Oral administration of soybean lecithin transphosphatidylated phosphatidylserine improves memory impairment in aged rats

Phosphatidylserine in the Nervous System: Cytoplasmic Regulator of the AKT and PKC Signaling Pathways and Extracellular "Eat-Me" Signal in Microglial Phagocytosis

Phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) is an important anionic phospholipid found in eukaryotic cells and has been proven to serve as a beneficial factor in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. PtdSer resides in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, where it is involved in regulating the AKT and PKC signaling pathways; however, it becomes exposed to the extracellular leaflet during neurodevelopmental processes and neurodegenerative diseases, participating in microglia-mediated synaptic and neuronal phagocytosis. In this paper, we review several characteristics of PtdSer, including the synthesis and translocation of PtdSer, the functions of cytoplasmic and exposed PtdSer, and different PtdSer-detection materials used to further understand the role of PtdSer in the nervous system.

A Systematic Review of Dietary Supplements in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is the most common neurodegenerative disease among the aging population, which has been a major global challenge. The pathogenesis of the disease is still undetermined but postulated to be involved in various mechanisms including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, inflammation, cell death, genetic factors, protein accumulation, and degradation. There are few Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs available for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that have limited benefits along with associated adverse effects. A retrospective review of randomized double-blind controlled trials of various supplements used in AD patients was performed on a PubMed search from January 1983 to March 2022. We found 10 articles that have shown positive outcomes in various cognitive domains. We conclude that there should be a global standard to endorse the quality and safety of these supplements.

Deciphering lipid dysregulation in ALS: from mechanisms to translational medicine

Lipids, defined by low solubility in water and high solubility in nonpolar solvents, can be classified into fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols. Lipids not only regulate integrity and fluidity of biological membranes, but also serve as energy storage and bioactive molecules for signaling. Causal mutations in SPTLC1 (serine palmitoyltransferase long chain subunit 1) gene within the lipogenic pathway have been identified in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a paralytic and fatal motor neuron disease. Furthermore, lipid dysmetabolism within the central nervous system and circulation is associated with ALS. Here, we aim to delineate the diverse roles of different lipid classes and understand how lipid dysmetabolism may contribute to ALS pathogenesis. Among the different lipids, accumulation of ceramides, arachidonic acid, and lysophosphatidylcholine is commonly emerging  as detrimental to motor neurons. We end with exploring the potential ALS therapeutics by reducing these toxic lipids.

Phosphatidylserine, inflammation, and central nervous system diseases

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an anionic phospholipid in the eukaryotic membrane and is abundant in the brain. Accumulated studies have revealed that PS is involved in the multiple functions of the brain, such as activation of membrane signaling pathways, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission, and synaptic refinement. Those functions of PS are related to central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In this review, we discuss the metabolism of PS, the anti-inflammation function of PS in the brain; the alterations of PS in different CNS diseases, and the possibility of PS to serve as a therapeutic agent for diseases. Clinical studies have showed that PS has no side effects and is well tolerated. Therefore, PS and PS liposome could be a promising supplementation for these neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases.

Preparation, Characterization, Evaluation of Neuroprotective Effect, and Related Mechanisms of Phosphatidylserine Emulsion in 5- and 12-Week Old Mice

Phosphatidylserine (PS) improves learning and memory capacity. In this study, PS formulation was optimized by a response surface methodology. Moreover, we found that PS not only functions as a biologically active component in food preparations but also improves the emulsion's physical stability. Our results showed that the PS emulsions are characterized by a smaller particle size, higher ζ-potential (negative), higher viscosity, and lower surface tension and centrifugal stability constants than the emulsion without PS. Furthermore, we explored the neuroprotective effects of PS emulsion and its underlying mechanisms. Treatment with 2% (w/w) PS emulsion for three months enhanced spatial learning and memory in 5- and 12-week old mice in the Morris water maze test. Western-blotting analysis displayed that the 2% (w/w) PS emulsion treated group upregulated BDNF, TrkB, PSD95, mTOR, MBP, and ErbB4 expression in the hippocampus of 5- and 12-week old mice. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed elevated Nrg-1 and ErbB4 mRNA expression in the 2% (w/w) PS emulsion treated groups, and high Nrg-1 and ErbB4 expression levels were associated with better myelination. In conclusion, we reported PS emulsions with high stability and high bioavailability. Meanwhile, 2% (w/w) PS emulsion enhances learning, memory, and myelination in mice by activating the BDNF/TrkB and Nrg-1/ErbB4 signaling.

HR-MS Based Untargeted Lipidomics Reveals Characteristic Lipid Signatures of Wilson's Disease

Background and Aims: The diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD) is challenging by clinical or genetic criteria. A typical early pathological change of WD is the increased liver lipid deposition and lowered serum triglyceride (TG). Therefore, the contents of serum lipids may provide evidence for screening of biomarkers for WD. Methods: 34 WD patients, 31 WD relatives, and 65 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Serum lipidomics data was acquired by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry system, and the data were analyzed by multivariate statistical methods. Results: Of all 510 identified lipids, there are 297 differential lipids between the WD and controls, 378 differential lipids between the relatives and controls, and 119 differential lipids between the patients and relatives. In WD, the abundances of most saturated TG were increased, whereas other unsaturated lipids decreased, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), ceramide (Cer), and phosphatidylserine (PS). We also found many serum lipid species may be used as biomarkers for WD. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of PS (35:0), PS (38:5), and PS (34:0) were 0.919, 0.843, and 0.907. The AUCs of TG (38:0) and CerG1 (d42:2) were 0.948 and 0.915 and the AUCs of LPC (17:0) and LPC (15:0) were 0.980 and 0.960, respectively. The lipid biomarker panel exhibits good diagnostic performance for WD. The correlation networks were built among the different groups and the potential mechanisms of differential lipids were discussed. Interestingly, similar lipid profile of WD is also found in their relatives, which indicated the changes may also related to the mutation of the ATP7B gene. Conclusions: Lipid deregulation is another important hallmark of WD besides the deposition of copper. Our lipidomic results provide new insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic targets of WD.

