The Role of Vitamins in Neurodegenerative Disease: An Update

Correlation between 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and Parkinson's disease

Background

Previous cross-sectional studies have shown that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations than controls. Other studies have not yet tested whether research findings from other regions are generalizable to Chinese populations. In this case-control study, we examined the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and Parkinson's disease.

Methods

We established an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and PD in a case-control study of 100 PD patients and 100 control subjects free of neurological disease at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University.

Results

Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were deficient in 21 % of patients with PD compared with 4 % of controls. In univariate analyses, plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were associated with PD (p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) was significantly associated with PD (p = 0.008, Odds Ratio =17.13, 95 % CI= 2.082-141.075). Individuals with 25(OH)D levels in the lowest quartile had the highest prevalence of PD (p = 0.026, OR=11.786, 95 % CI =1.342-103.51 compared to individuals with values in the highest quartile).

Conclusions

Our study reveals an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PD. Patients with incident PD had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations than age-matched controls. High-risk PD patients with vitamin D deficiency who have not yet developed exercise impairment should undergo vitamin D measurement and any necessary treatment as soon as possible. Limitations of the study: the study needs further assessment of populations with low vitamin D levels in other regions of China; further assessment of the effect of different sources of vitamin D on PD; further study of longitudinal cohorts at different time points.

Agmatine mitigates behavioral abnormalities and neurochemical dysregulation associated with 3-Nitropropionic acid-induced Huntington's disease in rats

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by a severe motor incoordination, cognitive decline, and psychiatric complications. However, a definitive cure for this devastating disorder remains elusive. Agmatine, a biogenic amine, has gain attention for its reported neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties. The present study was designed to examine the influence of agmatine on the behavioral, biochemical, and molecular aspects of HD in an animal model. A mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitro propionic acid (3-NP), was used to induce HD phenotype and similar symptoms such as motor incoordination, memory impairment, neuro-inflammation, and depressive-like behavior in rats. Rats were pre-treated with 3-NP (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 and then continued on agmatine treatment (5 - 20 µg/rat, i.c.v.) from day-8 to day-27 of the treatment protocol. 3-NP-induced cognitive impairment was associated with declined in agmatine levels within prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. Further, the 3-NP-treated rats showed an increase in IL-6 and TNF-α and a reduction in BDNF immunocontent within these brain areas. Agmatine treatment not only improved the 3-NP-induced motor incoordination, depression-like behavior, rota-rod performance, and learning and memory impairment but also normalized the GABA/glutamate, BDNF, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in discrete brain areas. Similarly, various agmatine modulators, which increase the endogenous agmatine levels in the brain, such as L-arginine (biosynthetic precursor), aminoguanidine (diamine oxidase inhibitor), and arcaine (agmatinase inhibitor) also demonstrated similar effects exhibiting the importance of endogenous agmatinergic pathway in the pathogenesis of 3-NP-induced HD like symptoms. The present study proposed the possible role of agmatine in the pathogenesis and treatment of HD associated motor incoordination, and psychiatric and cognitive complications.

Brain-Periphery Interactions in Huntington's Disease: Mediators and Lifestyle Interventions

Prominent pathological features of Huntington's disease (HD) are aggregations of mutated Huntingtin protein (mHtt) in the brain and neurodegeneration, which causes characteristic motor (such as chorea and dystonia) and non-motor symptoms. However, the numerous systemic and peripheral deficits in HD have gained increasing attention recently, since those factors likely modulate disease progression, including brain pathology. While whole-body metabolic abnormalities and organ-specific pathologies in HD have been relatively well described, the potential mediators of compromised inter-organ communication in HD have been insufficiently characterized. Therefore, we applied an exploratory literature search to identify such mediators. Unsurprisingly, dysregulation of inflammatory factors, circulating mHtt, and many other messenger molecules (hormones, lipids, RNAs) were found that suggest impaired inter-organ communication, including of the gut-brain and muscle-brain axis. Based on these findings, we aimed to assess the risks and potentials of lifestyle interventions that are thought to improve communication across these axes: dietary strategies and exercise. We conclude that appropriate lifestyle interventions have great potential to reduce symptoms and potentially modify disease progression (possibly via improving inter-organ signaling) in HD. However, impaired systemic metabolism and peripheral symptoms warrant particular care in the design of dietary and exercise programs for people with HD.

Inhibitors of amyloid fibril formation

Many diseases are caused by misfolded and denatured proteins, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. In recent decades researchers have developed a variety of compounds, including polymeric inhibitors and natural compounds, antibodies, and chaperones, to inhibit protein aggregation, decrease the toxic effects of amyloid fibrils, and facilitate refolding proteins. The causes and mechanisms of amyloid formation are still unclear, and there are no effective treatments for Amyloid diseases. This section describes research and achievements in the field of inhibiting amyloid accumulation and also discusses the importance of various strategies in facilitating the removal of aggregates species (refolding) in the treatment of neurological diseases such as chemical methods like as, small molecules, metal chelators, polymeric inhibitors, and nanomaterials, as well as the use of biomolecules (peptide and, protein, nucleic acid, and saccharide) as amyloid inhibitors, are also highlighted.

