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Lee K, Mills Z, Cheung P, Cheyne JE, Montgomery JM. The Role of Zinc and NMDA Receptors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010001. [PMID: 36678498 PMCID: PMC9866730 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA-type glutamate receptors are critical for synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Their unique properties and age-dependent arrangement of subunit types underpin their role as a coincidence detector of pre- and postsynaptic activity during brain development and maturation. NMDAR function is highly modulated by zinc, which is co-released with glutamate and concentrates in postsynaptic spines. Both NMDARs and zinc have been strongly linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that NMDARs are an important player in the beneficial effects observed with zinc in both animal models and children with ASDs. Significant evidence is emerging that these beneficial effects occur via zinc-dependent regulation of SHANK proteins, which form the backbone of the postsynaptic density. For example, dietary zinc supplementation enhances SHANK2 or SHANK3 synaptic recruitment and rescues NMDAR deficits and hypofunction in Shank3ex13-16-/- and Tbr1+/- ASD mice. Across multiple studies, synaptic changes occur in parallel with a reversal of ASD-associated behaviours, highlighting the zinc-dependent regulation of NMDARs and glutamatergic synapses as therapeutic targets for severe forms of ASDs, either pre- or postnatally. The data from rodent models set a strong foundation for future translational studies in human cells and people affected by ASDs.
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Cereda G, Ciappolino V, Boscutti A, Cantù F, Enrico P, Oldani L, Delvecchio G, Brambilla P. Zinc as a Neuroprotective Nutrient for COVID-19-Related Neuropsychiatric Manifestations: A Literature Review. Adv Nutr 2021; 13:66-79. [PMID: 34634109 PMCID: PMC8524565 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the pandemic associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led researchers to find new potential treatments, including nonpharmacological molecules such as zinc (Zn2+). Specifically, the use of Zn2+ as a therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection is based on several findings: 1) the possible role of the anti-inflammatory activity of Zn2+ on the aberrant inflammatory response triggered by COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), 2) properties of Zn2+ in modulating the competitive balance between the host and the invading pathogens, and 3) the antiviral activity of Zn2+ on a number of pathogens, including coronaviruses. Furthermore, Zn2+ has been found to play a central role in regulating brain functioning and many disorders have been associated with Zn2+ deficiency, including neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and brain injuries. Within this context, we carried out a narrative review to provide an overview of the evidence relating to the effects of Zn2+ on the immune and nervous systems, and the therapeutic use of such micronutrients in both neurological and infective disorders, with the final goal of elucidating the possible use of Zn2+ as a preventive or therapeutic intervention in COVID-19. Overall, the results from the available evidence showed that, owing to its neuroprotective properties, Zn2+ supplementation could be effective not only on COVID-19-related symptoms but also on virus replication, as well as on COVID-19-related inflammation and neurological damage. However, further clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of Zn2+ as a nonpharmacological treatment of COVID-19 are required to achieve an overall improvement in outcome and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Cereda
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Ciappolino
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Boscutti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Cantù
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Enrico
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucio Oldani
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Delvecchio
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Shank3 Is Part of a Zinc-Sensitive Signaling System That Regulates Excitatory Synaptic Strength. J Neurosci 2017; 36:9124-34. [PMID: 27581454 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0116-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Shank3 is a multidomain scaffold protein localized to the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. Functional studies in vivo and in vitro support the concept that Shank3 is critical for synaptic plasticity and the trans-synaptic coupling between the reliability of presynaptic neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic responsiveness. However, how Shank3 regulates synaptic strength remains unclear. The C terminus of Shank3 contains a sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain that is essential for its postsynaptic localization and also binds zinc, thus raising the possibility that changing zinc levels modulate Shank3 function in dendritic spines. In support of this hypothesis, we find that zinc is a potent regulator of Shank3 activation and dynamics in rat hippocampal neurons. Moreover, we show that zinc modulation of synaptic transmission is Shank3 dependent. Interestingly, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-associated variant of Shank3 (Shank3(R87C)) retains its zinc sensitivity and supports zinc-dependent activation of AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission. However, elevated zinc was unable to rescue defects in trans-synaptic signaling caused by the R87C mutation, implying that trans-synaptic increases in neurotransmitter release are not necessary for the postsynaptic effects of zinc. Together, these data suggest that Shank3 is a key component of a zinc-sensitive signaling system, regulating synaptic strength that may be impaired in ASD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Shank3 is a postsynaptic protein associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. In this study, we show that Shank3 is a key component of a zinc-sensitive signaling system that regulates excitatory synaptic transmission. Intriguingly, an autism-associated mutation in Shank3 partially impairs this signaling system. Therefore, perturbation of zinc homeostasis may impair, not only synaptic functionality and plasticity, but also may lead to cognitive and behavioral abnormalities seen in patients with psychiatric disorders.
