An Adequate Supply of Bis(ethylmaltolato)oxidovanadium(IV) Remarkably Reversed the Pathological Hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease in Triple-Transgenic Middle-Aged Mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and progressive neurodegenerative disease with impaired synapse, imbalanced mineral metabolism, protein mis-folding and aggregation. Bis(ethylmaltolato)oxidovanadium(IV) (BEOV), an organic bioactive vanadium compound with low toxicity and high bioavailability, has been studied as therapeutic agent against tuberculosis and diabetes. However, its neuroprotective effects have rarely been reported. Therefore, in this study, the potential application of BEOV in intervening AD cognitive dysfunction and neuropathology was evaluated. Both low- and high-dose of BEOV (0.2 mmol/L and 1.0 mmol/L) supplementation for 2 months improved the spatial learning and memory deficits of the triple-transgenic AD (3 × Tg AD) mice and mitigated the loss of synaptic proteins and synaptic dysfunction. By inhibiting the expression of amyloid-β precursor protein and β-secretase, and the phosphorylation of tau protein at Ser262, Ser396, Ser404, and Ser202/Thr205 residues, BEOV reduced the amyloid-β deposition and neurofibrillary tangle formation in AD mouse brains and primarily cultured neurons. Further analysis of the brain ionome revealed that BEOV supplementation could significantly affect the concentrations of a variety of metals, most of which, including several AD risk metals, showed reduced levels, particularly with a high-dose intake. Additionally, the elemental correlation network identified both conserved and specific elemental correlations, implying a highly complex and dynamic crosstalk between vanadium and other elements during long-term BEOV supplementation. Overall, our results suggest that BEOV is effective in AD intervention via both ameliorating the disease related pathology and regulating metal homeostasis.

Therapeutic modulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) pathway in cerebral ischemic injury

The cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury may leads to morbidity and mortality in patients. phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway has been believed to work in association with its downstream targets, other receptors, and pathways that may offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic effects, neuroprotective role in neuronal excitotoxicity. This review elaborates the mechanistic interventions of the PI3K pathway in cerebral ischemic injury in context to nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulation, Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling (HIF-1), growth factors, Endothelial NOS (eNOS) proinflammatory cytokines, Erythropoietin (EPO), Phosphatase and tensin homologous protein of chromosome 10 gene (PTEN) signaling, NF-κB/Notch signaling, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) signaling pathway. Evidences showing the activation of PI3K inhibits apoptotic pathway, which results in its neuroprotective effect in ischemic injury. Despite discussing the therapeutic role of the PI3K pathway in treating cerebral ischemic injury, the review also enlighten the selective modulation of PI3K pathway with activators and inhibitors which may provide promising results in clinical and preclinical settings.

Serum trace elements are associated with hemostasis, lipid spectrum and inflammatory markers in men suffering from acute ischemic stroke

The primary objective of the study is investigation of the association between trace elements status and hemostasis, lipid spectrum and inflammatory markers in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A total of 30 men suffering from AIS and 30 healthy controls were involved in the current survey. Blood count, serum lipid spectrum, complement components C4 and C3a, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), S100B protein, NR2 antibodies (NR2Ab), and total antioxidant status (TAS), as well as plasma fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were assessed. Serum trace elements were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. AIS patients were characterized by significantly increased fibrinogen, D-dimer, TG, C3a, C4, NR2Ab, and VEGF levels. The leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum atherogenic index were also increased in stroke patients. Oppositely, TAS and APTT values, bleeding and blood coagulation time were decreased. AIS patients were characterized by significantly decreased serum Fe and Co concentrations, whereas the level of Cu, I, Li, Mn, Se, Zn, As, Pb, Ni, and especially V and B in serum was significantly increased. Serum V and B tightly correlated with the procoagulant state and inflammatory markers. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant inverse association between serum Se levels and stroke markers after adjustment for covariates. Therefore, it is hypothesized that elements like vanadium and boron may be closely involved in stroke pathogenesis by modulation of hemostasis and inflammation, whereas the observed increase in Se levels may be considered as a compensatory reaction.

An evidence-based systematic review of vanadium by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration

An evidence-based systematic review of vanadium by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.