Effects of Dietary Food Components on Cognitive Functions in Older Adults

Population aging has recently been an important issue as the number of elderly people is growing worldwide every year, and the extension of social security costs is financially costly. The increase in the number of elderly people with cognitive decline is a serious problem related to the aging of populations. Therefore, it is necessary to consider not only physical care but also cognitive patterns in the future care of older adults. Since food contains a variety of bioactive substances, dietary patterns may help improve age-related cognitive decline. However, the relationship between cognitive function and individual food components remains ambiguous as no clear efficacy or mechanism has been confirmed. Against this background, this review summarizes previous reports on the biological process of cognitive decline in the elderly and the relationship between individual compounds in foods and cognitive function, as well as the role of individual components of food in cognitive function, in the following order: lipids, carotenoids, vitamins, phenolic compounds, amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Based on the research presented in this review, a proper diet that preserves cognitive function has the potential to improve age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Hopefully, this review will help to trigger the development of new foods and technologies that improve aging and cognitive functions and extend the healthy life span.

Physiologically Active Molecules and Functional Properties of Soybeans in Human Health-A Current Perspective

In addition to providing nutrients, food can help prevent and treat certain diseases. In particular, research on soy products has increased dramatically following their emergence as functional foods capable of improving blood circulation and intestinal regulation. In addition to their nutritional value, soybeans contain specific phytochemical substances that promote health and are a source of dietary fiber, phospholipids, isoflavones (e.g., genistein and daidzein), phenolic acids, saponins, and phytic acid, while serving as a trypsin inhibitor. These individual substances have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing chronic diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, cardiac diseases, diabetes, and senile dementia, as well as in treating cancer and suppressing osteoporosis. Furthermore, soybean can affect fibrinolytic activity, control blood pressure, and improve lipid metabolism, while eliciting antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and antibacterial effects. In this review, rather than to improve on the established studies on the reported nutritional qualities of soybeans, we intend to examine the physiological activities of soybeans that have recently been studied and confirm their potential as a high-functional, well-being food.

Recovery of brain DHA-containing phosphatidylserine and ethanolamine plasmalogen after dietary DHA-enriched phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine in SAMP8 mice fed with high-fat diet

Background

Glycerophospholipids were the main components of cerebral cortex lipids, and there was a close association between lipid homeostasis and human health. It has been reported that dietary DHA-enriched phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) and phosphatidylserine (DHA-PS) could improve brain function. However, it was unclear that whether supplementation of DHA-PC and DHA-PS could change lipid profiles in the brain of dementia animals.

Methods

SAMP8 mice was fed with different diet patterns for 2 months, including high-fat diet and low-fat diet. After intervention with DHA-PC and DHA-PS for another 2 months, the lipid profile in cerebral cortex was determined by lipidomics in dementia mice.

Results

High-fat diet could significantly decrease the levels of DHA-containing PS/pPE, DPA-containing PS, and AA-containing PE, which might exhibit the potential of lipid biomarkers for the prevention and diagnosis of AD. Notably, DHA-PC and DHA-PS remarkably recovered the lipid homeostasis in dementia mice. These might provide a potential novel therapy strategy and direction of dietary intervention for patients with cognitive decline.

Conclusions

DHA-PC and DHA-PS could recover the content of brain DHA-containing PS and pPE in SAMP8 mice fed with high-fat diet.

Abstract graphical

Development and Optimization of Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Phospholipids Containing 3,4-Dimethoxycinnamic Acid by Response Surface Methodology

The interesterification reaction of egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine (PC) with ethyl ester of 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid (E3,4DMCA) catalyzed by Novozym 435 in hexane as a reaction medium was shown to be an effective method for the synthesis of corresponding structured O-methylated phenophospholipids. The effects of substrate molar ratios, time of the reaction and enzyme load on the process of incorporation of 3,4DMCA into PC were evaluated by using the experimental factorial design of three factors and three levels. The results showed that a substrate molar ratio is a crucial variable for the maximization of the synthesis of 3,4-dimethoxycinnamoylated phospholipids. Under optimized parameters of 1/10 substrate molar ratio PC/E3,4DMCA, enzyme load 30% (w/w), hexane as a medium and incubation time of 3 days, the incorporation of aromatic acid into phospholipid fraction reached 21 mol%. The modified phosphatidylcholine (3,4DMCA-PC) and modified lysophosphatidylcholine (3,4DMCA-LPC) were obtained in isolated yields of 3.5% and 27.5% (w/w), respectively. The developed method of phosphatidylcholine interesterification is the first described in the literature dealing with 3,4DMCA and allows us to obtain new O-methylated phenophospholipids with potential applications as food additives or nutraceuticals with pro-health activity.

Mass spectrometry strategies to unveil modified aminophospholipids of biological interest

The biological functions of modified aminophospholipids (APL) have become a topic of interest during the last two decades, and distinct roles have been found for these biomolecules in both physiological and pathological contexts. Modifications of APL include oxidation, glycation, and adduction to electrophilic aldehydes, altogether contributing to a high structural variability of modified APL. An outstanding technique used in this challenging field is mass spectrometry (MS). MS has been widely used to unveil modified APL of biological interest, mainly when associated with soft ionization methods (electrospray and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization) and coupled with separation techniques as liquid chromatography. This review summarizes the biological roles and the chemical mechanisms underlying APL modifications, and comprehensively reviews the current MS-based knowledge that has been gathered until now for their analysis. The interpretation of the MS data obtained by in vitro-identification studies is explained in detail. The perspective of an analytical detection of modified APL in clinical samples is explored, highlighting the fundamental role of MS in unveiling APL modifications and their relevance in pathophysiology.

