The suppressive effect of dietary coenzyme Q10on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in chickens exposed to heat stress

A mitochondrial nexus in major depressive disorder: Integration with the psycho-immune-neuroendocrine network

Nervous system processes, including cognition and affective state, fundamentally rely on mitochondria. Impaired mitochondrial function is evident in major depressive disorder (MDD), reflecting cumulative detrimental influences of both extrinsic and intrinsic stressors, genetic predisposition, and mutation. Glucocorticoid 'stress' pathways converge on mitochondria; oxidative and nitrosative stresses in MDD are largely mitochondrial in origin; both initiate cascades promoting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage with disruptions to mitochondrial biogenesis and tryptophan catabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunction facilitates proinflammatory dysbiosis while directly triggering immuno-inflammatory activation via released mtDNA, mitochondrial lipids and mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs), further disrupting mitochondrial function and mitochondrial quality control, promoting the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria (confirmed in autopsy studies). Established and putative mechanisms highlight a mitochondrial nexus within the psycho-immune neuroendocrine (PINE) network implicated in MDD. Whether lowering neuronal resilience and thresholds for disease, or linking mechanistic nodes within the MDD pathogenic network, impaired mitochondrial function emerges as an important risk, a functional biomarker, providing a therapeutic target in MDD. Several treatment modalities have been demonstrated to reset mitochondrial function, which could benefit those with MDD.

Prevention of Parkinson's Disease: From Risk Factors to Early Interventions

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by progressively worsening motor dysfunction. Currently, available therapies merely alleviate symptoms, and there are no cures. Consequently, some researchers have now shifted their attention to identifying the modifiable risk factors of PD, with the intention of possibly implementing early interventions to prevent the development of PD. Four primary risk factors for PD are discussed including environmental factors (pesticides and heavy metals), lifestyle (physical activity and dietary intake), drug abuse, and individual comorbidities. Additionally, clinical biomarkers, neuroimaging, biochemical biomarkers, and genetic biomarkers could also help to detect prodromal PD. This review compiled available evidence that illustrates the relationship between modifiable risk factors, biomarkers, and PD. In summary, we raise the distinct possibility of preventing PD via early interventions of the modifiable risk factors and early diagnosis.

Potential Protein Blood-Based Biomarkers in Different Types of Dementia: A Therapeutic Overview

Abstract:

Biomarkers capable of identifying and distinguishing types of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have been become increasingly relentless. Studies of possible biomarker proteins in the blood that can help formulate new diagnostic proposals and therapeutic visions of different types of dementia are needed. However, due to several limitations of these biomarkers, especially in discerning dementia, their clinical applications are still undetermined. Thus, the updating of biomarker blood proteins that can help in the diagnosis and discrimination of these main dementia conditions is essential to enable new pharmacological and clinical management strategies, with specificities for each type of dementia. To review the literature concerning protein blood-based AD and non-AD biomarkers as new pharmacological targets and/or therapeutic strategies. Recent findings for protein-based AD, PDD, LBD, and FTD biomarkers are focused on in this review. Protein biomarkers were classified according to the pathophysiology of the dementia types. The diagnosis and distinction of dementia through protein biomarkers is still a challenge. The lack of exclusive biomarkers for each type of dementia highlights the need for further studies in this field. Only after this, blood biomarkers may have a valid use in clinical practice as they are promising to help in diagnosis and in the differentiation of diseases.

The capability of coenzyme Q10 to enhance heat tolerance in male rabbits: evidence from improved semen quality factor (SQF), testicular oxidative defense, and expression of testicular melatonin receptor MT1

Heat stress (HS) has a great influence on the etiology of male infertility. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), known to have powerful antioxidant effects, has been reported to have such actions that are effective to treat infertility caused by HS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidative effect of CoQ10 on sperm quality, testicular antioxidant activities, and male fertility under HS. For this purpose, 18 mature male rabbits (aged 22 wk) of the Sinai Gabali breed were equally divided into 3 groups and placed at temperature-humidity index of 29 for 8 wk at a farm. The supplementation of CoQ10 at 0, 10, and 20 mg/kg of body weight was done in the first, second, and third groups, respectively. The results showed that the supplementation of CoQ10 had significant (P < 0.05) effect on semen quality factor (SQF) and testicular antioxidant activities by the supplementation of CoQ10. Moreover, a significant improvement in the concentration of testosterone, integrity of testicular DNA, and the expression of melatonin receptors was also observed, which were consistent with a significant improvement in buck fertility. The prolificacy was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in females when inseminated from bucks that were treated with CoQ10. Our results suggest that CoQ10 tends to decrease oxidative stress by enhancing testicular antioxidant activities, which are considered the most important factors for a buck's fertility. Hence, CoQ10 could be a suitable feed supplement to increase fertility, through enhancing the semen quality, in male rabbits and reducing the harmful effects of HS.

Co-enzyme Q10 protects primary chicken myocardial cells from heat stress by upregulating autophagy and suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

In this study, we investigated the function of co-enzyme Q10 (Q10) in autophagy of primary chicken myocardial cells during heat stress. Cells were treated with Q10 (1 μΜ, 10 μΜ, and 20 μM) before exposure to heat stress. Pretreatment of chicken myocardial cells with Q10 suppressed the decline in cell viability during heat stress and suppressed the increase in apoptosis during heat stress. Treatment with 20 μM Q10 upregulated autophagy-associated genes during heat stress. The expression of LC3-II was highest in cells treated with 20 μM Q10. Pretreatment with Q10 decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during heat stress. The number of autophagosomes was significantly increased by 20 μM Q10 treatment, as demonstrated by electron microscopy or monodansylcadaverine (MDC) fluorescence. SQSTM1 accumulation was diminished by Q10 treatment during heat stress, and the number of LC3II puncta was increased. Treatment with 20 μM Q10 also decreased the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our results showed that co-enzyme Q10 can protect primary chicken myocardial cells by upregulating autophagy and suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway during heat stress.

Recent Advances in Biomarkers for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the common progressive neurodegenerative disorders with several motor and non-motor symptoms. Most of the motor symptoms may appear at a late stage where most of the dopaminergic neurons have been already damaged. In order to provide better clinical intervention and treatment at the onset of disease, it is imperative to find accurate biomarkers for early diagnosis, including prodromal diagnosis and preclinical diagnosis. At the same time, these reliable biomarkers can also be utilized to monitor the progress of the disease. In this review article, we will discuss recent advances in the development of PD biomarkers from different aspects, including clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging and genetic aspects. Although various biomarkers for PD have been developed so far, their specificity and sensitivity are not ideal when applied individually. So, the combination of multimodal biomarkers will greatly improve the diagnostic accuracy and facilitate the implementation of personalized medicine.