Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated neuroprotective effects on the degenerative retina: the therapeutic potential of erythropoietin

Retinal degeneration (RD) results in photoreceptor loss and irreversible visual impairments. This study sought to alleviate the photoreceptor degeneration via the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated erythropoietin (EPO) therapy. AAV-2/2-mCMV-EPO vectors were constructed and delivered into the subretinal space of a RD model. The retinal morphology, optokinetic behaviour and electrophysiological function of the treated animals were analysed. The subretinal delivery of AAV-2/2 vectors induced robust EPO gene expressions in the retinas. AAV2/2-mediated EPO therapy ameliorated the photoreceptor degeneration and visual impairments of the RD animal model. Furthermore, the multi-electrodes array (MEA) was used to detect the firing activities of retinal ganglion cells. MEA recording showed that the EPO therapy could restrain the spontaneous firing response, enhance the light-induced firing response and preserve the basic configurations of visual signal pathway in RD model. Our MEA assay provided an example to evaluate the potency of pharmacological compounds on retinal plasticity. In conclusion, AAV2/2-mediated EPO therapy can ameliorate the photoreceptor degeneration and rectify the abnormities in visual signal transmission. These beneficial results suggest the AAV vector is a viable therapeutic option for retinopathies with rapidly degenerating kinetics and lay the groundwork for future development of EPO gene therapy.     

甘木通乙酸乙酯提取物对低糖缺氧诱导的神经细胞的保护作用

目的 研究甘木通乙酸乙酯提取物对低糖缺氧诱导神经细胞凋亡的保护作用.方法 PC12细胞结合物理缺氧方式建立缺血性中风的细胞模型,CCK-8检测细胞活性,测定乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)漏出分析细胞膜完整性,流式细胞术和Hoechst 33258染色检测细胞凋亡,JC-1法测定细胞内线粒体膜电位,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax、cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达,检测SOD、MDA水平分析甘木通乙酸乙酯提取物的抗氧化能力.结果 与模型组比较,甘木通乙酸乙酯提取物可以有效提高缺氧PC12细胞的存活率(P<0.01),降低LDH漏出量(P<0.01),提高线粒体膜电位,增加细胞内SOD水平,降低MDA水平,增加Bcl-2蛋白表达,减少Bax,cleaved caspase-3蛋白的表达(P<0.05,P<0.01),降低细胞凋亡率.结论 甘木通乙酸乙酯提取物可抑制低糖缺氧诱导PC12细胞凋亡,该神经保护作用可能与细胞的线粒体凋亡途径有关.     

An updated review on pathophysiology and management of burning mouth syndrome with endocrinological,psychological and neuropathic perspectives

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oro‐facial pain disorder of unknown cause. It is more common in peri‐ and post‐menopausal women, and sex hormone dysregulation is believed to be an important causative factor. Psychosocial events often trigger or exacerbate symptoms, and persons with BMS appear to be predisposed towards anxiety and depression. Atrophy of small nerve fibres in the tongue epithelium has been reported, and potential neuropathic mechanisms for BMS are now widely investigated. Historically, BMS was thought to comprise endocrinological, psychosocial and neuropathic components. Neuroprotective steroids and glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor family ligands may have pivotal roles in the peripheral mechanisms associated with atrophy of small nerve fibres. Denervation of chorda tympani nerve fibres that innervate fungiform buds leads to alternative trigeminal innervation, which results in dysgeusia and burning pain when eating hot foods. With regard to the central mechanism of BMS, depletion of neuroprotective steroids alters the brain network–related mood and pain modulation. Peripheral mechanistic studies support the use of topical clonazepam and capsaicin for the management of BMS, and some evidence supports the use of cognitive behavioural therapy. Hormone replacement therapy may address the causes of BMS, although adverse effects prevent its use as a first‐line treatment. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may have important benefits, and well‐designed controlled studies are expected. Other treatment options to be investigated include brain stimulation and TSPO (translocator protein 18 kDa) ligands.     

Ginseng Protein Reverses Amyloid Beta Peptide and H2O2 Cytotoxicity in Neurons,and Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in AD Rats Induced by a Combination of D‐Galactose and AlCl3

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most widely used herbal medicines worldwide. The present study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of ginseng protein (GP) and its possible mechanisms in a cellular and animal model of AD. The results demonstrated that GP (10–100 µg/mL) significantly improved the survival rate of neurons and reduced the cells' apoptosis and the mRNA expression of caspase‐3 and Bax/Bcl‐2. In addition, GP (0.1 g/kg) significantly shortened the escape latency, prolonged the crossing times and the percentage of residence time; reduced the level of Aβ_1–42 and p‐tau, the activity of T‐NOS and iNOS, and the content of MDA and NO, improved the activity of SOD, the concentration of cAMP and the protein expression of p‐PKA/PKA and ‐CREB/CREB. The results demonstrated that GP significantly inhibited Alzheimer‐like pathophysiological changes induced by Aβ_25–35 or H₂O₂ in cells or those induced by D‐gal/ Al in animals. These neuroprotective effects of GP may be associated with the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. Also, in combination with our previous studies, these results indicate that the anti‐AD mechanism of GP was likely to activate the CREB pathway through multiple channels. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

