神经节苷脂GM1与神经系统疾病

神经节苷脂是一类含唾液酸的鞘糖脂,在脑内的含量非常丰富.它不但能够促进神经细胞分化、神经突生长以及突触形成,而且参与了神经可塑性的凋节和脑损伤后的功能恢复.GM1是迄今研究最为深入的神经节苷脂,对细胞内C4~(2+)稳态的调节被认为是GM1神经营养/神经保护作用的基础,而它与神经营养因子的相互作用则是其神经保护作用的关键.此外,它还具有抗兴奋性毒性、抗氧化、扩血管等作用.各种神经变性疾病以及缺血缺氧性脑病均与神经元脱失和凋亡有关,而GM1的神经营养/神经保护作用能在这些疾病的治疗中发挥重要作用.目前,GM1已被广泛用于帕金森病、卒中、新生儿缺血缺氧性脑病、脑外伤、脊髓损伤以及周围神经病的治疗,对其作用机制的进一步研究有望为上述疾病的治疗提供新的思路.

Ganglioside GM1 and central nervous system diseases

Gangliosides are sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids and abundant in the brain. Some studies showed that glycosphingolipids not only could improve the differentiation of neurons, neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis, but also could modulate neuronal plasticity and improve neurological function after cerebral damage. GM1 was so far most widely studied glycosphingolipids. It is believed that the regulatory functions for calcium homeostasis and the interaction between GM1 and neurotrophins are essential in the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotection. In addition, GM1 has also anti-excitotoxicity, anti-oxidation and vasodilation properties. Various forms of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and hypoxia/ischemic encepha-lopathy are characterized by progressive loss and apoptosis of neurons, the neuroprotective and neruotrophic effects of GM1 could play pivotal role in the treatment of these diseases. Nowadays, GM1 was widely used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, stroke, hypoxia-ischemic encephalopathy, craniocerebral trauma, spinal cord injury and peripheral neuropathy. Further researches for the mechanisms of GM1 will provide new strategies for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.