Proteomics for Studying the Effects of Ketogenic Diet Against Lithium Chloride/Pilocarpine Induced Epilepsy in Rats

Ketogenic Diets Alter the Gut Microbiome, Resulting in Decreased Susceptibility to and Cognitive Impairment in Rats with Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus

A ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-protein diet that exerts antiepileptic effects by attenuating spontaneous recurrent seizures, ameliorating learning and memory impairments, and modulating the gut microbiota composition. However, the role of the gut microbiome in the antiepileptic effects of a KD on temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) induced by lithium-pilocarpine in adult rats is still unknown. Our study provides evidence demonstrating that a KD effectively mitigates seizure behavior and reduces acute-phase epileptic brain activity and that KD treatment alleviates hippocampal neuronal damage and improves cognitive impairment induced by TLE. We also observed that the beneficial effects of a KD are compromised when the gut microbiota is disrupted through antibiotic administration. Analysis of gut microbiota components via 16S rRNA gene sequencing in fecal samples collected from TLE rats fed either a KD or a normal diet. The Chao1 and ACE indices showed decreased species variety in KD-fed rats compared to TLE rats fed a normal diet. A KD increased the levels of Actinobacteriota, Verrucomicrobiota and Proteobacteria and decreased the level of Bacteroidetes. Interestingly, the abundances of Actinobacteriota and Verrucomicrobiota were positively correlated with learning and memory ability, and the abundance of Proteobacteria was positively correlated with seizure susceptibility. In conclusion, our study revealed the significant antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects of a KD on pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in rats, primarily mediated through the modulation of the gut microbiota. However, whether the gut microbiota mediates the antiseizure effects of a KD still needs to be better elucidated.

Integrating Proteomics and Transcriptomics Reveals the Potential Pathways of Hippocampal Neuron Apoptosis in Dravet Syndrome Model Mice

An important component contributing to the onset of epilepsy is the death of hippocampal neurons. Several studies have shown that Dravet syndrome model mice: Scn1a KO mice have a high number of apoptotic neurons following seizures, but the precise mechanism underlying this remains unclear. The aim of this research was to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism of neuronal apoptosis in Scn1a KO mice by integrating proteomics and transcriptomics, with the ultimate goal of offering better neuroprotection. We found that apoptotic processes were enriched in both proteomic and transcriptomic GO analyses, and KEGG results also indicated that differential proteins and genes play a role in neurotransmission, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation. Then, we examined the upstream and downstream KGML interactions of the pathways to determine the relationship between the two omics, and we found that the HIF-1 signaling pathway plays a significant role in the onset and apoptosis of epilepsy. Meanwhile, the expression of the apoptosis-related protein VHL decreased in this pathway, and the expression of p21 was upregulated. Therefore, this study suggests that VHL/HIF-1α/p21 might be involved in the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in Scn1a KO mice.

Plasma exosomes proteome profiling discovers protein markers associated with the therapeutic effect of Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction on temporal lobe epilepsy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLMD) to alleviate disease, clear away heat, calm the mind, and temper excitation. It has been widely used for the therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, dementia, anxiety, insomnia, and depression for several centuries in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to analyze differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the plasma exosomes of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and after the Chaihu-Longgu-Muli Decoction (CLMD) therapy and to explore the biomarkers of TLE and the potential targets of CLMD in treating TLE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plasma exosomes of normal people and patients with TLE before the treatment of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and combined treatment of OXC and CLMD (OXC.CLMD) were harvested. The exosomes were separated from plasma through ultracentrifugation and then identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and flow cytometry. The DEPs were analyzed by proteomics and then subjected to gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The protein level of key genes was detected using Western blot. A lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced epilepsy rat model was established and treated with OXC alone, OXC. CLMD, and CLMD alone (low dose and high dose). Neuronal injury in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and ribosomal protein L6 (RPL6) expression in the brain tissues were detected using H&E staining, Nissl staining, and Western blot.

