Increased activities of Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase in the frontal cortex and cerebellum of autistic individuals

Residues of chlorpyrifos in the environment induce resistance in Aedes albopictus by affecting its olfactory system and neurotoxicity

Aedes albopictus, a virus-vector pest, is primarily controlled through the use of insecticides. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of resistance in Ae. albopictus in terms of chlorpyrifos neurotoxicity to Ae. albopictus and its effects on the olfactory system. We assessed Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP levels, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), Monoamine oxidase (MAO), odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), and olfactory receptor (OR7) gene expression in Ae. albopictus using various assays including Y-shaped tube experiments and DanioVision analysis to evaluate macromotor behavior. Our findings revealed that cumulative exposure to chlorpyrifos reduced the activity of neurotoxic Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and ChAT enzymes in Ae. albopictus to varying degrees, suppressed MAO-B enzyme expression, altered OBPs and OR7 expression patterns, as well as affected evasive response, physical mobility, and cumulative locomotor time under chlorpyrifos stress conditions for Ae. albopictus individuals. Consequently, these changes led to decreased feeding ability, reproductive capacity, and avoidance behavior towards natural enemies in Ae. albopictus populations exposed to chlorpyrifos stressors over time. To adapt to unfavorable living environments, Ae. albopictus may develop certain tolerance mechanisms against organophosphorus pesticides. This study provides valuable insights for guiding rational insecticide usage or dosage adjustments targeting the nervous system of Ae. albopictus.

Acute 2-phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran treatment reverses the neurobehavioral alterations induced by sleep deprivation in mice

Sleep is a fundamental state for maintaining the organism homeostasis. Disruptions in sleep patterns predispose to the appearance of memory impairments and mental disorders, including depression. Recent pre-clinical studies have highlighted the antidepressant-like properties of the synthetic compound 2-phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran (SeBZF1). To further investigate the neuromodulatory effects of SeBZF1, this study aimed to assess its therapeutic efficacy in ameliorating neurobehavioral impairments induced by sleep deprivation (SD) in mice. For this purpose, a method known as multiple platforms over water was used to induce rapid eye movement (REM) SD. Two hours after acute SD (24 h), male Swiss mice received a single treatment of SeBZF1 (5 mg/kg, intragastric route) or fluoxetine (a positive control, 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal route). Subsequently, behavioral tests were conducted to assess spontaneous motor function (open-field test), depressive-like behavior (tail suspension test), and memory deficits (Y-maze test). Brain structures were utilized to evaluate oxidative stress markers, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Our findings revealed that SD animals displayed depressive-like behavior and memory impairments, which were reverted by SeBZF1 and fluoxetine treatments. SeBZF1 also reverted the increase in lipoperoxidation levels and glutathione peroxidase activity in the pre-frontal cortex in mice exposed to SD. Besides, the increase in hippocampal AChE activity induced by SD was overturned by SeBZF1. Lastly, cortical MAO-B activity was reestablished by SeBZF1 in mice that underwent SD. Based on the main findings of this study, it can be inferred that the compound SeBZF1 reverses the neurobehavioral alterations induced by sleep deprivation in male Swiss mice.

Neuroprotective aftermath of Monodora myristica and Glycyrrhiza glabra against cassava diet containing vacuum gas oil induced brain injury in Wistar rats

Vacuum gas oil (VGO) is a hydrocarbon combination formed during crude oil extraction, and its consumption may have neurological repercussions. This study investigated the neuroprotective properties of Monodora myristica and Glycyrrhiza glabra in rats given cassava flour diet containing vacuum gas oil (CFD-VGO). Thirty rats were separated into six groups and treated as follows: Group 1 severed as normal control. Group 2 were fed CFD-VGO only. After a normal diet was given to groups 3, 4, and 5, M. myristica, G. glabra, and M. myristica plus G. glabra extracts were administered. Group 6, 7, 8 and 9 were given CFD-VGO and then treated with M. myristica extract, G. glabra extract, M. myristica plus G. glabra extracts and 2-methyl cellulose respectively. The rats were euthanized using carbon dioxide after experimental period of 28 days. The brain was excised for biochemical assays. The results showed that the concentration of the assessed 16 PAHs in CFD-VGO using GC-MS was 53.38 ppm. Significant (p < 0.05) increase were observed in malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol (T.Chl), triacylglycerol (TAG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and decrease in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and ATPases in the brain rats fed with CFD-VGO. On the other hand, administration of M. myristica and G. glabra extract effectively restored altered antioxidants, ATPases, and lipids in brain of rats fed with cassava diet containing VGO.

Mechanisms of oxidative response during biodegradation of malathion by S. oneidensis MR-1

Malathion, an extensively used organophosphorus pesticide, poses a high potential risk of toxicity to humans and the environment. Shewanella (S.) oneidensis MR-1 has been proposed as a strain with excellent bioremediation capabilities, capable of efficiently removing a wide range of hard-to-degrade pollutants. However, the physiological and biochemical response of S. oneidensis MR-1 to malathion is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how S. oneidensis MR-1 responds physiologically and biochemically to malathion while also investigating the biodegradation properties of the pesticide. The results showed that the 7-day degradation rates of S. oneidensis MR-1 were 84.1, 91.6, and 94.0% at malathion concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 mg/L, respectively. As the concentration of malathion increased, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were inhibited, leading to a significant rise in malondialdehyde content. This outcome can be attributed to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by malathion stress. In addition, ROS production stimulates the secretion of soluble polysaccharides, which alleviates oxidative stress caused by malathion. Malathion-induced oxidative damage further exacerbated the changes in the cellular properties of S. oneidensis MR-1. During the initial stages of degradation, the cell density and total intracellular protein increased significantly with increasing malathion exposure. This can be attributed to the remarkable resistance of S. oneidensis MR-1 to malathion. Based on scanning electron microscopy observations, continuous exposure to contaminants led to a reduction in biomass and protein content, resulting in reduced cell activity and ultimately leading to cell rupture. In addition, this was accompanied by a decrease in Na+/K+- ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase levels, suggesting that malathion-mediated oxidative stress interfered with energy metabolism in S. oneidensis MR-1. The findings of this study provide new insights into the environmental risks associated with organophosphorus pesticides, specifically malathion, and their potential for bioremediation.

