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International Immunopharmacology Oct 2023Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that occurs most frequently in middle-aged and elderly people. It is characterized by an insidious onset and a...
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that occurs most frequently in middle-aged and elderly people. It is characterized by an insidious onset and a complex etiology, and no effective treatment has been developed. The primary characteristic of PD is the degenerative death of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. The excessive autophagy of neurons and hyperactivation of microglia were shown to be involved in the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons. Limonin (LM), a type of pure natural compound present in grapefruit or citrus fruits (e. g., lemon, orange) has been reported to inhibit apoptosis and inflammation. However, its role and mechanism of action in PD are unclear. In this study, we explored the effect and mechanism of action of LM in PD. In vivo experiments revealed that LM ameliorated 6-OHDA-induced reduced motor activity and PD-related pathological damage in rats. In vitro experiments revealed that LM inhibited the 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells by inhibiting the excessive autophagy of neurons. In addition, LM inhibited microglial inflammation by activating the AKT/Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway and protected neurons against microglial inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity. In conclusion, the findings of this experiment demonstrated that LM exerted neuroprotective effects by inhibiting neuronal autophagy-mediated apoptosis and microglial activation in 6-OHDA-injected rats, thus indicating that LM can serve as a candidate for PD by targeting neuroinflammation and neuronal autophagy to inhibit neuronal apoptosis.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Aged; Middle Aged; Oxidopamine; Microglia; Neuroprotective Agents; Limonins; Parkinson Disease; Neurons; Inflammation; Administration, Oral; Autophagy
PubMed: 37536186
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110739 -
Neuroscience Jul 2023Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a common motor complication of levodopa (L-DOPA) treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). In recent years, the role of astrocytes in...
BACKGROUND
Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a common motor complication of levodopa (L-DOPA) treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). In recent years, the role of astrocytes in LID has increasingly attracted attention.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of an astrocyte regulator (ONO-2506) on LID in a rat model and the potential underlying physiological mechanism.
METHODS
Unilateral LID rat models, established by administering 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right medial forebrain bundle through stereotactic injection, were injected with ONO-2506 or saline into the striatum through brain catheterization and were administered L-DOPA to induce LID. Through a series of behavioral experiments, LID performance was observed. Relevant indicators were assessed through biochemical experiments.
RESULTS
In the LID model of 6-OHDA rats, ONO-2506 significantly delayed the development and reduced the degree of abnormal involuntary movement in the early stage of L-DOPA treatment and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) expression in the striatum compared to saline. However, there was no significant difference in the improvement in motor function between the ONO-2506 and saline groups.
CONCLUSIONS
ONO-2506 delays the emergence of L-DOPA-induced abnormal involuntary movements in the early stage of L-DOPA administration, without affecting the anti-PD effect of L-DOPA. The delaying effect of ONO-2506 on LID may be linked to the increased expression of GLT-1 in the rat striatum. Interventions targeting astrocytes and glutamate transporters are potential therapeutic strategies to delay the development of LID.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Levodopa; Oxidopamine; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Parkinson Disease; Corpus Striatum; Disease Models, Animal; Antiparkinson Agents
PubMed: 36796751
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.02.004 -
Cells Nov 2023Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal system. Currently,...
Treating Parkinson's Disease with Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome: A Translational Investigation Using Human Brain Organoids and Different Routes of In Vivo Administration.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal system. Currently, there is no treatment that retards disease progression or reverses damage prior to the time of clinical diagnosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most extensively studied cell sources for regenerative medicine applications, particularly due to the release of soluble factors and vesicles, known as secretome. The main goal of this work was to address the therapeutic potential of the secretome collected from bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) using different models of the disease. Firstly, we took advantage of an optimized human midbrain-specific organoid system to model PD in vitro using a neurotoxin-induced model through 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) exposure. In vivo, we evaluated the effects of BM-MSC secretome comparing two different routes of secretome administration: intracerebral injections (a two-site single administration) against multiple systemic administration. The secretome of BM-MSCs was able to protect from dopaminergic neuronal loss, these effects being more evident in vivo. The BM-MSC secretome led to motor function recovery and dopaminergic loss protection; however, multiple systemic administrations resulted in larger therapeutic effects, making this result extremely relevant for potential future clinical applications.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Secretome; Brain; Oxidopamine; Organoids; Mesenchymal Stem Cells
PubMed: 37947643
DOI: 10.3390/cells12212565 -
Neuroscience Feb 2024Virgin and pups-naïve female and male adult mice display two opposite responses when they are exposed to pups for the first time. While females generally take care of...