RESULTS

The proteomic analysis showed several DEPs were present among plasma exosomes in the four groups; DEPs were enriched in epilepsy-related function and pathway. Four key proteins were screened, including RPL6, Nucleolin (NCL), Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), and Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA). Among them, RPL6, NCL, and LDHA protein levels were downregulated and APOA1 protein level was upregulated in the plasma exosomes of TLE patients. After OXC and OXC. CLMD treatment, the protein level of RPL6, NCL, and LDHA was increased, and the APOA1 protein level was decreased. Moreover, the RPL6 protein level was further elevated after OXC. CLMD treatment than that after OXC treatment. In the TLE rat model, neuronal degeneration and necrosis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus increased and RPL6 expression level decreased. After the treatment with OXC, OXC. CLMD, and CLMD alone, the degeneration and necrosis of neurons decreased, and the RPL6 expression level was increased; RPL6 upregulation was remarkably obvious after CLMD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

RPL6, NCL, LDHA and APOA1 are the DEPs in the plasma exosomes of patients with TLE before and after therapy. RPL6 might be a potential biomarker of CLMD in treating TLE.

FRET Luminescent Probe for the Ratiometric Imaging of Peroxynitrite in Rat Brain Models of Epilepsy-Based on Organic Dye-Conjugated Iridium(III) Complex

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures globally, imposing a substantial burden on patients and their families. The pathological role of peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal hyperexcitability, is critical in epilepsy. However, the development of reliable, in situ, and real-time optical imaging tools to detect ONOO- in the brain encounters some challenges related to the depth of tissue penetration, background interference, optical bleaching, and spectral overlapping. To address these limitations, we present Ir-CBM, a new one-photon and two-photon excitable and long-lived ratiometric luminescent probe designed specifically for precise detection of ONOO- in epilepsy-based on the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism by combining an iridium(III) complex with an organic fluorophore. Ir-CBM possesses the advantages of rapid response, one-/two-photon excitation, and ratiometric luminescent imaging for monitoring the cellular levels of ONOO- and evaluating the effects of different therapeutic drugs on ONOO- in the brain of an epilepsy model rat. The development and utilization of Ir-CBM offer valuable insights into the design of ratiometric luminescent probes. Furthermore, Ir-CBM serves as a rapid imaging and screening tool for antiepileptic drugs, thereby accelerating the exploration of novel antiepileptic drug screening and improving preventive and therapeutic strategies in epilepsy research.

NCBP1 Improves Cognitive Function in Mice by Reducing Oxidative Stress, Neuronal Loss, and Glial Activation After Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe manifestation of epilepsy which can cause neurologic injury and death. This study aimed to identify key proteins involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and find a potential drug target for SE treatment. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic analysis was applied to screen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in epilepsy. The adeno-associated virus was employed to overexpress candidate DEP in mice, and kainic acid (KA) was used to generate a mouse model of epilepsy. Then histopathological examination of the hippocampal tissue was performed, and the inflammatory factors levels in serum and hippocampus were measured. The IP-MS analysis was carried out to identify the interacting protein of nuclear cap-binding protein 1 (NCBP1). The results were that NCBP1 was downregulated in the epileptic hippocampus. NCBP1 overexpression alleviated KA-induced cognitive impairment in mice and reduced the apoptosis and damage of hippocampal neurons. Additionally, overexpressed NCBP1 increased the expression of NeuN and reduced the expression of GFAP and IBA-1 in the hippocampus of the mice. Further study indicated that NCBP1 overexpression inhibited the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in serum and hippocampus as well as MDA and LDH in the hippocampus, whereas it increased the SOD levels, suggesting that overexpression of NCBP1 could diminish KA-induced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. The IP-MS analysis identified that ELAVL4 was the NCBP1-interacting protein. In conclusion, this finding suggests that NCBP1 may potentially serve as a drug target for the treatment of epilepsy.

Metabolomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic changes in adults with epilepsy on modified Atkins diet

OBJECTIVE

High-fat and low-carbohydrate diets can reduce seizure frequency in some treatment-resistant epilepsy patients, including the more flexible modified Atkins diet (MAD), which is more palatable, mimicking fasting and inducing high ketone body levels. Low-carbohydrate diets may shift brain energy production, particularly impacting neuron- and astrocyte-linked metabolism.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of short-term MAD on molecular mechanisms in adult epilepsy patients from surgical brain tissue and plasma compared to control participants consuming a nonmodified higher carbohydrate diet (n = 6 MAD, mean age = 43.7 years, range = 21-53, diet for average 10 days; n = 10 control, mean age = 41.9 years, range = 28-64).

