Estudo bioquímico e comportamental em camundongos submetidos à infusão intracerebroventricular dos peptídeos beta-amilóide AB1-40 E AB25-35 e o papel neuroprotetor da atorvastatina

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Biológicas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências.The accumulation and aggregation of beta-amyloid peptide (Aâ) in brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease results in activation of glial cells, which in turn may initiate inflammatory responses, release of inflammatory proteins and reactive oxygen species. These changes leave more vulnerable glutamatergic transporters and may result in reduction of their functions. In this study, the effects of intracerebroventricular infusion of peptides Aâ1-40 and Aâ25-35, on cognition, uptake of L-[3H] glutamate, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death in mice were evaluated. The peptide Aâ1-40 appears to be more potent that the Aâ25-35, according to the methods studied, causing cell death and production of the inflammatory COX-2 protein. The infusion of both peptides Aâ1-40 and Aâ25-35 caused cognitive impairment, decreased uptake of L-[3H] glutamate and transporters GLAST and GLT-1, increased lipid peroxidation and reduction in NPSH and activation of glial cells. In order to seek neuroprotective approaches, atorvastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, was administered for 7 days in animals that received infusion of peptides Aâ1-40 or Aâ25-35. Treatment with atorvastatin (10 mg/Kg/day) was not able to reverse the cognitive decline and decreased uptake of glutamate, but was neuroprotective against cell death by increasing the expression of glutamatergic transporters, decreasing inflammatory mediators and TBARS. Thus, atorvastatin has a potential neuroprotective effect against toxicity induced by beta-amyloid peptides

The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior: A review from students to students

One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity. This review originated from the first International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) Flagship School held in Alpbach, Austria (Sep 2016), and will use its curriculum and discussions as a framework to review some of the current knowledge in the field of synaptic plasticity. First, we describe the role of plasticity during development and the persistent changes of neural circuitry occurring when sensory input is altered during critical developmental stages. We then outline the signaling cascades resulting in the synthesis of new plasticity-related proteins, which ultimately enable sustained changes in synaptic strength. Going beyond the traditional understanding of synaptic plasticity conceptualized by LTP and LTD, we discuss system-wide modifications and recently unveiled homeostatic mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling. Finally, we describe the neural circuits and synaptic plasticity mechanisms driving associative memory and motor learning. Evidence summarized in this review provides a current view of synaptic plasticity in its various forms, offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and behavioral relevance, and provides directions for future research in the field of synaptic plasticity.Fil: Schaefer, Natascha. University of Wuerzburg; AlemaniaFil: Rotermund, Carola. University of Tuebingen; AlemaniaFil: Blumrich, Eva Maria. Universitat Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Lourenco, Mychael V.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Joshi, Pooja. Robert Debre Hospital; FranciaFil: Hegemann, Regina U.. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Jamwal, Sumit. ISF College of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Ali, Nilufar. Augusta University; Estados UnidosFil: García Romero, Ezra Michelet. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Sharma, Sorabh. Birla Institute of Technology and Science; IndiaFil: Ghosh, Shampa. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Sinha, Jitendra K.. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Loke, Hannah. Hudson Institute of Medical Research; AustraliaFil: Jain, Vishal. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Lepeta, Katarzyna. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Salamian, Ahmad. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Sharma, Mahima. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Golpich, Mojtaba. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Nawrotek, Katarzyna. University Of Lodz; ArgentinaFil: Paid, Ramesh K.. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology; IndiaFil: Shahidzadeh, Sheila M.. Syracuse University; Estados UnidosFil: Piermartiri, Tetsade. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Amini, Elham. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Pastor, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Wilson, Yvette. University of Melbourne; AustraliaFil: Adeniyi, Philip A.. Afe Babalola University; NigeriaFil: Datusalia, Ashok K.. National Brain Research Centre; IndiaFil: Vafadari, Benham. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Saini, Vedangana. University of Nebraska; Estados UnidosFil: Suárez Pozos, Edna. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Kushwah, Neetu. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Fontanet, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Turner, Anthony J.. University of Leeds; Reino Unid

