The Role of Lipids in Parkinson's Disease

Influence of Ibuprofen on glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids in context of Alzheimer´s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder associated with neuroinflammation, elevated oxidative stress, lipid alterations as well as amyloid-deposits and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Ibuprofen, a globally used analgesic, is discussed to influence disease progression due to its anti-inflammatory effect. However, changes in lipid-homeostasis induced by Ibuprofen have not yet been analyzed. Here we investigate the effect of Ibuprofen on lipid classes known to be associated with AD. Ibuprofen treatment leads to a significant increase in phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and triacylglyceride (TAG) species whereas plasmalogens, which are highly susceptible for oxidation, were significantly decreased. The observed alterations in phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin levels in presence of Ibuprofen might counteract the reduced phosphatidylcholine- and sphingomyelin-levels found in AD brain tissue with potential positive aspects on synaptic plasticity and ceramide-induced apoptotic effects. On the other hand, Ibuprofen leads to elevated TAG-level resulting in the formation of lipid droplets which are associated with neuroinflammation. Reduction of plasmalogen-levels might accelerate decreased plasmalogen-levels found in AD brains. Treatment of Ibuprofen in terms of lipid-homeostasis reveals both potentially positive and negative changes relevant to AD. Therefore, understanding the influence of Ibuprofen on lipid-homeostasis may help to understand the heterogeneous results of studies treating AD with Ibuprofen.

Mechanistic insights into impaired β-oxidation and its role in mitochondrial dysfunction: A comprehensive review

Mitochondria, also known as the powerhouse of cells, have an important role in cellular metabolism and energy production. However, during Mitochondrial Dysfunction (MD), it is known to generate reactive oxidative species and induce cellular apoptosis. A number of research findings have linked MD to various diseases, highlighting its critical role in maintaining health and contributing to disease development. In this regard, recent research has revealed that disruptions in lipid metabolism, especially in fatty acid oxidation, are significant contributors to MD. However, the precise mechanisms by which these defects lead to disease remain poorly understood. This review explores how disruptions in lipid metabolism are responsible for triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage, leading to impaired mitochondrial function. By examining specific fatty acid oxidation disorders, such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency, medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, and very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, this review aims to uncover the underlying molecular pathways connecting lipid metabolism to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, MD is a common underlying mechanism in a wide array of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic syndromes. Understanding the mechanisms behind mitochondrial malfunction may aid in the development of tailored therapies to restore mitochondrial health and treat intricate health conditions.

Cerebellar lipid dysregulation in SCA3: A comparative study in patients and mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common dominantly inherited ataxia and belongs to the family of nine diseases caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the disease-causing protein. In SCA3, a polyglutamine expansion in ATXN3 causes neuron loss in disease-vulnerable brain regions, resulting in progressive loss of coordination and ultimately death. There are no disease-modifying or preventative treatments for this uniformly fatal disorder. Recent studies demonstrate prominent white matter atrophy and microstructural alterations in disease-vulnerable brain regions of SCA3 patients and mouse models. However, the major constituent of white matter - lipids - remains understudied in SCA3. In this study, we conducted the first unbiased investigation of brain lipids in SCA3, focusing on the disease-vulnerable cerebellum of SCA3 postmortem patients and mouse models. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry uncovered widespread lipid reductions in patients with SCA3. Lipid downregulation was recapitulated in early- to mid-stage mouse models of SCA3, including transgenic YACQ84 and Knock-in Q300 mice. End-stage Knock-in Q300 mice displayed a progressive reduction in lipid content, highlighting targets that could benefit from early therapeutic intervention. In contrast, Atxn3-Knock-out mice showed mild lipid upregulation, emphasizing a toxic gain-of-function mechanism underlying lipid downregulation in SCA3. We conclude that lipids are significantly altered in SCA3 and establish a platform for continued exploration of lipids in disease through interactive data visualization websites. Pronounced reductions in myelin-enriched lipids suggest that lipid dysregulation could underlie white matter atrophy in SCA3. This study establishes the basis for future work elucidating the mechanistic, biomarker, and therapeutic potential of lipids in SCA3.

Unlocking the Neuroprotective Potential of Silymarin: A Promising Ally in Safeguarding the Brain from Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurological Disorders

Medicinal plants and their phytochemicals have been extensively employed worldwide for centuries to address a diverse range of ailments, boasting a history that spans several decades. These plants are considered the source of numerous medicinal compounds. For instance, silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid extract obtained from the milk thistle plant or Silybum marianum which has been shown to have significant neuroprotective effects and great therapeutic benefits. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a class of neurological diseases that have become more prevalent in recent years, and although treatment is available, there is no complete cure developed yet. Silymarin utilizes a range of molecular mechanisms, including modulation of MAPK, AMPK, NF-κB, mTOR, and PI3K/Akt pathways, along with various receptors, enzymes, and growth factors. These mechanisms collectively contribute to its protective effects against NDs such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Despite its safety and efficacy, silymarin faces challenges related to bioavailability and aqueous solubility, hindering its development as a clinical drug. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying silymarin's neuroprotective effects, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for NDs.

Treadmill intervention attenuates motor deficit with 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease rat via changes in lipid profiles in brain and muscle

One of the key hallmarks of Parkinson's disease is the disruption of lipid homeostasis in the brain, which plays a critical role in neuronal membrane integrity and function. Understanding how treadmill training impacts lipid restructuring and its subsequent influence on motor function could provide a basis for developing targeted non-pharmacological interventions for individuals living with early stage of PD. This study aims to investigate the effects of a treadmill training intervention on motor deficits induced by 6-OHDA in rats model of PD. PD was induced by injecting 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). For 10 weeks, rats underwent treadmill training on a four-lane motorized treadmill. Motor function deficits were evaluated through behavioral tests. Lipidomic analysis was performed through ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC MS/MS). Treadmill intervention significantly improved motor function and restored altered brain and muscle lipid profiles in PD rats. Among the lipid species identified in PD rats, brain abundance was highest for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), correlating positively with the beam-walking scores; muscle abundance peaked with lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE), correlating positively with grip strength scores. In the brain, the levels of diacylglycerol (DG), triacylglycerol (TG), and lysophosphatidylcholine (PC) correlated positively with grip strength and rotarod scores, while only phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) linked to beam-walking scores. In the muscle, the levels of phosphatidylinositol (PI), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysophosphatidic acid (PA), ceramide (Cer), and ganglioside were positively correlated with grip strength and rotarod scores. In conclusion, treadmill may protect the cortex, mitigating motor deficits via change lipid profiles in the brain and muscle.

Stearic acid metabolism in human health and disease

Named after the Greek term for "hard fat", stearic acid has gradually entered people's field of vision. As an important component of various physiological cellular functions, stearic acid plays a regulatory role in diverse aspects of energy metabolism and signal transduction. Its applications range from serving as a bodily energy source to participating in endogenous biosynthesis. Similar to palmitate, stearic acid serves as a primary substrate for the stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase, which catalyzes the conversion of stearate to oleate and is involved in the synthesis of triglyceride and other complex lipids. Additionally, stearic acid functions as a vital signaling molecule in pathological processes such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes development, liver injury and even nervous system disorders. Therefore, we conduct a comprehensive review of stearic acid, summarizing its role in various diseases and attempting to provide a systematic overview of its homeostasis, physiological functions, and pathological process. From a medical standpoint, we also explore potential applications and discuss stearic acid as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human diseases.

From Skin and Gut to the Brain: The Infectious Journey of the Human Commensal Fungus Malassezia and Its Neurological Consequences

The human mycobiome encompasses diverse communities of fungal organisms residing within the body and has emerged as a critical player in shaping health and disease. While extensive research has focused on the skin and gut mycobiome, recent investigations have pointed toward the potential role of fungal organisms in neurological disorders. Among those fungal organisms, the presence of the commensal fungus Malassezia in the brain has created curiosity because of its commensal nature and primary association with the human skin and gut. This budding yeast is responsible for several diseases, such as Seborrheic dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, Pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, dandruff, and others. However recent findings surprisingly show the presence of Malassezia DNA in the brain and have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The exact role of Malassezia in these disorders is unknown, but its ability to infect human cells, travel through the bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier, and reside along with the lipid-rich neuronal cells are potential mechanisms responsible for pathogenesis. This also includes the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, gut-microbe interaction, and accumulation of metabolic changes in the brain environment. In this review, we discuss these key findings from studies linking Malassezia to neurological disorders, emphasizing the complex and multifaceted nature of these cases. Furthermore, we discuss potential mechanisms through which Malassezia might contribute to the development of neurological conditions. Future investigations will open up new avenues for our understanding of the fungal gut-brain axis and how it influences human behavior. Collaborative research efforts among microbiologists, neuroscientists, immunologists, and clinicians hold promise for unraveling the enigmatic connections between human commensal Malassezia and neurological disorders.