Virgin and pups-naïve female and male adult mice display two opposite responses when they are exposed to pups for the first time. While females generally take care of the pups, males attack them. Since the nucleus accumbens (NA), and its dopaminergic modulation, is critical in integrating information and processing reward and aversion, we investigated if NMDA- and 6-OHDA-induced lesions, damaging mostly NA output and dopaminergic inputs respectively, affected female maternal behavior (MB) or male infanticidal behavior (IB) in mice. Our results revealed minor or no effects of both smaller and larger NMDA-induced lesions in MB and IB. On the other hand, while 6-OHDA-induced lesions in females reduced the incidence of full MB (12.5% 6-OHDA vs. 85.7% SHAM) increasing the latency to retrieve the pups, those lesions did not affect IB in males. There were no differences in locomotor and exploratory activity between the lesioned- and SHAM- females. Despite those lesions did not induce any major effect on IB, NMDA-lesioned males spent less time in the central area of an open field, while dopaminergic-lesioned males showed reduced number of rearing and peripheral crosses. The current study shows that an intact NA is not necessary for the expression of MB and IB. However, dopaminergic inputs to NA play different role in MB and IB. While damaging dopaminergic terminals into the NA did not affect IB, it clearly delayed the more flexible and rewarding expression of parental behavior.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Female; Male; Humans; Nucleus Accumbens; Oxidopamine; N-Methylaspartate; Dopamine; Maternal Behavior
PubMed: 38176609
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.12.009 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Apr 2024Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Despite...
OBJECTIVE
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Despite extensive research, no definitive cure or effective disease-modifying treatment for PD exists to date. Therefore, the identification of novel therapeutic agents with neuroprotective properties is of utmost importance. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of Carpesii fructus extract (CFE) in both cellular and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) models of PD.
METHODS
The neuroprotective effect of CFE in HO- or 6-OHDA-induced PC-12 cells and α-synuclein-overexpressing PC-12 cells were investigated by determining the cell viability, mitochondrial damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, and α-synuclein expression. In NL5901, BZ555, and N2 worms, the expression of α-synuclein, motive ability, the viability of dopaminergic neurons, lifespan, and aging-related phenotypes were investigated. The signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting and validated by employing small inhibitors and RNAi bacteria.
RESULTS
In cellular models of PD, CFE significantly attenuated HO- or 6-OHDA-induced toxicity, as evidenced by increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis rate. In addition, CFE treatment suppressed ROS generation and restored mitochondrial membrane potential, highlighting its potential as a mitochondrial protective agent. Furthermore, CFE reduced the expression of α-synuclein in wide type (WT)-, A53T-, A30P-, or E46K-α-synuclein-overexpressing PC-12 cells. Our further findings reveal that CFE administration reduced α-synuclein expression and improved its induced locomotor deficits in NL5901 worms, protected dopaminergic neurons against 6-OHDA-induced degeneration in BZ555 worms, extended lifespan, delayed aging-related phenotypes, and enhanced the ability of stress resistance in N2 worms. Mechanistic studies suggest that the neuroprotective effects of CFE may involve the modulation of the MAPK signaling pathway, including ERK, JNK, and p38, whereas the interference of these pathways attenuated the neuroprotective effect of CFE in vitro and in vivo.
CONCLUSION
Overall, our study highlights the potential therapeutic value of CFE as a neuroprotective agent in the context of PD. Furthermore, elucidation of the active compounds of CFE will provide valuable insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for PD.
Topics: Animals; Parkinson Disease; alpha-Synuclein; Neuroprotective Agents; Caenorhabditis elegans; Reactive Oxygen Species; Oxidopamine; Hydrogen Peroxide; Dopaminergic Neurons; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37905594
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14515 -
PloS One 2023Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has served as a simple model organism to study dopaminergic neurodegeneration, as it enables quantitative analysis of cellular and...