Phospholipase D engineering for improving the biocatalytic synthesis of phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is widely used in food, health, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The phospholipase D-mediated green synthesis of phosphatidylserine has attracted substantial attention in recent years. In this study, the phospholipase D was heterologously expressed in Bacillus subtilis, Pichia pastoris, and Corynebacterium glutamicum, respectively. The highest activity of phospholipase D was observed in C. glutamicum, which was 0.25 U/mL higher than these in B. subtilis (0.14 U/mL) and P. pastoris (0.22 U/mL). System engineering of three potential factors, including (1) signal peptides, (2) ribosome binding site, and (3) promoters, was attempted to improve the expression level of phospholipase D in C. glutamicum. The maximum phospholipase D activity reached 1.9 U/mL, which was 7.6-fold higher than that of the initial level. The enzyme displayed favorable transphosphatidylation activity and it could efficiently catalyze the substrates L-serine and soybean lecithin for synthesis of phosphatidylserine after optimizing the conversion reactions in detail. Under the optimum conditions (trichloromethane/enzyme solution 4:2, 8 mg/mL soybean lecithin, 40 mg/mL L-serine, and 15 mM CaCl₂, with shaking under 40 °C for 10 h), the reaction process showed 48.6% of conversion rate and 1.94 g/L of accumulated phosphatidylserine concentration. The results highlight the use of heterologous expression, system engineering, and process optimization strategies to adapt a promising phospholipase D for efficient phosphatidylserine production in synthetic application.

The Role of Curcumin in the Modulation of Ageing

It is believed that postponing ageing is more effective and less expensive than the treatment of particular age-related diseases. Compounds which could delay symptoms of ageing, especially natural products present in a daily diet, are intensively studied. One of them is curcumin. It causes the elongation of the lifespan of model organisms, alleviates ageing symptoms and postpones the progression of age-related diseases in which cellular senescence is directly involved. It has been demonstrated that the elimination of senescent cells significantly improves the quality of life of mice. There is a continuous search for compounds, named senolytic drugs, that selectively eliminate senescent cells from organisms. In this paper, we endeavor to review the current knowledge about the anti-ageing role of curcumin and discuss its senolytic potential.

Emerging Anti-Aging Strategies - Scientific Basis and Efficacy

The prevalence of age-related diseases is in an upward trend due to increased life expectancy in humans. Age-related conditions are among the leading causes of morbidity and death worldwide currently. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find apt interventions that slow down aging and reduce or postpone the incidence of debilitating age-related diseases. This review discusses the efficacy of emerging anti-aging approaches for maintaining better health in old age. There are many anti-aging strategies in development, which include procedures such as augmentation of autophagy, elimination of senescent cells, transfusion of plasma from young blood, intermittent fasting, enhancement of adult neurogenesis, physical exercise, antioxidant intake, and stem cell therapy. Multiple pre-clinical studies suggest that administration of autophagy enhancers, senolytic drugs, plasma from young blood, drugs that enhance neurogenesis and BDNF are promising approaches to sustain normal health during aging and also to postpone age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Stem cell therapy has also shown promise for improving regeneration and function of the aged or Alzheimer's disease brain. Several of these approaches are awaiting critical appraisal in clinical trials to determine their long-term efficacy and possible adverse effects. On the other hand, procedures such as intermittent fasting, physical exercise, intake of antioxidants such as resveratrol and curcumin have shown considerable promise for improving function in aging, some of which are ready for large-scale clinical trials, as they are non-invasive, and seem to have minimal side effects. In summary, several approaches are at the forefront of becoming mainstream therapies for combating aging and postponing age-related diseases in the coming years.

Nutritional interventions and cognitive-related outcomes in patients with late-life cognitive disorders: A systematic review

There have been a large number of observational studies on the impact of nutrition on neuroprotection, however, there was a lack of evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). In the present systematic review, from the 32 included RCTs published in the last four years (2014-2017) in patients aged 60 years and older with different late-life cognitive disorders, nutritional intervention through medical food/nutraceutical supplementation and multidomain approach improved magnetic resonance imaging findings and other cognitive-related biomarkers, but without clear effect on cognition in mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Antioxidant-rich foods (nuts, grapes, cherries) and fatty acid supplementation, mainly n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), improved specific cognitive domains and cognitive-related outcomes in MCI, mild-to-moderate dementia, and AD. Antioxidant vitamin and trace element supplementations improved only cognitive-related outcomes and biomarkers, high-dose B vitamin supplementation in AD and MCI patients improved cognitive outcomes in the subjects with a high baseline plasma n-3 PUFA, while folic acid supplementation had positive impact on specific cognitive domains in those with high homocysteine.

Glycerophospholipid Supplementation as a Potential Intervention for Supporting Cerebral Structure in Older Adults

Modifying nutritional intake through supplementation may be efficacious for altering the trajectory of cerebral structural decline evident with increasing age. To date, there have been a number of clinical trials in older adults whereby chronic supplementation with B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, or resveratrol, has been observed to either slow the rate of decline or repair cerebral tissue. There is also some evidence from animal studies indicating that supplementation with glycerophospholipids (GPL) may benefit cerebral structure, though these effects have not yet been investigated in adult humans. Despite this paucity of research, there are a number of factors predicting poorer cerebral structure in older humans, which GPL supplementation appears to beneficially modify or protect against. These include elevated concentrations of homocysteine, unbalanced activity of reactive oxygen species both increasing the risk of oxidative stress, increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory messengers, as well as poorer cardio- and cerebrovascular function. As such, it is hypothesized that GPL supplementation will support cerebral structure in older adults. These cerebral effects may influence cognitive function. The current review aims to provide a theoretical basis for future clinical trials investigating the effects of GPL supplementation on cerebral structural integrity in older adults.

