1
|
Scholefield M, Church SJ, Xu J, Patassini S, Roncaroli F, Hooper NM, Unwin RD, Cooper GJS. Widespread Decreases in Cerebral Copper Are Common to Parkinson's Disease Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:641222. [PMID: 33746735 PMCID: PMC7966713 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.641222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) have reported dysregulation of cerebral metals, particularly decreases in copper and increases in iron in substantia nigra (SN). However, few studies have investigated regions outside the SN, fewer have measured levels of multiple metals across different regions within the same brains, and there are no currently-available reports of metal levels in Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). This study aimed to compare concentrations of nine essential metals across nine different brain regions in cases of PDD and controls. Investigated were: primary motor cortex (MCX); cingulate gyrus (CG); primary visual cortex (PVC); hippocampus (HP); cerebellar cortex (CB); SN; locus coeruleus (LC); medulla oblongata (MED); and middle temporal gyrus (MTG), thus covering regions with severe, moderate, or low levels of neuronal loss in PDD. Levels of eight essential metals and selenium were determined using an analytical methodology involving the use of inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and compared between cases and controls, to better understand the extent and severity of metal perturbations. Findings were also compared with those from our previous study of sporadic Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD), which employed equivalent methods, to identify differences and similarities between these conditions. Widespread copper decreases occurred in PDD in seven of nine regions (exceptions being LC and CB). Four PDD-affected regions showed similar decreases in ADD: CG, HP, MTG, and MCX. Decreases in potassium and manganese were present in HP, MTG and MCX; decreased manganese was also found in SN and MED. Decreased selenium and magnesium were present in MCX, and decreased zinc in HP. There was no evidence for increased iron in SN or any other region. These results identify alterations in levels of several metals across multiple regions of PDD brain, the commonest being widespread decreases in copper that closely resemble those in ADD, pointing to similar disease mechanisms in both dementias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Scholefield
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Centre for Advanced Discovery & Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie J. Church
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Centre for Advanced Discovery & Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jingshu Xu
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Centre for Advanced Discovery & Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Patassini
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Federico Roncaroli
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Brain and Mental Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel M. Hooper
- Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D. Unwin
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Centre for Advanced Discovery & Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Stoller Biomarker Discovery Centre & Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Garth J. S. Cooper
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Centre for Advanced Discovery & Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cilliers K. Trace element alterations in Alzheimer's disease: A review. Clin Anat 2021; 34:766-773. [PMID: 33580904 DOI: 10.1002/ca.23727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Dyshomeostasis of trace elements have been implicated in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques. Trace elements are particularly associated with the Aβ plaques. Metal-protein attenuating compounds have been developed to inhibit metals from binding to Aβ proteins, which result in Aβ termination, in the hope of improving cognitive functioning. However, there are still some contradicting reports. This review aims to first establish which trace elements are increased or decreased in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, and secondly, to review the effectiveness of clinical trials with metal-protein attenuating compounds for AD. Studies have consistently reported unchanged or increased iron, contradicting reports for zinc, decreased copper, unchanged or decreased manganese, inconsistent results for calcium, and magnesium seems to be unaffected. However, varied results have been reported for all trace elements. Clinical trials using metal-protein attenuating compounds to treat AD have also reported varied results. Copper chelators have repeatedly been used in clinical trials, even though few studies report increased brain copper levels in AD patients. Homeostasis of copper levels is important since copper has a vital role in several enzymes, such as cytochrome c, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin. Dyshomeostasis of copper levels can lead to increased oxidative stress and neuronal loss. Future studies should assess a variety of trace element levels in moderately and severely affected AD patients since there are contradicting reports. This review thus provides some insight into trace element alterations in the brains of individuals with AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Cilliers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cilliers K, Muller CJF. Multi-element Analysis of Brain Regions from South African Cadavers. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:425-441. [PMID: 32361883 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02158-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Trace elements are vital for a variety of functions in the brain. However, an imbalance can result in oxidative stress. It is important to ascertain the normal levels in different brain regions, as such information is still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to provide baseline trace element concentrations from a South African population, as well as determine trace element differences between sex and brain regions. Samples from the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus and hippocampus were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, strontium, vanadium and zinc were assessed. A multiple median regression model was used to determine differences between sex and regions. Twenty-nine male and 13 female cadavers from a Western Cape, South African population were included (mean age 35 years, range 19 to 45). Trace element levels were comparable to those of other populations, although magnesium was considerably lower. While there were no sex differences, significant anatomical regional differences existed; the caudate nucleus and hippocampus were the most similar, and the globus pallidus and hippocampus the most different. In conclusion, this is the first article to report the trace element concentrations of brain regions from a South African population. Low magnesium levels in the brain may be linked to a dietary deficiency, and migraines, depression and epilepsy have been linked to low magnesium levels. Future research should be directed to increase the dietary intake of magnesium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Cilliers
- Division of Clinical Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Western Cape, South Africa.