Parkinson's disease and vitamins: a focus on vitamin B12

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been linked to a vast array of vitamins among which vitamin B12 (Vit B12) is the most relevant and often investigated specially in the context of intrajejunal levodopa infusion therapy. Vit B12 deficiency, itself, has been reported to cause acute parkinsonism. Nevertheless, concrete mechanisms through which B12 deficiency interacts with PD in terms of pathophysiology, clinical manifestation and progression remains unclear. Recent studies have suggested that Vit B12 deficiency along with the induced hyperhomocysteinemia are correlated with specific PD phenotypes characterized with early postural instability and falls and more rapid motor progression, cognitive impairment, visual hallucinations and autonomic dysfunction. Specific clinical features such as polyneuropathy have also been linked to Vit B12 deficiency specifically in context of intrajejunal levodopa therapy. In this review, we explore the link between Vit B12 and PD in terms of physiopathology regarding dysfunctional neural pathways, neuropathological processes as well as reviewing the major clinical traits of Vit B12 deficiency in PD and Levodopa-mediated neuropathy. Finally, we provide an overview of the therapeutic effect of Vit B12 supplementation in PD and posit a practical guideline for Vit B12 testing and supplementation.

bootGSEA: a bootstrap and rank aggregation pipeline for multi-study and multi-omics enrichment analyses

Introduction: Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) subsequent to differential expression analysis is a standard step in transcriptomics and proteomics data analysis. Although many tools for this step are available, the results are often difficult to reproduce because set annotations can change in the databases, that is, new features can be added or existing features can be removed. Finally, such changes in set compositions can have an impact on biological interpretation. Methods: We present bootGSEA, a novel computational pipeline, to study the robustness of GSEA. By repeating GSEA based on bootstrap samples, the variability and robustness of results can be studied. In our pipeline, not all genes or proteins are involved in the different bootstrap replicates of the analyses. Finally, we aggregate the ranks from the bootstrap replicates to obtain a score per gene set that shows whether it gains or loses evidence compared to the ranking of the standard GSEA. Rank aggregation is also used to combine GSEA results from different omics levels or from multiple independent studies at the same omics level. Results: By applying our approach to six independent cancer transcriptomics datasets, we showed that bootstrap GSEA can aid in the selection of more robust enriched gene sets. Additionally, we applied our approach to paired transcriptomics and proteomics data obtained from a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disease associated with multi-system involvement. After obtaining a robust ranking at both omics levels, both ranking lists were combined to aggregate the findings from the transcriptomics and proteomics results. Furthermore, we constructed the new R-package "bootGSEA," which implements the proposed methods and provides graphical views of the findings. Bootstrap-based GSEA was able in the example datasets to identify gene or protein sets that were less robust when the set composition changed during bootstrap analysis. Discussion: The rank aggregation step was useful for combining bootstrap results and making them comparable to the original findings on the single-omics level or for combining findings from multiple different omics levels.

Mind over Microbes: Investigating the Interplay between Lifestyle Factors, Gut Microbiota, and Brain Health

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiota (GM) of the human body comprises several species of microorganisms. This microorganism plays a significant role in the physiological and pathophysiological processes of various human diseases.

METHODS

The literature review includes studies that describe causative factors that influence GM. The GM is sensitive to various factors like circadian rhythms, environmental agents, physical activity, nutrition, and hygiene that together impact the functioning and composition of the gut microbiome. This affects the health of the host, including the psycho-neural aspects, due to the interconnectivity between the brain and the gut. Hence, this paper examines the relationship of GM with neurodegenerative disorders in the context of these aforesaid factors.

CONCLUSION

Future studies that identify the regulatory pathways associated with gut microbes can provide a causal link between brain degeneration and the gut at a molecular level. Together, this review could be helpful in designing preventive and treatment strategies aimed at GM, so that neurodegenerative diseases can be treated.

Impact of micronutrients and nutraceuticals on cognitive function and performance in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major global health problem today and is the most common form of dementia. AD is characterized by the formation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary clusters, leading to decreased brain acetylcholine levels in the brain. Another mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of AD is the abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein that accumulates at the level of neurofibrillary aggregates, and the areas most affected by this pathological process are usually the cholinergic neurons in cortical, subcortical, and hippocampal areas. These effects result in decreased cognitive function, brain atrophy, and neuronal death. Malnutrition and weight loss are the most frequent manifestations of AD, and these are also associated with greater cognitive decline. Several studies have confirmed that a balanced low-calorie diet and proper nutritional intake may be considered important factors in counteracting or slowing the progression of AD, whereas a high-fat or hypercholesterolemic diet predisposes to an increased risk of developing AD. Especially, fruits, vegetables, antioxidants, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and micronutrients supplementation exert positive effects on aging-related changes in the brain due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and radical scavenging properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize some possible nutritional factors that may contribute to the progression or prevention of AD, understand the role that nutrition plays in the formation of Aβ plaques typical of this neurodegenerative disease, to identify some potential therapeutic strategies that may involve some natural compounds, in delaying the progression of the disease.

Hypothermia Attenuates Neurotoxic Microglial Activation via TRPV4

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) provides neuroprotection. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of TH are not fully elucidated. Regulation of microglial activation has the potential to treat a variety of nervous system diseases. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a nonselective cation channel, is activated by temperature stimulus at 27-35 °C. Although it is speculated that TRPV4 is associated with the neuroprotective mechanisms of TH, the role of TRPV4 in the neuroprotective effects of TH is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether hypothermia attenuates microglial activation via TRPV4 channels. Cultured microglia were incubated under normothermic (37 °C) or hypothermic (33.5 °C) conditions following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Hypothermic conditions suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the number of phagocytic microglia. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-NF-κB signaling was inhibited under hypothermic conditions. Furthermore, hypothermia reduced neuronal damage induced by LPS-treated microglial cells. Treatment with TRPV4 antagonist in normothermic culture replicated the suppressive effects of hypothermia on microglial activation and microglia-induced neuronal damage. In contrast, treatment with a TRPV4 agonist in hypothermic culture reversed the suppressive effect of hypothermia. These findings suggest that TH suppresses microglial activation and microglia-induced neuronal damage via the TRPV4-AMPK-NF-κB pathway. Although more validation is needed to consider differences according to age, sex, and specific central nervous system regions, our findings may offer a novel therapeutic approach to complement TH.