Inulin Can Improve Red Blood Cell Cryopreservation by Promoting Vitrification, Stabilizing Cell Membranes, and Inhibiting Ice Recrystallization

In transfusion medicine, the cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) is of major importance. The organic solvent glycerol (Gly) is considered the current gold-standard cryoprotectant (CPA) for RBC cryopreservation, but the deglycerolization procedure is complex and time-consuming, resulting in severe hemolysis. Therefore, it remains a research hotspot to find biocompatible and effective novel CPAs. Herein, the natural and biocompatible inulin, a polysaccharide, was first employed as a CPA for RBC cryopreservation. The presence of inulin could improve the thawed RBC recovery from 11.83 ± 1.40 to 81.86 ± 0.37%. It was found that inulin could promote vitrification because of its relatively high viscosity and glass transition temperature (Tg'), thus reducing the damage during cryopreservation. Inulin possessed membrane stability, which also had beneficial effects on RBC recovery. Moreover, inulin could inhibit the mechanical damage induced by ice recrystallization during thawing. After cryopreservation, the RBC properties were maintained normally. Mathematical modeling analysis was adopted to compare the performance of inulin, Gly, and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in cryopreservation, and inulin presented the best efficiency. This work provides a promising CPA for RBC cryopreservation and may be beneficial for transfusion therapy in the clinic.

Alterations in Antioxidant Status and Erythrocyte Properties in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Erythrocytes are responsible for the transport of oxygen within the organism, which is particularly important for nerve tissues. Erythrocyte quality has been shown to be deteriorated in oxidative stress conditions. In this study, we measured the same series of oxidative stress markers in plasma and erythrocytes to compare the differences between neurotypical children (controls) and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We also focused on erythrocyte properties including their deformability, osmotic resistance, Na,K-ATPase activity, nitric oxide levels and free radical levels in children with ASD and controls. Greater oxidative damage to proteins and lipids was observed in the erythrocytes than in the plasma of ASD subjects. Additionally, antioxidant enzymes were more active in plasma samples from ASD children than in their erythrocytes. Significantly higher nitric oxide level and Na,K-ATPase enzyme activity were detected in erythrocytes of ASD individuals in comparison with the controls. Changes in oxidative status could at least partially contribute to the deterioration of erythrocyte morphology, as more frequent echinocyte formation was detected in ASD individuals. These alterations are most probably responsible for worsening the erythrocyte deformability observed in children with ASD. We can conclude that abnormalities in antioxidant status and erythrocyte properties could be involved in the pathomechanisms of ASD and eventually contribute to its clinical manifestations.

A novel pyrazolone complex P-FAH-Cu-bpy induces death of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by disrupting cell structure and blocking energy

A novel pyrazolone-based copper complex [Cu(L)(bpy)]∙CH3OH (P-FAH-Cu-bpy) was synthesized and previously characterized to have antitumor properties. This study aimed to investigate its antibacterial properties and action modes against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By agar diffusion assay, P-FAH-Cu-bpy showed strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus with the diameter of inhibition zone of 10.17-12.50 mm and 11.83-14 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the complex were 1.5 and 3 μM, respectively. Destroyed bacteria cells and debris were clearly observed by SEM. At 2 MIC and 4 MIC of P-FAH-Cu-bpy, 1.1683 and 1.9083 pg copper per cell was taken by E. coli, and 4.5670 and 8.5250 pg per cell by S. aureus, respectively. Multi-step resistance selection showed both bacteria were sensitive to P-FAH-Cu-bpy without induction of resistance within 30 generations. With P-FAH-Cu-bpy treatment, the release of nucleotides and proteins and alkaline phosphatase was increased, but the activity of K+-Na+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and membrane conductivity were decreased in both pathogens. In conclusion, P-FAH-Cu-bpy induced death of both bacteria by destroying the cell membrane structure and blocking energy and exhibited strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus without inducing microbial resistance.

Dimethylglycine Can Enhance the Cryopreservation of Red Blood Cells by Reducing Ice Formation and Oxidative Damage

The cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) holds great potential for ensuring timely blood transfusions and maintaining an adequate RBC inventory. The conventional cryoprotectants (CPAs) have a lot of limitations, and there is an obvious need for novel, efficient, and biocompatible CPAs. Here, it is shown for the first time that the addition of dimethylglycine (DMG) improved the thawed RBC recovery from 11.55 ± 1.40% to 72.15 ± 1.22%. We found that DMG could reduce the mechanical damage by inhibiting ice formation and recrystallization during cryopreservation. DMG can also scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintain endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities to decrease oxidative damage during cryopreservation. Furthermore, the properties of thawed RBCs were found to be similar to the fresh RBCs in the control. Finally, the technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used to compare the performance of glycerol (Gly), hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and DMG in cryopreservation, and DMG exhibited the best efficiency. This work confirms the use of DMG as a novel CPA for cryopreservation of RBCs and may promote clinical transfusion therapy.

Monacolin K Induces Apoptosis of Human Glioma U251 Cells by Triggering ROS-Mediated Oxidative Damage and Regulating MAPKs and NF-κB Pathways

Monacolin K (MK), a polyketo secondary metabolic compound of the mold genus Monascus, can promote the apoptosis of malignant cancer cells, possessing potential antitumor properties. However, its mechanism of action on gliomas remains unclear. Here, we explored and investigated the potential of the monacolin K's antitumor effect on human glioma U251 cells and its possible molecular mechanism. Results showed that the application of 10 μM monacolin K inhibited the proliferation of U251 cells, with an inhibitory rate of up to 53.4%. Additionally, monacolin K induced the generation of reactive oxygen species and activated mitochondria-mediated pathways, including decreased MMP, activation of caspase3/caspase9, decreased Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities, and disruption of the antioxidant system, resulting in the disruption of intracellular reduction-oxidation homeostasis. Monacolin K also activated MAPK and NF-κB pathways, upregulating P38 activity and downregulating JNK/ERK/P65/IκBα expression, ultimately leading to apoptosis of U251 cells. Importantly, monacolin K was not cytotoxic to normal human cells, hUC-MSCs. We concluded that monacolin K can induce apoptosis in U251 cells by triggering ROS-mediated oxidative damage and regulating MAPKs and NF-κB pathways.

Influence of Temperature during Freeze-Drying Process on the Viability of Bifidobacterium longum BB68S

Maintaining optimum temperature during freeze-drying is crucial to ensuring the viability of strains. In this study, we evaluated the effect of pre-freezing, sublimation and desorption temperatures on the viability of Bifidobacterium longum BB68S (BB68S). Moreover, we examined the water content, water activity, enzyme activities, and scanning electron microscope of BB68S to explore mechanisms underpinning the effect of temperature on viability. Our analyses revealed the highest survival rates of BB68S collected after pre-freezing and sublimation drying at -40 °C (94.9 ± 2.2%) and -10 °C (65.4 ± 3.8%), respectively. Additionally, response surface methodology demonstrated that the optimum conditions for freeze-drying of BB68S were pre-freezing temperature at -45.52 °C and sublimation temperature at -6.58 °C, and the verification test showed that survival rates of BB68S could reach 69.2 ± 3.8%. Most of the vitality loss occurred during the sublimation drying phase. Further studies showed that different sublimation temperatures affected water content and activity, β-galactosidase, lactate dehydrogenase, Na⁺-K⁺-ATP and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP activities. In conclusion, the temperature during freeze-drying, especially sublimation temperature, is a key factor affecting the survival rate of BB68S, and the vitality loss during freeze-drying process might be due to compromised cell membrane integrity and permeability.

