing quantitative data was carried out using a random-effects model. Seventeen clinical studies were identified, including 14 cohort, one cross-sectional, and two case-control studies. Study samples ranged from 85 to 262,349 subjects, with follow-up between 2 and 32 years, and age above 45 years, except for two studies. The findings of studies suggesting the PDS-ACI relationship revealed substantial differences in design and methods. A noticeable variation related to the treatment of confounders was observed. Quality assessment unveiled a moderate quality of evidence and risk of bias. The subgroups meta-analysis and pooled sensitivity analysis of results from seven eligible studies demonstrated overall that the presence of PDS is associated with an increased risk of incidence of cognitive impairment (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.03-1.79), particularly dementia (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.02-1.88) and Alzheimer's disease (OR = 1.03 95% CI 0.98-1.07)). However, a considerable heterogeneity of synthesized data (I2 = 96%) and potential publication bias might affect obtained results. While there is a moderate statistical association between periodontitis and dementia, as well as Alzheimer's disease, the risk of bias in the evidence prevents conclusions being drawn about the role of periodontitis as a risk factor for age-related cognitive impairment.

The oral microbiota and cardiometabolic health: A comprehensive review and emerging insights

There is mounting evidence demonstrating that oral dysbiosis causes periodontal disease and promotes the development of cardiovascular disease. The advancement of omics techniques has driven the optimization of oral microbiota species analysis and has provided a deeper understanding of oral pathogenic bacteria. A bi-directional relationship exists between the oral microbiota and the host, and oral-gut microbiota transfer is known to alter the composition of the gut microbiota and may cause local metabolic disorders. Furthermore, cardiovascular health can also be highly affected by oral microbiota functions and metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and some lipid metabolites. Studies have found that trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) may have adverse effects on cardiovascular health, whereas SCFAs, NO, and H2S have cardioprotective effects. SCFAs and H2S exert varying oral and cardiovascular effects, however reports on this specific topic remain controversial. Previous evidences are accustomed to summarizing the functions of oral microbiota in the context of periodontitis. The direct relationship between oral microbiota and cardiovascular diseases is insufficient. By systematically summarizing the methods associated with oral microbiota transplantation (OMT), this review facilitates an investigation into the causal links between oral microbiota and cardiovascular disease. The concomitant development of omics, bioinformatics, bacterial culture techniques, and microbiota transplantation techniques is required to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between oral microbiota and cardiovascular disease occurrence.

Periodontal Treatment and Usual Care for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Periodontal disease is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated periodontal treatment efficacy in patients with NAFLD and periodontal disease.

METHODS

This multicenter, 2-arm, randomized study recruited adult patients with NAFLD and periodontitis, alanine aminotransferase levels ≥40 U/L, and equivalent steatosis grade ≥1. Forty eligible patients (18 men and 22 women) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (scaling and root planning [SRP; n = 20] and tooth brushing [n = 20] groups) stratified by age and sex. The primary and secondary endpoints were changes in alanine aminotransferase levels and serum Porphyromonas gingivalis IgG antibody titers from baseline to 12 weeks, respectively. Efficacy analysis was performed using an intention-to-treat approach ( t test). This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000022079).

RESULTS

We observed a significantly higher decrease in absolute alanine aminotransferase levels and P. gingivalis IgG antibody titers in the SRP group than in the tooth brushing group (-12 vs 1 U/L; mean difference [δ], -12; 95% confidence interval [CI], -20 to -5; P = 0.002). The decrease in P. gingivalis IgG antibody titer was significantly higher in the SRP group than in the tooth brushing group (FDC381, -1.6 [2.5]; δ, -1.6; 95% CI, -2.7 to -0.4; P = 0.0092; SU63, -1.7 [2.0]; δ, -1.7; 95% CI, -2.7 to -0.7). No life-threatening events or treatment-related deaths occurred.

DISCUSSION

Periodontal treatment induced significant short-term and mid-term reductions in liver enzyme levels and antibody titers. Further research is warranted to clearly define SRP efficacy and tolerability in patients with NAFLD and periodontitis.

Outer membrane vesicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis trigger NLRP3 inflammasome and induce neuroinflammation, tau phosphorylation, and memory dysfunction in mice

Background

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), the keystone pathogen in chronic periodontitis, is reported to initiate Alzheimer’s disease pathologies in preclinical studies. However, the specific mechanisms and signaling pathways acting on the brain still need to be further explored. Outer membrane vesicles are derived from Gram-negative bacteria and contain many virulence factors of bacteria. We hypothesized that outer membrane vesicles are an important weapon of Porphyromonas gingivalis to initiate Alzheimer’s disease pathologies.

Methods

The outer membrane vesicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg OMVs, 4 mg/kg) or saline were delivered to 14-month-old mice by oral gavage every other day for eight weeks. Behavioral alterations were assessed by the open field test, Morris water maze, and Y-maze test. Blood–brain barrier permeability, neuroinflammation, tau phosphorylation, and NLRP3 inflammasome-related protein were analyzed.