A Combinational Therapy for Preventing and Delaying the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease: A Focus on Probiotic and Vitamin Co-Supplementation

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a complex etiology, and effective interventions to prevent or delay its onset remain a global health challenge. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential role of probiotic and vitamin supplementation as complementary strategies for Alzheimer's disease prevention. This review paper explores the current scientific literature on the use of probiotics and vitamins, particularly vitamin A, D, E, K, and B-complex vitamins, in the context of Alzheimer's disease prevention and management. We delve into the mechanisms through which probiotics may modulate gut-brain interactions and neuroinflammation while vitamins play crucial roles in neuronal health and cognitive function. The paper also examines the collective impact of this combinational therapy on reducing the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. By providing a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence and potential mechanisms, this review aims to shed light on the promise of probiotic and vitamin co-supplementation as a multifaceted approach to combat Alzheimer's disease, offering insights into possible avenues for future research and clinical application.

Gut Symptoms, Gut Dysbiosis and Gut-Derived Toxins in ALS

Many pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recently, there have been emerging suggestions of a possible role for the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota have a range of functions and could influence ALS by several mechanisms. Here, we review the possible role of gut-derived neurotoxins/excitotoxins. We review the evidence of gut symptoms and gut dysbiosis in ALS. We then examine a possible role for gut-derived toxins by reviewing the evidence that these molecules are toxic to the central nervous system, evidence of their association with ALS, the existence of biochemical pathways by which these molecules could be produced by the gut microbiota and existence of mechanisms of transport from the gut to the blood and brain. We then present evidence that there are increased levels of these toxins in the blood of some ALS patients. We review the effects of therapies that attempt to alter the gut microbiota or ameliorate the biochemical effects of gut toxins. It is possible that gut dysbiosis contributes to elevated levels of toxins and that these could potentially contribute to ALS pathogenesis, but more work is required.

Dietary vitamin E intake and risk of Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study

Objective

Current evidence on the association between dietary vitamin E intake and the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited. The aim of the study was to explore the association of dietary vitamin E intake with PD in the United States among adults over 40 years.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with data collected from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2018. A total of the sample of 13,340 participants were included. To identify the different characteristics of the participants, we utilized propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce the effects of selection bias and confounding variables. Weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the association between dietary vitamin E intake and PD before and after matching. Then, restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to visually describe the possible non-linear relationships. Finally, we employed the subgroup analysis to further investigate the relationship between dietary vitamin E intake and PD.

Results

According to the weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, vitamin E intake was inversely associated with the risk of PD before and after matching. The results of RCS analysis revealed no non-linear inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and PD before and after matching. The subgroup analysis showed that age may influence the negative association between vitamin E and PD (P < 0.05 for interaction).

Conclusion

Among participants over 40 years of age, vitamin E intake was negatively associated with the risk of PD. Our data may support the supplementation of vitamin E to be used as an intervention strategy for the occurrence of PD.

METTL3-deficiency Suppresses Neural Apoptosis to Induce Protective Effects in Cerebral I/R Injury via Inhibiting RNA m6A Modifications: A Pre-clinical and Pilot Study

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation involves in regulating the initiation, progression and aggravation of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, however, the detailed functions and mechanisms by which m6A drives cerebral I/R injury are not fully understood. This study found that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) m6A-dependently regulated cerebral I/R injury trough regulating a novel LncRNA ABHD11-AS1/miR-1301-3p/HIF1AN/HIF-1α axis. Specifically, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)/reperfusion mice models and glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation (RX) astrocyte cell models were respectively established, and we verified that METTL3, ABHD11-AS1 and HIF1AN were upregulated, whereas miR-1301-3p and HIF-1α were downregulated in both MCAO/reperfusion mice tissues and OGD/RX astrocytes. Mechanical experiments confirmed that METTL3 m6A dependently increased stability and expression levels of ABHD11-AS1, and elevated ABHD11-AS1 sponged miR-1301-3p to upregulate HIF1AN, resulting in the downregulation of HIF-1α. Moreover, silencing of METTL3 rescued MCAO/reperfusion and OGD/RX-induced oxidative stress-associated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in both mice brain tissues in vivo and the mouse primary astrocytes in vitro, which were abrogated by overexpressing ABHD11-AS1 and downregulating miR-1301-3p. Taken together, our study firstly reported a novel METTL3/m6A/ ABHD11-AS1/miR-1301-3p/HIF1AN/HIF-1α signaling cascade in regulating the progression of cerebral I/R injury, and future work will focus on investigating whether the above genes can be used as biomarkers for the treatment of cerebral I/R injury by performing clinical studies.

Amyloidogenic and Neuroinflammatory Molecular Pathways Are Contrasted Using Menaquinone 4 (MK4) and Reduced Menaquinone 7 (MK7R) in Association with Increased DNA Methylation in SK-N-BE Neuroblastoma Cell Line

Besides its role in coagulation, vitamin K seems to be involved in various other mechanisms, including inflammation and age-related diseases, also at the level of gene expression. This work examined the roles of two vitamin K2 (menaquinones) vitamers, namely, menaquinone-4 (MK4) and reduced menaquinone-7 (MK7R), as gene modulator compounds, as well as their potential role in the epigenetic regulation of genes involved in amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation. The SK-N-BE human neuroblastoma cells provided a "first-line" model for screening the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative molecular pathways. MK7R, being a new vitamin K form, was first tested in terms of solubilization, uptake and cell viability, together with MK4 as an endogenous control. We assessed the expression of key factors in amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation, observing that the MK7R treatment was associated with the downregulation of neurodegeneration- (PSEN1 and BACE1) and neuroinflammation- (IL-1β and IL-6) associated genes, whereas genes retaining protective roles toward amiloidogenesis were upregulated (ADAM10 and ADAM17). By profiling the DNA methylation patterns of genes known to be epigenetically regulated, we observed a correlation between hypermethylation and the downregulation of PSEN1, IL-1β and IL-6. These results suggest a possible role of MK7R in the treatment of cognitive impairment, giving a possible base for further preclinical experiments in animal models of neurodegenerative disease.

