Exposure to homocysteine leads to cell cycle damage and reactive gliosis in the developing brain

Unraveling the Hippocampal Molecular and Cellular Alterations behind Tramadol and Tapentadol Neurobehavioral Toxicity

Tramadol and tapentadol are chemically related opioids prescribed for the analgesia of moderate to severe pain. Although safer than classical opioids, they are associated with neurotoxicity and behavioral dysfunction, which arise as a concern, considering their central action and growing misuse and abuse. The hippocampal formation is known to participate in memory and learning processes and has been documented to contribute to opioid dependence. Accordingly, the present study assessed molecular and cellular alterations in the hippocampal formation of Wistar rats intraperitoneally administered with 50 mg/kg tramadol or tapentadol for eight alternate days. Alterations were found in serum hydrogen peroxide, cysteine, homocysteine, and dopamine concentrations upon exposure to one or both opioids, as well as in hippocampal 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and gene expression levels of a panel of neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neuromodulation biomarkers, assessed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Immunohistochemical analysis of hippocampal formation sections showed increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and decreased cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b) protein expression, suggesting opioid-induced astrogliosis and microgliosis. Collectively, the results emphasize the hippocampal neuromodulator effects of tramadol and tapentadol, with potential behavioral implications, underlining the need to prescribe and use both opioids cautiously.

Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine increases DNA damage in healthy middle aged Australians

PURPOSE

Magnesium is one of the most common elements in the human body and plays an important role as a cofactor of enzymes required for DNA replication and repair and many other biochemical mechanisms including sensing and regulating one-carbon metabolism deficiencies. Low intake of magnesium can increase the risk of many diseases, in particular, chronic degenerative disorders. However, its role in prevention of DNA damage has not been studied fully in humans so far. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that magnesium deficiency either on its own or in conjunction with high homocysteine (Hcy) induces DNA damage in vivo in humans.

METHODS

The present study was carried out in 172 healthy middle aged subjects from South Australia. Blood levels of magnesium, Hcy, folate and vitamin B12 were measured. Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus cytome assay was performed to measure three DNA damage biomarkers: micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBuds) in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

RESULTS

Data showed that magnesium and Hcy are significantly inversely correlated with each other (r = - 0.299, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, magnesium is positively correlated both with folate (p = 0.002) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.007). Magnesium is also significantly inversely correlated with MN (p < 0.0001) and NPB (p < 0.0001). Individuals with low magnesium and high Hcy exhibited significantly higher frequency of MN and NPBs compared to those with high magnesium and low Hcy (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was an interactive effect between these two factors as well in inducing MN (p = 0.01) and NPB (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained in the present study indicate for the first time that low in vivo levels of magnesium either on its own or in the presence of high Hcy increases DNA damage as evident by higher frequencies of MN and NPBs.

Developmental toxicity of pyriproxyfen induces changes in the ultrastructure of neural cells and in the process of skull ossification

Some studies relate the use of pyriproxyfen (PPF) in drinking water with damage to embryonic neurodevelopment, including a supposed association with cases of microcephaly. However, the effects on neural cells and skull ossification in embryos remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of PPF on the structure and ultrastructure of brain cells and its influence on the skull ossification process during embryonic development. Chicken embryos, used as an experimental model, were exposed to concentrations of 0.01 and 10 mg/l PPF at E1. The findings demonstrated that PPF led to notable ultrastructural alterations such as reduced cilia and microvilli of ependymal cells and damage to mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, and cell membranes in neural cells. The frequency of changes and the degree of these cell damage between the forebrain and midbrain were similar. PPF induced a reduction in fox3 transcript levels, specific for differentiation of neurons, and a reduction in the NeuN protein content related to mature neurons and dendritic branches. PPF impacted the ossification process of the skull, as evidenced by the increase in the ossified area and the decrease in inter-bone spacing. In conclusion, this study highlights the ability of PPF to affect neurodevelopmental processes by inducing ultrastructural damage to neural cells, concomitant with a reduction in NeuN and fox3 expression. This detrimental impact coupled with deficiencies in skull ossification can prevent the proper growth and development of the brain.

Association between depression and quality of life in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A moderated mediation of cognitive impairment and sleep quality

BACKGROUND

The acceleration of aging and the increase in life expectancy have resulted in an increasing number of older adults developing physical and mental comorbidities. We examined the association between depression and quality of life (QoL) using cognitive impairment (COI) as a mediator and sleep quality (SQ) as a moderator among older adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 2646 participants from Weifang, Shandong, China completed the survey. Their depression, cognitive function, SQ, and QoL were assessed. PROCESS was used to investigate mediating and moderating effects.