Results

Pg OMVs impaired memory and learning ability of mice and decreased tight junction–related gene expression ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, and occludin protein expression in the hippocampus. Pg OMVs could be detected in the hippocampus and cortex three days after oral gavage. Furthermore, Pg OMVs activated both astrocytes and microglia and elevated IL-1β, tau phosphorylation on the Thr231 site, and NLRP3 inflammasome–related protein expression in the hippocampus. In in vitro studies, Pg OMV (5 µg/ml) stimulation increased the mRNA and immunofluorescence of NLRP3 in BV2 microglia, which were significantly inhibited by the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950. In contrast, the tau phosphorylation in N2a neurons was enhanced after treatment with conditioned media from Pg OMV-stimulated microglia, which was attenuated after pretreatment with MCC950.

Conclusions

These results indicate that Pg OMVs prompt memory dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and tau phosphorylation and trigger NLRP3 inflammasome in the brain of middle-aged mice. We propose that Pg OMVs play an important role in activating neuroinflammation in the AD-like pathology triggered by Porphyromonas gingivalis, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation is a possible mechanism.

The optimization of ligature/bone defect-induced periodontitis model in rats

The destruction of alveolar bone is a crucial manifestation of severe chronic periodontitis, which stem cell-based bioengineered therapies are expected to cure. Therefore, a cost-effective, reproducible, quantifiability and easier to administrate animal model that mimics human periodontitis is of great importance for further endeavor. In this study, we created periodontitis rat models in silk ligation group, bone defect group and bone defect/silk ligation group, respectively. Obvious periodontal inflammation but slight alveolar bone resorption was observed in the ligation group, while surgical trauma was not robust enough to continually worsen the constructed bone defect area in the bone defect group. In the bone defect/ligature group, significant and stable periodontal inflammation was the most enduring with similar evolving pathological patterns of human periodontitis. It also exhibited enhanced clinical similarity and confirmed its superiority in quantitativeness. The present rat model is the first study to reproduce a pathological process similar to human periodontitis with reliable stability and repeatability, manifesting a priority to previous methods. Day 9-12 is the best time for reproducing severe periodontitis syndromes with vertical bone resorption in this model.

Long Non-coding RNA ANRIL Downregulation Alleviates Neuroinflammation in an Ischemia Stroke Model via Modulation of the miR-671-5p/NF-κB Pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of the long non-coding RNA ANRIL (antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus, ANRIL) in ischemia stroke (IS) injury. Downregulation of ANRIL by right intracerebroventricular injected si-ANRIL in middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R) C57/BL6 mice and by transferring si-ANRIL in oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) HT22 cells. The results showed that ANRIL levels increased in IS model, downregulation of ANRIL reduced infract area, neurological deficit scores and injured cells, and prolong fall latency time in MCAO/R mice, improved cell viability and reduced cell cytotoxicity in OGD/R cells. Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization detected that there were both ANRIL and miR-671-5p in neurons; miranda v3.3a and dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-671-5p was one of direct target of ANRIL; and our previously published research demonstrated that NF-κB was one of direct target of miR-671-5p. Downregulation of ANRIL alleviated neuroinflammation and reduced p-NF-κB, NF-κB, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-a), and iNOS, which diminished by miR-671-5p antagomir both in in vivo and in vitro IS models. Downregulation of ANRIL alleviated disruption of blood brain barrier, and protected against tight junction (ZO-1, occludin and claudin 5) disorder in MCAO/R mice. This work clarified that downregulation of ANRIL reduced neuroinflammation by negatively regulating miR-671-5p to inhibit NF-κB in IS models, which provided a theoretical foundation for the protective effect of downregulating ANRIL for IS patients.

Periodontal microorganisms and Alzheimer disease - A causative relationship?

In the initiation or exacerbation of Alzheimer disease, the dissemination of oral microorganisms into the brain tissue or the low‐level systemic inflammation have been speculated to play a role. However, the impact of oral microorganisms, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and the potential causative relationship is still unclear. The present review has critically reviewed the literature by examining the following aspects: (a) the oral microbiome and the immune response in the elderly population, (b) human studies on the association between periodontal and gut microorganisms and Alzheimer disease, (c) animal and in vitro studies on microorganisms and Alzheimer disease, and (d) preventive and therapeutic approaches. Factors contributing to microbial dysbiosis seem to be aging, local inflammation, systemic diseases, wearing of dentures, living in nursing homes and no access to adequate oral hygiene measures. Porphyromonas gingivalis was detectable in post‐mortem brain samples. Microbiome analyses of saliva samples or oral biofilms showed a decreased microbial diversity and a different composition in Alzheimer disease compared to cognitively healthy subjects. Many in‐vitro and animal studies underline the potential of P gingivalis to induce Alzheimer disease‐related alterations. In animal models, recurring applications of P gingivalis or its components increased pro‐inflammatory mediators and β‐amyloid in the brain and deteriorated the animals' cognitive performance. Since periodontitis is the result of a disturbed microbial homoeostasis, an effect of periodontal therapy on the oral microbiome and host response related to cognitive parameters may be suggested and should be elucidated in further clinical trials.