Does hazelnut consumption affect brain health and function against neurodegenerative diseases?

INTRODUCTION

A healthy daily diet and consuming certain nutrients, such as polyphenols, vitamins, and unsaturated fatty acids, may help neuronal health maintenance. Polyphenolic chemicals, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are involved in the neuroprotective pathway. Because of their nutritional value, nuts have been shown in recent research to be helpful in neuroprotection.

OBJECTIVE

Hazelnut is often consumed worldwide in various items, including processed foods, particularly in bakery, chocolate, and confectionery products. This nut is an excellent source of vitamins, amino acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, polyphenols, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Consuming hazelnut may attenuate the risk of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities.

RESULTS

Many documents introduce hazelnut as an excellent choice to provide neuroprotection against neurodegenerative disorders and there is some direct proof of its neuroprotective effects.

DISCUSSION

So hazelnut consumption in daily diet may reduce neurodegenerative disease risk and be advantageous in reducing the imposed costs of dealing with neurodegenerative diseases.

A systematic review for the development of Alzheimer's disease in in vitro models: a focus on different inducing agents

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disease and is associated with dementia. Presently, various chemical and environmental agents are used to induce in-vitro models of Alzheimer disease to investigate the efficacy of different therapeutic drugs. We screened literature from databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google scholar, emphasizing the diverse targeting mechanisms of neuro degeneration explored in in-vitro models. The results revealed studies in which different types of chemicals and environmental agents were used for in-vitro development of Alzheimer-targeting mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Studies using chemically induced in-vitro AD models included in this systematic review will contribute to a deeper understanding of AD. However, none of these models can reproduce all the characteristics of disease progression seen in the majority of Alzheimer's disease subtypes. Additional modifications would be required to replicate the complex conditions of human AD in an exact manner. In-vitro models of Alzheimer's disease developed using chemicals and environmental agents are instrumental in providing insights into the disease's pathophysiology; therefore, chemical-induced in-vitro AD models will continue to play vital role in future AD research. This systematic screening revealed the pivotal role of chemical-induced in-vitro AD models in advancing our understanding of AD pathophysiology and is therefore important to understand the potential of these chemicals in AD pathogenesis.

Exploring the Connectivity of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Microglia as the Center

Degenerative diseases affect people's life and health and cause a severe social burden. Relevant mechanisms of microglia have been studied, aiming to control and reduce degenerative disease occurrence effectively. This review discussed the specific mechanisms underlying microglia in neurodegenerative diseases, age-related hearing loss, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral nervous system (PNS) degenerative diseases. It also reviewed the studies of microglia inhibitors (PLX3397/PLX5622) and activators (lipopolysaccharide), and suggested that reducing microglia can effectively curb the genesis and progression of degenerative diseases. Finally, microglial cells' anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory dual role was considered the critical communication point in central and peripheral degenerative diseases. Although it is difficult to describe the complex morphological structure of microglia in a unified manner, this does not prevent them from being a target for future treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

scAAV9-VEGF alleviates symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice through regulating aromatase

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, chronic, progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive atrophy and weakness of the muscles throughout the body. Herein, we found that the intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered VEGF in SOD1-G93A transgenic mice, as well as ALS mice, could significantly delay disease onset and preserve motor functions and neurological functions, thus prolonging the survival of mice models. Moreover, we found that VEGF treatment could induce the elevated expression of aromatase, which is a key enzyme in estrogen synthesis, in neurons but not in astrocytes. On the other hand, the changes in the expression of oxidative stress-related factors HO-1 and GCLM and autophagy-related proteins p62 and LC3II upon the administration of VEGF revealed the involvement of oxidative stress and autophagy underlying the downstream of the VEGF-induced mitigation of ALS. In conclusion, this study proved the protective effects of VEGF in the onset and development of ALS and revealed the involvement of estrogen, oxidative stress and autophagy in the VEGF-induced alleviation of ALS. Our results highlighted the potential of VEGF as a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of ALS.

Stroke risk in multiple sclerosis: a critical appraisal of the literature

Observational studies suggest that the occurrence of stroke on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is higher compared to the general population. MS is a heterogeneous disease that involves an interplay of genetic, environmental and immune factors. The occurrence of stroke is subject to a wide range of both modifiable and non-modifiable, short- and long-term risk factors. Both MS and stroke share common risk factors. The immune mechanisms that underlie stroke are similar to neurodegenerative diseases and are attributed to neuroinflammation. The inflammation in autoimmune diseases may, therefore, predispose to an increased risk for stroke or potentiate the effect of conventional stroke risk factors. There are, however, additional determinants that contribute to a higher risk and incidence of stroke in MS. Due to the challenges that are associated with their differential diagnosis, the objective is to present an overview of the factors that may contribute to increased susceptibility or occurrence of stroke in MSpatients by performing a review of the available to date literature. As both MS and stroke can individually detrimentally affect the quality of life of afflicted patients, the identification of factors that contribute to an increased risk for stroke in MS is crucial for the prompt implementation of preventative therapeutic measures to limit the additive burden that stroke imposes.

Static posturography analysis for postural instability in patients with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is initially characterized by a rigid-akinetic syndrome and later by the development of postural instability. This condition often leads to balance impairments, potentially resulting in postural deformities and foot asymmetry. This study aimed to assess balance changes in PD patients.

METHODS

We evaluated 56 PD patients and 30 controls using static posturography. The variables examined included foot type, the primary region of body weight distribution on the plantar surface, statokinesigram (center of pressure [COP]), and stabilogram (COP in the X- and Y-axes).