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has served as a simple model organism to study dopaminergic neurodegeneration, as it enables quantitative analysis of cellular and sub-cellular morphologies in live animals. These isogenic nematodes have a rapid life cycle and transparent body, making high-throughput imaging and evaluation of fluorescently tagged neurons possible. However, the current state-of-the-art method for quantifying dopaminergic degeneration requires researchers to manually examine images and score dendrites into groups of varying levels of neurodegeneration severity, which is time consuming, subject to bias, and limited in data sensitivity. We aim to overcome the pitfalls of manual neuron scoring by developing an automated, unbiased image processing algorithm to quantify dopaminergic neurodegeneration in C. elegans. The algorithm can be used on images acquired with different microscopy setups and only requires two inputs: a maximum projection image of the four cephalic neurons in the C. elegans head and the pixel size of the user's camera. We validate the platform by detecting and quantifying neurodegeneration in nematodes exposed to rotenone, cold shock, and 6-hydroxydopamine using 63x epifluorescence, 63x confocal, and 40x epifluorescence microscopy, respectively. Analysis of tubby mutant worms with altered fat storage showed that, contrary to our hypothesis, increased adiposity did not sensitize to stressor-induced neurodegeneration. We further verify the accuracy of the algorithm by comparing code-generated, categorical degeneration results with manually scored dendrites of the same experiments. The platform, which detects 20 different metrics of neurodegeneration, can provide comparative insight into how each exposure affects dopaminergic neurodegeneration patterns.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Animals, Genetically Modified; Dopamine; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Oxidopamine; Dopaminergic Neurons
PubMed: 37418455
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281797 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Feb 2024Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) maintains gut homeostasis. Dopamine promotes GDNF release in astrocytes. We investigated the regulation by dopamine of...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) maintains gut homeostasis. Dopamine promotes GDNF release in astrocytes. We investigated the regulation by dopamine of colonic GDNF secretion.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
D receptor knockout (D R ) mice, adeno-associated viral 9-short hairpin RNA carrying D receptor (AAV9-shD R)-treated mice, 6-hydroxydopamine treated (6-OHDA) rats and primary enteric glial cells (EGCs) culture were used. Incubation fluid from colonic submucosal plexus and longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus were collected for GDNF and ACh measurements.
KEY RESULTS
D receptor-immunoreactivity (IR), but not D receptor-IR, was observed on EGCs. Both D receptor-IR and D receptor-IR were co-localized on cholinergic neurons. Low concentrations of dopamine induced colonic GDNF secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, which was mimicked by the D receptor agonist SKF38393, inhibited by TTX and atropine and eliminated in D R mice. SKF38393-induced colonic ACh release was absent in D R mice. High concentrations of dopamine suppressed colonic GDNF secretion, which was mimicked by the D receptor agonist quinpirole, and absent in AAV-shD R-treated mice. Quinpirole decreased GDNF secretion by reducing intracellular Ca levels in primary cultured EGCs. Carbachol ( ACh analogue) promoted the release of GDNF. Quinpirole inhibited colonic ACh release, which was eliminated in the AAV9-shD R-treated mice. 6-OHDA treated rats with low ACh and high dopamine content showed decreased GDNF content and increased mucosal permeability in the colon.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Low concentrations of dopamine promote colonic GDNF secretion via D receptors on cholinergic neurons, whereas high concentrations of dopamine inhibit GDNF secretion via D receptors on EGCs and/or cholinergic neurons.
Topics: Rats; Mice; Animals; Dopamine; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Quinpirole; Oxidopamine; 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; Receptors, Dopamine D1; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Cholinergic Agents
PubMed: 37614042
DOI: 10.1111/bph.16226 -
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 2023The 6-OHDA nigro-striatal lesion model has already been related to disorders in the excitability and synchronicity of neural networks and variation in the expression of...
BACKGROUND
The 6-OHDA nigro-striatal lesion model has already been related to disorders in the excitability and synchronicity of neural networks and variation in the expression of transmembrane proteins that control intra and extracellular ionic concentrations, such as cation-chloride cotransporters (NKCC1 and KCC2) and Na+/K+-ATPase and, also, to the glial proliferation after injury. All these non-synaptic mechanisms have already been related to neuronal injury and hyper-synchronism processes.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this study is to verify whether mechanisms not directly related to synaptic neurotransmission could be involved in the modulation of nigrostriatal pathways.
METHODS
Male Wistar rats, 3 months old, were submitted to a unilateral injection of 24 µg of 6-OHDA, in the striatum (n = 8). The animals in the Control group (n = 8) were submitted to the same protocol, with the replacement of 6-OHDA by 0.9% saline. The analysis by optical densitometry was performed to quantify the immunoreactivity intensity of GFAP, NKCC1, KCC2, Na+/K+-ATPase, TH and Cx36.