Oral biosciences: The annual review 2021

BACKGROUND

The Journal of Oral Biosciences is devoted to advancing and disseminating fundamental knowledge concerning every aspect of oral biosciences.

HIGHLIGHT

This review features review articles in the fields of "Extracellular Vesicles," "Propolis," "Odontogenic Tumors," "Periodontitis," "Periodontium," "Flavonoids," "Lactoferrin," "Dental Plaque," "Anatomy," "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells," "Bone Cell Biology," "Dysgeusia," "Dental Caries," and "Dental Pulp Cavity," in addition to the review article by the winners of the "Lion Award" ("Sox9 function in salivary gland development") presented by the Japanese Association for Oral Biology.

CONCLUSION

These reviews in the Journal of Oral Biosciences have inspired its readers to broaden their knowledge regarding various aspects of oral biosciences. The current editorial review introduces these exciting review articles.

The Impact of Systemic Inflammation on Alzheimer's Disease Pathology

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating age-related neurodegenerative disorder with an alarming increasing prevalence. Except for the recently FDA-approved Aducanumab of which the therapeutic effect is not yet conclusively proven, only symptomatic medication that is effective for some AD patients is available. In order to be able to design more rational and effective treatments, our understanding of the mechanisms behind the pathogenesis and progression of AD urgently needs to be improved. Over the last years, it became increasingly clear that peripheral inflammation is one of the detrimental factors that can contribute to the disease. Here, we discuss the current understanding of how systemic and intestinal (referred to as the gut-brain axis) inflammatory processes may affect brain pathology, with a specific focus on AD. Moreover, we give a comprehensive overview of the different preclinical as well as clinical studies that link peripheral Inflammation to AD initiation and progression. Altogether, this review broadens our understanding of the mechanisms behind AD pathology and may help in the rational design of further research aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Do Periodontal Pathogens or Associated Virulence Factors Have a Deleterious Effect on the Blood-Brain Barrier, Contributing to Alzheimer's Disease?

The central nervous system (CNS) is protected by a highly selective barrier, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), that regulates the exchange and homeostasis of bloodborne molecules, excluding xenobiotics. This barrier forms the first line of defense by prohibiting pathogens from crossing to the CNS. Aging and chronic exposure of the BBB to pathogens renders it permeable, and this may give rise to pathology in the CNS such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Researchers have linked pathogens associated with periodontitis to neuroinflammation and AD-like pathology in vivo and in vitro. Although the presence of periodontitis-associated bacteria has been linked to AD in several clinical studies as DNA and virulence factors were confirmed in brain samples of human AD subjects, the mechanism by which the bacteria traverse to the brain and potentially influences neuropathology is unknown. In this review, we present current knowledge about the association between periodontitis and AD, the mechanism whereby periodontal pathogens might provoke neuroinflammation and how periodontal pathogens could affect the BBB. We suggest future studies, with emphasis on the use of human in vitro models of cells associated with the BBB to unravel the pathway of entry for these bacteria to the CNS and to reveal the molecular and cellular pathways involved in initiating the AD-like pathology. In conclusion, evidence demonstrate that bacteria associated with periodontitis and their virulence factors are capable of inflecting damage to the BBB and have a role in giving rise to pathology similar to that found in AD.

Oral frailty and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Frailty is a critical intermediate status of the aging process with a multidimensional and multisystem nature and at higher risk for adverse health-related outcomes, including falls, disability, hospitalizations, institutionalization, mortality, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Among different frailty phenotypes, oral frailty has been recently suggested as a novel construct defined as a decrease in oral function with a coexisting decline in cognitive and physical functions. We briefly reviewed existing evidence on operational definitions of oral frailty, assessment and screening tools, and possible relationships among oral frailty, oral microbiota, and Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration. Several underlying mechanism may explain the oral health-frailty links including undernutrition, sarcopenia linked to both poor nutrition and frailty, psychosocial factors, and the chronic inflammation typical of oral disease. Oral microbiota may influence Alzheimer's disease risk through circulatory or neural access to the brain and the interplay with periodontal disease, often causing tooth loss also linked to an increased Alzheimer's disease risk. On this bases, COR388, a bacterial protease inhibitor targeting Porphyromonas gingivalis implicated in periodontal disease, is now being tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II/III study in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, oral status may be an important contributor to general health, including Alzheimer's disease and late-life cognitive disorders, suggesting the central role of preventive strategies targeting the novel oral frailty phenotype and including maintenance and improvement of oral function and nutritional status to reduce the burden of both oral dysfunction and frailty.