RESULTS

PD patients exhibited a high prevalence of pes cavus (92.8%) (p < 0.001) and greater weight distribution toward the hindfoot. In all assessments, COP sway areas were significantly larger in PD patients (p < 0.001). The total COP area increased in the non-fall group during the foot parallel assessment and in the X-axis in the fall group with eyes open (p = 0.046) and closed (p = 0.023). Significant correlations between body weight discharge on the plantar area and COP sway were observed, particularly in the non-postural instability group in the COP X-axis with feet parallel and eyes open on the more rigid limb and in the postural instability group in the Y-axis with feet parallel and eyes open on the more rigid limb and with eyes closed bilaterally.

CONCLUSION

Progressive rigidity may disrupt compensatory mechanisms, altering foot morphology, shifting body weight discharge posteriorly, and increasing COP sway. This cascade of events results in impaired balance and an elevated risk of falls.

The Role of Micronutrients in Neurological Disorders

Trace elements and vitamins, collectively known as micronutrients, are essential for basic metabolic reactions in the human body. Their deficiency or, on the contrary, an increased amount can lead to serious disorders. Research in recent years has shown that long-term abnormal levels of micronutrients may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of some neurological diseases. Acute and chronic alterations in micronutrient levels may cause other serious complications in neurological diseases. Our aim was to summarize the knowledge about micronutrients in relation to selected neurological diseases and comment on their importance and the possibilities of therapeutic intervention in clinical practice.

Bioinorganic Chemistry of Micronutrients Related to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases

Metal ions are fundamental to guarantee the regular physiological activity of the human organism. Similarly, vitamins play a key role in many biological functions of the metabolism, among which are coenzymes, redox mediators, and antioxidants. Due to their importance in the human organism, both metals and vitamins have been extensively studied for their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). However, the full potential of the interaction between vitamins and metal ions has not been fully explored by researchers yet, and further investigation on this topic is needed. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the scientific literature on the implications of vitamins and selected metal ions in two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, vitamin-metal ion interactions are discussed in detail focusing on their bioinorganic chemistry, with the perspective of arousing more interest in this fascinating bioinorganic field.

The Promise of Niacin in Neurology

Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential nutrient that treats pellagra, and prior to the advent of statins, niacin was commonly used to counter dyslipidemia. Recent evidence has posited niacin as a promising therapeutic for several neurological disorders. In this review, we discuss the biochemistry of niacin, including its homeostatic roles in NAD+ supplementation and metabolism. Niacin also has roles outside of metabolism, largely through engaging hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (Hcar2). These receptor-mediated activities of niacin include regulation of immune responses, phagocytosis of myelin debris after demyelination or of amyloid beta in models of Alzheimer's disease, and cholesterol efflux from cells. We describe the neurological disorders in which niacin has been investigated or has been proposed as a candidate medication. These are multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, glioblastoma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Finally, we explore the proposed mechanisms through which niacin may ameliorate neuropathology. While several questions remain, the prospect of niacin as a therapeutic to alleviate neurological impairment is promising.

Is fat the future for saving sight? Bioactive lipids and their impact on glaucoma

Glaucoma is characterized by a continuous loss of retinal ganglion cells. The cause of glaucoma is associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), but the underlying pathophysiology is diverse and, in most cases, unknown. There is an indisputable unmet need to identify new pathways involved in glaucoma pathogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that bioactive lipids may be critical in the development and progression of glaucoma. Preclinical and clinical bioactive lipid targets exist and are being developed. In this review, we aim to shed light on the potential of bioactive lipids for the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of glaucoma by asking the question "is fat the future for saving sight".

Low-dose curcumin enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and memory retention in young mice

Adult neurogenesis generates new functional neurons from adult neural stem cells in various regions, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and subgranular zone (SGZ) of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Available evidence shows hippocampal neurogenesis can be negatively or positively regulated by dietary components. In a previous study, we reported that curcumin (diferuloylmethane; a polyphenolic found in curry spice) stimulates the proliferation of embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) by activating adaptive cellular stress responses. Here, we investigated whether subchronic administration of curcumin (once daily at 0.4, 2, or 10 mg/kg for 14 days) promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and neurocognitive function in young (5-week-old) mice. Oral administration of low-dose curcumin (0.4 mg/kg) increased the proliferation and survival of newly generated cells in hippocampus, but surprisingly, high-dose curcumin (10 mg/kg) did not effectively upregulate the proliferation or survival of newborn cells. Furthermore, hippocampal BDNF levels and phosphorylated CREB activity were elevated in only low-dose curcumin-treated mice. Passive avoidance testing revealed that low-dose curcumin increased cross-over latency times, indicating enhanced memory retention, and an in vitro study showed that low-concentration curcumin increased the proliferative activity of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by upregulating NF1X levels. Collectively, our findings suggest that low-dose curcumin has neurogenic effects and that it may prevent age and neurodegenerative disease-related cognitive deficits.

Integrated multi-omics analysis of Alzheimer's disease shows molecular signatures associated with disease progression and potential therapeutic targets

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques implicated in neuronal death. Genetics, age, and sex are the risk factors attributed to AD. Though omics studies have helped to identify pathways associated with AD, an integrated systems analysis with the available data could help to understand mechanisms, potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Analysis of transcriptomic data sets from the GEO database, and proteomic and metabolomic data sets from literature was performed to identify deregulated pathways and commonality analysis identified overlapping pathways among the data sets. The deregulated pathways included those of neurotransmitter synapses, oxidative stress, inflammation, vitamins, complement, and coagulation pathways. Cell type analysis of GEO data sets showed microglia, endothelial, myeloid, and lymphoid cells are affected. Microglia are associated with inflammation and pruning of synapses with implications for memory and cognition. Analysis of the protein-cofactor network of B2, B6, and pantothenate shows metabolic pathways modulated by these vitamins which overlap with the deregulated pathways from the multi-omics analysis. Overall, the integrated analysis identified the molecular signature associated with AD. Treatment with anti-oxidants, B2, B6, and pantothenate in genetically susceptible individuals in the pre-symptomatic stage might help in better management of the disease.