Immunometabolism In Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration: Bridging Metabolic Pathways and Immune Responses

The complex set of interactions between the immune system and metabolism, known as immunometabolism, has emerged as a critical regulator of disease outcomes in the central nervous system. Numerous studies have linked metabolic disturbances to impaired immune responses in brain aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain injury. In this review, we will discuss how disruptions in brain immunometabolism balance contribute to the pathophysiology of brain dysfunction. The first part of the review summarizes the contributions of critical immune cell populations such as microglia, astrocytes, and infiltrating immune cells in mediating inflammation and metabolism in CNS disorders. The remainder of the review addresses the impact of metabolic changes on immune cell activation and disease progression in brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, we also address the therapeutic potential of targeting immunometabolic pathways to reduce neuroinflammation and slow disease progression. By focusing on the interactions among brain immune cells and the metabolic mechanisms they recruit in disease, we present a comprehensive overview of brain immunometabolism in human health and disease.

Circadian Influences on Brain Lipid Metabolism and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Circadian rhythms are intrinsic, 24 h cycles that regulate key physiological, mental, and behavioral processes, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone secretion, and metabolism. These rhythms are controlled by the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus, which synchronizes with environmental signals, such as light and temperature, and consequently maintains alignment with the day-night cycle. Molecular feedback loops, driven by core circadian "clock genes", such as Clock, Bmal1, Per, and Cry, are essential for rhythmic gene expression; disruptions in these feedback loops are associated with various health issues. Dysregulated lipid metabolism in the brain has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders by contributing to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction, as observed in conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Disruptions in circadian gene expression have been shown to perturb lipid regulatory mechanisms in the brain, thereby triggering neuroinflammatory responses and oxidative damage. This review synthesizes current insights into the interconnections between circadian rhythms and lipid metabolism, with a focus on their roles in neurological health and disease. It further examines how the desynchronization of circadian genes affects lipid metabolism and explores the potential mechanisms through which disrupted circadian signaling might contribute to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders.

Epigenomic and clinical analyses of striatal DAT binding in healthy individuals reveal well-known loci of Parkinson's disease

Background

Striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding is a sensitive and specific endophenotype for detecting dopaminergic deficits across Parkinson's disease (PD) spectrum. Molecular and clinical signatures of PD in asymptomatic phases help understand the earliest pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease. We aimed to investigate whether blood epigenetic markers are associated with inter-individual variation of striatal DAT binding among healthy elderly individuals. We also investigated whether this potential inter-individual variation can manifest as dysfunction of particular cognitive domains. Omics studies conducted on endophenotypes of PD among healthy asymptomatic individuals can provide invaluable insights into early detection, disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets for PD.

Method

We conducted a blood epigenome-wide association study of striatal DAT binding on 96 healthy individuals using the Illumina EPIC array. For functional annotation of our top results, we employed the enhancer-gene mapping strategy using a midbrain single-nucleus multimodal dataset. Finally, we conducted several investigative regression analyses on several neuropsychological tests across five cognitive domains to assess their association with striatal DAT binding among 250 healthy subjects.

Results

We identified seven suggestive (P-value<10-5) CpG probes. Specifically, three probes were colocalized with three risk loci previously identified in PD's largest Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). UCN5A and APOE loci were identified as suggestive DMRs associated with striatal DAT binding. Functional analyses prioritized the FDFT1 gene as the potential target gene in the previously reported CTSB GWAS locus. We also showed that delayed recall memory impairment was correlated with reduced striatal DAT binding, irrespective of age.

Conclusion

Our study suggested epigenetic and cognitive signatures of striatal DAT binding among healthy individuals, providing valuable insights for future experimental and clinical studies of early PD.

Mechanistic insights into the neurotoxicity of F53B: Effects on metabolic dysregulation and apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons

F53B (6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate), a substitute for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), is widely used as a chromium mist inhibitor in the electroplating industry. However, significant concern has arisen owing to its biological toxicity. Several studies on F53B toxicity in mammals have focused on hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, developmental toxicity, and reproductive toxicity, while its neurotoxic effects, especially in relation to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the neurotoxic effects of F53B on dopaminergic neurons and explored its potential risk associated with PD in a cellular model. Potential target prediction and validation experiments demonstrated that F53B induced apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons. We also discovered that F53B triggered oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and stimulated nitric oxide (NO) generation in the PD cellular model. Subsequently, untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics approaches were integrated to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the response of dopaminergic neurons to F53B exposure. The results suggested that F53B disrupted arginine and proline metabolism, energy metabolism, and caused lipid dysregulation, particularly promoting the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin (SM) into ceramide (Cer). Overall, this study provides evidence that F53B exposure could increase the potential risk of PD and offers novel insights into its neurotoxicity mechanisms.

Myelin Lipid Alterations in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Landscape and Pathogenic Implications

Significance: Lipids, which constitute the highest portion (over 50%) of brain dry mass, are crucial for brain integrity, energy homeostasis, and signaling regulation. Emerging evidence revealed that lipid profile alterations and abnormal lipid metabolism occur during normal aging and in different forms of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, increasing genome-wide association studies have validated new targets on lipid-associated pathways involved in disease development. Myelin, the protective sheath surrounding axons, is crucial for efficient neural signaling transduction. As the primary site enriched with lipids, impairments of myelin are increasingly recognized as playing significant and complex roles in various neurodegenerative diseases, beyond simply being secondary effects of neuronal loss. Recent Advances: With advances in the lipidomics field, myelin lipid alterations and their roles in contributing to or reflecting the progression of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and others, have recently caught great attention. Critical Issues: This review summarizes recent findings of myelin lipid alterations in the five most common neurodegenerative diseases and discusses their implications in disease pathogenesis. Future Directions: By highlighting myelin lipid abnormalities in neurodegenerative diseases, this review aims to encourage further research focused on lipids and the development of new lipid-oriented therapeutic approaches in this area. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.

Oral fungal dysbiosis and systemic immune dysfunction in Chinese patients with schizophrenia

Oral microbial dysbiosis contributes to the development of schizophrenia (SZ). While numerous studies have investigated alterations in the oral bacterial microbiota among SZ patients, investigations into the fungal microbiota, another integral component of the oral microbiota, are scarce. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 118 Chinese patients with SZ and 97 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) to evaluate the oral fungal microbiota from tongue coating samples using internal transcribed spacer 1 amplicon sequencing and assess host immunity via multiplex immunoassays. Our findings revealed that SZ patients exhibited reduced fungal richness and significant differences in β-diversity compared to HCs. Within the oral fungal communities, we identified two distinct fungal clusters (mycotypes): Candida and Malassezia, with SZ patients showing increased Malassezia and decreased Candida levels. These key functional oral fungi may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for SZ. Furthermore, SZ patients displayed signs of immunological dysfunction, characterized by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and chemokines including MIP-1α and MCP-1. Importantly, Malassezia mycotype correlated positively with peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines, while Candida mycotype exhibited a negative correlation with these cytokines. In conclusion, we have demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of altered oral fungal communities and systemic immune dysfunction in Chinese SZ patients compared to HCs, providing novel insights into the potential role of oral fungi as biomarkers and the broader implications for understanding SZ pathogenesis.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1: a potential therapeutic target for neurological disorders

Disturbances in the fatty acid lipidome are increasingly recognized as key drivers in the progression of various brain disorders. In this review article, we delve into the impact of Δ9 fatty acid desaturases, with a particular focus on stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), within the setting of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and brain repair. Over the past years, it was established that inhibition or deficiency of SCD1 not only suppresses neuroinflammation but also protects against neurodegeneration in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. This protective effect is achieved through different mechanisms including enhanced remyelination, reversal of synaptic and cognitive impairments, and mitigation of α-synuclein toxicity. Intriguingly, metabolic rerouting of fatty acids via SCD1 improves the pathology associated with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, suggesting context-dependent benign and harmful effects of SCD1 inhibition in the brain. Here, we summarize and discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying both the beneficial and detrimental effects of SCD1 in these neurological disorders. We explore commonalities and distinctions, shedding light on potential therapeutic challenges. Additionally, we touch upon future research directions that promise to deepen our understanding of SCD1 biology in brain disorders and potentially enhance the clinical utility of SCD1 inhibitors.