RESULTS
The 6-OHDA induced lesions in the striatum, were not followed by changes in the expression cation-chloride cotransporters and Na+/K+-ATPase, but with astrocytic reactivity in the lesioned and adjacent regions of the nigrostriatal. Moreover, the dopaminergic degeneration caused by 6-OHDA is followed by changes in the expression of connexin-36.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of the GJ blockers directly along the nigrostriatal pathways to control PD motor symptoms is conjectured. Electrophysiology of the striatum and the substantia nigra, to verify changes in neuronal synchronism, comparing brain slices of control animals and experimental models of PD, is needed.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Male; Parkinson Disease; Oxidopamine; Rats, Wistar; Chlorides; Disease Models, Animal; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Symporters
PubMed: 37480642
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100242 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Feb 2024Tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC) presented in the gut-associated strain Enterococcus faecalis can convert levodopa (L-dopa) into dopamine (DA), and its increased abundance...
AIM
Tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC) presented in the gut-associated strain Enterococcus faecalis can convert levodopa (L-dopa) into dopamine (DA), and its increased abundance would potentially minimize the availability and efficacy of L-dopa. However, the known human decarboxylase inhibitors are ineffective in this bacteria-mediated conversion. This study aims to investigate the inhibition of piperine (PIP) on L-dopa bacterial metabolism and evaluates the synergistic effect of PIP combined with L-dopa on Parkinson's disease (PD).
METHODS
Metagenomics sequencing was adopted to determine the regulation of PIP on rat intestinal microbiota structure, especially on the relative abundance of E. faecalis. Then, the inhibitory effects of PIP on L-dopa conversion and TDC expression of E. faecalis were tested in vitro. We examined the synergetic effect of the combination of L-dopa and PIP on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats and tested the regulations of L-dopa bioavailability and brain DA level by pharmacokinetics study and MALDI-MS imaging. Finally, we evaluated the microbiota-dependent improvement effect of PIP on L-dopa availability using pseudo-germ-free and E. faecalis-transplanted rats.
RESULTS
We found that PIP combined with L-dopa could better ameliorate the move disorders of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats by remarkably improving L-dopa availability and brain DA level than L-dopa alone, which was associated with the effect of PIP on suppressing the bacterial decarboxylation of L-dopa via effectively downregulating the abnormal high abundances of E. faecalis and TDC in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.
CONCLUSION
Oral administration of L-dopa combined with PIP can improve L-dopa availability and brain DA level in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats by suppressing intestinal bacterial TDC.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Levodopa; Parkinson Disease; Oxidopamine; Tyrosine Decarboxylase; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Dopamine; Bacteria; Antiparkinson Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Alkaloids; Piperidines; Benzodioxoles; Polyunsaturated Alkamides
PubMed: 37528534
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14383 -
Molecular Neurobiology Apr 2024Both neuroinflammation and iron accumulation play roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether inflammation induces iron dyshomeostasis in...
Both neuroinflammation and iron accumulation play roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether inflammation induces iron dyshomeostasis in dopaminergic neurons at an early stage of PD, at which no quantifiable dopaminergic neuron loss can be observed, is still unknown. As for the inflammation mediators, although several cytokines have been reported to increase in PD, the functions of these cytokines in the SN are double-edged and controversial. In this study, whether inflammation could induce iron dyshomeostasis in dopaminergic neurons through high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the early stage of PD is explored. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a toxin that primarily activates glia cells, and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), the neurotoxin that firstly impacts dopaminergic neurons, were utilized to mimic PD in rats. We found a common and exceedingly early over-production of HMGB1, followed by an increase of divalent metal transporter 1 with iron responsive element (DMT1+) in the dopaminergic neurons before quantifiable neuronal loss. HMGB1 neutralizing antibody suppressed inflammation in the SN, DMT1+ elevation in dopaminergic neurons, and dopaminergic neuronal loss in both LPS and 6-OHDA administration- induced PD models. On the contrary, interleukin-1β inhibitor diacerein failed to suppress these outcomes induced by 6-OHDA. Our findings not only demonstrate that inflammation could be one of the causes of DMT1+ increase in dopaminergic neurons, but also highlight HMGB1 as a pivotal early mediator of inflammation-induced iron increase and subsequent neurodegeneration, thereby HMGB1 could serve as a potential target for early-stage PD treatment.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Cytokines; Dopamine; Dopaminergic Neurons; HMGB1 Protein; Inflammation; Iron; Lipopolysaccharides; Oxidopamine; Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders
PubMed: 37833459
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03668-2