Association between Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Serum Levels of Ketone Bodies and Vitamin D, Thyroid Function, and Iron Metabolism

Suicide due to postpartum depression is the most common perinatal-related death and is a social concern in Japan. Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy may contribute to postpartum depression; therefore, we investigated the relationship between postpartum depression and nutritional status during pregnancy and postpartum. We focused specifically on ketone bodies because they are known to protect brain cells. The relationship between the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores and the serum levels of ketone bodies and vitamin D, thyroid function, and iron metabolism was examined. Overall, 126 pregnant women were identified for the study, and 99 were eventually included in the analysis. We defined an EPDS score of ≥9 as being positive for postpartum depression, and serum ketone levels were found to be higher in the group with an EPDS score of ≥9 during the second trimester; however, there were no other significant findings. We may be able to predict postpartum depression from a pregnant woman's serum ketone levels in the second trimester. There was a positive correlation between the EPDS scores at 3 days and 1 month postpartum (r = 0.534, p < 0.001). EPDS scores assessed in the early postpartum period may be useful for the timely detection of postpartum depression.

A Comprehensive Study: Traditional and Cutting-Edge Analytical Techniques for the Biomarker Based Detection of the Micronutrients & POC Sensing Directions for Next-Generation Diagnostic

Micronutrient deficiency is wide spread and highly affects morbidity, mortality, and well-being of human beings. Micronutrient deficiency gradually manifests into diseases, which effects pathophysiology directly or indirectly. There is an imprecision in the diagnosis of micronutrient deficiency because of two causes; the selection of the standard biomarker and the diagnostic technique used. In appropriate diagnosis could increase the severity of the disorder. Instead of a single a combination of biomarkers can give more stringent results for micronutrient testing. Several traditional analytical techniques are used for diagnosis but HPLC, ELISA & LCMS/MS are most sensitive and reliable methods used by CLSIA-certified labs. However, these techniques require well-equipped, centralized laboratory facilities. The diagnostic era moves toward the Point of Care Testing (POCT), a boon in emerging diagnostics, breaking all paradigms of traditional analytical techniques. POCT led us toward the development of biosensors, which encompasses many techniques like paper-based sensors, microfluidic chip, wearable devices, and smartphone-assisted diagnostics, which become more popular diagnostic tools. This outlook summarizes the micronutrients like vitamins A, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 C, D, and E and Minerals like iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and sodium; along with its biomarkers, analytical techniques, and point of care innovation in micronutrients.

Vitamin D and neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, featured by progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, are considered incurable at present. Movement disorders like tremor and postural instability, cognitive or behavioral disorders such as memory impairment are the most common symptoms of them and the growing patient population of neurodegenerative diseases poses a serious threat to public health and a burden on economic development. Hence, it is vital to prevent the occurrence of the diseases and delay their progress. Vitamin D can be transformed into a hormone in vivo with both genomic and non-genomic actions, exerting diverse physiological effects. Cumulative evidence indicates that vitamin D can ameliorate neurodegeneration by regulating pertinent molecules and signaling pathways including maintaining Ca²⁺ homeostasis, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, suppressing the formation and aggregation of the pathogenic protein, etc. This review updates discoveries of molecular mechanisms underlying biological functions of vitamin D in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and vascular dementia. Clinical trials investigating the influence of vitamin D supplementation in patients with neurodegenerative diseases are also summarized. The synthesized information will probably provoke an enhanced understanding of the neuroprotective roles of vitamin D in the nervous system and provide therapeutic options for patients with neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

The role of dietary antioxidants in type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders: An assessment of the benefit profile

Healthy diet is vital to cellular health. The human body succumbs to numerous diseases which afflict severe economic and psychological burdens on the patient and family. Oxidative stress is a possible crucial regulator of various pathologies, including type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. It generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger the dysregulation of essential cellular functions, ultimately affecting cellular health and homeostasis. However, lower levels of ROS can be advantageous and are implicated in a variety of signaling pathways. Due to this dichotomy, the terms oxidative "eustress," which refers to a good oxidative event, and "distress," which can be hazardous, have developed. ROS affects multiple signaling pathways, leading to compromised insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction in diabetes. ROS is also associated with increased mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation, aggravating neurodegenerative conditions in the body, particularly with age. Treatment includes drugs/therapies often associated with dependence, side effects including non-selectivity, and possible toxicity, particularly in the long run. It is imperative to explore alternative medicines as an adjunct therapy, utilizing natural remedies/resources to avoid all the possible harms. Antioxidants are vital components of our body that fight disease by reducing oxidative stress or nullifying the excess toxic free radicals produced under various pathological conditions. In this review, we focus on the antioxidant effects of components of dietary foods such as tea, coffee, wine, oils, and honey and the role and mechanism of action of these antioxidants in alleviating type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. We aim to provide information about possible alternatives to drug treatments used alone or combined to reduce drug intake and encourage the consumption of natural ingredients at doses adequate to promote health and combat pathologies while reducing unwanted risks and side effects.

Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Can Reverse Vitamin D Deficiency-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment by Altering 27-Hydroxycholesterol and S-Adenosylmethionine

