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Kolesnikova TO, Demin KA, Costa FV, de Abreu MS, Kalueff AV. Zebrafish models for studying cognitive enhancers. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105797. [PMID: 38971515 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105797] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive decline is commonly seen both in normal aging and in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Various experimental animal models represent a valuable tool to study brain cognitive processes and their deficits. Equally important is the search for novel drugs to treat cognitive deficits and improve cognitions. Complementing rodent and clinical findings, studies utilizing zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly gaining popularity in translational cognitive research and neuroactive drug screening. Here, we discuss the value of zebrafish models and assays for screening nootropic (cognitive enhancer) drugs and the discovery of novel nootropics. We also discuss the existing challenges, and outline future directions of research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Fabiano V Costa
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; West Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan.
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Suzhou Key Laboratory on Neurobiology and Cell Signaling, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.
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2
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Zhao Z, Yuan Y, Li S, Wang X, Yang X. Natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals as glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease treatment. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14885. [PMID: 39129397 PMCID: PMC11317746 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14885] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is complex. The pathophysiology is not fully understood, and safe and effective treatments are needed. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) mediates AD progression through several signaling pathways. Recently, several studies have found that various natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals can significantly improve AD symptoms. AIMS This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the potential neuroprotective impacts of natural compounds as inhibitors of GSK-3β in the treatment of AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on in vitro and in vivo studies that investigated natural compounds as inhibitors of GSK-3β in the treatment of AD. RESULTS The mechanism may be related to GSK-3β activation inhibition to regulate amyloid beta production, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, cell apoptosis, and cellular inflammation. By reviewing recent studies on GSK-3β inhibition in phytochemicals and AD intervention, flavonoids including oxyphylla A, quercetin, morin, icariin, linarin, genipin, and isoorientin were reported as potent GSK-3β inhibitors for AD treatment. Polyphenols such as schisandrin B, magnolol, and dieckol have inhibitory effects on GSK-3β in AD models, including in vivo models. Sulforaphene, ginsenoside Rd, gypenoside XVII, falcarindiol, epibrassinolides, 1,8-Cineole, and andrographolide are promising GSK-3β inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals are potential candidates for AD treatment. They may qualify as derivatives for development as promising compounds that provide enhanced pharmacological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhao
- Department of Emergency MedicineShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
| | - Ye Yuan
- Department of NeurosurgeryShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Emergency MedicineShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Emergency MedicineShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of NeurologyShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
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Nozal V, Fernández-Gómez P, García-Rubia A, Martínez-González L, Cuevas EP, Carro E, Palomo V, Martínez A. Designing multitarget ligands for neurodegenerative diseases with improved permeability trough PLGA nanoencapsulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116626. [PMID: 38663103 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116626] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Multitarget ligands (MTLs) have emerged as an interesting alternative for addressing complex multifactorial pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases. However, a common challenge associated with these compounds is often their high molecular weight and low solubility, which becomes a hurdle when trying to permeate over the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we have designed two new MTLs that modulate three pharmacological targets simultaneously (tau, beta-amyloid and TAR DNA-binding protein 43). To enhance their brain penetration, we have formulated organic polymeric nanoparticles using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). The characterization of the formulations, evaluation of their permeability through an in vitro BBB model, and assessment of their activity on disease-representative cellular models, such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have been conducted. The results demonstrate the potential of the new MTLs and their nanoparticle encapsulation for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Nozal
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Paula Fernández-Gómez
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Alfonso García-Rubia
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Loreto Martínez-González
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Eva P Cuevas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Eva Carro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28031, Spain; Neurobiology of Alzheimer's Disease Unit, Functional Unit for Research into Chronic Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Valle Palomo
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia), Madrid 28049, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28031, Spain; Unidad de Nanobiotecnología Asociada al Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - Ana Martínez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28031, Spain.
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Travaglianti S, Alotaibi A, Wong W, Abou-Gharbia M, Childers W, Sari Y. Effects of novel GLT-1 modulator, MC-100093, on neuroinflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers in mesocorticolimbic brain regions of male alcohol preferring rats exposed chronically to ethanol. Brain Res Bull 2024; 211:110935. [PMID: 38570076 PMCID: PMC11056292 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Chronic ethanol consumption can lead to increased extracellular glutamate concentrations in key reward brain regions, such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), and consequently leading to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Previous studies from our lab tested β-lactam antibiotics and novel beta-lactam non-antibiotic, MC-100093, and showed these β-lactam upregulated the major astrocytic glutamate transporter, GLT-1, and consequently reduced ethanol intake and normalized glutamate homeostasis. This present study tested the effects of novel synthetic β-lactam non-antibiotic drug, MC-100093, in chronic ethanol intake and neuroinflammatory and trophic factors in subregions of the NAc (NAc core and shell) and mPFC (Prelimbic, PL; and Infralimbic, IL) of male P rats. MC-100093 treatment reduced ethanol intake after 5-week drinking regimen. Importantly, MC-100093 attenuated ethanol-induced downregulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in these brain regions. In addition, MC-100093 attenuated ethanol-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a and HMGB1 in all these brain regions. Furthermore, MC-100093 treatment attenuated ethanol-induced increase in RAGE in these brain regions. MC-100093 prevented neuroinflammation caused by ethanol intake as well as increased neurotrophic factor in mesocorticolimbic brain regions. MC-100093 treatment reduced ethanol intake and this behavioral effect was associated with attenuation of reduced trophic factors and increased pro-inflammatory factors. MC-100093 is considered a small molecule that may have potential therapeutic effects for the treatment of the effects of chronic exposure to ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby Travaglianti
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Ahmed Alotaibi
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Woonyen Wong
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Magid Abou-Gharbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Wayne Childers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
