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Carretero VJ, Ramos E, Segura-Chama P, Hernández A, Baraibar AM, Álvarez-Merz I, Muñoz FL, Egea J, Solís JM, Romero A, Hernández-Guijo JM. Non-Excitatory Amino Acids, Melatonin, and Free Radicals: Examining the Role in Stroke and Aging. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1844. [PMID: 37891922 PMCID: PMC10603966 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to explore the relationship between melatonin, free radicals, and non-excitatory amino acids, and their role in stroke and aging. Melatonin has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its diverse physiological functions and potential therapeutic benefits by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Melatonin has been found to mitigate ischemic brain damage caused by stroke. By scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage, melatonin may help slow down the aging process and protect against age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, non-excitatory amino acids have been shown to possess neuroprotective properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in stroke and aging-related conditions. They can attenuate oxidative stress, modulate calcium homeostasis, and inhibit apoptosis, thereby safeguarding neurons against damage induced by stroke and aging processes. The intracellular accumulation of certain non-excitatory amino acids could promote harmful effects during hypoxia-ischemia episodes and thus, the blockade of the amino acid transporters involved in the process could be an alternative therapeutic strategy to reduce ischemic damage. On the other hand, the accumulation of free radicals, specifically mitochondrial reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, accelerates cellular senescence and contributes to age-related decline. Recent research suggests a complex interplay between melatonin, free radicals, and non-excitatory amino acids in stroke and aging. The neuroprotective actions of melatonin and non-excitatory amino acids converge on multiple pathways, including the regulation of calcium homeostasis, modulation of apoptosis, and reduction of inflammation. These mechanisms collectively contribute to the preservation of neuronal integrity and functions, making them promising targets for therapeutic interventions in stroke and age-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Jiménez Carretero
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Ramos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Segura-Chama
- Investigador por México-CONAHCYT, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Huipulco, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14370, Mexico
| | - Adan Hernández
- Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma of México, Juriquilla, Santiago de Querétaro 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Andrés M Baraibar
- Department of Neurosciences, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Barrio Sarriena, s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Iris Álvarez-Merz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López Muñoz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Camilo José Cela, C/Castillo de Alarcón 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i + 12), Avda. Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Egea
- Molecular Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Plasticity Research Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Santa Cristina, Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Solís
- Neurobiology-Research Service, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M Hernández-Guijo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Álvarez-Merz I, Muñoz MD, Hernández-Guijo JM, Solís JM. Identification of Non-excitatory Amino Acids and Transporters Mediating the Irreversible Synaptic Silencing After Hypoxia. Transl Stroke Res 2023:10.1007/s12975-023-01192-y. [PMID: 37755645 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-023-01192-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of excitatory amino acids (AA) to ischemic brain injury has been widely described. In addition, we reported that a mixture of non-excitatory AA at plasmatic concentrations turns irreversible the depression of synaptic transmission caused by hypoxia. Here, we describe that the presence of seven non-excitatory AA (L-alanine, L-glutamine, glycine, L-histidine, L-serine, taurine, and L-threonine) during hypoxia provokes an irreversible neuronal membrane depolarization, after an initial phase of hyperpolarization. The collapse of the membrane potential correlates with a great increase in fiber volley amplitude. Nevertheless, we show that the presence of all seven AA is not necessary to cause the irreversible loss of fEPSP after hypoxia and that the minimal combination of AA able to provoke a solid, replicable effect is the mixture of L-alanine, glycine, L-glutamine, and L-serine. Additionally, L-glutamine seems necessary but insufficient to induce these harmful effects. We also prove that the deleterious effects of the AA mixtures on field potentials during hypoxia depend on both the identity and concentration of the individual AA in the mixture. Furthermore, we find that the accumulation of AA in the whole slice does not determine the outcome caused by the AA mixtures on the synaptic transmission during hypoxia. Finally, results obtained using pharmacological inhibitors and specific substrates of AA transporters suggest that system N and the alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) participate in the non-excitatory AA-mediated deleterious effects during hypoxia. Thus, these AA transporters might represent therapeutical targets for the treatment of brain ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Álvarez-Merz
- Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Teófilo Hernando, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Dolores Muñoz
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M Hernández-Guijo
- Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Teófilo Hernando, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain.