The cholesterol-oxidized metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is synthesized by CYP27A1, which is a key factor in vitamin D and oxysterol metabolism. Both vitamin D and 27-OHC are considered to play important roles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study aims to research the effects of co-supplementation of vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12 on learning and memory ability in vitamin D-deficient mice, and to explore the underlying mechanism. In this study, C57BL/6J mice were fed a vitamin D-deficient diet for 13 weeks to establish a vitamin D-deficient mice model. The vitamin D-deficient mice were then orally gavaged with vitamin D (VD), folic acid (FA), and vitamin B12 (VB12) alone or together for eight weeks. Following the gavage, the learning and memory ability of the mice were evaluated by Morris Water Maze and Novel object recognition test. The CYP27A1-related gene and protein expressions in the liver and brain were determined by qRT-PCR. The serum level of 27-OHC was detected by HPLC-MS. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, homocysteine (Hcy), and S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) were measured by ELISA. After feeding with the vitamin D-deficient diet, the mice performed longer latency to a platform (p < 0.001), lower average speed (p = 0.026) in the Morris Water Maze, a lower time discrimination index (p = 0.009) in Novel object recognition, and performances were reversed after vitamin D, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation alone or together (p < 0.05). The gene expressions of CYP27A1 in the liver and brain were upregulated in the vitamin D-deficiency (VDD) group compared with the control (CON) group (p = 0.015), while it was downregulated in VDD + VD and VDD + VD-FA/VB12 groups compared with the VDD group (p < 0.05), with a similar trend in the protein expression of CYP27A1. The serum levels of 27-OHC were higher in the VDD group, compared with CON, VDD + VD, and VDD + VD-FA/VB12 group (p < 0.05), and a similar trend was found in the brain. The serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly decreased in the vitamin D-deficiency group (p = 0.008), and increased in the vitamin D-supplemented group (p < 0.001). The serum levels of SAM were higher in the B vitamins-supplemented group, compared with CON and VDD groups (p < 0.05). This study suggests that CYP27A1 expression may be involved in the mechanism of learning and memory impairment induced by vitamin D deficiency. Co-supplementation with vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12 significantly reverses this effect by affecting the expression of CYP27A1, which in turn regulates the metabolism of 27-OHC, 25(OH)D, and SAM.

Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and the NF-κB Pathway by a Vitamin E Derivative: Pharmacological Approach against Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In this study, PD was induced via (ip) injection of haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day). Animals were divided into seven groups (n = 70). Group I received the vehicle carboxymethylcellulose (CMC; 0.5%), group II was treated with designated 1 mg/kg haloperidol, and group III received the standard drug Sinemet (100 mg/kg), while groups IV-VII received a tocopherol derivative (Toco-D) at dose levels of 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively, via the oral route. All groups received haloperidol for 23 consecutive days after their treatments except the control group. The improvement in locomotor activity and motor coordination was evaluated by using behavioral tests. Oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitters, and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) as well as NF-κB levels in the whole brain were measured. mRNA expression analysis of α-synuclein was carried out using the PCR technique. Toco-D at 20 mg/kg showed the maximum improvement in locomotor activity. The levels of antioxidant enzymes and neurotransmitters were also increased by the treatment with Toco-D. Inflammatory cytokine levels and mRNA expression of α-synuclein were decreased by Toco-D in treated animals. This study concluded that Toco-D might be effective in the improvement of locomotor activity and motor coordination in haloperidol-induced PD.

New Insights on the Role of Bioactive Food Derivatives in Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection

Over the last three decades, neurodegenerative diseases have received increasing attention due to their frequency in the aging population and the social and economic burdens they are posing. In parallel, an era's worth of research in neuroscience has shaped our current appreciation of the complex relationship between nutrition and the central nervous system. Particular branches of nutrition continue to galvanize neuroscientists, in particular the diverse roles that bioactive food derivatives play on health and disease. Bioactive food derivatives are nowadays recognized to directly impact brain homeostasis, specifically with respect to their actions on cellular mechanisms of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis and autophagy. However, ambiguities still exist regarding the significance of the influence of bioactive food derivatives on human health. In turn, gut microbiota dysbiosis is emerging as a novel player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, several routes of communication exist between the gut and the brain, where molecules are either released in the bloodstream or directly transported to the CNS. As such, bioactive food derivatives can modulate the complex ecosystem of the gut-brain axis, thus, targeting this communication network holds promises as a neuroprotective tool. This review aims at addressing one of the emerging aspects of neuroscience, particularly the interplay between food bioactive derivatives and neurodegeneration. We will specifically address the role that polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids play in preventing neurodegenerative diseases and how dietary intervention complements available pharmacological approaches.

Gastro-Resistant Microparticles Produced by Spray-Drying as Controlled Release Systems for Liposoluble Vitamins

In the present study, gastro-resistant microparticles (MPs) were produced using the spray-drying technique as controlled-release systems for some model liposoluble vitamins, including retinyl-palmitate, retinyl-acetate, β-carotene, cholecalciferol and α-tocopherol. The gastroprotective action of three different gastro-resistant excipients, the anionic methacrylic copolymer (Eudraguard^®® Biotic, E1207), the cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) and whey proteins (WPs), was compared. The latter was used to produce a novel delivery system manufactured with only food-derived components, such as milk, and showed several improvements over the two synthetic gastro-resistant agents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a quite homogeneous spherical shape of all microparticle batches, with an average diameter between 7 and 15 μm. FTIR analysis was used to evaluate the effective incorporation of vitamins within the microparticles and the absence of any degradation to the components of the formulation. The comparison graphs of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that the spray drying technique generates a solid in which the physical interactions between the excipients and the vitamins are very strong. Release studies showed a prominent pH-controlled release and partially a delayed-release profile. Ex vivo permeation studies of retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate and α-tocopherol revealed greater transmucosal permeation capacity for microparticles produced with the WPs and milk.