Lipidomics Analysis of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia: A Scope for Biomarker Development

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is the most prevalent form of FTD syndromes. bvFTD is characterized clinically by changes in behavior and cognition and pathologically by focal brain atrophy and concomitant loss of lipids. bvFTD is further characterized by eating abnormalities that result in dyslipidemia. Although dyslipidemia is apparent in bvFTD, very little is known about global lipid changes in bvFTD and lipid dysregulation underlying bvFTD. Here, we undertook a comprehensive lipidomics analysis of blood plasma from patients with bvFTD, patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and controls, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, with the aim of understanding lipid dysregulation in bvFTD. In our analysis, we detected all four major classes of lipids (glycerolipids, phospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols), 17 subclasses of lipids, and 3,225 putative individual lipid species in total, as well as a group of dietary lipids. We found that the levels of numerous lipid species were significantly altered in bvFTD compared to AD and control. We found that the total abundance of triglyceride (TG) increased significantly in bvFTD, whereas phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol decreased significantly in bvFTD. These results suggest manifestation of hypertriglyceridemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia in bvFTD. We also identified five lipid molecules—TG (16:0/16:0/16:0), diglyceride (18:1/22:0), phosphatidylcholine (32:0), phosphatidylserine (41:5), and sphingomyelin (36:4)—that could potentially be used for developing biomarkers for bvFTD. Furthermore, an analysis of plant lipids revealed significant decreases in monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and sitosteryl ester in bvFTD, indicating altered eating behavior in bvFTD. This study represents the first lipidomics analysis of bvFTD and has provided new insights into an unrecognized perturbed pathology in bvFTD, providing evidence in support of considerable lipid dysregulation in bvFTD.

Neuroprotective Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Enriched Phosphatidylserine Against Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells

Neurodegenerative diseases are defined by progressive loss of specific neuronal cell populations and are associated with protein aggregates. Oxidative stress has been implicated in their pathological processes. Previous studies revealed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is beneficial in neurodegenerative diseases. Phospholipids (PLs) derived from marine products are rich in DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of DHA-enriched and unenriched phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS) on oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and tert-butylhydroperoxide in PC12 cells. Cell viability and leakage of lactate dehydrogenase results showed that the neuroprotective effect of PS was superior to that of PC. DHA- and EPA-enriched PC and PS were superior to that without DHA or EPA; in addition, the improvement with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched PS (n-3 PS) was dose dependent. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining showed that DHA- and EPA-enriched PS (DHA/EPA-PS) could significantly inhibit apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that EPA-PS and DHA-PS were effective to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels by 48.4 and 58.2 % and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level by 51 and 94 %, respectively, in the H₂O₂ model. Similar results for SOD and T-AOC levels were shown in the t-BHP model. EPA/DHA-PS could downregulate the messenger RNA level of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax, upregulate Bcl-2, inhibit Bax, and increase Bcl-2 at protein level. In conclusion, EPA/DHA-PS could protect PC12 cells from oxidative stress and prevent mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective effects of DHA/EPA-PLs depend on the molecular form. Further studies are necessary to reveal detailed mechanisms and structure-effect relationships.

Effects of different fatty acids composition of phosphatidylcholine on brain function of dementia mice induced by scopolamine

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidylcholine (PC), the major source of dietary choline, has been demonstrated to improve the capability of learning and memory in rodent and the amelioration of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on anti-aging and anti-oxidation is widely known as well. In this study, three kinds of PC were chose to demonstrate the role of different fatty acids composition on glycerol backbone in improving the brain function of mice induced by scopolamine which was used to impair cholinergic system and cause oxidative stress.

METHODS

Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: model (M) group, control (Con) group, egg yolk lecithin (EL) group, squid PC (SQ-PC) group and sea cucumber PC (SC-PC) group. The intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine hydrobromide (5 mg/kg) was carried out on the 8(th) of group feeding and sustained daily until the end of test. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the improvement of cognitive decline and the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in brain were measured to assess the physiological changes.

RESULTS

In behavior test, the latency of PC groups was significantly reduced, while number of crossing the platform and time in target quadrant were increased in comparison with M group and the improvements of SQ-PC and SC-PC were better than that of EL (P < 0.05). Similar trend was observed in physiological changes. The AchE activity was effectively decreased and the SOD activity increased in hippocampus, cortex and white matter when comparing PC groups with M group. SQ-PC, SC-PC and EL respectively showed 22.82, 28.80 and 11.81 % decrease in MDA level in brain compared with M group. The MAO activity in white matter of SQ-PC, SC-PC and EL group separately depressed 33.05, 33.64 and 19.73 % in comparison with M group. No significance between SQ-PC and SC-PC was found in these indicators except the SOD activity in hippocampus and white matter. SQ-PC group had a higher SOD activity in hippocampus (103.68U/mg · prot.) and lower in white matter (120.57 U/mg · prot.) than SC-PC group (95.53 U/mg · prot. in hippocampus, 134.49 U/mg · prot. in white matter). PC rich in n-3 PUFA acted more ameliorative effects than that barely contained on the indicators above.

CONCLUSIONS

Different fatty acids composition of PC all could diminish the cognitive decline and biological damage and protect the brain. EPA and DHA partly enhaced to the advantageous effects.

Oral administration of squid lecithin-transphosphatidylated phosphatidylserine improves memory impairment in aged rats

Recently, lecithin-derived phosphatidylserine (PS), which originates from marine life, has received much attention as a viable alternative to bovine cerebral cortex PS. In this study, the use of squid phosphatidylcholine-transphosphatidylated PS (SQ-PS) was evaluated through examination of its ameliorating effects on age-associated learning and memory deficits in rats. Aged rats were orally administered SQ-PS (10, 20, or 50 mg/kg per day) once a day for seven days 30 min prior to behavioral assessment in a Morris water maze. SQ-PS administration produced significant dose-dependent improvements in escape latency for finding the platform in the Morris water maze in the aged rats even though Soy-PS administration also exhibited comparable improvements with SQ-PS. Biochemical alterations in the hippocampal cholinergic system, including changes in choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase immunoreactivity, were consistent with the behavioral results. In addition, SQ-PS treatment significantly restored age-associated decreases of choline transporter and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor type 1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus. These results demonstrate that orally administered SQ-PS dose-dependently aids in the improvement of memory deficits that occur during normal aging in rats. This suggests that SQ-PS may be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of diminished memory function in elderly people.