| | - Christo J F Muller
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Western Cape, South Africa
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health ScieAnces, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Western Cape, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ramos P, Santos A, Pinto NR, Mendes R, Magalhães T, Almeida A. Anatomical regional differences in selenium levels in the human brain. Biol Trace Elem Res 2015; 163:89-96. [PMID: 25413879 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-014-0160-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The role of selenium in human brain physiology, as well as in aging and neurodegenerative processes, remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish the "normal" (reference) levels for selenium in the human brain, as well as anatomical regional differences and age-related changes. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after sample microwave-assisted acid digestion, selenium levels were measured in 14 different areas of the brain of adult individuals (n = 42; 71 ± 12, range 50-101 years old) without a known history of neurodegenerative, neurological, or psychiatric disorders. In the whole data set (n = 588; 42 individuals × 14 brain areas), selenium levels ranged from 552 to 1435 ng/g, with a mean ± SD content of 959 ± 178 ng/g (dry weight basis). Selenium distribution across the different brain areas was heterogeneous, with the highest levels in the putamen, parietal inferior lobule, and occipital cortex and the lowest expression in the medulla and cerebellum. Selenium levels were unchanged with aging. Compared with the age-matched control group, significantly increased levels of selenium were found in the globus pallidus, superior temporal gyrus, and frontal cortex of Parkinson's disease (n = 1) and Alzheimer's disease (n = 2) patients. This study provides new data on the anatomical regional differences in selenium levels in the human brain, which will aid future interpretation of studies examining brain tissue affected by neurodegenerative (and other) brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Ramos
- REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto University, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ramos P, Santos A, Pinto NR, Mendes R, Magalhães T, Almeida A. Anatomical region differences and age-related changes in copper, zinc, and manganese levels in the human brain. Biol Trace Elem Res 2014; 161:190-201. [PMID: 25119708 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-014-0093-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after samples microwave-assisted acid digestion, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) levels were measured in 14 different areas of the human brain of adult individuals (n = 42; 71 ± 12, range 50-101 years old) without a known history of neurodegenerative, neurological, or psychiatric disorder. The main goals of the work were to establish the "normal" (reference) values for those elements in the human brain and to evaluate the age-related changes, a prior and indispensable step in order to enlighten the role of trace element (TE) in human brain physiology and their involvement in aging and neurodegenerative processes. Considering the mean values for the 14 regions, Zn (mean ± sd; range 53 ± 5; 43-61 μg/g) was found at higher levels, followed by Cu (22 ± 5; 10-37 μg/g) and Mn (1.3 ± 0.3; 0.5-2.7 μg/g). The TE distribution across the brain tissue showed to be quite heterogeneous: the highest levels of Zn were found in the hippocampus (70 ± 10; 49-95 μg/g) and superior temporal gyrus (68 ± 10; 44-88 μg/g) and the lowest in the pons (33 ± 8; 19-51 μg/g); the highest levels of Cu and Mn were found in the putamen (36 ± 13; 21-76 μg/g and 2.5 ± 0.8; 0.7-4.5 μg/g, respectively) and the lowest in the medulla (11 ± 6; 2-30 μg/g and 0.8 ± 0.3; 0.2-1.8 μg/g, respectively). A tendency for an age-related increase in Zn and Mn levels was observed in most brain regions while Cu levels showed to be negatively correlated with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Ramos
- REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto University, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|