| | - José M Solís
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
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Álvarez-Merz I, Fomitcheva IV, Sword J, Hernández-Guijo JM, Solís JM, Kirov SA. Novel mechanism of hypoxic neuronal injury mediated by non-excitatory amino acids and astroglial swelling. Glia 2022; 70:2108-2130. [PMID: 35802030 PMCID: PMC9474671 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In ischemic stroke and post-traumatic brain injury (TBI), blood-brain barrier disruption leads to leaking plasma amino acids (AA) into cerebral parenchyma. Bleeding in hemorrhagic stroke and TBI also release plasma AA. Although excitotoxic AA were extensively studied, little is known about non-excitatory AA during hypoxic injury. Hypoxia-induced synaptic depression in hippocampal slices becomes irreversible with non-excitatory AA, alongside their intracellular accumulation and increased tissue electrical resistance. Four non-excitatory AA (l-alanine, glycine, l-glutamine, l-serine: AGQS) at plasmatic concentrations were applied to slices from mice expressing EGFP in pyramidal neurons or astrocytes during normoxia or hypoxia. Two-photon imaging, light transmittance (LT) changes, and electrophysiological field recordings followed by electron microscopy in hippocampal CA1 st. radiatum were used to monitor synaptic function concurrently with cellular swelling and injury. During normoxia, AGQS-induced increase in LT was due to astroglial but not neuronal swelling. LT raise during hypoxia and AGQS manifested astroglial and neuronal swelling accompanied by a permanent loss of synaptic transmission and irreversible dendritic beading, signifying acute damage. Neuronal injury was not triggered by spreading depolarization which did not occur in our experiments. Hypoxia without AGQS did not cause cell swelling, leaving dendrites intact. Inhibition of NMDA receptors prevented neuronal damage and irreversible loss of synaptic function. Deleterious effects of AGQS during hypoxia were prevented by alanine-serine-cysteine transporters (ASCT2) and volume-regulated anion channels (VRAC) blockers. Our findings suggest that astroglial swelling induced by accumulation of non-excitatory AA and release of excitotoxins through antiporters and VRAC may exacerbate the hypoxia-induced neuronal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Álvarez-Merz
- Dept. de Farmacología y Terapéutica, ITH, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, IRYCIS, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Dept. of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA
| | - Ioulia V. Fomitcheva
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA
| | - Jeremy Sword
- Dept. of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA
| | - Jesús M. Hernández-Guijo
- Dept. de Farmacología y Terapéutica, ITH, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, IRYCIS, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Solís
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergei A. Kirov
- Dept. of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA
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Ramos E, López-Muñoz F, Gil-Martín E, Egea J, Álvarez-Merz I, Painuli S, Semwal P, Martins N, Hernández-Guijo JM, Romero A. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Key Emphasis on Melatonin Safety and Therapeutic Efficacy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1152. [PMID: 34356384 PMCID: PMC8301107 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections constitute a tectonic convulsion in the normophysiology of the hosts. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is not an exception, and therefore the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, like any other invading microbe, enacts a generalized immune response once the virus contacts the body. Melatonin is a systemic dealer that does not overlook any homeostasis disturbance, which consequently brings into play its cooperative triad, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulant backbone, to stop the infective cycle of SARS-CoV-2 or any other endogenous or exogenous threat. In COVID-19, the corporal propagation of SARS-CoV-2 involves an exacerbated oxidative activity and therefore the overproduction of great amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). The endorsement of melatonin as a possible protective agent against the current pandemic is indirectly supported by its widely demonstrated beneficial role in preclinical and clinical studies of other respiratory diseases. In addition, focusing the therapeutic action on strengthening the host protection responses in critical phases of the infective cycle makes it likely that multi-tasking melatonin will provide multi-protection, maintaining its efficacy against the virus variants that are already emerging and will emerge as long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate among us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ramos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Francisco López-Muñoz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Camilo José Cela, C/Castillo de Alarcón 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain;
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i + 12), Avda. Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Portucalense Institute of Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Neurosciences (INPP), Portucalense University, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 541, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Thematic Network for Cooperative Health Research (RETICS), Addictive Disorders Network, Health Institute Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Gil-Martín
- Nutrition, Food & Plant Science Group NF1, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Javier Egea
- Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Molecular Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Plasticity Research Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Santa Cristina, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iris Álvarez-Merz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.Á.-M.); (J.M.H.-G.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9100, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sakshi Painuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002, India; (S.P.); (P.S.)
