Downregulation of ROCK2 attenuates alcohol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in astrocytes

Fasudil may alleviate alcohol-induced astrocyte damage by modifying lipid metabolism, as determined by metabonomics analysis

Alcohol dependence is a chronic, relapsing encephalopathy characterized by compulsive craving for alcohol, loss of control over alcohol use, and the presence of negative emotions and physical discomfort when alcohol is unavailable. Harmful use of alcohol is one of the greatest risk factors for death, illness, and disability. Rho kinase inhibitors have neuroprotective effects. This study used metabonomics analysis to assess untreated astrocytes, astrocytes exposed to 75 mmol/L of alcohol, and astrocytes exposed to 75 mmol/L of alcohol and treated with 15 µg/mL fasudil for 24 h. One of the clearest differences between the alcohol-exposed and fasudil-treated alcohol-exposed groups was the abundance of lipids and lipid-like molecules, although glycerophospholipid metabolism was comparable in both groups. Our findings show that fasudil may alleviate alcohol-induced astrocyte damage by modifying lipid metabolism, providing a new approach for preventing and treating alcohol dependence.

The Significance of NLRP Inflammasome in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The NLRP inflammasome is a multi-protein complex which mainly consists of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain. Its activation is linked to microglial-mediated neuroinflammation and partial neuronal degeneration. Many neuropsychiatric illnesses have increased inflammatory responses as both a primary cause and a defining feature. The NLRP inflammasome inhibition delays the progression and alleviates the deteriorating effects of neuroinflammation on several neuropsychiatric disorders. Evidence on the central effects of the NLRP inflammasome potentially provides the scientific base of a promising drug target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review elucidates the classification, composition, and functions of the NLRP inflammasomes. It also explores the underlying mechanisms of NLRP inflammasome activation and its divergent role in neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, drug use disorders, and anxiety. Furthermore, we explore the treatment potential of the NLRP inflammasome inhibitors against these disorders.

Glial Cells and Brain Diseases: Inflammasomes as Relevant Pathological Entities

Inflammation mediated by the innate immune system is a physiopathological response to diverse detrimental circumstances such as microbe infections or tissular damage. The molecular events that underlie this response involve the assembly of multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes. These assemblages are essentially formed by a stressor-sensing protein, an adapter protein and a non-apoptotic caspase (1 or 11). The coordinated aggregation of these components mediates the processing and release of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-β and IL-18) and cellular death by pyroptosis induction. The inflammatory response is essential for the defense of the organism; for example, it triggers tissue repair and the destruction of pathogen microbe infections. However, when inflammation is activated chronically, it promotes diverse pathologies in the lung, liver, brain and other organs. The nervous system is one of the main tissues where the inflammatory process has been characterized, and its implications in health and disease are starting to be understood. Thus, the regulation of inflammasomes in specific cellular types of the central nervous system needs to be thoroughly understood to innovate treatments for diverse pathologies. In this review, the presence and participation of inflammasomes in pathological conditions in different types of glial cells will be discussed.