Prenatal PM2.5 Exposure Associated with Neonatal Gut Bacterial Colonization and Early Children's Cognitive Development

Previous research indicated that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure affected both offspring neurodevelopment and the colonization of gut microbiota (GM), while the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the impacts of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on child cognitive development and investigate the role of neonatal GM colonization in the association. Based on the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort, 361 maternal-child pairs were recruited. Prenatal PM2.5 exposure concentrations were estimated using a high-spatial-resolution prediction model, and child neurodevelopment was assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression models, logistic regression models, linear discriminant analysis effect size, and random forest model were applied to explore the associations among PM2.5 exposure, GM colonization, and children's neurodevelopment. The present study revealed a negative correlation between PM2.5 exposure throughout pregnancy and child neurodevelopment. Prenatal PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of suspected developmental delay (SDD) (OR = 1.683, 95% CI: 1.138, 2.489) in infants aged 2 months. Additionally, potential operational taxonomic unit markers were identified for PM2.5-related neurotoxicity, demonstrating promising classification potential for early SDD screening (AUC = 71.27%). Prenatal PM2.5 exposure might disrupt the composition, richness, and evenness of meconium GM, thereby influencing cognitive development and the occurrence of SDD in offspring. Seven PM2.5-related genera, Ruminococcus gnavus group, Romboutsia, Burkholderiaceae Caballeronia Paraburkholderia, Blautia, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, and Bacteroides, were validated as correlated with prenatal PM2.5 exposure and the occurrence of SDD. Moreover, alterations of GM related to PM2.5 exposure and SDD might be accompanied by changes in functional pathways of amino acid, lipid, and vitamin metabolism as indicated by differentially enriched species in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.

Multiomics approach discloses lipids and metabolites profiles associated to Parkinson's disease stages and applied therapies

Profiling circulating lipids and metabolites in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients could be useful not only to highlight new pathways affected in PD condition but also to identify sensitive and effective biomarkers for early disease detection and potentially effective therapeutic interventions. In this study we adopted an untargeted omics approach in three groups of patients (No L-Dopa, L-Dopa and DBS) to disclose whether long-term levodopa treatment with or without deep brain stimulation (DBS) could reflect a characteristic lipidomic and metabolomic signature at circulating level. Our findings disclosed a wide up regulation of the majority of differentially regulated lipid species that increase with disease progression and severity. We found a relevant modulation of triacylglycerols and acyl-carnitines, together with an altered profile in adiponectin and leptin, that can differentiate the DBS treated group from the others PD patients. We found a highly significant increase of exosyl ceramides (Hex2Cer) and sphingoid bases (SPB) in PD patients mainly in DBS group (p < 0.0001), which also resulted in a highly accurate diagnostic performance. At metabolomic level, we found a wide dysregulation of pathways involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of several amino acids. The most interesting finding was the identification of a specific modulation of L-glutamic acid in the three groups of patients. L-glutamate levels increased slightly in No L-Dopa and highly in L-Dopa patients while decreased in DBS, suggesting that DBS therapy might have a beneficial effect on the glutamatergic cascade. All together, these data provide novel insights into the molecular and metabolic alterations underlying PD therapy and might be relevant for PD prediction, diagnosis and treatment.

Apo E protein and related markers show the prognosis of stress urinary incontinence rats treated with modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common disease that seriously affects the quality of life of patients. In recent years, studies have shown that apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plays a role in neuroprotection and repair, but its specific role in SUI remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of macromolecular protein ApoE related markers on the prognosis of rats with SUI treated by modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (MBZYQD), in order to provide a new target for the treatment of SUI. Healthy rats were selected to establish a SUI model and divided into groups. The levels of ApoE related metabolites in blood of rats were detected by Metabolomics analysis and Lipidomics analysis. The urine leakage point pressure (LPP) were compared in each group, and the therapeutic effect of MBZYQD was evaluated. Compared with the model group, the LPP of rats in MBZYQD supplemented group was significantly higher. Compared with the control group, the LPP of MBZYQD was not statistically significant before and after treatment. The macromolecular protein ApoE may plays a key role in the treatment of SUI by MBZYQD, which can improve symptoms by regulating lipid metabolism repair.

Does glial lipid dysregulation alter sleep in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease?

In this opinion article, we discuss potential connections between sleep disturbances observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and the dysregulation of lipids in the brain. Research using Drosophila has highlighted the role of glial-mediated lipid metabolism in sleep and diurnal rhythms. Relevant to AD, the formation of lipid droplets in glia, which occurs in response to elevated neuronal reactive oxygen species (ROS), is required for sleep. In disease models, this process is disrupted, arguing a connection to sleep dysregulation. Relevant to PD, the degradation of neuronally synthesized glucosylceramides by glia requires glucocerebrosidase (GBA, a PD-associated risk factor) and this regulates sleep. Loss of GBA in glia causes an accumulation of glucosylceramides and neurodegeneration. Overall, research primarily using Drosophila has highlighted how dysregulation of glial lipid metabolism may underlie sleep disturbances in neurodegenerative diseases.

Plasma lipidome, circulating inflammatory proteins, and Parkinson's disease: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Observational studies have suggested that plasma lipidome play a pivotal role in the occurrence of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it remains unknown which lipids among plasma lipidome affect PD and how they exert their influence. Clarity is lacking regarding the causal relationship between plasma lipidome and PD, as well as whether circulating inflammatory proteins serve as mediators.

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with 179 plasma lipidome were selected as instrumental variables to assess their causal impact on PD. PD data, serving as the outcome, were sourced from the International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium, which boasts the largest sample size to date. The inverse variance weighted (IVW), Weighted median method, MR-Egger method, Simple mode method, Weighted mode method and MR-PRESSO were employed to evaluate the influence of the 179 plasma lipidome on PD. Heterogeneity, pleiotropy tests, and reverse causality analyses were conducted accordingly. Additionally, we analyzed the causal relationship between 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and PD, exploring whether these proteins serve as mediators in the pathway from plasma lipidome to PD.

Results

Among the 179 plasma lipidome, three were found to be associated with a reduced risk of PD: Phosphatidylcholine (14:0_18:2) (IVW, OR = 0.877; 95%CI, 0.787-0.978; p = 0.018), Phosphatidylcholine (16:0_16:1) levels (IVW, OR = 0.835; 95%CI, 0.717-0.973; p = 0.021), and Phosphatidylcholine (O-17:0_17:1) levels (IVW, OR = 0.854; 95%CI, 0.779-0.936; p = 0.001). Meanwhile, Sphingomyelin (d38:1) was linked to an increased risk of PD (IVW, OR = 1.095; 95%CI, 1.027-1.166; p = 0.005). Among the 91 circulating inflammatory proteins, three were associated with a lower PD risk: Fibroblast growth factor 21 levels (IVW, OR = 0.817; 95%CI, 0.674-0.990; p = 0.039), Transforming growth factor-alpha levels (IVW, OR = 0.825; 95%CI, 0.683-0.998; p = 0.048), and Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9 levels (IVW, OR = 0.846; 95%CI, 0.744-0.963; p = 0.011). Two were associated with a higher risk of PD: Interleukin-17A levels (IVW, OR = 1.285; 95%CI, 1.051-1.571; p = 0.014) and TNF-beta levels (IVW, OR = 1.088; 95%CI, 1.010-1.171; p = 0.026). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between Phosphatidylcholine (14:0_18:2) levels and Fibroblast growth factor 21 levels (IVW, OR = 1.125; 95%CI, 1.006-1.257; p = 0.038), suggesting that Fibroblast growth factor 21 levels may serve as a mediating factor in the pathway between Phosphatidylcholine (14.0_18.2) levels and PD. The mediation effect was estimated to be -0.024, accounting for approximately 18% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Both plasma lipidome and circulating inflammatory proteins demonstrate a causal relationship with PD. Additionally, circulating inflammatory proteins may serve as mediators in the pathway from plasma lipidome to PD. These findings may contribute to the prediction and diagnosis of PD and potentially pave the way for targeted therapies in the future.

