Propofol inhibits neuroinflammation and metabolic reprogramming in microglia in vitro and in vivo

Hidden role of microglia during neurodegenerative disorders and neurocritical care: A mitochondrial perspective

The incidence of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders and neurocritical care diseases is increasing worldwide. Microglia, the main inflammatory cells in the brain, could be potential viable therapeutic targets for treating neurological diseases. Interestingly, mitochondrial functions, including energy metabolism, mitophagy and transfer, fission and fusion, and mitochondrial DNA expression, also change in activated microglia. Notably, mitochondria play an active and important role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders and neurocritical care diseases. This review briefly summarizes the current knowledge on mitochondrial dysfunction in microglia in neurodegenerative disorders and neurocritical care diseases and comprehensively discusses the prospects of the application of neurological injury prevention and treatment targets by mitochondria.

Review on the Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Septic Encephalopathy

Septic Encephalopathy (SE) is a frequent and severe complication of sepsis, characterized by a range of neurocognitive impairments from mild confusion to deep coma. The underlying pathophysiology of SE involves systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Among these factors, mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role, contributing to impaired ATP production, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and activation of apoptotic pathways, all of which exacerbate neuronal damage and cognitive deficits. Diagnosis of SE relies on clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG), and laboratory tests, though specific diagnostic markers are still lacking. Epidemiological data show SE is prevalent in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, especially those with severe sepsis or septic shock, with incidence rates varying widely depending on the population and diagnostic criteria used. Recent research highlights the importance of mitochondrial dynamics, including biogenesis, fission, and fusion, in the development of SE. Mitophagy, a selective form of autophagy that degrades damaged mitochondria, plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial health and protecting against dysfunction. Targeting mitochondrial pathways and enhancing mitophagy offers a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate the effects of SE, reduce oxidative stress, prevent apoptosis, and support the resolution of neuroinflammation. Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in SE and develop effective interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Huanshaodan regulates microglial glucose metabolism reprogramming to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD mice through mTOR/HIF-1α signaling pathway

Abnormal glucose metabolism in microglial is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reprogramming of microglial glucose metabolism is centered on regulating the way in which microglial metabolize glucose to alter microglial function. Therefore, reprogramming microglial glucose metabolism is considered as a therapeutic strategy for AD. Huanshaodan (HSD) is a Chinese herbal compound which shows significant efficacy in treating AD, however, the precise mechanism by which HSD treats AD remains unclear. This study is aim to investigate whether HSD exerts anti-AD effects by regulating the metabolic reprogramming of microglial through the mTOR/HIF-1α signaling pathway. SAMP8 mice and BV2 cells were used to explore the alleviative effect of HSD on AD and the molecular mechanism in vivo and in vitro. The pharmacodynamic effects of HSD was evaluated by behavioral tests. The pathological deposition of Aβ in brain of mice was detected by immunohistochemistry. ELISA method was used to measure the activity of HK2 and the expression of PKM2, IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus and cortex tissues of mice. Meanwhile, proteins levels of p-mTOR, mTOR, HIF-1α, CD86, Arg1 and IL-1β were detected by Western-blot. LPS-induced BV2 cells were treated with HSD-containing serum. The analysis of the expression profiles of the CD86 and CD206 markers by flow cytometry allows us to distinguish the BV2 polarization. Glucose, lactic acid, ATP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, as well as lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase activities were evaluated in the BV2. Western-blot analysis was employed to detect mTOR, p-mTOR, HIF-1α and IL-1β levels in BV2. And the mTOR agonist MHY1485 (MHY) was chosen to reverse validate. In this study, it is found that HSD improved cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice and reduced Aβ deposition, suppressed the levels of glycolysis and neuroinflammation in mice. In LPS-induced BV2 cells, HSD also regulated glycolysis and neuroinflammation, and suppressed the mTOR/HIF-1α signaling pathway. More importantly, these effects were reversed by MHY. It is demonstrated that HSD regulated microglial glucose metabolism reprogramming by inhibiting the mTOR/HIF-1α signaling pathway, alleviated neuroinflammation, and exerted anti-AD effects. This study provided scientific evidence for the clinical application of HSD for treating AD.

Carbon Nanodots Inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Endothelial Inflammation through Scavenging Hydrogen Peroxide and Upregulating Antioxidant Gene Expression in EA.hy926 Endothelial Cells

Carbon nanodots (CNDs) are a new type of nanomaterial with a size of less than 10 nanometers and excellent biocompatibility, widely used in fields such as biological imaging, transmission, diagnosis, and drug delivery. However, its potential and mechanism to mediate endothelial inflammation have yet to be explored. Here, we report that the uptake of CNDs by EA.hy926 endothelial cells is both time and dose dependent. The concentration of CNDs used in this experiment was found to not affect cell viability. TNF-α is a known biomarker of vascular inflammation. Cells treated with CNDs for 24 h significantly inhibited TNF-α (0.5 ng/mL)-induced expression of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). ICAM-1 and IL-8 are two key molecules responsible for the activation and the firm adhesion of monocytes to activated endothelial cells for the initiation of atherosclerosis. ROS, such as hydrogen peroxide, play an important role in TNF-α-induced inflammation. Interestingly, we found that CNDs effectively scavenged H2O2 in a dose-dependent manner. CNDs treatment also increased the activity of the antioxidant enzyme NQO1 in EA.hy926 endothelial cells indicating the antioxidant properties of CNDs. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of CNDs may be due to the direct H2O2 scavenging properties of CNDs and the indirect upregulation of antioxidant enzyme NQO1 activity in endothelial cells. In conclusion, CND can inhibit TNF-α-induced endothelial inflammation, possibly due to its direct scavenging of H2O2 and the indirect upregulation of antioxidant enzyme NQO1 activity in endothelial cells.