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Prakash A, Bharti K, Majeed ABA. Zinc: indications in brain disorders. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2015; 29:131-49. [PMID: 25659970 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Zinc is the authoritative metal which is present in our body, and reactive zinc metal is crucial for neuronal signaling and is largely distributed within presynaptic vesicles. Zinc also plays an important role in synaptic function. At cellular level, zinc is a modulator of synaptic activity and neuronal plasticity in both development and adulthood. Different importers and transporters are involved in zinc homeostasis. ZnT-3 is a main transporter involved in zinc homeostasis in the brain. It has been found that alterations in brain zinc status have been implicated in a wide range of neurological disorders including impaired brain development and many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, and mood disorders including depression, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and prion disease. Furthermore, zinc has also been implicated in neuronal damage associated with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and seizure. Understanding the mechanisms that control brain zinc homeostasis is thus critical to the development of preventive and treatment strategies for these and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atish Prakash
- Brain Degeneration and Therapeutics Group, Brain and Neuroscience Communities of Research, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, 40450, Malaysia; Department of Pharmacology, ISF college of Pharmacy, Ghal kalan, Moga, 142-001, India; Brain Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Puncak Alam, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Bandar Puncak Alam, 42300, Malaysia
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5
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Salari S, Khomand P, Arasteh M, Yousefzamani B, Hassanzadeh K. Zinc sulphate: A reasonable choice for depression management in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Pharmacol Rep 2015; 67:606-9. [PMID: 25933976 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is known as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In recent years, zinc has been found to have beneficial effects on psychopathology and the therapy of depression. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of zinc supplement on depression and neurological signs in patients with MS. METHODS The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 43 patients with MS and who also demonstrated MDD based on the Beck questionnaire. These patients were randomly selected and were divided into two groups: the placebo group (n=22) and the intervention group (n=21). The patients received either zinc sulphate (220 mg containing 50mg zinc element) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Clinical examinations were obtained in terms of abnormal ocular movement, muscle power, and gait disorder. RESULTS The results indicated that in the patients who received the zinc supplement, the mean score of depression was reduced compared to those in the placebo group, whereas the neurological examinations revealed that there were no differences between the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSION Therefore, the zinc supplementation is an appropriate choice for the depression management in patients with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Salari
- Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Payam Khomand
- Department of Neurology, Tohid Hospital, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Modabber Arasteh
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | | | - Kambiz Hassanzadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
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Leonard B, Maes M. Mechanistic explanations how cell-mediated immune activation, inflammation and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways and their sequels and concomitants play a role in the pathophysiology of unipolar depression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 36:764-85. [PMID: 22197082 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 595] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Revised: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper reviews that cell-mediated-immune (CMI) activation and inflammation contribute to depressive symptoms, including anhedonia; anxiety-like behaviors; fatigue and somatic symptoms, e.g. illness behavior or malaise; and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These effects are in part mediated by increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs), e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, and Th-1-derived cytokines, such as IL-2 and interferon (IFN)γ. Moreover, new pathways, i.e. concomitants and sequels of CMI activation and inflammation, were detected in depression: (1) Induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) by IFNγ and some PICs is associated with depleted plasma tryptophan, which may interfere with brain 5-HT synthesis, and increased production of anxiogenic and depressogenic tryptophan catabolites. (2) Increased bacterial translocation may cause depression-like behaviors by activating the cytokine network, oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) pathways and IDO. (3) Induction of O&NS causes damage to membrane ω3 PUFAs, functional proteins, DNA and mitochondria, and autoimmune responses directed against intracellular molecules that may cause dysfunctions in intracellular signaling. (4) Decreased levels of ω3 PUFAs and antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q10, glutathione peroxidase or zinc, are associated with an increased inflammatory potential; more oxidative damage; the onset of specific symptoms; and changes in the expression or functions of brain 5-HT and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. (5) All abovementioned factors cause neuroprogression, that is a combination of neurodegeneration, neuronal apoptosis, and lowered neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. It is concluded that depression may be the consequence of a complex interplay between CMI activation and inflammation and their sequels/concomitants which all together cause neuroprogression that further shapes the depression phenotype. Future research should employ high throughput technologies to collect genetic and gene expression and protein data from patients with depression and analyze these data by means of systems biology methods to define the dynamic interactions between the different cell signaling networks and O&NS pathways that cause depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Leonard