Lysosomal dysfunction in α-synuclein pathology: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

In orchestrating cell signaling, facilitating plasma membrane repair, supervising protein secretion, managing waste elimination, and regulating energy consumption, lysosomes are indispensable guardians that play a crucial role in preserving intracellular homeostasis. Neurons are terminally differentiated post-mitotic cells. Neuronal function and waste elimination depend on normal lysosomal function. Converging data suggest that lysosomal dysfunction is a critical event in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations in Glucosylceramidase Beta 1 (GBA1) and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) confer an increased risk for the development of parkinsonism. Furthermore, lysosomal dysfunction has been observed in the affected neurons of sporadic PD (sPD) patients. Given that lysosomal hydrolases actively contribute to the breakdown of impaired organelles and misfolded proteins, any compromise in lysosomal integrity could incite abnormal accumulation of proteins, including α-synuclein, the major component of Lewy bodies in PD. Clinical observations have shown that lysosomal protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid may serve as potential biomarkers for PD diagnosis and as signs of lysosomal dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the current evidence regarding lysosomal dysfunction in PD and discuss the intimate relationship between lysosomal dysfunction and pathological α-synuclein. In addition, we discuss therapeutic strategies that target lysosomes to treat PD.

Plasma sphingolipids, dopaminergic degeneration and clinical progression in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Sphingolipid dysregulation in Parkinson's disease (PD) may affect the release and uptake of striatal dopamine. However, the longitudinal relationship between sphingolipids, striatal dopaminergic degeneration, and clinical correlates in idiopathic PD (iPD) remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between plasma sphingolipids, striatal dopamine transporter specific binding ratio (DAT-SBR) and clinical symptoms in iPD.

METHODS

We included 283 iPD patients and 121 healthy controls (HC) from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), utilizing available data on plasma sphingolipids (sphingomyelin [SM] and ceramide [CER]), striatal DAT-SBR and clinical assessments. Linear mixed models and mediation analyses were used to examine the relationship between sphingolipids, DAT-SBR, and clinical progression in iPD.

RESULTS

Lower baseline SM levels were significantly associated with a faster decline in DAT-SBR in both the caudate (p = 0.015) and putamen (p = 0.002), with the putamen association remaining significant after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.015). No significant association was found for CER. Patients in the lowest quartile of baseline SM showed faster progression in MDS-UPDRS I (p = 0.013) and II (p = 0.011), while those in the lowest quartile of baseline CER showed faster progression in MDS-UPDRS II (p = 0.013) and III (p = 0.033). The progression rate of caudate DAT-SBR partially mediated the relationships between SM and progression in MDS-UPDRS I and II (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Sphingolipids are associated with worse dopaminergic degeneration and potentially linked to faster progression in iPD, holding the promise for identifying individuals with faster progression in iPD.

Identifying MSMO1, ELOVL6, AACS, and CERS2 related to lipid metabolism as biomarkers of Parkinson's disease

The mechanisms underlying lipid metabolic disorders in Parkinson's diseases (PD) remain unclear. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to identify PD-related modular genes and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Lipid metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) were extracted from Molecular Signatures Database. Candidate genes were assessed with overlapping modular genes, DEGs, and LMRGs for the purpose of building protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Then, biomarkers were generated by machine learning and Backpropagation Neural Network development according to candidate genes. Biomarker-based enrichment and network modulation analyses were executed to investigate related signaling pathways. Following dimensionality reduction clustering and annotation, scRNA-seq was submitted to cellular interactions and trajectory analysis to analyze regulatory mechanisms of critical cells. Finally, qRT-PCR was conducted to confirm the expression of biomarkers in PD patients. Four biomarkers (MSMO1, ELOVL6, AACS, and CERS2) were obtained and highly predictive after analysis mentioned above. Then, OPC, Oli, and Neu cells were the primary expression sites for biomarkers according to scRNA-seq studies. Finally, we confirmed mRNA of MSMO1, ELOVL6 and AACS were downregulated in PD patients comparing with control, while CERS2 was upregulated. In conclusion, MSMO1, ELOVL6, AACS, and CERS2 related to LMRGs could be new biomarkers for diagnosing and treating PD.

Prediction of motor and non-motor Parkinson's disease symptoms using serum lipidomics and machine learning: a 2-year study

Identifying biological factors which contribute to the clinical progression of heterogeneous motor and non-motor phenotypes in Parkinson's disease may help to better understand the disease process. Several lipid-related genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease have been identified, and the serum lipid signature of Parkinson's disease patients is significantly distinguishable from controls. However, the extent to which lipid profiles are associated with clinical outcomes remains unclear. Untargeted high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry identified >900 serum lipids in Parkinson's disease subjects at baseline (n = 122), and the potential for machine learning models using these lipids to predict motor and non-motor clinical scores after 2 years (n = 67) was assessed. Machine learning models performed best when baseline serum lipids were used to predict the 2-year future Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale part three (UPDRS III) and Geriatric Depression Scale scores (both normalised root mean square error = 0.7). Feature analysis of machine learning models indicated that species of lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, platelet-activating factor, sphingomyelin, diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol were top predictors of both motor and non-motor scores. Serum lipids were overall more important predictors of clinical outcomes than subject sex, age and mutation status of the Parkinson's disease risk gene LRRK2. Furthermore, lipids were found to better predict clinical scales than a panel of 27 serum cytokines previously measured in this cohort (The Michael J. Fox Foundation LRRK2 Clinical Cohort Consortium). These results suggest that lipid changes may be associated with clinical phenotypes in Parkinson's disease.

Syagrus coronata fixed oil prevents rotenone-induced movement disorders and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster

One prominent aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the presence of elevated levels of free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS). Syagrus coronata (S. coronata), a palm tree, exhibits antioxidant activity attributed to its phytochemical composition, containing fatty acids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential neuroprotective effects of S. coronata fixed oil against rotenone-induced toxicity using Drosophila melanogaster. Young Drosophila specimens (3-4 d old) were exposed to a diet supplemented with rotenone (50 µM) for 7 d with and without the inclusion of S. coronata fixed oil (0.2 mg/g diet). Data demonstrated that rotenone exposure resulted in significant locomotor impairment and increased mortality rates in flies. Further, rotenone administration reduced total thiol levels but elevated lipid peroxidation, iron (Fe) levels, and nitric oxide (NO) levels while decreasing the reduced capacity of mitochondria. Concomitant administration of S. coronata exhibited a protective effect against rotenone, as evidenced by a return to control levels of Fe, NO, and total thiols, lowered lipid peroxidation levels, reversed locomotor impairment, and enhanced % cell viability. Molecular docking of the oil lipidic components with antioxidant enzymes showed strong binding affinity to superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) enzymes. Overall, treatment with S. coronata fixed oil was found to prevent rotenone-induced movement disorders and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster.

2-Butoxytetrahydrofuran, Isolated from Holothuria scabra, Attenuates Aggregative and Oxidative Properties of α-Synuclein and Alleviates Its Toxicity in a Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Parkinson's Disease

Aggregative α-synuclein and incurring oxidative stress are pivotal cascading events, leading to dopaminergic (DAergic) neuronal loss and contributing to clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD). Our previous study demonstrated that 2-butoxytetrahydrofuran (2-BTHF), isolated from Holothuria scabra (H. scabra), could inhibit amyloid-β aggregation and its ensuing toxicity, which leads to Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we found that 2-BTHF also attenuated the aggregative and oxidative activities of α-synuclein and lessened its toxicity in a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) PD model. Such worms treated with 100 μM of 2-BTHF showed substantial reductions in α-synuclein accumulation and DAergic neurodegeneration. Mechanistically, 2-BTHF, at this concentration, significantly decreased aggregation of monomeric α-synuclein and restored locomotion and dopamine-dependent behaviors. Molecular docking exhibited potential bindings of 2-BTHF to HSF-1 and DAF-16 transcription factors. Additionally, 2-BTHF significantly increased the mRNA transcripts of genes encoding proteins involved in proteostasis, including the molecular chaperones hsp-16.2 and hsp-16.49, the ubiquitination/SUMOylation-related ubc-9 gene, and the autophagy-related genes atg-7 and lgg-1. Transcriptomic profiling revealed an additional mechanism of 2-BTHF in α-synuclein-expressing worms, which showed upregulation of PPAR signaling cascades that mediated fatty acid metabolism. 2-BTHF significantly restored lipid deposition, upregulated the fat-7 gene, and enhanced gcs-1-mediated glutathione synthesis in the C. elegans PD model. Taken together, this study demonstrated that 2-BTHF could abrogate aggregative and oxidative properties of α-synuclein and attenuate its toxicity, thus providing a possible therapeutic application for the treatment of α-synuclein-induced PD.

