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Yan L, Li H, Qian Y, Liu Q, Cong S, Dou B, Wang Y, Wang M, Yu T. Acupuncture modulates the gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease: current evidence, challenges, and future opportunities. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1334735. [PMID: 38495110 PMCID: PMC10940355 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1334735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, one of the most severe and common neurodegenerative diseases, has no effective cure. Therefore it is crucial to explore novel and effective therapeutic targets. The gut microbiota - brain axis has been found to play a role in Alzheimer's disease by regulating the neuro-immune and endocrine systems. At the same time, acupuncture can modulate the gut microbiota and may impact the course of Alzheimer's disease. In this Review, we discuss recent studies on the role of acupuncture on the gut microbiota as well current challenges and future opportunities of acupuncture as potential treatment for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Yan
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Li
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yulin Qian
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qidi Liu
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Cong
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Baomin Dou
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Wang
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Wang
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Yu
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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Tu R, Xia J. Stroke and Vascular Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Intestinal Microbiota Metabolite TMAO. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:102-121. [PMID: 36740795 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230203140805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiome interacts with the brain bidirectionally through the microbiome-gutbrain axis, which plays a key role in regulating various nervous system pathophysiological processes. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is produced by choline metabolism through intestinal microorganisms, which can cross the blood-brain barrier to act on the central nervous system. Previous studies have shown that elevated plasma TMAO concentrations increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, but there are few studies on TMAO in cerebrovascular disease and vascular cognitive impairment. This review summarized a decade of research on the impact of TMAO on stroke and related cognitive impairment, with particular attention to the effects on vascular cognitive disorders. We demonstrated that TMAO has a marked impact on the occurrence, development, and prognosis of stroke by regulating cholesterol metabolism, foam cell formation, platelet hyperresponsiveness and thrombosis, and promoting inflammation and oxidative stress. TMAO can also influence the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease via inducing abnormal aggregation of key proteins, affecting inflammation and thrombosis. However, although clinical studies have confirmed the association between the microbiome-gut-brain axis and vascular cognitive impairment (cerebral small vessel disease and post-stroke cognitive impairment), the molecular mechanism of TMAO has not been clarified, and TMAO precursors seem to play the opposite role in the process of poststroke cognitive impairment. In addition, several studies have also reported the possible neuroprotective effects of TMAO. Existing therapies for these diseases targeted to regulate intestinal flora and its metabolites have shown good efficacy. TMAO is probably a new target for early prediction and treatment of stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxin Tu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Jian Xia
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
- Human Clinical Research Center for Cerebrovascular Disease, Changsha, China
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Mihuta MS, Paul C, Borlea A, Roi CM, Pescari D, Velea-Barta OA, Mozos I, Stoian D. Connections between serum Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), a gut-derived metabolite, and vascular biomarkers evaluating arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis in children with obesity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1253584. [PMID: 37850094 PMCID: PMC10577381 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1253584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood obesity leads to early subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness. Studying biomarkers like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), linked to cardio-metabolic disorders in adults, is crucial to prevent long-term cardiovascular issues. Methods The study involved 70 children aged 4 to 18 (50 obese, 20 normal-weight). Clinical examination included BMI, waist measurements, puberty stage, the presence of acanthosis nigricans, and irregular menstrual cycles. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by measuring the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and the arterial stiffness was evaluated through surrogate markers like the pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and peripheral and central blood pressures. The blood biomarkers included determining the values of TMAO, HOMA-IR, and other usual biomarkers investigating metabolism. Results The study detected significantly elevated levels of TMAO in obese children compared to controls. TMAO presented positive correlations to BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio and was also observed as an independent predictor of all three parameters. Significant correlations were observed between TMAO and vascular markers such as CIMT, PWV, and peripheral BP levels. TMAO independently predicts CIMT, PWV, peripheral BP, and central SBP levels, even after adding BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, puberty development and age in the regression model. Obese children with high HOMA-IR presented a greater weight excess and significantly higher vascular markers, but TMAO levels did not differ significantly from the obese with HOMA-IR Conclusion Our study provides compelling evidence supporting the link between serum TMAO, obesity, and vascular damage in children. These findings highlight the importance of further research to unravel the underlying mechanisms of this connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Simina Mihuta