- Pharmacology Department, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
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Szewczyk B, Kubera M, Nowak G. The role of zinc in neurodegenerative inflammatory pathways in depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:693-701. [PMID: 20156515 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2009] [Revised: 01/23/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
According to new hypothesis, depression is characterized by decreased neurogenesis and enhanced neurodegeneration which, in part, may be caused by inflammatory processes. There is much evidence indicating that depression, age-related changes often associated with impaired brain function and cognitive performances or neurodegenerative processes could be related to dysfunctions affecting the zinc ion availability. Clinical studies revealed that depression is accompanied by serum hypozincemia, which can be normalized by successful antidepressant treatment. In patients with major depression, a low zinc serum level was correlated with an increase in the activation of markers of the immune system, suggesting that this effect may result in part from a depression-related alteration in the immune-inflammatory system. Moreover, a preliminary clinical study demonstrated the benefit of zinc supplementation in antidepressant therapy in both treatment non-resistant and resistant patients. In the preclinical study, the antidepressant activity of zinc was observed in the majority of rodent tests and models of depression and revealed a causative role for zinc deficiency in the induction of depressive-like symptoms, the reduction of neurogenesis and neuronal survival or impaired learning and memory ability. This paper provides an overview of the clinical and experimental evidence that implicates the role of zinc in the pathophysiology and therapy of depression within the context of the inflammatory and neurodegenerative hypothesis of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadeta Szewczyk
- Laboratory of Trace Elements Neurobiology, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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Abstract
Zinc is a life-sustaining trace element, serving structural, catalytic, and regulatory roles in cellular biology. It is required for normal mammalian brain development and physiology, such that deficiency or excess of zinc has been shown to contribute to alterations in behavior, abnormal central nervous system development, and neurological disease. In this light, it is not surprising that zinc ions have now been shown to play a role in the neuromodulation of synaptic transmission as well as in cortical plasticity. Zinc is stored in specific synaptic vesicles by a class of glutamatergic or "gluzinergic" neurons and is released in an activity-dependent manner. Because gluzinergic neurons are found almost exclusively in the cerebral cortex and limbic structures, zinc may be critical for normal cognitive and emotional functioning. Conversely, direct evidence shows that zinc might be a relatively potent neurotoxin. Neuronal injury secondary to in vivo zinc mobilization and release occurs in several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in addition to epilepsy and ischemia. Thus, zinc homeostasis is integral to normal central nervous system functioning, and in fact its role may be underappreciated. This article provides an overview of zinc neurobiology and reviews the experimental evidence that implicates zinc signals in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. A greater understanding of zinc's role in the central nervous system may therefore allow for the development of therapeutic approaches where aberrant metal homeostasis is implicated in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron K Y Bitanihirwe
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Takeda A, Itoh H, Imano S, Oku N. Impairment of GABAergic neurotransmitter system in the amygdala of young rats after 4-week zinc deprivation. Neurochem Int 2006; 49:746-50. [PMID: 16901589 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2006.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2006] [Revised: 06/15/2006] [Accepted: 06/23/2006] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
On the basis of the evidence that the excitability of hippocampal glutamatergic neurotransmitter system is enhanced by dietary zinc deficiency, the response of amygdalar neurotransmitter system was checked in young rats fed a zinc-deficient diet for 4 weeks. Extracellular zinc concentration in the amygdala, which was measured by the in vivo microdialysis, was almost the same as that in the hippocampus and decreased by zinc deficiency. Extracellular zinc concentration in the amygdala was increased both in the control and zinc-deficient rats by stimulation with 100mM KCl, suggesting that the increase in extracellular zinc in the amygdala, as well as that in the hippocampus, is linked with neuronal depolarization. In amygdalar extracellular fluid, the basal glutamate concentration was not significantly different between the control and zinc-deficient rats and was increased to almost the same extent between them by stimulation with 100mM KCl, unlike more increase in extracellular glutamate concentration in the hippocampus in zinc deficiency. On the other hand, the basal GABA concentration in the amygdalar extracellular fluid was significantly lower in zinc-deficient rats and was not increased both in the control and zinc-deficient rats by stimulation with 100mM KCl. These results suggest that GABAergic neurotransmitter system is critically impaired in the amygdala of young rats after 4-week zinc deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Takeda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan.
