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Satriano A, Laganà ML, Licastro E, Nucci C, Bagetta G, Russo R, Adornetto A. Neuroprotective Effect of a Nutritional Supplement Containing Spearmint Extract, Forskolin, Homotaurine and Group B Vitamins in a Mouse Model of Transient Ocular Hypertension. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051478. [PMID: 37239149 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the most common sight-threatening eye disorders and one of the main causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. The current therapies focusing on reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) are often insufficient to prevent the progression of the disease, so the therapeutic management of glaucoma remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective, IOP-lowering independent effects of a nutritional supplement containing forskolin, homotaurine, spearmint extract and vitamins of the B group in a model of acute glaucoma developed in mice. Glaucoma was induced in adult wild-type C57BL/6J mice by transient elevation of IOP. The dietary supplement, branded as Gangliomix® (125 mg/kg/day), was administered by oral gavage for 17 days and ocular hypertension was induced on the 10th day of treatment. A histological analysis of the retinas was performed and RGC survival was evaluated with fluorogold labeling and Brn3a immunostaining on wholemount and retinal sections. Expression of alpha-spectrin, caspase-3, PARP-1 and GFAP was studied with western blotting or immunofluorescence. A significant increase in RGC survival was reported in the retina of mice treated with the dietary supplement as compared to vehicle-treated animals. The observed neuroprotection was associated with a calpain activity decrease, reduction in caspase-3 and PARP-1 activation, and prevention of GFAP upregulation. These effects were independent from the hypotensive effects of the supplement. Altogether, our data suggest that the dietary supplementation with forskolin, homotaurine, spearmint extract and vitamins of the B group supports RGC survival and may offer beneficial effects in glaucoma patients in combination with the currently used IOP-lowering therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Satriano
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Glaucoma Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Laganà
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Glaucoma Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Ester Licastro
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Glaucoma Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Carlo Nucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Giacinto Bagetta
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Glaucoma Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Rossella Russo
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Glaucoma Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Annagrazia Adornetto
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Glaucoma Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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Calpains as mechanistic drivers and therapeutic targets for ocular disease. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:644-661. [PMID: 35641420 PMCID: PMC9345745 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ophthalmic neurodegenerative diseases encompass a wide array of molecular pathologies unified by calpain dysregulation. Calpains are calcium-dependent proteases that perpetuate cellular death and inflammation when hyperactivated. Calpain inhibition trials in other organs have faced pharmacological challenges, but the eye offers many advantages for the development and testing of targeted molecular therapeutics, including small molecules, peptides, engineered proteins, drug implants, and gene-based therapies. This review highlights structural mechanisms underlying calpain activation, distinct cellular expression patterns, and in vivo models that link calpain hyperactivity to human retinal and developmental disease. Optimizing therapeutic approaches for calpain-mediated eye diseases can help accelerate clinically feasible strategies for treating calpain dysregulation in other diseased tissues.
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Assessing retinal ganglion cell death and neuroprotective agents using real time imaging. Brain Res 2019; 1714:65-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Protection of Kaempferol on Oxidative Stress-Induced Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Damage. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:1610751. [PMID: 30584457 PMCID: PMC6280232 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1610751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The protection of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) injury plays an important role in the prevention of or in delaying the pathological progress of retinal degeneration diseases, like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Oxidative stress has been identified as a major inducer of RPE injury, which eventually could lead to a loss of vision. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid widely distributed in many edible plants, fruits, and traditional medicines and has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. The present study demonstrates that the total antioxidant capacity of kaempferol is approximately two times stronger than that of lutein which is also a natural antioxidant that is widely used in the prevention or treatment of AMD. Our data indicates that kaempferol protects human RPE cells (ARPE-19) from hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced oxidative cell damage and apoptosis through the signaling pathways involving Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 molecules proofed by real-time PCR and Western blot results. Kaempferol also inhibits the upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression levels induced by H2O2 in ARPE-19 cells and affects the oxidation and antioxidant imbalanced system in ARPE-19 cells treated by H2O2 through the regulations of both the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, our in vivo experimental results show that in sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration rat model, kaempferol could protect sodium iodate-induced pathological changes of retina tissue and retinal cells apoptosis as well as the upregulated VEGF protein expression in RPE cells. In summary, these novel findings demonstrate that kaempferol could protect oxidative stressed-human RPE cell damage through its antioxidant activity and antiapoptosis function, suggesting that kaempferol has a potential role in the prevention and therapeutic treatment of AMD or other retinal diseases mediated by oxidative stress.