Comparative analysis of the intestinal flora of BmNPV-resistant and BmNPV-sensitive silkworm varieties

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a very common and infectious virus that affects silkworms and hinders silk production. To investigate the intestinal flora of BmNPV-resistant and BmNPV-sensitive silkworm varieties, 16 S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was performed. The results of the cluster analysis showed that the intestinal flora of the resistant silkworm variety was more abundant than that of the sensitive silkworm variety. This was found even when infection with BmNPV caused a sharp decline in the number of intestinal floral species in both resistant and sensitive silkworm varieties. The abundances of the intestinal flora, including Aureimonas, Ileibacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and Halomonas, in the resistant variety were considerably greater after infection with BmNPV than those in the sensitive variety. After infection with BmNPV, four kinds of important intestinal bacteria, namely, f_Saccharimonadaceae, Peptostreptococcus, Aureirmonas, and f_Rhizobiaceae, were found in the resistant silkworm variety. In the sensitive silkworm variety, only Faecalibaculum was an important intestinal bacterium. The differential or important bacteria mentioned above might be involved in immunoreaction or antiviral activities, especially in the intestines of BmNPV-resistant silkworms. By conducting a functional enrichment analysis, we found that BmNPV infection did not change the abundance of important functional components of the intestinal flora in resistant or sensitive silkworm varieties. However, some functional factors, such as the biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism of secondary metabolites (e.g., terpenoids and polyketides) and lipid transport and metabolism, were more important in the resistant silkworm variety than in the sensitive variety; thus, these factors may increase the resistance of the host to BmNPV. To summarize, we found significant differences in the composition, abundance, and function of the intestinal flora between resistant and sensitive silkworm varieties, especially after infection with BmNPV, which might be closely related to the resistance of resistant silkworm varieties to BmNPV.

Lipid and Transcriptional Regulation in a Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model by Intranasal Vesicular and Hexosomal Plasmalogen-Based Nanomedicines

Plasmalogens (vinyl-ether phospholipids) are an emergent class of lipid drugs against various diseases involving neuro-inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered lipid metabolism. They can activate neurotrophic and neuroprotective signaling pathways but low bioavailabilities limit their efficiency in curing neurodegeneration. Here, liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are created for the protection and non-invasive intranasal delivery of purified scallop-derived plasmalogens. The in vivo results with a transgenic mouse Parkinson's disease (PD) model (characterized by motor impairments and α-synuclein deposition) demonstrate the crucial importance of LNP composition, which determines the self-assembled nanostructure type. Vesicle and hexosome nanostructures (characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering) display different efficacy of the nanomedicine-mediated recovery of motor function, lipid balance, and transcriptional regulation (e.g., reduced neuro-inflammation and PD pathogenic gene expression). Intranasal vesicular and hexosomal plasmalogen-based LNP treatment leads to improvement of the behavioral PD symptoms and downregulation of the Il6, Il33, and Tnfa genes. Moreover, RNA-sequencing and lipidomic analyses establish a dramatic effect of hexosomal nanomedicines on PD amelioration, lipid metabolism, and the type and number of responsive transcripts that may be implicated in neuroregeneration.

Phospholipidomics in Clinical Trials for Brain Disorders: Advancing our Understanding and Therapeutic Potentials

Phospholipidomics is a specialized branch of lipidomics that focuses on the characterization and quantification of phospholipids. By using sensitive analytical techniques, phospholipidomics enables researchers to better understand the metabolism and activities of phospholipids in brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In the brain, identifying specific phospholipid biomarkers can offer valuable insights into the underlying molecular features and biochemistry of these diseases through a variety of sensitive analytical techniques. Phospholipidomics has emerged as a promising tool in clinical studies, with immense potential to advance our knowledge of neurological diseases and enhance diagnosis and treatment options for patients. In the present review paper, we discussed numerous applications of phospholipidomics tools in clinical studies, with a particular focus on the neurological field. By exploring phospholipids' functions in neurological diseases and the potential of phospholipidomics in clinical research, we provided valuable insights that could aid researchers and clinicians in harnessing the full prospective of this innovative practice and improve patient outcomes by providing more potent treatments for neurological diseases.

Exploring the significance of lipids in Alzheimer's disease and the potential of extracellular vesicles

Lipids play a significant role in maintaining central nervous system (CNS) structure and function, and the dysregulation of lipid metabolism is known to occur in many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we review what is currently known about lipid dyshomeostasis in Alzheimer's disease. We propose that small extracellular vesicle (sEV) lipids may provide insight into the pathophysiology and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This stems from the recognition that sEV likely contributes to disease pathogenesis, but also an understanding that sEV can serve as a source of potential biomarkers. While the protein and RNA content of sEV in the CNS diseases have been studied extensively, our understanding of the lipidome of sEV in the CNS is still in its infancy.

Transcriptomic imputation of genetic risk variants uncovers novel whole-blood biomarkers of Parkinson's disease

Blood-based gene expression signatures could potentially be used as biomarkers for PD. However, it is unclear whether genetically-regulated transcriptomic signatures can provide novel gene candidates for use as PD biomarkers. We leveraged on the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database to impute whole-blood transcriptomic expression using summary statistics of three large-scale PD GWAS. A random forest classifier was used with the consensus whole-blood imputed gene signature (IGS) to discriminate between cases and controls. Outcome measures included Area under the Curve (AUC) of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve. We demonstrated that the IGS (n = 37 genes) is conserved across PD GWAS studies and brain tissues. IGS discriminated between cases and controls in an independent whole-blood RNA-sequencing study (1176 PD, 254 prodromal, and 860 healthy controls) with mean AUC and accuracy of 64.8% and 69.4% for PD cohort, and 78.8% and 74% for prodromal cohort. PATL2 was the top-performing imputed gene in both PD and prodromal PD cohorts, whose classifier performance varied with biological sex (higher performance for males and females in the PD and prodromal PD, respectively). Single-cell RNA-sequencing studies (scRNA-seq) of healthy humans and PD patients found PATL2 to be enriched in terminal effector CD8+ and cytotoxic CD4+ cells, whose proportions are both increased in PD patients. We demonstrated the utility of GWAS transcriptomic imputation in identifying novel whole-blood transcriptomic signatures which could be leveraged upon for PD biomarker derivation. We identified PATL2 as a potential biomarker in both clinical and prodromic PD.

The Impact of High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) Levels and Risk of Movement Disorders in Patients Taking Antipsychotics

Introduction

Well-known adverse events of antipsychotics are movement disorders, or extrapyramidal symptoms, such as drug-induced parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia.

Objective

With new evidence suggesting a link between low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and risk of Parkinson's disease, this study sought to investigate if that link also translated to patients taking antipsychotics with low HDL-C and an increased risk for developing a movement disorder.

Design

Adult patients (n=89) at an inpatient state psychiatric facility taking at least one antipsychotic with at least one HDL-C level were assessed for signs of a movement disorder through their history and physical, progress notes, and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) score.

Results

There was no statistical significance when comparing a patient's movement disorder, AIMS scores, and HDL-C levels to suggest that the HDL-C level influenced a patient's movement disorder.

Conclusion

This study did not show a correlation between HDL-C levels and a patient's risk of developing a movement disorder while taking an antipsychotic.

Nonlinear relationship between triglycerides and cognitive function after acute ischemic stroke among older adults

Background

Although studies have explored the association between triglyceride levels and cognitive function after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the results have been conflicting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between triglyceride levels and cognitive function after AIS among older adults.

Methods

This is an observational cross-sectional study. From November 2022 to June 2023, we consecutively collected patients diagnosed with AIS in China. Triglyceride levels were measured within 24 h of admission. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive function. Nonlinear associations between triglyceride levels and cognitive function were assessed using smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis.

Results

In this study, a total of 221 patients (mean ± SD: 70.64 ± 7.43 years) with AIS were consecutively recruited, among whom 144 (65.16%) were male. Among the 221 recruited patients, 102 (46.15%) had cognitive impairment. Triglyceride levels and cognitive impairment were found to have a nonlinear association after controlling for potential confounders, with an inflection point at 0.8 mmol/L. Below the inflection point, triglyceride levels were positively correlated with MMSE scores (β = 14.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.33-25.89, P = 0.020). However, above the inflection point, the correlation between MMSE score and triglyceride levels was not statistically significant (β = 1.04, 95% CI = -1.27 - 3.34, P = 0.380).