Evidence and Therapeutic Perspectives in the Relationship between the Oral Microbiome and Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review

This review aims to clarify the nature of the link between Alzheimer’s disease and the oral microbiome on an epidemiological and pathophysiological level, as well as to highlight new therapeutic perspectives that contribute to the management of this disease. We performed a systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews checklist, from January 2000 to July 2021. The terms “plaque,” “saliva,” and “mouth” were associated with the search term “oral diseases” and used in combination with the Boolean operator “AND”/“OR”. We included experimental or clinical studies and excluded conferences, abstracts, reviews, and editorials. A total of 27 articles were selected. Evidence for the impact of the oral microbiome on the pathophysiological and immunoinflammatory mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease is accumulating. The impact of the oral microbiome on the development of AD opens the door to complementary therapies such as phototherapy and/or the use of prebiotic compounds and probiotic strains for global or targeted modulation of the oral microbiome in order to have a favourable influence on the evolution of this pathology in the future.

Pathophysiological association between periodontal disease and Alzheimer's disease: Importance of periodontal health in the elderly

BACKGROUND

As the global aging population is rapidly advancing, recognizing the full potential of periodontal disease (PD) in the onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for reducing geriatric morbidity. This review explores the possible role of PD in the pathogenesis of AD, as the pathological mechanisms underlying AD are the most well-studied among all types of dementia. The investigation was conducted using the electronic academic databases PubMed and ScienceDirect, employing a combination of keywords "periodontal disease," "periodontitis," "Alzheimer's disease," "dementia," and "Porphyromonas gingivalis." After applying the selection and eligibility criteria and removing overlaps, from an initial search finding of 5933 studies, 11 were finally included for qualitative analysis.

HIGHLIGHT

The inflammatory reaction induced by oral pathogenic bacteria related to PD, through complex pathways, may exacerbate inflammation in the central nervous system, thereby contributing to the progression of AD.

CONCLUSION

Maintenance of adequate oral hygiene in patients diagnosed with AD is significant because they suffer from a gradual loss of manual dexterity as the disease advances. Additionally, the evidence presents the potential of systemic inflammation from PD-induced pathogenic bacteria, illustrating the grave cyclical progression of AD.

Long noncoding RNA ANRIL knockdown attenuates neuroinflammation following ischemic stroke via suppressing the expression of NF-κB in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Increasing evidence suggests that long-noncoding RNAs can exert neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Levels of the long noncoding RNA ANRIL (ANRIL) are reportedly altered in ischemic stroke (IS) patients, but its role in IS requires further clarification. This study was designed to explore the mechanistic function of ANRIL in IS.

METHODS

In vitro, HT22 cells was treated with an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). In vivo, brain ischemia/reperfusion was induced by 60-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) IS model in C57/BL6 mice. Additionally, cells were transfected with si-ANRIL, pcDNA3.1-ANRIL, pcDNA3.1-NF-κB, or appropriate negative controls, and si-ANRIL and pcDNA3.1-NF-κB were administered into the lateral ventricles in MCAO/R model mice. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected via MTT and flow cytometry assays. mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB were detected via qRT-PCR and Western blotting. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-a, and iNOS levels were detected via ELISA. In addition, infarcted area and neuronal injury were evaluated via TTC, Nissl, and immunofluorescent staining.

RESULTS

We found that ANRIL knockdown increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, we found that ANRIL knockdown decreased p-P65, P65, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-a, and iNOS levels, whereas these effects were reversed by NF-κB overexpression both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

our results suggest that ANRIL knockdown attenuates neuroinflammation by suppressing the expression of NF-κB both in vitro and vivo model of IS, sugguesting that ANRIL might be a potentially viable therapeutictarget to diminish neuroinflammation in IS patients.

Porphyromonas gingivalis outside the oral cavity

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacillus present in periodontal disease, is considered one of the major pathogens in periodontitis. A literature search for English original studies, case series and review articles published up to December 2019 was performed using the MEDLINE, PubMed and GoogleScholar databases, with the search terms "Porphyromonas gingivalis" AND the potentially associated condition or systemic disease Abstracts and full text articles were used to make a review of published research literature on P. gingivalis outside the oral cavity. The main points of interest of this narrative review were: (i) a potential direct action of the bacterium and not the systemic effects of the inflammatory acute-phase response induced by the periodontitis, (ii) the presence of the bacterium (viable or not) in the organ, or (iii) the presence of its virulence factors. Virulence factors (gingipains, capsule, fimbriae, hemagglutinins, lipopolysaccharide, hemolysin, iron uptake transporters, toxic outer membrane blebs/vesicles, and DNA) associated with P. gingivalis can deregulate certain functions in humans, particularly host immune systems, and cause various local and systemic pathologies. The most recent studies linking P. gingivalis to systemic diseases were discussed, remembering particularly the molecular mechanisms involved in different infections, including cerebral, cardiovascular, pulmonary, bone, digestive and peri-natal infections. Recent involvement of P. gingivalis in neurological diseases has been demonstrated. P. gingivalis modulates cellular homeostasis and increases markers of inflammation. It is also a factor in the oxidative stress involved in beta-amyloid production.