- Department of Doctoral Studies, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Paul
- Department of Pediatrics, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Borlea
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Mihaela Roi
- Department of Doctoral Studies, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Denisa Pescari
- Department of Doctoral Studies, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Oana-Alexandra Velea-Barta
- 3rd Department of Odontotherapy and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Mozos
- Department of Functional Sciences—Pathophysiology, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Dana Stoian
- Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
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Zhao Q, Chen J, Wu M, Yin X, Jiang Q, Gao H, Zheng H. Microbiota from healthy mice alleviates cognitive decline via reshaping the gut-brain metabolic axis in diabetic mice. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110638. [PMID: 37473910 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic cognitive decline has been associated with the gut microbial disorders, but its potential gut-brain axis mechanisms remain unclear. Herein we transplanted the gut microbiota from healthy mice into type 1 diabetic (T1D) mice and then investigated the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on cognitive function and the gut-brain metabolic axis. The results demonstrate that FMT from healthy mice effectively improved the learning and memory abilities in T1D mice, and significantly reduced neuroinflammation and neuron injury in the cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, FMT partly reversed the gut microbiota and gut-brain metabolic disorders, particularly glutamate metabolism. In vitro study, we found that glutamate notably decreased microglia activation and the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. Hence, our study suggests that glutamate serves as a key signal metabolite connecting the gut to brain and affects cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihui Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Junli Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Mengjun Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xiaoli Yin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Qiaoying Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Hongchang Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Hong Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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Quan W, Qiao CM, Niu GY, Wu J, Zhao LP, Cui C, Zhao WJ, Shen YQ. Trimethylamine N-Oxide Exacerbates Neuroinflammation and Motor Dysfunction in an Acute MPTP Mice Model of Parkinson's Disease. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050790. [PMID: 37239262 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Observational studies have shown abnormal changes in trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels in the peripheral circulatory system of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. TMAO is a gut microbiota metabolite that can cross the blood-brain barrier and is strongly related to neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is one of the pathological drivers of PD. Herein, we investigated the effect of TMAO on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD model mice. TMAO pretreatment was given by adding 1.5% (w/v) TMAO to the drinking water of the mice for 21 days; then, the mice were administered MPTP (20 mg/kg, i.p.) four times a day to construct an acute PD model. Their serum TMAO concentrations, motor function, dopaminergic network integrity, and neuroinflammation were then assayed. The results showed that TMAO partly aggravated the motor dysfunction of the PD mice. Although TMAO had no effect on the dopaminergic neurons, TH protein content, and striatal DA level in the PD mice, it significantly reduced the striatal 5-HT levels and aggravated the metabolism of DA and 5-HT. Meanwhile, TMAO significantly activated glial cells in the striatum and the hippocampi of the PD mice and promoted the release of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. In summary, higher-circulating TMAO had adverse effects on the motor capacity, striatum neurotransmitters, and striatal and hippocampal neuroinflammation in PD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Quan
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Chen-Meng Qiao
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Gu-Yu Niu
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Li-Ping Zhao
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Chun Cui
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Wei-Jiang Zhao
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yan-Qin Shen