RESULTS

COI mediated the association between depression and QoL (indirect effect = -0.1058, bootstrapped 95 % CI [-0.1417, -0.0725]). Moderated mediation analyses indicated that SQ moderated the first half of the pathway of depression's impact on QoL through COI (moderating effect = -0.1128, bootstrapped 95 % CI [-0.1981, -0.0348]). Depression negatively impacted cognitive function in participants with poor (vs. better) SQ.

LIMITATIONS

First, multiple assessment tools should be considered to increase objective assessment. Second, the cross-sectional design limited our ability to make causal inferences. Third, additional diabetes-related variables should be included to explore this relationship. Finally, the pathways of influence and mechanisms of action of COI in older adults should be explored further.

CONCLUSION

Depression could impair the QoL of older adults by aggravating their COI. Fortunately, improving patients' SQ may undermine this negative effect. These findings may play an integral role in promoting the psychiatric health of older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Effect of Fetal Bovine Serum or Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on Cell Survival and the Proliferation of Neural Stem Cells: The Influence of Homocysteine Treatment

In vitro cell culture is a routinely used method which is also applied for in vitro modeling of various neurological diseases. On the other hand, media used for cell culture are often not strictly standardized between laboratories, which hinders the comparison of the obtained results. Here, we compared the effects of homocysteine (Hcy), a molecule involved in neurodegeneration, on immature cells of the nervous system cultivated in basal medium or media supplemented by either fetal bovine serum or basic fibroblast growth factor. The number of cells in basal media supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was 2.5 times higher in comparison to the number of cells in basal media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). We also found that the neuron-specific β-3-tubulin protein expression dose dependently decreased with increasing Hcy exposure. Interestingly, bFGF exerts a protective effect on β-3-tubulin protein expression at a concentration of 1000 µM Hcy compared to FBS-treated neural stem cells on Day 7. Supplementation with bFGF increased SOX2 protein expression two-fold compared to FBS supplementation. GFAP protein expression increased five-fold on Day 3 in FBS-treated neural stem cells, whereas on Day 7, bFGF increased GFAP expression two-fold compared to FBS-treated neural stem cells. Here, we have clearly shown that the selection of culturing media significantly influences various cellular parameters, which, in turn, can lead to different conclusions in experiments based on in vitro models of pathological conditions.

Elevated homocysteine levels, white matter abnormalities and cognitive impairment in patients with late-life depression

Background

Cognitive impairment in late−life depression (LLD) is considered to be caused by neurodegenerative changes. Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels may be linked to cognitive abnormalities associated with LLD. The important role of white matter (WM) damage in cognitive impairment and pathogenesis in patients with LLD has been widely reported. However, no research has explored the interrelationships of these features in patients with LLD.

Objective

The goal of the study was to examine the interrelationship between Hcy levels, cognition, and variations in WM microstructure detected by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with LLD.

Methods

We recruited 89 healthy controls (HCs) and 113 patients with LLD; then, we measured the plasma Hcy levels of participants in both groups. All individuals performed a battery of neuropsychological tests to measure cognitive ability. Seventy-four patients with LLD and 68 HCs experienced a DTI magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Results

Patients with LLD showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus than those of healthy participants. Only in LLD patients was Hcy concentration inversely associated to FA values in the forceps minor. Finally, multiple regression analyses showed that an interaction between Hcy levels and FA values in the right cingulum of the cingulate cortex and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus were independent contributors to the executive function of patients with LLD.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the complex interplay between elevated homocysteine levels and WM abnormalities in the pathophysiology of LLD-related cognitive impairment, consistent with the neurodegeneration hypothesis.

Homocysteine and Gliotoxicity

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid that does not occur in the diet, but it is an essential intermediate in normal mammalian metabolism of methionine. Hyperhomocysteinemia results from dietary intakes of Met, folate, and vitamin B12 and lifestyle or from the deficiency of specific enzymes, leading to tissue accumulation of this amino acid and/or its metabolites. Severe hyperhomocysteinemic patients can present neurological symptoms and structural brain abnormalities, of which the pathogenesis is poorly understood. Moreover, a possible link between homocysteine (mild hyperhomocysteinemia) and neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric disorders has been suggested. In recent years, increasing evidence has emerged suggesting that astrocyte dysfunction is involved in the neurotoxicity of homocysteine and possibly associated with the physiopathology of hyperhomocysteinemia. This review addresses some of the findings obtained from in vivo and in vitro experimental models, indicating high homocysteine levels as an important neurotoxin determinant of the neuropathophysiology of brain damage. Recent data show that this amino acid impairs glutamate uptake, redox/mitochondrial homeostasis, inflammatory response, and cell signaling pathways. Therefore, the discussion of this review focuses on homocysteine-induced gliotoxicity, and its impacts in the brain functions. Through understanding the Hcy-induced gliotoxicity, novel preventive/therapeutic strategies might emerge for these diseases.

