Friend or enemy? Review of 17β-HSD10 and its role in human health or disease

The mitochondrial multi-omic response to exercise training across rat tissues

Mitochondria have diverse functions critical to whole-body metabolic homeostasis. Endurance training alters mitochondrial activity, but systematic characterization of these adaptations is lacking. Here, the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium mapped the temporal, multi-omic changes in mitochondrial analytes across 19 tissues in male and female rats trained for 1, 2, 4, or 8 weeks. Training elicited substantial changes in the adrenal gland, brown adipose, colon, heart, and skeletal muscle. The colon showed non-linear response dynamics, whereas mitochondrial pathways were downregulated in brown adipose and adrenal tissues. Protein acetylation increased in the liver, with a shift in lipid metabolism, whereas oxidative proteins increased in striated muscles. Exercise-upregulated networks were downregulated in human diabetes and cirrhosis. Knockdown of the central network protein 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 10 (HSD17B10) elevated oxygen consumption, indicative of metabolic stress. We provide a multi-omic, multi-tissue, temporal atlas of the mitochondrial response to exercise training and identify candidates linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

C-3 Steroidal Hemiesters as Inhibitors of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 10

17β-HSD10 is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the steroidal oxidation of a hydroxy group to a keto group and, thus, is involved in maintaining steroid homeostasis. The druggability of 17β-HSD10 is related to potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease or cancer. Herein, steroidal derivatives with an acidic hemiester substituent at position C-3 on the skeleton were designed, synthesized, and evaluated by using pure recombinant 17β-HSD10 converting 17β-estradiol to estrone. Compounds 22 (IC50 = 6.95 ± 0.35 μM) and 23 (IC50 = 5.59 ± 0.25 μM) were identified as the most potent inhibitors from the series. Compound 23 inhibited 17β-HSD10 activity regardless of the substrate. It was found not cytotoxic toward the HEK-293 cell line and able to inhibit 17β-HSD10 activity also in the cellular environment. Together, these findings support steroidal compounds as promising candidates for further development as 17β-HSD10 inhibitors.

LANCL1, a cell surface protein, promotes liver tumor initiation through FAM49B-Rac1 axis to suppress oxidative stress

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

HCC is an aggressive cancer with a poor clinical outcome. Understanding the mechanisms that drive tumor initiation is important for improving treatment strategy. This study aimed to identify functional cell membrane proteins that promote HCC tumor initiation.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Tailor-made siRNA library screening was performed for all membrane protein-encoding genes that are upregulated in human HCC (n = 134), with sphere formation as a surrogate readout for tumor initiation. Upon confirmation of membranous localization by immunofluorescence and tumor initiation ability by limiting dilution assay in vivo, LanC-like protein-1 (LANCL1) was selected for further characterization. LANCL1 suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted tumorigenicity both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, with mass spectrometry, FAM49B was identified as a downstream binding partner of LANCL1. LANCL1 stabilized FAM49B by blocking the interaction of FAM49B with the specific E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21, thus protecting FAM49B from ubiquitin-proteasome degradation. The LANCL1-FAM49B axis suppressed the Rac1-NADPH oxidase-driven ROS production, but this suppression of ROS was independent of the glutathione transferase function of LANCL1. Clinically, HCCs with high co-expression of LANCL1 and FAM49B were associated with more advanced tumor stage, poorer overall survival, and disease-free survival. In addition, anti-LANCL1 antibodies targeting the extracellular N-terminal domain were able to suppress the self-renewal ability, as demonstrated by the sphere formation ability of HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed that LANCL1 is a cell surface protein and a key contributor to HCC initiation. Targeting the LANCL1-FAM49B-Rac1-NADPH oxidase-ROS signaling axis may be a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Involvement of Type 10 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in the Pathogenesis of Infantile Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's Disease