Extracellular vesicles of P. gingivalis-infected macrophages induce lung injury

Periodontal diseases are common inflammatory diseases that are induced by infection with periodontal bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). The association between periodontal diseases and many types of systemic diseases has been demonstrated; the term "periodontal medicine" is used to describe how periodontal infection/inflammation may impact extraoral health. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the factors produced in the oral cavity reach multiple distant organs and impact general health have not been elucidated. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized spherical structures secreted by various types of cells into the tissue microenvironment, and influence pathophysiological conditions by delivering their cargo. However, a detailed understanding of the effect of EVs on periodontal medicine is lacking. In this study, we investigated whether EVs derived from Pg-infected macrophages reach distant organs in mice and influence the pathophysiological status. EVs were isolated from human macrophages, THP-1 cells, infected with Pg. We observed that EVs from Pg-infected THP-1 cells (Pg-inf EVs) contained abundant core histone proteins such as histone H3 and translocated to the lungs, liver, and kidneys of mice. Pg-inf EVs also induced pulmonary injury, including edema, vascular congestion, inflammation, and collagen deposition causing alveoli destruction. The Pg-inf EVs or the recombinant histone H3 activated the NF-κB pathway, leading to increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Our results suggest a possible mechanism by which EVs produced in periodontal diseases contribute to the progression of periodontal medicine.

Patterns of cognitive decline and somatosensory processing in a mouse model of amyloid accumulation

•

Despite copious amyloid plaques, 5XFAD mice show modest signs of cognitive decline.

•

At ages 2 to 13 months old 5XFAD mice show no signs of sensory or pain dysfunctions.

•

5XFAD mice may not be a valid model for pain abnormalities in the context of AD.

Pain and cognitive decline increase with age. In particular, there is a troubling relationship between dementia and pain, with some studies showing higher prevalence and inadequate treatment of pain in this population. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia in older adults. Amyloid plaques are a hallmark of AD. The downstream processes these plaques promote are believed to affect neuronal and glial health and activity. There is a need to better understand how the neuropathological changes of AD shape neural activity and pain sensitivity. Here, we use the 5XFAD mouse model, in which dense amyloid accumulations occur at early ages, and in which previous studies reported signs of cognitive decline. We hypothesized that 5XFAD mice develop sensory and pain processing dysfunctions. Although amyloid burden was high throughout the brain, including in regions involved with sensory processing, we identified no functionally significant differences in reflexive or spontaneous signs of pain. Furthermore, expected signs of cognitive decline were modest; a finding consistent with variable results in the literature. These data suggest that models recapitulating other pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease might be better suited to studying differences in pain perception in this disease.

Pathological and Therapeutic Approach to Endotoxin-Secreting Bacteria Involved in Periodontal Disease

It is widely recognized that periodontal disease is an inflammatory entity of infectious origin, in which the immune activation of the host leads to the destruction of the supporting tissues of the tooth. Periodontal pathogenic bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis, that belongs to the complex net of oral microflora, exhibits a toxicogenic potential by releasing endotoxins, which are the lipopolysaccharide component (LPS) available in the outer cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are released into the tissues causing damage after the cell is lysed. There are three well-defined regions in the LPS: one of them, the lipid A, has a lipidic nature, and the other two, the Core and the O-antigen, have a glycosidic nature, all of them with independent and synergistic functions. Lipid A is the "bioactive center" of LPS, responsible for its toxicity, and shows great variability along bacteria. In general, endotoxins have specific receptors at the cells, causing a wide immunoinflammatory response by inducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the production of matrix metalloproteinases. This response is not coordinated, favoring the dissemination of LPS through blood vessels, as well as binding mainly to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressed in the host cells, leading to the destruction of the tissues and the detrimental effect in some systemic pathologies. Lipid A can also act as a TLRs antagonist eliciting immune deregulation. Although bacterial endotoxins have been extensively studied clinically and in a laboratory, their effects on the oral cavity and particularly on periodontium deserve special attention since they affect the connective tissue that supports the tooth, and can be linked to advanced medical conditions. This review addresses the distribution of endotoxins associated with periodontal pathogenic bacteria and its relationship with systemic diseases, as well as the effect of some therapeutic alternatives.

miR-671-5p Attenuates Neuroinflammation via Suppressing NF-κB Expression in an Acute Ischemic Stroke Model

This study was designed to investigate the role of miR-671-5p in in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke (IS). Middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) in C57BL/6 mice as well as oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) in a mouse hippocampal HT22 neuron line were used as in vivo and in vitro models of IS injury, respectively. miR-671-5p agomir, miR-671-5p antagomir, pcDNA3.1-NF-κB, and negative controls were transfected into cells using riboFECT CP reagent. miR-671-5p agomir, pcDNA3.1-NF-κB, and negative vectors were administered into MCAO/R mice via intracerebroventricular injection. The results showed that miR-671-5p was significantly downregulated and that miR-671-5p agomir alleviated injury and neuroinflammation induced by ischemic reperfusion. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that NF-κB is a direct target of miR-671-5p. Reverse experiments showed that miR-671-5p agomir reduced neuroinflammation via suppression of NF-κB expression in both in vitro and in vivo models of IS. Our data suggest that miR-671-5p may be a viable therapeutic target for diminishing neuroinflammation in patients with IS.