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Takeda A, Itoh H, Hirate M, Oku N. Region-specific loss of zinc in the brain in pentylentetrazole-induced seizures and seizure susceptibility in zinc deficiency. Epilepsy Res 2006; 70:41-8. [PMID: 16624524 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2006.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2005] [Revised: 02/07/2006] [Accepted: 03/02/2006] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus is thought to be an epileptic focus in human temporal lobe epilepsy. Kainate-induced seizures decrease zinc concentrations in the hippocampus, which is also decreased in young mice fed a zinc-deficient diet for 4 weeks, and is enhanced by zinc deficiency. To understand zinc movement in the brain in epileptic seizures, zinc concentrations in the brain were measured in young mice after administration of pentylentetrazole, a GABAA receptor antagonist. Zinc concentration in the hippocampus and Timm's stain, with which histochemically reactive zinc in the presynaptic vesicle is detected, were decreased after the administration, suggesting that excessive excitation of zinc-containing glutamatergic neurons is induced in the hippocampus with pentylentetrazole. To clarify whether the decrease in zinc concentration in the hippocampus in zinc deficiency alter seizure susceptibility, furthermore, susceptibility to pentylentetrazole-induced seizures was examined in young mice fed the zinc-deficient diet for 4 weeks. The susceptibility, unlike susceptibility to kainate-induced seizures, was not appreciably enhanced by zinc deficiency. These results suggest that the decrease in zinc concentration in the hippocampus in zinc deficiency does not influence susceptibility to pentylentetrazole-induced seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Takeda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52- 1 Yada, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan.
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11
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Mocchegiani E, Bertoni-Freddari C, Marcellini F, Malavolta M. Brain, aging and neurodegeneration: role of zinc ion availability. Prog Neurobiol 2005; 75:367-90. [PMID: 15927345 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2004] [Revised: 04/20/2005] [Accepted: 04/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Actual fields of research in neurobiology are not only aimed at understanding the different aspects of brain aging but also at developing strategies useful to preserve brain compensatory capacity and to prevent the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Consistent with this trend much attention has been addressed to zinc metabolism. In fact, zinc acts as a neuromodulator at excitatory synapses and has a considerable role in the stress response and in the functionality of zinc-dependent enzymes contributing to maintaining brain compensatory capacity. In particular, the mechanisms that modulate the free zinc pool are pivotal for safeguarding brain health and performance. Alterations in zinc homeostasis have been reported in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease as well as in transient forebrain ischemia, seizures and traumatic brain injury, but little is known regarding aged brain. There is much evidence that that age-related changes, frequently associated to a decline in brain functions and impaired cognitive performances, could be related to dysfunctions affecting the intracellular zinc ion availability. A general agreement emerges from studies of humans' and rodents' old brains about an increased expression of metallothionein (MT) isoforms I and II, but dyshomogenous results are reported for MT-III, and it is still uncertain whether these proteins maintain in aging the protective role, as it occurs in adult/young age. At the same time, there is considerable evidence that amyloid-beta deposition in Alzheimer's disease is induced by zinc, but the pathological significance and the causes of this phenomenon are still an open question. The scientific debate on the role of zinc and of some zinc-binding proteins in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as on the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation in aged brain and neurodegeneration, is extensively discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Mocchegiani
- Immunology Ctr. Section Nutrition, Immunity and Aging, Res. Department INRCA, Ancona 60100, Via Birarelli 8, 60121, Italy.