Type 10 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD10) is the HSD17B10 gene product playing an appreciable role in cognitive functions. It is the main hub of exercise-upregulated mitochondrial proteins and is involved in a variety of metabolic pathways including neurosteroid metabolism to regulate allopregnanolone homeostasis. Deacetylation of 17β-HSD10 by sirtuins helps regulate its catalytic activities. 17β-HSD10 may also play a critical role in the control of mitochondrial structure, morphology and dynamics by acting as a member of the Parkin/PINK1 pathway, and by binding to cyclophilin D to open mitochondrial permeability pore. 17β-HSD10 also serves as a component of RNase P necessary for mitochondrial tRNA maturation. This dehydrogenase can bind with the Aβ peptide thereby enhancing neurotoxicity to brain cells. Even in the absence of Aβ, its quantitative and qualitative variations can result in neurodegeneration. Since elevated levels of 17β-HSD10 were found in brain cells of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and mouse AD models, it is considered to be a key factor in AD pathogenesis. Since data underlying Aβ-binding-alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) were not secured from reported experiments, ABAD appears to be a fabricated alternative term for the HSD17B10 gene product. Results of this study would encourage researchers to solve the question why elevated levels of 17β-HSD10 are present in brains of AD patients and mouse AD models. Searching specific inhibitors of 17β-HSD10 may find candidates to reduce senile neurodegeneration and open new approaches for the treatment of AD.

Nanomolar Benzothiazole-Based Inhibitors of 17β-HSD10 with Cellular Bioactivity

Multifunctional mitochondrial enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (17β-HSD10) is a potential drug target for the treatment of various pathologies. The most discussed is the pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), where 17β-HSD10 overexpression and its interaction with amyloid-β peptide contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal stress. In this work, a series of new benzothiazole-derived 17β-HSD10 inhibitors were designed based on the structure-activity relationship analysis of formerly published inhibitors. A set of enzyme-based and cell-based methods were used to evaluate the inhibitory potency of new compounds, their interaction with the enzyme, and their cytotoxicity. Most compounds exhibited significantly a higher inhibitory potential compared to published benzothiazolyl ureas and good target engagement in a cellular environment accompanied by low cytotoxicity. The best hits displayed mixed-type inhibition with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the nanomolar range for the purified enzyme (3-7, 15) and/or low micromolar IC50 values in the cell-based assay (6, 13-16).

Physiologically relevant fluorescent assay for identification of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 inhibitors

Mitochondrial enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (HSD10) is a potential molecular target for treatment of mitochondrial-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its over-expression in AD brains is one of the critical factors disturbing the homeostasis of neuroprotective steroids and exacerbating amyloid beta (Aβ)-mediated mitochondrial toxicity and neuronal stress. This study was focused on revalidation of the most potent HSD10 inhibitors derived from benzothiazolyl urea scaffold using fluorescent-based enzymatic assay with physiologically relevant substrates of 17β-oestradiol and allopregnanolone. The oestradiol-based assay led to the identification of two nanomolar inhibitors (IC50 70 and 346 nM) differing from HSD10 hits revealed from the formerly used assay. Both identified inhibitors were found to be effective also in allopregnanolone-based assay with non-competitive or uncompetitive mode of action. In addition, both inhibitors were confirmed to penetrate the HEK293 cells and they were able to inhibit the HSD10 enzyme in the cellular environment. Both molecules seem to be potential lead structures for further research and development of HDS10 inhibitors.

Development of submicromolar 17β-HSD10 inhibitors and their in vitro and in vivo evaluation

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (17β-HSD10) is a multifunctional mitochondrial enzyme and putative drug target for the treatment of various pathologies including Alzheimer's disease or some types of hormone-dependent cancer. In this study, a series of new benzothiazolylurea-based inhibitors were developed based on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of previously published compounds and predictions of their physico-chemical properties. This led to the identification of several submicromolar inhibitors (IC₅₀ ∼0.3 μM), the most potent compounds within the benzothiazolylurea class known to date. The positive interaction with 17β-HSD10 was further confirmed by differential scanning fluorimetry and the best molecules were found to be cell penetrable. In addition, the best compounds weren't found to have additional effects for mitochondrial off-targets and cytotoxic or neurotoxic effects. The two most potent inhibitors 9 and 11 were selected for in vivo pharmacokinetic study after intravenous and peroral administration. Although the pharmacokinetic results were not fully conclusive, it seemed that compound 9 was bioavailable after peroral administration and could penetrate into the brain (brain-plasma ratio 0.56).