Involvement and relationship of bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cyclooxygenases levels in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment patients

This study reports elevated levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and cyclooxygenases (COX-1/2) in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients compared to cognitively healthy individuals, indicating LPSs as promising biomarkers, especially in serum. LPSs, in both fluids, positively correlate with COX-1/2, Αβ₄₂ and tau and negatively with mental state. Furthermore, COX-2 is the main determinant of LPSs presence in serum, whereas COX-1 in CSF. These results underline the significance of microbial/ inflammatory involvement in dementia and offer novel perspectives on the roles of LPSs and COX in pathogenesis of AD.

Relationship of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review of pre-clinical studies

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to analyze the following PICO question: Are animals infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) more affected by neurodegeneration, similar to the pathogenesis generated by Alzheimer's disease (AD), compared with non-infected animals?

METHODS

Databases PubMed, Lilacs, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched for pre-clinical in vivo studies in which mice were infected with P. gingivalis or received Pg-LPS, in order to assess the brain tissue and cognitive impairment. No limit for date or publication language was imposed and this study was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), with nine articles included. Syrcle's protocol was used to evaluate bias in the selected studies.

RESULTS

Nine articles were included. Infection by P. gingivalis or the administration of Pg-LPS increased the production of the inflammatory mediators, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-6 (interleukin-6), and IL-1β (interleukin-1beta), augmented Aβ (amyloid beta) production, and activated the complement system, causing inflammation, brain tissue degeneration, and cognitive impairment, consistent with the damage in AD.

CONCLUSIONS

Infection by P. gingivalis and Pg-LPS administration appears to be in relation with the pathogenesis of AD by activating the complement cascade, increasing Aβ production and augmenting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, causing age-dependent brain inflammation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Taking into account the importance of holistic treatment in the dental office, this study focuses on identifying highly prevalent oral diseases, such as periodontal disease, as risk factors for the aggravation of degenerative diseases in the elderly population.

Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology Triggered by Porphyromonas gingivalis in Wild Type Rats Is Serotype Dependent

Periodontal disease is a disease of tooth-supporting tissues. It is a chronic disease with inflammatory nature and infectious etiology produced by a dysbiotic subgingival microbiota that colonizes the gingivodental sulcus. Among several periodontal bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) highlights as a keystone pathogen. Previous reports have implied that chronic inflammatory response and measurable bone resorption are observed in young mice, even after a short period of periodontal infection with P. gingivalis, which has been considered as a suitable model of experimental periodontitis. Also, encapsulated P. gingivalis strains are more virulent than capsular-defective mutants, causing an increased immune response, augmented osteoclastic activity, and accrued alveolar bone resorption in these rodent experimental models of periodontitis. Recently, P. gingivalis has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, either by worsening brain pathology in AD-transgenic mice or by inducing memory impairment and age-dependent neuroinflammation middle-aged wild type animals. We hypothesized here that the more virulent encapsulated P. gingivalis strains could trigger the appearance of brain AD-markers, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline even in young rats subjected to a short periodontal infection exposure, due to their higher capacity of activating brain inflammatory responses. To test this hypothesis, we periodontally inoculated 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats with K1, K2, or K4 P. gingivalis serotypes and the K1-isogenic non-encapsulated mutant (GPA), used as a control. 45-days after periodontal inoculations with P. gingivalis serotypes, rat´s spatial memory was evaluated for six consecutive days in the Oasis maze task. Following functional testing, the animals were sacrificed, and various tissues were removed to analyze alveolar bone resorption, cytokine production, and detect AD-specific biomarkers. Strikingly, only K1 or K2 P. gingivalis-infected rats displayed memory deficits, increased alveolar bone resorption, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, changes in astrocytic morphology, increased Aβ1-42 levels, and Tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus. None of these effects were observed in rats infected with the non-encapsulated bacterial strains. Based on these results, we propose that the bacterial virulence factors constituted by capsular polysaccharides play a central role in activating innate immunity and inflammation in the AD-like pathology triggered by P. gingivalis in young rats subjected to an acute experimental infection episode.

Molecular Links Between Alzheimer's Disease and Gastrointestinal Microbiota: Emphasis on Helicobacter pylori Infection Involvement

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the main form of dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline and detrimental consequences in both personal-family and global level. Within this narrative review, we provide recent molecular aspects of Tau, a microtubule AD-associated protein, as well as amyloid beta, involved in AD pathophysiology. Moreover, we provide additional emerging data from basic research as well as clinical studies indicating an implicating role of gastrointestinal microbiota (GI-M), including Helicobacter pylori infection (Hp-I), in AD pathophysiology. Likewise, we identified through a molecular prism the current evidence of AD pathogenesis as well as its linkage with GI-M and emphasizing the role of Hp-I. All in all, additional large-scale studies are required for the further clarification of AD pathophysiology and its connection with GI-M and Hp-I, so as novel therapies on molecular basis become available.