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Varano GP, Parisi V, Adornetto A, Cavaliere F, Amantea D, Nucci C, Corasaniti MT, Morrone LA, Bagetta G, Russo R. Post-ischemic treatment with azithromycin protects ganglion cells against retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat. Mol Vis 2017; 23:911-921. [PMID: 29296071 PMCID: PMC5741380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal ischemic phenomena occur in several ocular diseases that share the degeneration and death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) as the final event. We tested the neuroprotective effect of azithromycin, a widely used semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic endowed with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, in a model of retinal ischemic injury induced by transient elevation of intraocular pressure in the rat. Methods Retinal ischemia was induced in adult rats with transient elevation of intraocular pressure. RGCs were retrogradely labeled with Fluoro-Gold, and survival was assessed following a single dose of azithromycin given systemically at the end of the ischemia. The expression of death-associated proteins and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation was studied with western blotting. Expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 were analyzed with gelatin zymography. Results Acute post-injury administration of azithromycin significantly prevented RGC death. This effect was accompanied by reduced calpain activity and prevention of Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad) upregulation. The observed neuroprotection was associated with a significant inhibition of MMP-2/-9 gelatinolytic activity and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Conclusions Azithromycin provides neuroprotection by modifying the inflammatory state of the retina following ischemia/reperfusion injury suggesting potential for repurposing as a drug capable of limiting or preventing retinal neuronal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pasquale Varano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parisi
- Visual Neurophysiology and Neurophthalmology Research Unit, IRCCS G.B. Bietti Foundation, Roma
| | - Annagrazia Adornetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Federica Cavaliere
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Diana Amantea
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Carlo Nucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata” Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Antonio Morrone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Giacinto Bagetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Rossella Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
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Ono Y, Saido TC, Sorimachi H. Calpain research for drug discovery: challenges and potential. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2016; 15:854-876. [PMID: 27833121 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2016.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Calpains are a family of proteases that were scientifically recognized earlier than proteasomes and caspases, but remain enigmatic. However, they are known to participate in a multitude of physiological and pathological processes, performing 'limited proteolysis' whereby they do not destroy but rather modulate the functions of their substrates. Calpains are therefore referred to as 'modulator proteases'. Multidisciplinary research on calpains has begun to elucidate their involvement in pathophysiological mechanisms. Therapeutic strategies targeting malfunctions of calpains have been developed, driven primarily by improvements in the specificity and bioavailability of calpain inhibitors. Here, we review the calpain superfamily and calpain-related disorders, and discuss emerging calpain-targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Ono
- Calpain Project, Department of Advanced Science for Biomolecules, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (IGAKUKEN), 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sorimachi
- Calpain Project, Department of Advanced Science for Biomolecules, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (IGAKUKEN), 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
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Vogler S, Hollborn M, Berk BA, Pannicke T, Seeger J, Wiedemann P, Reichenbach A, Bringmann A. Ischemic regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated cell volume and TrkB expression in glial (Müller) and bipolar cells of the rat retina. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2016; 254:497-503. [PMID: 26743749 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-015-3250-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 12/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osmotic swelling of neurons and glial cells contributes to retinal edema and neurodegeneration. BDNF, a major neuroprotectant in the retina, was shown to inhibit osmotic swelling of glial (Müller) and bipolar cells in the rat retina; the effect of BDNF on the bipolar cell swelling is mediated by inducing a release of neuroprotective cytokines from Müller cells (Berk et al., Neuroscience 295:175-186, 2015). We determined whether BDNF-mediated cell volume regulation was altered after transient retinal ischemia. METHODS Retinal slices from the eyes of rats that underwent a 1-h pressure-induced retinal ischemia and from control eyes were superfused with a hypoosmotic solution. RESULTS Exogenous BDNF prevented osmotic swelling of Müller cells in both control and post-ischemic retinal slices. BDNF also prevented osmotic swelling of bipolar cells in the control retina, but not in the ischemic retina. On the other hand, exogenous bFGF prevented the swelling of both Müller and bipolar cells in the ischemic retina. Freshly isolated Müller cells of control retinas displayed immunoreactivity of truncated but not full-length TrkB. In contrast, Müller cells of post-ischemic retinas displayed immunoreactivity of both TrkB isoforms. Bipolar cells isolated from control and post-ischemic retinas were immunolabeled for both TrkB isoforms. CONCLUSIONS The data may suggest that the ischemic abrogation of the BDNF effect in bipolar cells is related to altered BDNF receptor expression in Müller cells. Glial upregulation of full-length TrkB may support the survival of Müller cells in the ischemic retina, but may impair the BDNF-induced release of neuroprotective cytokines such as bFGF from Müller cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Vogler
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margrit Hollborn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 10-14, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin-Andreas Berk
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Pannicke
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Seeger
- Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Wiedemann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 10-14, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Reichenbach
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Bringmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 10-14, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Calpain is a family of cysteine proteases found in eukaryotes and a few bacteria. There is considerable interest in the search for calpain inhibitors because the enzyme has been implicated in several diseases including ocular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders and cancer. AREAS COVERED An overview of calpain inhibitors disclosed between 2012 and 2014 is presented. Among these are epoxysuccinates, dipeptide imaging agents, macrocyclic inhibitors, α-helical peptidomimetic inhibitors, carboxamides, 5-azolones and α-mercaptoacrylates. Additionally, preclinical studies of calpain inhibitors in pathologies such blood disorders, ocular disorders, neurological disorders and muscle disorders are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Major advances made in calpain inhibitor research between 2012 and 2014 include: i) the discovery of cytosolic-stable carboxamide calpain inhibitors; ii) synthesis of epoxysuccinates with excellent bioavailability; iii) disclosure of the X-ray crystal structures of novel α-mercaptoacrylates bound to the pentaEF hand region from human calpain; and iv) disclosure of calpain inhibitors as anti-sickling agents. Several calpain inhibitors were reported but limited effort was directed towards the discovery of calpain isoform selective agents, which continues to dampen the therapeutic potential of calpain inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac O Donkor
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA
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Rosenberger TA. Targeting calpain-mediated proteolysis and peptide signaling as a strategy to reduce injury in multiple sclerosis. J Neurochem 2014; 130:161-4. [PMID: 24844646 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thad A Rosenberger
- University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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