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Geravand S, Karami M, Sahraei H, Rahimi F. Protective effects of L-arginine on Alzheimer's disease: Modulating hippocampal nitric oxide levels and memory deficits in aluminum chloride-induced rat model. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 958:176030. [PMID: 37660966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that high daily intake of aluminum (Al) is associated with an increased risk of dementia or cognitive decline. We injected L-arginine into the dorsal hippocampus (DH) of an AlCl3-induced Alzheimer's model and studied memory deficit, β-amyloid (βA) accumulation, neurodegeneration, and molecular changes. Male Wistar rats were cannulated unilaterally in the DH under a stereotaxic apparatus and a dose of AlCl3 (1-200 μg/rat) was injected into the CA1. After recovery, L-arginine and L-NAME (0.05-25 μg/rat) were injected into CA1 and animals were tested in novelty seeking task. One group received βA (2 μg/rat, intra CA1) as a reference group. Control groups received saline (1 μL/rat, intra-CA1) and galantamine (25 μg/rat, intra-CA1), respectively. Finally, rats were anesthetized and hippocampal tissues were isolated on ice. Levels of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS), β-secretase and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) were measured by western blotting. βA formation and the number of CA1 neurons were assessed by Congo red and Nissl staining. NOS activation by NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) was investigated. All data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at α = 0.05 level. Like βA, AlCl3 (25 μg/rat) caused accumulation of βA in the DH and increased stopping of the animal on the novel side (indicating a recall deficit). CA1 neurons decreased, and nNOS and β-secretase, but not sGC, showed a change consistent with Alzheimer's. However, prophylactic intervention of L-arginine at 3-9 μg/rat was protective, probably by nNOS stimulation in DH, as shown by NADPH-d assay. L-arginine may protect against Alzheimer's by increasing hippocampal NO levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Geravand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Manizheh Karami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hedayat Sahraei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fardin Rahimi
- Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Petric Z, Paixão P, Filipe A, Guimarães Morais J. Clinical Pharmacology of Vinpocetine: Properties Revisited and Introduction of a Population Pharmacokinetic Model for Its Metabolite, Apovincaminic Acid (AVA). Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2502. [PMID: 37896263 PMCID: PMC10610279 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper examines the use of vinpocetine in the context of clinical pharmacology. The main and active metabolite of vinpocetine is apovincaminic acid (AVA). Due to the scarce information in the literature on AVA pharmacokinetics, we propose a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model for AVA based on a study in healthy volunteers with three different formulations of vinpocetine. The suggested PopPK model (and simulations) could be helpful in ensuring the more effective and safer use of the vinpocetine in the future given the increasing range of suggested indications for its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvonimir Petric
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulo Paixão
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Augusto Filipe
- Medical Department, Tecnimede, Sociedade Técnico-Medicinal, S.A., Zona Industrial da Abrunheira, Rua da Tapada Grande, No. 2 Abrunheira, 2710-089 Sintra, Portugal
| | - José Guimarães Morais
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
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3
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van Kraaij SJW, Gal P, Borghans LGJM, Klaassen ES, Dijkstra F, Winrow C, Glasser C, Groeneveld GJ. First-in-human trial to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of zagociguat (CY6463), a CNS-penetrant soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator. Clin Transl Sci 2023; 16:1381-1395. [PMID: 37118895 PMCID: PMC10432884 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and its product, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, play a role in learning and memory formation. Zagociguat (CY6463) is a novel stimulator of sGC being developed for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Single zagociguat doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg were administered once to healthy participants in a single-ascending-dose phase; then zagociguat 2, 5, 10, and 15 mg was administered q.d. for 14 days in a multiple-ascending-dose phase; and, finally, zagociguat 10 mg was administered once in both fed and fasted state in a food-interaction phase. Safety of zagociguat was evaluated by monitoring treatment-emergent adverse events, suicide risk, vital signs, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests. Pharmacokinetics of zagociguat were assessed through blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Pharmacodynamic effects of zagociguat were evaluated with central nervous system (CNS) tests and pharmaco-electroencephalography. Zagociguat was well-tolerated across all doses evaluated. Zagociguat exposures increased in a dose-proportional manner. Median time to maximum concentration ranged from 0.8 to 5 h and mean terminal half-life from 52.8 to 67.1 h. CNS penetration of the compound was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Zagociguat induced up to 6.1 mmHg reduction in mean systolic and up to 7.5 mmHg reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure. No consistent pharmacodynamic (PD) effects on neurocognitive function were observed. Zagociguat was well-tolerated, CNS-penetrant, and demonstrated PD activity consistent with other sGC stimulators. The results of this study support further development of zagociguat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pim Gal
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Francis Dijkstra
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Geert Jan Groeneveld
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
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4