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Zhang L, Yang M, Wang Z, Fan D, Shen F, Zou X, Zhang X, Hu S, Hu B, Hu X. Sevoflurane postconditioning ameliorates cerebral hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in zebrafish involving the Akt/GSK-3β pathway activation and the microtubule-associated protein 2 promotion. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116693. [PMID: 38701566 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116693] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sevoflurane postconditioning has been shown to provide neuroprotection against cerebral hypoxia-ischemia injury, but the mechanisms remain elusive. Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is implicated in early neuronal hypoxia-ischemia injury. This study aimed to investigate whether the neuroprotective effects of sevoflurane postconditioning are related to the Akt/GSK-3β pathway and its downstream target MAP2 in zebrafish hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model. Sevoflurane postconditioning or GSK-3β inhibitor TDZD-8 were used to treat H/R zebrafish. The cerebral infarction, neuronal apoptosis, and mitochondrial changes were evaluated using TTC staining, TUNEL staining, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The distribution of MAP2 in the brain was determined by immunofluorescence imaging. The levels of Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, and MAP2 proteins were evaluated by Western blotting. The neurobehavioral recovery of zebrafish was assessed based on optokinetic response behavior. Our results indicated that sevoflurane postconditioning and TDZD-8 significantly reduced the cerebral infarction area, suppressed cell apoptosis, and improved mitochondrial integrity in zebrafish subjected to H/R. Furthermore, sevoflurane postconditioning and TDZD-8 elevated the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β. However, the neuroprotective effect of sevoflurane postconditioning was effectively abolished upon suppression of MAP2 expression. In conclusion, sevoflurane postconditioning ameliorated cerebral H/R injury and facilitated the restoration of neurobehavioral function through the activation of Akt/GSK-3β pathway and promotion of MAP2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mengsi Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zongyi Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Dinggang Fan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Fang Shen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xuezhu Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Su Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Xianwen Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Sande R, Godad A, Doshi G. Zebrafish Experimental Animal Models for AD: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol 2024; 19:295-311. [PMID: 38284707 DOI: 10.2174/0127724328279684240104094257] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
AD disease (AD) is a multifaceted and intricate neurodegenerative disorder characterized by intracellular neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation and the excessive production and deposition of Aβ senile plaques. While transgenic AD models have been found instrumental in unravelling AD pathogenesis, they involve cost and time constraints during the preclinical phase. Zebrafish, owing to their simplicity, well-defined behavioural patterns, and relevance to neurodegenerative research, have emerged as a promising complementary model. Zebrafish possess glutaminergic and cholinergic pathways implicated in learning and memory, actively contributing to our understanding of neural transmission processes. This review sheds light on the molecular mechanisms by which various neurotoxic agents, including okadaic acid (OKA), cigarette smoke extract, metals, and transgenic zebrafish models with genetic similarities to AD patients, induce cognitive impairments and neuronal degeneration in mammalian systems. These insights may facilitate the identification of effective neurotoxic agents for replicating AD pathogenesis in the zebrafish brain. In this comprehensive review, the pivotal role of zebrafish models in advancing our comprehension of AD is emphasized. These models hold immense potential for shaping future research directions and clinical interventions, ultimately contributing to the development of novel AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruksar Sande
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle (w), Mumbai, 400056, India
| | - Angel Godad
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle (w), Mumbai, 400056, India
| | - Gaurav Doshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle (w), Mumbai, 400056, India
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Lai S, Wang P, Gong J, Zhang S. New insights into the role of GSK-3β in the brain: from neurodegenerative disease to tumorigenesis. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16635. [PMID: 38107562 PMCID: PMC10722984 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine kinase widely expressed in various tissues and organs. Unlike other kinases, GSK-3 is active under resting conditions and is inactivated upon stimulation. In mammals, GSK-3 includes GSK-3 α and GSK-3β isoforms encoded by two homologous genes, namely, GSK3A and GSK3B. GSK-3β is essential for the control of glucose metabolism, signal transduction, and tissue homeostasis. As more than 100 known proteins have been identified as GSK-3β substrates, it is sometimes referred to as a moonlighting kinase. Previous studies have elucidated the regulation modes of GSK-3β. GSK-3β is involved in almost all aspects of brain functions, such as neuronal morphology, synapse formation, neuroinflammation, and neurological disorders. Recently, several comparatively specific small molecules have facilitated the chemical manipulation of this enzyme within cellular systems, leading to the discovery of novel inhibitors for GSK-3β. Despite these advancements, the therapeutic significance of GSK-3β as a drug target is still complicated by uncertainties surrounding the potential of inhibitors to stimulate tumorigenesis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate mechanisms of this enzyme and evaluates the existing evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of GSK-3β in brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, mood disorders, and glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenjin Lai
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingru Gong
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuaishuai Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Arab AO, Alasmari F, Albaker AB, Alhazmi HA, Alameen AA, Alagail NM, Alwaeli SA, Rizwan Ahamad S, AlAsmari AF, AlSharari SD. Clavulanic Acid Improves Memory Dysfunction and Anxiety Behaviors through Upregulating Glutamatergic Transporters in the Nucleus Accumbens of Mice Repeatedly Exposed to Khat Extract. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15657. [PMID: 37958641 PMCID: PMC10648086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Khat (Catha edulis) is an evergreen shrub whose buds and leaves give a state of delight and euphoria when chewed. Cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant that is among the active ingredients in khat, is able to downregulate glutamate transporter subtype I (GLT-1). Neurobehavioral dysfunctions such as altered locomotor activity, anorexia, and nociception have been observed in animals exposed to cathinone. Interestingly, treatment with a β-lactam antibiotic such as ceftriaxone, which upregulates GLT-1, normalizes cathinone-induced conditioned place preference, and alters repetitive movements in rats. However, little is known about the role of the glutamatergic system in memory dysfunction and anxiety-like behaviors in mice exposed to khat. We found here that clavulanic acid, a β-lactam-containing compound and GLT-1 upregulator, would modulate the neurobehavioral changes, including memory impairment and anxiety-like behaviors, associated with repeated exposure of mice to khat. Our data supported that clavulanic acid could improve memory impairment and anxiety-like behaviors through upregulating GLT-1 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an effect abolished with a selective GLT-1 blocker. This upregulation was associated with restored glutamate/cystine antiporter expression in the NAc using a Western blotting assay. Cathine and cathinone were identified in khat extract using the gas chromatography technique. Our work provides preclinical insight into the efficacy of β-lactam-containing compounds for the attenuation of neurobehavioral changes induced by khat exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal O. Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawaz Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awatif B. Albaker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan A. Alhazmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Alnoor Alameen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naser M. Alagail
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A. Alwaeli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Rizwan Ahamad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F. AlAsmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakir D. AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Chaoul V, Dib EY, Bedran J, Khoury C, Shmoury O, Harb F, Soueid J. Assessing Drug Administration Techniques in Zebrafish Models of Neurological Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14898. [PMID: 37834345 PMCID: PMC10573323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914898] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, affect nearly one in six of the world's population. The burden of the resulting deaths and disability is set to rise during the next few decades as a consequence of an aging population. To address this, zebrafish have become increasingly prominent as a model for studying human neurological diseases and exploring potential therapies. Zebrafish offer numerous benefits, such as genetic homology and brain similarities, complementing traditional mammalian models and serving as a valuable tool for genetic screening and drug discovery. In this comprehensive review, we highlight various drug delivery techniques and systems employed for therapeutic interventions of neurological diseases in zebrafish, and evaluate their suitability. We also discuss the challenges encountered during this process and present potential advancements in innovative techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Chaoul
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
| | - Emanuel-Youssef Dib
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon; (E.-Y.D.); (C.K.)
| | - Joe Bedran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
| | - Chakib Khoury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon; (E.-Y.D.); (C.K.)
| | - Omar Shmoury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
| | - Frédéric Harb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon; (E.-Y.D.); (C.K.)