Infantile Neurodegeneration Results from Mutants of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 10 Rather Than Aβ-Binding Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Type 10 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD10), a homo-tetrameric multifunctional protein with 1044 residues encoded by the HSD17B10 gene, is necessary for brain cognitive function. Missense mutations result in infantile neurodegeneration, an inborn error in isoleucine metabolism. A 5-methylcytosine hotspot underlying a 388-T transition leads to the HSD10 (p.R130C) mutant to be responsible for approximately half of all cases suffering with this mitochondrial disease. Fewer females suffer with this disease due to X-inactivation. The binding capability of this dehydrogenase to Aβ-peptide may play a role in Alzheimer's disease, but it appears unrelated to infantile neurodegeneration. Research on this enzyme was complicated by reports of a purported Aβ-peptide-binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD), formerly referred to as endoplasmic-reticulum-associated Aβ-binding protein (ERAB). Reports concerning both ABAD and ERAB in the literature reflect features inconsistent with the known functions of 17β-HSD10. It is clarified here that ERAB is reportedly a longer subunit of 17β-HSD10 (262 residues). 17β-HSD10 exhibits L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity and is thus also referred to in the literature as short-chain 3-hydorxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase or type II 3-hydorxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. However, 17β-HSD10 is not involved in ketone body metabolism, as reported in the literature for ABAD. Reports in the literature referring to ABAD (i.e., 17β-HSD10) as a generalized alcohol dehydrogenase, relying on data underlying ABAD's activities, were found to be unreproducible. Furthermore, the rediscovery of ABAD/ERAB's mitochondrial localization did not cite any published research on 17β-HSD10. Clarification of the purported ABAD/ERAB function derived from these reports on ABAD/ERAB may invigorate this research field and encourage new approaches to the understanding and treatment of HSD17B10-gene-related disorders. We establish here that infantile neurodegeneration is caused by mutants of 17β-HSD10 but not ABAD, and so we conclude that ABAD represents a misnomer employed in high-impact journals.

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a worldwide epidemic and a major public health problem, with a prevalence of approximately 25%. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and may be affected by the environment and susceptible genetic factors, resulting in a highly variable disease course and no approved drugs in the clinic. Notably, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 13 (HSD17B13), which belongs to the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase superfamily (HSD17Bs), is closely related to the clinical outcome of liver disease. HSD17Bs consists of fifteen members, most related to steroid and lipid metabolism, and may have the same biological function as HSD17B13. In this review, we highlight recent advances in basic research on the functional activities, major substrates, and key roles of HSD17Bs in the progression of NAFLD to develop innovative anti-NAFLD drugs targeting HSD17Bs.

Pharmacological Efficacy of Repurposing Drugs in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Worldwide, prostate cancer (PC) is the second most frequent cancer among men and the fifth leading cause of death; moreover, standard treatments for PC have several issues, such as side effects and mechanisms of resistance. Thus, it is urgent to find drugs that can fill these gaps, and instead of developing new molecules requiring high financial and time investments, it would be useful to select non-cancer approved drugs that have mechanisms of action that could help in PC treatment, a process known as repurposing drugs. In this review article, drugs that have potential pharmacological efficacy are compiled to be repurposed for PC treatment. Thus, these drugs will be presented in the form of pharmacotherapeutic groups, such as antidyslipidemic drugs, antidiabetic drugs, antiparasitic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibacterial drugs, antiviral drugs, antidepressant drugs, antihypertensive drugs, antifungal drugs, immunosuppressant drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drugs, bisphosphonates and drugs for alcoholism, among others, and we will discuss their mechanisms of action in PC treatment.

Long-Term Ingestion of Sicilian Black Bee Chestnut Honey and/or D-Limonene Counteracts Brain Damage Induced by High Fat-Diet in Obese Mice

Obesity is linked to neurodegeneration, which is mainly caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. We analyzed whether the long-term intake of honey and/or D-limonene, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, when ingested separately or in combination, can counteract the neurodegeneration occurring in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. After 10 weeks of HFD, mice were divided into: HFD-, HFD + honey (HFD-H)-, HFD + D-limonene (HFD-L)-, HFD + honey + D-limonene (HFD-H + L)-fed groups, for another 10 weeks. Another group was fed a standard diet (STD). We analyzed the brain neurodegeneration, inflammation, oxidative stress, and gene expression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) markers. The HFD animals showed higher neuronal apoptosis, upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes Fas-L, Bim P27 and downregulation of anti-apoptotic factors BDNF and BCL2; increased gene expression of the pro-inflammatory IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and elevated oxidative stress markers COX-2, iNOS, ROS and nitrite. The honey and D-limonene intake counteracted these alterations; however, they did so in a stronger manner when in combination. Genes involved in amyloid plaque processing (APP and TAU), synaptic function (Ache) and AD-related hyperphosphorylation were higher in HFD brains, and significantly downregulated in HFD-H, HFD-L and HFD-H + L. These results suggest that honey and limonene ingestion counteract obesity-related neurodegeneration and that joint consumption is more efficacious than a single administration.