Positive effects of soy lecithin-derived phosphatidylserine plus phosphatidic acid on memory, cognition, daily functioning, and mood in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia

INTRODUCTION

We report previously unpublished, early pilot studies performed with a brain-health food supplement containing a proprietary blend of 100 mg phosphatidylserine (PS) and 80 mg phosphatidic acid (PA) produced from soy lecithin.

METHODS

Serum analysis after single PS+PA ingestion was performed in healthy volunteers. A 3-month double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the influence of three PS+PA capsules/day, (300 mg PS + 240 mg PA/day) or placebo on memory and mood in functioning, non-depressive elderly people with memory problems, using the Wechsler Memory Scale and the List of Depressive Symptoms. Furthermore, a 2-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effect of three PS+PA capsules/day (300 mg PS + 240 mg PA/day) or placebo on daily functioning, mental health, emotional state, and self-reported general condition in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

RESULTS

Serum PS peaked 90 min after ingestion, returning to baseline after 180 min. In the elderly, PS+PA [per protocol (PP) n = 31], unlike placebo (PP n = 26), significantly improved memory and prevented "winter blues" in a pre-post comparison. In the patients with AD, daily functioning (i.e., 7 activities of daily living) under PS+PA (PP n = 53) remained unchanged, but declined from 5.62 to 4.90 under placebo (PP n = 39; P = 0.035), with significant group difference (P = 0.021). The PS+PA group had 3.8% deterioration and 90.6% stability in daily functioning, compared to 17.9% and 79.5% under placebo, respectively (P = 0.066). Forty-nine percent of the PS+PA patients reported an improved general condition, compared to 26.3% under placebo (P = 0.084). Approximately, 43% of the PS+PA patients, but none under placebo, continued post-trial supplementation (while double-blinded). No negative side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

PS is efficiently absorbed after oral consumption. A positive influence of PS+PA on memory, mood, and cognition was demonstrated among elderly test subjects. Short-term supplementation with PS+PA in patients with AD showed a stabilizing effect on daily functioning, emotional state and self-reported general condition. The data encourage long-term studies with PS+PA in AD patients and other elderly with memory or cognition problems.

Phosphatidylserine and the human brain

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the roles and importance of phosphatidylserine (PS), an endogenous phospholipid and dietary nutrient, in human brain biochemistry, physiology, and function.

METHODS

A scientific literature search was conducted on MEDLINE for relevant articles regarding PS and the human brain published before June 2014. Additional publications were identified from references provided in original papers; 127 articles were selected for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

A large body of scientific evidence describes the interactions among PS, cognitive activity, cognitive aging, and retention of cognitive functioning ability.

CONCLUSION

Phosphatidylserine is required for healthy nerve cell membranes and myelin. Aging of the human brain is associated with biochemical alterations and structural deterioration that impair neurotransmission. Exogenous PS (300-800 mg/d) is absorbed efficiently in humans, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and safely slows, halts, or reverses biochemical alterations and structural deterioration in nerve cells. It supports human cognitive functions, including the formation of short-term memory, the consolidation of long-term memory, the ability to create new memories, the ability to retrieve memories, the ability to learn and recall information, the ability to focus attention and concentrate, the ability to reason and solve problems, language skills, and the ability to communicate. It also supports locomotor functions, especially rapid reactions and reflexes.

Research advancements in palm oil nutrition

Palm oil is the major oil produced, with annual world production in excess of 50 million tonnes. About 85% of global palm oil produced is used in food applications. Over the past three decades, research on nutritional benefits of palm oil have demonstrated the nutritional adequacy of palm oil and its products, and have resulted in transitions in the understanding these attributes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that palm oil was similar to unsaturated oils with regards to effects on blood lipids. Palm oil provides a healthy alternative to trans-fatty acid containing hydrogenated fats that have been demonstrated to have serious deleterious effects on health. The similar effects of palm oil on blood lipids, comparable to other vegetable oils could very well be due to the structure of the major triglycerides in palm oil, which has an unsaturated fatty acid in the stereospecific numbers (sn)-2 position of the glycerol backbone. In addition, palm oil is well endowed with a bouquet of phytonutrients beneficial to health, such as tocotrienols, carotenoids, and phytosterols. This review will provide an overview of studies that have established palm oil as a balanced and nutritious oil.

A randomized controlled trial investigating the neurocognitive effects of Lacprodan® PL-20, a phospholipid-rich milk protein concentrate, in elderly participants with age-associated memory impairment: the Phospholipid Intervention for Cognitive Ageing Reversal (PLICAR): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) is of major societal concern in an ageing population, with the development of dietary supplements providing a promising avenue for amelioration of associated deficits. Despite initial interest in the use of phospholipids (PLs) for ARCD, in recent years there has been a hiatus in such research. Because of safety concerns regarding PLs derived from bovine cortex, and the equivocal efficacy of soybean-derived PLs, there is an important need for the development of new PL alternatives. Phospholipids derived from milk proteins represent one potential candidate treatment.