| | - Jihane Soueid
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
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Yu H, Xiong M, Liu C, Xia D, Meng L, Zhang Z. The γ-Adducin 1-357 fragment promotes tau pathology. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1241750. [PMID: 37771520 PMCID: PMC10526357 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1241750] [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: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tau phosphorylation is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we reported that the γ-adducin 1-357 fragment is present in the brains of AD patients. However, it remains unknown how γ-adducin regulates tau phosphorylation. Objective The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of the γ-adducin 1-357 fragment on tau phosphorylation and the kinases involved in this process. Methods Full-length γ-adducin or the γ-adducin 1-357 fragment was expressed in HEK293 cells, SH-SY5Y cells, and primary neurons. The phosphorylation of tau Ser396 was determined using Western blot and immunofluorescence. Tau P301S transgenic mice were injected with adeno-associated virus encoding full-length γ-adducin or γ-adducin 1-357 fragment to determine the phosphorylation of tau. Results The γ-adducin 1-357 fragment enhances tau phosphorylation at Ser396. Additionally, the expression of the γ-adducin 1-357 fragment leads to the activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). This effect was mitigated by the GSK-3β inhibitor 4-Benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione (TDZD-8). Conclusion The γ-adducin 1-357 fragment enhances tau phosphorylation by activating GSK3β. These results support that the fragmentation of γ-adducin may play a pivotal role in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglu Yu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Congcong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Danhao Xia
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lanxia Meng
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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11
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Alves SS, Servilha-Menezes G, Rossi L, da Silva Junior RMP, Garcia-Cairasco N. Evidence of disturbed insulin signaling in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105326. [PMID: 37479008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Since glucose reuptake by neurons is mostly independent of insulin, it has been an intriguing question whether insulin has or not any roles in the brain. Consequently, the identification of insulin receptors in the central nervous system has fueled investigations of insulin functions in the brain. It is also already known that insulin can influence glucose reuptake by neurons, mostly during activities that have the highest energy demand. The identification of high density of insulin receptors in the hippocampus also suggests that insulin may present important roles related to memory. In this context, studies have reported worse performance in cognitive tests among diabetic patients. In addition, alterations in the regulation of central insulin pathways have been observed in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In fact, some authors have proposed AD as a third type of diabetes and recently, our group proposed insulin resistance as a common link between different AD hypotheses. Therefore, in the present narrative review, we intend to revise and gather the evidence of disturbed insulin signaling in experimental animal models of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suélen Santos Alves
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil
| | - Gabriel Servilha-Menezes
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil
| | - Leticia Rossi
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil
| | - Rui Milton Patrício da Silva Junior
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil; Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil; Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil.
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12
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Lu H, Zhang Y, Ran S, Chen Y, Ye Z, Huang M, Wang P. Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates sleep deprivation-induced learning and memory impairment by inhibiting excessive neuronal apoptosis in zebrafish. Neuroreport 2023; 34:566-574. [PMID: 37384937 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation impairs learning and memory. The neuroprotective function of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the alleviative effect and underlying mechanism of action of Rg1 on learning and memory deficits induced by sleep deprivation. Using 72 h of LED light to establish sleep deprivation model and treatment with Rg1-L (0.5 mg/ml), Rg1-H (1 mg/ml), and melatonin (positive control, 0.25 mg/ml), we investigated the behavioral performance of sleep deprivation zebrafish through 24 h autonomous movement tracking, a novel tank diving test, and a T-maze test. Brain injuries and ultrastructural changes were observed, brain water content was measured, and apoptotic events were analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling staining. The oxidation-associated biomarkers superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde content were detected. Real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to detect the levels of apoptotic molecules (Bax, caspase-3, and Bcl-2). Rg1-treatment was observed to improve the behavioral performance of sleep-deprivation fish, alleviate brain impairment, and increase oxidative stress-related enzyme activity. Rg1 can effectively exhibit neuroprotective functions and improve learning and memory impairments caused by sleep deprivation, which could be mediated by the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 apoptotic signaling pathway (see Supplementary Video Abstract, Supplemental digital content, http://links.lww.com/WNR/A702 which demonstrates our research objectives, introduction overview of Rg1, and main direction of future research).
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifei Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan
| | - Yini Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan
| | - Simiao Ran
- HuangGang Hospital of TCM Affifiliated to Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Huang Gang
| | - Yumeng Chen
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Zijing Ye
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan
| | - Mengying Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan
| | - Ping Wang
- Institute of Geriatrics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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13
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Balboni B, Masi M, Rocchia W, Girotto S, Cavalli A. GSK-3β Allosteric Inhibition: A Dead End or a New Pharmacological Frontier? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087541. [PMID: 37108703 PMCID: PMC10139115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Most kinase inhibitors are designed to bind to highly homologous ATP-binding sites, which leads to promiscuity and possible off-target effects. Allostery is an alternative approach to pursuing selectivity. However, allostery is difficult to exploit due to the wide variety of underlying mechanisms and the potential involvement of long-range conformational effects that are difficult to pinpoint. GSK-3β is involved in several pathologies. This critical target has an ATP-binding site that is highly homologous with the orthosteric sites of other kinases. Unsurprisingly, there is also great similarity between the ATP-binding sites of GSK-3β and its isomer, which is not redundant and thus would benefit from selective inhibition. Allostery would also allow for a moderate and tunable inhibition, which is ideal for GSK-3β, because this target is involved in multiple pathways, some of which must be preserved. However, despite considerable research efforts, only one allosteric GSK-3β inhibitor has reached the clinic. Moreover, unlike other kinases, there are no X-ray structures of GSK-3β in complex with allosteric inhibitors in the PDB data bank. This review aims to summarize the state of the art in allosteric GSK-3β inhibitor investigations, highlighting the aspects that make this target challenging for an allosteric approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Balboni
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Masi
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Walter Rocchia
- Computational mOdelling of NanosCalE and bioPhysical sysTems (CONCEPT) Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen 83, 16152 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefania Girotto
- Structural Biophysics and Translational Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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14
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Chia K, Klingseisen A, Sieger D, Priller J. Zebrafish as a model organism for neurodegenerative disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:940484. [PMID: 36311026 PMCID: PMC9606821 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.940484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is increasingly recognized as a model organism for translational research into human neuropathology. The zebrafish brain exhibits fundamental resemblance with human neuroanatomical and neurochemical pathways, and hallmarks of human brain pathology such as protein aggregation, neuronal degeneration and activation of glial cells, for example, can be modeled and recapitulated in the fish central nervous system. Genetic manipulation, imaging, and drug screening are areas where zebrafish excel with the ease of introducing mutations and transgenes, the expression of fluorescent markers that can be detected in vivo in the transparent larval stages overtime, and simple treatment of large numbers of fish larvae at once followed by automated screening and imaging. In this review, we summarize how zebrafish have successfully been employed to model human neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of choosing zebrafish as a model for these neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelda Chia
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Klingseisen
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sieger
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Dirk Sieger,
| | - Josef Priller
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DZNE, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Josef Priller,
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15
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Matysek A, Kimmantudawage SP, Feng L, Maier AB. Targeting Impaired Nutrient Sensing via the Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Pathway With Therapeutic Compounds to Prevent or Treat Dementia: A Systematic Review. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:898853. [PMID: 35923682 PMCID: PMC9341294 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.898853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Dementia is a global challenge with 10 million individuals being diagnosed every year. Currently, there are no established disease-modifying treatments for dementia. Impaired nutrient sensing has been implicated in the pathogenesis of dementia. Compounds that inhibit the glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) pathway have been investigated as a possible treatment to attenuate the progression of the disease, particularly the suppression of the hyper-phosphorylation process of the tau protein. Aims: Systematically summarizing compounds which have been tested to inhibit the GSK3 pathway to treat cognitive impairment and dementia. Methods: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched from inception until 28 July 2021 for articles published in English. Interventional animal studies inhibiting the GSK3 pathway in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s dementia, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal cognitive ageing investigating the change in cognition as the outcome were included. The Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation’s risk of bias tool for animal studies was applied. Results: Out of 4,154 articles, 29 described compounds inhibiting the GSK3 pathway. All studies were based on animal models of MCI, AD or normal cognitive ageing. Thirteen out of 21 natural compounds and five out of nine synthetic compounds tested in MCI and dementia animal models showed an overall positive effect on cognition. No articles reported human studies. The risk of bias was largely unclear. Conclusion: Novel therapeutics involved in the modulation of the GSK3 nutrient sensing pathway have the potential to improve cognitive function. Overall, there is a clear lack of translation from animal models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Matysek