Conclusion

There is a nonlinear association between triglyceride levels and cognitive function after AIS in older adults. Triglyceride was positively connected with cognitive function when it was less than 0.8 mmol/L.

The Chemical Reactivity of Membrane Lipids

It is well-known that aqueous dispersions of phospholipids spontaneously assemble into bilayer structures. These structures have numerous applications across chemistry and materials science and form the fundamental structural unit of the biological membrane. The particular environment of the lipid bilayer, with a water-poor low dielectric core surrounded by a more polar and better hydrated interfacial region, gives the membrane particular biophysical and physicochemical properties and presents a unique environment for chemical reactions to occur. Many different types of molecule spanning a range of sizes, from dissolved gases through small organics to proteins, are able to interact with membranes and promote chemical changes to lipids that subsequently affect the physicochemical properties of the bilayer. This Review describes the chemical reactivity exhibited by lipids in their membrane form, with an emphasis on conditions where the lipids are well hydrated in the form of bilayers. Key topics include the following: lytic reactions of glyceryl esters, including hydrolysis, aminolysis, and transesterification; oxidation reactions of alkenes in unsaturated fatty acids and sterols, including autoxidation and oxidation by singlet oxygen; reactivity of headgroups, particularly with reactive carbonyl species; and E/Z isomerization of alkenes. The consequences of reactivity for biological activity and biophysical properties are also discussed.

New Insights into Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are two important and well-studied pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Due to elevated oxygen consumption, the high presence of easily oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids and the weak antioxidant defenses, the brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative injury. Uncertainty exists over whether these deficits contribute to the development of NDDs or are solely a consequence of neuronal degeneration. Furthermore, these two pathological hallmarks are linked, and it is known that OS can affect the inflammatory response. In this review, we will overview the last findings about these two pathways in the principal NDDs. Moreover, we will focus more in depth on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to understand how anti-inflammatory and antioxidants drugs have been used for the treatment of this still incurable motor neuron (MN) disease. Finally, we will analyze the principal past and actual clinical trials and the future perspectives in the study of these two pathological mechanisms.

Electroacupuncture at ST25 corrected gut microbial dysbiosis and SNpc lipid peroxidation in Parkinson's disease rats

Introduction

Parkinson's disease (PD) remains one kind of a complex, progressive neurodegenerative disease. Levodopa and dopamine agonists as widely utilized PD therapeutics have not shown significant positive long-term outcomes. Emerging evidences indicate that electroacupuncture (EA) have potential effects on the therapy of nervous system disorders, particularly PD, but its specific underlying mechanism(s) remains poorly understood, leading to the great challenge of clinical application and management. Previous study has shown that acupuncture ameliorates PD motor symptoms and dopaminergic neuron damage by modulating intestinal dysbiosis, but its intermediate pathway has not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods

A rat model of PD was induced using rotenone. The therapeutic effect of EA on PD was assessed using the pole and rotarod tests and immunohistostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the substantia nigra (SN) of brain. The role of gut microbiota was explored using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabonomic analysis. PICRUSt2 analysis, lipidomic analysis, LPS and inflammatory factor assays were used for subsequent exploration and validation. Correlation analysis was used to identify the key bacteria that EA regulates lipid metabolism to improve PD.

Results

The present study firstly reappeared the effects of EA on protecting motor function and dopaminergic neurons and modulation of gut microbial dysbiosis in rotenone-induced PD rat model. EA improved motor dysfunction (via the pole and rotarod tests) and protected TH+ neurons in PD rats. EA increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Dubosiella and Bifidobacterium and decreased the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Morganella belonging to Pseudomonadota, suggesting that the modulation of gut microbiota by EA improving the symptoms of PD motility via alleviating LPS-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which was also validated by various aspects such as microbial gene functional analysis, fecal metabolomics analysis, LPS and inflammatory factor assays and SNpc lipidomics analysis. Moreover, correlation analyses also verified strong correlations of Escherichia-Shigella and Morganella with motor symptoms and SNpc lipid peroxidation, explicating targets and intermediate pathways through which EA improve PD exercise symptom.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the improvement of motor function in PD model by EA may be mediated in part by restoring the gut microbiota, which intermediate processes involve circulating endotoxins and inflammatory mediators, SNpc oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The gut-microbiome - brain axis may be a potential mechanism of EA treatment for the PD.

The contribution of age-related changes in the gut-brain axis to neurological disorders

Trillions of microbes live symbiotically in the host, specifically in mucosal tissues such as the gut. Recent advances in metagenomics and metabolomics have revealed that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in the regulation of host immunity and metabolism, communicating through bidirectional interactions in the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). The gut microbiota regulates both gut and systemic immunity and contributes to the neurodevelopment and behaviors of the host. With aging, the composition of the microbiota changes, and emerging studies have linked these shifts in microbial populations to age-related neurological diseases (NDs). Preclinical studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota-targeted therapies can improve behavioral outcomes in the host by modulating microbial, metabolomic, and immunological profiles. In this review, we discuss the pathways of brain-to-gut or gut-to-brain signaling and summarize the role of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites across the lifespan and in disease. We highlight recent studies investigating 1) microbial changes with aging; 2) how aging of the maternal microbiome can affect offspring health; and 3) the contribution of the microbiome to both chronic age-related diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloidosis), and acute brain injury, including ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NKK20 Increases Intestinal Butyrate Production and Inhibits Type 2 Diabetic Kidney Injury through PI3K/Akt Pathway

Nephropathy injury is a prevalent complication observed in individuals with diabetes, serving as a prominent contributor to end-stage renal disease, and the advanced glycation products (AGEs) are important factors that induce kidney injury in patients with diabetes. Addressing this condition remains a challenging aspect in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NKK20 strain (NKK20) which protects against diabetic kidney disease (DKD) based on animal and cell models. The results showed that the NKK20 can significantly reduce renal inflammatory response, serum oxidative stress response, and AGE concentration in diabetic mice. After treatment with NKK20, the kidney damage of diabetic mice was significantly improved, and more importantly, the concentration of butyrate, a specific anti-inflammatory metabolite of intestinal flora in the stool of diabetic mice, was significantly increased. In addition, nontargeted metabolomics analysis showed a significant difference between the metabolites in the mouse serum contents of the NKK20 administration group and those in the nephropathy injury group, in which a total of 24 different metabolites that were significantly affected by NKK20 were observed, and these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. Also, the administration of butyrate to human kidney- (HK-) 2 cells that were stimulated by AGEs resulted in a significant upregulation of ZO-1, Occludin, and E-cadherin gene expressions and downregulation of α-SMA gene expression. This means that butyrate can maintain the tight junction structure of HK-2 cells and inhibit fibrosis. Butyrate also significantly inhibited the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. These results indicate that NKK20 can treat kidney injury in diabetic mice by reducing blood glucose and AGE concentration and increasing butyrate production in the intestine. By inhibiting PI3K pathway activation in HK-2 cells, butyrate maintains a tight junction structure of renal tubule epithelial cells and inhibits renal tissue fibrosis. These results suggest that NKK20 is helpful to prevent and treat the occurrence and aggravation of diabetic kidney injury.

Initiation of Brain Extract Fibrillation and Effective Cellular Internalization of Tryptophan Fibrils Unveils Its Neurotoxicity Risk

Recent discoveries on the self-assembly of aromatic amino acids into amyloid-like neurotoxic nanostructures have initiated a quest to decode the molecular mechanisms for the initiation of neurodegeneration. Moreover, the multicomponent nature of the amyloid deposits still questions the existing and well-defined amyloid cascade hypothesis. Hence, deciphering the neurotoxicity of amyloid-like nanostructures of aromatic amino acids becomes crucial for understanding the etiology of amyloidogenesis. Here, we demonstrate the cellular internalization and consequential damaging effects of self-assembled amyloid-like tryptophan nanostructures on human neuroblastoma cells. The cell-damaging potential of tryptophan nanostructure seems to be facilitated via ROS generation, necrosis and apoptosis mediated cell death. Further, tryptophan nanostructures were found to be seeding competent conformers, which triggered aggressive aggregation of brain extract components. The early stage intermediate nanostructures possess a higher cross-seeding efficacy than the seeding potential of the matured tryptophan fibrils. In addition to the cell-damaging and cross-seeding effects, tryptophan fibrils were found to catalyze oxidation of neuromodulator dopamine. These findings add more insights into the specific role of tryptophan self-assembly during the pathogenesis of hypertryptophanemia and other amyloid-associated neurodegenerative complications.