METHODS

In order to reduce the effects of age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) the Phospholipid Intervention for Cognitive Ageing Reversal (PLICAR) was developed to test the efficacy of a milk protein concentrate rich in natural, non-synthetic milk phospholipids (Lacprodan® PL-20). PLICAR is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-groups study where 150 (N = 50/group) AAMI participants aged > 55 years will be randomized to receive a daily supplement of Lacprodan® PL-20 or one of two placebos (phospholipid-free milk protein concentrate or inert rice starch) over a 6-month (180-day) period. Participants will undergo testing at baseline, 90 days and 180 days. The primary outcome is a composite memory score from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Secondary outcomes include cognitive (verbal learning, working memory, prospective and retrospective memory, processing speed and attention), mood (depression, anxiety, stress and visual analogue scales), cardiovascular (blood pressure, blood velocity and pulse wave pressure), gastrointestinal microbiota and biochemical measures (oxidative stress, inflammation, B vitamins and Homocysteine, glucoregulation and serum choline). Allelic differences in the Apolipoprotein E and (APOE) and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene will be included for subgroup analysis. A subset (N = 60; 20/group)) will undergo neuroimaging using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in order to further explore in vivo central mechanisms of action of Lacprodan® PL-20. This study will enable evaluation of the efficacy of milk-derived phospholipids for AAMI, and their mechanisms of action.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is jointly funded by Arla Foods and Swinburne University of Technology, currently recruiting and is registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12613000347763.

The effect of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine on cognitive performance in elderly with subjective memory complaints: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine (SB-PS) (300 mg/day) in improving cognitive performance in elderly with memory complaints, following a short duration of 12 weeks' SB-PS administration.

METHODS

SB-PS was administered daily for 12 weeks to 30 elderly volunteers with memory complaints (age range 50-90 years). Cognitive performance was determined by a computerized test battery and by the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Rey-AVLT). Physical examination and blood safety parameters were part of the extensive safety analysis of PS that was performed.

RESULTS

The computerized test results showed that SB-PS supplementation significantly increased the following cognitive parameters: memory recognition (P = 0.004), memory recall (P = 0.006), executive functions (P = 0.004), and mental flexibility (P = 0.01). The Rey-AVLT indicated that, following SB-PS administration, total learning and immediate recall improved significantly (P = 0.013 and P = 0.007, respectively). Unexpected results from the safety tests suggested that SB-PS significantly reduces both systolic (P = 0.043) and diastolic (P = 0.003) blood pressure. SB-PS consumption was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported during the study.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study demonstrates that SB-PS may have favorable effects on cognitive function in elderly with memory complaints. In addition, the study suggests that SB-PS is safe for human consumption and may serve as a safe alternative to phosphatidylserine extracted from bovine cortex. These results encourage further extended studies in order to establish the safety and efficacy of SB-PS treatment.

Formation and function of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in mammalian cells

Phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are metabolically related membrane aminophospholipids. In mammalian cells, PS is required for targeting and function of several intracellular signaling proteins. Moreover, PS is asymmetrically distributed in the plasma membrane. Although PS is highly enriched in the cytoplasmic leaflet of plasma membranes, PS exposure on the cell surface initiates blood clotting and removal of apoptotic cells. PS is synthesized in mammalian cells by two distinct PS synthases that exchange serine for choline or ethanolamine in phosphatidylcholine (PC) or PE, respectively. Targeted disruption of each PS synthase individually in mice demonstrated that neither enzyme is required for viability whereas elimination of both synthases was embryonic lethal. Thus, mammalian cells require a threshold amount of PS. PE is synthesized in mammalian cells by four different pathways, the quantitatively most important of which are the CDP-ethanolamine pathway that produces PE in the ER, and PS decarboxylation that occurs in mitochondria. PS is made in ER membranes and is imported into mitochondria for decarboxylation to PE via a domain of the ER [mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM)] that transiently associates with mitochondria. Elimination of PS decarboxylase in mice caused mitochondrial defects and embryonic lethality. Global elimination of the CDP-ethanolamine pathway was also incompatible with mouse survival. Thus, PE made by each of these pathways has independent and necessary functions. In mammals PE is a substrate for methylation to PC in the liver, a substrate for anandamide synthesis, and supplies ethanolamine for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors of cell-surface signaling proteins. Thus, PS and PE participate in many previously unanticipated facets of mammalian cell biology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.

Large-scale production of phospholipase D from Streptomyces racemochromogenes and its application to soybean lecithin modification

Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyzes transphosphatidylation, causing inter-conversion of the polar head group of phospholipids and phospholipid hydrolysis. Previously, we cloned PLD103, a PLD with high transphosphatidylation activity, from Streptomyces racemochromogenes strain 10-3. Here, we report the construction of an expression system for the PLD103 gene using Streptomyces lividans as the host bacterium to achieve large-scale production. The phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis activity of S. lividans transformed with the expression plasmid containing the PLD103 gene was approximately 90-fold higher than that of the original strain. The recombinant PLD103 (rPLD103) found in the supernatant of the transformant culture medium was close to homogeneous. The rPLD103 was indistinguishable from the native enzyme in molecular mass and enzymatic properties. Additionally, rPLD103 had high transphosphatidylation activity on PC as a substrate in a simple aqueous one-phase reaction system and was able to modify the phospholipid content of soybean lecithin. Consequently, the expression system produces a stable supply of PLD, which can then be used in the production of phosphatidyl derivatives from lecithin.

Recent progress on phospholipases: different sources, assay methods, industrial potential and pathogenicity

Significant studies on phospholipases optimization, characterization, physiological role and industrial potential have been conducted worldwide. Some of them have been directed for biotechnological advances such as gene discovery and functional enhancement by protein engineering. Others reported phospholipases as virulence factor and major cause of pathophysiological effects. A general overview on phospholipase is needed for the identification of new reliable and efficient phospholipase, which would be potentially used in number of industrial and medical applications. Phospholipases catalyse the hydrolysis of one or more ester and phosphodiester bonds of glycerophospholipids. They vary in site of action on phospholipid which can be used industrially for modification/production of new phospholipids. Catalytically active phospholipase mainly use phosphatidylcholine as major substrate, but they can also show specificity with other phospholipids. Several accurate phospholipase assay methods are known, but a rapid and reliable method for high-throughput screening is still a challenge for efficient supply of superior phospholipases and their practical applications. Major application of phospholipase is in industries like oil refinery, health food manufacturing, dairy, cosmetics etc. All types of phospholipases can be involved as virulence factor. They can also be used as diagnostic markers for microbial infection. The importance of phospholipase in virulence is proven and inhibitors of the enzyme can be used as candidate for preventing the associated disease.