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sumudu Perera Kimmantudawage
- Department of Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Healthy Longevity, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea B. Maier
- Department of Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Healthy Longevity, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Andrea B. Maier,
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16
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Zebrafish Larvae Behavior Models as a Tool for Drug Screenings and Pre-Clinical Trials: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126647. [PMID: 35743088 PMCID: PMC9223633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
To discover new molecules or review the biological activity and toxicity of therapeutic substances, drug development, and research relies on robust biological systems to obtain reliable results. Phenotype-based screenings can transpose the organism’s compensatory pathways by adopting multi-target strategies for treating complex diseases, and zebrafish emerged as an important model for biomedical research and drug screenings. Zebrafish’s clear correlation between neuro-anatomical and physiological features and behavior is very similar to that verified in mammals, enabling the construction of reliable and relevant experimental models for neurological disorders research. Zebrafish presents highly conserved physiological pathways that are found in higher vertebrates, including mammals, along with a robust behavioral repertoire. Moreover, it is very sensitive to pharmacological/environmental manipulations, and these behavioral phenotypes are detected in both larvae and adults. These advantages align with the 3Rs concept and qualify the zebrafish as a powerful tool for drug screenings and pre-clinical trials. This review highlights important behavioral domains studied in zebrafish larvae and their neurotransmitter systems and summarizes currently used techniques to evaluate and quantify zebrafish larvae behavior in laboratory studies.
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Shenoy A, Banerjee M, Upadhya A, Bagwe-Parab S, Kaur G. The Brilliance of the Zebrafish Model: Perception on Behavior and Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:861155. [PMID: 35769627 PMCID: PMC9234549 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.861155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become increasingly prevalent in the elderly population across the world. It’s pathophysiological markers such as overproduction along with the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) are posing a serious challenge to novel drug development processes. A model which simulates the human neurodegenerative mechanism will be beneficial for rapid screening of potential drug candidates. Due to the comparable neurological network with humans, zebrafish has emerged as a promising AD model. This model has been thoroughly validated through research in aspects of neuronal pathways analogous to the human brain. The cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic pathways, which play a role in the manifested behavior of the zebrafish, are well defined. There are several behavioral models in both adult zebrafish and larvae to establish various aspects of cognitive impairment including spatial memory, associative memory, anxiety, and other such features that are manifested in AD. The zebrafish model eliminates the shortcomings of previously recognized mammalian models, in terms of expense, extensive assessment durations, and the complexity of imaging the brain to test the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. This review highlights the various models that analyze the changes in the normal behavioral patterns of the zebrafish when exposed to AD inducing agents. The mechanistic pathway adopted by drugs and novel therapeutic strategies can be explored via these behavioral models and their efficacy to slow the progression of AD can be evaluated.
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18
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Alzheimer’s Disease and Toxins Produced by Marine Dinoflagellates: An Issue to Explore. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20040253. [PMID: 35447926 PMCID: PMC9029327 DOI: 10.3390/md20040253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper examined the toxins naturally produced by marine dinoflagellates and their effects on increases in β-amyloid plaques along with tau protein hyperphosphorylation, both major drivers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This approach is in line with the demand for certain natural compounds, namely those produced by marine invertebrates that have the potential to be used in the treatment of AD. Current advances in AD treatment are discussed as well as the main factors that potentially affect the puzzling global AD pattern. This study focused on yessotoxins (YTXs), gymnodimine (GYM), spirolides (SPXs), and gambierol, all toxins that have been shown to reduce β-amyloid plaques and tau hyperphosphorylation, thus preventing the neuronal or synaptic dysfunction that ultimately causes the cell death associated with AD (or other neurodegenerative diseases). Another group of toxins described, okadaic acid (OA) and its derivatives, inhibit protein phosphatase activity, which facilitates the presence of phosphorylated tau proteins. A few studies have used OA to trigger AD in zebrafish, providing an opportunity to test in vivo the effectiveness of new drugs in treating or attenuating AD. Constraints on the production of marine toxins for use in these tests have been considered. Different lines of research are anticipated regarding the action of the two groups of toxins.
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19
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Gianferrara T, Cescon E, Grieco I, Spalluto G, Federico S. Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Involvement in Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:4631-4697. [PMID: 35170406 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220216113517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND GSK-3β activity has been strictly related to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's disease is the most studied neurodegenerative disease, but GSK-3β seems to be involved in almost all neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease and the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to help researchers both working on this research topic or not to have a comprehensive overview on GSK-3β in the context of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. METHOD Literature has been searched using PubMed and SciFinder databases by inserting specific keywords. A total of more than 500 articles have been discussed. RESULTS First of all, the structure and regulation of the kinase were briefly discussed and then, specific GSK-3β implications in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases were illustrated also with the help of figures, to conclude with a comprehensive overview on the most important GSK-3β and multitarget inhibitors. For all discussed compounds, the structure and IC50 values at the target kinase have been reported. CONCLUSION GSK-3β is involved in several signaling pathways both in neurons as well as in glial cells and immune cells. The fine regulation and interconnection of all these pathways are at the base of the rationale use of GSK-3β inhibitors in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. In fact, some compounds are now under clinical trials. Despite this, pharmacodynamic and ADME/Tox profiles of the compounds were often not fully characterized and this is deleterious in such a complex system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gianferrara
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cescon
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ilenia Grieco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giampiero Spalluto
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stephanie Federico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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20
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Tripathi N, Tripathi N, Goshisht MK. COVID-19: inflammatory responses, structure-based drug design and potential therapeutics. Mol Divers 2022; 26:629-645. [PMID: 33400086 PMCID: PMC7782055 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10176-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the global health emergency. Here, we explore the diverse mechanisms of SARS-CoV-induced inflammation. We presume that SARS-CoV-2 likely contributes analogous inflammatory responses. Possible therapeutic mechanisms for reducing SARS-CoV-2-mediated inflammatory responses comprise FcR inactivation. Currently, there is no specific remedy available against the SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, recognizing efficacious antiviral leads to combat the virus is crucially desired. The coronavirus (CoV) main protease (Mpro also called 3CLpro), which plays an indispensable role in viral replication and transcription, is an interesting target for drug design. This review compiles the latest advances in biological and structural research, along with development of inhibitors targeting CoV Mpros. It is anticipated that inhibitors targeting CoV Mpros could be advanced into wide-spectrum antiviral drugs in case of COVID-19 and other CoV-related diseases. The crystal structural and docking results have shown that Ebselen, N3, TDZD-8 and α-ketoamide (13b) inhibitors can bind to the substrate-binding pocket of COVID-19 Mpro. α-ketoamide-based inhibitor 13b inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in human Calu3 lung cells. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the treatment with Ebselen, TDZD-8 and N3 reduced the amounts of SARS-CoV-2, respectively, 20.3-, 10.19- and 8.4-fold compared to the treatment in the absence of inhibitor. Moreover, repurposing of already present drugs to treat COVID-19 serves as one of the competent and economic therapeutic strategies. Several anti-malarial, anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory drugs as mentioned in Table 2 were found effective for the COVID-19 treatment. Further, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was found more potent than chloroquine (CQ) in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Furthermore, convalescent plasma from patients who have recuperated from viral infections can be employed as a therapy without the appearance of severe adverse events. Hence, it might be valuable to examine the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma transfusion in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neetu Tripathi
- Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
| | - Neeraj Tripathi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed To University), Chandigarh, Punjab, 160012, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Goshisht
- Department of Chemistry, Government College Tokapal, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, 494442, India.