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12
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Yang DY, Lee JB, Lin MC, Huang YL, Liu HW, Liang YJ, Cheng FC. The determination of brain magnesium and zinc levels by a dual-probe microdialysis and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. J Am Coll Nutr 2005; 23:552S-555S. [PMID: 15466964 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2004.10719402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop a microdialysis-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (MD-GFAAS) for monitoring dynamic changes of extracellular magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) in the cortex of gerbils subjected to focal cerebral ischemia, that had been produced in anesthetized gerbils by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. METHODS Two microdialysis probes were inserted into both sides of the cortex to simultaneously collect dialysates during cerebral ischemia. Dynamic changes in these analytes, on ipsilateral and contralateral sides of the brain, were assayed by MD-GFAAS. Optimal conditions and analytical precision of GFAAS were studied in the present assay. RESULTS The present study demonstrated significant decreases in Mg (65% of baseline) and zinc (74% of baseline) maintained their levels within 3 h on the ipsilateral side of cortex during cerebral ischemia. Slight changes of Mg and Zn on the contralateral sides were also observed. CONCLUSION The derangement of extracellular Mg and Zn could be important in the progression of cell injury and may be associated with cerebral ischemia insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dar-Yu Yang
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan
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13
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Abstract
The pharmacological effects of ethanol are complex and widespread without a well-defined target. Since glutamatergic and GABAergic innervation are both dense and diffuse and account for more than 80% of the neuronal circuitry in the human brain, alterations in glutamatergic and GABAergic function could affect the function of all neurotransmitter systems. Here, we review recent progress in glutamatergic and GABAergic systems with a special focus on their roles in alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal-induced seizures. In particular, NMDA-receptors appear to play a central role in alcohol dependence and alcohol-induced neurological disorders. Hence, NMDA receptor antagonists may have multiple functions in treating alcoholism and other addictions and they may become important therapeutics for numerous disorders including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, anxiety, neurotoxicity, ischemic stroke, and chronic pain. One of the new family of NMDA receptor antagonists, such as DETC-MESO, which regulate the redox site of NMDA receptors, may prove to be the drug of choice for treating alcoholism as well as many neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Davis
- Department of Medical Chemistry, 1043 Haworth Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-2106, USA
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14
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Henkin RI, Martin BM, Agarwal RP. Efficacy of exogenous oral zinc in treatment of patients with carbonic anhydrase VI deficiency. Am J Med Sci 1999; 318:392-405. [PMID: 10616164 DOI: 10.1097/00000441-199912000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously described a disorder in 18 patients with decreased parotid saliva gustin/carbonic anhydrase (CA) VI secretion associated with loss of taste (hypogeusia) and smell (hyposmia) and distorted taste (dysgeusia) and smell (dysosmia). Because gustin/CAVI is a zinc-dependent enzyme we instituted a study of treatment with exogenous zinc to attempt to stimulate synthesis/secretion of gustin/CAVI and thereby attempt to correct the symptoms of this disorder. METHODS Fourteen of the 18 patients with this disorder completed the study. They were treated with 100 mg of exogenous zinc daily for 4 to 6 months, in an open clinical trial. Both before and after treatment, measurements were obtained of parotid saliva gustin/CAVI, parotid saliva, serum and urine zinc, taste and smell function, and, in some patients, examination of circumvallate taste buds by electron microscopy. RESULTS Treatment success was predicated upon significant increases in parotid saliva gustin/CAVI. This occurred in 10 of the 14 patients who were labeled responders; they also exhibited improvement in taste and smell acuity, a diminution in dysgeusia and dysosmia and increased zinc concentrations in parotid saliva, serum, and urine. Taste bud morphology returned to normal in each responder in whom it was measured. No increase in gustin/CAVI occurred in 4 patients who were labeled nonresponders; they exhibited no improvement in taste or smell acuity and no increases in parotid saliva zinc. However, serum and urine zinc increased to levels similar to those measured in the 10 responders. Two of 4 nonresponders reported diminution in dysgeusia and dysosmia. Taste bud morphology did not change from the abnormal state in the 1 nonresponder in whom it was measured. CONCLUSIONS Zinc treatment is effective in patients in whom this trace metal increases synthesis/secretion of gustin/CAVI and ineffective in those in whom it does not. Increased gustin/CAVI in this disorder is probably associated with zinc stimulation of the gene responsible for the synthesis/secretion of gustin/CAVI. Among nonresponders, zinc was ineffective for several possible reasons, including resistance to zinc and possible sialylation of gustin/CAVI, which may render it functionally ineffective. Results suggest the hypothesis that gustin/CAVI is a trophic factor that promotes growth and development of taste buds through its action on taste bud stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- R I Henkin