Soybean-derived phosphatidylserine improves memory function of the elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaints

Soybean-derived phosphatidylserine (Soy-PS) is a phosphatidylserine made from soybean lecithin by enzymatic reaction with L-serine. A double-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate the effects of Soy-PS on the cognitive functions of the elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaints. Seventy-eight elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (50–69 years old) were randomly allocated to take Soy-PS (100 mg, 300 mg/day) or placebo for 6 months. As a result, there was no difference in blood markers and vital signs during Soy-PS treatment and any side effect caused by Soy-PS treatment was not observed. Neuropsychological test scores were similarly increased in all groups including placebo group. However, in the subjects with relatively low score at baseline, the memory scores in PS treated groups were significantly increased against the baseline, while those of placebo group remained unchanged. And the memory improvements in Soy-PS-treated groups were mostly attributed to the increase in delayed verbal recall, a memory ability attenuated in the earliest stage of dementia. In conclusion, Soy-PS used in this study is considered as safety food ingredient and 6 months of Soy-PS supplementation could improve the memory functions of the elderly with memory complaints.

Acetic acid bacterial lipids improve cognitive function in dementia model rats

Acetic acid bacteria, fermentative microorganisms of traditional foods, have unique alkali-stable lipids (ASL), such as dihydroceramide which is a precursor of sphingolipids. Sphingolipids are important components of the brain tissue. We examined the effect of oral administration of ASL in a rat model of dementia (7-week-old, male) with a basal forebrain lesion. In a water maze test, the dementia model rats demonstrated poor spatial orientation. The administration of ASL (165 or 1650 mg/kg of body weight per day, for 14 days) produced a significant improvement in learning ability in the dementia model rats. In vitro experiments showed ASL had the ability to promote neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Among the ASL components, dihydroceramide has the most potent effect on the differentiation of PC12 cells. It is highly possible that oral administration of dihydroceramide-containing ASL reverses the decline in cognitive function in dementia.

Phospholipids block nuclear factor-kappa B and tau phosphorylation and inhibit amyloid-beta secretion in human neuroblastoma cells

Inflammation and oxidative stress have been shown to play a critical role in the pathophysiology that leads to neurodegeneration. Omega-6 phospholipids, e.g. dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC), have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and therefore experiments were undertaken to determine whether DLPC can prevent inflammatory neurodegenerative events in the model neuronal cell line, SH-SY5Y. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and H(2)O(2) activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in SH-SY5Y cells within 5 min and this activation is completely blocked by DLPC (12 microM). DLPC blocks IkappaBalpha phosphorylation in the SH-SY5Y cells and prevents the phosphorylation and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). The phospholipid inhibits induction of MAPK and NF-kappaB in similar fashion to the MEK1/2-inhibitor, U0126 (10 microM). DLPC completely abolishes TNF-alpha, H(2)O(2) and lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced neuronal tau phosphorylation. Cellular amyloid precursor protein levels are reduced by DLPC and LPS-induced amyloid-beta expression and secretion in SH-SY5Y cells are completely blocked by DLPC. Taken together, these data suggest that DLPC can act through MAPK to block neuronal inflammatory cascades and prevent potential pathological consequences in the neuronal metabolism of amyloid and tau proteins.

n-3 phosphatidylserine attenuated scopolamine-induced amnesia in middle-aged rats

Phosphatidylserine (PS) extracted from bovine brain differs from transphosphatidylated soybean lecithin PS (SB-PS) in its n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) content. Both, however, were suggested to affect cognitive performance. We compared the effect of chronic administration of a novel n-3 LC-PUFA PS conjugates (n-3 PS) versus SB-PS, fish oil (FO), SB-PS+FO, or control oil in middle-aged rats, on brain fatty acids composition and performance in behavioral tasks. Our hypothesis was that the n-3 LC-PUFA vehicles will affect these outcomes better than the other diets. Brain phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid levels increased significantly (p=0.0434) with n-3 PS only. None of the treatments affected the animals' task performance in compare with the control, although reversal from the non-match-to-sample to match-to-sample rule in the T-maze differed (p=0.0434) between the experimental diets. Conversely, the acquisition of the Morris water maze task was impaired by scopolamine (SCO) in all but the n-3 PS group (p=0.0019). In the probe, when pretreated with SCO, the SB-PS+FO group and to a lesser degree the n-3 PS group, spent longer latency times (p=0.0390) in the non-peripheral zones of the water maze compared to the control; this may be interpreted as anxiolytic-like behavior. These results suggest that the n-3 LC-PUFA carrier may play a role in these fatty acids bioavailability and their impact on specific cognitive processes.

Isolation and characterization of actinomycetes strains that produce phospholipase D having high transphosphatidylation activity

The present study was conducted to screen microorganisms that produce phospholipase D (PLD), and we especially focused on the strains having high transphosphatidylation activity. Eighty bacterial strains were isolated from soil samples by a screening method utilizing a preliminary selection medium with phosphatidylcholine (PC) as the sole carbon source. The culture supernatants were then assayed for PLD activity. The finding of dual PLD activities in cultures revealed that the hydrolytic and transphosphatidylation activities were correlated. Consequently, six strains were selected as stably producing PLD enzyme(s) during continuous subcultures. The culture supernatants of selected strains synthesized phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine from PC with high conversion rates. These isolated strains will be made available to carry out phospholipid modification through the efficient transphosphatidylation activity of the PLD that they produce.

Phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in mammalian cells: two metabolically related aminophospholipids

Phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are two aminophospholipids whose metabolism is interrelated. Both phospholipids are components of mammalian cell membranes and play important roles in biological processes such as apoptosis and cell signaling. PS is synthesized in mammalian cells by base-exchange reactions in which polar head groups of preexisting phospholipids are replaced by serine. PS synthase activity resides primarily on mitochondria-associated membranes and is encoded by two distinct genes. Studies in mice in which each gene has been individually disrupted are beginning to elucidate the importance of these two synthases for biological functions in intact animals. PE is made in mammalian cells by two completely independent major pathways. In one pathway, PS is converted into PE by the mitochondrial enzyme PS decarboxylase. In addition, PE is made via the CDP-ethanolamine pathway, in which the final reaction occurs on the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope. The relative importance of these two pathways of PE synthesis has been investigated in knockout mice. Elimination of either pathway is embryonically lethal, despite the normal activity of the other pathway. PE can also be generated from a base-exchange reaction and by the acylation of lyso-PE. Cellular levels of PS and PE are tightly regulated by the implementation of multiple compensatory mechanisms.

Phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine-containing liposomes inhibit amyloid beta and interferon-gamma-induced microglial activation

There is increasing evidence that microglial activation is one of the major pathogenic factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the inhibition of the inflammatory activation of the microglia thus appears to be neuroprotective and a potentially useful treatment for AD. Phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) have been reported to modulate the immune function of phagocytes. In addition, PS has been reported to be a nootropics that can be used as nonprescription memory or cognitive enhancers. We therefore evaluated the effects of liposomes, which comprise both PS and PC (PS/PC liposomes), on the microglial production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide (*O(2)-) induced by amyloid beta (Abeta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Pretreatment of microglia with PS/PC liposomes considerably inhibited the TNF-alpha, NO and *O(2)- production induced by Abeta/IFN-gamma. These results suggest that PS/PC liposomes have both neuroprotective and antioxidative properties through the inhibition of microglial activation, thus supporting the nootropic and antidementia effect of PS.

Phospholipases and their industrial applications

Phospholipids are present in all living organisms. They are a major component of all biological membranes, along with glycolipids and cholesterol. Enzymes aimed at modifying phospholipids, namely, phospholipases, are consequently widespread in nature, playing very diverse roles from aggression in snake venom to signal transduction and digestion in humans. In this review, we give a general overview of phospholipases A1, A2, C and D from a sequence and structural perspective and their industrial application. The use of phospholipases in industrial processes has grown hand-in-hand with our ability to clone and express the genes in microbial hosts with commercially attractive amounts. Further, the use in industrial processes is increasing by optimizing the enzymes by protein engineering. Here, we give a perspective on the work done to date to express phospholipases in heterologous hosts and the efforts to optimize them by protein engineering. We will draw attention to the industrial processes where phospholipases play a key role and show how the use of a phospholipase for oil degumming leads to substantial environmental benefits. This illustrates a very general trend: the use of enzymes as an alternative to chemical processes to make products often provides a cleaner solution for the industrial processes. In a world with great demands on non-polluting, energy saving technical solutions--white biotechnology is a strong alternative.

Effects of phosphatidylserine supplementation on exercising humans

Phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) is a ubiquitous phospholipid species that is normally located within the inner leaflet of the cell membrane. PtdSer has been implicated in a myriad of membrane-related functions. As a cofactor for a variety of enzymes, PtdSer is thought to be important in cell excitability and communication. PtdSer has also been shown to regulate a variety of neuroendocrine responses that include the release of acetylcholine, dopamine and noradrenaline. Additionally, PtdSer has been extensively demonstrated to influence tissue responses to inflammation. Finally, PtdSer has the potential to act as an effective antioxidant, especially in response to iron-mediated oxidation. The majority of the available research that has investigated the effects of PtdSer supplementation on humans has concentrated on memory and cognitive function; patients experiencing some degree of cognitive decline have traditionally been the main focus of investigation. Although investigators have administered PtdSer through intravenous and oral routes, oral supplementation has wider appeal. Indeed, PtdSer is commercially available as an oral supplement intended to improve cognitive function, with recommended doses usually ranging from 100 to 500 mg/day. The main sources that have been used to derive PtdSer for supplements are bovine-cortex (BC-PtdSer) and soy (S-PtdSer); however, due to the possibility of transferring infection through the consumption of prion contaminated brain, S-PtdSer is the preferred supplement for use in humans. Although the pharmacokinetics of PtdSer have not been fully elucidated, it is likely that oral supplementation leads to small but quantifiable increases in the PtdSer content within the cell membrane.A small number of peer-reviewed full articles exist that investigate the effects of PtdSer supplementation in the exercising human. Early research indicated that oral supplementation with BC-PtdSer 800 mg/day moderated exercise-induced changes to the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in untrained participants. Subsequently, this finding was extended to suggest that S-PtdSer 800 mg/day reduced the cortisol response to overtraining during weight training while improving feeling of well-being and decreasing perceived muscle soreness. However, equivocal findings from our laboratory might suggest that the dose required to undertake this neuroendocrine action may vary between participants.Interestingly, recent findings demonstrating that short-term supplementation with S-PtdSer 750 mg/day improved exercise capacity during high-intensity cycling and tended to increase performance during intermittent running might suggest an innovative application for this supplement. With the findings from the existing body of literature in mind, this article focuses on the potential effects of PtdSer supplementation in humans during and following exercise.

Therapeutic Options for Cognitive Decline in Senior Pets

Many treatment options are now available for pets with age-related cognitive dysfunction, including drugs, nutritional supplements, and diets. This article describes the theory, evidence of efficacy, and potential neuroprotective effects of products used to treat cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a diagnosis of exclusion, because many painful conditions and health problems may present with similar signs. Practitioners must, therefore, actively question owners of senior pets in order to diagnose cognitive dysfunction and to assess the pet’s general health and well-being.