Ginseng polysaccharide attenuates red blood cells oxidative stress injury by regulating red blood cells glycolysis and liver gluconeogenesis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax ginseng C.A. Mey (PG) is famous for "Qi-tonifying" effect, which has a medicinal history of more than 2 millennia. Modern pharmacology has confirmed that the "Qi-tonifying" effect of PG may be closely related to its pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidation, antineoplastic and treatment of cardiovascular disease. As one of the earliest cells affected by oxidative stress, RBCs are widely used in the diagnosis of diseases. Ginseng polysaccharide (GPS), is one of the major active components of PG, which plays an important role in resisting oxidative stress, affecting energy metabolism and other effects. However, the molecular mechanism explaining the "Qi-tonifying" effect of GPS from the perspective of RBCs oxidative damage has not been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of GPS on oxidatively damaged RBCs using in vitro and in vivo models and explore the molecular mechanisms from the perspective of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. To provides a theoretical basis for the future research of antioxidant drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Established three different in vitro and in vivo research models: an in vitro model of RBCs exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (40 mM), an in vivo model of RBCs from rats subjected to exhaustive swimming, and an in vitro model of BRL-3A cells exposed to H₂O₂ (25 μM). All three models were also tested in the presence of different concentrations of GPS.

RESULTS

The findings showed that GPS was the most potent antagonist of H₂O₂-induced hemolysis and redox inbalance in RBCs. In exhaustive exercise rats, GPS ameliorated RBVs hemolysis, including reducing whole-blood viscosity (WBV), improving deformability, oxygen-carrying and -releasing capacities, which was related to the enhancing of antioxidant capacity. Moreover, GPS promoted RBCs glycolysis in rats with exhaustive exercise by recovering the activities of glycolysis-related enzymes and increasing band 3 protein expression, thereby regulating the imbalance of energy metabolism caused by oxidative stress. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GPS improved antioxidant defense system, enhanced energy metabolism, and regulated gluconeogenesis via activating PPAR gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) pathway in H₂O₂-exposed BRL-3A cells. Mechanistically, GPS promoted glycolysis and protected RBCs from oxidative injury was partly dependent on the regulation of gluconeogenesis, as inhibition of gluconeogenesis by metformin (Met) attenuates the regulation of antioxidant enzymes and key enzymes of glycolytic by GPS in exhaustive exercise rats.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that GPS protects RBCs from oxidative stress damage by promoting RBCs glycolysis and liver gluconeogenesis pathways. These results may contribute to the study of new RBCs treatments to boost antioxidant capacity and protect RBCs against oxidative stress.

Toxicity evaluation of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) to Pleurotus ostreatus: Oxidative stress, morphology and transcriptomics

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), one widely used new brominated flame retardant, was of great concern due to its biotoxicity. The toxic evaluation of DBDPE (1-50 mg/L) to white-rot fungus (Pleurotus ostreatus), including oxidative stress, morphology and transcriptomics was conducted aiming at improving its biodegradation. Fungal growth and ATPase activity were obviously inhibited by DBDPE at ≥ 10 mg/L with the exposure from 48 h to 96 h. DBDPE could induce oxidative stress to P. ostreatus. The activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase) and GSH (glutathione) were all promoted by DBDPE at ≤ 5 mg/L and inhibited at > 5 mg/L with 96-h exposure. MDA (malondialdehyde) content rose obviously with DBDPE exposure (10-50 mg/L). The mycelium was wizened under 20 mg/L DBDPE exposure according to SEM observation. Transcriptomics analysis suggested that DBDPE could change many functional genes expression of P. ostreatus. GO analysis indicated DBDPE could affect biological process and cellular component by inhibiting electron transport, mitochondrial ATP synthesis, oxidoreductase activity as well as transporter activity. KEGG enrichment pathways analysis indicated DBDPE could inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and carbon metabolism by down-regulating the genes related to NADH reductase/dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome-c reductase/oxidase, cytochrome C1 protein and ATP synthase.

Behaviors and biochemical responses of macroinvertebrate Corbicula fluminea to polystyrene microplastics

Microplastic, a well-documented emerging contaminant, is widespread in aquatic environments resulting from the production and fragmentation of large plastics items. The knowledge about the chronic toxic effects and behavioral toxicity of microplastics, particularly on freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates, is limited. In this study, adult Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) were exposed to gradient microplastic solutions for 42 days to evaluate behavioral toxicity and chronic biotoxicity. The results showed that microplastics caused behavior toxicity, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in high-concentration treatments. Siphoning, breathing, and excretion was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) at high-concentration treatments, suggesting that high-concentration microplastics induced behavioral toxicity in C. fluminea. Malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase activities were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) and the acetylcholinesterase was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) throughout the exposure period in high-concentration treatments. Enzymes associated with energy supply were significantly higher at high-concentration microplastics treatments on D7 and D21. However, they recovered to a normal level on D42. The instability of the enzymes indicated that high-concentration microplastics induced oxidative stress and disorder in neurotransmission and energy supply. The gills of C. fluminea in treatments underwent cilia degeneration, which indicated that microplastics caused tissue damage in the gills. The analysis of integrated biomarker response values revealed that high-concentration microplastics led to long-term effects on the health of C. fluminea. In conclusion, continuous exposure to microplastics (10 mg L^-1) would damage physical behavior and the antioxidant system of C. fluminea.

Influence of Ca2+ on mitochondrial apoptosis activation and yak meat tenderization during postmortem aging

The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis disequilibrium in mitochondrial apoptosis and its impact on yak meat tenderness. Results indicated that CaCl2 treatment significantly promoted glycolysis by increasing lactic acid level and decreasing glycogen content, pH, and ATP production (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The activities of Na+-K+-ATPase pump and Ca2+-ATPase pump in the early aging stage were significantly influenced by CaCl2 treatment. The activities of synchronous digital hierarchy and citrate synthase were also significantly improved by CaCl2 treatment (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were significantly higher in the CaCl2 group than in the control group (P < 0.01); at 24 h, the value in the Ca2+ group was 64.27% higher than that in the control group. Furthermore, CaCl2 treatment significantly enhanced the mitochondrial apoptosis cascade reaction and meat tenderization by improving the myofibril fragmentation index and shear force (P < 0.01). These results demonstrated that the imbalance of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis played a significant role in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by regulating energy metabolism factors, meat intracellular environment, mitochondrial functions, and ROS-mediated oxidative stress. These conditions further improved meat tenderization during postmortem aging.