RESULTS

By metabolomics, there were 13 increased metabolites in plasma (n = 15 participants with available specimens), which included 4.10-fold increased ketone body 3-hydroxybutyric acid, decreased palmitic acid in cortex (n = 16), and 11 decreased metabolites in hippocampus (n = 6), which had top associations with mitochondrial functions. Cortex and plasma 3-hydroxybutyric acid levels had a positive correlation (p = .0088, R2  = .48). Brain proteomics and RNAseq identified few differences, including 2.75-fold increased hippocampal MT-ND3 and trends (p < .01, false discovery rate > 5%) in hippocampal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-related signaling pathways (activated oxidative phosphorylation and inhibited sirtuin signaling).

SIGNIFICANCE

Short-term MAD was associated with metabolic differences in plasma and resected epilepsy brain tissue when compared to control participants, in combination with trending expression changes observed in hippocampal NADH-related signaling pathways. Future studies should evaluate how brain molecular mechanisms are altered with long-term MAD in a larger cohort of epilepsy patients, with correlations to seizure frequency, epilepsy syndrome, and other clinical variables. [Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02565966.].

Role of Ketogenic Diets in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Animal Models: An Updated Review

Prescribing a ketogenic diet (KD) is a century-old dietary intervention mainly used in the context of intractable epilepsy. The classic KD and its variants regained popularity in recent decades, and they are considered potentially beneficial in a variety of neurological conditions other than epilepsy. Many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have attempted diet modification for better control of their disease, although evidence thus far remains insufficient to recommend a specific diet for these patients. The results of 3 pilot clinical trials of KD therapy for MS, as well as several related studies, have been reported in recent years. The preliminary findings suggest that KD is safe, feasible, and potentially neuroprotective and disease-modifying for patients with MS. Research on corresponding rodent models has also lent support to the efficacy of KD in the prevention and treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and toxin-induced inflammatory demyelinating conditions in the brain. Furthermore, the animal studies have yielded mechanistic insights into the molecular mechanisms of KD action in relevant situations, paving the way for precision nutrition. Herein we review and synthesize recent advances and also identify unresolved issues, such as the roles of adipokines and gut microbiota, in this field. Hopefully this panoramic view of current understanding can inform future research directions and clinical practice with regard to KD in MS and related conditions.

Reproductive toxicity of dibutyl phthalate adsorbed on carbon nanotubes in male Balb/C mice

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is an environmental hormone disrupter. This study was designed to investigate whether DBP adsorbed in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can easily cross the blood-testis barrier and slow down the degradation of DBP in male mice, thereby prolonging the interference effect of DBP. The results showed that: in male Balb/C mice, the sperm density of the MWCNTs group and the DBP plus MWCNTs group decreased significantly (p < 0.05); and the sperm deformity rate increased significantly (p < 0.05). Testicular tissue sections from the combined exposure group showed that most of the seminiferous tubules were atrophied, there were more large gaps between the cells in the tubules, and the number of mature-sperm decreased. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels increased significantly in the combined exposure group (p < 0.01). Proteomics results showed that there were 231 differentially expressed proteins in the combined exposure group compared with the MWCNTs only group, and 69 differentially expressed proteins compared with the DBP group. GO enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins mainly include: 60s acid ribosomal protein P1; nuclear autoantigen sperm protein; centromere protein V; and other proteins related to cell division. These results indicate that MWCNTs with adsorbed DBP can increase oxidative damage in the testis of male mice, interfere with DNA replication and cell division in testicular tissue cells, induce cell apoptosis, and destroy the normal spermatogenic function of the testis.