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Gomaa AA, Farghaly HSM, Ahmed AM, Hemida FK. Intermittent treatment with Apremilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, ameliorates Alzheimer's-like pathology and symptoms through multiple targeting actions in aged T2D rats. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109927. [PMID: 36848793 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apremilast (Apre), a novel phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, neuroprotective and senolytic properties, therefore, Apre like other PDE4 inhibitors may be a promising candidate for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of Apre on Alzheimer's like pathology and symptoms in an animal model. METHODS The effects of Apre and cilostazol, a reference drug, on the behavioral, biochemical, and pathological features of Alzheimer's disease induced by a high-fat/high-fructose diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (HF/HFr/l-STZ) were investigated. RESULT Apre 5 mg/kg IP/day for 3 consecutive days per week for 8 weeks attenuated memory and learning deficits tested by novel object recognition, Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Apre treatment significantly decreased the number of degenerating cells, and abnormal suppression of gene expression of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits in the cortex and hippocampus of the AD rat model compared to rats that received vehicle. A significant decrease in elevated levels of hippocampal amyloid beta, tau-positive cell count, cholinesterase activity, and hippocampal caspase-3, a biomarker of neurodegeneration, was also observed after treatment with Apre in AD rats compared to rats that received placebo. Furthermore, a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and GSK-3 was demonstrated in AD aged rats treated by Apre. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that intermittent treatment with Apre can enhance cognitive function in HF/HFr/l-STZ rats which may be related to decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and GSK-3β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel A Gomaa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Hanan S M Farghaly
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Fahmy K Hemida
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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Zuccarini M, Pruccoli L, Balducci M, Giuliani P, Caciagli F, Ciccarelli R, Di Iorio P. Influence of Guanine-Based Purines on the Oxidoreductive Reactions Involved in Normal or Altered Brain Functions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031172. [PMID: 36769818 PMCID: PMC9917437 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain is homeostatically controlled and contributes to normal neural functions. Inefficiency of control mechanisms in brain aging or pathological conditions leads to ROS overproduction with oxidative neural cell damage and degeneration. Among the compounds showing therapeutic potential against neuro-dysfunctions induced by oxidative stress are the guanine-based purines (GBPs), of which the most characterized are the nucleoside guanosine (GUO) and the nucleobase guanine (GUA), which act differently. Indeed, the administration of GUO to in vitro or in vivo models of acute brain injury (ischemia/hypoxia or trauma) or chronic neurological/neurodegenerative disorders, exerts neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing the production of reactive radicals and improving mitochondrial function via multiple molecular signals. However, GUO administration to rodents also causes an amnesic effect. In contrast, the metabolite, GUA, could be effective in memory-related disorders by transiently increasing ROS production and stimulating the nitric oxide/soluble guanylate cyclase/cGMP/protein kinase G cascade, which has long been recognized as beneficial for cognitive function. Thus, it is worth pursuing further studies to ascertain the therapeutic role of GUO and GUA and to evaluate the pathological brain conditions in which these compounds could be more usefully used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Letizia Pruccoli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Martina Balducci
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Patricia Giuliani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Caciagli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Renata Ciccarelli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Yanai S, Tago T, Toyohara J, Arasaki T, Endo S. Reversal of spatial memory impairment by phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor cilostazol is associated with reduced neuroinflammation and increased cerebral glucose uptake in aged male mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1031637. [PMID: 36618932 PMCID: PMC9810637 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1031637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleotide second messenger 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3', 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) mediate fundamental functions of the brain, including learning and memory. Phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) can hydrolyze both cAMP and cGMP and appears to be involved in the regulation of their contents in cells. We previously demonstrated that long-term administration of cilostazol, a PDE3 inhibitor, maintained good memory performance in aging mice. Here, we report on studies aimed at determining whether cilostazol also reverses already-impaired memory in aged male mice. One month of oral 1.5% cilostazol administration in 22-month-old mice reversed age-related declines in hippocampus-dependent memory tasks, including the object recognition and the Morris water maze. Furthermore, cilostazol reduced neuroinflammation, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining, and increased glucose uptake in the brain, as evidence by positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG). These results suggest that already-expressed memory impairment in aged male mice that depend on cyclic nucleotide signaling can be reversed by inhibition of PDE3. The reversal of age-related memory impairments may occur in the central nervous system, either through cilostazol-enhanced recall or strengthening of weak memories that otherwise may be resistant to recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Yanai
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Tago
- Research Team for Neuroimaging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Toyohara
- Research Team for Neuroimaging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Arasaki
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shogo Endo
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan,*Correspondence: Shogo Endo,