Evaluating the neuroprotective activities of vinpocetine, punicalagin, niacin and vitamin E against behavioural and motor disabilities of manganese-induced Parkinson's disease in Sprague Dawley rats

The current study investigated the neuroprotective activity of some drugs and nutriceuticals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential on the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rats were categorized into seven groups: Rats received tween80 daily for 5 weeks as a control group, MnCl₂ (10 mg/kg, i.p) either alone (group II) or in combination with vinpocetine (VIN) (20 mg/kg) (group III), punicalagin (PUN) (30 mg/kg) (group IV), niacin (85 mg/kg) (group V), vitamin E (Vit E) (100 mg/kg) (group VI) or their combination (group VII). Motor activities was examined using open-field and catalepsy. Striatal monamines, acetylcholinesterase, excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitters, redox status, pro-oxidant content, brain inflammatory, apoptotic and antioxidant biomarkers levels were assessed. Besides, histopathological investigations of different brain regions were determined. Groups (IV -GVII) showed improved motor functions of PD rats. Applied drugs significantly increased the brain levels of monoamines with the strongest effect to PUN. Meanwhile, they significantly decreased levels of acetylcholinesterase with a strongest effect to PUN. Moreover, they exhibited significant neuronal protection and anti-inflammatory abilities through significant reduction of the brain levels of COX2, TNF-α and Il-1β with a strongest effect to the PUN. Interestingly; groups (IV - GVII) showed restored glutamate/GABA balance and exhibited a pronounced decrease in caspase-3 content and GSK-3β protein expression levels. In addition, they significantly increased Bcl2 mRNA expression levels with a strongest effect for PUN. All these findings were further confirmed by the histopathological examinations. As a conclusion, we propose VIN and PUN to mitigate the progression of PD via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, neurotrophic and neurogenic activities.

Vitamin Supplementation Protects against Nanomaterial-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Damages: A Meta-Analysis of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

The extensive applications of nanomaterials have increased their toxicities to human health. As a commonly recommended health care product, vitamins have been reported to exert protective roles against nanomaterial-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, there have been some controversial conclusions in regards to this field of research. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the roles and mechanisms of vitamins for cells and animals exposed to nanomaterials. Nineteen studies (seven in vitro, eleven in vivo and one in both) were enrolled by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. STATA 15.0 software analysis showed vitamin E treatment could significantly decrease the levels of oxidants [reactive oxygen species (ROS), total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA)], increase anti-oxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx), suppress inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, IgE), improve cytotoxicity (manifested by an increase in cell viability and a decrease in pro-apoptotic caspase-3 activity), and genotoxicity (represented by a reduction in the tail length). These results were less changed after subgroup analyses. Pooled analysis of in vitro studies indicated vitamin C increased cell viability and decreased ROS levels, but its anti-oxidant potential was not observed in the meta-analysis of in vivo studies. Vitamin A could decrease MDA, TOS and increase GPx, but its effects on these indicators were weaker than vitamin E. Also, the combination of vitamin A with vitamin E did not provide greater anti-oxidant effects than vitamin E alone. In summary, we suggest vitamin E alone supplementation may be a cost-effective option to prevent nanomaterial-induced injuries.

Newly Identified Deficiencies in the Multiple Sclerosis Central Nervous System and Their Impact on the Remyelination Failure

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains enigmatic and controversial. Myelin sheaths in the central nervous system (CNS) insulate axons and allow saltatory nerve conduction. MS brings about the destruction of myelin sheaths and the myelin-producing oligodendrocytes (ODCs). The conundrum of remyelination failure is, therefore, crucial in MS. In this review, the roles of epidermal growth factor (EGF), normal prions, and cobalamin in CNS myelinogenesis are briefly summarized. Thereafter, some findings of other authors and ourselves on MS and MS-like models are recapitulated, because they have shown that: (a) EGF is significantly decreased in the CNS of living or deceased MS patients; (b) its repeated administration to mice in various MS-models prevents demyelination and inflammatory reaction; (c) as was the case for EGF, normal prion levels are decreased in the MS CNS, with a strong correspondence between liquid and tissue levels; and (d) MS cobalamin levels are increased in the cerebrospinal fluid, but decreased in the spinal cord. In fact, no remyelination can occur in MS if these molecules (essential for any form of CNS myelination) are lacking. Lastly, other non-immunological MS abnormalities are reviewed. Together, these results have led to a critical reassessment of MS pathogenesis, partly because EGF has little or no role in immunology.

Vitamin D3 Supplementation Attenuates Surgery-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome in Mice

Neuroinflammation plays a dominant role in the progression of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Vitamin D has been known to have important regulatory functions in inflammation and immune response. The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is an essential inflammasome in the inflammatory response and could be activated by anesthesia and surgery. In this study, male C57BL/6 mice aged 14-16 months were given VD3 for 14 days straight before having an open tibial fracture surgery. The animals were either sacrificed to obtain the hippocampus or tested in a Morris water maze test. Western blot was employed to estimate the levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1, immunohistochemistry was used to identify microglial activation, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the expression of IL-18 and IL-1β, while using the corresponding assay kits to assess ROS and MDA levels to reflect the oxidative stress status. We showed that VD3 pretreatment significantly improved surgery-induced memory and cognitive dysfunctions in aged mice, which was linked to the inactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the inhibition of neuroinflammation. This finding provided a novel preventative strategy for clinically reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly surgical patients. This study has some limitations. Gender differences in the effects of VD3 were not considered, and only male mice were used. Additionally, VD3 was given as a preventative measure; however, it is unknown whether it has any therapeutic benefits for POCD mice. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-ROC-17010610.

Modified Low-Temperature Extraction Method for Isolation of Bletilla striata Polysaccharide as Antioxidant for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia. In this study, a polysaccharide from Bletilla striata (BSP), with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, was extracted using a low-temperature method and tested for its efficacy against AD, in vitro using N2a and BV-2 cells, and in vivo using an AD rat model. The characterization of the extracted BSP for its molecular structure and functional groups demonstrated the effectiveness of the modified method for retaining its bioactivity. In vitro, BSP reduced by 20% reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in N2a cells (p = 0.0082) and the expression levels of inflammation-related genes by 3-fold TNF-α (p = 0.0048), 4-fold IL-6 (p = 0.0019), and 2.5-fold IL-10 (p = 0.0212) in BV-2 cells treated with Aβ fibrils. In vivo, BSP recovered learning memory, ameliorated morphological damage in the hippocampus and cortex, and reduced the expression of the β-secretase protein in AlCl3-induced AD rats. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the efficacy of BSP for preventing and alleviating the effects of AD.