Biofunctional significance of multi-herbal combination against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

A multi-herbal combination (MHC) of five herbs, namely Punica granatum L., Putranjiva roxburghii Wall., Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham., Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers and Trigonella corniculata L. was assessed against the paracetamol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in female Wistar rats. The animals were randomly assorted into seven groups with six animals in each group. The rats were pre-treated with MHC (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw) and silymarin (50 mg/kg bw) once daily for seven consecutive days via oral route followed by administration of paracetamol (3 g/kg bw) on day 7, an hour after the last administration of MHC and silymarin. It was observed that MHC administration significantly (p ≤ 0.05) overturned the paracetamol-induced increase in serum liver function biomarkers (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin), phase I reaction enzymes (NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase), and oxidant biomarkers (lactate dehydrogenase, lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxides, and protein content). MHC administration also reinstated the paracetamol-induced significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in haematological indices (haematocrit, haemoglobin, red and white blood cells, and platelets), phase II reaction enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase and DT-diaphorase), membrane-bound enzymes (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, and Mg²⁺-ATPase), and antioxidant biomarkers (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). Overall, MHC at 200 mg/kg bw dose significantly (p ≤ 0.05) sheltered the red blood cells from the assault of free radicals, stabilized the structural and functional integrity of hepatocytes, hindered acetaminophen (APAP) biotransformation to its toxic metabolites, and endorsed conjugating abilities to detoxify toxic entities. Furthermore, MHC significantly (p ≤ 0.05) activated enzymatic machinery to scavenge/inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, regulated nucleic acid metabolism, surface potential, and membrane fluidity, attenuated tissue breakdown, quenched peroxyl radicals, and provided protection against tissue injury. The necroinflammatory scores revealed strong evidence of MHC (200 mg/kg bw) effectiveness against the paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats at p ≤ 0.05. The synergistic effect of major inherent phytoconstituents (kaempferol, ellagic acid, and gallic acid), detected by HPLC-PDA, in MHC might have overturned the paracetamol-induced biochemical toxic alterations in rat liver.

The Protective Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on PC12 Cells in Oxidative Stress Induced by H2O2 through the TrkB-Erk1/2-CREB Pathway

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has attracted plenty of interest in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Although the beneficial effects of DHA on the central nervous system function are recognized, more information on the molecular mechanisms involved in its neuroprotective effects is required. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of DHA on the function of mitochondria, neurite growth-related proteins signaling pathway, and neural signal transmission. In this study, PC12 cells were treated with H₂O₂ (400 μM) to establish an oxidative damage model. Results showed that DHA improved the viability and morphology of PC12 cells. DHA significantly increased the antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and activity of ATPase in the cells. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of tyrosine kinase receptor (BTrkB), phospholipase C-γ1 (PLCγ1), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) were upregulated by DHA. The damage on F-actin induced by H₂O₂ was reversed by DHA, indicating that DHA could protect neurite outgrowth. In addition, DHA increased the content of acetylcholine and γ-aminobutyric acid while decreasing glutamic acid. These results revealed that DHA could protect PC12 cells from damage induced by H₂O₂ through the TrkB-ERK1/2-CREB pathway.

Preeclampsia Drives Molecular Networks to Shift Toward Greater Vulnerability to the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Preeclampsia (PE) confers a significant risk for subsequent diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with the mechanisms underlying this observation being largely unknown. To identify molecular networks affected by both PE and ASD, we conducted a large-scale literature data mining and a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), followed by an expression mega-analysis in 13 independently profiled ASD datasets. Sets of genes implicated in ASD and in PE significantly overlap (156 common genes; p = 3.14E⁻⁶⁷), with many biological pathways shared (94 pathways; p < 1.00E⁻²¹). A set of PE-driven molecular triggers possibly contributing to worsening the risk of subsequent ASD was identified, possibly representing a regulatory shift toward greater vulnerability to the development of ASD. Mega-analysis of expression highlighted RPS4Y1, an inhibitor of STAT3 that is expressed in a sexually dimorphic manner, as a contributor to both PE and ASD, which should be evaluated as a possible contributor to male predominance in ASD. A set of PE-driven molecular triggers may shift the developing brain toward a greater risk of ASD. One of these triggers, chromosome Y encoded gene RPS4Y1, an inhibitor of STAT3 signaling, warrants evaluation as a possible contributor to male predominance in ASD.

Neuroprotective effect of cajaninstilbene acid against cerebral ischemia and reperfusion damages by activating AMPK/Nrf2 pathway

Introduction

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Recently, neuroprotection is regarded as an important preventative and therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA), a unique stilbenoid with a styryl group, is a potential neuroprotective agent.

Objectives

Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect and molecular mechanism of CSA against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damages.

Methods

Cerebral ischemia was modeled by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in SH-SY5Y cells or transient intraluminal suture middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) was used to induce oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. CSA (2.5, 5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally given upon reperfusion after 2 h of MCAO. The signaling pathways were analyzed by Western blotting and inhibitor blocking.

Results

CSA possessed significant neuroprotective activity, as evidenced by the reduced cell death in OGD/R or t-BHP injured SH-SY5Y cells, and decreased infarct volume and neurological deficits in MCAO/R rats. Further studies indicated that the protective effect was achieved via the antioxidant activity of CSA, which decreased the oxidative stress and its related mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells. Notably, Nrf2 was activated in SH-SY5Y cells and MCAO/R rats by CSA, and the inhibition of Nrf2 by brusatol weakened CSA-mediated neuroprotection. Furthermore, after applying a series of kinase inhibitors, CSA-induced Nrf2 activation was markedly inhibited by BML-275 (an AMPK inhibitor), implying that AMPK was the dominant kinase to regulate the Nrf2 pathway for CSA’s neuroprotective effects with enhanced AMPK phosphorylation observed both in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusion

CSA exerted neuroprotection via activating the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway to reduce I/R-induced cellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial disfunction. CSA could be a potential neuroprotective drug candidate for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Transgenerational biochemical effects of seawater acidification on the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Ocean acidification can negatively impact marine bivalves. Pivotal to projecting their fate is the ability to acclimate and adapt to shifts in seawater chemistry. Transgenerational plasticity enables marine bivalves to acclimate, yet the underlying mechanisms at different levels of biological organization remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a transgenerational experiment to understand biochemical responses of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, following exposure to moderately reduced seawater pH (from 8.1 to 7.7). Activities of tissue calcification-relevant enzymes, such as carbonic anhydrase (CA), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), energy-metabolizing enzymes, such as Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase (CMA), as well as tissue energy reserves (glycogen, lipid and protein) were assayed. With decreasing seawater pH, adult R. philippinarum exhibited significantly increased CA activity, and especially the clams with a history of transgenerational exposure displaying significantly higher CA activity than those spawned from parents exposed to ambient seawater pH. Yet, ACP and ALP activities remained unaffected. Transgenerational exposure to reduced seawater pH led to significant increases of NKA activity, while no transgenerational response of CMA activity was observed. Tissue glycogen and lipid contents were significantly depleted under acidified conditions regardless of transgenerational exposure. Yet, transgenerational alleviation in the net protein degradation was found. These findings suggest that our current understanding of transgenerational responses is still limited by the achievable time-window possible in the laboratory. While the energetic budget is lower under acidified conditions, there is no evidence of transgenerational recovery in term of energetic budget. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the critical basis of ocean acidification resilience can most likely be explained in energetic terms.

Neuropsychopathology of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Complex Interplay of Genetic, Epigenetic, and Environmental Factors

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex heterogeneous consortium of pervasive development disorders (PDD) which ranges from atypical autism, autism, and Asperger syndrome affecting brain in the developmental stage. This debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder results in both core as well as associated symptoms. Core symptoms observed in autistic patients are lack of social interaction, pervasive, stereotyped, and restricted behavior while the associated symptoms include irritability, anxiety, aggression, and several comorbid disorders.ASD is a polygenic disorder and is multifactorial in origin. Copy number variations (CNVs) of several genes that regulate the synaptogenesis and signaling pathways are one of the major factors responsible for the pathogenesis of autism. The complex integration of various CNVs cause mutations in the genes which code for molecules involved in cell adhesion, voltage-gated ion-channels, scaffolding proteins as well as signaling pathways (PTEN and mTOR pathways). These mutated genes are responsible for affecting synaptic transmission by causing plasticity dysfunction responsible, in turn, for the expression of ASD.Epigenetic modifications affecting DNA transcription and various pre-natal and post-natal exposure to a variety of environmental factors are also precipitating factors for the occurrence of ASD. All of these together cause dysregulation of glutamatergic signaling as well as imbalance in excitatory: inhibitory pathways resulting in glial cell activation and release of inflammatory mediators responsible for the aberrant social behavior which is observed in autistic patients.In this chapter we review and provide insight into the intricate integration of various genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors which play a major role in the pathogenesis of this disorder and the mechanistic approach behind this integration.

Natural cryoprotectants combinations of l-proline and trehalose for red blood cells cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) holds great potential benefits for supplying transfusion timely in emergencies. Currently, glycerol is the main cryoprotectant permitted in clinical therapy for RBCs cryopreservation, but its broad application is limited by the toxicity and complex deglycerolization process. Successful cryopreservation of RBCs using more effective materials should be studied to reduce freezing damage, increase biocompatibility, and save processing time. Herein, a simple protocol using natural cryoprotectants combinations of l-proline and trehalose attains a low degree of hemolysis (11.2 ± 2.73%) after thawing compared to glycerol. Furthermore, the morphology of RBCs and the activities of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase maintain well. Further mechanism study shows that l-proline plays an important role in decreasing the freezing points and inhibiting the growth of ice crystal by permeating into cells during the freezing process. While trehalose works as an inhibitor of ice growth in the freezing process and ice recrystallization in the thawing process. This simple l-proline & trehalose combinations protocol is a promising method to replace current time-consuming and labor-intensive cryopreservation methods of RBCs.

Cerebral hypoperfusion in autism spectrum disorder

Cerebral hypoperfusion, or insufficient blood flow in the brain, occurs in many areas of the brain in patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hypoperfusion was demonstrated in the brains of individuals with ASD when compared to normal healthy control brains either using positron emission tomography (PET) or single‑photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The affected areas include, but are not limited to the: prefrontal, frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal cortices; thalami; basal ganglia; cingulate cortex; caudate nucleus; the limbic system including the hippocampal area; putamen; substantia nigra; cerebellum; and associative cortices. Moreover, correlations between symptom scores and hypoperfusion in the brains of individuals diagnosed with an ASD were found indicating that the greater the autism symptom pathology, the more significant the cerebral hypoperfusion or vascular pathology in the brain. Evidence suggests that brain inflammation and vascular inflammation may explain a part of the hypoperfusion. There is also evidence of a lack of normal compensatory increase in blood flow when the subjects are challenged with a task. Some studies propose treatments that can address the hypoperfusion found among individuals diagnosed with an ASD, bringing symptom relief to some extent. This review will explore the evidence that indicates cerebral hypoperfusion in ASD, as well as the possible etiological aspects, complications, and treatments.

Influence of co-existed tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexavalent chromium on the cellular characteristics of Pycnoporus sanguineus during their removal and reduction

Simultaneous TBBPA removal and Cr(VI) reduction by Pycnoporus sanguineus together with the effect of these co-existed pollutants on the fungal cellular characteristics were investigated in this study, aiming at illuminating the mechanism involved in the interactions between contaminants and microbial cells. The results revealed that Cr(VI) reduction and TBBPA removal declined from 92.5%, 75.4-30.6%, 44.8% when Cr(VI) concentration increased from 5 to 40mg/L, respectively. The removal efficiencies for Cr(VI) and TBBPA reached 61.4% and 94% separately under the optimum concentration of TBBPA at 10mg/L. Subsequent analyses indicated that the negative effect of Cr(VI) of high concentrations on Cr(VI) reduction and TBBPA removal was mainly attributed to the inhibition of fungal growth, intracellular proteins synthesis, cell viability and ATP enzyme activity. Compared with the moderate impact of TBBPA, the cell membrane of P. sanguineus was impaired severely and the surface morphology and intracellular structure changed dramatically in the presence of high concentration of Cr(VI) (above 10mg/L). This study also suggested that high level of TBBPA (15 and 20mg/L) promoted the synthesis of intracellular proteins and improved ATP enzyme activity within the first 48h of the reaction for enhancing the transportation and transformation of TBBPA.