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Wang Y, Yuan P, Ding L, Zhu J, Qi X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Xia X, Zheng JC. Circulating extracellular vesicle-containing microRNAs reveal potential pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:955511. [PMID: 36339820 PMCID: PMC9630335 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.955511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unknown till today, hindering the research and development of AD therapeutics and diagnostics. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be utilized as a new window to spy upon AD pathogenesis. Altered microRNA profiles were noted in both the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)- and blood-isolated EVs of AD patients, implying the outstanding potential of circulating EV-containing miRNAs (CEmiRs) to serve as important regulators in AD pathogenesis. Although several CEmiRs were found to play a part in AD, the association of globally altered miRNA profiles in patients’ serum-derived EVs with AD pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we first investigated the miRNA profile in serum-derived EVs from AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and healthy individuals. We observed differential expression patterns of CEmiRs and classified them into 10 clusters. We identified the predicted targets of these differentially expressed CEmiRs (DECEmiRs) and analyzed their biological functions and interactions. Our study revealed the temporal regulation of complex and precise signaling networks on AD pathogenesis, shedding light on the development of novel therapeutic strategies, including multi-target drug combination for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Translational Research Center, Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Yuan
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, School of Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Ding
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinrui Qi
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Yunxia Li,
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Xiaohuan Xia,
| | - Jialin C. Zheng
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jialin C. Zheng,
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Villa V, Montalto G, Caudano F, Fedele E, Ricciarelli R. Selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4D increases tau phosphorylation at Ser214 residue. Biofactors 2022; 48:1111-1117. [PMID: 35561079 PMCID: PMC9790528 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a protein that normally participates in the assembly and stability of microtubules. However, it can form intraneuronal hyperphosphorylated aggregates that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. Tau can be phosphorylated by multiple kinases at several sites. Among such kinases, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates tau at Ser214 (pTAU-S214), an event that was shown to reduce the pathological assembly of the protein. Given that the neuronal cAMP/PKA-activated cascade is involved in synaptic plasticity and memory, and that cAMP-enhancing strategies demonstrated promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of cognitive deficits, we investigated the impact of cAMP on pTAU-S214 in N2a cells and rat hippocampal slices. Our results confirm that the activation of adenylyl cyclase increases pTAU-S214 in both model systems and, more interestingly, this effect is mimicked by GEBR-7b, a phosphodiesterase 4D inhibitor with proven pro-cognitive efficacy in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Villa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GenoaGenoaItaly
| | - Giulia Montalto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GenoaGenoaItaly
| | - Francesca Caudano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GenoaGenoaItaly
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GenoaGenoaItaly
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San MartinoGenoaItaly
| | - Roberta Ricciarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of GenoaGenoaItaly
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San MartinoGenoaItaly
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Gomaa AA, Farghaly HS, Ahmed AM, El-Mokhtar MA, Hemida FK. Advancing combination treatment with cilostazol and caffeine for Alzheimer's disease in high fat-high fructose-STZ induced model of amnesia. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 921:174873. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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PDE-Mediated Cyclic Nucleotide Compartmentation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: From Basic to a Clinical Perspective. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 9:jcdd9010004. [PMID: 35050214 PMCID: PMC8777754 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are important causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are major components of blood vessels and are involved in physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. In healthy vessels, vascular SMCs contribute to vasotone and regulate blood flow by cyclic nucleotide intracellular pathways. However, vascular SMCs lose their contractile phenotype under pathological conditions and alter contractility or signalling mechanisms, including cyclic nucleotide compartmentation. In the present review, we focus on compartmentalized signaling of cyclic nucleotides in vascular smooth muscle. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms clarifies the most relevant axes for the regulation of vascular tone. Furthermore, this allows the detection of possible changes associated with pathological processes, which may be of help for the discovery of novel drugs.
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Exercise mimetics: harnessing the therapeutic effects of physical activity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:862-879. [PMID: 34103713 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00217-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Exercise mimetics are a proposed class of therapeutics that specifically mimic or enhance the therapeutic effects of exercise. Increased physical activity has demonstrated positive effects in preventing and ameliorating a wide range of diseases, including brain disorders such as Alzheimer disease and dementia, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This article discusses the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways associated with the beneficial effects of physical activity, focusing on effects on brain function and cognitive enhancement. Emerging therapeutic targets and strategies for the development of exercise mimetics, particularly in the field of central nervous system disorders, as well as the associated opportunities and challenges, are discussed.
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