Isoflavone and Antioxidant of Instant Cream Soup Made from Pumpkin and Tempeh and Their Active Compound in Ovariohysterectomy Rat-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease

Menopause period associated with brain function disorders can caused by decreasing estradiol levels and increasing oxidative stress in the body. Antioxidant agents are required to balance oxidative stress in the body. Instant cream soup made from pumpkin and tempeh is a supplementary food containing isoflavone and antioxidant agents. This study is aimed at analyzing the content of antioxidant level and isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) in instant cream soup and their effect on ovariohysterectomy (OVx) rats. Instant pumpkin cream soup with and without tempeh were subjected to isoflavone content and antioxidant analysis. Serum estradiol was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Liver concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by spectrophotometric methods. The study showed that the isoflavone content (genistein 370.86 g/100 g, daidzein 185.61 g/100 g) was only present in the pumpkin instant cream soup with tempeh (IPTS). IPTS has higher antioxidant levels (134.25 mg AEAC/100 g) than instant pumpkin cream soup without tempeh (IPS). In vivo study, experimental rats showed that OVx increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels up to 5.85-6.07 nmol mL-1 as compared to control (4.47 nmol mL-1). Moreover, instant pumpkin cream soup with tempeh treatments significantly increased serum estradiol levels (2.37–3.63 μg) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of 497.49-558.89 U mL-1. This study concluded that instant pumpkin cream soup and tempeh contained isoflavone and antioxidant, and it increased estradiol serum and SOD level.

3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA and Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activities of Mitochondrial Type 10 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Neurodegeneration Study

Background:

Mitochondrial 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (17β-HSD10) is necessary for brain cognitive function, but its studies were confounded by reports of Aβ-peptide binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD), formerly endoplasmic reticulum-associated Aβ-peptide binding protein (ERAB), for two decades so long as ABAD serves as the alternative term of 17β-HSD10.

Objective:

To determine whether those ABAD reports are true or false, even if they were published in prestigious journals.

Methods:

6xHis-tagged 17β-HSD10 was prepared and characterized by well-established experimental procedures.

Results:

The N-terminal 6xHis tag did not significantly interfere with the dehydrogenase activities of 17β-HSD10, but the kinetic constants of its 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity are drastically distinct from those of ABAD, and it was not involved in ketone body metabolism as previously reported for ABAD. Furthermore, it was impossible to measure its generalized alcohol dehydrogenase activities underlying the concept of ABAD because the experimental procedures described in ABAD reports violated basic chemical and/or biochemical principles. More incredibly, both authors and journals had not yet agreed to make any corrigenda of ABAD reports.

Conclusion:

Brain 17β-HSD10 plays a key role in neurosteroid metabolism and further studies in this area may lead to potential treatments of neurodegeneration including AD.

Coating-Dependent Neurotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles—An In Vivo Study on Hippocampal Oxidative Stress and Neurosteroids

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most widely used nanomaterials. The level of exposure to nanosilver is constantly raising, and a growing body of research highlights that it is harmful to the health, especially the nervous system, of humans. The potential pathways through which nanosilver affects neurons include the release of silver ions and the associated induction of oxidative stress. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of nanosilver, in this study we exposed male Wistar rats to 0.5 mg/kg body weight of AgNPs coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), or citrate, or to AgNO₃ as a source of silver ions for 28 days and assessed the expression of antioxidant defense markers in the hippocampus of the exposed animals after 1 week of spatial memory training. We also evaluated the influence of AgNPs coating on neurosteroidogenesis in the rat hippocampus. The results showed that AgNPs disrupted the antioxidant system in the hippocampus and induced oxidative stress in a coating-dependent manner, which could potentially be responsible for neurodegeneration and cognitive disorders. The analysis of the influence of AgNPs on neurosteroids also indicated coating-dependent modulation of steroid levels with a significant decrease in the concentrations of progesterone and 17α-progesterone in AgNPs(BSA), AgNPs(PEG), and Ag⁺ groups. Furthermore, exposure to AgNPs or Ag⁺ resulted in the downregulation of selected genes involved in antioxidant defense (Cat), neurosteroid synthesis (Star, Hsd3b3, Hsd17b1, and Hsd17b10), and steroid metabolism (Ar, Er1, and Er2). In conclusion, depending on the coating material used for their stabilization, AgNPs induced oxidative stress and modulated the concentrations of steroids as well as the expression of genes involved in steroid synthesis and metabolism.