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21
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Feng J, Song G, Wu Y, Chen X, Pang J, Xu Y, Shen Q, Guo S, Zhang M. Plasmalogens improve swimming performance by modulating the expression of genes involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in an Alzheimer's disease zebrafish model. Food Funct 2021; 12:12087-12097. [PMID: 34783821 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo01471d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Plasmalogens (PLs) are critical to human health. Studies have reported a link between the downregulation of PLs levels and cognitive impairments in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. In the present study, an AlCl3-induced AD zebrafish model was established, and the model was used to elucidate the neuroprotective effects of PLs on AD by analysing the transcriptional profiles of zebrafish in the control, AD model, AD_PL, and PL groups. Chronic AlCl3 exposure caused swimming performance impairments in the zebrafish, yet PLs supplementation could improve the dyskinesia recovery rate in the AD zebrafish model. Through transcriptional profiling, a total of 5413 statistically significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among the groups. In addition to the DEGs involved in amino acid metabolism, we found that the genes related to iron homeostasis, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress, all of which contribute to ferroptosis, were dramatically altered among different groups. These results suggest that seafood-derived PLs, in addition to their role in eliminating oxidative stress, can improve the swimming performance in AlCl3-exposed zebrafish partly by suppressing neuronal ferroptosis and accelerating synaptic transmission at the transcriptional level. This study provides evidence for PLs to be developed as a functional food supplement to relieve AD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Feng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Zhejiang Province Joint Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing, Institute of Seafood, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Gongshuai Song
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Zhejiang Province Joint Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing, Institute of Seafood, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Zhejiang Province Joint Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing, Institute of Seafood, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Xi Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Jie Pang
- Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Yaxi Xu
- Central Hospital of Haining, Haining 314408, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing Shen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Zhejiang Province Joint Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing, Institute of Seafood, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Shunyuan Guo
- Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Manman Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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22
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Ochoa R, Ortega-Pajares A, Castello FA, Serral F, Fernández Do Porto D, Villa-Pulgarin JA, Varela-M RE, Muskus C. Identification of Potential Kinase Inhibitors within the PI3K/AKT Pathway of Leishmania Species. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11071037. [PMID: 34356660 PMCID: PMC8301987 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a public health disease that requires the development of more effective treatments and the identification of novel molecular targets. Since blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway has been successfully studied as an effective anticancer strategy for decades, we examined whether the same approach would also be feasible in Leishmania due to their high amount and diverse set of annotated proteins. Here, we used a best reciprocal hits protocol to identify potential protein kinase homologues in an annotated human PI3K/AKT pathway. We calculated their ligandibility based on available bioactivity data of the reported homologues and modelled their 3D structures to estimate the druggability of their binding pockets. The models were used to run a virtual screening method with molecular docking. We found and studied five protein kinases in five different Leishmania species, which are AKT, CDK, AMPK, mTOR and GSK3 homologues from the studied pathways. The compounds found for different enzymes and species were analysed and suggested as starting point scaffolds for the design of inhibitors. We studied the kinases’ participation in protein–protein interaction networks, and the potential deleterious effects, if inhibited, were supported with the literature. In the case of Leishmania GSK3, an inhibitor of its human counterpart, prioritized by our method, was validated in vitro to test its anti-Leishmania activity and indirectly infer the presence of the enzyme in the parasite. The analysis contributes to improving the knowledge about the presence of similar signalling pathways in Leishmania, as well as the discovery of compounds acting against any of these kinases as potential molecular targets in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ochoa
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
- Biophysics of Tropical Diseases Max Planck Tandem Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
- Correspondence: (R.O.); (R.E.V.-M.)
| | - Amaya Ortega-Pajares
- Department of Medicine, The Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Florencia A. Castello
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), IC-CONICET Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellon 2, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina; (F.A.C.); (F.S.); (D.F.D.P.)
| | - Federico Serral
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), IC-CONICET Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellon 2, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina; (F.A.C.); (F.S.); (D.F.D.P.)
| | - Darío Fernández Do Porto
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), IC-CONICET Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellon 2, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina; (F.A.C.); (F.S.); (D.F.D.P.)
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellon 2, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Janny A. Villa-Pulgarin
- Grupo de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín 050034, Colombia;
| | - Rubén E. Varela-M
- Grupo de Investigación en Química y Biotecnología (QUIBIO), Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, Colombia
- Correspondence: (R.O.); (R.E.V.-M.)