Oral microbiota and oral cancer: Review

In this review, we draw attention and discuss the risk factors and causes of the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) focusing on oral microbiota. Recently, a breakthrough in the study of cancer has been the discovery of the relationship between the presence of certain types of bacteria and the development of cancer in the human body. Studies have shown that, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) bacteria that is responsible for the destructive processes in the oral cavity, could play an important role in the development of OSCC. In our continuing search for bacteria that causes oral squamous cell carcinoma, we came across the Pseudomona aeruginosa, which due to its metabolite properties, may play important role in carcinogenesis of oral cancer. One possible mechanism is the ability of Pseudomonas to synthesize nitric oxide (NO) that modulates different cancer-related appearances such as apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. We think that P. aeruginosa increases the concentration of NO by converting salivary nitrite to nitric oxide, and this is how it contributes to NO-related carcinogenesis. Early diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis are very important not only for patients' oral health, but also for the prevention of OSCC development. Screening test for OSCC based on determination of salivary NO levels could be appealing and may prove to be useful assay for diagnosis and early detection of disease progression in oral cancer.

Targeting Infectious Agents as a Therapeutic Strategy in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia in the world. Its cause(s) are presently largely unknown. The most common explanation for AD, now, is the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which states that the cause of AD is senile plaque formation by the amyloid β peptide, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles by hyperphosphorylated tau. A second, burgeoning theory by which to explain AD is based on the infection hypothesis. Much experimental and epidemiological data support the involvement of infections in the development of dementia. According to this mechanism, the infection either directly or via microbial virulence factors precedes the formation of amyloid β plaques. The amyloid β peptide, possessing antimicrobial properties, may be beneficial at an early stage of AD, but becomes detrimental with the progression of the disease, concomitantly with alterations to the innate immune system at both the peripheral and central levels. Infection results in neuroinflammation, leading to, and sustained by, systemic inflammation, causing eventual neurodegeneration, and the senescence of the immune cells. The sources of AD-involved microbes are various body microbiome communities from the gut, mouth, nose, and skin. The infection hypothesis of AD opens a vista to new therapeutic approaches, either by treating the infection itself or modulating the immune system, its senescence, or the body's metabolism, either separately, in parallel, or in a multi-step way.

Inhibitory effect of omega-3 fatty acids on alveolar bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation

In this study, a Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.)-infected mouse periodontitis model was used to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acid intake on differentiation and maturation of cultured osteoclast. Four-week-old C57BL/6JJcl mice were divided into four groups according to the diets they were fed from the beginning of the experiment (i.e., food containing omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids) and whether they were orally administered P.g. Thirty-three days after beginning the experiment, bone marrow cells were sampled from the femoral bone of mice from each group and differentiated into osteoclasts; the effects of the ingestion of different fatty acids were subsequently investigated. There was no statistical interaction between the different fatty acids and P.g. infection on the number of osteoclasts (P = 0.6). However, the fatty acid type affected the number of osteoclasts in mice (P = 0.0013), with the omega-3 groups demonstrating lower osteoclast numbers than the omega-6 groups. Furthermore, the addition of resolvin E1 (RvE1), which is an omega-3 fatty acid-derived lipid mediator, suppressed the differentiation of mouse cultured osteoclasts (P < 0.0001). Therefore, the ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids may suppress osteoclast differentiation while inhibiting bone resorption and tissue destruction due to periodontitis.

Time to test antibacterial therapy in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is associated with cerebral accumulation of amyloid-β peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau. In the past 28 years, huge efforts have been made in attempting to treat the disease by reducing brain accumulation of amyloid-β in patients with Alzheimer's disease, with no success. While anti-amyloid-β therapies continue to be tested in prodromal patients with Alzheimer's disease and in subjects at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, there is an urgent need to provide therapeutic support to patients with established Alzheimer's disease for whom current symptomatic treatment (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl d-aspartate antagonist) provide limited help. The possibility of an infectious aetiology for Alzheimer's disease has been repeatedly postulated over the past three decades. Infiltration of the brain by pathogens may act as a trigger or co-factor for Alzheimer's disease, with Herpes simplex virus type 1, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Porphyromonas gingivalis being most frequently implicated. These pathogens may directly cross a weakened blood-brain barrier, reach the CNS and cause neurological damage by eliciting neuroinflammation. Alternatively, pathogens may cross a weakened intestinal barrier, reach vascular circulation and then cross blood-brain barrier or cause low grade chronic inflammation and subsequent neuroinflammation from the periphery. The gut microbiota comprises a complex community of microorganisms. Increased permeability of the gut and blood-brain barrier induced by microbiota dysbiosis may impact Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Inflammatory microorganisms in gut microbiota are associated with peripheral inflammation and brain amyloid-β deposition in subjects with cognitive impairment. Oral microbiota may also influence Alzheimer's disease risk through circulatory or neural access to the brain. At least two possibilities can be envisaged to explain the association of suspected pathogens and Alzheimer's disease. One is that patients with Alzheimer's disease are particularly prone to microbial infections. The other is that microbial infection is a contributing cause of Alzheimer's disease. Therapeutic trials with antivirals and/or antibacterials could resolve this dilemma. Indeed, antiviral agents are being tested in patients with Alzheimer's disease in double-blind placebo-controlled studies. Although combined antibiotic therapy was found to be effective in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, antibacterial drugs are not being widely investigated in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This is because it is not clear which bacterial populations in the gut of patients with Alzheimer's disease are overexpressed and if safe, selective antibacterials are available for them. On the other hand, a bacterial protease inhibitor targeting P. gingivalis toxins is now being tested in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical studies are needed to test if countering bacterial infection may be beneficial in patients with established Alzheimer's disease.