地黄化学成分及其药理作用研究进展

地黄Rehmannia glutinosa为玄参科地黄属植物, 其块根为常用中药。该植物块根和叶中含有大量的环烯醚萜类成分, 同时还存在紫罗兰酮、二苯乙烯、三萜、黄酮、酚酸、木脂素、含氮类、糖及其他类化合物;药理研究表明梓醇等多个成分具有抗心脑血管疾病、神经保护、抗糖尿病及其并发症、抗骨质疏松、增强免疫等多种药理作用。由于中药地黄显著的滋补作用, 历来是研究的热点。对最近5年有关地黄的化学成分和药理研究进行综述, 为进一步研究提供参考。     

玛咖酰胺研究进展

玛咖因其丰富的营养价值和多样的药用价值被作为食品和传统药材长期食用。玛咖酰胺为其特征性化合物,是一系列非极性长链脂肪酸的氮苄基酰胺类化合物,具有神经保护及神经系统调节等活性。综述了玛咖酰胺的种类,及其化学合成、检测方法、生物活性的国内外研究进展,为进一步研究及开发利用提供参考。     

神经保护因子对巨细胞感染新生儿听力影响的研究

目的 探讨神经保护因子对巨细胞感染新生儿听力的影响。方法 收集78例先天性巨细胞感染的新生儿分为2组,均给予更昔洛韦进行治疗,研究组患者在上述治疗的基础上给予神经保护因子,比较2组患者的治疗效果。结果 2组患儿在出生后3 d听力筛选不通过率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);患儿听力筛选不通过率在出生后6周研究组(5.1%)明显低于对照组(15.4%,P<0.05)。研究组患儿诱发电位检测V波的阈值在出生后3个月与6个月均明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 在一定程度上神经保护因子能降低先天性巨细胞感染新生儿听力的损伤,对患儿的听觉系统有很好的保护作用,在临床上值得进行推广应用。     

Adrenomedullin: an important participant in neurological diseases

Adrenomedullin,a peptide with multiple physiological functions in nervous system injury and disease,has aroused the interest of researchers.This review summarizes the role of adrenomedullin in neuropathological disorders,including pathological pain,brain injury and nerve regeneration,and their treatment.As a newly characterized pronociceptive mediator,adrenomedullin has been shown to act as an upstream factor in the transmission of noxious information for various types of pathological pain including acute and chronic inflammatory pain,cancer pain,neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve injury and diabetic neuropathy.Initiation of glia-neuron signaling networks in the peripheral and central nervous system by adrenomedullin is involved in the formation and maintenance of morphine tolerance.Adrenomedullin has been shown to exert a facilitated or neuroprotective effect against brain injury including hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury.Additionally,adrenomedullin can serve as a regulator to promote nerve regeneration in pathological conditions.Therefore,adrenomedullin is an important participant in nervous system diseases.     

赤芍通过抗神经胶质增生及抗氧化保护局部短暂性脑缺血小鼠海马部位神经的研究

目的：卒中是全球第二大死亡原因。本研究探究赤芍（Paeoniae Radix Rubra， PRR）对缺血性脑卒中小鼠的神经保护作用。方法：使用小鼠大脑中动脉堵塞法构建局部脑缺血模型。将实验动物分为4组，假手术组（Sham 组）、假手术给药组（PRR-sham组）、手术组（Isch组）、手术给药组（PRR-Isch组）。采用TTC染色法测量各组小鼠脑梗死体积；免疫组织化学染色观察各组之间小鼠缺血侧大脑海马区神经元细胞的凋亡情况以及星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的活化程度；采用蛋白印迹法观察小鼠缺血侧海马超氧化物歧化酶1（SOD1）、超氧化物歧化酶2（SOD2）、过氧化氢酶抗体（Catalase）表达水平。结果：赤芍可以明显减少局部脑缺血小鼠的脑梗死体积，并能抑制海马CA1区星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的活化程度，同时可以改善由缺血再灌注损伤引起的SOD1、SOD2和Catalase的表达水平下降情况。结论：赤芍可以通过抗胶质增生以及抗氧化作用改善局部短暂性脑缺血小鼠的神经损伤情况。     

Reduction of aluminum ion neurotoxicity through a small peptide application – NAP treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in late life. It is difficult to precisely diagnose AD at early stages, making biomarker search essential for further developments. The objective of this study was to identify protein biomarkers associated with aluminum ions toxicity (AD-like toxicity) in a human neuroblastoma cell model, SH-SY5Y and assess potential prevention by NAP (NAPVSIPQ). Complete proteomic techniques were implemented. Four proteins were identified as up-regulated with aluminum ion treatment, CBP80/20-dependent translation initiation factor (CTIF), Early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1), Leucine-rich repeat neuronal protein 4 (LRRN4) and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit beta (PI3KR2). Of these four proteins, EEA1 and PI3KR2 were down-regulated after NAP-induced neuroprotective activity in neuroblastoma cells. Thus, aluminum ions may increase the risk for neurotoxicity in AD, and the use of NAP is suggested as a treatment to provide additional protection against the effects of aluminum ions, via EEA1 and PI3KR2, associated with sorting and processing of the AD amyloid precursor protein (APP) through the endosomal system.