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Injury, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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Kaur N, LaForce G, Mallela DP, Saha PP, Buffa J, Li XS, Sangwan N, Rothenberg K, Zhu W. Exploratory Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals the Role of Gut Microbiota in Vascular Dementia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098091. [PMID: 37175797 PMCID: PMC10178712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is the second most common cause of cognitive impairment and dementia. Vascular dementia (VaD), a cognitive impairment following a stroke, is common and significantly impacts the quality of life. We recently demonstrated via gut microbe transplant studies that the gut microbe-dependent trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) pathway impacts stroke severity, both infarct size and long-term cognitive outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms that underly the role of the microbiome in VaD have not been explored in depth. To address this issue, we performed a comprehensive RNA-sequencing analysis to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes in the ischemic cerebral cortex of mouse brains at pre-stroke and post-stroke day 1 and day 3. A total of 4016, 3752 and 7861 DE genes were identified at pre-stroke and post-stroke day 1 and day 3, respectively. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated pathways of neurodegeneration in multiple diseases, chemokine signaling, calcium signaling, and IL-17 signaling as the key enriched pathways. Inflammatory response genes interleukin-1 beta (Il-1β), chemokines (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (Cxcl10), chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2)), and immune system genes (S100 calcium binding protein 8 (S100a8), lipocalin-2 (Lcn2)) were among the most significantly upregulated genes. Hypocretin neuropeptide precursor (Hcrt), a neuropeptide, and transcription factors such as neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (Npas4), GATA binding protein 3 (Gata3), and paired box 7 (Pax7) were among the most significantly downregulated genes. In conclusion, our results indicate that higher plasma TMAO levels induce differential mRNA expression profiles in the ischemic brain tissue in our pre-clinical stroke model, and the predicted pathways provide the molecular basis for regulating the TMAO-enhanced neuroinflammatory response in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navdeep Kaur
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Geneva LaForce
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Deepthi P Mallela
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Prasenjit Prasad Saha
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jennifer Buffa
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Xinmin S Li
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Naseer Sangwan
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Microbial Sequencing & Analytics Resource (MSAAR) Facility, Shared Laboratory Resources (SLR), Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Kasia Rothenberg
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Weifei Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Ma J, Liu Z, Gao X, Bao Y, Hong Y, He X, Zhu W, Li Y, Huang W, Zheng N, Sheng L, Zhou B, Chen H, Li H. Gut microbiota remodeling improves natural aging-related disorders through Akkermansia muciniphila and its derived acetic acid. Pharmacol Res 2023; 189:106687. [PMID: 36746362 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates gut microbiota contributes to aging-related disorders. However, the exact mechanism underlying gut dysbiosis-related pathophysiological changes during aging remains largely unclear. In the current study, we first performed gut microbiota remodeling on old mice by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from young mice, and then characterized the bacteria signature that was specifically altered by FMT. Our results revealed that FMT significantly improved natural aging-related systemic disorders, particularly exerted hepatoprotective effects, and improved glucose sensitivity, hepatosplenomegaly, inflammaging, antioxidative capacity and intestinal barrier. Moreover, FMT particularly increased the abundance of fecal A.muciniphila, which was almost nondetectable in old mice. Interestingly, A.muciniphila supplementation also exerted similar benefits with FMT on old mice. Notably, targeted metabolomics on short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) revealed that only acetic acid was consistently reversed by FMT. Then, acetic acid intervention exerted beneficial actions on both Caenorhabditis elegans and natural aging mice. In conclusion, our current study demonstrated that gut microbiota remodeling improved natural aging-related disorders through A.muciniphila and its derived acetic acid, suggesting that interventions with potent stimulative capacity on A. muciniphila growth and production of acetic acid was alternative and effective way to maintain healthy aging. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The data of RNAseq and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing can be accessed in NCBI with the accession number PRJNA848996 and PRJNA849355.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zekun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xinxin Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yiyang Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Hong
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaofang He
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Weize Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenjin Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ningning Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lili Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ben Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hongzhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200025, China.