Mechanistic insights of magnolol antimicrobial activity against Mycoplasma using untargeted metabolomic analyses

The unreasonable use of antibiotics is one of the important causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that poses a huge public health threat. Magnolol is a traditional Chinese medicine exhibiting antibacterial-, antifungal-, anti-inflammatory-, and antioxidant activities. However, it is unclear whether magnolol has an inhibitory effect on mycoplasma. This study found that magnolol showed excellent inhibitory activity against various mycoplasmas. Magnolol showed dose-dependent inhibition of Mycoplasma synoviae growth and biofilm formation in vitro. Magnolol caused severely sunken and wrinkled M. synoviae cell membranes at the minimum inhibitory concentration, and an enlarged cell diameter. The chicken embryo infection model showed that magnolol significantly reduced M. synoviae pathogenicity in vivo. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyruvate metabolism were significantly disturbed at the minimum inhibitory concentration of magnolol. Interestingly, 41% of differential metabolites were in the categories of lipids and lipid-like molecules. Protegenin A was up-regulated 58752-fold after magnolol treatment. It belongs to fatty acyls, and destroys cell membrane integrity and cell activity. Ghosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylserine related to membrane maintenance and stress response were widely down-regulated. Collectively, our results illustrate the feasibility of magnolol as a phytochemical compound to treat mycoplasma infection.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Skeletal Muscle of Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease: SC-Nanophytosomes as Therapeutic Approach

The development of new therapeutic options for Parkinson's disease (PD) requires formulations able to mitigate both brain degeneration and motor dysfunctions. SC-Nanophytosomes, an oral mitochondria-targeted formulation developed with Codium tomentosum membrane polar lipids and elderberry anthocyanin-enriched extract, promote significant brain benefits on a rotenone-induced rat model of PD. In the present work, the effects of SC-Nanophytosome treatment on the skeletal muscle tissues are disclosed. It is unveiled that the rotenone-induced PD rat model exhibits motor disabilities and skeletal muscle tissues with deficient activity of mitochondrial complexes I and II along with small changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and skeletal muscle lipidome. SC-Nanophytosome treatment mitigates the impairment of complexes I and II activity, improving the mitochondrial respiratory chain performance at levels that surpass the control. Therefore, SC-Nanophytosome competence to overcome the PD-related motor disabilities should be also associated with its positive outcomes on skeletal muscle mitochondria. Providing a cellular environment with more reduced redox potential, SC-Nanophytosome treatment improves the skeletal muscle tissue's ability to deal with oxidative stress stimuli. The PD-related small changes on skeletal muscle lipidome were also counteracted by SC-Nanophytosome treatment. Thus, the present results reinforces the concept of SC-Nanophytosomes as a mitochondria-targeted therapy to address the neurodegeneration challenge.

Investigating Performance of the SLIM-Based High Resolution Ion Mobility Platform for Separation of Isomeric Phosphatidylcholine Species

Lipids are structurally diverse molecules that play a pivotal role in a plethora of biological processes. However, deciphering the biological roles of the specific lipids is challenging due to the existence of numerous isomers. This high chemical complexity of the lipidome is one of the major challenges in lipidomics research, as the traditional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based approaches are often not powerful enough to resolve these isomeric and isobaric nuances within complex samples. Thus, lipids are uniquely suited to the benefits provided by multidimensional liquid chromatography-ion mobility-mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS) analysis. However, many forms of lipid isomerism, including double-bond positional isomers and regioisomers, are structurally similar such that their collision cross section (CCS) differences are unresolvable via conventional IM approaches. Here we evaluate the performance of a high resolution ion mobility (HRIM) system based on structures for lossless ion manipulation (SLIM) technology interfaced to a high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) analyzer to address the noted lipidomic isomerism challenge. SLIM implements the traveling wave ion mobility technique along an ∼13 m ion path, providing longer path lengths to enable improved separation of isomeric features. We demonstrate the power of HRIM-MS to dissect isomeric PC standards differing only in double bond (DB) and stereospecific number (SN) positions. The partial separation of protonated DB isomers is significantly enhanced when they are analyzed as metal adducts. For sodium adducts, we achieve close to baseline separation of three different PC 18:1/18:1 isomers with different cis-double bond locations. Similarly, PC 18:1/18:1 (cis-9) can be resolved from the corresponding PC 18:1/18:1 (trans-9) form. The separation capacity is further enhanced when using silver ion doping, enabling the baseline separation of regioisomers that cannot be resolved when measured as sodium adducts. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the approach were assessed, and the performance for more complex mixtures was benchmarked by identifying PC isomers in total brain and liver lipid extracts.

Integrative metabolome and lipidome analyses of plasma in neovascular macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes irreversible vision-loss among the elderly in industrial countries. Neovascular AMD (nAMD), which refers to late-stage AMD, is characterized by severe vision-threatening choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Herein, we constructed a global metabolic network of nAMD, based on untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic analysis of plasma samples collected from sixty subjects (30 nAMD patients and 30 age-matched controls). Among the nAMD and control groups, 62 and 44 significantly different metabolites were detected in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Grouping analysis further showed that lipid and lipid-like molecule-based superclasses contained the highest number of significantly different metabolites. Lipidomic analysis revealed that 53 lipids among the nAMD and control groups differed significantly; these belonged to four major lipid categories (glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, glycerolipids, and fatty acids). A discriminative biomarker panel comprising 16 metabolites and lipids, which was constructed using multivariate statistical machine learning methods, could effectively identify nAMD cases. Among these 16 compounds, eight were lipids that belonged to three lipid categories (glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and prenol lipids). The top three biomarkers with the highest importance scores were all lipids (a glycerophospholipid and two sphingolipids), highlighting the crucial role played by glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid pathways in nAMD. These differences between the metabolic and lipid profiles of nAMD patients and elderly individuals without AMD provide a readout of the overall metabolic status of nAMD. Further insights into the identified discriminative biomarkers may pave the way for future diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for nAMD.

Serum-Based Lipid Panels for Diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative movement disorder with an unclear etiology and a lack of definite diagnostic tests and effective treatments. About 95% of PD cases are idiopathic, in which none of the well-known genes underlying familial parkinsonism are mutated. We used untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to profile the serum lipidome of 50 patients with different stages of idiopathic PD (early, mid, or advanced) and 45 age-matched controls. When comparing the PD patients to the control subjects, 169 lipids were significantly altered in both a univariate analysis and a multivariate partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Compared to the controls, the patients with PD had higher levels of unsaturated triacylglycerides (e.g., TG O-56:9 and TG 52:3), saturated lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC 17:0, 16:0, and 15:0), and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), while lower levels of phosphatidylserines (e.g., PS 40:4 and PS 16:0_22:4), sphingomyelins (SM 42:1), and ceramides (e.g., Cer 40:0 and 42:0) were found between the PD patients and the controls. A panel of 10 significantly altered lipids (PS 40:0, Cer 40:0, Cer 42:0, LPC 17:0, LPC 15:0, PC 37:7, PE O-40:8, PC O-42:4, FA 23:0, and SM 42:1) resulted in a strong receiver operating characteristic curve with an AUC = 0.974. This panel may, therefore, be useful for diagnosing PD. In addition, lipid panels may prove useful for distinguishing among the progression stages of PD. Using one-way ANOVA, 155 lipid species were significantly altered among the PD stages. Parkinson's disease progressed from the early to advanced stages with decreasing levels of PC 31:1, PC 38:4, and LPE 22:5. Conversely, LPC-O 20:0, PC O-42:3, FA 19:0, and FA 22:2 showed an increase in their levels with disease progression. Overall, this study shows an intriguing number of robust changes in specific serum lipids that may become useful for diagnosing PD and its progression, once panels have been validated in larger clinical trials and prospective studies.

The Bidirectional Interplay of α-Synuclein with Lipids in the Central Nervous System and Its Implications for the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease

The alteration and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases collectively termed as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The bidirectional interaction of α-syn with lipids and biomembranes impacts not only α-syn aggregation but also lipid homeostasis. Indeed, lipid composition and metabolism are severely perturbed in PD. One explanation for lipid-associated alterations may involve structural changes in α-syn, caused, for example, by missense mutations in the lipid-binding region of α-syn as well as post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, acetylation, nitration, ubiquitination, truncation, glycosylation, and glycation. Notably, different strategies targeting the α-syn-lipid interaction have been identified and are able to reduce α-syn pathology. These approaches include the modulation of post-translational modifications aiming to reduce the aggregation of α-syn and modify its binding properties to lipid membranes. Furthermore, targeting enzymes involved in various steps of lipid metabolism and exploring the neuroprotective potential of lipids themselves have emerged as novel therapeutic approaches. Taken together, this review focuses on the bidirectional crosstalk of α-syn and lipids and how alterations of this interaction affect PD and thereby open a window for therapeutic interventions.