Homocysteine aggravates DNA damage by impairing the FA/Brca1 Pathway in NE4C murine neural stem cells

There is existing evidence that elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels are risk factors for some neurodegenerative disorders. The pathogenesis of neurological diseases could be contributed to excessive cell dysfunction and death caused by defective DNA damage response (DDR) and accumulated DNA damage. Hcy is a neurotoxic amino acid and acts as a DNA damage inducer. However, it is not clear whether Hcy participates in the DDR. To investigate the effects of Hcy on DNA damage and the DDR, we employed mitomycin C (MMC) to cause DNA damage in NE4C murine neural stem cells (NSCs). Compared to treatment with MMC alone, we found that co-treatment with MMC and Hcy worsened DNA damage and increased death in NE4C cells. Intriguingly, in this DNA damage model mimicked by MMC, immunoblotting results showed that the monoubiquitination levels of Fanconi anemia complementation group I (Fanci) and Fanconi anemia complementation group D2 (Fancd2) were decreased to about 60.3% and 55.7% by supplementing cell culture medium with Hcy, indicating Hcy inactivates the function of Fanci and Fancd2 in DNA damage conditions. Given Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) is an important downstream of FANCD2, we next detected the interaction between Fancd2 and Brca1 in NE4C cells. Compared to treatment with MMC alone, the Fancd2-Brca1 interaction and the amount of Brca1 on chromatin were decreased when cells were co-exposed to MMC and Hcy, suggesting Hcy could impair the Fanconi anemia (FA)/Brca1 pathway. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Hcy may enhance cell death, which contributes to the accumulation of DNA damage and promotion of hypersensitivity to cytotoxicity by impairing the FA/Brca1 pathway in murine NSCs in the presence of DNA damage.

Pyridoxine Deficiency Exacerbates Neuronal Damage after Ischemia by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Reduces Proliferating Cells and Neuroblasts in the Gerbil Hippocampus

We investigated the effects of pyridoxine deficiency on ischemic neuronal death in the hippocampus of gerbil (n = 5 per group). Serum pyridoxal 5′-phosphate levels were significantly decreased in Pyridoxine-deficient diet (PDD)-fed gerbils, while homocysteine levels were significantly increased in sham- and ischemia-operated gerbils. PDD-fed gerbil showed a reduction in neuronal nuclei (NeuN)-immunoreactive neurons in the medial part of the hippocampal CA1 region three days after. Reactive astrocytosis and microgliosis were found in PDD-fed gerbils, and transient ischemia caused the aggregation of activated microglia in the stratum pyramidale three days after ischemia. Lipid peroxidation was prominently increased in the hippocampus and was significantly higher in PDD-fed gerbils than in Control diet (CD)-fed gerbils after ischemia. In contrast, pyridoxine deficiency decreased the proliferating cells and neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus in sham- and ischemia-operated gerbils. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels also significantly decreased in PDD-fed gerbils sham 24 h after ischemia. These results suggest that pyridoxine deficiency accelerates neuronal death by increasing serum homocysteine levels and lipid peroxidation, and by decreasing Nrf2 levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, it reduces the regenerated potentials in hippocampus by decreasing BDNF levels. Collectively, pyridoxine is an essential element in modulating cell death and hippocampal neurogenesis after ischemia.

Preconception telomere length as a novel maternal biomarker to assess the risk of spina bifida in the offspring

BACKGROUND

Periconception interactions between maternal conditions and environmental and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis and prevention of neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida. These factors have in common that they can impair the oxidative pathway, resulting in excessive (chronic) oxidative stress and inflammation.

METHODS

Review of the literature concerning underlying mechanisms and biomarkers of aging particularly during reproduction. A number of molecular markers for biological aging have been identified, including telomere length (TL). Excessive telomere shortening is an index of senescence, causes genomic instability and is associated with a higher risk of age-related diseases. Furthermore, TL shortening is associated with the similar environmental and lifestyle exposures associated with NTD risk.

RESULTS

Embryonic mice deficient in the telomerase gene show shorter TL and failure of closure of the neural tube as the main defect, suggesting that this developmental process is among the most sensitive to telomere loss and chromosomal instability.

CONCLUSIONS

From this background, we hypothesize that preconceptional long term exposure to harmful environmental and lifestyle risk factors accelerates a woman's aging process, which can be measured by TL, and thereby her underlying risk of NTD offspring. Alternatively, it might be that women with an increased NTD risk already exhibit a more advanced biological age before the onset of pregnancy compared to women of identical calendar age.