| | - Carlos Muskus
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
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Wang X, Zhang JB, He KJ, Wang F, Liu CF. Advances of Zebrafish in Neurodegenerative Disease: From Models to Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:713963. [PMID: 34335276 PMCID: PMC8317260 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.713963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disease (NDD), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons which leads to the decline of motor and/or cognitive function. Currently, the prevalence of NDD is rapidly increasing in the aging population. However, valid drugs or treatment for NDD are still lacking. The clinical heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis of NDD pose a great challenge for the development of disease-modifying therapies. Numerous animal models have been generated to mimic the pathological conditions of these diseases for drug discovery. Among them, zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are progressively emerging and becoming a powerful tool for in vivo study of NDD. Extensive use of zebrafish in pharmacology research or drug screening is due to the high conserved evolution and 87% homology to humans. In this review, we summarize the zebrafish models used in NDD studies, and highlight the recent findings on pharmacological targets for NDD treatment. As high-throughput platforms in zebrafish research have rapidly developed in recent years, we also discuss the application prospects of these new technologies in future NDD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin-Bao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kai-Jie He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fen Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chun-Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Suqian First Hospital, Suqian, China
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24
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Dang J, Paudel YN, Yang X, Ren Q, Zhang S, Ji X, Liu K, Jin M. Schaftoside Suppresses Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures in Zebrafish via Suppressing Apoptosis, Modulating Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2542-2552. [PMID: 34128378 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of disease-modifying therapeutic strategies against epileptic seizures has caused a surge in preclinical research focused on exploring and developing novel therapeutic candidates for epilepsy. Compounds from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have gained much attention for a plethora of neurological diseases, including epilepsy. Herein, for the first time, we evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of schaftoside (SS), a TCM, on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic seizures in zebrafish and examined the underlying mechanisms. We observed that SS pretreatments significantly suppressed seizure-like behavior and prolonged the onset of seizures. Zebrafish larvae pretreated with SS demonstrated downregulation of c-fos expression during seizures. PTZ-induced upregulation of apoptotic cells was decreased upon pretreatment with SS. Inflammatory phenomena during seizure progression including the upregulation of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) were downregulated upon pretreatment with SS. The PTZ-induced recruitment of immunocytes was in turn reduced upon SS pretreatment. Moreover, SS pretreatment modulated oxidative stress, as demonstrated by decreased levels of catalase (CAT) and increased levels of glutathione peroxidase-1a (GPx1a) and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD). However, pretreatment with SS modulated the PTZ-induced downregulation of the relative enzyme activity of CAT, GPx, and SOD. Hence, our findings suggest that SS pretreatment ameliorates PTZ-induced seizures, suppresses apoptosis, and downregulates the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which potentially protect against further seizures in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Dang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yam Nath Paudel
- Neuropharmacology Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xueliang Yang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyu Ren
- School of Psychology, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Road, Tang’shan 063210, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuna Ji
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kechun Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng Jin
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 East Jingshi Road, Ji’nan 250103, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
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25
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Tau Exon 10 Inclusion by PrP C through Downregulating GSK3β Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105370. [PMID: 34065232 PMCID: PMC8161268 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is largely responsible for tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where it accumulates in the brain as insoluble aggregates. Tau mRNA is regulated by alternative splicing, and inclusion or exclusion of exon 10 gives rise to the 3R and 4R isoforms respectively, whose balance is physiologically regulated. In this sense, one of the several factors that regulate alternative splicing of tau is GSK3β, whose activity is inhibited by the cellular prion protein (PrPC), which has different physiological functions in neuroprotection and neuronal differentiation. Moreover, a relationship between PrPC and tau expression levels has been reported during AD evolution. For this reason, in this study we aimed to analyze the role of PrPC and the implication of GSK3β in the regulation of tau exon 10 alternative splicing. We used AD human samples and mouse models of PrPC ablation and tau overexpression. In addition, we used primary neuronal cultures to develop functional studies. Our results revealed a paralleled association between PrPC expression and tau 4R isoforms in all models analyzed. In this sense, reduction or ablation of PrPC levels induces an increase in tau 3R/4R balance. More relevantly, our data points to GSK3β activity downstream from PrPC in this phenomenon. Our results indicate that PrPC plays a role in tau exon 10 inclusion through the inhibitory capacity of GSK3β.
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26
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Thawkar BS, Kaur G. Zebrafish as a Promising Tool for Modeling Neurotoxin-Induced Alzheimer's Disease. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:949-965. [PMID: 33687726 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00343-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery and development for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are complex and challenging due to the higher failure rate in the drug development process. The overproduction and deposition of Aβ senile plaque and intracellular neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation are well-recognized diagnostic hallmarks of AD. Numerous transgenic models of Alzheimer's disease have restrictions on cost-effectiveness and time in the preclinical setup. Zebrafish has emerged as an excellent complementary model for neurodegenerative research due to simpler organisms with robust, clearly visible behavior forms. Glutaminergic and cholinergic pathways responsible for learning and memory are present in zebrafish and actively participate in the transmission process. Therefore, it is imperative to study neurotoxic agents' mechanisms that induce dysfunction of memory, learning, and neurons in the zebrafish. This review illustrates the in-depth molecular mechanism of several neurotoxic agents such as okadaic acid, cigarette smoke extract, and metals to produce cognitive deficits or neurodegeneration similar to mammals. These updates would determine an ideal and effective neurotoxic agent for producing AD pathophysiology in the zebrafish brain for preclinical screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baban S Thawkar
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's NMIMS, V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (W), 400056, Mumbai, India
| | - Ginpreet Kaur
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's NMIMS, V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (W), 400056, Mumbai, India.
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27
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Effects of the Marine Biotoxins Okadaic Acid and Dinophysistoxins on Fish. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9030293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural high proliferations of toxin-producing microorganisms in marine and freshwater environments result in dreadful consequences at the socioeconomically and environmental level due to water and seafood contamination. Monitoring programs and scientific evidence point to harmful algal blooms (HABs) increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of global climate alterations. Among marine toxins, the okadaic acid (OA) and the related dinophysistoxins (DTX) are the most frequently reported in EU waters, mainly in shellfish species. These toxins are responsible for human syndrome diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). Fish, like other marine species, are also exposed to HABs and their toxins. However, reduced attention has been given to exposure, accumulation, and effects on fish of DSP toxins, such as OA. The present review intends to summarize the current knowledge of the impact of DSP toxins and to identify the main issues needing further research. From data reviewed in this work, it is clear that exposure of fish to DSP toxins causes a range of negative effects, from behavioral and morphological alterations to death. However, there is still much to be investigated about the ecological and food safety risks related to contamination of fish with DSP toxins.
