Effects of chronic proline administration on lipid contents of rat brain

An Aldol Reaction-Based Iridium(III) Chemosensor for the Visualization of Proline in Living Cells

A long-lived aldol reaction-based iridium(III) chemosensor [Ir(ppy)2(5-CHOphen)]PF6 (1, where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and 5-CHOphen = 1,10-phenanthroline-5-carbaldehyde) for proline detection has been synthesized. The iridium(III) complex 1, incorporating an aldehyde group in N^N donor ligand, can take part in aldol reaction with acetone mediated by proline. The transformation of the sp2-hybridized carbonyl group into a sp3-hybridized alcohol group influences the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) state of the iridium(III) complex, resulting in a change in luminescence in response to proline. The interaction of the iridium(III) complex 1 with proline was investigated by 1H NMR, HRMS and emission titration experiments. Upon the addition of proline to a solution of iridium(III) complex 1, a maximum 8-fold luminescence enhancement was observed. The luminescence signal of iridium(III) complex 1 could be recognized in strongly fluorescent media using time-resolved emission spectroscopy (TRES). The detection of proline in living cells was also demonstrated.

Behavioral and neurochemical effects of proline

Proline is an amino acid with an essential role for primary metabolism and physiologic functions. Hyperprolinemia results from the deficiency of specific enzymes for proline catabolism, leading to tissue accumulation of this amino acid. Hyperprolinemic patients can present neurological symptoms and brain abnormalities, whose aetiopathogenesis is poorly understood. This review addresses some of the findings obtained, mainly from animal studies, indicating that high proline levels may be associated to neuropathophysiology of some disorders. In this context, it has been suggested that energy metabolism deficit, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, kinase creatine, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, lipid content, as well as purinergic and cholinergic systems are involved in the effect of proline on brain damage and spatial memory deficit. The discussion focuses on the relatively low antioxidant defenses of the brain and the vulnerability of neural tissue to reactive species. This offers new perspectives for potential therapeutic strategies for this condition, which may include the early use of appropriate antioxidants as a novel adjuvant therapy, besides the usual treatment based on special diets poor in proline.

Amyloid-β induced toxicity involves ganglioside expression and is sensitive to GM1 neuroprotective action

The effect of Aβ25-35 peptide, in its fibrillar and non-fibrillar forms, on ganglioside expression in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures was investigated. Gangliosides were endogenously labeled with D-[1-C(14)] galactose and results showed that Aβ25-35 affected ganglioside expression, depending on the peptide aggregation state, that is, fibrillar Aβ25-35 caused an increase in GM3 labeling and a reduction in GD1b labeling, whereas the non-fibrillar form was able to enhance GM1 expression. Interestingly, GM1 exhibited a neuroprotective effect in this organotypic model, since pre-treatment of the hippocampal slices with GM1 10 μM was able to prevent the toxicity triggered by the fibrillar Aβ25-35, when measured by propidium iodide uptake protocol. With the purpose of further investigating a possible mechanism of action, we analyzed the effect of GM1 treatment (1, 6, 12 and 24h) upon the Aβ-induced alterations on GSK3β dephosphorylation/activation state. Results demonstrated an important effect after 24-h incubation, with GM1 preventing the Aβ-induced dephosphorylation (activation) of GSK3β, a signaling pathway involved in apoptosis triggering and neuronal death in models of Alzheimer's disease. Taken together, present results provide a new and important support for ganglioside participation in development of Alzheimer's disease experimental models and suggest a protective role for GM1 in Aβ-induced toxicity. This may be useful for designing new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's treatment.