| | - Prabhakar Semwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002, India; (S.P.); (P.S.)
- Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Natália Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Institute for Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Jesús M. Hernández-Guijo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Av. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.Á.-M.); (J.M.H.-G.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9100, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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Álvarez-Merz I, Luengo JG, Muñoz MD, Hernández-Guijo JM, Solís JM. Hypoxia-induced depression of synaptic transmission becomes irreversible by intracellular accumulation of non-excitatory amino acids. Neuropharmacology 2021; 190:108557. [PMID: 33848510 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular accumulation of some amino acids (AAs), mainly glutamine, can contribute to brain edema observed during liver failure. We recently demonstrated that individual applications of high concentrations (10 mM) of some non-excitatory AAs increase the electrical resistance of hippocampal slices, indicating cell swelling. Therefore, we pondered whether an AA mixture's application might cause cell swelling at a physiological concentration range. In rat hippocampal slices, we carried out extra- and intracellular electrophysiological recordings and AAs analysis to address this question. We applied a mixture of 19 AAs at their plasmatic concentrations (Plasma solution: Ala, Gly, Gln, His, Ser, Tau, Thr, Arg, Leu, Met, Pro, Val, Asn, Cys, Phe, Ile, Lys, Tyr, and Trp). This solution was afterward divided into two according to the individual AAs at 10 mM concentration inducing synaptic potentiation (Plasma1, containing the first seven AAs of Plasma) or not (Plasma2, with the remaining AAs). Plasma application increased evoked field potentials requiring extracellular chloride. This effect was mimicked by the Plasma1 but not the Plasma2 solution. Plasma1-induced potentiation was independent of changes in release probability, basic electrophysiological membrane properties, and NMDAR activation. AAs in Plasma1 act cooperatively to accumulate intracellularly and to induce synaptic potentiation. In the presence of Plasma1, the reversible synaptic depression caused by a 40-min hypoxia period turned into an irreversible disappearance of synaptic potentials through an NMDAR-dependent mechanism. The presence of a system A transport inhibitor did not block Plasma1-mediated effects. These results indicate that cell swelling, induced by the accumulation of non-excitotoxic AAs through unidentified transporters, might foster deleterious effects produced by hypoxia-ischemia episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Álvarez-Merz
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Farmacología y Terapeútica, ITH, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, IRYCIS, Avda. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier G Luengo
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Farmacología y Terapeútica, ITH, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, IRYCIS, Avda. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Dolores Muñoz
- Unidad de Neurología Experimental, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, 28034, Spain
| | - Jesús M Hernández-Guijo
- Departamento de Farmacología y Terapeútica, ITH, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, IRYCIS, Avda. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Solís
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034, Madrid, Spain.
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Luengo JG, Muñoz MD, Álvarez-Merz I, Herranz AS, González JC, Martín del Río R, Hernández-Guijo JM, Solís JM. Intracellular accumulation of amino acids increases synaptic potentials in rat hippocampal slices. Amino Acids 2019; 51:1337-1351. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02771-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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