Analogues of Natural Chalcones as Efficient Inhibitors of AKR1C3

Naturally occurring substances are valuable resources for drug development. In this respect, chalcones are known to be antiproliferative agents against prostate cancer cell lines through various mechanisms or targets. Based on the literature and preliminary results, we aimed to study and optimise the efficiency of a series of chalcones to inhibit androgen-converting AKR1C3, known to promote prostate cancer. A total of 12 chalcones with different substitution patterns were synthesised. Structure-activity relationships associated with these modifications on AKR1C3 inhibition were analysed by performing enzymatic assays and docking simulations. In addition, the selectivity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were assessed. In enzymatic assays, C-6' hydroxylated derivatives were more active than C-6' methoxylated derivatives. In contrast, C-4 methylation increased activity over C-4 hydroxylation. Docking results supported these findings with the most active compounds fitting nicely in the binding site and exhibiting strong interactions with key amino acid residues. The most effective inhibitors were not cytotoxic for HEK293T cells and selective for 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases not primarily involved in steroid hormone metabolism. Nevertheless, they inhibited several enzymes of the steroid metabolism pathways. Favourable substitutions that enhanced AKR1C3 inhibition of chalcones were identified. This study paves the way to further develop compounds from this series or related flavonoids with improved inhibitory activity against AKR1C3.

Sex Hormones and Lung Inflammation

Inflammation is a characteristic marker in numerous lung disorders. Several immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, eosinophils, as well as T and B lymphocytes, synthetize and release cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. Gender differences in the incidence and severity of inflammatory lung ailments including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis (PF), lung cancer (LC), and infectious related illnesses have been reported. Moreover, the effects of sex hormones on both androgens and estrogens, such as testosterone (TES) and 17β-estradiol (E2), driving characteristic inflammatory patterns in those lung inflammatory diseases have been investigated. In general, androgens seem to display anti-inflammatory actions, whereas estrogens produce pro-inflammatory effects. For instance, androgens regulate negatively inflammation in asthma by targeting type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and T-helper (Th)-2 cells to attenuate interleukin (IL)-17A-mediated responses and leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis pathway. Estrogens may promote neutrophilic inflammation in subjects with asthma and COPD. Moreover, the activation of estrogen receptors might induce tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we summarize the most recent advances in the functional roles and associated signaling pathways of inflammatory cellular responses in asthma, COPD, PF, LC, and newly occurring COVID-19 disease. We also meticulously deliberate the influence of sex steroids on the development and progress of these common and severe lung diseases.

Altered Spontaneous Brain Activity in Women During Menopause Transition and Its Association With Cognitive Function and Serum Estradiol Level

OBJECTIVE

Serum hormone deficiencies during menopause transition may affect spontaneous brain activity and global cognition. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in spontaneous brain activity between premenopausal and perimenopausal women, and to investigate the associations between spontaneous brain activity, serum hormone levels and global cognition.

METHODS

Thirty-two premenopausal women (47.75 ± 1.55 years) and twenty-five perimenopausal women (51.60 ± 1.63 years) underwent resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) scan. Clinical information including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), levels of estradiol (E2), free testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were measured. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to evaluate spontaneous brain activity alterations between perimenopausal and premenopausal women. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the associations between brain functional alterations and clinical measures in perimenopausal group.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated increased ReHo value in the right lingual gyrus (LG) and decreased ReHo value in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) in perimenopausal women compared with premenopausal women. In perimenopausal group, ReHo of the right LG showed a negative correlation with level of E2 (r = -0.586, p = 0.002), ReHo of the right SFG showed a positive correlation with level of E2 (r = 0.470, p = 0.018) and MMSE (r = 0.614, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that women approaching menopause suffered from altered functions in brain regions related to cognitive function, working memory, the results also revealed a direct association between levels of E2 and brain functions in perimenopausal women.