Expression Profiling and Cell Type Classification Analysis in Periodontitis Reveal Dysregulation of Multiple lncRNAs in Plasma Cells

Objective

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a downregulated immune response. The mechanisms of the immune response, especially regarding immune-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in periodontitis remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the immune cell landscapes and immune-related transcriptome expression in periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

The periodontitis-related microarray data set GSE16134 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Then, the proportions of the infiltrated immune cell subpopulations were evaluated by Cell-type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets Of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT). Differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEMGs) and lncRNAs were analyzed by the “limma” package in R software. Co-expression of DEMGs and lncRNAs in immune cell subpopulations was evaluated. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify alterations in immune function through potential pathways.

Results

Increased numbers of plasma cells were observed in periodontitis-affected tissues versus those of healthy tissues, while T cells were downregulated. A total of 51 DEMGs were identified, and 12 immune-related signaling pathways were enriched by GSEA, most of which were related to the stimulation and function of B cells and T cells. Only 3 differentially upregulated lncRNAs (FAM30A, GUSBP11, and LINC00525) were screened for the regulation of the immune response. Besides, the level of lncRNAs (FAM30A, GUSBP11, and LINC00525) expression were positively correlated with the fraction of plasma cells in periodontitis.

Conclusion

The discovery of differentially expressed immune-related transcriptomes in periodontitis lesions helps to explain the regulation of the immune mechanism in the development of periodontitis.

The Role of Periodontitis and Periodontal Bacteria in the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review

The evidence of a connection between the peripheral inflammatory processes and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system is becoming more apparent. This review of the related literature highlights the most recent clinical, epidemiological, and in vitro studies trying to investigate possible connections between periodontal bacteria and the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This review was conducted by searching databases such as PubMed and Scopus using keywords or combinations such as Alzheimer's Disease AND periodontal or dementia AND periodontitis OR periodontal. After eliminating overlaps and screening the articles not related to these issues, we identified 1088 records and proceeded to the selection of articles for an evaluation of the associative assumptions. The hypothesis suggested by the authors and confirmed by the literature is that the bacterial load and the inflammatory process linked to periodontal disease can intensify inflammation at the level of the central nervous system, favoring the occurrence of the disease. The analysis of the literature highlights how periodontal disease can directly contribute to the peripheral inflammatory environment by the introduction of periodontal or indirect pathogenic bacteria and proinflammatory cytokines locally produced at the periodontal level following bacterial colonization of periodontal defects.

Enhanced oxidative stress contributes to worse prognosis and delayed neurofunctional recovery after striatal intracerebral hemorrhage in 5XFAD mice

Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) caused by hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, the precise clinical course after hypertensive ICH in AD patients is still unknown. In this study, we investigated how striatal ICH, a frequent site for hypertensive ICH, affected the prognosis of AD. We employed 17- and 18-month-old male 5XFAD (5X) mice and littermate (LT) controls, and striatal ICH was induced by collagenase injection. First, to address the acute effects of ICH on 5X mice, hemorrhagic volume and brain edema were evaluated 3 days after ICH. Next, to address the long-term effects of ICH on 5X mice, morbidity, mortality, neurological function (beam-walking and rotarod tests), and cognitive function (Y-maze and nest-building tests) were monitored. Twenty-eight days later, the animals were euthanized, their brains were isolated, and the cytotoxic alterations were investigated. The results revealed that the acute effects of ICH were not significantly different between 5X and LT mice. In contrast, 5X mice showed significantly higher morbidity and mortality in response to ICH, as well as delayed neurological function recovery, compared to LT mice through 28 days. ICH did not affect cognitive function in either group. Infiltrated macrophages in the perihemorrhagic cortex, gp91^phox , p67^phox , and COX-2 were significantly increased in 5X mice in response to ICH. We demonstrated that striatal ICH deteriorated prognosis and delayed neurofunctional recovery in 5X mice, which might be associated with enhanced oxidative stress in the presence of AD-like pathology.

Gut Microbiota and Microbiota-Related Metabolites as Possible Biomarkers of Cognitive Aging

Gut microbiota composition and functionality can influence the pathophysiology of age-related cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a large number of animal studies. The translation of this concept to humans is still uncertain, due to the relatively low number of clinical studies focused on fecal microbiota and large number of environmental factors that influence the microbiota composition. However, the fecal microbiota composition of older patients with dementia is deeply different from that of healthy active controls, conditioning a different metabolic profile. The possible use of fecal microbiota-related parameters and microbiota-derived metabolites as biomarkers of cognitive performance and dementia is critically reviewed in this paper, focusing on the most promising areas of research for the future.