Brain-wide transcriptome-based metabolic alterations in Parkinson's disease: human inter-region and human-experimental model correlations

Alterations in brain metabolism are closely associated with the molecular hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). A clear understanding of the main metabolic perturbations in PD is therefore important. Here, we retrospectively analysed the expression of metabolic genes from 34 PD-control post-mortem human brain transcriptome data comparisons from literature, spanning multiple brain regions. We found high metabolic correlations between the Substantia nigra (SN)- and cerebral cortex-derived tissues. Moreover, three clusters of PD patient cohorts were identified based on perturbed metabolic processes in the SN - each characterised by perturbations in (a) bile acid metabolism (b) omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and (c) lipoic acid and androgen metabolism - metabolic themes not comprehensively addressed in PD. These perturbations were supported by concurrence between transcriptome and proteome changes in the expression patterns for CBR1, ECI2, BDH2, CYP27A1, ALDH1B1, ALDH9A1, ADH5, ALDH7A1, L1CAM, and PLXNB3 genes, providing a valuable resource for drug targeting and diagnosis. Also, we analysed 58 PD-control transcriptome data comparisons from in vivo/in vitro disease models and identified experimental PD models with significant correlations to matched human brain regions. Collectively, our findings suggest metabolic alterations in several brain regions, heterogeneity in metabolic alterations between study cohorts for the SN tissues and the need to optimize current experimental models to advance research on metabolic aspects of PD.

Parkinson's Disease and the Heart: Studying Cardiac Metabolism in the 6-Hydroxydopamine Model

Parkinson's-disease (PD) is an incurable, age-related neurodegenerative disease, and its global prevalence of disability and death has increased exponentially. Although motor symptoms are the characteristic manifestations of PD, the clinical spectrum also contains a wide variety of non-motor symptoms, which are the main cause of disability and determinants of the decrease in a patient's quality of life. Noteworthy in this regard is the stress on the cardiac system that is often observed in the course of PD; however, its effects have not yet been adequately researched. Here, an untargeted metabolomics approach was used to assess changes in cardiac metabolism in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of PD. Beta-sitosterol, campesterol, cholesterol, monoacylglycerol, α-tocopherol, stearic acid, beta-glycerophosphoric acid, o-phosphoethanolamine, myo-inositol-1-phosphate, alanine, valine and allothreonine are the metabolites that significantly discriminate parkinsonian rats from sham counterparts. Upon analysis of the metabolic pathways with the aim of uncovering the main biological pathways involved in concentration patterns of cardiac metabolites, the biosynthesis of both phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, the glucose-alanine cycle, glutathione metabolism and plasmalogen synthesis most adequately differentiated sham and parkinsonian rats. Our results reveal that both lipid and energy metabolism are particularly involved in changes in cardiac metabolism in PD. These results provide insight into cardiac metabolic signatures in PD and indicate potential targets for further investigation.

Lipid homeostasis is essential for a maximal ER stress response

Changes in lipid metabolism are associated with aging and age-related diseases, including proteopathies. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is uniquely a major hub for protein and lipid synthesis, making its function essential for both protein and lipid homeostasis. However, it is less clear how lipid metabolism and protein quality may impact each other. Here, we identified let-767, a putative hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in Caenorhabditis elegans, as an essential gene for both lipid and ER protein homeostasis. Knockdown of let-767 reduces lipid stores, alters ER morphology in a lipid-dependent manner, and blocks induction of the Unfolded Protein Response of the ER (UPRER). Interestingly, a global reduction in lipogenic pathways restores UPRER induction in animals with reduced let-767. Specifically, we find that supplementation of 3-oxoacyl, the predicted metabolite directly upstream of let-767, is sufficient to block induction of the UPRER. This study highlights a novel interaction through which changes in lipid metabolism can alter a cell's response to protein-induced stress.

The Lipid Invasion Model: Growing Evidence for This New Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease

The Lipid Invasion Model (LIM) is a new hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease (AD) which argues that AD is a result of external lipid invasion to the brain, following damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The LIM provides a comprehensive explanation of the observed neuropathologies associated with the disease, including the lipid irregularities first described by Alois Alzheimer himself, and accounts for the wide range of risk factors now identified with AD, all of which are also associated with damage to the BBB. This article summarizes the main arguments of the LIM, and new evidence and arguments in support of it. The LIM incorporates and extends the amyloid hypothesis, the current main explanation of the disease, but argues that the greatest cause of late-onset AD is not amyloid-β (Aβ) but bad cholesterol and free fatty acids, let into the brain by a damaged BBB. It suggests that the focus on Aβ is the reason why we have made so little progress in treating the disease in the last 30 years. As well as offering new perspectives for further research into the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of AD, based on protecting and repairing the BBB, the LIM provides potential new insights into other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

High-throughput Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultivation method for credentialing-based untargeted metabolomics

Identifying metabolites in model organisms is critical for many areas of biology, including unravelling disease aetiology or elucidating functions of putative enzymes. Even now, hundreds of predicted metabolic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae remain uncharacterized, indicating that our understanding of metabolism is far from complete even in well-characterized organisms. While untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) enables the detection of thousands of features per analysis, many of these have a non-biological origin. Stable isotope labelling (SIL) approaches can serve as credentialing strategies to distinguish biologically relevant features from background signals, but implementing these experiments at large scale remains challenging. Here, we developed a SIL-based approach for high-throughput untargeted metabolomics in S. cerevisiae, including deep-48 well format-based cultivation and metabolite extraction, building on the peak annotation and verification engine (PAVE) tool. Aqueous and nonpolar extracts were analysed using HILIC and RP liquid chromatography, respectively, coupled to Orbitrap Q Exactive HF mass spectrometry. Of the approximately 37,000 total detected features, only 3-7% of the features were credentialed and used for data analysis with open-source software such as MS-DIAL, MetFrag, Shinyscreen, SIRIUS CSI:FingerID, and MetaboAnalyst, leading to the successful annotation of 198 metabolites using MS² database matching. Comparable metabolic profiles were observed for wild-type and sdh1Δ yeast strains grown in deep-48 well plates versus the classical shake flask format, including the expected increase in intracellular succinate concentration in the sdh1Δ strain. The described approach enables high-throughput yeast cultivation and credentialing-based untargeted metabolomics, providing a means to efficiently perform molecular phenotypic screens and help complete metabolic networks.

Radical Scavenging Mechanisms of 1-Arylhydrazone Benzimidazole Hybrids with Neuroprotective Activity

Benzimidazole-arylhydrazone hybrids showed promising potential as multifunctional drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. The neuroprotection studies conducted using an in vitro model of H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress on the SH-SY5Y cell line revealed a remarkable activity of the compound possessing a vanilloid structural fragment. The cell viability was preserved up to 84% and this effect was significantly higher than the one exerted by the reference compounds melatonin and rasagiline. Another compound with a catecholic moiety demonstrated the second-best neuroprotective activity. Computational studies were further conducted to characterize in depth the antioxidant properties of both compounds. The possible radical scavenging mechanisms were estimated as well as the most reactive sites through which the compounds may deactivate a variety of free radicals. Both of the compounds are able to deactivate not only the highly reactive hydroxyl radicals but also alkoxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals, following hydrogen atom transfer or radical adduct formation mechanism. In nonpolar medium, 3e is predicted to react slightly faster than 3a with alkoxyl radicals and around two orders of magnitude faster than 3a with hydroperoxyl radicals. The most reactive sites for formal hydrogen atom transfer in 3a are the meta-hydroxy group in the phenyl ring in water and the amide N-H group in benzene; in 3e, the amide N-H group is more reactive in both solvents. The radical adduct formation can occur at several positions in 3a and 3e, the most active being C4, C6, and C14. The stability of the formed radicals was estimated by NBO calculations. The NBO calculations indicated that the spin density in the radicals formed by the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the amide groups of both compounds is delocalized over the phenyl ring and the hydrazone chain. The obtained theoretical data for the better radical scavenging ability of the vanilloid hybrid corroborate its experimentally established better neuroprotective activity.