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28
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Zhu H, Dronamraju V, Xie W, More SS. Sulfur-containing therapeutics in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Med Chem Res 2021; 30:305-352. [PMID: 33613018 PMCID: PMC7889054 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur is widely existent in natural products and synthetic organic compounds as organosulfur, which are often associated with a multitude of biological activities. OBenzothiazole, in which benzene ring is fused to the 4,5-positions of the thiazolerganosulfur compounds continue to garner increasing amounts of attention in the field of medicinal chemistry, especially in the development of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease and the primary cause of age-related dementia posing severe societal and economic burdens. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD. A lot of research has been conducted on sulfur-containing compounds in the context of AD due to their innate antioxidant potential and some are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. In this review, we have described emerging trends in the field, particularly the concept of multi-targeting and formulation of disease-modifying strategies. SAR, pharmacological targets, in vitro/vivo ADMET, efficacy in AD animal models, and applications in clinical trials of such sulfur compounds have also been discussed. This article provides a comprehensive review of organosulfur-based AD therapeutic agents and provides insights into their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haizhou Zhu
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Venkateshwara Dronamraju
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Swati S. More
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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29
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Davies MP, Benitez R, Perez C, Jakupovic S, Welsby P, Rzepecka K, Alder J, Davidson C, Martinez A, Hayes JM. Structure-Based Design of Potent Selective Nanomolar Type-II Inhibitors of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β. J Med Chem 2021; 64:1497-1509. [PMID: 33499592 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
For the first time, the in silico design, screening, and in vitro validation of potent GSK-3β type-II inhibitors are presented. In the absence of crystallographic evidence for a DFG-out GSK-3β activation loop conformation, computational models were designed using an adapted DOLPHIN approach and a method consisting of Prime loop refinement, induced-fit docking, and molecular dynamics. Virtual screening of the Biogenics subset from the ZINC database led to an initial selection of 20 Phase I compounds revealing two low micromolar inhibitors in an isolated enzyme assay. Twenty more analogues (Phase II compounds) related to the hit [pyrimidin-2-yl]amino-furo[3,2-b]furyl-urea scaffold were selected for structure-activity relationship analysis. The Phase II studies led to five highly potent nanomolar inhibitors, with compound 23 (IC50 =0.087 μM) > 100 times more potent than the best Phase I inhibitor, and selectivity for GSK-3β inhibition compared to homologous kinases was observed. Ex vivo experiments (SH-SY5Y cell lines) for tau hyperphosphorylation revealed promising neuroprotective effects at low micromolar concentrations. The type-II inhibitor design has been unraveled as a potential route toward more clinically effective GSK-3β inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Davies
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Rocio Benitez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CSIC, Avenida Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Concepción Perez
- Instituto de Quimica Medica, CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sven Jakupovic
- AnalytiCon Discovery GmbH, Hermannswerder Haus 17, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Philip Welsby
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Klaudia Rzepecka
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Alder
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Davidson
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CSIC, Avenida Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joseph M Hayes
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
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30
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Alhaddad H, Alasmari F, Alhamadani B, Wong W, Bell RL, Sari Y. Effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the expression of GLT-1 and neuroplasticity-related proteins in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-preferring rats. Brain Res Bull 2020; 165:272-280. [PMID: 33075417 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chronic ethanol exposure induces impairments in CNS excitatory and inhibitory activity. These impairments are associated with glutamatergic dysfunction, including altered neuroplasticity. This study examined the effects of 6-week ethanol (15% and 30% v/v) consumption, by male alcohol-preferring P rats, on protein expression associated with neuroplasticity and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) function. The latter regulates intra- and extra-synaptic glutamate levels. We focused on the shell and core subregions of the nucleus accumbens (Acb); i.e., shell (AcbSh) and core (AcbCo), for these measures. Chronic ethanol exposure increased the expression of BDNF, Arc and phosphorylated (p)-post-synaptic density protein-95 (p-PSD-95) in the AcbSh of P rats. Moreover, the ratio of phospho-neuronal nitric oxide synthase (p-nNOS) to total nNOS was also increased in the AcbSh. These changes in BDNF, Arc and p-nNOS/nNOS ratio were not observed in the AcbCo. Furthermore, chronic ethanol consumption reduced GLT-1 expression in the AcbSh. Alternatively, treatment with ceftriaxone (CEF), a known GLT-1 upregulator, abolished the effect of chronic ethanol consumption on BDNF expression in the AcbSh. Overall, the present findings confirm that chronic ethanol consumption modulates activity-associated synaptic proteins, including BDNF, Arc and nNOS in a subregion-specific (i.e., in the AcbSh but not AcbCo) manner. Thus, alterations in mesocorticolimbic glutamatergic homeostasis and neuroplasticity are possible functional targets for the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Alhaddad
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Fawaz Alasmari
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Balsam Alhamadani
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Woonyen Wong
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Youssef Sari
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
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31
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Alasmari F, Alhaddad H, Wong W, Bell RL, Sari Y. Ampicillin/Sulbactam Treatment Modulates NMDA Receptor NR2B Subunit and Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Alcohol Intake in Male High Alcohol Drinking Rats. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071030. [PMID: 32664441 PMCID: PMC7407831 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to ethanol commonly manifests neuroinflammation. Beta (β)-lactam antibiotics attenuate ethanol drinking through upregulation of astroglial glutamate transporters, especially glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), in the mesocorticolimbic brain regions, including the nucleus accumbens (Acb). However, the effect of β-lactam antibiotics on neuroinflammation in animals chronically exposed to ethanol has not been fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ampicillin/sulbactam (AMP/SUL, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) on ethanol consumption in high alcohol drinking (HAD1) rats. Additionally, we investigated the effects of AMP/SUL on GLT-1 and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtypes (NR2A and NR2B) in the Acb core (AcbCo) and Acb shell (AcbSh). We found that AMP/SUL at both doses attenuated ethanol consumption and restored ethanol-decreased GLT-1 and NR2B expression in the AcbSh and AcbCo, respectively. Moreover, AMP/SUL (200 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced ethanol-increased high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) expression in the AcbSh. Moreover, both doses of AMP/SUL attenuated ethanol-elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the AcbSh. Our results suggest that AMP/SUL attenuates ethanol drinking and modulates NMDA receptor NR2B subunits and HMGB1-associated pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawaz Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (H.A.); (W.W.)
| | - Hasan Alhaddad
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (H.A.); (W.W.)
| | - Woonyen Wong
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (H.A.); (W.W.)
| | - Richard L. Bell
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence: (R.L.B.); (Y.S.); Tel.: +317-278-8407 (R.L.B.); +419-383-1507 (Y.S.)
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (H.A.); (W.W.)
- Correspondence: (R.L.B.); (Y.S.); Tel.: +317-278-8407 (R.L.B.); +419-383-1507 (Y.S.)