Gene-wide Association Study Reveals RNF122 Ubiquitin Ligase as a Novel Susceptibility Gene for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental condition characterized by pervasive impairment of attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that can persist into adulthood. The aetiology of ADHD is complex and multifactorial and, despite the wealth of evidence for its high heritability, genetic studies have provided modest evidence for the involvement of specific genes and have failed to identify consistent and replicable results. Due to the lack of robust findings, we performed gene-wide and pathway enrichment analyses using pre-existing GWAS data from 607 persistent ADHD subjects and 584 controls, produced by our group. Subsequently, expression profiles of genes surpassing a follow-up threshold of P-value < 1e-03 in the gene-wide analyses were tested in peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) of 45 medication-naive adults with ADHD and 39 healthy unrelated controls. We found preliminary evidence for genetic association between RNF122 and ADHD and for its overexpression in adults with ADHD. RNF122 encodes for an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the proteasome-mediated processing, trafficking, and degradation of proteins that acts as an essential mediator of the substrate specificity of ubiquitin ligation. Thus, our findings support previous data that place the ubiquitin-proteasome system as a promising candidate for its involvement in the aetiology of ADHD.

Simplifying study of fever's dramatic relief of autistic behavior

Dramatic relief of autistic behavior by infectious fever continues to tantalize parents and practitioners, yet researchers still hesitate to study its physiology/biochemistry, fearing stress and heat of brain imaging, contagion, and fever's complexity. Yet what could be more revealing than a common event that virtually 'normalizes' autistic behavior for a time? This paper proposes study of three simplified scenarios: (1) improvements appearing hours before fever, (2) return of autistic behavior soon after fever, (3) improvements persisting long after fever. Each scenario limits some risk - and some explanation - inviting triangulation of decisive factor(s) in relief and recurrence. Return of autistic behavior after fever may be most revealing. The complex mechanisms that generated fever have all abated; simpler cooling mechanisms prevail - how many plausible explanations can there be? The decisive factor in fever's benefit is concluded to be water drawn/carried from brain myelin and astrocytes by osmolytes glutamine and taurine released from muscles and brain; the decisive factor in return of autistic behavior after fever is return of water.

Effects of anthropogenic sound on digging behavior, metabolism, Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) ATPase activity, and metabolism-related gene expression of the bivalve Sinonovacula constricta

Anthropogenic sound has increased significantly in the past decade. However, only a few studies to date have investigated its effects on marine bivalves, with little known about the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. In the present study, the effects of different types, frequencies, and intensities of anthropogenic sounds on the digging behavior of razor clams (Sinonovacula constricta) were investigated. The results showed that variations in sound intensity induced deeper digging. Furthermore, anthropogenic sound exposure led to an alteration in the O:N ratios and the expression of ten metabolism-related genes from the glycolysis, fatty acid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA cycle) pathways. Expression of all genes under investigation was induced upon exposure to anthropogenic sound at ~80 dB re 1 μPa and repressed at ~100 dB re 1 μPa sound. In addition, the activity of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase in the feet tissues, which is directly related to muscular contraction and subsequently to digging behavior, was also found to be affected by anthropogenic sound intensity. The findings suggest that sound may be perceived by bivalves as changes in the water particle motion and lead to the subsequent reactions detected in razor clams.

Consensus paper: radiological biomarkers of cerebellar diseases

Hereditary and sporadic cerebellar ataxias represent a vast and still growing group of diseases whose diagnosis and differentiation cannot only rely on clinical evaluation. Brain imaging including magnetic resonance (MR) and nuclear medicine techniques allows for characterization of structural and functional abnormalities underlying symptomatic ataxias. These methods thus constitute a potential source of radiological biomarkers, which could be used to identify these diseases and differentiate subgroups of them, and to assess their severity and their evolution. Such biomarkers mainly comprise qualitative and quantitative data obtained from MR including proton spectroscopy, diffusion imaging, tractography, voxel-based morphometry, functional imaging during task execution or in a resting state, and from SPETC and PET with several radiotracers. In the current article, we aim to illustrate briefly some applications of these neuroimaging tools to evaluation of cerebellar disorders such as inherited cerebellar ataxia, fetal developmental malformations, and immune-mediated cerebellar diseases and of neurodegenerative or early-developing diseases, such as dementia and autism in which cerebellar involvement is an emerging feature. Although these radiological biomarkers appear promising and helpful to better understand ataxia-related anatomical and physiological impairments, to date, very few of them have turned out to be specific for a given ataxia with atrophy of the cerebellar system being the main and the most usual alteration being observed. Consequently, much remains to be done to establish sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of available MR and nuclear medicine features as diagnostic, progression and surrogate biomarkers in clinical routine.

Genetic aspects of autism spectrum disorders: insights from animal models

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that display a triad of core behavioral deficits including restricted interests, often accompanied by repetitive behavior, deficits in language and communication, and an inability to engage in reciprocal social interactions. ASD is among the most heritable disorders but is not a simple disorder with a singular pathology and has a rather complex etiology. It is interesting to note that perturbations in synaptic growth, development, and stability underlie a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including ASD, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. Biological characterization of an increasing repertoire of synaptic mutants in various model organisms indicates synaptic dysfunction as causal in the pathophysiology of ASD. Our understanding of the genes and genetic pathways that contribute toward the formation, stabilization, and maintenance of functional synapses coupled with an in-depth phenotypic analysis of the cellular and behavioral characteristics is therefore essential to unraveling the pathogenesis of these disorders. In this review, we discuss the genetic aspects of ASD emphasizing on the well conserved set of genes and genetic pathways implicated in this disorder, many of which contribute to synapse assembly and maintenance across species. We also review how fundamental research using animal models is providing key insights into the various facets of human ASD.

Genetic reduction of the α1 subunit of Na/K-ATPase corrects multiple hippocampal phenotypes in Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome (AS) is associated with symptoms that include autism, intellectual disability, motor abnormalities, and epilepsy. We recently showed that AS model mice have increased expression of the alpha1 subunit of Na/K-ATPase (α1-NaKA) in the hippocampus, which was correlated with increased expression of axon initial segment (AIS) proteins. Our developmental analysis revealed that the increase in α1-NaKA expression preceded that of the AIS proteins. Therefore, we hypothesized that α1-NaKA overexpression drives AIS abnormalities and that by reducing its expression these and other phenotypes could be corrected in AS model mice. Herein, we report that the genetic normalization of α1-NaKA levels in AS model mice corrects multiple hippocampal phenotypes, including alterations in the AIS, aberrant intrinsic membrane properties, impaired synaptic plasticity, and memory deficits. These findings strongly suggest that increased expression of α1-NaKA plays an important role in a broad range of abnormalities in the hippocampus of AS model mice.

Role of NAD(+), Oxidative Stress, and Tryptophan Metabolism in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neuro-developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, reduced/absent verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior during early childhood. The etiology of this developmental disorder is poorly understood, and no biomarkers have been identified. Identification of novel biochemical markers related to autism would be advantageous for earlier clinical diagnosis and intervention. Studies suggest that oxidative stress-induced mechanisms and reduced antioxidant defense, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired energy metabolism (NAD(+), NADH, ATP, pyruvate, and lactate), are major causes of ASD. This review provides renewed insight regarding current autism research related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered tryptophan metabolism in ASD.

