The Isothiocyanate Sulforaphane Depends on the Nrf2/γ-GCL/GSH Axis to Prevent Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cells Exposed to Methylglyoxal.

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a reactive dicarbonyl presenting both endogenous (e.g. glycolysis) and exogenous (e.g. food cooking) sources. MG induces neurotoxicity, at least in part, by affecting mitochondrial function, including a decline in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system activity, bioenergetics failure, and redox disturbances. Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate found mainly in cruciferous vegetables and exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in mammalian cells. SFN also decreases mitochondrial vulnerability to several chemical stressors. SFN is a potent activator of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is a master regulator of the mammalian redox biology. Here, we have investigated whether and how SFN would be able to prevent the MG-induced mitochondrial collapse in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The cells were exposed to SFN at 5 µM for 24 h prior to the administration of MG at 500 µM for additional 24 h. We found that SFN prevented the MG-induced OXPHOS dysfunction and mitochondrial redox impairment. SFN stimulated the activity of the enzyme γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (γ-GCL), leading to increased synthesis of glutathione (GSH). Inhibition of γ-GCL with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or silencing of Nrf2 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) against this transcription factor reduced the levels of GSH and abolished the mitochondrial protection promoted by SFN in the MG-treated cells. Thus, SFN protected mitochondria of the MG-challenged cells by a mechanism involving the Nrf2/γ-GCL/GSH axis.

Methylphenidate disrupts cytoskeletal homeostasis and reduces membrane-associated lipid content in juvenile rat hippocampus.

Although methylphenidate (MPH) is ubiquitously prescribed to children and adolescents, the consequences of chronic utilization of this psychostimulant are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of MPH on cytoskeletal homeostasis and lipid content in rat hippocampus. Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of MPH (2.0 mg/kg) or saline solution (controls), once a day, from the 15th to the 44th day of age. Results showed that MPH provoked hypophosphorylation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and reduced its immunocontent. Middle and high molecular weight neurofilament subunits (NF-M, NF-H) were hypophosphorylated by MPH on KSP repeat tail domains, while NFL, NFM and NFH immunocontents were not altered. MPH increased protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) immunocontents. MPH also decreased the total content of ganglioside and phospholipid, as well as the main brain gangliosides (GM1, GD1a, and GD1b) and the major brain phospholipids (sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine). Total cholesterol content was also reduced in the hippocampi of juvenile rats treated with MPH. These results provide evidence that disruptions of cytoskeletal and lipid homeostasis in hippocampus of juvenile rats are triggers by chronic MPH treatment and present a new basis for understanding the effects and consequences associated with chronic use of this psychostimulant during the development of the central nervous system.

Genistein prevents the decrease in ganglioside levels induced by amyloid-beta in the frontal cortex of rats.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, an in vivo model of Aß toxicity was used to investigate the effects of this peptide and the treatment with genistein on the lipid composition (gangliosides, phospholipids and cholesterol) in the frontal cortex of rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats received bilateral intracerebroventricular infusions of Aß1-42 (2 nmol) and genistein 10 mg/kg orally for 10 days. Frontal cortex was homogenized with chloroform:methanol for lipid extraction and ganglioside, phospholipid and cholesterol levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The Aß-infused animals showed a significant decrease in ganglioside concentration and relative reduction of GD1b and GQ1b species. Treatment with genistein prevented the decrease in ganglioside levels. Phospholipid and cholesterol contents did not show significant differences. DISCUSSION: Considering the roles of gangliosides on neuronal function, findings described here can contribute to the knowledge of the potential neuroprotective mechanisms of genistein against Aß-induced alterations in the frontal cortex of rats and provide a novel view in the multifaceted scenario associated with its beneficial effects.

Dual Effect of Doxazosin: Anticancer Activity on SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells and Neuroprotection on an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Several studies have demonstrated the antitumor effect of doxazosin, an α1-adrenergic blocker, against glioma and breast, bladder and prostate cancers. Doxazosin is also being evaluated as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism, and α1-adrenergic blockers have been linked to neuroprotection in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Cancer and AD have an inverse relationship in many aspects, with several factors that contribute to apoptosis inhibition and proliferation being increased in cancers but decreased in AD. Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor derived from embryonic neural-crest cells, with an overall cure rate of 40%, despite aggressive treatment. Thus, due to the need of new therapeutic strategies against NB and neurodegenerative disorders and the inverse relationship between these diseases, we investigated whether doxazosin may serve as an antitumor and neuroprotective agent. We analyzed the drug's effects on undifferentiated and retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y human NB cells and on an in vitro model of organotypic hippocampal cultures exposed to amyloid-ß. Doxazosin showed antitumor effect on undifferentiated NB cells by induction of apoptosis, necrosis, cell cycle arrest and decrease of p-EGFRTyr1048 levels. On differentiated cells, doxazosin was less cytotoxic and increased p-EGFRTyr1048, p-AktSer473 and p-GSK-3ßSer9 levels. Moreover, the drug was able to protect hippocampal slices from amyloid-ß toxicity through prevention of GSK-3ß activation and of Tau hyperphosphorylation. Therefore, our results show that doxazosin has antitumor activity against undifferentiated NB and is neuroprotective on an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alterations of membrane lipids and in gene expression of ganglioside metabolism in different brain structures in a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I).

Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) is a congenital disorder caused by the deficiency of α-l-iduronidase (IDUA), with the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the CNS. Although GAG toxicity is not fully understood, previous works suggest a GAG-induced alteration in neuronal membrane composition. This study is aimed to evaluate the levels and distribution of gangliosides and cholesterol in different brain regions (cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus and hypothalamus) in a model using IDUA knockout (KO) mice (C57BL/6). Lipids were extracted with chloroform-methanol and then total gangliosides and cholesterol were determined, followed by ganglioside profile analyses. While no changes in cholesterol content were observed, the results showed a tissue dependent ganglioside alteration in KO mice: a total ganglioside increase in cortex and cerebellum, and a selective presence of GM3, GM2 and GD3 gangliosides in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. To elucidate this, we evaluated gene expression of ganglioside synthesis (GM3, GD3 and GM2/GD2 synthases) and degradation of (Neuraminidase1) enzymes in the cerebellum and hippocampus by RT-sq-PCR. The results obtained with KO mice showed a reduced expression of GD3 and GM2/GD2 synthases and Neuraminidase1 in cerebellum; and a decrease in GM2/GD2 synthase and Neuraminidase1 in the hippocampus. These data suggest that the observed ganglioside changes result from a combined effect of GAGs on ganglioside biosynthesis and degradation.