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32
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Zhang H, Wang X, Xu P, Ji X, Chi T, Liu P, Zou L. Tolfenamic acid inhibits GSK-3β and PP2A mediated tau hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease models. J Physiol Sci 2020; 70:29. [PMID: 32517647 PMCID: PMC10717460 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-020-00757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tolfenamic acid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, alleviated learning and memory deficits and decreased the expression of specificity protein 1 (SP1)-mediated cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5), a major protein kinase that regulates hyperphosphorylated tau, in Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mice. However, whether tolfenamic acid can regulate the major tau protein kinase, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), or tau protein phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), further inhibiting hyperphosphorylation of tau, remains unknown. To this end, tolfenamic acid was administered i.p. in a GSK-3β overactivation postnatal rat model and orally in mice after intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of okadaic acid (OA) to develop a PP2A inhibition model. We used four behavioural experiments to evaluate memory function in ICV-OA mice. In this study, tolfenamic acid attenuated memory dysfunction. Tolfenamic acid decreased the expression of hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain by inhibiting GSK-3β activity, decreasing phosphorylated PP2A (Tyr307), and enhancing PP2A activity. Tolfenamic acid also increased wortmannin (WT) and GF-109203X (GFX) induced phosphorylation of GSK-3β (Ser9) and prevented OA-induced downregulation of PP2A activity in PC12 cells. Altogether, these results show that tolfenamic acid not only decreased SP1/CDK5-mediated tau phosphorylation, but also inhibited GSK-3β and PP2A-mediated tau hyperphosphorylation in AD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Pu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefei Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyan Chi
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
| | - Libo Zou
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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Su C, Zhao N, Zou J, Yan X. TDZD-8 alleviates delayed neurological sequelae following acute carbon monoxide poisoning involving tau protein phosphorylation. Inhal Toxicol 2020; 32:79-85. [PMID: 32188325 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2020.1741739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Acute carbon monoxide (CO)poisoning can cause delayed neurological sequelae (DNS). Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) /Tau protein pathway is reported to play a key role in neurological abnormalities. In the present study, we aimed to determine the role of GSK-3β/Tau in DNS following acute CO poisoning.Methods: 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione (TDZD-8), a specific non-competitive inhibitor of GSK-3β, was used to inhibit GSK-3β. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the three groups: Control group, CO group and CO-TDZD-8 group. Rats breathed 1000 ppm CO for 40 minutes and then 3000 ppm for up to 20 minutes until they lost consciousness. TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously three times after the end of CO exposure at 0, 24, 48 hours late. Learning and memory abilities were observed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Brain histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Moreover, the expression levels of Tau and GSK-3β were detected after acute carbon monoxide poisoning.Results: TDZD-8 significantly attenuated the learning and memory dysfunction induced by acute CO poisoning, ameliorated the histology structure of damaged neural cells in cortex and hippocampus CA1 area. TDZD-8 clearly decreased p-Tau expression, reversed the reduction of p-GSK-3β induced by acute CO poisoning.Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of TDZD-8 in alleviating DNS caused by acute CO poisoning is related to the inactivation of Tau by intensifying the level of GSK-3β phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglei Su
- Department of Emergency Medicine Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ningjun Zhao
- Department of Emergency Medicine Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianjiao Zou
- Department of Emergency Medicine Center, Lanling Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Xianliang Yan
- Department of Emergency Medicine Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Xie J, Liang R, Wang Y, Huang J, Cao X, Niu B. Progress in Target Drug Molecules for Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:4-36. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666191203113745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that 4 widespread in the elderly.
The etiology of AD is complicated, and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Although there are many
researches on anti-AD drugs, they are limited to reverse relief symptoms and cannot treat diseases.
Therefore, the development of high-efficiency anti-AD drugs with no side effects has become an urgent
need. Based on the published literature, this paper summarizes the main targets of AD and their drugs,
and focuses on the research and development progress of these drugs in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Xie
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ruirui Liang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yajiang Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Junyi Huang
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xin Cao
- Zhongshan Hospital Institute of Clinical Science, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Niu
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
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Huang L, Zhong X, Qin S, Deng M. Protocatechuic acid attenuates β‑secretase activity and okadaic acid‑induced autophagy via the Akt/GSK‑3β/MEF2D pathway in PC12 cells. Mol Med Rep 2020; 21:1328-1335. [PMID: 31894327 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Okadaic acid (OA) can be used to induce an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model characterized by tau hyperphosphorylation, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles formation and β‑amyloid (Aβ) deposition. Previous studies have shown that the upregulation of Beclin‑1‑dependent autophagy may contribute to the elimination of aggregated Aβ. However, the effects of protocatechuic acid (PA) on the levels of Aβ42, phosphorylated (p)‑tau and β‑secretase in OA‑induced cell injury are unclear, and little is known concerning the role of the PA signaling pathway in the regulation of autophagy. The present study aimed to determine whether PA protects cells from OA‑induced cytotoxicity via the regulation of Beclin‑1‑dependent autophagy and its regulatory signaling pathway. PC12 cells were treated with OA with or without PA for 24 h. Enzymatic assays were performed to measure p‑tau, Aβ42 and β‑secretase activity. Western blotting was performed to detect p‑Akt, p‑glycogen synthase kinase‑3β (p‑GSK‑3β), Akt, GSK‑3β, myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) and Beclin‑1 protein expression levels. Immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry were used to measure Beclin‑1 expression levels. The results from this study showed that PA could increase cell viability and significantly decrease the levels of Aβ42, p‑tau, β‑secretase and Beclin‑1. PA can also promote the expression of p‑Akt and MEF2D while suppressing the expression of p‑GSK‑3β. These results indicated that PA protects PC12 cells from OA‑induced cytotoxicity, and attenuates autophagy via regulation of the Akt/GSK‑3β/MEF2D pathway, therefore potentially contributing to the neuroprotective effects of PA against OA toxicity. These findings suggested that PA may have potential as a drug candidate in preventative AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524048, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Shaochen Qin
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030024, P.R. China
| | - Minzhen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
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Wan X, Yao G, Liu Y, Chen J, Jiang H. Research Progress in the Biosynthetic Mechanisms of Marine Polyether Toxins. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:E594. [PMID: 31652489 PMCID: PMC6835853 DOI: 10.3390/md17100594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine polyether toxins, mainly produced by marine dinoflagellates, are novel, complex, and diverse natural products with extensive toxicological and pharmacological effects. Owing to their harmful effects during outbreaks of marine red tides, as well as their potential value for the development of new drugs, marine polyether toxins have been extensively studied, in terms of toxicology, pharmacology, detection, and analysis, structural identification, as well as their biosynthetic mechanisms. Although the biosynthetic mechanisms of marine polyether toxins are still unclear, certain progress has been made. In this review, research progress and current knowledge on the biosynthetic mechanisms of polyether toxins are summarized, including the mechanisms of carbon skeleton deletion, pendant alkylation, and polyether ring formation, along with providing a summary of mined biosynthesis-related genes. Finally, future research directions and applications of marine polyether toxins are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiukun Wan
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China.
| | - Ge Yao
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China.
| | - Yanli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China.
| | - Jisheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China.
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Jiao YH, Liu M, Wang G, Li HY, Liu JS, Yang X, Yang WD. EMT is the major target for okadaic acid-suppressed the development of neural crest cells in chick embryo. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 180:192-201. [PMID: 31085430 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As a main marine phycotoxin, okadaic acid (OA) is mainly responsible for diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP), through specifically inhibiting phosphatase (PP1 and PP2A). It has been shown that isotope labelled-OA could cross the placental barrier in mice. However, it remains obscure how OA exposure could affect the formation of neural crest cells (NCCs), especially cranial NCCs in early embryo development. Here, we explored the effects of OA exposure on the generation of neural crest cells during embryonic development using the classic chick embryo model. We found that OA exposure at 100 nM (80.5 μg/L) could cause craniofacial bone defects in the developing chick embryo and delay the development of early chick embryos. Immunofluorescent staining of HNK-1, Pax7, and Ap-2α demonstrated that cranial NCC generation was inhibited by OA exposure. Double immunofluorescent staining with Ap-2α/PHIS3 or Pax7/c-Caspase3 manifested that both NCC proliferation and apoptosis were restrained by OA exposure. Furthermore, the expression of Msx1 and BMP4 were down-regulated in the developing chick embryonic neural tubes, which could contribute the inhibitive production of NCCs. We also discovered that expression of EMT-related adhesion molecules, such as Cadherin 6B (Cad6B) and E-cadherin, was altered following OA exposure. In sum, OA exposure negatively affected the development of embryonic neural crest cells, which in turn might result in cranial bone malformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hu Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Hong-Ye Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jie-Sheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Wei-Dong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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