- The Taste and Smell Clinic, Washington, DC 20016, USA
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15
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Henkin RI, Martin BM, Agarwal RP. Efficacy of Exogenous Oral Zinc in Treatment of Patients with Carbonic Anhydrase VI Deficiency. Am J Med Sci 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9629(15)40664-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Boukaftane Y, Khoris J, Moulard B, Salachas F, Meininger V, Malafosse A, Camu W, Rouleau GA. Identification of six novel SOD1 gene mutations in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Can J Neurol Sci 1998; 25:192-6. [PMID: 9706719 DOI: 10.1017/s0317167100034004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the premature death of motor neurons. In approximately 10% of the cases the disease is inherited as autosomal dominant trait (FALS). It has been found that mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1) are responsible for approximately 15% of FALS kindreds. We screened affected individuals from 70 unrelated FALS kindreds and identified 10 mutations, 6 of which are novel. Surprisingly, we have found a mutation in exon 3, which includes most of the active site loop and Zn2+ binding sites, a region where no previous SOD1 mutations have been found. Our data increase the number of different SOD1 mutations causing FALS to 55, a significant fraction of the 154 amino acids of this relatively small protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Boukaftane
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Bresink I, Ebert B, Parsons CG, Mutschler E. Zinc changes AMPA receptor properties: results of binding studies and patch clamp recordings. Neuropharmacology 1996; 35:503-9. [PMID: 8793914 DOI: 10.1016/0028-3908(95)00192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The influence of zinc ions on alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors was investigated using binding studies with [3H]AMPA to rat cortical membranes and patch clamp recordings from cultured superior colliculus neurones. In Tris-HCl buffer, zinc (1-10 mM) significantly increased the specific binding of [3H]AMPA whereas this increase was negligible in the presence of CaCl2 (2.5 mM) and KSCN (100 mM). This effect was associated with a dramatic increase in Bmax but a decrease in both agonist and antagonist affinity. Association and dissociation experiments showed that equilibrium [3H]AMPA binding is reached with faster kinetics in the presence of zinc. At low concentrations (0.3 mM) zinc also concentration-dependently potentiated both peak and plateau components of whole cell current responses to AMPA (100 microM). This effect was accompanied by a reduction of the degree, and slowing of the rate, of AMPA receptor desensitisation. In contrast, higher concentrations of zinc (1-3.0 mM) inhibited AMPA responses to some degree, but slowed desensitisation further. This ability of zinc to change AMPA receptor properties may be relevant to neurotoxicity associated with AMPA receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Bresink
- Department of Pharmacology, Merz+Co., Frankfurt, Germany
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Galvani P, Fumagalli P, Santagostino A. Vulnerability of mitochondrial complex I in PC12 cells exposed to manganese. Eur J Pharmacol 1995; 293:377-83. [PMID: 8748691 DOI: 10.1016/0926-6917(95)90058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The present findings provide experimental evidence for the hypothesis that an impairment of mitochondrial function may be involved in manganese neurotoxicity. Specifically, the treatment of dopaminergic neuronal-derived cell line (PC12) with MnCl2 produced a significant inhibition of some mitochondrial complexes of the respiratory chain, while in the glial-derived cell line (C6) this effect was not observed. In PC12 the decrease in complex I activity was more pronounce than in other mitochondrial complexes. However treatment of cells with ZnSO4 exerted no significant variations in enzymatic activities. A direct exposure of mitochondrial fraction to MnCl2 reduced enzymatic activities of mitochondria in both cell lines adding further support to the proposed theory that the different sensitivity of the cells to manganese may be explained by a difference in uptake or intracellular storage. These data indicate that manganese neurotoxicity could be the result of a direct effect just on complex I activity or due to a secondary effect of oxidative stress induced by an excess of this transition metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Galvani
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell' Ambiente e del Territorio, Facoltà di Scienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Brown
- Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research Neurology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114
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