α-Linolenic Acid, A Nutraceutical with Pleiotropic Properties That Targets Endogenous Neuroprotective Pathways to Protect against Organophosphate Nerve Agent-Induced Neuropathology

α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a nutraceutical found in vegetable products such as flax and walnuts. The pleiotropic properties of ALA target endogenous neuroprotective and neurorestorative pathways in brain and involve the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neuroprotective protein in brain, and downstream signaling pathways likely mediated via activation of TrkB, the cognate receptor of BDNF. In this review, we discuss possible mechanisms of ALA efficacy against the highly toxic OP nerve agent soman. Organophosphate (OP) nerve agents are highly toxic chemical warfare agents and a threat to military and civilian populations. Once considered only for battlefield use, these agents are now used by terrorists to inflict mass casualties. OP nerve agents inhibit the critical enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that rapidly leads to a cholinergic crisis involving multiple organs. Status epilepticus results from the excessive accumulation of synaptic acetylcholine which in turn leads to the overactivation of muscarinic receptors; prolonged seizures cause the neuropathology and long-term consequences in survivors. Current countermeasures mitigate symptoms and signs as well as reduce brain damage, but must be given within minutes after exposure to OP nerve agents supporting interest in newer and more effective therapies. The pleiotropic properties of ALA result in a coordinated molecular and cellular program to restore neuronal networks and improve cognitive function in soman-exposed animals. Collectively, ALA should be brought to the clinic to treat the long-term consequences of nerve agents in survivors. ALA may be an effective therapy for other acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders

α-Linolenic Acid, A Nutraceutical with Pleiotropic Properties That Targets Endogenous Neuroprotective Pathways to Protect against Organophosphate Nerve Agent-Induced Neuropathology

α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a nutraceutical found in vegetable products such as flax and walnuts. The pleiotropic properties of ALA target endogenous neuroprotective and neurorestorative pathways in brain and involve the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neuroprotective protein in brain, and downstream signaling pathways likely mediated via activation of TrkB, the cognate receptor of BDNF. In this review, we discuss possible mechanisms of ALA efficacy against the highly toxic OP nerve agent soman. Organophosphate (OP) nerve agents are highly toxic chemical warfare agents and a threat to military and civilian populations. Once considered only for battlefield use, these agents are now used by terrorists to inflict mass casualties. OP nerve agents inhibit the critical enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that rapidly leads to a cholinergic crisis involving multiple organs. Status epilepticus results from the excessive accumulation of synaptic acetylcholine which in turn leads to the overactivation of muscarinic receptors; prolonged seizures cause the neuropathology and long-term consequences in survivors. Current countermeasures mitigate symptoms and signs as well as reduce brain damage, but must be given within minutes after exposure to OP nerve agents supporting interest in newer and more effective therapies. The pleiotropic properties of ALA result in a coordinated molecular and cellular program to restore neuronal networks and improve cognitive function in soman-exposed animals. Collectively, ALA should be brought to the clinic to treat the long-term consequences of nerve agents in survivors. ALA may be an effective therapy for other acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders

Q1VA, a Synthetic Chalcone, Induces Apoptosis and Decreases Invasion on Primary Culture of Human Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most commonly occurring type of primary tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) and is considered the worst type of glioma. Despite the current standard treatment for newly diagnosed GBM, which involves surgery followed by chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) and radiation therapy, the average survival time for patients with GBM is only about 15 months. This is due to GBM’s tendency to recur, its high proliferative rates, its ability to evade apoptosis, and its ability to invade healthy tissue. Therefore, it is crucial to explore new treatment options for GBM. This study investigated the potential anticancer activities of a new series of synthetic chalcones, which are natural compounds found in the biosynthesis of flavonoids in plants. Primary cell culture of glioblastoma (GBM1) from surgical resection was used to evaluate the effects of synthetic chalcones on viability, cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), cell cycle, and invasion. One chalcone, Q1VA (at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 μM for 24 h) induced cytotoxicity by increasing apoptosis levels and depolarizing the mitochondrial membrane, as evidenced by a TMRE assay. Further analysis using the molecular fluorescent probe H2DCFDA indicated that the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) might be linked to altered mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death. Furthermore, viable cells were observed to be delayed in the cell cycle, primarily in the M phase, and the invasion process was reduced. The findings of this study indicate that Q1VA is a potential adjuvant therapeutic agent for GBM due to its significant antitumor effects. If its safety and efficacy can be confirmed in animal models, Q1VA may be considered for clinical trials in humans. However, additional research is required to determine the optimal dosage, treatment schedule, and potential side effects of Q1VA

(-)-Phenserine attenuates soman-induced neuropathology.

Organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents are deadly chemical weapons that pose an alarming threat to military and civilian populations. The irreversible inhibition of the critical cholinergic degradative enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by OP nerve agents leads to cholinergic crisis. Resulting excessive synaptic acetylcholine levels leads to status epilepticus that, in turn, results in brain damage. Current countermeasures are only modestly effective in protecting against OP-induced brain damage, supporting interest for evaluation of new ones. (-)-Phenserine is a reversible AChE inhibitor possessing neuroprotective and amyloid precursor protein lowering actions that reached Phase III clinical trials for Alzheimer's Disease where it exhibited a wide safety margin. This compound preferentially enters the CNS and has potential to impede soman binding to the active site of AChE to, thereby, serve in a protective capacity. Herein, we demonstrate that (-)-phenserine protects neurons against soman-induced neuronal cell death in rats when administered either as a pretreatment or post-treatment paradigm, improves motoric movement in soman-exposed animals and reduces mortality when given as a pretreatment. Gene expression analysis, undertaken to elucidate mechanism, showed that (-)-phenserine pretreatment increased select neuroprotective genes and reversed a Homer1 expression elevation induced by soman exposure. These studies suggest that (-)-phenserine warrants further evaluation as an OP nerve agent protective strategy

Administration of (−)-phenserine prior to but not after soman protects against soman-induced mortality.

<p>Rats were administered (−)-phenserine, posiphen or saline 4 hr (A), or 30 min (B) prior to or 5 min (C) or 30 min (D) after soman. In the 4 hr pretreatment groups of animals, 12 rats died in the posiphen group and 11 rats died in the control group. There were no deaths in the (−)-phenserine group. In the 30 min pretreatment groups of animals, 2 animals died in the (−)-phenserine group. The bar represents the percent of surviving rats 24 hr after soman exposure calculated as: number of surviving rats 24 hr after soman/total number of rats ×100. n = 17–20. *p<0.026 <i>vs</i> saline/soman by Fisher exact test.</p

Information on primers and probes used in the study.

<p>Information on primers and probes used in the study.</p

Administration with (−)-phenserine but not posiphen thirty minutes prior to soman exposure reduces neuronal cell death in the vulnerable piriform cortex.

<p>Representative photomicrographs of the piriform cortex stained with Fluorojade C staining (A–D, magnification 200×). Animals were injected with saline (A), a single dose of posiphen (1 mg/kg iv) [C] or (−)-pheserine (1 mg/kg iv) [D] thirty min prior to injection of soman (B). Animals were euthanized 24 hours after soman exposure. The piriform cortex (Pir) is outlined in the coronal section. Fluorojade C-positive degenerating neurons are indicated by the arrowheads. There was no statistically significant difference between groups of animals injected with saline and administration of either posiphen or (−)-phenserine in the absence of soman and are not shown.</p

Administration of (−)-phenserine injected intravenously 30 min after soman protects neurons against soman-induced neuronal cell death.

<p>Rats were post-treated with (−)-phenserine, posiphen or saline thirty minutes after soman. Images from three representative fields were acquired for each of the four brain regions/animal. The number of fluorescein-positive neurons was counted by an investigator that was blinded to the treatment. The bar represents the average percent neuronal cell death ± SD in the pirform cortex (A), hippocampus (B), basolateral amygdala (C), cingulate cortex (D). n = 6/group. *p<0.001 <i>vs</i> soman/saline by ANOVA+Tukey <i>post hoc</i> analysis.</p