| | - Houkai Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Zhang L, Yu F, Xia J. Trimethylamine N-oxide: role in cell senescence and age-related diseases. Eur J Nutr 2023; 62:525-541. [PMID: 36219234 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-03011-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hayflick and Moorhead first demonstrated cell senescence as the irreversible growth arrest of cells after prolonged cultivation. Telomere shortening and oxidative stress are the fundamental mechanisms that drive cell senescence. Increasing studies have shown that TMAO is closely associated with cellular aging and age-related diseases. An emerging body of evidence from animal models, especially mice, has identified that TMAO contributes to senescence from multiple pathways and appears to accelerate many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, the specific mechanism of how TMAO speeds aging is still not completely clear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this review, we summarize some key findings in TMAO, cell senescence, and age-related diseases. We focused particular attention on the potential mechanisms for clinical transformation to find ways to interfere with the aging process. CONCLUSION TMAO can accelerate cell senescence by causing mitochondrial damage, superoxide formation, and promoting the generation of pro-inflammatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Fang Yu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Xia
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Clinical Research Center for Cerebrovascular Disease of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Ezkurdia A, Ramírez MJ, Solas M. Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease: A Focus on Insulin Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054354. [PMID: 36901787 PMCID: PMC10001958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main type of dementia and is a disease with a profound socioeconomic burden due to the lack of effective treatment. In addition to genetics and environmental factors, AD is highly associated with metabolic syndrome, defined as the combination of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Among these risk factors, the connection between AD and T2DM has been deeply studied. It has been suggested that the mechanism linking both conditions is insulin resistance. Insulin is an important hormone that regulates not only peripheral energy homeostasis but also brain functions, such as cognition. Insulin desensitization, therefore, could impact normal brain function increasing the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders in later life. Paradoxically, it has been demonstrated that decreased neuronal insulin signalling can also have a protective role in aging and protein-aggregation-associated diseases, as is the case in AD. This controversy is fed by studies focused on neuronal insulin signalling. However, the role of insulin action on other brain cell types, such as astrocytes, is still unexplored. Therefore, it is worthwhile exploring the involvement of the astrocytic insulin receptor in cognition, as well as in the onset and/or development of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaia Ezkurdia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdISNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María J. Ramírez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdISNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite Solas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdISNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Wang Q, Sun Y, Zhou T, Jiang C, A L, Xu W. Gut microbiota-dependent trimethylamine n-oxide pathway contributes to the bidirectional relationship between intestinal inflammation and periodontitis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1125463. [PMID: 36710972 PMCID: PMC9880481 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1125463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intestinal inflammation and periodontitis influence the development of each other through the bidirectional relationship. As the intestinal microbiome metabolite, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) could contribute to chronic inflammation in the gut by influencing the gut microbial composition and intestinal immunity. Increased circulating TMAO levels often accompany clinical findings in patients with experimental periodontitis. However, the role of TMAO in the bidirectional relationship between intestinal inflammation and periodontitis remains unclear. Thus, we explored whether TMAO influences the periodontitis process by affecting intestinal immunity and microbial composition in this article. Methods Periodontitis was induced by unilateral ligation of the first molar in mice, and 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) was used as an inhibitor to reduce TMAO circulating. Twenty-five BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to five study sets (n = 5/group): no periodontitis with DMB (Control group), periodontitis (P) group, periodontitis with TMAO (P+TMAO) group, periodontitis with TMAO and DMB (P+TMAO+DMB) group, and periodontitis with DMB (P+DMB) group. The effect of TMAO was determined by assessing changes in intestinal histology, intestinal flora composition, periodontal tissue, and periodontal pro-inflammatory factors at ten days. Results The outcomes indicated a marked improvement in the intestinal inflammation severity, and intestinal flora diversity was reduced. Firmicutes number and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes were improved in the P+TMAO group. In addition, the alveolar bone resorption and the degree of periodontal tissue inflammation were more severe in the P+TMAO group than in other groups. Immunohistochemistry showed higher levels of TGF-β and IL-1β expression in the periodontal tissues of P+TMAO. Conclusions Our data suggest that TMAO could influence periodontal immunity and promote periodontal inflammation by affecting the intestinal microenvironment, revealing TMAO may affect the development of periodontitis through the bidirectional relationship of the oral-gut axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Wang