Effects of novel 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 inhibitors on mitochondrial respiration

Mitochondrial enzymes are targets of newly synthesized drugs being tested for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (HSD10) is a multifunctional mitochondrial protein that is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of AD and is one of the targets of new potential AD drugs. The in vitro effects of frentizole, riluzole, AG18051, and 42 novel modulators of HSD10 (potential AD drugs) on citrate synthase (CS) activity, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, complex I- or complex II-linked mitochondrial respiratory rate, and complex I activity were measured in isolated pig brain mitochondria. Based on their minimal inhibitory effects on the respiratory rate of mitochondria and CS and complex I activity, six novel compounds were selected for further testing. Assuming that inhibition of MAO-B could be a desirable effect of AD drugs, only AG18051 and one new compound met the criteria for MAO-B inhibition with minimal drug-induced effects on mitochondrial respiration. In conclusion, our in vitro screening of mitochondrial effect of novel potential AD drugs has enabled the selection of the most promising molecules for further testing that are relatively safe in terms of drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity.

Anticipated Social and Healthcare Economic Burden of People with Alzheimer's Disease in Two Selected Regions of the Czech Republic

Increasing life expectancy in modern society is undoubtedly due to improved healthcare, scientific advances in medicine, and the overall healthy lifestyle of the general population. However, this positive trend has led to an increase in the number of older people with a growing need for a sustainable system for the long-term care of this part of the population, which includes social and health services that are essential for a high quality of life. Longevity also brings challenges in the form of a polymorbid geriatric population that places financial pressure on healthcare systems. Regardless, one disease dominates the debate about financial sustainability due to the increasing numbers of people diagnosed, and that is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The presented paper aims to demonstrate the economic burden of social and healthcare services. Data from two regions in the Czech Republic were selected to demonstrate the potential scope of the problem. The future costs connected with AD are calculated by a prediction model, which is based on a population model for predicting the number of people with AD between 2020 and 2070. Based on the presented data from the two regions in the Czech Republic and the prediction model, several trends emerged. There appears to be a significant difference in the annual direct costs per person diagnosed with AD depending on the region in which they reside. This may lead to a significant inequality of the services a person can acquire followed by subsequent social issues that can manifest as a lower quality of life. Furthermore, given the prediction of the growing AD population, the costs expressed in constant prices based on the year 2020 will increase almost threefold during the period 2020–2070. The predicted threefold increase will place additional financial pressure on all stakeholders responsible for social and healthcare services, as the current situation is already challenging.

Synthesis of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 steroidal inhibitors: Selectivity, metabolic stability and enhanced potency

17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 (17β-HSD10) is the only mitochondrial member of 17β-HSD family. This enzyme can oxidize estradiol (E2) into estrone (E1), thus reducing concentration of this neuroprotective steroid. Since 17β-HSD10 possesses properties that suggest a possible role in Alzheimer's disease, its inhibition appears to be a therapeutic strategy. After we identified the androsterone (ADT) derivative 1 as a first steroidal inhibitor of 17β-HSD10, new analogs were synthesized to increase the metabolic stability, to improve the selectivity of inhibition over 17β-HSD3 and to optimize the inhibitory potency. From six D-ring derivatives of 1 (17-CO), two compounds (17β-H/17α-OH and 17β-OH/17α-CCH) were more metabolically stable and did not inhibit the 17β-HSD3. Moreover, solid phase synthesis was used to extend the molecular diversity on the 3β-piperazinylmethyl group of the steroid base core. Eight over 120 new derivatives were more potent inhibitors than 1 for the transformation of E2 to E1, with the 4-(4-trifluoromethyl-3-methoxybenzyl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl-ADT (D-3,7) being 16 times more potent (IC₅₀ = 0.14 μM). Finally, D-ring modification of D-3,7 provided 17β-OH/17α-CCH derivative 25 and 17β-H/17α-OH derivative 26, which were more potent inhibitor than 1 (1.8 and 2.4 times, respectively).