Oxidative Stress and Erythrocyte Membrane Alterations in Children with Autism: Correlation with Clinical Features

It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but the literature reports somewhat contradictory results. To further investigate the issue, we evaluated a high number of peripheral oxidative stress parameters, and some related issues such as erythrocyte membrane functional features and lipid composition. Twenty-one autistic children (Au) aged 5 to 12 years, were gender and age-matched with 20 typically developing children (TD). Erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, urinary isoprostane and hexanoyl-lysine adduct levels were elevated in Au, thus confirming the occurrence of an imbalance of the redox status of Au, whilst other oxidative stress markers or associated parameters (urinary 8-oxo-dG, plasma radical absorbance capacity and carbonyl groups, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) were unchanged. A very significant reduction of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity (−66%, p<0.0001), a reduction of erythrocyte membrane fluidity and alteration in erythrocyte fatty acid membrane profile (increase in monounsaturated fatty acids, decrease in EPA and DHA-ω3 with a consequent increase in ω6/ω3 ratio) were found in Au compared to TD, without change in membrane sialic acid content. Some Au clinical features appear to be correlated with these findings; in particular, hyperactivity score appears to be related with some parameters of the lipidomic profile and membrane fluidity. Oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane alterations may play a role in the pathogenesis of ASD and prompt the development of palliative therapeutic protocols. Moreover, the marked decrease in NKA could be potentially utilized as a peripheral biomarker of ASD.

Proteomic profiling in Drosophila reveals potential Dube3a regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and neuronal homeostasis

The molecular defects associated with Angelman syndrome (AS) and 15q duplication autism are directly correlated to expression levels of the E3 ubiquitin ligase protein UBE3A. Here we used Drosophila melanogaster to screen for the targets of this ubiquitin ligase under conditions of both decreased (as in AS) or increased (as in dup(15)) levels of the fly Dube3a or human UBE3A proteins. Using liquid phase isoelectric focusing of proteins from whole fly head extracts we identified a total of 50 proteins that show changes in protein, and in some cases transcriptional levels, when Dube3a fluctuates. We analyzed head extracts from cytoplasmic, nuclear and membrane fractions for Dube3a regulated proteins. Our results indicate that Dube3a is involved in the regulation of cellular functions related to ATP synthesis/metabolism, actin cytoskeletal integrity, both catabolism and carbohydrate metabolism as well as nervous system development and function. Sixty-two percent of the proteins were >50% identical to homologous human proteins and 8 have previously be shown to be ubiquitinated in the fly nervous system. Eight proteins may be regulated by Dube3a at the transcript level through the transcriptional co-activation function of Dube3a. We investigated one autism-associated protein, ATPα, and found that it can be ubiquitinated in a Dube3a dependent manner. We also found that Dube3a mutants have significantly less filamentous actin than wild type larvae consistent with the identification of actin targets regulated by Dube3a. The identification of UBE3A targets is the first step in unraveling the molecular etiology of AS and duplication 15q autism.

Increased Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the rat brain after meningitis induction by Streptococcus pneumoniae

Barichello T, Generoso JS, Cipriano AL, Casagrande R, Collodel A, Savi GD, Scherer EBS, Kolling J, Wyse ATS. Increase Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the rat brain after meningitis induction byStreptococcus pneumoniae.

Background: Pneumococcal meningitis is the most severe infection of the central nervous system with a mortality rate up to 20% and an adverse neurological result in up to 50% of survivors. A complicated series of interactions among the host immune response and oxidants seems to be responsible for meningitis associated brain dysfunctions. Na+,K+-ATPase is an essential enzyme responsible for generating and maintaining the membrane potential necessary for neural excitability, however, the Na+,K+-ATPase activity is altered in several illness;

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the Na+,K+-ATPase activity in hippocampus and cortex of the rats submitted to pneumococcal meningitis.

Methods: Animals received 10 µl sterile saline as a placebo or an equivalent volume ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeto the concentration of 5 × 109cfu/ml and were killed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after meningitis induction. The brain structures, hippocampus and cortex, were immediately isolated on dry ice and stored at −80°C to analyse Na+,K+-ATPase activity.

Results: In the hippocampus, we verified the increase of Na+,K+-ATPase activity at 48, 72 and 96 h (p< 0.05) and in the cortex at 24 h (p< 0.05) after pneumococcal meningitis induction.

Conclusion: The Na+,K+-ATPase activity is under the control of a diversity of intracellular messengers that are able to modulate the function of the particular isozymes in a precise way. Furthermore, we verified that pneumococcal meningitis increased the Na+,K+-ATPase activity in hippocampus and cortex; this increase can be correlated with a compensatory mechanism in illness pathophysiology.

Consensus paper: pathological role of the cerebellum in autism

There has been significant advancement in various aspects of scientific knowledge concerning the role of cerebellum in the etiopathogenesis of autism. In the current consensus paper, we will observe the diversity of opinions regarding the involvement of this important site in the pathology of autism. Recent emergent findings in literature related to cerebellar involvement in autism are discussed, including: cerebellar pathology, cerebellar imaging and symptom expression in autism, cerebellar genetics, cerebellar immune function, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, cholinergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and oxytocin-related changes in autism, motor control and cognitive deficits, cerebellar coordination of movements and cognition, gene-environment interactions, therapeutics in autism, and relevant animal models of autism. Points of consensus include presence of abnormal cerebellar anatomy, abnormal neurotransmitter systems, oxidative stress, cerebellar motor and cognitive deficits, and neuroinflammation in subjects with autism. Undefined areas or areas requiring further investigation include lack of treatment options for core symptoms of autism, vermal hypoplasia, and other vermal abnormalities as a consistent feature of autism, mechanisms underlying cerebellar contributions to cognition, and unknown mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation.