Sleep Disruption Worsens Seizures: Neuroinflammation as a Potential Mechanistic Link

Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness, are common in people diagnosed with epilepsy. These disturbances can be attributed to nocturnal seizures, psychosocial factors, and/or the use of anti-epileptic drugs with sleep-modifying side effects. Epilepsy patients with poor sleep quality have intensified seizure frequency and disease progression compared to their well-rested counterparts. A better understanding of the complex relationship between sleep and epilepsy is needed, since approximately 20% of seizures and more than 90% of sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy occur during sleep. Emerging studies suggest that neuroinflammation, (e.g., the CNS immune response characterized by the change in expression of inflammatory mediators and glial activation) may be a potential link between sleep deprivation and seizures. Here, we review the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation induces neuroinflammation and propose that neuroinflammation synergizes with seizure activity to worsen neurodegeneration in the epileptic brain. Additionally, we highlight the relevance of sleep interventions, often overlooked by physicians, to manage seizures, prevent epilepsy-related mortality, and improve quality of life.

PRG5 Knockout Precipitates Late-Onset Hypersusceptibility to Pilocarpine-Induced Juvenile Seizures by Exacerbating Hippocampal Zinc Signaling-Mediated Mitochondrial Damage

Introduction

Epileptogenesis is understood as the plastic process that produces a persistent reorganization of the brain’s neural network after a precipitating injury (recurrent neonatal seizures, for instance) with a latent period, finally leading to neuronal hyperexcitability. Plasticity-related genes (PRGs), also known as lipid phosphate phosphatase-related proteins (PLPPRs), are regulators of mitochondrial membrane integrity and energy metabolism. This study was undertaken to determine whether PRG5 gene knockout contributes to the delayed hypersensitivity induced by developmental seizures and the aberrant sprouting of hippocampal mossy fibers, and to determine whether it is achieved through the mitochondrial pathway. Here, we developed a “twist” seizure model by coupling pilocarpine-induced juvenile seizures with later exposure to penicillin to test the long-term effects of PRG5 knockout on seizure latency through comparison with wild-type (WT) mice. Hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) was detected by Timm staining. In order to clarify the mechanism of the adverse reactions triggered by PRG5 knockout, hippocampal HT22 neuronal cultures were exposed to glutamate, with or without PRG5 interference. Mitochondrial function, oxidative stress indicators and zinc ion content were detected.

Results

PRG5 gene knockout significantly reduced the seizure latency, and aggravated the lowered seizure threshold induced by developmental seizures. Besides, knockout of the PRG5 gene reduced the MFS scores to a certain extent. Furthermore, PRG5 gene silencing significantly increases the zinc ion content in hippocampal neurons, impairs neuronal activity and mitochondrial function, and exacerbates glutamate-induced oxidative stress damage.

Conclusion

In summary, PRG5 KO is associated with significantly greater hypersusceptibility to juvenile seizures in PRG5^(–/–) mice compared with WT mice. These effects may be related to the hippocampal zinc signaling. The effects do not appear to be related to changes in MFS because KO mice with juvenile seizures had the shortest seizure latencies but exhibited less MFS than WT mice with juvenile seizures.

Altered Protein Profiles During Epileptogenesis in the Pilocarpine Mouse Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, spontaneous seizures and is a major contributor to the global burden of neurological disease. Although epilepsy can result from a variety of brain insults, in many cases the cause is unknown and, in a significant proportion of cases, seizures cannot be controlled by available treatments. Understanding the molecular alterations that underlie or are triggered by epileptogenesis would help to identify therapeutics to prevent or control progression to epilepsy. To this end, the moderate throughput technique of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) was used to profile changes in protein expression in a pilocarpine mouse model of acquired epilepsy. Levels of 54 proteins, comprising phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent components of major signaling pathways and cellular complexes, were measured in hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum of mice at six time points, spanning 15 min to 2 weeks after induction of status epilepticus. Results illustrate the time dependence of levels of the commonly studied MTOR pathway component, pS6, and show, for the first time, detailed responses during epileptogenesis of multiple components of the MTOR, MAPK, JAK/STAT and apoptosis pathways, NMDA receptors, and additional cellular complexes. Also noted are time- and brain region- specific changes in correlations among levels of functionally related proteins affecting both neurons and glia. While hippocampus and cortex are primary areas studied in pilocarpine-induced epilepsy, cerebellum also shows significant time-dependent molecular responses.