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Oral Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Sciences and Technology for Stomatology Nanoengineering, Changchun, China
| | - Tianyu Zhou
- Department of Oral Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Cong Jiang
- Department of Oral Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lan A
- Department of Oral Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Sciences and Technology for Stomatology Nanoengineering, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Lan A, ; Wenzhou Xu,
| | - Wenzhou Xu
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Sciences and Technology for Stomatology Nanoengineering, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Lan A, ; Wenzhou Xu,
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Lu Y, Xu K, Lin D, Wang S, Fu R, Deng X, Croppi G, Zhang J. Multi-omics analysis reveals neuroinflammation, activated glial signaling, and dysregulated synaptic signaling and metabolism in the hippocampus of aged mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:964429. [PMID: 36408109 PMCID: PMC9669972 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.964429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is an intricate biological event that occurs in both vertebrates and invertebrates. During the aging process, the brain, a vulnerable organ, undergoes structural and functional alterations, resulting in behavioral changes. The hippocampus has long been known to be critically associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease during aging; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that altered metabolic and gene expression profiles promote the aging process in the hippocampus. Behavioral tests showed that exploration, locomotion, learning, and memory activities were reduced in aged mice. Metabolomics analysis identified 69 differentially abundant metabolites and showed that the abundance of amino acids, lipids, and microbiota-derived metabolites (MDMs) was significantly altered in hippocampal tissue of aged animals. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis identified 376 differentially expressed genes in the aged hippocampus. A total of 35 differentially abundant metabolites and 119 differentially expressed genes, constituting the top 200 correlations, were employed for the co-expression network. The multi-omics analysis showed that pathways related to inflammation, microglial activation, synapse, cell death, cellular/tissue homeostasis, and metabolism were dysregulated in the aging hippocampus. Our data revealed that metabolic perturbations and gene expression alterations in the aged hippocampus were possibly linked to their behavioral changes in aged mice; we also provide evidence that altered MDMs might mediate the interaction between gut and brain during the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzhong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yinzhong Lu,
| | - Kejia Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongyang Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology and Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rao Fu
- Department of Neurology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobei Deng
- Faculty of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Junjie Zhang,
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Buawangpong N, Pinyopornpanish K, Phrommintikul A, Chindapan N, Devahastin S, Chattipakorn N, Chattipakorn SC. Increased plasma trimethylamine- N-oxide levels are associated with mild cognitive impairment in high cardiovascular risk elderly population. Food Funct 2022; 13:10013-10022. [PMID: 36069253 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo02021a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease and cognitive impairment. The association between early stages of cognitive impairment and TMAO in a high CV risk population has not been previously investigated. This study aimed to investigate the association between the plasma TMAO level and cognitive function in a population with a high risk of CV disease. Participants at a high risk of CV were included. The cognition was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. A score lower than 25 out of 30 was used to indicate mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Blood samples of all participants (n = 233) were collected to measure the plasma levels of TMAO and other metabolic parameters, including fasting blood sugar and lipid profiles. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between MCI and high plasma TMAO levels, adjusted for confounding factors. Of 233 patients, the mean age of patients in this study was 64 years old (SD 8.4). The median TMAO level was 4.31 μM (IQR 3.95). The high TMAO level was an independent risk factor of MCI (aOR 2.36, 95% CI 1.02 to 5.47; p 0.046), when adjusted for age, gender, health care service scheme, smoking history, metabolic syndrome, and history of established CV events. The high TMAO level was associated with MCI, after adjustment for potential confounding factors. These findings demonstrate that plasma TMAO levels can serve for target prediction as an independent risk factor for MCI in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nida Buawangpong
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
| | - Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
| | - Arintaya Phrommintikul
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
| | - Nathamol Chindapan
- Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand 10160
| | - Sakamon Devahastin
- Advanced Food Processsing Rsesearch Laboratory, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand 10140.,The Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand 10300
| | - Nipon Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200. .,Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200.,Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
| | - Siriporn C Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200. .,Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200.,Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
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