Exposure to low dose of cinnabar (a naturally occurring mercuric sulfide (HgS)) caused neurotoxicological effects in offspring mice

Cinnabar, a naturally occurring mercuric sulfide (HgS), has long been used in Chinese mineral medicine for more than 2000 years. Although mercury is well-known for its toxicity, whether cinnabar induces neurotoxicity, especially in infants and children, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the neurotoxic effects of low-dose of cinnabar (10 mg/kg/day) on developing mice. The results revealed neurobehavioral defects in F1-C-Cin group, which were associated with Hg accumulation, increased NO(x) levels in whole blood, and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activities in brain tissues. F1- and F2-Cin-V groups were found to increase brain Hg contents and prominent neurobehavioral defects compared with F1-C-V group, suggesting that the fetal brain was more susceptible to irreversible effects for cinnabar-induced damage. Moreover, F1- and F2-Cin-Cin groups had severely neurobehavioral dysfunctions, closely correlated with the further alteration of NO(x) levels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activities than F1- and F2-C-Cin groups. Effects in F2-Cin-Cin group were more significant than those in F1-Cin-Cin group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that exposure to low-dose of cinnabar during the perinatal and developmental stages results in irreversible and severe injuries of the neurotoxicity in offspring, and NO(x) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activities may exist potential and useful biomarkers for neurotoxicity-induced by low-doses of mercuric compounds.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A comprehensive literature search was performed to collate evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) with two primary objectives. First, features of mitochondrial dysfunction in the general population of children with ASD were identified. Second, characteristics of mitochondrial dysfunction in children with ASD and concomitant mitochondrial disease (MD) were compared with published literature of two general populations: ASD children without MD, and non-ASD children with MD. The prevalence of MD in the general population of ASD was 5.0% (95% confidence interval 3.2, 6.9%), much higher than found in the general population (≈ 0.01%). The prevalence of abnormal biomarker values of mitochondrial dysfunction was high in ASD, much higher than the prevalence of MD. Variances and mean values of many mitochondrial biomarkers (lactate, pyruvate, carnitine and ubiquinone) were significantly different between ASD and controls. Some markers correlated with ASD severity. Neuroimaging, in vitro and post-mortem brain studies were consistent with an elevated prevalence of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD. Taken together, these findings suggest children with ASD have a spectrum of mitochondrial dysfunction of differing severity. Eighteen publications representing a total of 112 children with ASD and MD (ASD/MD) were identified. The prevalence of developmental regression (52%), seizures (41%), motor delay (51%), gastrointestinal abnormalities (74%), female gender (39%), and elevated lactate (78%) and pyruvate (45%) was significantly higher in ASD/MD compared with the general ASD population. The prevalence of many of these abnormalities was similar to the general population of children with MD, suggesting that ASD/MD represents a distinct subgroup of children with MD. Most ASD/MD cases (79%) were not associated with genetic abnormalities, raising the possibility of secondary mitochondrial dysfunction. Treatment studies for ASD/MD were limited, although improvements were noted in some studies with carnitine, co-enzyme Q10 and B-vitamins. Many studies suffered from limitations, including small sample sizes, referral or publication biases, and variability in protocols for selecting children for MD workup, collecting mitochondrial biomarkers and defining MD. Overall, this evidence supports the notion that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ASD. Additional studies are needed to further define the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD.

Alterations in intrinsic membrane properties and the axon initial segment in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

The axon initial segment (AIS) is the site of action potential initiation in neurons. Recent studies have demonstrated activity-dependent regulation of the AIS, including homeostatic changes in AIS length, membrane excitability, and the localization of voltage-gated Na(+) channels. The neurodevelopmental disorder Angelman syndrome (AS) is usually caused by the deletion of small portions of the maternal copy of chromosome 15, which includes the UBE3A gene. A mouse model of AS has been generated and these mice exhibit multiple neurological abnormalities similar to those observed in humans. We examined intrinsic properties of pyramidal neurons in hippocampal area CA1 from AS model mice and observed alterations in resting membrane potential, threshold potential, and action potential amplitude. The altered intrinsic properties in the AS mice were correlated with significant increases in the expression of the α1 subunit of Na/K-ATPase (α1-NaKA), the Na(+) channel NaV1.6, and the AIS anchoring protein ankyrin-G, as well as an increase in length of the AIS. These findings are the first evidence for pathology of intrinsic membrane properties and AIS-specific changes in AS, a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with autism.

Plasma fatty acids as diagnostic markers in autistic patients from Saudi Arabia

Backgrounds

Autism is a family of developmental disorders of unknown origin. The disorder is characterized by behavioral, developmental, neuropathological and sensory abnormalities, and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 10 with peak prevalence rates observed in children aged 5-8 years. Recently, there has been heightened interest in the role of plasma free fatty acids (FA) in the pathology of neurological disorders. The aim of this study is to compare plasma fatty acid profiles of Saudi autistic patients with those of age-matching control subjects in an attempt to clarify the role of FA in the etiology of autism.

Methods

26 autistic patients together with 26-age-matching controls were enrolled in the present study. Methyl esters of FA were extracted with hexane, and the fatty acid composition of the extract was analyzed on a gas chromatography.

Results

The obtained data proved that fatty acids are altered in the plasma of autistic patients, specifically showing an increase in most of the saturated fatty acids except for propionic acid, and a decrease in most of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The altered fatty acid profile was discussed in relation to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and the high lead (Pb) concentration previously reported in Saudi autistic patients. Statistical analysis of the obtained data shows that most of the measured fatty acids were significantly different in autistic patients compared to age -matching controls.

Conclusions

Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis shows satisfactory values of area under the curve (AUC) which could reflect the high degree of specificity and sensitivity of the altered fatty acids as biomarkers in autistic patients from Saudi Arabia.

Brain region-specific deficit in mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes in children with autism

Mitochondria play important roles in generation of free radicals, ATP formation, and in apoptosis. We studied the levels of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes, that is, complexes I, II, III, IV, and V, in brain tissue samples from the cerebellum and the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal cortices of subjects with autism and age-matched control subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their ages: Group A (children, ages 4-10 years) and Group B (adults, ages 14-39 years). In Group A, we observed significantly lower levels of complexes III and V in the cerebellum (p<0.05), of complex I in the frontal cortex (p<0.05), and of complexes II (p<0.01), III (p<0.01), and V (p<0.05) in the temporal cortex of children with autism as compared to age-matched control subjects, while none of the five ETC complexes was affected in the parietal and occipital cortices in subjects with autism. In the cerebellum and temporal cortex, no overlap was observed in the levels of these ETC complexes between subjects with autism and control subjects. In the frontal cortex of Group A, a lower level of ETC complexes was observed in a subset of autism cases, that is, 60% (3/5) for complexes I, II, and V, and 40% (2/5) for complexes III and IV. A striking observation was that the levels of ETC complexes were similar in adult subjects with autism and control subjects (Group B). A significant increase in the levels of lipid hydroperoxides, an oxidative stress marker, was also observed in the cerebellum and temporal cortex in the children with autism. These results suggest that the expression of ETC complexes is decreased in the cerebellum and the frontal and temporal regions of the brain in children with autism, which may lead to abnormal energy metabolism and oxidative stress. The deficits observed in the levels of ETC complexes in children with autism may readjust to normal levels by adulthood.